• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.237-242
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• 2013

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in women and has a high mortality rate. Cisplatin, an antitumor agent, is generally used for its treatment. However, the administration of cisplatin is associated with side effects and intrinsic resistance. Morinda citrifolia (Noni), a natural plant product, has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. In this study, we used Noni, cisplatin, and the two in combination to study their cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects in cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cell lines. We demonstrate here, that Noni/Cisplatin by themselves and their combination were able to induce apoptosis in both these cell lines. Cisplatin showed slightly higher cell killing as compared to Noni and their combination showed additive effects. The observed apoptosis appeared to be mediated particularly through the up-regulation of p53 and pro-apoptotic Bax proteins, as well as down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-$X_L$ proteins and survivin. Augmentation in the activity of caspase-9 and -3 was also observed, suggesting the involvement of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis for both Noni and Cisplatin in HeLa and SiHa cell lines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4943-4952
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• 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, with a very poor prognosis. Despite significant improvements in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, the long-term therapeutic efficacy is poor, partially due to tumor metastasis, tecurrence, and resistance to chemo-or radio-therapy. Recently, it was found that a major feature of tumors is a combination of unrestrained cell proliferation and impaired apoptosis. There are now 8 recogized members of the IAP-family: NAIP, c-IAP1, c-IAP2, XIAP, Survivin, Bruce, Livin and ILP-2. There proteins all contribute to ingibition of apoptosis, and provide new potential avenues of cancer treatment. As a powerful tool to suppress gene expression in mammalian cells, RNAi species for inhibiting IAP genes cab be directed against cancers. This review will provide a brief introduction to recent developments of the application IAP-siRNA in tumor studies, with the aim of inspiring future treatment of HCC.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-55
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• 2013

I investigated whether snake venom toxin(SVT) from Vipera lebetina turanica enhances the apoptosis ability of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) in cancer cells. TRAIL inhibited HCT116 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with cell growth inhibition, the expression of TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 was significantly increased as well as apoptosis related proteins such as cleaved caspase-3, 8, 9 and Bax. However, the expression of survival proteins(eg, cFLIP, survivin, XIAP and Bcl2) was suppressed by the combination treatment of SVT and TRAIL. Pretreatment with the reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavenger N-acetylcysteine reduced the SVT and TRAIL-induced upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression and expression of the apoptosis related protein such as caspase-3 and-9 as well as cell growth inhibitory effects. The collective results suggest that SVT facilitates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells through up-regulation of the TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 via ROS pathway signals.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.282-287
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• 2011

This study was presented to the anti-cancer activity from different fraction of Zanthoxylum schnifolium fruits. The values for human colon cancer cell(HT-29) survival rate of 0.3 mg/mL of 70% EtOH and 70% MeOH ethyl acetate fraction extracts were 7.62${\pm}$0.173%, 7.66${\pm}$0.037%, respectively. It was shown that human colon cancer cell(HT-29) survival rate was in a dose-dependent manner. The percentages of cells were increased in the sub-G0 and G0/G1 phase region, meaning that cell proliferation was decreased. The RT-PCR demonstrated that 70% EtOH and 70% MeOH ethyl acetate fraction extracts were down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and survivin genes in HT-29 cells. We examined that 70% EtOH and 70% MeOH ethyl acetate fraction extracts anti-cancer activities initiated through ROS generation suggesting that HT-29 cells treated with ethyl acetate fraction extracts induced ROS generation. Our results revealed that the Zanthoxylum schnifolium fruit may expect for anti-cancer activities in HT-29 cells.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.529-541
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• 2022

Objectives: Acanthopanax senticosus is a tree used in traditional medicine for various diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of a water extract of Acanthopanax senticocus fruit (ASF) on 2 human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Methods: The MTT assay was used to assess cell proliferation. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: ASF treatment caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth in both estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 and estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cells. ASF decreased mRNA expression of the apoptotic suppressor gene Bcl-xL, and increased mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes. ASF increased the mRNA expression of p21 and RIP-1 in both cell types. ASF decreased the mRNA expression of survivin in the MCF-7 cell line. Conclusions: ASF exhibits anti-cancer activity involving apoptotic cell death.

• Oncology Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.3027-3034
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• 2020

Induction of apoptosis in human cancer cells by Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai has been considered to be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment; however, the underlying mechanisms of action are not well understood. The present study investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO•) and inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) during apoptosis induced by Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extracts (SQE) in p53-wild type (WT) and p53-null HCT116 colon carcinoma cells. Trypan blue exclusion and Annexin V/propidium iodide assays were used to test for antiproliferation, and apoptosis and cell cycle. Griess and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays were carried out to assay NO• production, and to detect the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, PARP and IAPs. A colorimetric assay was utilized to measure the time-dependent increase in caspase-3 activity. SQE inhibited cell growth and promoted apoptosis by the elevation of NO• in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, both cell types underwent a reduction in mRNA and protein levels of IAPs (survivin, CIAP-1 and -2, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) as well as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, whereas an increase in protein expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 and caspase 3 activity was observed; however, an equivalent cytotoxic and apoptotic effect by SQE was observed in p53-WT and p53-null cells. Collectively, the results indicated that SQE-induced apoptosis was independent of p53 status and associated with modulation of endogenous NO• and IAP family gene expression.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2014

Objectives : We investigated whether snake venom toxin(SVT) from Vipera lebetina turanica sensitizes HT29 human epithelial colorectal cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Methods : Cell viability assay was used to assess the inhibitory effect of TRAIL on cell growth of HT29 human colorectal cancer cells. And 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay(TUNEL) staining assay were used to evaluate cell-apoptosis. Western blot analysis were conducted to observe apoptosis related proteins and death receptor. To assess whether the synergized inhibitory effect of SVT and TRAIL on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was reversed by strong anti-oxidative agent. Results : SVT with TRAIL inhibited HT29 cell growth different from TRAIL alone. Consistent with cell growth inhibition, the expression of TRAIL receptors; Expression of death receptor(DR)4 and DR5 was significantly increased and intrinsic pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3, -9 was subsequently increased together with increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and extrinsic pro-apototic caspase-8 was also activated. In addition, the expression of anti-apoptotic survival proteins, a marker of TRAIL resistance(eg, cFLIP, survivin, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein(XIAP) and Bcl-2) was suppressed by the combination treatment of SVT and TRAIL. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine abolished the SVT and TRAIL-induced upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression and expression of the intrinsic pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and-9. Conclusion : The collective results suggest that SVT facilitates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in $HT_{29}$ human epithelial colorectal cancer cells through up-regulation of the TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 and consecutive induction of bilateral apoptosis via regulating apoptosis related proteins.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5455-5461
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• 2012

Luteolin is a plant flavonoid which exhibits anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, the antiproliferative potential of luteolin is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of luteolin on cell cycling and apoptosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line Eca109 cells. MTT assays showed that luteolin had obvious cytotoxicity on Eca109 with an $IC_{50}$ of $70.7{\pm}1.72{\mu}M$ at 24h. Luteolin arrested cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase and prevented entry into S phase in a dose- and time-dependent manner. as assessed by FCM. Luteolin induced apoptosis of Eca109 cells was demonstrated by AO/EB staining assay and annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Moreover, luteolin downregulated the expression of cyclin D1, survivin and c-myc, and it also upregulated the expression of p53, in line with the fact that luteolin was able to inhibit Eca109 cell proliferation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.75-75
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• 2003

Transition of the resting primordial follicle to the growing primary follicle is a critical process for female reproduction, but its mechanism is poorly understood. The present study was conducted to investigate gene expression profile at the primordial-primary follicle transition process. We isolated total RNA of female mouse ovary at day1 (contains only primordial follicles) and day5 (contains primordial and primary follicles) and synthesized cDNA using annealing control primers (ACP; Seegene, Inc., Seoul, Korea). ACP provides annealing specificity and sensitivity to the template and allows to identify only authentic differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We used total 80 ACPs for PCR, observed PCR products on 2% agarose gel, cloned 42 DEGs using TOPO TA cloning vector, sequenced, and analyzed by BLAST search. Sequences of 34 clones significantly matched database entries while 4 clones were novel and 4 clones were EST. Two of 34 genes were specifically expressed only in day 5 ovaries (Sui1-rs1, Apg3p/Aut1p-like), and rest of 32 genes were expressed in both stages but were differential in amount. Differential expression was confirmed using semiquantitative RT-PCR, and there was no false positive. Anx11 and Pepp2-pending were highly expressed genes in day1-, while BPOZ, Ches1, Kcmf1, NHE3, Nid2, Ninj1, SENP3 and Survivin were highly expressed genes in day5-ovary. List of genes would provide insight for further study of mechanism regulating primordial-primary follicle transition.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.686-691
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• 2011

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine secreted by stromal cells and plays a role in the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells and proliferation of neutrophils. Therefore, G-CSF is widely used to reduce the risk of serious infection in immunocompromised patients; however, its use in such patients is limited because of its non-persistent biological activity. We created an N-linked glycosylated form of this cytokine, hG-CSF (Phe140Asn), to assess its biological activity in the promyelocyte cell line HL60. Enhanced biological effects were identified by analyzing the JAK2/STAT3/survivin pathway in HL60 cells. In addition, mutant hG-CSF (Phe140Asn) was observed to have enhanced chemoattractant effects and improved differentiation efficiency in HL60 cells. These results suggest that the addition of N-linked glycosylation was successful in improving the biological activity of hG-CSF. Furthermore, the mutated product appears to be a feasible therapy for patients with neutropenia.