• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2005

Organosulfur compounds have been shown to exert an anti-cancer activity. In an attempt to develop novel chemopreventive and anti-cancer agents for liver cancer, we synthesized allylthiopyridazine derivatives. We have previously shown that allylthiopyridazine derivatives exert inhibitory effects on proliferation, invasion and migration of SK-Hep-1 hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro. The in vivo anti-tumor effect of 3-methvl-6-allylthiopy-ridazine, named as K6, was also reported. In this study, we further investigated the preclinical anti-cancer efficacy of K6 for hepatocarcinoma using nude mice xenografted with Hep-G2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. K6(20-100 mg/kg, orally administered everyday for 30 days) markedly decreased the tumor volume of Hep-G2 cell-transplanted nude mice as evidenced by ultrasonographic and plethysmogranhic analyses. The inhibitory effect on tumor volume was lower than that exerted by doxorubicin (2 mg/kg), intravenously injected) which was used as a positive control. This study shows that K6 efficiently suppresses xenograft tumor growth, revealing K6 as apotential anti-cancer agent for suppressing in vivo progression of liver cancer. Given that hepatocarcinoma is among the most prevalent and lethal malignancies and there is no effective treatment to date, our study may contribute to the potential drug development for liver cancer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.155-160
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• 2013

Objectives : Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, worldwide. Houttuynia cordata Thunberg (H. cordata) has been used as a medicinal plants and it has an anti-cancer activity in human colorectal cancer and leukemic cancer. However, the potential anti-cancer activity and mechanisms of H. cordata for human gastric cancer cells have not been tested so far. Thus, this study examined the biological effects of H. cordata on the human gastric cancer cell line SNU-1 and AGS. Methods : Inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle by H. cordata was carried out by MTT assay and Muse cell cycle analysis and the expressions of protein associated with apoptosis and cell cycle regulation were investigated with Western blot analysis. Results : In MTT assay, the proliferation of SNU-1 and AGS cells was significantly inhibited by H. cordata in a time and dose dependent manner, Inhibition of cell proliferation by H. cordata was in part associated with apoptotic cell death, as shown by changes in the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 by H. cordata. Also, H. cordata regulated the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as pRb, cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4, CDK2, p21 and p15. Conclusion : The antiproliferative effect of H. cordata on SNU-1 and AGS gastric cancer cells revealed in this study suggests that H. cordata has intriguing potential as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.978-986
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• 2023

Inflammation by the innate immune system is a protective mechanism of the organism against infection-mediated environmental factors. It is also responsible for the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including the progression of cancer. Lichens are receiving increasing attention as a source of bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. Additionally, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential of lichen and its secondary metabolites have been widely reported. However, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, to investigate molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation and anti-cancer activity in the Antarctic lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, methanol extract of Usnea aurantiaco-atra (MEUS) was used in vitro assays in RAW 264.7 macrophages cell and HCT116 colon cancer cells. Based on our data, MEUS had the anti-inflammatory activity through the modulation of main inflammatory indicators such as COX-2, IL-6, iNOS, TNF-α and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, we observed that MEUS had cytotoxic activity against HCT116 colon cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, leading to a significantly reduced proliferation of the cancer cells through apoptotic induction by activating caspase-3. Taken together, this work firstly reported the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of an Antarctic lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, and MEUS may provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying a link between inflammation and cancer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.727-733
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• 2015

Although Sophorae Flos (SF) has been reported to exert an anti-cancer activity, molecular targets and mechanisms associated with anti-cancer activity of SF have been unclear. Because cyclin D1 has been regarded as an important regulator in the cell proliferation, we focused cyclin D1 and investigated the effect of SF on the cyclin D1 regulation in light of elucidating the molecular mechanism for SF’s anti-cancer activity. The treatment of SF decreased cellular accumulation of cyclin D1 protein. However, SF did not change the level of cyclin D1 mRNA. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated SF-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with SF. In addition, a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated SF-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by a selective inhibitor, PD98059 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by SF. From these results, we suggest that SF-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2. SF-induced proteasomal degradation of cyclin D1 might inhibit proliferation in human colorectal cancer cells. The current study provides information on molecular events for an anti-cancer activity of SF

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2213-2216
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• 2013

Recently, use of natural products available from marine sources, and especially algae products, are receiving more attention. Scientific evidence for claimed nutraceutical and therapeutical effects of one such marine algae product, fucoxanthin, is discussed in this paper with a summary of the currently available literature regarding its antioxidant, anti-obesity and anticancer activities. It is safe for use in humans, but as it has poor solubility a nano-suspension mode of delivery may be adopted to improve efficacy of supplments. We conclude from ourliterature review that the marine algae product fucoxanthin has significant antioxidant, anti-obesity and anticancer activity with established mechanisms of action.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.23-27
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• 1997

This study was performed to examine the anti-cancer effect of Red Ginseng in the DENGalN-PH-induced hepatic tumor model system in rats. One hundred of male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats(6weeks old) were randomly divided into five groups. Rats in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were administered to diethylnitrosamine intraperitoneally 200 mg/kg body weight for the caner initiation. Rats in group 5 were given to saline as a control. On two weeks after cancer initiation, rats in groups 1 and 3 were fed on diet containing 0.01% of acethylaminofiuorene(AAF) which is strong cancer-promotor for 6 weeks, while rats in groups 2 and 4 were fed on water containing 0.05% of phenobarbital which is weak cancer.promotor for 6 weeks. Rats in groups 1 and 2 were treated with diet containing 3% of Red Ginseng for six weeks(from 9th week till 15th week after cancer initiation). Rats in all groups were necropsied time-sequencially at 8, 15, and 36 weeks. The hepatic lesions of rat treated with carcinogens expressed glutathione S-transferase placental form(GST-P) at 8 week. The GST-P positive foci of rats treated with AAF were larger than that of any other rats, while the GST-P positive foci of rats treated with AAF and red ginseng were significantly decreased. This anti-cancer effect of Red ginseng might be involved in the enhacement of natural killer cell activity. To know whether there is direct relationship between Red Ginseng and natural killer cell activity, the activity of natural killer cell was examined after treatment AAF, AAF+Red ginseng and Red ginseng only, respectively. Comparing with natural killer cell activity in AAF-treated group, natural killer cell activity was significantly activated in AAF+ Red ginseng-treated group. This indicated that Red ginseng might enhance natural killer activity after treatment carcinogen in rats. These results suggested that Red ginseng might have a cancer prevention ability by promoting natural killer cell activity during hepatocarclnogenesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2012

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes involved in the remodelling of chromatin, and have a key role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are emerging as an exciting new class of potential anti-cancer agents. In recent years, a number of structurally diverse HDAC inhibitors have been identifi ed and these HDAC inhibitors induce growth arrest, differentiation and/or apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed at investigating the anti-tumor activity of various HDAC inhibitors, IN-2001, using T47D human breast cancer cells. Moreover, the possible mechanism by which HDAC inhibitors exhibit anti-tumor activity was also explored. In estrogen receptor positive T47D cells, IN-2001, HDAC inhibitor showed anti-proliferative effects in dose-and time-dependent manner. In T47D human breast cancer cells showed anti-tumor activity of IN-2001 and the growth inhibitory effects of IN-2001 were related to the cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Flow cytometry studies revealed that IN-2001 showed accumulation of cells at $G_2$/M phase. At the same time, IN-2001 treatment time-dependently increased sub-$G_1$ population, representing apoptotic cells. IN-2001-mediated cell cycle arrest was associated with induction of cdk inhibitor expression. In T47D cells, IN-2001 as well as other HDAC inhibitors treatment significantly increased $p21^{WAF1}$ and $p27^{KIP1}$ expression. In addition, thymidylate synthase, an essential enzyme for DNA replication and repair, was down-regulated by IN-2001 and other HDAC inhibitors in the T47D human breast cancer cells. In summary, IN-2001 with a higher potency than other HDAC inhibitors induced growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and eventual apoptosis in human breast cancer possibly through modulation of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins, such as cdk inhibitors, cyclins, and thymidylate synthase.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.682-689
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• 2015

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (A. distichum) has been reported to exert the inhibitory effect on angiotensin converting enzyme and aldose reductase. Recently, our group found that branch extracts of A. distichum (EAFAD-B) induce apoptosis through ATF3 activation in human colon cancer cells. However, anti-cancer reagents exert their activity through the regulation of various molecular targets. Therefore, the elucidation of potential mechanisms of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity may be necessary. To elucidate the potential mechanism of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity, we evaluated the regulation of cyclin D1 in human colon cancer cells. EAFAD-B decreased cellular accumulation of cyclin D1 protein. However, cyclin D1 mRNA was not changed by EAFAD-B. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with EAFAD-B. In addition, EAFAD-B induced cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and the point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation. Inhibitions of both ERK1/2 by PD98059 and NF-κB by a selective inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by EAFAD-B. From these results, we suggest that EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2-dependent NF-κB activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between EAFAD-B and anti-cancer activity in human colon cancer cells.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2012

Aim : Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that lyse certain tumor- and virus-infected cells without any prior stimulation or immunization. This article aims to review the significance of evaluating peripheral blood NK cells to predict anti-tumor immune function and prognosis in cancer patients. Methods : PubMed was used to create a database for this review. Search words of cancer, natural killer cell, prognosis were used to retrieve related articles. References of the collected articles were also reviewed. Results : Current evidence indicates that decreased or absent NK cell count or activity is mostly associated with the development or progression of cancer. In patients with various types of cancer, NK cell activity was mostly associated with the cancer prognosis and survival despite some conflicting results. Conclusion : The data shows the evaluation of anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients through natural killer cell measurement still remains a controversial matter. However, it is clear that the NK cell activity plays an important role in cancer and is associated with prevention of both early stage and metastatic cancer.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

Cordyceps militaris mycelium extracts containing high amounts of cordycepin were evaluated in vitro for their anti-inflammatory and tumor cell growth-inhibitory activities. All extracts dose dependently inhibited the increased production of inflammatory mediators including reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and 𝛽-hexosaminidase in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cells. All extracts were evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against normal RBL-2H3 cells and diverse types of cancer cell lines, including HCT, MC5-7, U-87MG, AGS, and A549 cells. The extract showed the strongest growth inhibition (IC₅₀ = 28.13 ㎍/mL) relative to vehicle-treated control cells against fibrosarcoma (MC5-7). We have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity of C. militaris via inhibition of NO, ROS production, and 𝛽-hexosaminidase release in activated cells. C. militaris mycelium extract was also evaluated mechanistically and found to exert six types of anti-cancer activity, confirming its pharmacological potential. Our study suggests C. militaris use as a potential source of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. C. militaris may also be considered a functional food.