• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2009

Uncontrolled cell growth and increased cell proliferation are major features of cancer that are dependent on the stable structure and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Since stable cytoskeleton structure and dynamics are partly regulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), many current studies focused on MLCK inhibition as a chemotherapeutic target. As a potent and selective MLCK inhibitor, ML-7 [1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1 H-hexahydro-1,4-diazapine hydrochloride] is a promising candidate for an anticancer agent, which would induce apoptosis as well as prevents invasion and metastasis in certain types of cancer cells. This study assessed cytotoxic effects of ML-7 against HL-60 cells and therapeutic efficacy of ML-7 as a potential antileukemia agent. Trypan-blue exclusion assays showed dose- and time- dependent decreases in ML-7 treated HL-60 cells (p<0.05). Comet assays revealed a significant increase in DNA damage in HL-60 cells after treatment with $40{\mu}M$ ML-7 for 2h. Sub-G1 fractions, analyzed by flow cytometry increased in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that ML-7 can induce apoptotic cell death in HL-60 cells. ML-7 was selectively cytotoxic towards HL-60 cells; not affecting normal human lymphocytes. That selective effect makes it a promising potential anti-leukemia agent. In addition, anticancer efficacy of ML-7 in combination with flavonoids (genistein or quercetin) or anticancer drugs (cisplatin or Ara-C) against HL-60 cells was assessed. Combination of ML-7 with flavonoids increased the anti-cancer effect of ML-7 to a greater extent than combination with the anticancer drugs. This implies that ML-7 in combination with flavonoids could increase the efficacy of anticancer treatment, while avoiding side effects cansed by conventional anticancer drug-containing combination chemotherapy.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.16-44
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• 2020

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. According to the 2018 reports, one in six people worldwide is reported to die as a result of cancer. The discovery of anticancer drugs has been utilized extensively, but there has been no report on excellent selective activity in cancer cells. The discovery of bioactive substances from marine sponges has been the limelight in the pharmaceutical field over the past decade owing to the production of many bioactive compounds from the sponges to protect themselves against the environment. On top of that, marine sponges also produced cytotoxic compounds such as terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, and peptides which suggests that marine sponges have high potential in the development of anticancer drugs. Thus, this study aimed to obtain new cytotoxic compounds from S. siphonella in Egypt and Arenoscelra sp. and Gelliodes sp. in Vietnam, and further investigation of the extract from these marine sponges led to isolation of ten new compounds and 21 known compounds. Chapter 1 will discuss about the isolation and structure elucidation of eight new polyacetylene derivatives from S. siphonella and their cytotoxic activities. The isolation and structural elucidation of one new polybrominated iododiphenyl ether from Arenosoclea sp. as well as cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds will be reported in chapter 2. Finally, isolation and structure elucidation of new compounds from the marine sponge Gelliodes sp. and their cytotoxic activities will be discussed in chapter 3.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.80-89
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• 2022

The targeting of DNA methylation in cancer using DNA hypomethylating drugs has been well known to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy by affecting multiple pathways. Herein, we investigated the combinational effects of DNA hypomethylating drugs and ionizing radiation (IR) in human sarcoma cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. Clonogenic assays were performed to determine the radiosensitizing properties of two DNA hypomethylating drugs on sarcoma cell lines we tested in this study with multiple doses of IR. We analyzed the effects of 5-aza-dC or SGI-110, as DNA hypomethylating drugs, in combination with IR in vitro on the proliferation, apoptosis, caspase-3/7 activity, migration/invasion, and Western blotting using apoptosis- or autophagy-related factors. To confirm the combined effect of DNA hypomethylating drugs and IR in our in vitro experiment, we generated the sarcoma cells in nude mouse xenograft models. Here, we found that the combination of DNA hypomethylating drugs and IR improved anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and by promoting synergistic cell death that is associated with both apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrated that the combination effects of DNA hypomethylating drugs with radiation exhibited greater cellular effects than the use of a single agent treatment, thus suggesting that the combination of DNA hypomethylating drugs and radiation may become a new radiotherapy to improve therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.392-399
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• 2007

Objective : Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$) has been used as an anticancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine for thousand years and berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid present that has indicated significant antimicrobial activity. We have examined the combined anticancer effects of $As_2O_3$ and berberine against the human neuroblastoma (HNB) SH-SY5Y cells in vitro, and to elucidate underlying molecular mechanism. Methods : HNB SH-SY5Y cells were treated with $2\;{\mu}M\;As_2O_3$ and $75\;{\mu}g/ml$ berberine, and their survival, cell death mechanism as well as synergistic cytotoxic effects were estimated by using MTT assay, DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometric analysis, and western blot analysis. Results : The combined treatment of two drugs also markedly decreased cell viability. The cytotoxic effects of two drugs were revealed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The apoptotic cytotoxicity was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 protease as well as decreased the expression of Bcl-2, Bid, and Bcl-x/L. In addition, the cells treated with combination of two drugs also showed significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and lipid peroxidation compared to cells $As_2O_3$or berberine only. Conclusion : Combined treatment of $As_2O_3$ with berberine induced activation of apoptotic signaling pathways in HNB SH-SY5Y cells. These results suggest that the possibility of the combined treatment of two chemotherapeutic agents with low concentration improving cytotoxic effect for cancer cells with minimal side effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.199-203
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• 2014

Background: Rosuvastatine, doxazosin, repaglinide and oxcarbazepin are therapeutic drugs available in the market for the treatment of different diseases. Potential to display antitumor activities has also been suggested. The aim of the current study was to evaluate their in vitro effects on some human transformed cell lines. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of the four drugs was tested in MCF-7, HeLa and HepG2 cells by the neutral red assay method and also the effect of rosuvastatine and doxazosin against Ehrlich Ascities Carcinoma Cells (EACC) by trypan blue assay. Results: Rosuvastatine exerted the greatest cytotoxic effect against HepG2 cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of $58.7{\pm}69.3$; in contrast doxazosin showed least activity with $IC_{50}=104.4{\pm}115.7$. Repaglinide inhibited the growth of both HepG2 and HeLa cells with $IC_{50}$ values of $87.6{\pm}117.5$ and $89.3{\pm}119.5$, respectively. Oxcarbazepine showed a potent cytotoxicity against both HeLa ($IC_{50}=19.4{\pm}43.9$) and MCF7 cancer cells (($IC_{50}=22{\pm}35.7$).On the other hand the growth of EACC was completely inhibited by doxazosine (100% inhibition) while rosuvastatine had weak inhibitory activity (11.6%). Conclusions: The four tested drugs may have cytotoxic effects against hepatic, breast and cervical carcinoma cells; also doxazosine may inhibit the growth of endometrial cancer cells. Further investigations in animals are needed to confirm these results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.993-1001
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• 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients are at increased risk of many forms of malignancies, especially of the pancreas, colon and hepatocellular cancer. Unfortunately, little is known of the possible interaction between antidiabetic drugs and anticancer agents. The present study investigates the influence of metformin (MET) and sitagliptin (SITA) on the in vitro anticancer activity of the microtubule depolymerization inhibitor agent epothilone A (EpoA). Hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) viability and apoptosis were determined by the MTT test and by double staining with PO-PRO-1 and 7-aminoactinomycin D, respectively, after treatment with EpoA, metformin or sitagliptin. The levels of nuclear factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and p53 were evaluated in the presence and absence of inhibitors. While EpoA and MET inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, SITA did not. EpoA and SITA induced higher p53 levels than MET. All tested drugs increased the level of NF-${\kappa}B$. Only MET enhanced the proapoptotic effect of EpoA. The EpoA+MET combination evoked the highest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells and led to apoptosis independent of p53, decreasing the level of NF-${\kappa}B$. These findings support the link between NF-${\kappa}B$ and p53 in the modulation of apoptotic effects in HepG2 cells treated by EpoA. Our studies indicate that the combination of EpoA and MET applied in subtoxic doses has a stronger cytotoxic effect on liver cancer cells than each of the compounds alone. The therapeutic advantages of the combination of EpoA with MET may be valuable in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and liver cancer.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-49
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• 2020

The efficacy and side effects associated with anticancer drugs have attracted an extensive research focus. Onconephrology is an evolving field of nephrology that deals with the study of kidney diseases in cancer patients. Most renal diseases in cancer patients are unique, and management of renal disease can be challenging especially in the presence of continuing use of the nephrotoxic drugs. Cisplatin is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of various malignancies, such as head, neck, ovarian, and cervical cancers. The major limitation in the clinical use of cisplatin is its tendency to induce adverse effects, such as nephrotoxicity. Recently, plant-derived phytochemicals have emerged as novel agents providing protection against cisplatin-induced renal cytotoxicity. Owing to the diversity of phytochemicals, they cover a wide spectrum of therapeutic indications in cancer and inflammation and have been a productive source of lead compounds for the development of novel medications. Of these agents, the effectiveness of triterpenoids, isolated from various medicinal plants, against cisplatin-induced renal cytotoxicity has been reported most frequently compared to other phytochemicals. Triterpenes are one of the most numerous and diverse groups of plant natural products. Triterpenes ameliorate cisplatin-induced renal damage through multiple pathways by inhibiting reactive oxygen species, inflammation, down-regulation of the MAPK, apoptosis, and NF-κB signaling pathways and upregulation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense mechanisms. Here, we reviewed recent findings on the natural compounds with protective potential in cisplatin-induced renal cytotoxicity, provided an overview of the protective effects and mechanisms that have been identified to date, and discussed strategies to reduce renal cytotoxicity induced by anticancer drugs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2019

Ultrasound sonication along with microbubble (MB) could enhance drug delivery to promote the absorption of anticancer drugs into cancers in a noninvasive and targeted manners. In this study, we verify the acute drug delivery enhancement (within an hour) of two representative focused ultrasound driven drug delivery enhancement methods (MB and Doxorubicin-coated Nanoparticle complex (MB-NP) based). Experiments were conducted using in vivo mouse model with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Ultrasound generated by single-element 1 MHz focused ultrasound transducer was delivered in pulsed sonication consisted of 0.125 msec bursts at a pulse repetition frequency of 2 Hz for 20 seconds without a significant increase in local temperature (less than $0.1^{\circ}C$) or hemorrhage. Doxorubicin concentrations in tumors were improved by 1.97 times in the case of MB-NP, and 1.98 times by using Doxorubicin and MB separately. These results indicate anticancer drug delivery based on MB and MB-NP can significantly improve the effect of anticancer drugs delivered to tumors in a short time period by using low-intensity focused ultrasound.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2011

In order to minimize such adverse drug reactions, governments and international organs have been on the watch for them. Also in South Korea, a system has been established in order that adverse drug reactions may be reported to Korea Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). This study is to analyze drugs to cause adverse reactions, the adverse reactions and patients concerned on the authority of the data of Korea FDA, which is expected to be the preliminary data on preventable adverse reactions. This study was conducted on the 74,037 cases of adverse drug reactions reported to Korea FDA between January 2007 and June 2010. Fentanyl, iopromide and tramadol caused adverse reactions with high frequencies. Oseltamivir showed a high frequency between 2009 and 2010 due to the influence of the new influenza A. Also, OTC drugs accounted for approximately 5% of the adverse reactions. In 2009, adverse drug reactions remarkably increased (2,106 cases; 10.1%) in infants and children due to the new influenza-A(H1N1). The patients aged between 31 and 64 accounted for approximately 55% during the given period. There was no significant intergender difference. In relation to regions, the adverse reactions most frequently occurred in the gastrointestinal system and the integumentary system for three and half years. In addition to anticancer drugs and immunosuppressive drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions frequently, not a few of OTC drugs and external preparations caused such reactions. In particular, the drugs containing specific ingredients caused adverse reactions more frequently than others from 2007 until the first half of 2010. It is advisable for prescribers to acquaint themselves with such adverse reactions and to prescribe drugs other than them. They also have need to sensibly cope with adverse drug reactions just in case they have no substitute drugs. In addition, patients also need to be trained to understand possible adverse reactions in order that they can sensibly accommodate them or choose healthcare services. The results of this study are expected to be helpful to minimize adverse drug reactions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.693-712
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• 2004

The rats with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM, 5％ casein diet for a period of 4-week) were reported to exhibit 60 and 80％ suppression in the hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1 A2 and CYP2C11 levels, respectively, and 40-50％ decreases in CYP2E1 and CYP3A 1/2 levels compared to control (23％ casein diet for a period of 4-week) based on Western blot analysis. In addition, Northern blot analysis showed that CYP1 A2, CYP2E1, CYP2C11, and CYP3A1/2 mRNAs decreased in the state of PCM as well. Hence, pharmacokinetic changes of the drugs in rats with PCM [especially the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) changes of metabolite(s)] reported from literatures were tried to explain in terms of CYP isozyme changes in the rats. Otherwise, the time-averaged nonrenal clearance ($CL_{NR}$) of parent drug was compared. Pharmacokinetic changes of the drugs in other types of malnutritional state, such as kwashiorkor and marasmus, in both human and animal models were also compared. The drugs reviewed are as follows： diuretics, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antiepileptics, antiarrythmics, analgesics, xanthines, antimalarials, and miscellaneous.