• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8113-8117
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• 2016

Glehnia littoralis (GL) is widely used as an oriental medicine for cough, fever, stroke and other disease conditions. However, the anti-cancer properties of GL on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells have not been investigated. In order to elucidate anti-cancer properties and underlying cell death mechanisms, MCF-7cells ($5{\times}10^4/well$) were treated with Glehnia littoralis root extract at 0-400 ug/ml. A hot water extract of GL root inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of the cell cycle after treatment of MCF-7 cells with increasing concentrations of GL root extract for 24 hours showed significant cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that GL root extract significantly increased the expression of p21 and p27 with an accompanying decrease in both CDK4 and cyclin D1. Our reuslts indicated that GL root extract arrested the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in G1 phase through inhibition of CDK4 and cyclin D1 via increased induction of p21 and p27. In summary, the current study showed that GL could serve as a potential source of chemotherapeutic or chemopreventative agents against human breast cancer.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 2013

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Recently anticancer agents have been developed using natural substances. To evaluate the anticancer effect of hydrolysates of silk fibroin (HSF), we investigated the effect of HSF on cell viability and apoptosis of a breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, induced through the mitochondrial pathway. The result showed that HSF decreased cell viability in MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, resulting in an increase in the sub-G1 phase cell population. HSF increased the level of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and decreased the levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. In addition, HSF induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through a mitochondria-dependent pathway by increasing levels of cytochtome c, and cleavage of PARP. Taken together, these findings suggest that HSF inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells through a mitochondria and caspase dependent apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1316-1320
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• 2018

The effects of a green tea extract (GTE) were examined using the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. Cell viability assays using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays revealed that GTE had a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells, depending on the concentration of GTE. Western blotting of p53 and its related proteins, p21/cip1 and CDK2, after GTE treatment revealed that a significant and concentration dependent increase in p53 protein in response to GTE. The levels of p21/cip1 proteins were also increased at low GTE concentrations were significantly increased even at the highest GTE concentrations. However, the level of CDK2 was significantly decreased by treatment with high concentrations of GTE. These results indicate that treatment with GTE increased the p53 level in MCF-7 cells, and this activation of p53 markedly elevated the levels of p21/cip1proteins, which, in turn, inhibited CDK2 expression in the MCF-7 cells. The inhibition of CDK2 expression might then affect cell cycle progression. Subsequent FACS analysis indicated that GTE treatment the gradually increased progression of the MCF-7 to the G1 phase. These results clearly demonstrate that the anti-tumor effect of GTE in MCF-7 cells is regulated by p53 arrest of the MCF-7 cells at the G1 stage of cell cycle.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.32-49
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• 2007

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common disease in Korean women. Despite remarkable improvements in treatment strategies against various cancer during the past 40 years, breast cancer still remains as one of the main causes of cancer mortality among women in the whole world. This study was carried out to investigate antioxidative and anti-proliferative effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells of Ikiyangyoung-Tang extract. Methods: We measured a content of polyphenol and flavonoid in the Ikiyangyoung-Tang extract, eliminative ability of DPPH radical, ABTS free radical and hydrogen peroxide, antioxidative effects of linoleic acid, cytotoxicity on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12(DMEM/F12) supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum(FBS; Gibco) and antibiotics. Results : The extract of Ikiyangyoung-Tang contains polyphenol of 168.3${\pm}$12.8 ${\mu}$g/mg and flavonoid of 84.3${\pm}$3.4 ${\mu}$g/mg. Above results show profitable abilities of elimination of ${\alpha}$-${\alpha}$-Diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical, ABTS free radical and hydrogen peroxide. Also, the extract of Ikiyangyoung-Tang strongly inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a dose ependent manner. And. it has cytotoxicity on NIH3T3 cells. Conclusion : It can be concluded that Ikiyangyoung-Tang extract has an antioxidative effect and antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1435-1441
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• 2008

In this study, anti-cancer activities of peel of Citrus junos (CJP) and Poncirus trifoliata (PTP) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and anti-proliferative effects of cancer cells induced by environmental hormones were investigated. The ethanol extracts of CJP and PTP inhibited cancer cell growth and induced apoptosis at the concentration over 300 mg/ml treatment for 72 hr. Morphological change of MCF-7 breast cancer cells were observed treated with the CJP and PTP of 500 mg/ml concentration for 72 hr, and apoptosis was induced by activation of caspase-3. The proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was decreased in a dose-dependent manner treated with various concentration of CJP and PTP, when compared with the control at 300 mg/ml, the proliferation of the MCF-7 breast cancer cells of both extracts was decreased over 70% and 80%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1679-1685
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• 2008

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring compound found in dairy and beef products. It has been shown to suppress cancer cells and to induce apoptosis. Practically, there is emerging evidence that CLA can inhibit chemically induced carcinogenesis in various tissues. However, the molecular mechanisms of CLA on human MCF-7 breast cancer cells have not been clearly explained yet. In this report, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of CLA in MCF-7 cells. It was found that CLA could inhibit the growth of the MCF-7 cells and induce apoptosis, through modulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). AMPK acts as a cellular fuel gauge and responds to decreased cellular energy status by inhibiting ATP-consuming pathways and increasing ATP-synthesis. CLA treatment with variable concentrations and different time of same-dose CLA on MCF-7 cells resulted in a strong activation of AMPK and an inhibition of COX-2 expression. It supports that CLA induces apoptosis in CLA-treated MCF 7 cells. Therefore, the effects of CLA induced COX-2 expression via activating AMPK can provide new possibility into the understanding the molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer component.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2010

Breast cancer has been estimated as one of the most common causes of cancer death among women. The major cause of death from breast cancer is the metastatic spread of the disease from the primary tumor to distant sites in the body. Lycopene is one of the major carotenoids in fruits and vegetables including tomatoes. Epidemiological studies have shown that the dietary intake of lycopene is associated with decreased risk of cancer. Although mounting evidence shows the chemopreventive effect of lycopene, the role of lycopene in the prevention of metastatic potential of breast cancer has not been determined yet. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of lycopene on invasive and migratory phenotypes of two highly aggressive breast cancer cell lines, H-Ras-transformed MCF10A human breast epithelial cells (H-Ras MCF10A) and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Here, we report that lycopene significantly inhibits invasion and migration as well as proliferation of H-Ras MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 cells. This study suggested an in vitro anti-cancer and anti-metastatic potential of lycopene. We also showed that activations of ERKs and Akt were inhibited by lycopene in H-Ras MCF10A cells, suggesting that the ERKs and Akt signaling pathways may be involved in lycopene-induced anti-proliferative and/or anti-invasive/migratory effects in these cells. Taken in conjunction with the fact that breast cancer metastasis is one of the most lethal malignancies in women, our findings may provide useful information for the application of lycopene in establishing strategy to prevent the metastatic breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.581-590
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• 2016

Resistance to anoikis, a cell-detachment induced apoptosis, is one of the malignant phenotypes which support tumor metastasis. Molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of this phenotype require further investigation. This study aimed at exploring protein expression profiles associated with anoikis resistance of a metastatic breast cancer cell. Cell survival of suspension cultures of non-metastatic MCF-7 and metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells were compared with their adherent cultures. Trypan blue exclusion assays demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of viable cells in MDA-MB-231 than MCF-7 cell cultures, consistent with analysis of annexin V-7-AAD stained cells indicating that MDA-MB-231 possess anti-apoptotic ability 1.7 fold higher than MCF-7 cells. GeLC-MS/MS analysis of protein lysates of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells grown under both culture conditions identified 925 proteins which are differentially expressed, 54 of which were expressed only in suspended and adherent MDA-MB-231 but not in MCF-7 cells. These proteins have been implicated in various cellular processes, including DNA replication and repair, transcription, translation, protein modification, cytoskeleton, transport and cell signaling. Analysis based on the STITCH database predicted the interaction of phospholipases, PLC and PLD, and 14-3-3 beta/alpha, YWHAB, with the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling network, suggesting putative roles in controlling anti-anoikis ability. MDA-MB-231 cells grown in the presence of inhibitors of phospholipase C, U73122, and phospholipase D, FIPI, demonstrated reduced ability to survive in suspension culture, indicating functional roles of PLC and PLD in the process of anti-anoikis. Our study identified intracellular mediators potentially associated with establishment of anoikis resistance of metastatic cells. These proteins require further clarification as prognostic and therapeutic targets for advanced breast cancer.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.376-384
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• 2012

Although ginsenosides have a variety of physiologic or pharmacologic functions in various regions, there are only a few reports on the effects of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels. Here, we showed evidence suggesting that TRPM7 channels play an important role in ginseng total saponin (GTS)-mediated cellular injury. The combination techniques of electrophysiology, pharmacological analysis, small interfering RNA (siRNA) method and cell death assays were used. GTS depolarized the resting membrane potentials and decreased the amplitude of pacemaker potentials in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The TRPM7-like currents in single ICCs and the overexpressing TRPM7 in HEK293 cells were inhibited by GTS. However, GTS had no effect on $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ conductance. GTS inhibited the survival of human gastric (AGS) and brea (MCF-7) adenocarcinoma cells. Also, GTS inhibited the TRPM7-like currents in AGS and MCF-7 cells. The GTS-mediated cytotoxicity was inhibited by TRPM7-specific siRNA. In addition, we showed that overexpression of TRPM7 channels in HEK293 cells was inhibited by GTS. Thus, TRPM7 channels are involved in GTS-mediated cell death in AGS and MCF-7 cells, and these channels may represent a novel target for physiological disorders where GTS plays an important role.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 2013

Ginsenoside, one of the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, has a variety of physiologic and pharmacologic effects. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of ginsenoside Rd (G-Rd) on melastatin type transient receptor potential 7 (TRPM7) channels with respect to the proliferation and survival of AGS and MCF-7 cells (a gastric and a breast cancer cell line, respectively). AGS and MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of G-Rd, and caspase-3 activities, mitochondrial depolarizations, and sub-G1 fractions were analyzed to determine if cell death occurred by apoptosis. In addition, human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressing TRPM7 channels were used to confirm the role of TRPM7 channels. G-Rd inhibited the proliferation and survival of AGS and MCF-7 cells and enhanced caspase-3 activity, mitochondrial depolarization, and sub-G1 populations. In addition, G-Rd inhibited TRPM7-like currents in AGS and MCF-7 cells and in TRPM7 channel overexpressing HEK 293 cells, as determined by whole cell voltage-clamp recordings. Furthermore, TRPM7 overexpression in HEK 293 cells promoted G-Rd induced cell death. These findings suggest that G-Rd inhibits the proliferation and survival of gastric and breast cancer cells by inhibiting TRPM7 channel activity.