• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.64-72
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) on the apoptosis induced by withdrawal of neurotrophic support. Methods : PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells have been used extensively as a model for studying the cellular and molecular effects of neuronal cells. The viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. We used DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation assay. Results : The water extract of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) significantly showed protective effects on serum and glucose deprivation-induced apoptotic death. Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) also prevents DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena in PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins around 44 kDa, which was identified as ERK1 with electrophoretic gel mobility shift by Western blot. In addition, MAPK kinase(MEK) inhibitor PD98059 and Ras inactivator, ${\alpha}-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic$ acid attenuated the neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a key role in neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Taken together, we suggest the possibility that Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PCl2 cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10495-10500
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• 2015

Background: To evaluate the effects of bufalin in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells in vitro and assess the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Human A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells were treated with various concentrations of bufalin. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay, apoptotic cell percentage was calculated by flow cytometry and morphological change was observed by inverted phase contrast microscopy/transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the membrane potential of mitochondria was detected by JC-1 fluorescence microscopy assay, and the related protein expression of cytochrome C and caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Bufalin could inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells via induction of apoptosis, with the evidence of characteristic morphological changes in the nucleus and mitochondria. Furthermore, bufalin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential with up-regulation of cytochrome C in the cytosol, and activation of caspase-3. Conclusions: Bufalin inhibits the proliferation of A549 cells and triggers mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, pointing to therapeutic application for NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2014

Astragalus, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has exhibited antitumor actions in patients. In this study, in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of astragalus and synergistic antitumor efficacy in combination with pterostilbene were investigated. Melanoma cells were treated with pterostilbene (Pt), graduated doses of astragalus injection (AI), or these in combination. Cell viability was measured using a MTT assay. Released nucleosomes and caspase activity were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo was also assessed. Analysis of variance and t tests were used for statistical analysis. Significant reduction (p<0.05) in cellular proliferation were observed with AI and AI-Pt in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Apoptosis and caspase-3/7 activity were significantly increased by AI and AI-Pt treatment (p<0.05). In vivo, AI inhibited melanoma tumor growth, with inhibition rates ranging from 36.5 to 62.3%, by inducing apoptosis via up-regulation Bax expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and down-regulating Bcl-2 expression. AI significantly inhibits the growth of melanoma in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis. These data suggest that combined treatment of astragalus with pterostilbene enhances antitumor efficacy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.13-24
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• 2006

Purpose : 이 연구는 MCF-7 인간 유방암 세포주에 대한 활락효령단(活絡效靈丹) 추출물의 증식억제효과, 세포독성효과, 세포사 유발효과를 확인하기 위하여 이루어졌다. Methods : MCF-7 인간 유방암 세포주는 Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12 (DMEM/F12)에 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS)와 항생제를 가하여 만든 배지를 이용하여 배양하였고 MCF-7 세포를 96-well plate에 접종한 후 다양한 농도 (0 ${\sim}$ 2000 g/ml)의 활락효령단(活絡效靈丹)이 든 배지로 처리한 후 72시간 동안 배양하였고 또한 1000g/ml의 활락효령단(活絡效靈丹)이 든 배지로 처리한 후 48, 96, 192 시간동안 배양하여 각각 MTS assay kit로 세포생존율을 측정하였다. 세포독성은 Sulforhodamine B assay 방법을 이용해 측정하였고 세포사 과정에서 MCF-7 세포에서의 caspase 활성화를 측정하기 위해 Western blotting을 수행하여 poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP)의 절단을 확인하였다. Results : 실험결과 활락효령단(活絡效靈丹) 추출물에 의한 세포성장 및 독성효과는 시간 및 농도에 비례하는 것으로 나타났고 세포고사과정에서 작용하는 caspase의 전기질인 PARP 절단량이 활락효령단(活絡效靈丹) 처리 농도에 비례에 증가하였다. Conclusions : 활락효령단(活絡效靈丹)은 다양한 기전에 의해서 유방암 세포에 대한 억제효과를 가질 수 있는 것으로 인식할 수 있다.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2007

Hesperidin, known as a flavonoid constituent of citrus, has been known to reduce the proliferation of several cancer cells. We investigated whether hesperidin-induced cell death on SNU-668, human gastric cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of hesperidin on SNU-668 cells was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at the concentration of 1, 10, 50, and 100 ${\mu}M$. Cell viability by hesperidin was 53.18$\pm$2.85% of control value at 100 ${\mu}M$. The cell death by hesperidin showed apoptotic features, which were confirmed using a combination of 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. In the apoptosis-regulating genes, treatment of hesperidin decreased mRNA expression of B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2), whereas expression of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) was increased. The mRNA expression and the activity of caspase3 (CASP3), a major apoptotic factor, was significantly increased by hesperidin treatment. These results suggest that hesperidin could induce apoptosis through CASP3 activation on SNU-668, human gastric cancer cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2005

Phellodendri Cortex (PC) has been used traditionally in Korea for damp heat leukorrhea with thick, yellow, discharge, foul-smelling diarrhea or dysentery. We investigated whether the Phellodendri Cortex Herbal-acupuncture Solution (PCHS) induced cell-death on SNU-17, human cervical cancer cell. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to find out the cytotoxicity of PCHS. The cell death was identified as apoptosis from the results of 4, 6-diamidineo-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expression of proapototic gene, Bax, was increased and the expression of apoptotic gene, Caspase-3, was also increased. Considering the above results, PCHS could induce the apoptosis on SNU-17, human cervical cancer cell, via Bax-related Caspase-3 activation. And it might provide the experimental data for the clinical use of Phellodendri Cortex on cervical cancer.

• Oncology Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.3027-3034
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• 2020

Induction of apoptosis in human cancer cells by Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai has been considered to be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment; however, the underlying mechanisms of action are not well understood. The present study investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO•) and inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) during apoptosis induced by Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extracts (SQE) in p53-wild type (WT) and p53-null HCT116 colon carcinoma cells. Trypan blue exclusion and Annexin V/propidium iodide assays were used to test for antiproliferation, and apoptosis and cell cycle. Griess and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays were carried out to assay NO• production, and to detect the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, PARP and IAPs. A colorimetric assay was utilized to measure the time-dependent increase in caspase-3 activity. SQE inhibited cell growth and promoted apoptosis by the elevation of NO• in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, both cell types underwent a reduction in mRNA and protein levels of IAPs (survivin, CIAP-1 and -2, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) as well as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, whereas an increase in protein expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 and caspase 3 activity was observed; however, an equivalent cytotoxic and apoptotic effect by SQE was observed in p53-WT and p53-null cells. Collectively, the results indicated that SQE-induced apoptosis was independent of p53 status and associated with modulation of endogenous NO• and IAP family gene expression.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.901-906
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the anti-proliferative effect and the mechanisms underlying apoptosis induced by a methanol extracts from Ishige sinicola (ISE) in HeLa cells. ISE treatment for 24 hr significantly inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and an annexin V/PI assay after 24 hr treatment. Moreover, ISE treatment triggered the cleavage of caspase-8, -9, -3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. In addition, z-VAD-fmk, a general caspase inhibitor, blocked ISE-induced cell death. Taken together, these results suggest that ISE-induced apoptosis is mediated by the activation of a caspase cascade in HeLa cells.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-35
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• 2010

연구목적 : 이 연구는 봉약침의 봉독이 NF-${\kappa}B$ 활성억제와 안드로겐 수용체 조절 단백질 및 세포자멸사 조절 단백질의 발현을 통하여 세포자멸사를 유도하고, 전립선 암세포를 이식한 쥐에서의 세포자멸사 유도 효과를 확인함으로써, 봉약침의 봉독이 생체 내에서도 세포자멸사를 유도하여 전립선암에 효과를 나타냄을 확인하고자 하였다. 실험방법 : 세포자멸사의 관찰에는 DAPI, TUNEL staining assay를 시행하였으며, 세포자멸사 조절 단백질의 변동 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사와 연관된 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA를 시행하였다. 결과 : 1. DAPI, TUNEL staining assay 결과 봉독 및 melittin을 처리한 LNCaP 세포 모두에서 세포자멸사 유도율이 유의한 증가를 나타내었다. 2. LNCaP 세포에 봉독이나 melittin을 처리한 결과, 안드로겐 수용체 조절 단백질 중 p-Akt, COX-2, calpain은 봉독과 melittin 모두에서 유의한 감소를 나타내었고, Akt는 melittin에서 유의한 감소를 나타냈으며, 봉독에서 증가하는 경향을 보였고, MMP-9은 증가하였다. 3. 생체 내에서의 봉독의 항암효과를 확인하기 위해 전립선암세포가 이식된 쥐에 봉독을 처리한 후 암세포의 부피와 무게, 쥐의 체중을 측정한 결과, 봉독을 처리한 군에서 암 세포 부피비율 및 무게는 감소하였고, 쥐의 체중은 증가하였다. 4. 전립선암세포가 이식된 쥐에 봉독을 처리한 결과, NF-${\kappa}B$ 활성에서 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 5. 전립선암세포가 이식된 쥐에 봉독을 처리한 결과, 세포자멸사 조절 단백질 중 Bax/Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, calpain은 유의한 증가를, COX-2는 유의한 감소를 나타냈으며, MMP-9는 증가를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 봉독이 시험관 내에서 뿐만 아니라 생체 내에서도 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성을 억제하고 안드로겐 수용체 조절 단백질 및 세포자멸사 조절 단백질의 조절을 통하여 인간 전립선암 세포주인 LNCaP의 세포자멸사를 유도함으로써 전립선암 세포 증식억제 효과 및 호르몬 비의존적인 전립선암으로의 전이를 지연시키는 경향이 있을 것으로 사료되고, 봉독이 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 효과적으로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2008

Objectives : Although herbal medicines containing flavonoids have been reported to exert anti-tumor activities, it has not been explored whether Hwang-Jeong (Polygonati sibirici Rhizoma, PsR) exerts anti-tumor activity in human glioma. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the effect of PsR on cell viability and to determine its underlying mechanism in A172 human glioma cells. Methods : Cell viability was estimated by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by the fluorescence dyes. The phosphorylation of kinases was evaluated by western blot analysis and caspase activity was estimated using colorimetric assay kit. Results : PsR resulted in loss of cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. PsR did not increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the PsR-induced cell death was also not affected by antioxidants, suggesting that ROS generation is not involved in loss of cell viability. Western blot analysis showed that PsR treatment caused rapid reduction in phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changes in p38 and Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). U0126, an inhibitor of ERK, increased the PsR-induced cell death, but inhibitors of p38 and JNK did not affect the cell death. PsR induced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. Caspase activity was not stimulated by PsR and caspase inhibitors did not prevent the PsR-induced cell death. Conclusion : Taken together, these findings suggest that PsR results in human glioma cell death through caspaseindependent mechanisms involving down-regulation of ERK.