• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2023

Background: Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are a group of chemical substances used in building materials and plastic products to suppress or mitigate the combustion of materials. Although OPFRs are generally used in mixed form, information on their mixture toxicity is quite scarce. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the toxicity and determine the types of interaction (e.g., synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effect) of OPFRs mixtures. Methods: Nine organophosphorus flame retardants, including TEHP (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate) and TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate), were selected based on indoor dust measurement data in South Korea. Nine OPFRs were exposed to the luminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri for 30 minutes and the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 for 48 hours. Chemicals with significant toxicity were only used for mixture toxicity tests in HepG2. In addition, the observed EC_x values were compared with the predicted toxicity values in the CA (concentration addition) prediction model, and the MDR (model deviation ratio) was calculated to determine the type of interaction. Results: Only four chemicals showed significant toxicity in the luminescent bacteria assays. However, EC₅₀ values were derived for seven out of nine OPFRs in the HepG2 assays. In the HepG2 assays, the highest to lowest EC₅₀ were in the order of the molecular weight of the target chemicals. In the further mixture tests, most binary mixtures show additive interactions except for the two combinations that have TPhP (triphenyl phosphate), i.e., TPhP and TDCPP, and TPhP and TBOEP (tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate). Conclusions: Our data shows OPFR mixtures usually have additivity; however, more research is needed to find out the reason for the synergistic effect of TPhP. Also, the mixture experimental dataset can be used as a training and validation set for developing the mixture toxicity prediction model as a further step.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.156-161
• /
• 2001

We investigated the effects of polyacetylenes of ginseng on farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase) and carboxyl methyl transferase (CMTase) activities related to post-translational modification of Ras protein. We also investigated the effect of petroleum ether extract (PEE) of ginseng on progression of cell cycle. FPTase activity was respectively inhibited 16.2% by 10mM panaxynol and 21.3% by 10mM panaxydol, whereas CMTase activity was not inhibited by panaxynol or panaxydol. Treatment of PEE significantly reduced the numbers and size of human colon cancer cell (HT-29) and human liver cancer cell(HepG2) cultured, respectively. To investigate the mechanism of growth inhibition by PEE of ginseng, we analyzed the cell cycle progressions of PT-29 and HepG2 cells, respectively. We found that PEE significantly inhibited progression of cell cycle from G1 to S phase. These results suggest that anticancer effects of PEE were derived from the arrest of G1 phase in cell cycle progression.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.304-310
• /
• 2014

The use of mushrooms has immense potential in many diverse applications. Until now, more than 3,000 species are consumed around the world, and more than 100 have shown promising clinical activity against cancer and other chronic diseases. Sparassis latifolia (formerly S. crispa) is an edible mushroom that harbors ${\beta}$-glucan reported to possess immunostimulatory and anticancer properties. However there have been no reports on the anticancer activity of hydrophobic fractions of S. latifolia. In this study, the anticancer activities of S. latifolia extract and hydrophobic fractions were investigated using AGS (stomach cancer), A529 (lung cancer), and HepG2 (liver cancer) cell lines. In cytotoxicity results of A529 cells, fractions of A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, A9, and A10 in all 12 fractions show low $IC_{50}$ values. For HepG2 cells, A7 fraction results in the lowest $IC_{50}$ value while A7, A8, and A11 fractions show low $IC_{50}$ values in AGS cells. S. latifolia extract lead to low cell viability in cancer cells, compared to positive control of paclitaxel. A compound with molecular weight of 181 were detected using HPLC-MS but not identified yet. As a result, the hydrophobic fractions of S. latifolia EtOH extract would be a possible candidate as natural anticancer agents in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.79-98
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this Study was to investigate effect of TakliSodokSan(TSS) on the anti-tumor, immunocytes and nitric oxide(NO) production from mice peritoneal macrophages. This Study estimated the proliferation of L1210 cell lines, A431 cell lines, Hep-G2 cell lines, K562 cell lines, 3T3 cell lines, mouse thymocytes and mouse splenocytes and NO production from pcritoneal macrophages in vitro, and estimated the proliferation of L1210 cells, thymocytes and splenocytcs, NO production from peritoneal macrophages and body weight in L1210 cells-transplanted mice in vivo. The results were obtained as follows; 1. TSS inhibited significantly the proliferation of L1210, A431, Hep-G2, K562 cell lines in vitro. 2. TSS accelerated the proliferation of mice thymocytes and splenocytes in vitro. 3. TSS was not increased the nitric oxide production from mice peritoneal macrophages in vitro. 4. TSS inhibited significantly the proliferation of L1210 cells in Ll210 cells∼transplanted mice. 5. TSS accelerated the proliferation of mice thymocytes and splenocytes In L1210 cells-transplanted mice. 6. TSS was increased significantly the nitric oxide production from mice peritoneal macrophages in L1210 cells-transplanted mice. 7. TSS was increased the body weight as comparing with control group in Ll210 cells-transplanted mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.18
• /
• pp.7785-7792
• /
• 2014

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent anticancer and antiangiogenic agent. However, design and synthesis of chemical derivatives with improved antiangiogenic and anticancer activities are still necessary. In this study a library of novel derivatives of VPA was synthesized and tested. Methods: A human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and a human normal embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293) were exposed to various concentrations of VPA derivatives for 24 hours and cell viability was checked by MTT colorimetric assay. Anti-angiogenic properties were evaluated in transgenic zebrafish embryos. Results: N-valproylglycine derivatives suppressed survival almost 70% (p value 0.001) in HepG2 cells but only 10-12% in HEK 293 cells (p value 0.133). They also suppressed angiogenic blood vessel formation by 80% when used between $2-20{\mu}M$ in zebrafish embryos. Valproic acid hydrazides showed moderate level of anticancer activity by affecting 30-50% (p value 0.001) of cell viability in HepG2 cells and 8-10% in HEK293 cells (p value 0.034). Conclusion: The majority of compounds in this study showed potent and stronger antiangiogenic and anticancer activity than VPA. They proved selectively toxic to cancer cells and safer for normal cells. Moreover, these compounds inhibited developmental angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Based on the fact that liver is a highly vascularized organ, in case of liver carcinoma these compounds have the potential to target the pathological angiogenesis and could be an effective strategy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.353-357
• /
• 2002

We have previously demonstrated that kudzu root extracts have a hypocholesterolemic effect on rats fed diets high in fat and cholesterol. To further elucidate the mechanism involved, in this study we investigated the effect of water extracts of kudzu root, Pueraria radix, on the production of apolipoprotein B$_{100}$ (APo B$_{100}$) in HepG$_2$ liver cells and secretion of apolipoprotein B$_{48}$ (Apo B$_{48}$) in Caco$_2$ cells. Human cell lines, HepG$_2$ liver cells and Caco$_2$ intestinal epithelial cells, were grown with various concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%) of water extracts of kudzu root in the media. The kudzu root extract decreased Apo B$_{100}$ production and secretion. Treatment of HeP G$_2$ cells with the kudzu root extract also significantly decreased the intracellular total and free cholesterol concentration, and also decreased esterified cholesterol but was only significant at the highest dose of 2%. Apo B$_{48}$ production, but not secretion, from enterocytes was lowered by the kudzu root extracts. This research provided evidence that the hypocholesterolemic properties of kudzu root may be a consequence of decreased production and secretion of Apo B$_{100}$ in the liver and Apo B$_{48}$ in the intestine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.2217-2221
• /
• 2016

Vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2) was initially identified as a receptor of VEGF on endothelial cells with a role in regulating angiogenesis during organism development and tumorigenesis. Previously, in cancer tissue, VEGFR2 has been reported to be expressed in endothelial cells. In our research, we found that VEGFR2 was expressed not only in endothelial cells but also cancer cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Knockdown of VEGFR2 in Hep2 cells could arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1, leading to a decrease in proliferation. We also present evidence that MAPK/ERK signal pathways and expression of CDK1 downstream of VEGFR2 might regulate proliferation and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, we discovered that down-regulate VEGRF2 in Hep2 cells could significantly affect the invasion ability. Taken together, our data suggest that VEGFR2 might regulate proliferation and invasion in HNSCC cancer cells in vivo.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.828-834
• /
• 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of different plant parts of Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. extracted with ethanol (EtOH). EtOH extract of stems presenting the highest content of polyphenols showed the strongest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity ($EC_{50}=54.04{\mu}g/mL$). The total content of free amino acids decreased in the order of leaves (6,179.12 mg/100 g)> stems (1,211.69 mg/100 g)> fruits EtOH extract (378.88 mg/100 g), and asparagine (1,907.57 mg/100 g), ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (300.17 mg/100 g), and proline (233.48 mg/100 g) were the major free amino acid in leaves, stems, and fruits, respectively. Five phenolic compounds in each extract were measured by using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry, and gallic acid (98.95 mg/100 g) and (+)-catechin (1,575.99 mg/100 g) were present as major components in leaves and stems, respectively. EtOH extract of leaves showed the highest anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 cells as measured by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide and lactate dehydrogenase assay but had no effects on Chang liver cells.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.289-293
• /
• 2017

Ethanol extract of garlic peels (GPE) was investigated for its antiproliferative effects on human cancer cell lines. Human lung cancer cell line A549 treated with $500{\mu}g/mL$ GPE resulted in the growth inhibition of A549 by 90%. In stomach cancer cell AGS proliferation inhibition activity, GPE showed 45% and 71% inhibition of AGS growth at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and $2,000{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. GPE inhibited the growth of the breast cancer cells MCF-7 effectively at low concentration and showed 78% and 90% inhibitions of MCF-7 growth at $200{\mu}g/mL$ and $500{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. GPE showed very significant antiproliferation effect on liver cancer cell line Hep3B and inhibited Hep3B cell growth by 57% at $100{\mu}g/mL$, and the inhibition's rate increased up to 87% at $500{\mu}g/mL$. Antiproliferation effect of GPE on colorectal cancer cell HT-29 showed 15% reduction of HT-29 cell growth at $200{\mu}g/mL$ and the growth rate was reduced in a dose dependent manner up to $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. These results indicated that GPE had high antiproliferation effects on breast and liver cancer cell lines at low concentrations ($200{\mu}g/mL$), and by higher concentrations over $500{\mu}g/mL$, GPE inhibited the growth of A549 and HT-29. The results of our study suggested the potential use of garlic peels for use as an excellent antiproliferative substance for human cancer cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.105-109
• /
• 1995

Anticancer activity of a fraction of the ethanol extract from the root of Korean angelica (Angelica gigas Nakai) was recognized in human cancer cell lines HeLa $S_3$, K-562, and Hep $G_2$. The extract blocked the phorbol ester-inducing megakaryocytic differentiation of K-562 cells, which indicated the modification of protein kinase C (PKC) activity. In vitro assay showed the activation of PKC by the extract. An effective fraction of the Angelica gigas extract, of which $R_f$ value was 0.64 in a thin layer chromatography, was a different component from those of European angelicas. The $ED_50$ value of the fraction was 8, 9, and $16\;\mu\textrm{m}/ml$ against HeLa $S_3\;Hep\;G_2$, and K-562 cells, respectively, while the fraction showed higher $ED_50$ values against normal cell lines.