• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.271-289
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• 2012

Objectives : Ganoderma lucidum(Ganoderma or lingzhi, 靈芝) is a well-known oriental medical mushroom containing many bioactive compounds. The possible mechanisms involved in its effects on cancer cells remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities of the G. lucidum ethanol extract(GEE), in AGS human gastric cancer cells were investigated. Methods : It was found that exposure of AGS cells to GEE resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose and time dependent manner as measured by trypan blue count and MTT assay. The anti-proliferative effect of GEE treatment in AGS cells was associated with morphological changes and formation of apoptotic bodies, and the flow cytometry analysis confirmed that GEE treatment increased the populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Growth inhibition and apoptosis of AGS cells by GEE were connected with a concentration and time-dependent up-regulation of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) expression. Results : The levels of XIAP and survivin expression, members of IAP family proteins, were gradually down-regulated by GEE treatment. However other members of IAP family proteins such as cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 remained unchanged in GEE-treated AGS cells. GEE treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 and a concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) protein, a caspase-3 substrate protein. Additionally, GEE-induced apoptosis was associated with the inhibition of Akt activation in a concentration and time-dependent manner, and pre-treatment with LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/Akt inhibitor, significantly increased GEE-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Conclusions : Therefore, G. lucidum has a strong potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing cancers such as gastric cancer cells.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.1186-1191
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• 2004

The root of Saussurea lappa includes sesquiterpene lactones such as costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone, and has been shown to be anti-tumorigenic with being used in traditional medicinal therapy in the Eastern Asia. However, the molecular basis of the effects of Saussurea lappa on fate of gastric carcinoma, which incur very frequently in the area, has not been well identified. In this study, the cytostatic effects of Saussurea lappa were examined using gastric AGS cancer cells. Cell viability was dramatically reduced by Saussurea lappa, in a dose-dependent manner. As time passed after its treatment, apoptotic population was increased and clearly showed G2-arrest. Being consistent, its treatment resulted in maintaining of G1 and S-phase cyclins D1, E, and A even until a significant apoptotic population was observed, for example, at 24h after treatment. However, G2/M phase cyclin B1 was reduced even at 12 h after treatment. In addition, its treatment increased expression of p53, p21/sup Wafl / cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI), and Bax, resulted in cleavages of procaspase 3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP), indicating that such G2 arrest- and apoptosis-related molecules are involved. Therefore, these suggest that extracts of Saussurea lappa root may be a safer and effective reagent to deal with gastric cancers either by traditional herbal therapy or combinational therapy with conventional chemotherapy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.504-510
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• 2017

Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase beta ($IKK{\beta}$) plays a critical role in cell proliferation and inflammation in various cells by activating $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling. However, the interrelationship between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$ ($PPAR{\alpha}$) and $IKK{\beta}$ in cell proliferation is not clear. In this study, we investigated the possible role of $PPAR{\alpha}$ in the hepatic cell death in the absence of $IKK{\beta}$ gene using liver-specific Ikkb-null ($Ikkb^{F/F-AlbCre}$) mice. To examine the function of $PPAR{\alpha}$ activation in hepatic cell death, wild-type ($Ikkb^{F/F}$) and $Ikkb^{F/F-AlbCre}$ mice were treated with $PPAR{\alpha}$ agonist Wy-14,643 (0.1% w/w chow diet) for two weeks. As a result of Wy-14,643 treatment, apoptotic markers including caspase-3 cleavage, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and TUNEL-positive staining were significantly decreased in the $Ikkb^{F/F-AlbCre}$ mice. Surprisingly, Wy-14,643 increased the phosphorylation of p65 and STAT3 in both Ikkb and $Ikkb^{F/F-AlbCre}$ mice. Furthermore, BrdU-positive cells were significantly increased in both groups after treatment with Wy-14,643. Our results suggested that $IKK{\beta}-derived$ hepatic apoptosis could be altered by $PPAR{\alpha}$ activation in conjunction with activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and STAT3 signaling.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.51-60
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• 2010

Few studies have evaluated the apoptosis-inducing efficacy of NaF on cancer cells in vitro but there has been no previous investigation of the apoptotic effects of NaF on human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic response to NaF treatment in the YD9 human squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The viability of YD9 cells and their growth inhibition were assessed by MTT and clonogenic assays, respectively. Hoechst staining, DNA electrophoresis and TUNEL staining were conducted to detect apoptosis. YD9 cells were treated with NaF, and western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FACScan flow cytometry, and MMP and proteasome activity assays were performed sequentially. The NaF treatment resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in YD9 cell viability, a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, and the induction of apoptotic cell death. The apoptotic response of these cells was manifested by nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, the reduction of MMP and proteasome activity, a decreased DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, a significant shift of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP, Lamin A/C and DFF45 (ICAD). Furthermore, NaF treatment resulted in the downregulation of G1 cell cyclerelated proteins, and upregulation of p53 and the Cdk inhibitor $p27^{KIP1}$. Taken collectively, our present findings demonstrate that NaF strongly inhibits YD9 cell proliferation by modulating the expression of G1 cell cycle-related proteins and inducing apoptosis via mitochondrial and caspase pathways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권18호
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• pp.7919-7923
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• 2014

20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD), a ginsenoside isolated from Pananx quinquefolium L., has been shown to inhibit growth and proliferation in several cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate its anticancer activity in human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were incubated with different concentrations of 20(S)-PPD and cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Occurrence of apoptosis was detected by DAPI and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with Rhodamine 123. The Bcl-2 and Bax expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Caspase activity was measured by colorimetric assay. 20(S)-PPD dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $33.3{\mu}M$ at 24h. MCF-7 cells treated with 20(S)-PPD presented typical apoptosis, as observed by morphological analysis in cell stained with DAPI. The percentages of annexin V-FITC positive cells were 8.92%, 17.8%, 24.5% and 30.5% in MCF-7 cells treated with 0, 15, 30 and $60{\mu}M$ of 20(S)-PPD, respectively. Moreover, 20(S)-PPD could induce mitochondrial membrane potential loss, up-regulate Bax expression and down-regulate Bcl-2 expression. These events paralleled activation of caspase-9, -3 and PARP cleavage. Apoptosis induced by 20(S)-PPD was blocked by z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, suggesting induction of caspase-mediated apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, the 20(S)-PPD investigated is able to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce cancer cell death by a caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3103-3107
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• 2012

Osteosarcoma, the most common primary mesenchymal malignant tumor, usually has bad prognosis in man, with cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) considered to play a critical role in tumorigenesis and drug-resistance. It is known that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is involved in regulation of tumor cell fates, such as proliferation, cell cycling, survival and apoptosis. Whether and how PI3K and inhibitors might cooperate in human osteosarcoma CSCs is still unknown. We therefore evaluated the effects of LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, on the cell cycle and apoptosis of osteosarcoma CSCs in vitro. LY294002 prevented phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) by inhibition of PI3K phosphorylation activity, thereby inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in osteosarcoma CSCs. Further studies also demonstrated that apoptosis induction by LY294002 is accompanied by activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP, which are involved in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Therefore, our results indicate PI3K inhibitors may represent a potential strategy for managing human osteosarcoma via affecting CSCs.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.630-641
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• 2008

Gamisamgibopae-tang (GMSGBPT) is a traditional Korean medicine, which has been used for patients suffering from a lung disease in Oriental medicine. In the present study, we examined the biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis by GMSGBPT in NCI-H460 and A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines. It was found that GMSGBPT could inhibit the cell proliferation of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, however GMSGBPT did not affect the cell proliferation of NCI-H460 cells. Apoptotic cell death in A549 cells were detected using DAPI staining and annexin V fluorescein methods. The induction of apoptotic cell death by GMSGBPT was connected with a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, and proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in A549 cells. However, GMSGBPT did not affect the levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bad expression, and activity of caspase-8. GMSGBPT treatment also concomitant degradation and/or inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}$-catenin, phospholipase C-1 (PLC${\gamma}$1) and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (DFF45/ICAD). Taken together, these findings suggest that GMSGBPT may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-cancer activity of GMSGBPT.

• 생약학회지
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.231-239
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• 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD), one of common neurodegenerative diseases, is caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The loss of dopaminergic neurons in PD is associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hyperoside (quercetin 3-O-${\beta}$-D-galactopyranoside) was reported to have protective properties against oxidative stress by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effect of hyperoside against 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced cell model of PD and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Hyperoside significantly decreased $MPP^+$-induced cell death, accompanied by a reduction in poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Furthermore, it attenuated $MPP^+$-induced intracellular ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), with the reduction of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, hyperoside significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt, but it has no effects on $GSK3{\beta}$ and MAPKs. Pharmacological inhibitor of PI3K/Akt abolished the cytoprotective effects of hyperoside against $MPP^+$. Taken together, these results demonstrate that hyperoside significantly attenuates $MPP^+$-induced neurotoxicity through PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings suggest that hyperoside might be one of the potential candidates for the treatment of PD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.416-425
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• 2015

NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, has recently received a great deal of attention as an important molecule that enhances antioxidative defenses and induces resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing and Nrf2- upregulating effects of quercetin on malignant mesothelioma (MM) MSTO-211H and H2452 cells. Quercetin treatment inhibited cell growth and led to upregulation of Nrf2 at both the mRNA and protein levels without altering the ubiquitination and extending the half-life of the Nrf2 protein. Following treatment with quercetin, analyses of the nuclear level of Nrf2, Nrf2 antioxidant response element-binding assay, Nrf2 promoter-luc assay, and RT-PCR toward the Nrf2-regulated gene, heme oxygenase-1, demonstrated that the induced Nrf2 is transcriptionally active. Knockdown of Nrf2 expression with siRNA enhanced cytotoxicity due to the induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by an increase in the level of proapoptotic Bax, a decrease in the level of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 with enhanced cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP proteins, the appearance of a sub-$G_0/G_1$ peak in the flow cytometric assay, and increased percentage of apoptotic propensities in the annexin V binding assay. Effective reversal of apoptosis was observed following pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD. Moreover, Nrf2 knockdown exhibited increased sensitivity to the anticancer drug, cisplatin, presumably by potentiating the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. Collectively, our data demonstrate the importance of Nrf2 in cytoprotection, survival, and drug resistance with implications for the potential significance of targeting Nrf2 as a promising strategy for overcoming resistance to chemotherapeutics in MM.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권10호
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• pp.742-749
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• 2016

The cancer chemo-preventive effects of equol have been demonstrated for a wide variety of experimental tumours. In a previous study, we found that equol inhibited proliferation and induced apoptotic death of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. However, the mechanisms underlying equol-mediated apoptosis have not been well understood. In the present study, the dual AO (acridine orange)/EB (ethidium bromide) fluorescent assay, the comet assay, MTS, western blotting and flow cytometric assays were performed to further investigate the pro-apoptotic effect of equol and its associated mechanisms in MGC-803 cells. The results demonstrated that equol induced an apoptotic nuclear morphology revealed by AO/EB staining, the presence of a comet tail, the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP and the depletion of cIAP1, indicating its pro-apoptotic effect. In addition, equol-induced apoptosis involves the mitochondria-dependent cell-death pathway, evidenced by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the cleavage of caspase-9 and the depletion of Bcl-xL and full-length Bid. Moreover, treating MGC-803 cells with equol induced the sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and inhibiting ERK by U0126, a MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor, significantly attenuated the equol-induced cell apoptosis. These results suggest that equol induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells via the sustained activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, equol may be a novel candidate for the chemoprevention and therapy of gastric cancer.