• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1071-1077
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• 2004

Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis; the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) is an important Chinese crude drug used in many oriental prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a major component of this crude drug, has been shown to possess potent antioxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-proliferative effects. In this study, I examined whether PGG could protect Neuro 2A cells, a kind of neuronal cell lines, from oxidative damage through the induction of HO-1 expression and HO activity. Exposure of Neuro 2A cells to PGG (10-50μM) resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent induction of HO-1 mRNA, and protein expressions and heme oxygenase activity. PGG protected the cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death. The protective effect of PGG on hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was abrogated by zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX), a HO inhibitor. These results indicate that PGG is a potent inducer of HO-1 and HO-1 induction is responsible for the PGG-mediated cytoprotection against oxidative damage.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2004

Colostrum contains various kinds of cytokines including TGF-$\beta$ that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system. We compared the levels of TGF-$\beta$1 and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine and human colostrum. Based on the isoform-specific ELISA, bovine colostrum collected on day 1 post-delivery retained $53.71{\pm}29.55\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $40.41{\pm}21.78\;{\mu}g/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=4), while in human, $381.45{\pm}158.24\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $41.47{\pm}9.63\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=5). Thus, dominant TGF-$\beta$ isoforms were completely opposite between human and bovine colostrum samples. The concentrations of both isoforms declined as lactation proceeded. Biological activities of the colostrum samples were determined using an MV1LU cell line. Consistent with the result from the immunoassay, TGF-$\beta$1 in human and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum were responsible for the anti proliferative activity against MV1LU cells. Furthermore, bovine colostrum increased IgA secretion by LPS-stimulated mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, and this effect was abrogated by either anti­TGF-$\beta$2 antibody or combined anti-TGF-$\beta$1/$\beta$2 antibody, but not by anti- TGF-$\beta$1 antibody alone. Similarly, TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum enhanced the Ig germ line (GL) promoter activity, which is the earliest event toward IgA isotype switching. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-$\beta$ isoforms, differentially expressed in human and bovine colostrum, may promote IgA isotype production in the neonatal intestine.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.328-334
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• 2018

Because of the unsatisfactory treatment options for breast cancer (BC), there is a need to develop novel therapeutic approaches for this malignancy. One such strategy is chemotherapy using non-toxic dietary substances and botanical products. Studies have shown that Panduratin A (PA) possesses many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anticancer activities. In the present study, we provide evidence that PA treatment of MCF-7 BC cells resulted in a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth with an $IC_{50}$ of $15{\mu}M$ and no to little effect on normal human MCF-10A breast cells. To define the mechanism of these anti-proliferative effects of PA, we determined its effect critical molecular events known to regulate the cell cycle and apoptotic machinery. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V-FITC staining provided evidence for the induction of apoptosis. PA treatment of BC cells resulted in increased activity/expression of mitochondrial cytochrome C, caspases 7, 8 and 9 with a significant increase in the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, suggesting the involvement of a mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed that PA treatment of cells resulted in G0/G1 arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblot analysis data revealed that, in MCF-7 cell lines, PA treatment resulted in the dose-dependent (i) induction of $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$ and p27Kip1, (ii) downregulation of Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and (iii) decrease in cyclin D1. These findings suggest that PA may be an effective therapeutic agent against BC.

• 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.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2024

Objectives: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and an excessive inflammatory response. Agents that can attenuate keratinocyte hyperproliferation and excessive inflammatory responses are considered potentially useful for the treatment of psoriasis. Daehwangmokdanpitang (DHMDPT) exhibits a broad range of bioactivities, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aims to evaluate the anti-psoriatic potential of DHMDPT in vitro. Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were stimulated with a mixture of IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, IL-1α, and TNF-α (M5) to establish an in vitro psoriatic keratinocyte model. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA levels of the hyperproliferative marker gene keratin 6 (KRT6) and inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-23A. Additionally, chemokines including CCL5, CCL2, CCL20, and CXCL1 were measured by qRT-PCR. Results: DHMDPT attenuated M5-induced hyperproliferation, as indicated by a reduction in KRT6 expression in HaCaT keratinocytes. M5 stimulation significantly upregulated the mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-23A. However, DHMDPT treatment attenuated the upregulation of IL-6 but not TNF-α or IL-23A. Additionally, DHMDPT inhibited the expression of CCL5, CCL2, and CXCL1, but not CCL20. Conclusion: DHMDPT effectively attenuated the M5-induced proliferation and inflammatory response in HaCaT keratinocytes. Therefore, DHMDPT could be an attractive candidate for future development as an anti-psoriatic agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.767-774
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• 2011

Defatted green tea seed was extracted with 100% ethanol for 4 hr and then fractionated with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and butanol. The ethanol and butanol extracts showed greater increases in antiproliferation potential against liver cancer cells than petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, $H_2O$, and hot water extracts did. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the anti-proliferative actions of defatted green tea seed ethanol extract (DGTSE) in HepG2 cancer cells. The DGTSE contained catechins including EGC ($1039.1{\pm}15.2\;g/g$), tannic acid ($683.5{\pm}17.61\;{\mu}g/g$), EC ($62.4{\pm}5.00\;{\mu}g/g$), ECG ($24.4{\pm}7.81\;{\mu}g/g$), EGCG ($20.9{\pm}0.96\;{\mu}g/g$) and gallic acid ($2.4{\pm}0.68\;{\mu}g/g$), but caffeic acid was not detected when analyzed by HPLC. The anti-proliferation effect of DGTSE toward HepG2 cells was 83.13% when treated at $10\;{\mu}g$/mL, of DGTSE, offering an $IC_{50}$ of $6.58\;{\mu}g$/mL. DGTSE decreased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Quinone reductase and antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase activities were increased about 2.6 and 1.94-fold at a concentration of $20\;{\mu}g$/mL compared to a control group, respectively. Enhancement of phase II enzyme activity by DGTSE was shown to be mediated via interaction with ARE sequences in genes encoding the phase enzymes. DGTSE significantly (p<0.05) suppressed prostaglandin $E_2$ level, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) protein expressions, and NF${\kappa}$B translocation, but did not affected nitric oxide production. From the above results, it is concluded that DGTSE may ameliorate tumor and inflammatory reactions through the elevation of phase II enzyme activities and suppression of NF${\kappa}$B translocation and TNF-${\alpha}$ protein expressions, which support the cancer cell anti-proliferative effects of DGTSE in HepG2 cells.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 1997

Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子), Ligustrum lucidum Ail (女貞子) are Herbs that are frequently used in a lot of prescriptions to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer therapies, especially like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The radioprotective and hemopoietic effects of these Herbs on BALB/c splenocytes and bone marrow cells are measured. In order to evaluate the Hemopoietic effects, Thymidine uptakes and secretion of colony stimulating factors(CSFs) of splenocytes and myelocytes treated with herbs were measured. Radioprotective effects were accessed by the method of immunocompetence of murine lymphocytes cultured with herbs before irradiation and with LPS, ConA after irradiation. The results are as follows. 1. The orders of Proliferative effects of herbs on splenocytes were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸). Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), the lowest of all. At Optimal concentration, the proliferation ratios of herb-treated splenocytes compared to non-treated ones were like these. Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 44.3, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 17.7, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 10, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 6.4, Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) 2.0.(p<0.05) 2. When splenocytes were cultured during different periods, Atractylodes. macrocephala Loidz (白朮) and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) showed the higest proliferation on 3th day, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) on 4th day,(p<0.05) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) until 5th day but with no significant increase. 3. The orders of Proliferative effects of herbs on Bone Marrow(BM) cells were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus memhranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) and Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), the lowest of all too. At Optimal concentration, the proliferation ratios of herb-treated BM cells compared to non-treated ones were like these. Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 21.7, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 9.9, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 4.9, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 2.3, Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) 1.4(p<0.05). 4. The secretion ratio of colony stimulating factors(CSFs) of each herb-treated group, compared to control, was Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮) 9.4, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) 9.0, Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸) 4.4, Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) 3.8 (p<0.05) but no significant increase in Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子). 5. The mitogen(ConA, LPS) stimulated-lymphocytes cultured with each herb before irradiation of 1-3 Gy showed more enhanced proliferation than control(p<0.05). When compared to each non-irradiated group of all groups, the orders of percentage increase of irradiated group were Atractylodes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), the higest of all, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?), Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子). Each percentage showed significant enhancement compared to control group(p<0.05). According to the results, Atractylcdes macrocephala Loidz (白朮), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (黃?) are suggested to be the most effective hemopoietic and radioprotective herbs, and Angelica sinensis(Oliv) Kiels (當歸), Lycium chinense Mill (枸杞子) the next, but Ligustrum lucidum Ait (女貞子) showed lower effects than expected.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7291-7296
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• 2014

Different plant parts of Flacourtia indica have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Previous studies have demonstrated that the methanolic extract of F. indica possess anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was aimed at investigating the anticancer effects of methanol extract of Flacourtia indica (FIM) aerial parts in human colon cancer (HCT116) cells. Treatment of cells with FIM at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$ for 24 hours significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis, which was associated with the increased cytoplasmic expression of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, and the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Incubation with FIM also inhibited the levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and survivin, which are the markers of cell proliferation, whereas the expression of Bax remained unchanged. Treatment with FIM led to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition of ROS generation by pretreatment of cells with N-acetyl cysteine abrogated FIM-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells. Thus, these results demonstrate that FIM has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in HCT116 cells and the effects are, at least in part, due to the ROS dependent activation of caspases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2005

3-hydrogenwadaphnin (3-HK) is a new daphnane-type diterpene ester isolated from Dendrostellera lessertii with strong anti-tumoral activity in animal models and in cultures. Here, prolonged effects of this new agent on proliferation and viability of several different cancerous cell lines were evaluated. Using [$^3H$]thymidine incorporation, it was found that the drug inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1/S cell cycle arrest in leukemic cells 24 h after a single dose treatment. The cell viability of Jurkat cells was also decreased by almost 10%, 31% and 40% after a single dose treatment (7.5 nM) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The drug-treated cells were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide to document the chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. These observations were further confirmed by detection of DNA laddering pattern in the agarose gel electrophoresis of the extracted DNA from the treated cells. Treatment of K562 cells with the drug at 7.5, 15 and 30 nM caused apoptosis in 25%, 45% and 65% of the cells, respectively. Exogenous addition of $25-50\;{\mu}M$ guanosine and/or deoxyguanosine to the cell culture of the drug-treated cells restored DNA synthesis, released cell arrest at G1/S checkpoint and decreased the apoptotic cell death caused by the drug. These observations were not made using adenosine. However, the drug effects on K562 cells were potentiated by hypoxanthine. Based on these observations, perturbation of GTP metabolism is considered as one of the main reasons for apoptotic cell death by 3-HK.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2021

Objective: Red ginseng (RG) exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and immunomodulatory effects on endometriosis through the regulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression. It may also ameliorate endometriosis by affecting the expression of multiple miRNAs simultaneously, rather than acting on a single miRNA at a given time. Since studies on the overall effects of RG on endometriosis via the regulation of miRNA expression are lacking, the current study aimed to explore the global effect of RG on miRNA expression in a mouse model of endometriosis. Methods: To establish the mouse model, the uterine horn of donor mice was implanted into the lateral side of the recipients' peritoneum, followed by vehicle or RG treatment for 8 weeks. Results: To confirm the effects of RG on the established mouse model, the size of the implanted uterus was measured; it was found to be lower in mice from the RG group than in mice from the control group. miRNA expression profiles in the implanted uterus of the mouse model of endometriosis after vehicle or RG administration were analyzed using microarray technology. Thereafter, seven candidate miRNAs and 125 candidate genes (miRNA targets) were identified through a bioinformatics analysis. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that RG regulates the expression of multiple miRNAs and mRNAs, thereby alleviating endometriosis in a mouse model of the disease.