• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2013

Objectives: Buxus Microphylla var. Koreana Nakai Extract (BMKNE) is used as a folk remedy for malaria and veneral disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BMKNE in the growth and the survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of BMKNE. Analyses of the sub G1 peak, the caspase-3 and -9 activities, and the mitochondrial depolarization were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occured by apoptosis. Also, to identify the role of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival, we used human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressed with TRPM7 channels. Results: Experimental results showed that the sub G1 peak, the caspase-3 and -9 activities, and the mitochondrial depolarization were increased. Therefore, BMKNE was found to induce the apoptosis of these cells, and this apoptosis was inhibited by SB203580 (a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor), and by a c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) II inhibitor. Furthermore, BMKNE inhibited TRPM7 currents and TRPM7 channel over-expressions in HEK 293 cells, exacerbating BMKNE-induced cell death. Conclusions: These findings indicate that BMKNE inhibits the growth and the survival of gastric cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel's activity and MAPK signaling. Therefore, BMKNE is a potential drug for treatment of gastric cancer, and both the TRPM7 channel and MAPK signaling may play an important role in survival in gastric cancer cells.

• 한국한의학연구원논문집
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.75-84
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Sophorae Radix and the effects of Doxorubicin (DOX) in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). Method : We used human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7 cells. We examined cell death by MTT assay and caspase 3 assay with Sophorae Radix. To examine the inhibitory effects of Sophorae Radix, cell cycle analysis was done the MCF-7 cells after three days with Sophorae Radix. The reversibility of Sophorae Radix was examined on one day to five days treatment with 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ Sophorae Radix. Result : Sophorae Radix inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Also we showed that Sophorae Radix induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by MTT assay, caspase 3 assay and sub-G1 analysis. Sophorae Radix combined with DOX markedly inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells compared to Sophorae Radix or DOX alone. After 3 days treatment of MCF-7 cells with Sophorae Radix, the fraction of cells in sub-G1 phase was much higher than that of the control group. Conclusion : Our findings provide insight into unraveling the effects of Sophorae Radix in human breast adenocarcinoma cells and developing therapeutic agents against breast cancer.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2013

Objective: Ulmi Pumilae Cortex (UPC) is a deciduous tree with uneven pinnate leaves and is classified as a subfamily of Ulmuceae and contains many pharmacologically active constituents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UPC on the growth and survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of UPC. Analyses of the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occured by apoptosis. Furthermore, to identify the role of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival, we used human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressed with TRPM7 channels. Results: The addition of UPC to a culture medium inhibited AGS cell growth and survival. Experimental results showed that the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were increased. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated UPC-induced cell death. Conclusion: These findings indicate that UPC inhibits the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, UPC is a potential drug for treatment of gastric cancer, and TRPM7 channels may play an important role in survival in cases of gastric cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.220-226
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• 2005

The present study was performed to evaluate combination effect of 7$\beta$-hydroxycholesterol (7$\beta$-OHC) and $\gamma$-radiation in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells. 7$\beta$-OHC in combination with $\gamma$-irradiation has an enhanced effect in decreasing clonogenic survival and increasing cellular DNA damage. Pretreatment of cells with 7$\beta$-OHC enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis of the cells by combined treatment of 7$\beta$-OHC and $\gamma$-irradiation was associated with reactive oxygen species generation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in the activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3. The combined treatment also resulted in an increased G1 cell cycle distribution. These results indicate that 7$\beta$-OHC shows the additive effect of radiation sensitivity in human lung carcinoma cells in vitro.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.5753-5757
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• 2012

Apoptosis, also known as cell suicide or programmed cell death, removes unwanted and genetically damaged cells from the body. Evasion of apoptosis is one of the major characteristic features of rapidly proliferating tumor cells. Chemopreventive agents inhibit or suppress tumor formation through apoptotic induction in target tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pro-apoptotic potential of lupeol during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Topical application of 0.5% DMBA three times a week for 14 weeks in the buccal pouches of golden Syrian hamsters resulted in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The expression pattern of apoptotic markers was analyzed using immunohistochemistry (p53, Bcl-2, Bax) and ELISA reader (caspase 3 and 9). In the present study, 100% tumor formation with defects in apoptotic markerexpression pattern was noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of lupeol at a dose of 50mg/kg bw completely prevented the formation oral tumors as well as decreased the expression p53 and Bcl-2, while increasing the expression of Bax and the activities of caspase 3 and 9. The present study thus indicated that lupeol might inhibit DMBA-induced oral tumor formation through its pro-apoptotic potential in golden Syrian hamsters.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3073-3076
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• 2012

Terpinen-4-ol is a terpene found in the rhizome of Plai (Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Link ex Dietr.). In this study apoptogenic activity and mechanisms of cell death induced by terpinen-4-ol were investigated in the human leukemic MOLT-4 cell line. Terpinen-4-ol exhibited cytotoxicity in MOLT-4 cells, with characteristic morphological features of apoptosis by Wright's staining. The mode of cell death was confirmed to be apoptosis by flow cytometric analysis after staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide. A sub-G1 peak in DNA histograms of cell cycle assays was observed. Terpinen-4-ol induced-MOLT-4 cell apoptosis mediated through an intrinsic pathway involving the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. In addition, terpinen-4-ol also induced apoptosis via an extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation resulting in the cleavage of cytosolic Bid. Truncated-Bid (tBid) translocated to mitochondria and activated the mitochondrial pathway in conjunction with down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression. Caspase-3 activity also increased. In conclusion, terpinen-4-ol can induce human leukemic MOLT-4 cell apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.640-645
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• 2004

Histone deacetylase inhibitors are new class of chemotherapeutic drugs able to induce tumor cell apoptosis and／or cell cycle arrest. Trichostatin A, an antifungal antibiotic, and HC-toxin are potent and specific inhibitors of histone deacetylase activity. In this study, we have examined the antiproliferative activities of trichostatin A and HC-toxin in estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer, T47D cells. Both trichostatin A and HC-toxin showed potent antiprolifer-ative efficacy and cell cycle arrest at $G_2/M$ in T47D human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Trichostatin A caused potent apoptosis of T47D human breast cancer cells and trichostatin A-induced apoptosis might be involved in an increase of caspase-3／7 activity. HC-toxin evoked apoptosis of T47D cells and HC-toxin induced apoptosis might not be medi-ated through direct increase in caspase-3/7 activity. We have identified potent activities of anti-proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of trichostatin A and HC-toxin in estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cell line T47D.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.8-15
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• 2008

목향은 국화과에 속한 다년생 식물인 Saussurea lappa의 뿌리로서 한의학에서는 구토, 설사 및 염증치료 등에 사용되고 있다. 목향 추출물 및 그 성분들은 항균 작용, 항염증 작용, 혈관생성 억제 효능 등을 지니고 있으며 위암과 대장암의 세포증식을 억제하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 현재까지 전립선암에 대한 목향의 효과는 연구된 바 없다. 본 연구에서는 목향이 전립선 암세포에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 인간의 전립선에서 유래한 암세포인 LNCaP 세포의 증식과 apoptosis에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 목향 헥산추출물을 LNCaP 세포 배양액에 여러 농도($0{\sim}4$ mg/L)로 첨가하여 세포의 증식에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 목향 헥산추출물의 농도가 증가할수록 LNCaP 세포의 증식은 현저하게 감소하였고 apoptosis는 증가함을 관찰하였다. 목향 헥산추출물이 LNCaP 세포의 apoptosis 일으키는 기전을 연구하기 위하여 목향 헥산추출물을 첨가하고 세포를 48시간 배양한 후 cell lysate를 얻어 Western blot을 실시하였다. Apoptosis 과정에 작용하는 중요한 단백질 중 하나인 Bcl-2 family 단백질 중 pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 단백질인 Bak와 BH3 only Bcl-2 단백질인 truncated-Bid의 단백질 수준은 목향 헥산 추출물에 의해 유의적으로 증가한 반면 anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 단백질인 Bcl-2, Bcl-xL 및 Mcl-1 단백질 수준은 변하지 않았다. 또한 apoptosis를 집행하는 caspase의 활성 형태인 cleaved caspase-8, -9, -7, -3의 단백질 수준이 목향 헥산추출물의 처리에 의해 증가하였고 caspase-3의 표적 단백질 중 하나인 PARP의 불활성 형태인 cleaved PARP의 단백질 수준도 현저하게 증가하였다. 이 결과들은 목향 헥산 추출물이 LNCaP 세포의 apoptosis를 유도함으로써 전립선 암세포의 증식을 억제함을 보여주는 것이며 목향 헥산추출물에 의한 apoptosis 유도는 caspase 활성 증가와 Bak 및 t-Bid 단백질의 증가에 의한 것임을 제시한다. 따라서 앞으로 항암효과를 나타내는 성분의 동정 및 동물실험을 통하여 좀 더 면밀한 기전 연구가 수행된다면 목향 헥산추출물은 화학적 암예방 물질이나 치료제로 개발될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.197-205
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• 2017

Exposure of Jurkat T cell clone (J/Neo cells) to acacetin (5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone), which is present in barnyard millet (Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun)) grains, caused cytotoxicity, enhancement of apoptotic $sub-G_1$ rate, Bak activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$), activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and FITC-Annexin V-stainable phosphatidylserine exposure on the external surface of the cytoplasmic membrane without accompanying necrosis. These apoptotic responses were abrogated in Jurkat T cell clone (J/Bcl-xL) overexpressing Bcl-xL. Under the same conditions, cellular autophagic responses, including suppression of the Akt-mTOR pathway and p62/SQSTM1 down-regulation, were commonly detected in J/Neo and J/Bcl-xL cells; however, formation of acridine orange-stainable acidic vascular organelles, LC3-I/II conversion, and Beclin-1 phosphorylation (Ser-15) were detected only in J/Neo cells. Correspondingly, concomitant treatment with the autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine or LY294002) appeared to enhance acacetin-induced apoptotic responses, such as Bak activation, ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$ loss, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and apoptotic $sub-G_1$ accumulation. This indicated that acacetin could induce apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in Jurkat T cells simultaneously. Together, these results demonstrate that acacetin induces not only apoptotic cell death via activation of Bak, loss of ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$, and activation of the mitochondrial caspase cascade, but also cytoprotective autophagy resulting from suppression of the Akt-mTOR pathway. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of the autophagy pathway augments the activation of Bak and resultant mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T cells.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.5-17
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• 2004

Objective : In order to measure the efficacy of cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture by concentration level, we've treated A549 human lung cancer lines with different concentrations of cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture and examined mRNA and proteins which take parts in apoptosis. Methods : A549 human lung cancer lines were treated with various concentration levels of cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture and cell toxicity was carefully examined. From the analysis of DNA fragmentation, RT-PCR and Western blot, manifestation of mRNA and proteins which are associated with apoptosis were inspected. Results : The following results were obtained on apoptosis of A549 human lung cancer lines after administering various concentration levels of cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture. 1. Measuring cell toxicity of lung cancer cells, strong cell toxicity was detected at high concentration level(1000ul, 1200ul), but no consistent concentration dependent reliance was detected. 2. Through DNA fragmentation, we were able to confirm cell destruction in all groups. 3. Experiment groups treated with cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture showed inhibition of Bcl-2 and COX-2 at mRNA and Protein level, whileas increase of Bax was shown. 4. Manifestation of p21, p53, Cyclin E, and Cyclin Dl were confirmed in all groups. 5. Extrication of Cytochrome C was detected at all groups, as well as increased activity of the enzyme caspase-3 and caspase-9, and PARP fragmentation were confirmed. Conclusion : According to the results, we can carefully deduce cell destruction of A549 human lung cancer lines were induced by Apoptosis. At the fixed level, cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture showed decrease of Bcl-2 and COX-2, as well as increase of Bax. Since cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture increases manifestation of p21, p53, Cyclin E, and Cyclin Dl, it affects cellular cycle and through these phenomena, we can consider extrication of Cytochrome C, increase of caspase, and PARP fragmentation are the results.