• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6379-6384
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• 2013

S-benzyl-cysteine (SBC) is a structural analog of S-allylcysteine (SAC), which is one of the major water-soluble compounds in aged garlic extract. In this study, anticancer activities and the underlying mechanisms of SBC action were investigated and compared these with those of SAC using human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. SBC significantly suppressed the survival rate of SGC-7901 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and the inhibitory activities of SBC were stronger than those of SAC. Flow cytometry revealed that SBC induced G2-phase arrest and apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells. Typical apoptotic morphological changes were observed by Hoechst 33258 dye assay. SBC-treatment dramatically induced the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$), and enhanced the enzymatic activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 whilst hardly affecting caspase-8 activity. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that SBC-induced apoptosis was accompanied by up-regulation of the expression of p53, Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. Taken together, this study suggested that SBC exerts cytotoxic activity involving activation of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 pathways in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.77-91
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• 2006

Purpose : To address the ability of Dohaekseungkitang (DST: a commonly used herb formulation in Korea, Japan and China to have anti-cancer effect on cervical carcinoma), we investigated the effects of DST on programmed cell death (apoptosis) in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Methods : We cultured HeLa cell which is human metrocarcinoma cell in D-MEM included 10% fetal bovine serum(Hyclone Laboratories) below $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2. Then we observed apoptosis of log phage cell which is changed cultivation liquid 24 Hours periodically. Results : After the treatment of DST for 48 hours, apoptosis occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we have shown that DST induces calpain and the associated caspase-8 and -9 activations. Apoptosis was prevented by pre-incubation of the cells with the calcium cHeLator-BAPTA-AM, calcium channel blocker-Nif edipine or Ryonidine agonist-Ryonidine peptide, implicating calcium in the apoptotic process. Ubiquitous calpains (mu- and m-calpain) have been repeatedly implicated in apoptosis, especially in calcium-related apoptosis. However this study showed 1hat either calpain inhibitor-calpastin or caspase-3 inhibitor-DEVD- did not blocked the herb formulation-induced apoptosis in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. D ST initiates a cell death pathway that is partially dependent of caspases. DST-induced apoptosis requires caspase-independent mechanism. Conclusion : We conclude that DST-induced calpain activation triggers the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in which caspase-independent mechanism is also involved.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2000

Vitamin E-succinate (VES) treatment of U937 human monoblasts induced cells to undergo apoptosis. After 96 h of VES treatment at 10 $\mu$/ml, more than 80% of cells appeared apoptotic. Evidence for apoptosis by VES was based on propidium iodide staining for detection of chromatin condensational fragmentation and electrophoretic DNA ladder formation. Western blot analyses showed a transient increase in Fas and p21 protein levels up to 48 h alter the VES treatment. Protein expression and activity of CDK1 and lamin B degradation were remarkably induced by VES, following the cleavage of caspase-3 after 48 h. The VES-induced apoptosis was found to involve activation of PKC as shown by increases in membrane translocation of PKC$\beat$II and PKC activity. Pretreatment of GF109203X (PKC inhibitor) prior to VES treatment almost completely inhibited the induction of apoptosis as assessed by blockage of VES-induced caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. However, GF109203X h8d no effect on the VES-induced nitric oxide synthesis, which was required for monocvtic differentiation in our previous report (J Cell Sci 111, 435, 1998). Taken together, our data suggest that induction of apoptosis by VES in U937 cells occurs through activation of PKC-$\beat$II resulting in the activation of caspase-3 cascade and is independent of nitric oxide.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1363-1369
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• 2013

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis by targeting cancer cells. However, some cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity. One method of overcoming TRAIL resistance is combination treatment with reagents to sensitize cells to TRAIL. Luteolin, a flavonoid, has been shown to have anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in various cancer cell lines in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of combination treatment with non-toxic concentration of TRAIL and luteolin in T24 human bladder cancer cells. Combined treatment with luteolin and TRAIL significantly inhibits cell proliferation via activation of caspases by inducing Bid truncation, up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). However, the apoptotic effects of combination treatment with luteolin and TRAIL were significantly inhibited by specific caspases inhibitors. Taken together, these results indicate that combination treatment with TRAIL and luteolin can induce apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant cancer cells through down-regulation of XIAP and modulation of tBid and Bax expression.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.150-156
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• 2016

Extract of Broussometia kazinoki Rhizodermatis has been traditionally used for geopoong, diuresis, hwalhyeol. In the present study, the apoptotic effect of methanol extract of Broussometia kazinoki (MBK) were investigated. Cell viability of A549 cells was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis-related protein and MAPK protein levels were measured by Western blot. Chromatin condensation of A549 cells was stained with DAPI. MBK inhibited cell proliferation of A549 cell. Based on DAPI staining, MBK-treated cells manifested nuclear shrinkage, condensation and fragmentation. Treatment of A549 cells with MBK resulted in activation of the caspase-3, -8, -9 and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). In the upstream, MBK increased the expressions Bax and Bak, decreased the expression of Bcl-2, and augmented the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. MBK-induced apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of JNK, p38 MAPK and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)-1. These results suggest that MBK induced apoptosis in A549 cells through Bcl-2 family protein-mediated mitochondria/caspase-3 dependent pathway. In addition, MBK increased the activation of ASK-1, which are critical upsteam signals for JNK/p38 MAPK activation in A549 cancer cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.13-34
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of administration of Guibitang on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Guibitang to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. Then, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results: administration of Guibitang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to control group. And the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages alsa increased significantly compared to control group. Capase-3 gene expression which is known to maker gene for cell apoptosis were significantly lower than that of control group. And MAPK and MPG gene expressions for cell viability and DNA repair were same that of control group. Conclusion: From our results suggested that the medication of Guibitang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis through cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and flagellin as pathogen-related molecular patterns (PAMPs), which, in combination with the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of host cells promotes the expression and secretion of inflammation-causing cytokines and activates innate immune responses such as inflammasomes. To identify useful compounds against H. pylori-associated gastric disorders, the effect of chalcone derivatives to activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was examined in an H. pylori-infected human monocytic THP-1 cell line in this study. Among the five synthetic structurally-related chalcone derivatives examined, 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone (8) and 2'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (12) strongly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. At 10 μM, these compounds inhibited the production of active IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization, but did not affect the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1. The interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by these compounds was found to be mediated via the inhibition of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. These compounds also inhibited caspase-4 production associated with non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results show for the first time that certain chalcones could interrupt the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. Therefore, these chalcones may be helpful in alleviating H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders including chronic gastritis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.383-398
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• 2023

Dihydroaustrasulfone alcohol (DA), the synthetic precursor of a natural compound (austrasulfone) isolated from the coral species Cladiella australis, has shown cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. However, it is unknown whether DA has antitumor effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we determined the antitumor effects of DA and investigated its mechanism of action on human NPC cells. The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of DA. Subsequently, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analyses were performed by using flow cytometry. Apoptotic and PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expression was determined using Western blotting. We found that DA significantly reduced the viability of NPC-39 cells and determined that apoptosis was involved in DA-induced cell death. The activity of caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP induced by DA suggested caspase-mediated apoptosis in DA-treated NPC-39 cells. Apoptosis-associated proteins (DR4, DR5, FAS) in extrinsic pathways were also elevated by DA. The enhanced expression of proapoptotic Bax and decreased expression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 suggested that DA mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. DA reduced the expression of pPI3K and p-AKT in NPC-39 cells. DA also reduced apoptosis after introducing an active AKT cDNA, indicating that DA could block the PI3K/AKT pathway from being activated. DA increased intracellular ROS, but N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, reduced DA-induced cytotoxicity. NAC also reversed the chances in pPI3K/AKT expression and reduced DA-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that ROS-mediates DA-induced apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling inactivation in human NPC cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.368-376
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• 2023

Background: Although bee venom (BV) has clinical benefits in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has not been tested as treatment for gouty arthritis. Moreover, in vitro, BV has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and positive effects on osteoarthritis, but only limited evidence can confirm its beneficial effects on gout. Thus, this study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced THP-1 monocytes. Methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into mature macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and pretreated for 6 hours with BV and a Caspase-1 inhibitor in a physiologically achievable range of concentrations (BV, 0.1-1 ㎍/mL; Caspase-1 inhibitor, 1-10 μM), followed by MSU crystal stimulation for 24 hours. The secretions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in the MSU crystal-stimulated THP-1 cells. Results: Caspase-1 inhibitors suppressed the production of all mediators in a dose-dependent manner. BV worked on equal terms with Caspase-1 inhibitors and showed more satisfactory effects on TNF-α, PGE2, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the western blot analysis revealed that BV regulated the transcriptional levels of these mediators via the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly suggest that BV inhibits MSU-induced inflammation in vitro, suggesting a possible role for BV in gout treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2010

Activation of JNK has long been associated with the apoptotic response induced by various anti-cancer drugs including doxorubicin, vinblastine, and etoposide. In this study, we examined and compared patterns of apoptosis and JNK activation according to three different anti-cancer drugs (daunorubicin, vinblastine, and etoposide) and two different sources of HL60 cells (Jackson Laboratory and ATCC). HL60 cells from Jackson Laboratory (HL60/RPMI) were maintained in RPMI 1640 containing 5% fetal bovine serum and those from ATCC (HL60/IMDM) in IMDM containing 20% fetal bovine serum as to each manufacture's guideline. In general, HL60/RPMI cells were more sensitive to anti-cancer drugs compared to HL60/IMDM cells, demonstrated by the XTT and flow cytometric analyses. Apoptotic pathways after treatment with anti-cancer drugs seemed to be different between HL60/RPMI (daunorubicin and etoposide, caspase 3 dependent, but caspase 8 or 9 independent; vinblastine, caspase 3 independent) and HL60/IMDM (caspase 3 and caspase 9 dependent). The expression of apoptotic protein, BID, was consistent with caspase 3 activation. Immunoblotting of phospho-JNK and JNK kinase assay showed JNK activation by all three anti-cancer drugs in HL60/RPMI, while JNK activation was observed only in vinblastine-treated cells in HL60/IMDM. Our study results suggest that in vitro environmental conditions have a significant influence on JNK mediated apoptosis of HL60 cells by anti-cancer drugs and in vitro culture conditions are important factors in JNK or possibly other MAPK related studies.