• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.7103-7110
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• 2015

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of ${\gamma}$-radiation alone or combined with a cytotoxic drug, simvastatin, on viability and cell cycling of a myeloma cell line. P3NS1 myeloma cells were treated with the selected dose of simvastatin ($0.1{\mu}M/l$) 24 hours prior to ${\gamma}$-irradiation (0.25, 0.5 and 1Gy). The cell viability, induction of apoptosis, cell death, cell cycling, generation of ROS, and expression of P53, Bax, Bcl2, caspase3, PARP1 and Fas genes were estimated. The results indicated that simvastatin ($0.1{\mu}M/l$) treatment for 24 hours prior to ${\gamma}$-irradiation increased cell death to 37.5% as compared to 4.81% by radiation (0.5Gy) alone. It was found that simvastatin treatment before irradiation caused arrest of cells in G0/G1 and G2/M phases as assessed using flow cytometry. Interestingly, simvastatin treatment of P3NS1 cells increased the intracellular ROS production and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity with increased P53, Bax and Caspase3 gene expression while that of Bcl2 was decreased. Consequently, our results indicated that pre-treatment with simvastatin increased radio sensitivity of myeloma tumor cells in addition to apoptotic effects through an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.35-43
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bo-du-san (BOS) on apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells, SNU-l cells. BOS, a drug preparation consisting of two herbs, that is, Crotonis Fructus (Strychni ignatii Semen, bodu in Korean) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (Glycyrrhizae uralensis FISCH, Gamcho in Korean). Methodss : In this study, methanol extract of BOS was examined for cytotoxic activity on human gastric cancer cells, SNU-1 cells, using XTT assay, with an IC50 value was 0.7 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml at 24 hrs and 48 hrs, respectively. Apoptosis induction by BDS in SNU-l cells was verified by the induction of DNA fragmentation, cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. Inhibitors of caspase-3, -8 and -9 (Ac-DEVD-CHO, Z-IETD-FMK and Z-LEHD-FMK) efficiently blocked BOS-induced cell death of SNU-l. Resultss : BOS-induced cell death was via caspase dependent apoptosis. Moreover, treatment of BOS result in the decrease the G1/S cycle regulation proteins (cyclin D1 and E) expression and increase CDK inhibitor proteins (p21 and p27) expression, and increase apoptotic protein, p53 expression. Thus, BOS induces apoptosis in SNU-1 cells via cell cycle arrested in G1 phase. Conclusions : These results indicated that BOS has some potential for use as an anti-cancer agent.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.1173-1178
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• 2004

Gagamhwanglyeonhaedog-tang(GHH), a Korean genuine medicine, is a newly designed herbal drug formula based on the traditional oriental pharmacological knowledge for the purpose of treating tumorous diseases. Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved suicide program residing in cells. It leads to cell death through a tightly regulated process resulting in the removal of damaged or unwanted tissue. In the present study, the apoptosis inducing activities of the decocted water extract of GHH were studied. Results of the 3- [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that GHH had a strong cytotoxic effect on HL-60 cells. The number of live cells was less than 20% after exposure to 1㎎/㎖ GHH for 48 hr. GHH increased cytotoxicity of HL-60 cells in a dose- and time­dependent manner. Cell apoptosis by GHH was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of the DNA-stained cells. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased to 28%, 31% and 37% 24 hr and 37%, 44% and 81% 48 hr after treatment with 0.01, 0.1 and 1㎎/㎖ GHH, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis of GHH treated HL-60 cells showed increase of hypodiploid apoptotic cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. DNA fragmentation also occurred in apoptosis and was characterized by a ladder pattern on agarose gel. In addition, GHH (0.01 and 0.1㎎/㎖) increased the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in 24 and 48 hr. The author showed that GHH-induced apoptosis was accompanied by activation of caspase-3. These results suggest that GHH induces activation of caspase-3 and eventually leads to apoptosis.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.30-47
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• 2006

Objective : The present study is aimed to elucidate the effects of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense on immunomodulation and the potential as an herbal remedy for cancer treatment. Method : It was performed through measurement of effects Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense extract (CJE) on NO production, NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine gene expressions related with macrophage and NK cell activity. Result : 1. CJE did not show any direct cytotoxic effects on 7250, HT1080, Hep G2 and CT-26 cells. 2. CJE activated macrophages partially to product NO and up-regulated gene expressions for iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. 3. CJE promoted cytotoxicity of NK cells against YAC-1 cells at higher concentration than 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. 4. CJE up-regulated gene expressions for $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, iNOS, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in mice splenocytes.　５. CJE inhibited lung tumor metastasis induced by CT-26 cell transplantation compared with the control group.　Conclusion : It could be concluded that CJE is an effective herbal drug for immune modulating and anti-cancer treatment by promoting activity of macrophages and NK cells.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.106-116
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• 2008

Objectives : Peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$, superoxide anion radical $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities of Mori Fructus in ob/ob mice. Methods : Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Mori Fructus per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, anti-IKK-$\alpha$, anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2 and anti-iNOS respectively. Results : Mori Fructus inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondria in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O2^-)$ were inhibited in the Mori Fructus-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas they improved in the Mori Fructus-administered groups. Mori Fructus inhibited the expression of phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, IKK-$\alpha$, COX-2, iNOS genes, and thereby the activation of NF-$I{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : These results suggest that Mori Fructus is an effective $ONOO^-$, $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and NO scavenger, and therefore it might be a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권16호
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• pp.6939-6944
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• 2014

Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis for decades. Recently, some reports have suggested that SSZ also has anti-cancer properties against human tumors. However, little is known about the effects of SSZ on oral cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of SSZ in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. The authors investigated the anti-proliferative effect of SSZ using the MTT method in HSC-4 cells (an OSCC cell line). Cell cycle analysis, acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) staining, monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and Western blotting were also conducted to investigate the cytotoxic mechanism of SSZ. SSZ significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSC-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, SSZ induced autophagic cell death, increased microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (MAP1-LC; also known as LC) 3-II levels, as well as induced punctate AVO and MDC staining, resulted in autophagic cell death. Furthermore, these observations were accompanied by the inhibition of the Akt pathway and the activation of ERK pathway. These results suggest that SSZ promotes autophagic cell death via Akt and ERK pathways and has chemotherapeutic potential for the treatment of oral cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.2939-2946
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• 2015

Many of the anti-cancer agents currently used have an origin in natural sources including plants. Aloe vera is one such plant being studied extensively for its diverse health benefits, including cancer prevention. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of Aloe vera crude extract (ACE) alone or in combination with cisplatin in human breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells was studied by cell viability assay, nuclear morphological examination and cell cycle analysis. Effects were correlated with modulation of expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and drug metabolism by RT-PCR. Exposure of cells to ACE resulted in considerable loss of cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, which was found to be mediated by through the apoptotic pathway as evidenced by changes in the nuclear morphology and the distribution of cells in the different phases of the cell cycle. Interestingly, ACE did not have any significant cytotoxicity towards normal cells, thus placing it in the category of safe chemopreventive agent. Further, the effects were correlated with the downregulation of cyclin D1, CYP 1A1, CYP 1A2 and increased expression of bax and p21 in MCF-7 and HeLa cells. In addition, low dose combination of ACE and cisplatin showed a combination index less than 1, indicating synergistic growth inhibition compared to the agents applied individually. In conclusion, these results signify that Aloe vera may be an effective anti-neoplastic agent to inhibit cancer cell growth and increase the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs like cispolatin. Thus promoting the development of plant-derived therapeutic agents appears warranted for novel cancer treatment strategies.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.166-171
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• 2020

A chemical library comprising 2,354 drug-like compounds was screened using a transcription and replication-competent viruslike particle (trVLP) system implementing the whole Ebola virus (EBOV) life cycle. Dose-dependent inhibition of Ebola trVLP replication was induced by 15 hit compounds, which primarily target different types of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Based on the chemical structure, the compounds were divided into three groups, diphenylmethane derivatives, promazine derivatives and chemicals with no conserved skeletons. The third group included sertindole, raloxifene, and ibutamoren showing prominent antiviral effects in cells. They downregulated the expression of viral proteins, including the VP40 matrix protein and the envelope glycoprotein. They also reduced the amount of EBOV-derived tetracistronic minigenome RNA incorporated into progeny trVLPs in the culture supernatant. Particularly, ibutamoren, which is a known agonist of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), showed the most promising antiviral activity with a 50% effective concentration of 0.2 μM, a 50% cytotoxic concentration of 42.4 μM, and a selectivity index of 222.8. Here, we suggest a strategy for development of anti-EBOV therapeutics by adopting GHSR agonists as hit compounds.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2003년도 Annual Meeting of KSAP : International Symposium on Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences on Obesity
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• pp.85-85
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• 2003

This study has been undertaken to increase availability of native camellia in Jeonnam as a medicinal resource and to isolate the effective components from them. Multidrug resistance(MDR) by tumor cells is a major obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapy. We report that the crude extracts of camellia flowers, leaves has a chemosensitizing effect that can reverse Pgp-mediated MDR by increasing the intracellular accumulation of drugs. The cytotoxic and chemosensitizing effects of MeOH extract from 12 spp. citrus fruits on the AML-2/D100 were determined using MTT assay. Chemosensitizing effects was screened in the presence of vincristine, a good substrate of Pgp. IC$\sub$50/ for extracts in AML-2/WT was found to be 65∼350$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ whereas the range of its mean IC$\sub$50/ value in Pgp-overexpressing cells (AML-2/Dl00) in the presence of vincristine was 90∼400$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. Of the extracts tested, mature leaf extract displayed the most potent chemosensitizing effect［IC$\sub$50/;100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, CR;1.06, RF;2.97 in the presence of VCR］. This indicates that the toxicity (IC$\sub$50/;288.89$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) of mature leaf extract is minimal at concentrations required for a complete reversal of the drug resistance. Also, this result indicates that crude extracts of camellia mature leaves would contain some principles which have chemosensitizing activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.1119-1122
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• 2016

Background: Punica granatum (PG) has been demonstrated to possess antitumor effects on various types of cancer cells. In this study, we determined antiproliferative properties of a seed extract of PG (PSE) from Iran in different human cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A methanolic extract of pomegranate seeds was prepared. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were assessed by colorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity was determined with reference to DPPH radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity of different doses of PSE (0, 5, 20, 100, 250, 500, $1000{\mu}g/ml$) was evaluated by MTT assays with A549 (lung non small cell carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer cells), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells. Results: Significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences were observed in comparison to negative controls at all tested doses ($5-1000{\mu}g/ml$). In all studied cancer cells, PSE reduced the cell viability to values below 23%, even at the lowest doses. In all cases, IC50 was determined at doses below $5{\mu}g/ml$. In this regard, SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells were the most responsive to antiproliferative effects of PSE with a maximum mean growth inhibition of 86.8% vs. 82.8%, 81.4% and 80.0% in MCF-7, PC-3 and A549 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Low doses of PSE exert potent antiproliferative effects on different human cancer cells SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells as most and A549 cells ar least responsive regarding cytotoxic effects. However, the mechanisms of action need to be addressed.