• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.518-527
• /
• 2015

Controlled release of medications remains the most convenient way to deliver drugs. In this study, we precipitated gold nanoparticles with quercetin. We loaded gold-quercetin into poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (NQ) and tested the biological activity of NQ on HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells to acquire the sustained release property. We determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy that NQ effectively caused conformational changes in DNA and modulated different proteins related to epigenetic modifications and c ell cycle control. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage, and caspase 3 activity were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression profiles of different anti- and pro-apoptotic as well as epigenetic signals were studied by immunoblotting. A cytotoxicity assay indicated that NQ preferentially killed cancer cells, compared to normal cells. NQ interacted with HepG2 cell DNA and reduced histone deacetylases to control cell proliferation and arrest the cell cycle at the sub-G stage. Activities of cell cycle-related proteins, such as $p21^{WAF}$, cdk1, and pAkt, were modulated. NQ induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by activating p53-ROS crosstalk and induces epigenetic modifications leading to inhibited proliferation and cell cycle arrest.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.12
• /
• pp.5189-5193
• /
• 2016

Objective: Dorema glabrum Fisch. & C.A. Mey is a perennial plant that has several curative properties. Anti-proliferative activity of seeds of this plant has been demonstrated in a mouse fibrosarcoma cell line. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cytotoxicity of D. glabrum root extracts in a human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line and explore mechanisms of apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest and altered gene expression in cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The MTT assay was used to evaluate IC50 values, EB/AO staining to analyze the mode of cell death, and flow cytometry to assess the cell cycle. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) amplification was performed with apoptosis and cell cycle-related gene primers, for cyclin D1, c-myc, survivin, VEGF, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 to determine alteration of gene expression. Results: Our results showed that n-hexane and chloroform extracts had greatest toxic effects on gastric cancer cells with IC50 values of $6.4{\mu}g/ml$ and $4.6{\mu}g/ml$, respectively, after 72 h. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the population of treated cells in the G1 phase was increased in comparison to controls. Cellular morphological changes indicated induction of apoptosis. In addition, mRNA expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 were increased, and of bcl-2 survivin, VEGF, c-myc and cyclin D1 were decreased. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that D. glabrum has cytotoxic effects on AGS cells, characterized by enhanced apoptosis, reduced cell viability and arrest of cell cycling.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1615-1623
• /
• 2021

Picropodophyllotoxin (PPT), an epimer of podophyllotoxin, is derived from the roots of Podophyllum hexandrum and exerts various biological effects, including anti-proliferation activity. However, the effect of PPT on colorectal cancer cells and the associated cellular mechanisms have not been studied. In the present study, we explored the anticancer activity of PPT and its underlying mechanisms in HCT116 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to monitor cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell cycle distribution, the induction of apoptosis, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), assess the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and multi-caspase activity. Western blot assays were performed to detect the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, apoptosis-related proteins, and p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). We found that PPT induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, and ROS in the HCT116 cell line. In addition, PPT enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, which regulates apoptosis and PPT-induced apoptosis. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was inhibited by an antioxidant agent (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, NAC) and a p38 inhibitor (SB203580). PPT induced depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane and caspase-dependent apoptosis, which was attenuated by exposure to Z-VAD-FMK. Overall, these data indicate that PPT induced G1 arrest and apoptosis via ROS generation and activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.413-417
• /
• 2015

Recently, we isolated HY253, a novel decahydrofluorene analog with a molecular structure of 7,8a-divinyl-2,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-fluorene-2,4a,4b,9a-tetraol from the roots of Aralia continentalis, which is known as Dokwhal (獨活), a traditional medicinal herb. Moreover, we previously reported its cytotoxic activity on cancer cell proliferation in human lung cancer A549 and cervical cancer HeLa cells. The current study aimed to evaluate its detailed molecular mechanisms in cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Flow cytometric analysis of HepG2 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ HY253 revealed appreciable cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase via inhibition of Rb phosphorylation and down-regulation of cyclin D1. Furthermore, using western blots, we found that up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, such as p21^CIP1 and p27^KIP1, was associated with this G₁ phase arrest. Moreover, TUNEL assay and immunoblottings revealed apoptotic induction in HepG2 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ HY253 for 24 h, which is associated with cytochrome c release from mitochondria, via down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, which in turn resulted in activation of caspase-9 and -3, and proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Accordingly, we suggest that HY253 may be a potent chemotherapeutic hit compound for treating human liver cancer cells via up-regulation and activation of the p53 gene.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2010

Caesalpinia sappan L. (C. sappan) has long been used in traditional medicine as an emmenagogue, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent. The present study investigated the effects of water extract of C. sappan in human lymphoma U937 cells. The proliferation of U937 cells was decreased by C. sappan in a dose-dependently manner. Anti-proliferative effect of C. sappan on U937 cells was associated with G2/M phase arrest, which was mediated by regulating the expression of p21 protein. Moreover, phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was increased by C. sappan. Blockade of JNK and p38 was significantly inhibited C. sappan-induced G2/M phase arrest. Taken together, these results suggest that Anti-proliferative effect of C. sappan on U937 is assocated with G2/M phase cell cycle arrest by expression of p21 protein and, JNK and p38 activation.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.291-296
• /
• 2010

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a member of serine/threonine protein kinases, which initiates the principal transitions of the eukaryotic cell cycle and is a promising target for cancer therapy. The present study was designed to inhibit cdk2 gene expression to induce cell cycle arrest and cell proliferation suppression. Here, we constructed a series of RNA interference (RNAi) plasmids which can successfully express small interference RNA (siRNA) in the transfected human cells. The results showed that the RNAi plasmids containing the coding sequences for siRNAs down-regulated the cdk2 gene expression in human cancer cells at the mRNA and the protein levels. Furthermore, we found that the cell cycle was arrested at G0G1 phases and the cell proliferation was inhibited by different siRNAs. These results demonstrate that suppression of CDK2 activity by RNAi may be an effective strategy for gene therapy in human cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6791-6798
• /
• 2014

Background: To investigate the effect of silibinin on proliferation and apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell line MGC803 and its possible mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Human gastric cancer cell line MGC803 cells were treated with various concentration of silibinin. Cellular viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay andapoptosis and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry. Protein expression and mRNA of STAT3, and cell cycle and apoptosis regulated genes were detected by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Silibinin inhibits growth of MGC803 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Silibinin effectively induces apoptosis of MGC803 cells and arrests MGC803 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, while decreasing the protein expression of p-STAT3, and of STAT3 downstream target genes including Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, survivin at both protein and mRNA levels. In addition, silibinin caused an increase in caspase 3 and caspase 9 protein as well as mRNA levels. Silibinin caused G2/M phage arrest accompanied by a decrease in CDK1 and Cyclin B1 at protein and mRNA levels.. Conclusions: These results suggest that silibinin inhibits the proliferation of MGC803 cells, and it induces apoptosis and causes cell cycle arrest by down-regulating CDK1, cyclinB1, survivin, Bcl-xl, Mcl-1 and activating caspase 3 and caspase 9, potentially via the STAT3 pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.4101-4107
• /
• 2014

Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase that controls gene expression and cell cycle progression. The active mutant IPP5 ($8-60hIPP5^m$), the latest member of the inhibitory molecules for PP1, has been shown to inhibit the growth of human cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa). In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, the present study assessed overexpression of $8-60hIPP5^m$ in HeLa cells. Flow cytometric and biochemical analyses showed that overexpression of $8-60hIPP5^m$ induced G2/M-phase arrest, which was accompanied by the upregulation of cyclin B1 and phosphorylation of G2/M-phase proteins ATM, p53, $p21^{cip1/waf1}$ and Cdc2, suggesting that $8-60hIPP5^m$ induces G2/M arrest through activation of the ATM/p53/$p21^{cip1/waf1}$/Cdc2/cyclin B1 pathways. We further showed that overexpression of $8-60hIPP5^m$ led to delayed nuclear translocation of cyclin B1. $8-60hIPP5^m$ also could translocate to the nucleus in G2/M phase and interact with $pp1{\alpha}$ and Cdc2 as demonstrated by co-precipitation assay. Taken together, our data demonstrate a novel role for $8-60hIPP5^m$ in regulation of cell cycle in HeLa cells, possibly contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies for cervix carcinoma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.978-984
• /
• 2004

In the course of screening for a novel inhibitor of CDC2, HY558-1 was isolated from a culture broth of Penicillium minioluteum F558. Moreover, it was found that HY558-1 had an effect on both the cell cycle regulation and apoptosis of human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells. A flow cytometric analysis of HeLa cells revealed appreciable cell cycle arrest at the G1 and G2/M phases following treatment with HY558-1. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation due to apoptosis was observed in HeLa cells treated with HY558-1. To obtain further information on the cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction induced by HY558-1, the expression of certain cell cycle and apoptosis-associated proteins was examined using a Western blot analysis. The results revealed that HY558-1 inhibited the phosphorylation of pRb and decreased the expression levels of CDK2, CDC2, and cyclin A in the cell cycle progression. It was also shown that the level of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ was increased in HeLa cells treated with 0.52 mM of HY558-1. Accordingly, HY558-1 was found to inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells through the induction of G1 phase arrest by inhibiting pRb phosphorylation via an upregulation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$, and G2/M phase arrest by directly inhibiting CDC2 and cyclin A. Moreover, HeLa cells treated with 0.52 mM of HY558-1 exhibited apoptotic induction associated with the cleavage of Bid and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. Subsequent investigation of the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) suggested that the mitochondrial pathway was primarily involved in the HY558-1-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.631-637
• /
• 2013

Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid present in many plants with diverse applications in pharmacology. Despite several studies elucidating its significant anti-cancer activity against various cancer cells, the mechanism of action in skin cancer is not well addressed. Hence, we investigated the effects of luteolin in HaCaT (human immortalized keratinocytes) and A375 (human melanoma) cells. The radical scavenging abilities of luteolin were determined spectrophotometrically, prior to a cytotoxic study (XTT assay). Inhibitory effects were assessed by colony formation assay. Further, the capability of luteolin to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were demonstrated by flow cytometry and cellular DNA fragmentation ELISA, respectively. The results revealed that luteolin possesses considerable cytotoxicity against both HaCaT and A375 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 37.1 ${\mu}M$ and 115.1 ${\mu}M$, respectively. Luteolin also inhibited colony formation and induced apoptosis in a dose and time-dependent manner by disturbing cellular integrity as evident from morphological evaluation by Wright-Giemsa staining. Accumulation of cells in G2/M (0.83-8.14%) phase for HaCaT cells and G0/G1 (60.4-72.6%) phase for A375 cells after 24 h treatment indicated cell cycle arresting potential of this flavonoid. These data suggest that luteolin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in skin cancer cells with possible involvement of programmed cell death, providing a substantial basis for it to be developed into a potent chemopreventive template for skin cancer.