• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.144-154
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Neural stem cells (NSCs) remain in the mammalian brain throughout life and provide a novel therapeutic strategy for central nervous system (CNS) injury. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) had shown a protective effect in different types of cells. However, the role of BMP-6 in NSCs is largely unclear. The present study was aimed to investigate whether BMP-6 could protect human NSCs (hNSCs) against the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death. Methods and Results: Upon challenge with OGD treatment, cell viability was significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner, as indicated by the CCK-8 assay. BMP-6 could attenuate the OGD-induced cell injury in a dose-dependent manner and decrease the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, BMP-6 markedly weakened the OGD-induced alterations in the expression of procaspase-8/9/3 and reversed the expression of cleaved-caspase-3. Interestingly, noggin protein (the BMP-6 inhibitor) attenuated the neuroprotective effect of BMP-6 in cultured hNSCs. Furthermore, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was activated by OGD treatment and BMP-6 markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with noggin abolished the effect of BMP-6 on p38 activation. SB239063, a selective p38 inhibitor, exerted similar effects with BMP-6 in protecting hNSCs against the OGD-induced apoptosis. These results indicated that blocking the phosphorylation of p38 might contribute to the neuroprotective effect of BMP-6 against the OGD-induced injury in hNSCs. Conclusions: These findings suggested that BMP-6 might be a therapeutic target in the OGD-induced cell death, which provides a novel therapeutic strategy for enhancing host and graft NSCs survival in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

• Oncology Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.3256-3264
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• 2019

The induction of apoptosis is a useful strategy in anti-cancer research. Various Moon Hyung Yang (MHY) compounds have been developed as novel anti-cancer drug candidates; in the present study, the pro-apoptotic effects of (Z)-5-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (MHY695) on HCT116 human colon cancer cells were assessed. MTT assays were performed to investigate the dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of MHY695 on HCT116 cells. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry analyses were performed to identify apoptotic cell death, and western blot analysis was used to investigate the apoptotic-signaling pathways. A mouse xenograft model was also used to determine the effects of MHY695 in vivo. MHY695 decreased the viability of HCT116 cells and induced apoptotic cytotoxicity. The apoptotic mechanisms induced by MHY695 involved the dephosphorylation of Bcl-2-associated agonist of cell death protein following protein kinase B inactivation, induced myeloid leukaemia cell differentiation protein and BH3-interacting domain death agonist truncation, caspase-3 and -9 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. In addition, MHY695 significantly suppressed tumor growth in the mouse xenograft model, compared with the vehicle control. Notably, MHY695 exhibited potent anti-cancer effects in four different types of human colon cancer cell line, including Caco-2, DLD-1, HT-29 and HCT116. Additionally, MHY695 showed reduced cytotoxicity in NCM460, normal colonic epithelial cells. Furthermore, MHY-induced cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells was independent of the tumor suppressor protein p53. Collectively, these observations suggested that MHY695 may be a novel drug for the treatment of colon cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1055-1060
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• 2004

Apoptosis is the ability of cells to self-destruct by the activation of an intrinsic cellular suicide program when the cells are no longer needed or when they are seriously damaged. Morphologically, apoptosis is characterized by the appearance of membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA cleavage, and the fragmentation of the cell membrane-bound apoptotic bodies. Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino (Siegesbeckiae Herba, SG) has been widely used as treatments for arthritis, and fever, as well as detoxification properties. The present studies were undertaken to evaluate if SG has an anti-apoptotic property. Cell viability was measured by XTT and tryphan blue stain. Morphological characteristic of human aortic smooth muscle cells(HASMC) were visualized with a phase-contrast microscope. SG significantly reduced HASMC, but not human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC), viability in a dose-dependent manner. Confluent untreated cells at 24hrs showed normal morphology, flat with a uniform polygonal shape. SG-treated cells (0.5㎎/㎖) at 24hrs showed apoptotic morphology. Cells became irregular with elongated lamellipodia, and exhibited condensed chromatin in nuclei with occasional endoucleation. There was an increase in the number of apoptotic cells rounding-up and being detached from the substrate. TUNEL staining of SG-treated cells showed dark-brown stains in nuclei and cytosol. Caspases are central components of the machinery responsible for apoptosis and are generally divided into two categories; the initiator caspases, which include caspases-2,-8,-9, and -10, and the effector caspases, which include caspases-3,-6, and -7. SG decreased anti-caspase-3 protein expression, which means activation of caspases-3 activity. It has been reported that there is a link between NO formation and apoptosis. NO production was accelerated by SG treatment in HASMC. L-NNA, NOS inhibitor, inhibited SG-induced apoptosis. These results, therefore, indicated that both caspases-3 and NO production are involved in apoptosis in smooth muscle cells. According to these results, SG may have a potential effect in the treatment of hypertensive atherosclerosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.37-46
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Dangguibohyultang (DB) and its combination (DB-I; Astragali membraneus BUNGE : Angelica gigas NAKAI=5:1, DB-II; Astragali membraneus BUNGE:Angelica gigas NAKAI=1:1, DB-III; Astragali membraneus BUNGE:Angelica gigas NAKAI=1:5,) on apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT116 cells. Methods : To study the cytotoxic effect of methanol extract of DB-I, DB-II and DB-III on HCT116 cells, the cell viability was determined by XTT reduction method and ttypan blue exclusion assay. To confirm the induction of apoptosis, the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3 and a typical sign of apoptosis, and the activation of procaspase-3, -8 and -9 were examined by western blot analysis. Furthermore, DB-induced apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation. The release of cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytosol, the level of Bcl-2 and Bax, and the expressions of Raf/MEK/ERK were examined by western blot analysis. Results : DB-I and DB-II reduced proliferation of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. DB-I and DB-II decreased procaspase-3, -8, -9 levels in a dose-dependent manner and induced the clevage of PARP. DB-I and DB-II also triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling by increasing the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytosol, decreasing of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and increasing of pro-apoptotic Bax. DB-I and DB-II decreased the activation of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK cascade in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that DB-I and DB-II induce apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, Raf/MEK/ERK cascade is involved in DB-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that DB is potentially useful as a chemotherapeutic agent in human liver cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.10
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• pp.1576-1584
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• 2013

This study is carried out to assess the relative effects of different doses of dietary glucose or fructose on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatic metaflammation in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes. KK/HlJ male mice were fed experimental diets as follows: 1) control (CON), 2) moderate glucose (MG, 30% of total calories as glucose), 3) high glucose (HG, 60% of total calories as glucose), 4) moderate fructose (MF, 30% of total calories as fructose), and 5) high fructose (HF, 60% of total calories as fructose) for three weeks. Food intake was not affected by treatments. Compared with HF, HG not only increased serum fasting glucose and area under the curve during oral glucose tolerance test, but also decreased the levels of serum insulin and adiponectin. It indicated that glucose control was complicated via high glucose intake. High fructose treatment led to increased triglyceride in the serum and liver. In comparison to HG, high fructose diet activated NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome consisting of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), NLRP3 and caspase 1, which increases interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ maturation and secretion. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was accompanied by increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and IL-6. However, the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and pro-inflammatory cytokines did not differ between CON and HG. These data suggested that dietary fructose triggers hepatic metaflammation accompanied by NLRP3 inflammasome activation and has deleterious effects on NAFLD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.272-283
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of protective effect of Jinmu-tang (JMT, Zhenwu-tang) extract on $H_2O_2$-induced cell death in C6 glial cells. Methods : Cultured C6 glial cells of white mice were pretreated with JMT extract and exposed to $H_2O_2$ for inducing cell death. We measure the cell viability by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and investigate the cell morphology using a light microscope after crystal violet (CV) staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was analyzed using a flow cytometer and a fluorescent microscope after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a flow cytometer after propidium iodide (PI) staining and nuclei morphology was investigated using a fluorescent microscope after 2-[4-amidinophenyl]-6-indo-lecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining. We analyzed expression of Bax, processing of procaspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) by western blot method. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) secretion was analyzed using Quantikine kit. Results : We determined the elevated cell viability by JMT extract on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death. ROS formation, DNA fragmentation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ induced by $H_2O_2$ are inhibited by JMT extract pre-treatment. JMT extract inhibits Bax expression, processing of caspase-3 and PARP that are critical biochemical markers of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions : These results suggest that JMT extract has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death in various pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1255-1264
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• 2015

Cnidium officinale, a traditional herb, has diverse beneficial pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiangiogenesis effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by C. officinale are poorly defined. The present study investigated the proapoptotic effects of water, ethanol, and methanol extract of C. officinale (WECO, EECO, and MECO, respectively) in human leukemia U937 cells. The antiproliferative activity of EECO was higher than that of WECO and MECO. The antiproliferative effect of EECO treatment in U937 cells was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, including increased populations of annexin-V positive cells, the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation, and increased numbers of cells with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, Δψm). EECO-induced apoptotic cell death was associated with upregulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and down-regulation of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (cIAP-1), Bcl-2, and total Bid. The EECO treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9), and degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), β-catenin, and phospholipase C-γ1 (PLCγ1). In addition, the EECO treatment effectively activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. However, compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, significantly reduced EECO-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that AMPK is a key regulator of apoptosis in response to EECO in human leukemia U937 cells.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2020

Farrerol is a flavanone isolated from the traditional Chinese herb 'Man-shan-hong' (Rhododendron dauricum L.). Farrerol has been reported to have various bioactivities including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-fungal. However, anti-cancer effect of farrerol has not yet been reported in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of farrerol on MCF-7 cells. Farrerol decreased viability and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in a dose dependent manner. Ferrerol exhibited a significant anti-proliferation effect with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 145.04±1.4 μM in MTT assay, when MCF-7 cells were treated with ferrerol for 48 h. Also, ferrerol induced apoptotic bodies of MCF-7 cells as evaluated by TUNEL assay and Annexin V/PI staining using FACS. By mechanism of action, ferrerol regulated the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and altered the expression level of BAX, Bcl-2, and Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase in MCF-7 cells. In summary, our finding demonstrated that ferrerol has anti-cancer effect through regulating the activation and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in MCF-7 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1549-1557
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis in many types of transformed cells; however, some human hepatocellular carcinoma cells are particularly resistant to the effects of TRAIL. Although genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, has been shown to have pro-apoptotic activity against human cancer cell lines, little is known about the mechanism of genistein in terms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In the present study, it was investigated whether or not combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL synergistically induced apoptosis in Hep3B hepatocarcinoma cells. Results indicate that treatment with TRAIL in combination with nontoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized TRAIL-resistant Hep3B cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, which was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, the inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation markedly decreased genistein and TRAIL-induced cell viability and apoptosis by enhanced truncation of Bid, increase of pro-apoptotic Bax, decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Activation of caspases and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase induced by the combined treatment was also markedly increased by the inhibition of p38 MAPK, through the mitochondrial amplification step. In conclusion, our data suggest that genistein sensitizes TRAIL-induced-apoptosis via p38 MAPK-dependent pathway.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.231-243
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• 2023

Objectives : Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum is used as a traditional or folk remedy in China to treat arthritis, hepatitis, duodenitis, conjunctivitis, gastritis, and diarrhea. In this study, we aimed to study the hepatocyte protective activity and molecular mechanism of Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum aqueous extract (JGW) using HepG2 hepatocyte cell lines. Methods : HepG2 cells were pretreated with diverse concentrations of JGW, and then the cells were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) for inducing oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production, glutathione (GSH) concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell viability were measured to investigate hepato-protective effects of JGW. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPK), acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and effects of compound C on cell viability were examined to observe the role of AMPK on JGW-mediated cytoprotection. Results : Pretreatment with JGW (10-300 ㎍/mL) significantly suppressed cytotoxicity induced by tBHP in a concentration dependent manner and reduced the expression of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 proteins related to apoptosis in HepG2 cells. In addition, pretreatment with JGW significantly prevented the increase in H₂O₂ production, GSH depletion, and lower MMP induced by tBHP. Treatment with JGW (30 minutes of incubation and concentrations of 100 and 300 ㎍/mL) increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC and treatment with compound C, a chemical inhibitor of AMPK, inhibited the cytoprotective effect of JGW. Conclusions : Our results demonstrated that JGW may protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress via activation of AMPK.