• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, a primary bioactive component of red ginseng, has anti-cancer effects. However, the effects of Rg3-enriched ginseng extract (Rg3RGE) on apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we explored the anti-tumor effects of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells stimulated CoCl₂, a mimetic of the chronic hypoxic response, and determined the operative mechanisms of action. Methods: The inhibitory mechanisms of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells, such as apoptosis, autophagy and ROS levels, were detected both in vitro. To determine the anti-cancer effects of Rg3RGE in vivo, the cancer xenograft model was used. Results: Rg3RGE suppressed CoCl₂-induced spheroid formation and cell viability in 3D culture of breast cancer cells. Rg3RGE promoted apoptosis by increasing cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP and decreasing Bcl2 under the hypoxia mimetic conditions. Further, we identified that Rg3RGE promoted apoptosis by inhibiting lysosomal degradation of autophagosome contents in CoCl₂-induced autophagy. We further identified that Rg3RGE-induced apoptotic cell death and autophagy inhibition was mediated by increased intracellular ROS levels. Similarly, in the in vivo xenograft model, Rg3RGE induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation and autophagy. Conclusion: Rg3RGE-stimulated ROS production promotes apoptosis and inhibits protective autophagy under hypoxic conditions. Autophagosome accumulation is critical to the apoptotic effects of Rg3RGE. The in vivo findings also demonstrate that Rg3RGE inhibits breast cancer cell growth, suggesting that Rg3RGE has potential as potential as a putative breast cancer therapeutic.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.112-123
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• 2022

Objective: To investigate the relationship between ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (IASLC/ATS/ERS) histopathologic classification, including histological subtypes, proliferation activity, and somatic mutations. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 419 patients (150 males, 269 females; median age, 59.0 years; age range, 23.0-84.0 years) who had undergone surgical removal of stage IA-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma and had preoperative PET/CT data of lung tumors. The maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax), background-subtracted volume (BSV), and background-subtracted lesion activity (BSL) derived from PET/CT were measured. The IASLC/ATS/ERS subtypes, Ki67 score, and epidermal growth factor/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EGFR/ALK) mutation status were evaluated. The PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters were compared between the tumor subtypes using the Mann-Whitney U test or the Kruskal-Wallis test. The optimum cutoff values of the PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters for distinguishing the IASLC/ATS/ERS subtypes were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The correlation between the PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters and pathological parameters was analyzed using Spearman's correlation. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: SUVmax, BSV, and BSL values were significantly higher in invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) than in minimally IA (MIA), and the values were higher in MIA than in adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) (all p < 0.05). Remarkably, an SUVmax of 0.90 and a BSL of 3.62 were shown to be the optimal cutoff values for differentiating MIA from AIS, manifesting as pure ground-glass nodules with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Metabolic-volumetric parameters (BSV and BSL) were better potential independent factors than metabolic parameters (SUVmax) in differentiating growth patterns. SUVmax and BSL, rather than BSV, were strongly or moderately correlated with Ki67 in most subtypes, except for the micropapillary and solid predominant groups. PET/CT parameters were not correlated with EGFR/ALK mutation status. Conclusion: As noninvasive surrogates, preoperative PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters could imply IASLC/ATS/ERS subtypes and Ki67 index and thus may contribute to improved management of precise surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2014

The anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum micracanthum water extract (SMWE) was investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in this study. The murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 cells were used and MTT assay was performed to measure the cell proliferation ability. The secretion of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-$1{\beta}$ was measured in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells by ELISA. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B p65 protein was studied by immunoblotting. The Balb/c mice were used for an acute toxicity test, and imprinting control region mice were purchased to evaluate a croton oil-induced ear edema. As a result, there was no cytotoxicity in the macrophage proliferation treated with SMWE compared to the control. NO levels decreased with increasing concentration of SMWE and were inhibited over 50%. Moreover, the secretion of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner, especially, IL-$1{\beta}$ inhibition activity was over 50% at 50 ${mu}g$/mL. The formation of ear edema of mice was reduced at the highest dose tested compared to that in the control. Moreover, in acute toxicity test, no moralities occurred in mice administered 5,000 mg/kg body weight of SMWE over 2 weeks observation period. These results suggested that SMWE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and be potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic materials.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immuno-stimulatory activity of the high-molecular-weight fraction (HMWF) of Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) extracts obtained by ultrafiltration in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and to assess its immuno-stimulatory effect in mice. Ultrafiltration was performed with polyethersulfone membranes (30 kDa cutoff) in a cross-flow filtration system to obtain the HMWF of CW. The results showed that the HMWF increased the production of various cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide in dose-ependent manners. In addition, HMWF treatment increased the relative spleen weight as well as splenocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A or bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice. Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the HMWF-treated group was significantly increased compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that the HMWF of CW can support the immune system through secretion of macrophage cytokines, thereby enhancing NK cell activity and murine splenocyte proliferation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2005

Background : Continuous growth stimulation by various factors, as well as chronic oxidative stress, may co-exist in many solid tumors, such as lung cancer. A new family of antioxidant proteins, the peroxiredoxins (Prxs), have been implicated in the regulation of many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, a real pathophysiological significance of Prx proteins, especially in lung disease, has not been sufficiently defined. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the distribution and expression of various Prx isoforms in lung cancer and other pulmonary conditions. Method : Patients diagnosed with lung cancer, and who underwent surgery at the Ajou Medical Center, were enrolled. The expressions of Prxs, Thioredoxin (Trx) and Thioredoxin reductase (TR) were analyzed using proteomic techniques and the subcellular localization of Prx proteins was studied using immunohistochemistry on normal mouse lung tissue. Result : Immunohistochemical staining has shown the isoforms of Prx I, II, III and V are predominantly expressed in bronchial and alveolar lining epithelia, as well as in the alveolar macrophages of the normal mouse lung. The isoforms of Prx I and III, and thioredoxin were also found to be over-expressed in the lung cancer tissues compared to their paired normal lung controls. There was also an increased amount of the oxidized form of Prx I, as well as a putative truncated form of Prx III, in the lung cancer samples when analyzed using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. In addition, a 43 kDa intermediate molecular weight protein band, and other high molecular weight bands of over 20 kDa, recognized by the anti-Prx I antibody, were present in the tissue extracts of lung cancer patients on 1-Dimensional electrophoresis, which require further investigation. Conclusion : The over-expressions of Prx I and III, and Trx in human lung cancer tissue, as well as their possible chaperoning function, may represent an attempt by tumor cells to adjust to their microenvironment in a manner advantageous to their survival and proliferation, while maintaining their malignant potential.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.718-725
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• 2018

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis in several types of cancer. In this study, the impact of TLR4 activation on apoptotic cell death in gynecologic cancers induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. Cervical cancer cell lines were produced from isolated surgical specimens supplied by Paik Hospital. The primary cultures of normal myometrium and gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, were used to examine the differences in morphological characteristics between normal and cancerous cells. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the relative expression levels of TLR4 gene involved in apoptosis-associated signaling in cervical cancer cells. The cancer cell colonies showed a tendency to reach high levels of confluency compared with normal cells. In addition, an enhanced growth rate and loss of contact inhibition were observed in gynecologic cancer cells compared with normal cells (doubling times of 16.6 hr vs. 26 hr, respectively). The expression level of ITGA5, an alpha-5 integrin marker, was upregulated in normal myometrial cells, but this tendency was not exhibited in cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, p53 tumor suppressor gene expression was upregulated, whereas TLR4 and caspase-3 gene expressions were downregulated in cervical cancer cells. Notably, the expression levels of TLR4 and caspase-3 were increased significantly in LPS-treated cancer cells compared with those in non-LPS-treated cells. These results suggest that the TLR4-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway could be suggested as a therapeutic target for the treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.452-463
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• 2020

Purpose: Aster tataricus (AT) is one of the Asteraceae perennial herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The herb contains various bioactive substances, such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic compounds in the roots, and exhibits a range of effects including anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study compared the immunomodulatory effects of ethanol and water extracts of whole AT, except the roots, and analyzed the molecular mechanisms for the regulatory effects on cytokine secretion from THP-1 cells. Methods: The effects of AT extract on the cell viability and proliferation of THP-1 cells were analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 method. The concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell culture supernatant of the AT-treated THP-1 cells were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the cell lysates were determined by western blotting. Results: The water extract and the ethanol extract of AT did not affect the cell viability, and increased the proliferation of THP-1 cells significantly compared to the vehicle. The water extract increased the secretion of IL-1β from THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the ethanol extract had no effect. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and the phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt were induced in AT-treated cells. In addition, IκBα was degraded by AT in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-1β secretion by AT was reduced by extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors, while TNF-α secretion was decreased by inhibitors of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Interestingly, the p38 MAPK inhibitor increased the production of IL-1β by AT further. Conclusion: The water extract of the above-ground parts of AT contains immunomodulatory bioactive substances that stimulate immune cells through the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Plebeiae Herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) on the proliferation of AGS cell lines and the activation of splenocytes. In an anti-cancer test using AGS cells, water and ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba inhibited the growth of AGS cell lines and morphological changes were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Water extract of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of 43.3% at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and 69.7% at $3,000{\mu}g/mL$. Ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of approximately 37.3% for $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and 75.8% for $3,000{\mu}g/mL$. The Plebeiae Herba induced the proliferation of spleen cells and increased interleukin (IL)-2, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Plebeiae Herba seems to have antiproliferationg effect against the AGS cell and acts as a potent immunomodulator.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.729-733
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• 2014

Laminaria japonica roots have not been used practically in Korea. In this study, in order to promote the use of these by-products, the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica root (LJREE) was investigated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects of LJREE, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and cell proliferation were measured. We found that NO levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, the production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was suppressed, and the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was inhibited over 30% after treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ LJREE. In conclusion, the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, measured by MTT assay, confirmed that LJREE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors without any cytotoxicity, making it a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.417-425
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• 2017

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson is distributed in China and Korea, and the fruit of C. monnieri is used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat carbuncle and pain in female genitalia. In this study, we examined the anti-proliferation and cell cycle arrest effects of ethanol extracts from C. monnieri (CME) in AGS gastric cancer cells. Our results show that CME suppressed cell proliferation and induced release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in AGS cells by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and LDH assay. Cell morphology was altered by CME in a dose-dependent manner. In order to identify the cell cycle arrest effects of CME, we investigated cell cycle analysis after CME treatment. In our results, CME induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Protein kinase B (Akt) plays a major role in cell survival mechanisms such as growth, division, and metastasis. Akt protein regulates various downstream proteins such as glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ (GSK-$3{\beta}$) and tumor protein p53 (p53). Expression levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-$3{\beta}$, p53, p21, cyclin E, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were determined by Western blot analysis. Protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-$3{\beta}$, and cyclin E were reduced while those of p53, p21, and p-CDK2 (T14/Y15) were elevated by CME. Moreover, treatment with CME, LY294002 (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt inhibitor), BIO (GSK-$3{\beta}$ inhibitor), and Pifithrin-${\alpha}$ (p53 inhibitor) showed that cell cycle arrest effects were mediated through regulation of the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 signaling pathway. These results suggest that CME induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase via the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 signaling pathway in AGS gastric cancer cells.