• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2006

It was previously found that melittin inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by reacting with signal molecules of $NF-{\kappa}B$ which is critical contributor in cancer cell growth by induction of apoptotic cell death. We here investigated whether melittin inhibits cell growth of human prostate cancer cells through induction of apoptotic cell death, and the possible signal pathways. Melittin ($0{\sim}1\;{\mu}g/ml$) inhibited prostate cancer cell growth in a dose dependent manner. Conversely related to the growth inhibitory effect, melittin increased the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Melittin also inhibited DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, an anti-apoptotic transcriptional factor. Consistent with the induction of apoptotic cell death and inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$, melittin increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3, and Bax but down-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. These findings suggest that melittin could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, and this effect may be related with the induction of apoptotic cell death via inactivation of $NF-{\kappa}B$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.540-544
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• 2011

The molecular mechanisms of apoptotic induction by benzyldihydroxyoctenone (BDH), a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp., have been previously published in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Apoptotic induction of BDH-treated LNCaP cells was associated with downregulation of Bcl-xL that caused, in turn, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and activation of procaspases and specific proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the patterns of apoptotic induction by BDH in non-prostate, ovarian cancer PA-1 (androgen-independent and -insensitive) cells and prostate cancer cells with different androgen responsiveness, such as C4-2 (androgen-independent and -sensitive), 22Rv1 (androgen-dependent and -low sensitive), and LNCaP (androgen-dependent and -high sensitive) cells. We found that BDH-treated LNCaP cell proliferation was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis via downregulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as well as antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein. However, the levels of BDH-mediated apoptotic induction and growth inhibition in 22Rv1 cells were apparently lower than those of LNCaP cells. In contrast, the induction of apoptosis and antiproliferative effect in BDH-treated non-prostate cancer PA-1 and hormone refractory C4-2 cells were not detectable and marginal, respectively. Therefore, BDH-mediated differential apoptotic induction and growth inhibition in a cell type seem to be obviously dependent on its androgen responsiveness; primarily on androgen-dependency, and then on androgensensitivity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2006

We previously found that cobrotoxin inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by reacting with signal molecules of $NF-{\kappa}B$ which is critical contributor in cancer cell growth by induction of apoptotic cell death. We here investigated whether cobrotoxin inhibits cell growth of human prostate cancer cells through induction of apoptotic cell death, which is related with the suppression of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. Cobrotoxin $(0{\sim}8\;nM)$ inhibited prostate cancer cell growth through increased apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Cobrotoxin inhibited DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, an anti-apoptotic transcriptional factor. Consistent with the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$, cobrotoxin increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase 3. Cobrotoxin, a venom of Vipera lebetina turanica, is a group of basicpeptides composed of 233 amino acids with six disulfide bonds formed by twelve cysteins. NF-kB is activated by subsequent release of inhibitory IkB and translocation of p50. Since sulfhydryl group is present in kinase domain of p50 subunit of NF-kB, cobrotoxin could modify NF-kB activity by protein-protein interaction. And Cobrotoxin down regulated Akt signals. Salicylic acid as a reducing agent of Sulf-hydryl group and LY294002 as a Akt inhibitor abrogated cobrotoxin-induced cell growth and DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$. These findings suggest that nano to pico molar range of cobrotoxin could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, and the effect may be related with the induction of apoptotic cell death through Akt dependent inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signal.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.297-301
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• 2004

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of MCS-C2, a novel analogue of toyocamycin and sangivamycin, in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. When treated with MCS-C2, inhibited proliferation associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction was found in the HL-60 cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. This apoptotic induction was associated with the cleavage of Bid and a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, followed by the activation of caspase-3 and inactivation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). However, there was no significant change in any other mitochondrial membrane proteins, such as Bcl-2 and Bax. Consequently, the current findings suggest that the mitochondrial pathway was primarily involved in the MCS-C2-induced apoptosis in the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2009

Aromatic (ar)-turmerone from turmeric oil displays anti-tumorigenesis activity that includes inhibited cell proliferation. This study investigated ar-turmerone-mediated apoptotic protein activation in human lymphoma U937 cells. Ar-turmerone treatment inhibited U937 cell viability in a concentration-dependent fashion, with inhibition exceeding 84%. Moreover, the treatment produced nucleosomal DNA fragmentation and the percentage of sub-diploid cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner; both are hallmarks of apoptosis. The apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone was associated with the induction of Bax and p53 proteins, rather than Bcl-2 and p21. Activation of mitochondrial cytochrome c and caspase-3 demonstrated that the activation of caspases accompanied the apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone, which mediated cell death. These results suggest that the apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone on U937 cells may involve caspase-3 activation through the induction of Bax and p53, rather than Bcl-2 and p21.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1591-1595
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• 2012

We previously isolated a novel compound, HY251, with the molecular structure of 3-propyl-2-vinyl-1,2,3,3a,3b,6,7,7a,8,8a-decahydrocyclopenta[a]indene-3,3a,7a,8a-tetraol from the roots of Aralia continentalis. The current study was designed to evaluate the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic induction by HY251 in human ovarian cancer PA-1 cells. TUNEL assay and Western blot analyses revealed an appreciable apoptotic induction in PA-1 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ of HY251 for 24 h. This apoptotic induction was associated with caspase-8-dependent Bid cleavage, which in turn resulted in the formation of pro-apoptotic truncated Bid (tBid), and activation of caspase-9 and -3, as well as the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Moreover, we found that this death event was also associated with the significant up-regulation and activation of the p53 tumor-suppressor protein through phosphorylation at Ser15. Therefore, we suggest that HY251 may be a potent cancer chemotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.167-173
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• 2005

To investigate the possible molecular mechanism (s) of bee venom as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, we examined the effects of the compound on the growth of human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Bee venom treatment declined the cell growth and viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Bee venom down-regulated the levels of anti-apoptotic genes such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XS/L, however, the levels of Bax, a pro-apoptotic gene, were up-regulated. Bee venom treatment induced not only tumor suppressor p53 but also cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, bee venom treatment induced the down-regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA and telomeric repeat binding factor expression of A549 cells, however, the levels of telomerase-associated protein-1 and c-myc were not affected. Taken together, these findings suggest that bee venom-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products, and bee venom may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6753-6759
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• 2015

Background: Loss of function of the p53 gene is implicated in defective apoptotic responses of tumors to chemotherapy. Although the pro-apoptotic roles of eugenol and capsaicin have been amply reported, their dependence on p53 for apoptosis induction in gastric cancer cells is not well elucidated. The aim of the study was to elucidate the role of p53 in the induction of apoptosis by eugenol and capsaicin in a human gastric cancer cell line, AGS. Materials and Methods: AGS cells were incubated with or without various concentrations of capsaicin and eugenol for 12 hrs, in the presence and absence of p53 siRNA. Cell cycling, annexin V and expression of apoptosis related proteins Bax, Bcl-2 ratio, p21, cyt c-caspase-9 association, caspase-3 and caspase-8 were studied. Results: In the presence of p53, capsaicin was a more potent pro-apoptotic agent than eugenol. However, silencing of p53 significantly abrogated apoptosis induced by capsaicin but not that by eugenol. Western blot analysis of pro-apoptotic markers revealed that as opposed to capsaicin, eugenol could induce caspase-8 and caspase-3 even in the absence of p53. Conclusions: Unlike capsaicin, eugenol could induce apoptosis both in presence and absence of functional p53. Agents which can induce apoptosis irrespective of the cellular p53 status have immense scope for development as potential anticancer agents.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.121-130
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• 2014

Objectives : I investigated whether bee venom inhibit cell growth through enhancement of death receptor expressions in the human lung cancer cells, NCI-H460. Methods : Bee venom(1-5 ${\mu}g/ml$) inhibited the growth of NCI-H460 lung cancer cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Results : Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of TNF-R1, TNF-R2, FAS, death receptors(DR) 3, 4, 5 and 6 was increased in the cells. Expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including Caspase-8, -3, -9 was upregulated and Bax was concomitantly overwhelmed the expression of Bcl-2. NF-kB were inhibited by treatment with bee venom in NCI-H460 cells through TNF response change led by TNF-R1 and TNF-R2. Conclusions : These results suggest that bee venom should exert anti-tumor effect through induction of apoptotic cell death in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells via enhancement of death receptor expression, and that bee venom could be a promising agent for preventing and treating lung cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2013

This study was to investigated the effects of the bee venom on inhibition of cell growth via upregulation of death receptor expression in the A549 human lung cancer cells. Bee venom(1-5 ${\mu}g$/ml) inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of TNFR1, Fas, death receptors(DR) 3, 4 and 6 was increased in the cells. Expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3, -9 and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the expression of Bcl-2, NF-${\kappa}B$ were inhibited by treatment with bee venom in A549 cells. Moreover, deletion of DR3, DR4 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed bee venom-induced cell growth inhibitory effect, whereas Apo3L strengthened anti-proliferative effect of bee venom through enhancement of DR3 expression. These results suggest that bee venom should exert anti-tumor effect through induction of apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells via enhancement of death receptor expression, and that bee venom could be a promising agent for preventing and treating lung cancer.