• 대한한의학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.33-40
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• 2004

Objective : This study investigated the apoptotic effect and its mechanism of Radix Aconiti (RA) extract and aconitine, which is a major constituent of RA, in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Methods : We used MTT and DNA fragmentation assay to investigate cell viability and apoptotic effect on RA extract-treated HepG2 cells. In addition, to clarify the mechanism of RA extract-induced apoptosis, we applied caspase-3 enzyme activity assay and Western blotting method on poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein expression. Results : Treatment with RA extract resulted in the decrease of cell viability, and this effect was caused from apoptosis as confirmed by discontinuous fragmentation of DNA in HepG2 cells, but aconitine did not. Also, RA extract-treated HepG2 cells induced the activation of caspase-3 enzyme activity in time- and dose-dependent manners, which was accompanied by the cleavage of 116 kD PARP to 85 kD product. Conclusions : These results suggest that the apoptotic effects of RA extract on HepG2 cells could not be explained by aconitine. Additionally, RA extract induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells through caspase-3 activation and subsequent PARP cleavage.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.125-139
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• 2002

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effects of Woohwangcheongsim-won and to study the mechanism for neuronal death protection in OGD (oxygen-glucose deprivation) model with embryonic day 20 (E20) cortical cells of a rat (Sprague Dawley). Methods: E20 cortical cells were dissociated in neurobasal media and grown for 14 days in vitro (DIV). On 14 DIV, Woohwangcheongsim-won was added to the culture media for 72 hrs. On 17 DIV, cells were given an oxygen-glucose deprivation shock (2hrs and 4hrs) and further incubated in normoxia for another three days. On 20 DIV, Woohwangcheongsim-won's effects for neuronal death protection were evaluated by LDH assay and the mechanisms were studied by Bcl-2, Bak, Bax, caspase family. Results & Conclusions: 1. This study indicates that Woohwangcheongsim-won's effects for neuronal death protection in OGD model is confirmed by LDH assay in culture method of embryonic day 20(E20) cortical neuroblasts. 2. Woohwangcheongsim-won's mechanisms for neuronal death protection in OGD model are to restrain inflow of cytochrome c into cellularity caused by Bcl-2 increase (2hrs and 4hrs), to reduce the caspase cascade initiator caspase-8 (4hrs).

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.17-26
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• 2009

Objectives: Little information is available regarding the effect of Lycii cortex radicis (LCR) on cell viability in glioma cells. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the effect of LCR on cell survival in U87MG human glioma cells. Methods: Cell viability and cell death were estimated by MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured using the fluorescence probe DCFH-DA. Activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and activation of caspase-3 were estimated by Western blot analysis. Results: LCR resulted in apoptotic cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. LCR increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and LCR-induced cell death was also prevented by antioxidants, suggesting that ROS generation played a critical role in LCR-induced cell death. Western blot analysis showed that LCR treatment caused down-regulation of Akt and ERK. The LCR-induced cell death was increased by the inhibitors of Akt and ERK. Activation of caspase-3 was stimulated by LCR and caspase inhibitors prevented the LCR-induced cell death. Conclusion: These findings suggest that LCR results in human glioma cell death through a mechanism involving ROS generation, down-regulation of Akt and ERK, and caspase activation.

• 통합자연과학논문집
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.87-91
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• 2014

Amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$) peptide has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and has been reported to induce apoptotic death in cell culture. Cysteine Proteases, a family of enzymes known as caspases, mediate cell death in many models of apoptosis. In the present study, we examined the caspase activity and cell death in $A{\beta}$-treated SHSY5Y cells, as an attempt to elucidate the relationship between the type of caspase and $A{\beta}$-induced cell death. $A{\beta}$ at 20 ${\mu}M$ induce activation of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity, but not the caspase-1. Caspase-3, 8 and 9 were processed by Ab treatment, consistent with the activity assay. Inhibition of the caspase activities by the selective inhibitors, however, marginally affected the cell death induced by $A{\beta}$. Taken together, the results indicate that $A{\beta}$-induced cell death may be independent of caspase activity and rather, the enzymes might be activated as a result of the cell death.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1377-1382
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• 2012

Morphine is not only an analgesic treating pain for patients with cancer but also a potential anticancer drug inhibiting tumor growth and proliferation. To gain better insight into the involvement of morphine in the biological characteristics of gastric cancer, we investigated effects on progression of gastric carcinoma cells and the expression of some apoptosis-related genes including caspase-9, caspase-3, survivin and NF-${\kappa}B$ using the MGC-803 human gastric cancer cell line. The viability of cells was assessed by MTT assay, proliferation by colony formation assay, cell cycle progression and apoptosis by flow cytometry and ultrastructural alteration by transmission electron microscopy. The influences of morphine on caspase-9, caspase-3, survivin and NF-${\kappa}B$ were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Our data showed that morphine could significantly inhibit cell growth and proliferation and cause cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. MGC-803 cells which were incubated with morphine also had a higher apoptotic rate than control cells. Morphine also led to morphological changes of gastric cancer cells. The mechanism of morphine inhibiting gastric cancer progression in vitro might be associated with activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and inhibition of survivin and NF-${\kappa}B$.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.1563-1567
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• 2005

Mori Cortex Radicis is distributed in Northwestern China, northern Asia, northern Europe, North America, and Korea. This extracts drops sugar in bloods and inhibits cyclic AMP phophodiesterase. In this study, we investigated whether Mori Cortex Radicis would cause apoptotic death of A549 lung cancer cells. To examine the apoptotic effect of Mori Cortex Radicis, cytotoxicity assay, DNA fragmentation analysis, caspase-3 activity assay, and Western blotting for caspase-3, caspase-9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and cytochrome c were performed. Treatment of cells with Mori Cortex Radicis was shown to induce cell death in a dose-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation was made in response to Mori Cortex Radicis. The active fragments of caspase-3, caspase-9 and PARP were almost completely induced and cytochrome c was released following exposure to Mori Cortex Radicis. To elucidate the apoptotic mechanisms, RT-PCR and Western blot analyses for the expression of Bcl-2, Bu and Cox-2 were carried out. Treatment with Mori Cortex Radicis was expressed the reduction of Bcl-2 and Cox-2 and the induction of Bax. Especially p21 and p53 were increased prior to untreated control, while cyclin E and cyclin D1 decreased in the cytosol. These results suggest that the effect Mori Cortex Radicis is associated with the cell cycle arrest and pro-apoptotic cell death in A549 lung cancer cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.87-98
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• 2014

Objectives : We investigated whether snake venom toxin(SVT) from Vipera lebetina turanica sensitizes HT29 human epithelial colorectal cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Methods : Cell viability assay was used to assess the inhibitory effect of TRAIL on cell growth of HT29 human colorectal cancer cells. And 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay(TUNEL) staining assay were used to evaluate cell-apoptosis. Western blot analysis were conducted to observe apoptosis related proteins and death receptor. To assess whether the synergized inhibitory effect of SVT and TRAIL on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was reversed by strong anti-oxidative agent. Results : SVT with TRAIL inhibited HT29 cell growth different from TRAIL alone. Consistent with cell growth inhibition, the expression of TRAIL receptors; Expression of death receptor(DR)4 and DR5 was significantly increased and intrinsic pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3, -9 was subsequently increased together with increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and extrinsic pro-apototic caspase-8 was also activated. In addition, the expression of anti-apoptotic survival proteins, a marker of TRAIL resistance(eg, cFLIP, survivin, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein(XIAP) and Bcl-2) was suppressed by the combination treatment of SVT and TRAIL. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine abolished the SVT and TRAIL-induced upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression and expression of the intrinsic pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and-9. Conclusion : The collective results suggest that SVT facilitates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in $HT_{29}$ human epithelial colorectal cancer cells through up-regulation of the TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 and consecutive induction of bilateral apoptosis via regulating apoptosis related proteins.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.53-63
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• 2019

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the combination effects of Cinnamomi cortex Ethanol Extract (CcEE) and hyperthermia in the human AGS gastric cancer cell line. Methods : AGS cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of CcEE (0, 50 or $60{\mu}g/mL$) for 1h prior to hyperthermia. And then incubated for a further 30 min at the indicated temperatures (37, 42 or $43^{\circ}C$) in a humidified incubator containing 5% $CO_2$ or a thermostatically controlled water bath for hyperthermia. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, Morphology assay and Trypan blue assay. To investigate the possible molecular signaling pathways, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins (ERK, p38 and JNK) and expression of various anti-apoptotic proteins such as Caspase-3, Caspase-9, p53, Cyclin D1 and MMP-2 were assessed by Western blot analysis. In addition, Annexin V and 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) staining was performed to examine the apoptotic mechanism. Results : Combination of CcEE with hyperthermia effectively suppressed the cell viability and changed cellmorphology compared with CcEE or hyperthermia treatment alone. Combined treatment also abated the expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyclin D1 and MMP-2. Whereas, the expression level of p53 was up-regulated by co-treatment. Moreover, combination treatment enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK. In addition, this combination increased anti-cancer effect by inducing cell death through the apoptosis. Conclusions : Taken together, all these findings suggest that the combination treatment with CcEE and hyperthermia may have therapeutic potential as a promising approach to patients with stomach cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigates the alterations in A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells exposed to Citrus junos extract (CJE). We further examine the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of CJE on NSCLC cells. Methods: Inhibition of proliferation was examined by applying the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay on CJE-treated A549 NSCLC cells. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was performed to measure the degree of toxicity of CJE on NSCLC cells. The effect on migratory proliferation was confirmed using the scratch wound healing assay. The antiproliferative effect of the CJE on human lung cancer cells was verified through morphological observation, fluorescence microscopy, and caspase-3 colorimetry. Results: Exposure of NSCLC cells to CJE resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell activity and increased toxicity to the cells. In addition, microscopic observation revealed a reduced ability of the cancer cells to migrate and proliferate after exposure to the CJE, with simultaneous morphological apoptotic changes. Fluorescence staining and microscopic examination revealed that this death was a process of self-programmed cell death of NSCLC cells. Compared to unexposed NSCLC cells, the expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased in cells exposed to CJE. Conclusion: Exposure of A549 human NSCLC cells to CJE inhibits the proliferation, increases the cytotoxicity, and decreases the ability of cells to migrate and grow. Moreover, the expression of caspase-3 increases after CJE treatment, suggesting that the apoptosis of NSCLC cells is induced by a chain reaction initiated by caspase-3. These results indicate that Citrus junos is a potential therapeutic agent for human non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제8권3호
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• pp.120-128
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• 2008

목적: 여러 암 치료의 보조 및 대체요법으로서 겨우살이 추출물은 주로 유럽지역에서 이십세기 초부터 널리 사용되었고 현재 국내에서도 항암 대체 치료제로 점차 사용하는 추세이나 그 항암 기전은 아직 명확하게 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구는 겨우살이 추출물이 위암에 미치는 영향을 세포주 실험을 통해 규명하였다. 대상 및 방법: 위암 세포주는 SNU-719 세포주를 사용하였고 처리한 겨우살이 추출물은 (주)한국 아브노바사로부터 제공받은 ABNOBAviscum-Q와 ABNOBAviscum-F 두 가지를 사용하였다. 겨우살이 추출물과 함께 처리한 항암제는 5-FU와 Cisplatin을 사용하였다. CCK-8 assay kit를 사용하여 세포 생존율을 측정하였고 젖산탈수소효소(LDH) assay kit로써 세포 사멸률을 측정하였다. Caspase 3 assay kit를 이용하여 세포자멸사에 관여하는 caspase 3의 활성 변화를 알아보았고 Western blot analysis를 통해 세포자멸사에 관여하는 Bcl2와 p53, 그리고 항암 작용을 하는 PTEN의 단백질 발현량을 측정하였다. 결과: 겨우살이 추출물 Q와 F를 각각 단독 처리한 실험군 보다 항암제인 5-FU와 cisplatin을 병합처리 하였을 때 세포생존율은 더 낮아졌다. Caspase 3의 활성은 겨우살이 추출물 및 항암제 5-FU 처리를 함으로써 대조군에 비해 4~6배 까지 증가하였다. Bcl2의 단백질 발현량은 대조군보다 겨우살이 추출물과 항암제 처리를 통해 감소하였고 두 약물을 함께 처리하였을 경우 더 낮아졌다. p53의 발현은 겨우살이 추출물 처리에는 영향을 받지 않았고 항암제 처리를 통해서만 증가되었다. 또한 항암 작용을 하는 PTEN의 단백질 발현 정도는 겨우살이 추출물 처리를 통해서 의미 있는 변화가 없었다. 결론: 겨우살이 추출물과 항암제인 5-FU 및 cisplatin 등을 병합 처리 할 경우 위암 세포 사멸에 있어 상승효과를 보였다. 본 연구결과에서 겨우살이 추출물의 항암효과는 caspase 3의 활성화와 Bcl2 발현의 감소를 통해 세포자멸사를 유발하며 이 세포자멸사 유도 기전은 p53과는 상관없음(p53-independent)을 알 수 있었다.