• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.315-321
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• 2016

Background: Herbal medicine has becoming a potential source of treatment for different types of cancer including breast cancer. It has been shown that plants from the family Rhamnaceae possess anticancer activity. Objective: In this study, we determined the antiproliferative influence of Ziziphus spina christi- a species from this family- on the MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cell line. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of the total extract, ethanol, ethanol-aqueous (1:1) as well as aqueous fractions of Ziziphus spina christi leaves was evaluated through MTT assay against MCF-7 cell line. Cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis induction were assessed by flowcytometry cycle RNase/PI analysis and Annexin V-FLUOS, respectively. Apoptosis was also analyzed by immunoblotting assay. Results: Our results indicated that the ethanolic fraction had the lowest $IC_{50}$ value (0.02 mg/ml), induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase as well as apoptosis after a 48h of treatment. Conclusions: This is the first report on anticancer effect of Ziziphus spina christi ethanolic fraction on breast cancer cells, providing a scientific basis for its utility in traditional medicine. However, further in-depth studies are needed to confirm the precise mechanisms.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Lycopus lucid us Turcz is well known as traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been shown to exhibit antiinflammatory, -allergic and -oxidative effect. However, its anti-cancer properties have not been examined yet. In this study, we investigated the effect of the methanol extract of Lycopus lucid us Turcz on anti-cancer effect in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Treatment of Lycopus lucidus Turcz extract induced apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells was characterized with the changes in nuclear morphology; decrease of Bcl-2 and caspase-7 expression; and increase of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP). Furthermore, treatment of Lycopus lucidus Turcz extract caused the down-regulation of cell cycle-related protein including, cdk4, cyclin D1 and E2F-1. These results suggest that Lycopus lucidus Turcz might have the therapeutic value against human breast cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2000

In order to study the cytotoxic properties of sesquitepenes, dehydrocostus lactone (DL) and costunolide from Saussurea lappa, cytotoxicity was measured by SRB method using various human cancer cell lines. Dehydrocostus lactone(DL) and costunolide exhibited significant cytotoxicity against A-549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, XF-498 and HCT 15 cells. The U937 human leukemia cells treated with DL showed several apoptotic evidences like chromosome condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. From the results of FACS analysis, early apoptosis was observed by phosphatidylserine externalization detected by annexin V-FITC. Furethermore, these studies determined hypodiploid contents and effects on the cell phase distribution of DL-treated U937 cells. After exposure of U937 cells to $30\mu\textrm{M}$ DL effectively led to G2/M modified cell cycle distribution within 24hr. These observations suggest that DL can be used efficiently for the cancer treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.134-143
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• 2003

Objectives : We performed this study to understand the molecular basis of the antitumor effect of Saussurea lappa, Pharbitis nil, Plantago asiatica and Taraxacum mongolicum, which have been used for cancer treatment in Korean traditional medicine. Design: We analyzed, the effect of these medicinal herbs on proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells and its association with gene expression, We performed semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes using a gastric cancer cell line AGS. Results : Cell counting assay and $[^3H]thymidine$ uptake analysis showed that Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil strongly inhibit cell proliferation of AGS in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, gene espression assay revealed that mRNA espression levels of c-Jun, c-Fos, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 were markedly decreased by Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil. Furthermore, Saussurea lappa was identified to activate expression of the p53 tumor suppressor and its downstream effector $p21^{Wafl}$, which leads to $G_1$ cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These observations suggest that the anticancer effect of Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil might be associated with their regulatory capability of tumor-related gene expression.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2012

Although there are many potential cytotoxic molecules released from bacteria, the role of these molecules on the apoptosis of various cancer cells is not well understood. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a Gram-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, and has a number of virulence factors. To understand the cytotoxic effect of bacterial extracts on the colorectal cancer cell line, HCT 116 cells, we examined alteration of the cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HCT 116 cells after treatment with extract of P. aeruginosa (PaE). These cytotoxicity of PaE occurred in a time- and a dose-dependent manners. In addition, PaE arrested the cell cycle of HCT 116 cell in a time-dependent manner. PaE inhibited the protein levels of Bcl-2 and induced the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria of HCT 116 cells. The decrease of procaspase-3 was induced by the treatment of PaE. These results indicate that PaE has a cytotoxicity in HCT 116 cells via the induction of apoptosis associated with mitochondrial pathway. Therefore, PaE may used as the potential target for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.167-171
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• 2005

The anticancer and apoptotic effect of chloroform extract from 24 month-fermented doenjang were investigated in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. The chloroform extract of 24 month-fermented doenjang inhibited the AGS gastric cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. It has been confirmed by observing the cell distribution under inverted microscope. Approximately, 48 hour treatment of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$ doenjang extract inhibited AGS cancer cell growth by $76.7\%$, respectively. The growth inhibition may be caused by apoptosis of AGS cancer cells after 48 hour treatment of 24 month-fermented doenjang extract. It has been demonstrated by cell cycle arrest that revealed the shift from $G_2+M\;to\;G_0+G_1$ phase and the formation of apoptotic bodies. The fermentation period playa critical role in cell cycle arrest, in which 24 month-fermented doenjang extract was more effective than 12 month-fermented doenjang extract. The treatment of 24 month-fermented doenjang extract for 48 hours has induced intercellular Bax and decreased Bcl-2 level, indicating that it may regulate the expression level of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins. Thus, 24 month-fermented doenjang extract seems to have anticancer effect via cancer cell growth inhibition induced by apoptosis process.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.216-218
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• 2008

The present study was designed to determine how the phytochemical genistein activates caspase-3 to cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. When human ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells were treated with $200\;{\mu}M$ genistein for 24 hr, cell growth decreased significantly (p<0.05). Conversely, genistein treatment significantly increased cytotoxicity (measured as lactate dehydrogenase release) under the same conditions (p<0.05). To elucidate the mechanism behind the induction of apoptosis by genistein, we studied the cell cycle and caspase-3 activation. When cells were treated with genistein, the population of cells in sub-G1 phase increased by 44.2% compared to untreated cells. Genistein caused decrease in precursor caspase-3, increase in cleaved caspase-3 and a significant increase in caspase-3 activity (p<0.05). Therefore, genistein may induce apoptosis via caspase-3 activation. However, high-dose genistein treatment must be viewed with caution because of its potential cytotoxicity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2011

Ceramide is an important lipid mediator of extracellular signals that control various cellular functions, including apoptosis. In this study, we showed that ceramide induced apoptosis in U373MG human glioblastoma cells associated with G1 cell cycle arrest. Treatment of cells with ceramide increased proapoptotic Bax expression and inhibited the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL Ceramide also downregulated cyclin E, cyclin D1, cdk 2, and cdk4 which are involved in regulating cell cycle. In addition, ceramide suppressed phosphorylation of Akt, Bad, p70 S6 kinase, and 4E-BP1, suggesting the involvement of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Additionally, okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A, partially blocked the ceramide mediated inhibition of phosphorylation of Akt and 4E-BP1. These results suggest that ceramide induces apoptosis in U373MG glioblastoma cells by regulating multiple signaling pathways that involve cell cycle arrest associated with Akt signaling pathway.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.204-208
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• 2007

Chaga mushroom extract is well known as immune modulator and anti-cancer agent. However, the molecular mechanism by which Chaga exerts cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated anti-proliferative effects of Chaga extract on murine melanoma B16 cells. Chaga extract dose-dependently inhibited cell growth along with the arrest of G0/G1 phase and the induction of apoptotic cell death. Treatment with Chaga extract resulted in a decrease of cyclin E, cyclin D1, cdk 2, cdk 4 expression levels. Furthermore, in vivo inoculation study of B16 melanoma cells into Balb/c mice Chaga extract markedly suppressed the metastatic growth of tumor cells (6 folds, p<0.05,). These results indicate that Chaga mushroom extract induces apoptosis of B16 melanoma cells through arrest of G0/G1 phase in cell cycle.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.88-97
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• 1999

To characterize the effects of Gilgyung-Tang(GGT) on cellular proliferation and viability of normal lung fibroblast cells, we examined the cell cycle progression and cell cycle-related gene expression in T3891 using a flow cytometry and a quantitative RT-PCR analysis. 1. The significant surpression effect of cellular proliferations of GGT was observed in proportion to a certain concentration and time. 2. GGT was identified to induce apoptotic death of damaged cells by treatment with a DNA-damage agent and etoposide, while it stimulated the recovery of cellular viability of normal cells. 3 The significant reductions of mRNA expression of PCAN, c-Fos treated by GGT were observed. 4. The significant inductions of mRNA expression of p53, CDKN1. Gadd45 treated by GGT were observed. 5. The apoptosis caused by the reduction of Bcl-2 genes was significant and the Bax genes were increased. but the amount of Fas genes were not changed. These results strongly suggest that GGT triggers arrest of the cell cycle at G1 phase, and thus causes an inhibition of cellular proliferation of human normal lung cells through the transcriptional up-regulation of cell cycle inhibitory genes and down-regulation of induction of cell cycle stimulating genes respectably.