• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• 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.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제39권4호
• /
• pp.158-170
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study is Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album coloratum agglutinin, VCA) and bee venom (BV) to experimental prove comparative study of VCA and BV on the anti-cancer effect and mechanisms of action. Methods: In this study, it was examined in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep G2 cells. Cytotoxic effects of VCA and BV on Hep G2 cells were determined by 3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro. VCA and BV killed Hep G2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Results: The apoptotic cell death was then confirmed by propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. The mechanisms of action was examined by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Treatment of Hep G2 cells with VCA activated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) known as a marker of apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways including SAPK/JNK, MAPK and p38. BV also activated PARP-1, MAPK, p38 but not JNK. The expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule, Bcl-X, was decreased by VCA treatment but not BV. Finally, the phosphorylation level of ERM proteins involved in the cytoskeleton homeostasis was decreased by both stimuli. Conclusion: We examined the involvement of kinase in VCA or BV - induced apoptosis by using kinase inhibitors. VCA-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by in the presence.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제38권8호
• /
• pp.1003-1007
• /
• 2009

부추를 암 예방 식품 소재로 활용하기 위하여 부추로부터 주요 생리활성 물질인 함황화합물을 분리하여 인체 암세포성장 억제 및 간암세포의 사멸이 apoptosis에 의해 유도되는지를 조사하였다. 부추 함황화합물을 1, 5, 10, 20 및 30 $\mu g$/mL 농도로 24, 48 및 72시간별로 간암(HepG2) 및 폐암세포 (A549)에 처리하여 암세포 증식억제 효과를 측정한 결과 HepG2 및 A549 세포에서 농도 및 시간 의존적으로 그 성장을 억제하였으며, 20 $\mu g$/mL 농도 이상에서 암세포 성장이 60% 이상 억제되었다. 또한 부추 함황화합물 30 $\mu g$/mL 농도로 처리 시 대조군에 비하여 폐암 및 간암 세포수 감소 및 심한 형태학적 변화가 관찰되었다. 이들 암세포의 $IC_{50}$ 값을 측정한 결과 부추 함황화합물은 폐암세포(A549)보다 간암세포(HepG2)에 더 효과가 있었다. 한편 부추 함황화합물은 30 $\mu g$/mL 농도에서 핵 응축 및 apoptotic body를 나타내었으며, 농도 의존적으로 subG1 DNA 함량이 증가함으로써 HepG2 암세포 사멸이 apoptosis에 의해 유도되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권15호
• /
• pp.6417-6421
• /
• 2015

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.372-376
• /
• 2001

The effect of garlic extract and vitamin C mixture on the various cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo have been examined. Proliferation of human colon cancer (HT-29), human rectal cancer (HRT-18) and human hepatoma (HepG2) cells was inhibited by garlic extract and vitamin C, respectively. Based on the cytotoxic activity, mixture of garlic extract and vitamin C was demonstrated to possess a synergistic growth inhibition on HT-29, HRT-18 and HepG2 cancer cells. Mixture of garlic extract and vitamin C significantly arrested G2/M phase cells in the HepG2 cell cycle. Oral administration of mixture of garlic extract and vitamin C to sarcoma-180 tumor-bearing mice prolonged survival time compared to that of control group. These results suggested that addition of vitamin C enhances anticancer activity of garlic extract in vitro, and mixture of garlic extract and vitamin C has antitumor effect in vivo.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권7호
• /
• pp.3281-3287
• /
• 2016

Bioactive compounds extracted from leaves and twigs of Goniothalamus griffithii include pinocembrin (PCN) and goniothalamin (GTN). The objectives of this study were to investigate the cytotoxic activities of PCN and GTN and their influence on molecular signaling for cell death in several human cancer cell lines compared to normal murine fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. GTN exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 > HeLa > HepG2 > NIH3T3 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 7.33, 14.8, 37.1 and $65.4{\mu}M$, respectively, whereas PCN was cytotoxic only to HepG2 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of ${\sim}80{\mu}M$. Apoptotic cell death was confirmed by staining the cells with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) employing flow cytometry. Apoptosis was shown by externalization of phosphatidylserine in goniothalamin-treated MCF-7 cells in a dose response manner. Positive PI-stained cells with the typical morphology of apoptotic cells were increased dose-dependently. Furthermore, reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential was found in goniothalamin-treated MCF-7, HepG2 and HeLa cells. GTN treatment in MCF-7 increased caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities while GTN-induced HeLa cells showed an increase of both caspase-3 and -9 activities. But an increased caspase-8 activity was demonstrated in GTN- and PCN-treated MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, respectively. Taken together, GTN- and PCN-induced human cancer cell apoptosis was through different molecular mechanisms or signaling pathways, which might be due to different machineries in different types of cancer cells, as evidenced by the compound-modulated caspase activities in both intrinsic and/or extrinsic pathways.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제40권6호
• /
• pp.493-499
• /
• 2007

Celastrus orbiculatus (CO) has been used as a traditional herb medicine to treat fever, chill, joint pain, edema, rheumatoid arthritis and bacterial infection in China and Korea. In this study, we investigated anticarcinogenic effects of Celastrus orbiculatus (CO). CO was extracted with methanol (COM), and then further fractionated into four different types: methanol (COMM), hexane (COMH), butanol (COMB) and aqueous (COMA) partition layers. We determined the cytotoxicity of these four partitions in four kind of cancer cell lines, such as HepG2, MCF-7, HT29 and B16F10 Cells by MTT assay. Among various partition layers of CO, the COMM showed the strongest cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines we used. We also observed quinone reductase (QR) induced effects in all partition layers of CO on HepG2 cells. The QR induced effects of COMM on HepG2 cells at 80 ${\mu}$ g/mL concentration indicated 3.28 to a control value of 1.0. The COMM showed the highest induction activity of quinone reductase on HepG2 cells among the other partition layers. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that CO may be a chemopreventive agent for the treatment of human cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권7호
• /
• pp.3289-3294
• /
• 2016

Naringin, a bioflavonoid found in Citrus seeds, inhibits proliferation of cancer cells. The objectives of this study were to investigate the mode and mechanism(s) of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell death induced by naringin. The cytotoxicity of naringin towards HepG2 cells proved dose-dependent, measured by MTT assay. Naringin-treated HepG2 cells underwent apoptosis also in a concentration related manner, determined by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) employing flow cytometry. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) measured using 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide ($DiOC_6$) and flow cytometer was reduced concentration-dependently, which indicated influence on the mitochondrial signaling pathway. Caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities were enhanced as evidenced by colorimetric detection of para-nitroaniline tagged with a substrate for each caspase. Thus, the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways were linked in human naringin-treated HepG2 cell apoptosis. The expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak proteins were increased whereas that of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein was decreased, confirming the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway by immunoblotting. There was an increased expression of truncated Bid (tBid), which indicated caspase-8 proteolysis activity in Bid cleavage as its substrate in the extrinsic pathway. In conclusion, naringin induces human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell apoptosis via mitochondria-mediated activation of caspase-9 and caspase-8-mediated proteolysis of Bid. Naringin anticancer activity warrants further investigation for application in medical treatment.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.137-142
• /
• 2016

본 연구에서는 국내산 천일염 두 종류와 정제염이 HepG2 인체 간암 세포에서의 세포 성장 억제 효과, apoptosis 관련 유전자 Bcl-2, Bax, p53 및 p21의 mRNA 발현과 단백질 발현을 확인하였다. 소금 시료들은 HepG2 인체 간암세포에 0.5% 및 1% 농도로 처리하였을 때 세포 성장을 억제시켰으며 T염전의 천일염(SS-T)과 Y염전의 천일염(SS-Y)은 정제염(PS)에 비해 암세포 성장을 유의적으로 억제하였다(P<0.05). 또한 HepG2 세포에 1% 농도로 소금 시료를 처리하였을 때 대조군에 비해 apoptosis를 억제하는 유전자들을 mRNA 및 단백질 수준에서 조절하여 Bcl-2는 낮게 나타났고, Bax, p53, p21은 높게 발현되었다. SS-T와 SS-Y는 PS에 비하여 Ca, Mg, S, K 함량이 많았으며, 천일염 중에서도 SS-T가 SS-Y보다 많이 함유되어 있었다. 전반적으로 무기질이 많이 함유된 천일염이 정제염보다 항암 효과가 높았으며 이는 소금의 Na 및 그 외 다른 무기질들이 항암 관련 유전자들을 조절한 것으로 보인다. 이상의 결과를 통해 국내산 천일염과 정제염은 HepG2 세포에서 apoptosis와 cell cycle 관련 유전자 조절을 통해 항암 효과를 나타냄을 확인하였으며 그중에서도 천일염의 효과가 더 높게 나타나 그 원인 물질 및 항암 기작에 대한 후속 연구가 필요하다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.993-1001
• /
• 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.