• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2008

In Asia Saussurea lappa (SL) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat abdominal pain and tenesmus. Recently, in vitro cell culture studies have shown that SL has anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. To explore its potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects in colon cancer, we examined whether the hexane extract of SL (HESL) could inhibit the growth of HT-29 human colon cancer cells, and investigated the mechanisms for this effect. The cells were cultured with various concentrations (0-5 ${\mu}g/mL$) of HESL. The results indicated that HESL markedly decreased the numbers of viable HT-29 cells; whereas at the concentration of 5 ${\mu}g/mL$, HESL slightly decreased the viable cell numbers of CCD 1108Sk human skin normal fibroblasts at 72 hr. HESL substantially increased the numbers of cells in the sub G1 phase, and dose-dependently increased apoptotic cell numbers. Western blot analysis of the total cell lysates revealed that HESL increased Bax protein levels, but did not affect Bcl-2 levels. HESL induced the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspases 8, 9, 7, and 3. This study demonstrated that HESL inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells, which may be mediated by its ability to increase Bax levels and activate the caspase pathway. These findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for colon cancer treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1431-1437
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• 2016

Sorghum bicolor L. is one of the important minor cereals in Asia, Africa, and the central United States, and it is considered a rich source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. However, there is a lack of data on the anti-cancer activity of Sorghum in prostate cancer cells and immune activity in macrophages. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of an ethanol extract of S. bicolor L. (SE) on inducing apoptosis in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells and immunomodulatory activity in RAW 264.7 cells. SE significantly inhibited the viability of RC-58T/h/SA#4 primary prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The morphology of RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells treated with SE was shrunken and involved the formation of an apoptotic body and nuclear condensation. In addition, SE markedly activated caspase-8, -9, and -3; increased the protein levels of Bax, p53, cleaved PARP, and cytosolic cytochrome c; and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, the inhibition of caspases in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells with z-VAD-fmk attenuated SE-induced cell growth inhibition. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was also elevated by SE treatment, as revealed by immune response parameters. These results suggest that SE inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in primary human prostate cancer cells in a caspase-dependent manner, and it modulates the immune functions in macrophages. Therefore, Sorghum bicolor L. may be used as a functional food to prevent prostate cancer and enhance immune activity.