• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.16-25
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Gilgyung-tang (GGT) has been used as one of the main multi-herb formulas to treat “Peo-ong” (lung abscess). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of water extracts of GGT on cell migration and invasion, two critical cellular processes that are often deregulated during metastasis, in human bladder cancer 5637 cells.Methods: Effects on cell viability were quantified using an MTT assay. To analyze the anti-metastatic effects, we conducted a wound healing migration assay, an in vitro invasiveness assay, and a measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The expression of protein and mRNA were measured by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.Results: GGT markedly inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of 5637 cells within the concentration range that was not cytotoxic. The inhibitory effects of GGT on cell invasiveness were associated with tightening of the tight junctions (TJs), which was demonstrated by an increase in the TER. The RT-PCR and Western blotting results indicated that GGT decreased the levels of claudin proteins. GGT also inhibited the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and simultaneously increased the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that GGT reduces both the migration and the invasion of 5637 cells by modulating the activity of TJs and MMPs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.24
• /
• pp.10911-10916
• /
• 2015

Background: Tumor metastases are the main reasons for oncotherapy failure. Paris polyphylla (Chinese name: Chonglou) has traditionally been used for its anti-cancer actions. In this article, we focus on the regulation of human lung cancer A549 cell metastases and invasion by Paris polyphylla steroidal saponins (PPSS). Materials and Methods: Cell viability was evaluated in A549 cells by MTT assay. Effects of PPSS on invasion and migration were investigated by wound-healing and matrigel invasion chamber assays. Adhesion to type IV collagen and laminin was evaluated by MTT assay. Expression and protease activity of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, were analyzed by Western blotting and gelatin zymography, respectively. Results: PPSS exerted growth inhibitory effects on A549 cells, and effectively inhibited A549 cell adhesion, migration and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blotting and gelatin zymography analysis revealed that PPSS inhibited the expression and secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in A549 cells. Conclusions: PPSS has the potential to suppress the migration, adhesion and invasion of A549 cells. PPSS could be a potential candidate for interventions against lung cancer metastases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.14
• /
• pp.5747-5751
• /
• 2014

Background: Coptisine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis rhizoma, has many biological activities such as antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antiviral actions. However, whether coptisine exerts anti-cancer metastasis effects remains unknown. Materials and Methods: Effects of coptisine on highly metastatic human breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 proliferation were evaluated by trypan blue assay and on cell adhesion, migration and invasion by gelatin adhesion, wound-healing and matrigel invasion chamber assays, respectively. Expression of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9, MMP-2 and their specific inhibitors tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results: Coptisine obviously inhibited adhesion to an ECM-coated substrate, wound healing migration, and invasion through the matrigel in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. RT-PCR revealed that coptisine reduced the expression of the ECM degradation-associated gene MMP-9 at the mRNA level, and the expression of TIMP-1 was upregulated in MDA-MB-231 cells, while the expression of MMP-2 and its specific inhibitor TIMP-2 was not affected. Conclusions: Taken together, our data showed that coptisine suppressed adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro, the down-regulation of MMP-9 in combination with the increase of TIMP-1 possibly contributing to the anti-metastatic function. Coptisine might be a potential drug candidate for breast cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5017-5021
• /
• 2013

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a small class of non-coding, single-stranded RNAs with a critical role in genesis and maintenance of renal cancer mainly through binding to 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTR) of target mRNAs, which causes a block of translation and/or mRNA degradation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of miR-122 in human renal cell carcinomas. Methods: The expression level of miR-122 was quantified by qRT-PCR. MTT, colony formation, invasion and migration assays were used to explore the potential functions of miR-122 in human renal cell carcinoma cells. Results: Cellular growth, invasion and migration in two A498 and 786-O cells were significantly increased after miR-122 transfection. Further experiments demonstrated that overexpression of miR-122 resulted in the increase of phospho-Akt (Ser473) and phospho-mTOR (Ser2448), then activation of mTOR targets, p70S6K and 4E-BP1. Conclusions: The up-regulation of miR-122 may play an important role in the progress of renal cancer through activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway and could be a potential molecular target for anti-cancer therapeutics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.2919-2923
• /
• 2017

Objective: Anthocyanins belong to a class of flavonoids, exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions have been reported to have anti-cancer effects. Here, we investigated whether anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in human lung cancer A549 cells, which are critically involved in cancer metastasis. Methods: We used anthocyanins from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (AIMs) which has been used in Korean folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers. We have performed cell proliferation assays, cell invasion assay, gelatin zymography, wound healing assay and western blotting to examine whether anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in A549 cells. Result: AIMs did not inhibit cancer cell proliferation on A549 cells. Also, AIMs suppressed cancer migration, and invasion by supressing MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. The Immuno-blotting results also revealed that AIMs suppressed the proteins involved in cancer proliferation (COX-2, C-myc, cyclin D1), migration and invasion (MMP-2, MMP-9), anti-apoptosis (XIAP, and c-IAP2), adhesion and angiogenesis (ICAM-1, VEGF). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the anthocyanins isolated from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat inhibit cancer proliferation, cancer migration, and invasion that is involve in cancer-metastasis. This study provides evidence that AIMs might have anti-cancer effects on human lung cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.488-495
• /
• 2019

Background: Timosaponin AIII (TA3) is a steroidal saponin extracted from Anemarrhena asphodeloides. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects of TA3 in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. TA3 attenuates migration and invasion of MG63 cells via regulations of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are involved with cancer metastasis in various cancer cells. TA3 reduced enzymatic activities and transcriptional expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in MG63 cells. TA3 also inhibited Src, focal adhesion kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, ${\beta}-catenin$, and cAMP response element binding signaling, which regulate migration and invasion of cells. TA3 induced apoptosis of MG63 cells via regulations of caspase-3, caspase-7, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Then, we tested several ginsenosides to be used in combination with TA3 for the synergistic anticancer effects. We found that ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc have synergistic effects on TA3-induced apoptosis in MG63 cells. Methods: We investigated the anticancer effects of TA3 and synergistic effects of various ginseng saponins on TA3-induced apoptosis in MG63 cells. To test antimetastatic effects, we performed wound healing migration assay, Boyden chamber invasion assays, gelatin zymography assay, and Western blot analysis. Annexin V/PI staining apoptosis assay was performed to determine the apoptotic effect of TA3 and ginsenosides. Results: TA3 attenuated migration and invasion of MG63 cells and induced apoptosis of MG63 cells. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc showed the synergistic effects on TA3-induced apoptosis in MG63 cells. Conclusions: The results strongly suggest that the combination of TA3 and the two ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc may be a strong candidate for the effective antiosteosarcoma agent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.347-355
• /
• 2022

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disorder worldwide. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was shown to display a high level in the plasma of patients with AAA; however, its detailed functions underlying AAA pathogenesis are unclear. An in vitro AAA model was established in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) by angiotensin II (Ang-II) stimulation. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays were utilized for measuring cell proliferation and migration. RT-qPCR was used for detecting mRNA expression of FGF21 and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Western blotting was utilized for assessing protein levels of FGF21, ATF4, and markers for the contractile phenotype of HASMCs. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were implemented for identifying the binding relation between AFT4 and FGF21 promoters. FGF21 and ATF4 were both upregulated in Ang-II-treated HASMCs. Knocking down FGF21 attenuated Ang-II-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of HASMCs. ATF4 activated FGF21 transcription by binding to its promoter. FGF21 overexpression reversed AFT4 silencing-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch. ATF4 transcriptionally upregulates FGF21 to promote the proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of Ang-II-treated HASMCs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 2002.07a
• /
• pp.237-237
• /
• 2002

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.285-290
• /
• 2018

Harmine, a beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala has been reported as a promising drug candidate for cancer therapy. However, the effect of harmine on breast cancer remains still unclear. In this study, the effect of harmine on the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells and the underlying mechanism were investigated. The results indicated that harmine inhibited the proliferation MDA-MB231 cells in a dose-dependent manner and markedly suppressed migration and invasion of MDA-MB231 cells. The mechanism involved in part through Notch signaling. The Notch activity was significantly inhibited by harmine treatment and harmine suppressed the expression of Jagged1 which is a key ligand to activate Notch signaling. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of harmine on anti-cancer activity and harmine may act as a potential therapeutic drug for breast cancer treatment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.83-92
• /
• 2021

Purpose : Keratinocytes are the main cellular components involved in wound healing during re-epithelization and inflammation. Dysfunction of tight junction (TJ) adhesions is a major feature in the pathogenesis of various diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the various effects of a Sparassis crispa water extract (SC) on HaCaT cells and to investigate whether these effects might be applicable to human skin. Methods : We investigated the effectiveness of SC on cell HaCaT viability using MTS. The antioxidant effect of SC was analyzed by comparing the effectiveness of ABTS to that of the well-known antioxidant resveratrol. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the most widely applied method Quantitative RT-PCR analysis has shown that SC in HaCaT cells affects mRNA expression of tight-junction genes associated with skin moisturization. In addition, Wound healing is one of the most complex processes in the human body. It involves the spatial and temporal synchronization of a variety of cell types with distinct roles in the phases of hemostasis, inflammation, growth, re-epithelialization, and remodeling. wound healing analysis demonstrated altered cell migration in SC-treated HaCaT cells. Results : MTS analysis in HaCaT cells was found to be more cytotoxic in SC at a concentration of 0.5 mg/㎖. Compared to 100 µM resveratrol, 4 mg/㎖ SC exhibited similar or superior antioxidant effects. SC treatment in HaCaT cells reduced levels of claudin 1, claudin 3, claudin 4, claudin 6, claudin 7, claudin 8, ZO-1, ZO-2, JAM-A, occludin, and Tricellulin mRNA expression by about 1.13 times. Wound healing analysis demonstrated altered cell migration in SC-treated HaCaT cells and HaCaT cell migration was also reduced to 73.2 % by SC treatment. Conclusion : SC, which acts as an antioxidant, reduces oxidative stress and prevents aging of the skin. Further research is needed to address the effects of SC on human skin given the observed alteration of mRNA expression of tight-junction genes and the decreased the cell migration of HaCaT cells.