• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2009

Objectives : Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT), a Korean herbal medicine, has been used to treat severe dry cough in patients with bronchitis and pharyngitis. MMDT has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, secretory-modulating, and metabolic regulatory actions. However, there are no evidence in regard to the effects of MMDT on carcinogenesis and metastasis. Here, we investigated the effects of 70% ethanol extract of MMDT on cell viability, apoptosis, and motility in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the apoptosis induction was evaluated by caspase-3 activity. To detect apoptotic features, the cells treated with MMDT were stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cell motility was examined by Boyden chamber assay and Real-time Cell Index of Migration assay. Gelatin zymography also performed to measure matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 activity. Results : We found that MMDT significantly inhibited cell proliferation and increased caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies were observed in MMDT-treated cells by DAPI staining. MMDT also suppressed PMA-induced cell motility and activities of MMP-2/9. Conclusions : Our results exhibited that MMDT possess the anti-carcinogenetic and anti-metastatic activities via caspase-3 activation and down-regulation of cell motility and invasion in HepG2 cells. Therefore, these findings suggest that MMDT could be potentially applied to the prevention and treatment of cancer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.647-651
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of the extracts of oriental melon seeds. Various solvent extracts of oriental melon seeds were prepared and their anticancer effects were examined using in vitro MTT and CV assays. The anticancer effects of various extracts of oriental melon seeds were also examined in five human cancer cell lines including A549, AGS, HT-29, MCF-7 and HepG2. The ethanol extract of heated oriental melon seeds showed the potent cytotoxic effects especially against mouse hepatoma cell line(Hepa1c1c7), human hepatoma cell line(HepG2) and human breast cancer cell line(MCF-7). These data suggest that oriental melon seeds can be a promising anticancer agent against human liver and breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.682-688
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated about cell toxicity and oxidative stress of HepG2 cell by treatment of sodium fluoride (NaF) and fluoride extracts from krill Euphausia superba meat, shell, whole body and krill meal. The cell toxicity showed significant at 300 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ NaF treatment group. But krill (Euphausia superba) fluoride extract (KFE) treatment in all groups were not toxic. The superoxide radical production increased significantly in NaF treated group, but there was no significant change in KFE treated group. The superoxide dismutase activity was a significant increase 21.5% at $100{\mu}g/mL$ and 24.7% at $300{\mu}g/mL$ treatment group of fluoride extracts from krill meat, and 8.7% at $300{\mu}g/mL$ in krill meals, compared to the control group. However, hydroxy radical flux and catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity of fluoride extracts from krill meat did not change. As a result, for a short period of time, NaF treatment in HepG2 cells affect the cell toxicity and oxidative stress, but in the case of KFE, these were not recognized. Thus, depending on the type of food ingested with fluoride, cell toxicity and oxidative stress was found to be different.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.993-1001
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• 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients are at increased risk of many forms of malignancies, especially of the pancreas, colon and hepatocellular cancer. Unfortunately, little is known of the possible interaction between antidiabetic drugs and anticancer agents. The present study investigates the influence of metformin (MET) and sitagliptin (SITA) on the in vitro anticancer activity of the microtubule depolymerization inhibitor agent epothilone A (EpoA). Hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) viability and apoptosis were determined by the MTT test and by double staining with PO-PRO-1 and 7-aminoactinomycin D, respectively, after treatment with EpoA, metformin or sitagliptin. The levels of nuclear factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and p53 were evaluated in the presence and absence of inhibitors. While EpoA and MET inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, SITA did not. EpoA and SITA induced higher p53 levels than MET. All tested drugs increased the level of NF-${\kappa}B$. Only MET enhanced the proapoptotic effect of EpoA. The EpoA+MET combination evoked the highest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells and led to apoptosis independent of p53, decreasing the level of NF-${\kappa}B$. These findings support the link between NF-${\kappa}B$ and p53 in the modulation of apoptotic effects in HepG2 cells treated by EpoA. Our studies indicate that the combination of EpoA and MET applied in subtoxic doses has a stronger cytotoxic effect on liver cancer cells than each of the compounds alone. The therapeutic advantages of the combination of EpoA with MET may be valuable in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and liver cancer.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 1997

This study was carried out particutarly focusing on the antitumor effects of extracts obtained from mushroom, Daedalea dickinsii against Hela cell, Hep $G_{2}$, cell, L 929 cell and Sarcoma-180. Antitumor effect of hot water extracts obtained from Daedalea dickinsii against Hela cell showed at the highest level of 70% when adiministrated at the concentration of 1.5 mg/100 ml, however Hep $G_{2}$, cell inhibited 40% at the same concentration of hot water extracts. Antitumor effects of methanol extract of Daedalea dickinsii against Hela cell indicated at the highest level of 60% when 4 mg/ml was administerated. Antitumor effect of hot water extract of Daedalea dickinsii inhibited 51.03% against L929 cell. The solid tumor sarcoma-180 growth inhibition of methanol extract of Deadalea dickinsii inhibited 45.67% when administrated at the concentration of 60mg/kg, and the life prolongation was higher 30.88% than that control group.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.418-425
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• 2022

Background: Sorafenib is effective in treating hepatoma, but most patients develop resistance to it. STAT3 signaling has been implicated in sorafenib resistance. Artesunate (ART) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have anti-hepatoma effects and can inhibit STAT3 signaling in cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rg3 in combination with ART (Rg3-plus-ART) in overcoming sorafenib resistance, and to examine the involvement of STAT3 signaling in these effects. Methods: Sorafenib-resistant HepG2 cells (HepG2-SR) were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. A HepG2-SR hepatoma-bearing BALB/c-nu/nu mouse model was used to assess the in vivo anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Immunoblotting was employed to examine protein levels. ROS generation was examined by measuring DCF-DA fluorescence. Results: Rg3-plus-ART synergistically reduced viability of, and evoked apoptosis in HepG2-SR cells, and suppressed HepG2-SR tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rg3-plus-ART inhibited activation/phosphorylation of Src and STAT3 in HepG2-SR cultures and tumors. The combination also decreased the STAT3 nuclear level and induced ROS production in HepG2-SR cultures. Furthermore, overactivation of STAT3 or removal of ROS diminished the anti-proliferative effects of Rg3-plus-ART, and removal of ROS diminished Rg3-plus-ART's inhibitory effects on STAT3 activation in HepG2-SR cells. Conclusions: Rg3-plus-ART overcomes sorafenib resistance in experimental models, and inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling and modulation of ROS/STAT3 signaling contribute to the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a pharmacological basis for developing Rg3-plus-ART into a novel modality for treating sorafenib-resistant hepatoma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 1995

We established the model of clonogenic assay with cancer cell lines such as SW-156(kidney), SNU-5(stomach), Hep G2(liver), and WiDr(colon), and we investigated anticancer effect of hydrophobic protein fraction(N-fraction) from Korea red ginseng by using this model. The results of clonogenic assay showed that N-fraction had anticancer activity against SNU-5 above 100 $0.2\mu\textrm{g}$/ml concentration, and did not exhibit anticancer activity against cell lines such as SW-156, WiDr, and Hep G2 up to 1,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml concentration. This result suggests that N-fraction has specially anti-stomach cancerous effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a minor component of Panax ginseng, has been reported to possess a wide variety of pharmacological activities. However, its effects on glucose metabolism have not yet been reported. Here, we investigated the underlying signaling pathways involved in its effects on hepatic glucose. Methods: HepG2 cells were used to establish insulin-resistant (IR) model and treated with GF2. Cell viability and glucose uptake-related genes were also examined by real-time PCR and immunoblots. Results: Cell viability assays showed that GF2 up to 50 μM did not affect normal and IR-HepG2 cell viability. GF2 reduced oxidative stress by inhibiting phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling components such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p38 MAPK, and reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, GF2 activated PI3K/AKT signaling, upregulated the levels of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and GLUT-4 in IR-HepG2 cells, and promoted glucose absorption. At the same time, GF2 reduced phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase expression as well as inhibiting gluconeogenesis. Conclusion: Overall, GF2 improved glucose metabolism disorders by reducing cellular oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells via MAPK signaling, participating in the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway, promoting glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting gluconeogenesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7527-7532
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• 2014

Saussurea involucrata is a Mongolian medicinal plant well known for its effects in promoting blood circulation, and anti-inflammation and analgesic functions. Earlier studies reported that Saussurea involucrata has anticancer activity. The purpose of this study was to confirm the anticancer activity of an ethanol extract of Saussurea involucrata against hepatic cancer and elucidate its mechanisms of action. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, AO/EB staining for apoptotic cells, apoptotic DNA fragmentation and cell cycle distribution in response to Saussurea involucrata extract (SIE). The mRNA expression of caspase-3,-9 and Cdk2 and protein expression of caspase-3,-9, PARP, XIAP, Cdk2 and p21 were analyzed through real time PCR and Western blotting. Treatment with SIE inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation dose- and time-dependently, but SIE only exerted a modest cytotoxic effect on a viability of Chang human liver cells. Cells exposed to SIE showed typical hallmarks of apoptotic cell death. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SIE caused G1-phase arrest in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, Saussurea involucrata ethanol extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G1) arrest and apoptosis induction through up-regulation of the protein expressions of caspase-3,-9 a nd p21, degradation of PARP and down-regulation of the protein expression of Cdk2 and XIAP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1025-1029
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• 2012

Objective: To determine the killing effects on extracorporeal HepG2 cells under different temperatures, pressures of permeability and lengths of treatment time. Method: According to different temperatures, pressures of permeability and lengths of treating time, extracorporeal HepG2 cells of human hepatoma cell-line were grouped to 80 groups. Cell index (CI) as the measurement of killing effect were calculated by monotetrazolium (MTT) methods, i.e., CI =1- (the OD value in treated group - the OD value in blank control group) / (mean of untreated control group - mean of blank control group). According to the factorial design, data were fed into SPSS 10.0 and analyzed by three-way ANOVA (analysis of variance). Result: Temperature, pressure of permeability and length of treating time all had effects on the CI (cell index) level. Length of treating time was the most influential factor of the three. Additionally, any two of them all had statistically significant interactive effects on the CI level. When treated for 5-30 min, destilled water at $46^{\circ}C$ stably generated the highest CI. Conclusion: The "$46^{\circ}C$-destilled water-60 min" was considered as the optimal combination of conditions which lead to highest CI. We suggest exerting celiac lavage for 15 min with stilled water at $40^{\circ}C-43^{\circ}C$ in surgical practice as a hyperthermia treatment to achieve ideal killing effects on free cancer cells, which is feasible, practical, and clinically effective.