• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.400-408
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• 2016

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is the main bioactive component in American ginseng, a commonly used herb, and its antitumor activity had been studied in previous studies. PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (PBK/TOPK), a serine/threonine protein kinase, is highly expressed in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Methods: We examined the effect of GRh2 on HCT116 cells ex vivo. Next, we performed in vitro binding assay and in vitro kinase assay to search for the target of GRh2. Furthermore, we elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms for the antitumor effect of GRh2 ex vivo and in vivo. Results: The results of our in vitro studies indicated that GRh2 can directly bind with PBK/TOPK and GRh2 also can directly inhibit PBK/TOPK activity. Ex vivo studies showed that GRh2 significantly induced cell death in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Further mechanistic study demonstrated that these compounds inhibited the phosphorylation levels of the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and (H3) in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. In vivo studies showed GRh2 inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors of HCT116 cells and inhibited the phosphorylation levels of the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 and histone H3. Conclusion: The results indicate that GRh2 exerts promising antitumor effect that is specific to human HCT116 colorectal cancer cells through inhibiting the activity of PBK/TOPK.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1253-1257
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• 2017

The general characteristics, anti-mutagenicity, and in vitro anti-cancer effects of Chungkukjang, Shuidouchi, and Natto were studied. Representative brands of the three types of soybean-based short-term-fermented foods were chosen and evaluated. Chungkukjang showed the highest amino and ammonia type nitrogen contents, although Natto exhibited lower levels, and Shuidouchi showed the lowest pH and high acidity. Anti-mutagenicity was assessed by the Ames test and in vitro anti-cancer effects were assessed in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Chungkukjang exhibited the highest anti-mutagenicity and anti-cancer effects. Based on these results, Chungkukjang showed the best functional effects, and Shuidouchi showed better functional effects than Natto. Even if such efficacies depend on raw materials and processing methods, our comparison of three types of foods from representative brands shows that Chungkukjang was the best soybean-derived product in terms of overall quality, followed by Shuidouchi and Natto. These results might be due to differences in duration of fermentation, processing method, and quality of raw materials, but further research on the basis of ethnic culture and administration method of each nation should follow.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.784-789
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• 2005

The inhibitory effects of hot water extracts of Rhus verniciflua Stokes pith and peel roasted at 170, 200 and $220^{\circ}C$ on lipid peroxidation, formation of DPPH free radicals and growth of four human cancer cells such as HepG2 (liver cancer), SNU-1 (stomach cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and Widr (colon cancer) were examined. The antioxidant activities and growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells of hot water extracts of peel were higher than those of pith, and the activities were dose-dependent. The roasting temperature showing the highest antioxidant activities and growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells was in the range of $170\~200^{\circ}C$ The lipid peroxidation and formation of DPPH free radicals of hot water extracts of roasted pith and peel were inhibited to 50.9, $56.5\%\;and\;79.0,\;78.4\%$ at the concentration of $500\mu g/mL$, respectively. The growth inhibitory effects of roasted pith and peel on cancer cells were in the order of Widr (41.5, $36.0\%$) > HepG2 (61.5, $44.0\%$) > MCF-7 (92.0, $69.2\%$)> SNU-1 (100, $100\%$) cells at the concentration of $1,000\mu g/mL$ as compared with the control, respectively. These results suggest that roasted Rhus verniciflua Stokes could be an useful natural medicinal plant for colon cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3757-3761
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• 2012

Objective: Crocin has been proposed as a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the chemopreventive action and the possible mechanisms of crocin against human colon cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay and the cell cycle distribution fractions were analyzed using fow cytometric analysis after propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was detected using theTUNEL Apoptosis Detection Kit with laser scanning confocal microscope. DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, while expression levels of p53, cdk2, cyclinA and P21 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of SW480 cells with crocetin (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mmol/L) for 48 h signifcantly inhibited their proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) signifcantly induced cell cycle arrest through p53-independent mechanisms accompanied by P21 induction. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) caused cytotoxicity in the SW480 cells by enhancing apoptosis and decreasing DNA repair capacity in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: This report provides evidence that crocetin is a potential anticancer agent, which may be used as a chemotherapeutic drug.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2015

Although coffee is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties, there have been few reports about the effect and mechanism of coffee compounds in colorectal cancer. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that prevent cell death. Their expression is significantly elevated in many tumors and is accompanied by increased cell proliferation, metastasis and poor response to chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of four bioactive compounds in coffee, namely, caffeine, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and kahweol, in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Only kahweol showed significant cytotoxicity. Specifically, kahweol increased the expression of caspase-3, a pro-apoptotic factor, and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and phosphorylated Akt. In addition, kahweol significantly attenuated the expression of HSP70. Inhibition of HSP70 activity with triptolide increased kahweol-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, overexpression of HSP70 significantly reduced kahweol-induced cell death. Taken together, these results demonstrate that kahweol inhibits colorectal tumor cell growth by promoting apoptosis and suppressing HSP70 expression.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2008

In this study, potato kimchi was prepared by applying heat to raw potatoes, and then the physico-chemical properties and anti-cancer effects of the kimchi were analyzed. The texture results indicated the potato kimchi had very good hardness and springiness attributes. During th late storage period, total vitamin C content of the kimchi slowly increased. In addition, the potato kimchi had non-volatile organic acid changes that promoted early aging; however, after the complete aging period, it was comparatively similar to other types of kimchi. Using the methanol extracts of various kimchi samples, the potato kimchi(solid 100%) showed the highest anti-carcinogenic effects in terms of anti-tumor activity in tumor bearing Balb/c mice with sarcoma-180 cells. In addition, the effects of the methanol extracts on hepatic glutathione S-transferase content were $289.76\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $250.97\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $251.20\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $219.53\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $183.79\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, for control kimchi, mul kimchi, and two potato kimchis [(solid 100%) and(solid 60%+kimchi juice 40%)], respectively. The in vivo anti-cancer effects of the potato kimchi were investigated using AGS human gastric adenocarcionoma cells and HT-29 human colon adenocarcionoma cells. Overall, an MTT assay revealed that the methanol extract of the potato kimchi showed the highest anti-carcinogenic effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1415-1419
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Korean Orysa sartiva and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen on mutagenicity using Ames test and growth of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Both treatments of methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from Orysa sartiva and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen to Ames test system inhibited aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) induced mutagenicity by 76%. In case of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguamidine (MNNG) induced mutagenicity, the methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from Orysa sartiva and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen showed 79% and 69% inhibitory rate, respectively and the inhibitory effect was a little stronger in Orysa sartiva Inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Orysa sartiva. and Coix lachryma-jobi var. ma-yuen on the growth of AGS and HT-29 human cancer cells were increased as dose dependent patterns and the inhibitory effects on AGS and HT-29 cells were similar. The above results indicate that the consumption of these cereals, which contain many nutrients with good quality, may be recommended as potent functional foods for improving health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.649-659
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• 2011

To examine the anti-cancer effects of Lepidium virginicum L., the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of a water extract of L. virginicum leaves (WELVL) and of L. virginicum roots (WELVR) were investigated in HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells. The treatment of HCT116 cells with WELVL and WELVR resulted in the inhibition of growth and morphological changes in a concentration-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis. The growth inhibition and apoptosis induction by WELVR was stronger than that of WELVL thus, we determined that WELVR was the more optimal extract for this study. The increased apoptotic events in HCT116 cells caused by WELVR were associated with an up-regulation of Fas ligand, Bax, and Bad expression, a down-regulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-$_XL$, and Bid expression, and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ${\Delta}{\psi}m$). WELVR treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and the degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}$-catenin, and phospholipase C-${\gamma}1$ (PLC-${\gamma}1$). In addition, apoptotic cell death induced by WELVR was correlated with a down-regulation of inhibitors of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family, such as the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), cIAP-1, and cIAP-2. These findings suggest that the WELVR-induced inhibition of cell proliferation is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death. WELVR may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1206-1212
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• 2023

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in regulating various cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation [1-3]. The intracellular β-catenin level, which is regulated by a proteasomal degradation pathway, is critical to Wnt/β-catenin pathway control [4]. Normally, casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which form a complex with the scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), phosphorylate β-catenin at Ser45, Thr41, Ser37, and Ser33 [5, 6]. Phosphorylated β-catenin is ubiquitinated by the β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitinated β-catenin is degraded via a proteasome pathway [7, 8]. Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Abnormal up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a major pathological event in intestinal epithelial cells during human colorectal cancer oncogenesis [9]. Genetic mutations in the APC gene are observed in familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancers [10]. In addition, mutations in the N-terminal phosphorylation motif of the β-catenin gene were found in patients with colorectal cancer [11]. These mutations cause β-catenin to accumulate in the nucleus, where it forms complexes with transcription factors of the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family to stimulate the expression of β-catenin responsive genes, such as c-Myc and cyclin D1, which leads to colorectal tumorigenesis [12-14]. Therefore, downregulating β-catenin response transcription (CRT) is a potential strategy for preventing and treating colorectal cancer. Plant cytokinins are N⁶-substituted purine derivatives; they promote cell division in plants and regulate developmental pathways. Natural cytokinins are classified as isoprenoid (isopentenyladenine, zeatin, and dihydrozeatin), aromatic (benzyladenine, topolin, and methoxytopolin), or furfural (kinetin and kinetin riboside), depending on their structure [15, 16]. Kinetin riboside was identified in coconut water and is a naturally produced cytokinin that induces apoptosis and exhibits antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines [17]. However, little attention has been paid to kinetin riboside's mode of action. In this study, we show that kinetin riboside exerts its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting intracellular β-catenin degradation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.247-250
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• 2014

A lipid-soluble extract in ginseng marc was prepared by n-hexane extraction to evaluate its antioxidant and anticancer potential. A hexane extract of ginseng marc (HEGM) possessed a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity which was related to the amount of total phenolics. Also, HEGM showed a potent inhibitory activity on human non-small cell lung cancer (A549, $GI_{50}=34.0{\mu}g/mL$) and colon cancer (SNU-C4, $GI_{50}=45.2{\mu}g/mL$) cells proliferation in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner as did the hexane extract of ginseng with $GI_{50}$ values of $20.0{\mu}g/mL$ in A549 and $37.0{\mu}g/mL$ in SNU-C4. These results imply that HEGM can be utilized as an antioxidant and anticancer substance.