• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.3
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• pp.383-389
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-apoptosis-related protein expression in skeletal muscle of rats with different amount of mountain ginseng (MG) added high-fat diet fed. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into the high-fat diet control group (CON), 0.5% of MG added diet group (MG1), and 1.0% of MG added diet group (MG2) with eight rats each. The P53, anti-apoptotic protein, was significantly lower in MG2 than CON and MG1. The bcl-2 and bcl-xl, however, were not significantly different from MG1 but from CON. The caspase-9 and -3, were significantly lower in MG groups than CON. In addition, it was dramatically lower in MG2. These results suggested that MG addition to the high-fat diet suppressed p53 protein expression and enhanced anti-apoptototic protein expression. MG may be a positive effects on health as a medicinal plant.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3191-3196
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• 2013

Leaf extracts of Cassia alata L (akapulko), traditionally used for treatment of a variety of diseases, were evaluated for their potential antitumor properties in vitro. MTT assays were used to examine the cytotoxic effects of crude extracts on five human cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7, derived from a breast carcinoma, SK-BR-3, another breast carcinoma, T24 a bladder carcinoma, Col 2, a colorectal carcinoma, and A549, a nonsmall cell lung adenocarcinoma. Hexane extracts showed remarkable cytotoxicity against MCF-7, T24, and Col 2 in a dose-dependent manner. This observation was confirmed by morphological investigation using light microscopy. Further bioassay-directed fractionation of the cytotoxic extract led to the isolation of a TLC-pure isolate labeled as f6l. Isolate f6l was further evaluated using MTT assay and morphological and biochemical investigations, which likewise showed selectivity to MCF-7, T24, and Col 2 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 16, 17, and 17 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Isolate f6l, however, showed no cytotoxicity towards the non-cancer Chinese hamster ovarian cell line (CHO-AA8). Cytochemical investigation using DAPI staining and biochemical investigation using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-a method used to detect DNA fragmentation-together with caspase assay, demonstrated apoptotic cell death. Spectral characterization of isolate f6l revealed that it contained polyunsaturated fatty acid esters. Considering the cytotoxicity profile and its mode of action, f6l might represent a new promising compound with potential for development as an anticancer drug with low or no toxicity to non-cancer cells used in this study.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress causes cell damage and death, which contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Urolithin A (UA), a gut microbial-derived metabolite of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, has high bioavailability and various health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unknown whether it has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death. We investigated whether UA ameliorates H₂O₂-induced neuronal cell death. MATERIALS/METHODS: We induced oxidative damage with 300 μM H₂O₂ after UA pretreatment at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM in SK-N-MC cells. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined using the CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to characterize morphological changes in apoptotic cells. The expressions of apoptosis proteins were measured using Western blotting. RESULTS: UA significantly increased cell viability and decreased intracellular ROS production in a dose-dependent manner in SK-N-MC cells. It also decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the expressions of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP. In addition, it suppressed the phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: UA attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial-related apoptosis pathway and modulating the p38 MAPK pathway, suggesting that it may be an effective neuroprotective agent.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.274-288
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effect on cytotoxicity of Bojungikki-tang(BIT) in human lung cancer H460 cells. Methods : BIT-induced cell death was confirmed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation and increase of the $sub-G_1$, DNA content. It was tested whether the water extract of BIT affects the cell cycle regulators such as, p2l/Cipl, p27/Kipl, cyclin $B_1$. Results : The data showed that treatment of BIT decreased the viability of H460 cells in a dose-dependent manner. p2l/Cip1 is gradually decreased by the addition of the cells with BIT extract. Interestingly, p27/Kip1 is not detected for 24 hr after the addition of BIT extract, however, after 24 hr, p27/Kipl markedly increased. In addition, cyclin $B_1$, decreased in a time dependent manner after the addition of the water extract. The activation of caspase -3 protease was further confirmed by degradation of procaspase-8 protease andpoly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(P ARP) by BIT in H460 cells. Moreover, BIT induced the increase of Bak expression. Conclusion : These results suggest that the extract of BIT exerts anticancer effects to induce the death of human lung cancer H460 cells via down regulation of cell cycle regulators such as p2l/Cip1, and cyclin B1 or up regulation of cell cycle regulators such as p27/Kip1. Moerover results suggest that BIT induces an apoptosis in H460 cells via activation of intrinsic caspase cascades.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.903-907
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• 2005

Many naturally occurring plant extracts are studied for their beneficial effects for health and particularly on cancer. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, occurs in both normal and pathological conditions, including cancer Dysregulation of apoptosis allows transformed cells to continually and uninhibitedly enter the cell cycle, thus perpetuating the sequence of mutation, genomic instability and, finally, oncogenesis. To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of the extract of Fructus Trichosanthis (EFT) on leukemic HL-60 cells and its mechanism, HL-60 cells in vitro in culture medium were given different doses of the extract. The inhibitory rate of cells were measured by microculture tetrazolium assay, cell apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry, morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by DAPI fluorescence staining, and the activations of caspases and PARP were detected using Western blotting analysis. The extract could activate the caspase-3 and caspase-8, induce PARP cleavage, inhibit growth of HL-60 cells, and cause apoptosis significantly The suppression was in dose-dependent manner. Marked morphological changes of cell apoptosis including condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentation were observed clearly by DAPI fluorescence staining especially. These results will provide strong laboratory evidence of EFT for clinical treatment of acute leukemia.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.260-264
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• 2007

Gleditsiae Semen (GS) has been used in both Korea and China as herbal medicine for the treatment of cephalalgia, catharsis, and other diseases. However, the apoptosis of GS against human cancer cells has not previously been investigated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms inherent in GS-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis, using methanolic extract of GS (GSE) in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. We found that GSE induced cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect was verified via a lactate dehydrogenase release assay and a colony formation assay. In particular, HT-29 cells showed extensive cell death when treated with $50\;{\mu}g/mL$ of GSE; the calculated $IC_{50}$ value was $20\;{\mu}g/mL$. It induced characteristic apoptotic signs in HT-29 cells, including chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, occurring within 6-24 hr when the cells were treated at a concentration of $50\;{\mu}g/mL$. Interestingly, we detected the activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not caspase-8, and apoptotic bodies in GSE-treated HT-29 cells. Collectively, our results indicate that GSE induces apoptosis via a mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, and these findings may be significant with regard to the development of a new drug for the treatment of human colon carcinoma cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2006

Purpose : This study is to evaluate the synergistic cytotoxicity of Rhizoma Rehmanniae(RR), in adriamycin-treated HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Methods : We culture HeLa cell which is human metrocarcinoma cell in D-MEM included 10% fetal bovine serum(Hyclone Laboratories) below $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$. Then we observed apoptosis of log phage cell which is changed cultivation liquid 24 Hours periodically. Results : The combination of RR and adriamycin synergistically augmented the cytotoxicity of HeLa cells. The apoptotic cell death was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and -8 as well as cleavage of poly(ADP- ribose) polymerase (PARP) in HeLa cells. The co-treatment of RR with adriamycin didn't have any effect on either the expression of Bcl-2 or that of Bax. Interestingly, a synergistic increase in apoptosis by the combination of two drugs was accompanied by the enhancement of Pas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression in HeLa cells. Taken together, the combination of RR and adriamycin significantly augmented the apoptotic cytotoxicity of Fas-positive cells, such as HeLa cells. The pathway is not involved in mitochondria-dependent pathway. Conclusion : RR induces apoptosis in HeLa cells via p38 MAPK activation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1399-1404
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• 2006

The roots of Aralia continentalis (AC) have been used traditionally in Korean as a folk medicine for anti-inflammation and as an anti-rheumatic. In this study, we report that the ethyl acetate-soluble traction (ACE) of the methanolic extract of AC root inhibited the cell growth of various human cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis of HL-60, human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Its $IC_{50}$ values on growth inhibition were estimated to be $56.3{\mu}g/ml$ on HL-60, $87.2{\mu}g/ml$ on HepG2, $93.2{\mu}g/ml$ on HeLa, $135.5{\mu}g/ml$ on DU-145, and $135.8{\mu}g/ml$ on HT-29 cells. Interestingly, ACE showed no antiproliferative effect on normal lymphocyte cells used as control. Furthermore, nuclear DAPI staining revealed the typical nuclear features of apoptosis in the HL-60 cells exposed to $80{\mu}g/ml$ ACE, and a flow cytometric analysis of the HL-60 cells using propidium iodide showed that the apoptotic cell population increased gradually from 5% at 0 h to 16% at 12 h and 20% at 24 h after treated with $50{\mu}g/ml$ of ACE. TUNEL assay also revealed the apoptotic induction of the HL-60 cells treated with ACE. To obtain further information on the ACE-induced apoptosis, the expression level of certain apoptosis-associated proteins was examined using a Western blot analysis. Treatment of the HL-60 cells with ACE resulted in the activation of caspase-3, and subsequent proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The above results confirmed that the apoptosis in the HL-60 cells was induced by ACE, and that caspase-3-mediated PARP cleavage was involved in the process.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 2008

Cancer-preventive effects of ethanol extract of elm tree root (EEE) were investigated. In the in vitro cytotoxicity assay, colon cancer cells were incubated with a chloroform fraction of EEE (CF-EEE). CF-EEE significantly inhibited the proliferation of cells and induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. For the assessment of chemopreventive efficacy in vivo, male F344 rats were fed with EEE (0.5 or 1%) in diet for 8 weeks, and were subcutaneously injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) to induce colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). EEE (0.5 and 1%) significantly decreased both the numbers of AC (1191.1/colon) and ACF (529.3/colon) induced by DMH. In addition, in the Western blot analysis on the colonic mucosa, administration of EEE triggered expression of caspase-3, a key factor of an apoptotic cascade. These results suggest that extract of elm tree root may have potential chemopreventive principles that lead to apoptosis of cancer cells, and thereby suppress colorectal carcinogenesis during the initiation stage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2006

We previously found that cobrotoxin inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by reacting with signal molecules of $NF-{\kappa}B$ which is critical contributor in cancer cell growth by induction of apoptotic cell death. We here investigated whether cobrotoxin inhibits cell growth of human prostate cancer cells through induction of apoptotic cell death, which is related with the suppression of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. Cobrotoxin $(0{\sim}8\;nM)$ inhibited prostate cancer cell growth through increased apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Cobrotoxin inhibited DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, an anti-apoptotic transcriptional factor. Consistent with the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$, cobrotoxin increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase 3. Cobrotoxin, a venom of Vipera lebetina turanica, is a group of basicpeptides composed of 233 amino acids with six disulfide bonds formed by twelve cysteins. NF-kB is activated by subsequent release of inhibitory IkB and translocation of p50. Since sulfhydryl group is present in kinase domain of p50 subunit of NF-kB, cobrotoxin could modify NF-kB activity by protein-protein interaction. And Cobrotoxin down regulated Akt signals. Salicylic acid as a reducing agent of Sulf-hydryl group and LY294002 as a Akt inhibitor abrogated cobrotoxin-induced cell growth and DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$. These findings suggest that nano to pico molar range of cobrotoxin could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, and the effect may be related with the induction of apoptotic cell death through Akt dependent inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signal.