• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2006

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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2021

microRNA-361-3p (miR-361-3p) is involved in the carcinogenesis of oral cancer and pancreatic catheter adenocarcinoma, and has anti-carcinogenic effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its effect on multiple myeloma (MM) is less reported. Here, we found that upregulating the expression of miR-361-3p inhibited MM cell viability and promoted MM apoptosis. We measured expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and miR-361-3p in MM cells and detected the viability, colony formation rate, and apoptosis of MM cells. In addition, we measured expressions of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2, Bax, and Cleaved caspase-3 (C caspase-3). The binding site between miR-361-3p and TRAF6 was predicted by TargetScan. Our results showed that miR-361-3p was low expressed in the plasma of MM patients and cell lines, while its overexpression inhibited viability and colony formation of MM cells and increased the cell apoptosis. Furthermore, TRAF6, which was predicted to be a target gene of miR-361-3p, was high-expressed in the plasma of patients and cell lines with MM. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the effect of TRAF6 on MM cells was opposite to that of miR-361-3p. Upregulation of miR-361-3p induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of MM cells through targeting TRAF6, suggesting that miR-361-3p might be a potential target for MM therapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1139-1144
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• 2009

This study was purposed to research the anti-cancer effects of Bistortae Rhizoma. A total extract of Bistortae Rhizoma decoction was prepared. By measuring the cell proliferation, apoptosis, morphology and cytokine level from the extracts, the influence on HepG2 cell, SNU-1 cell and A549 cell was compared. The Bistortae Rhizoma decoction extract did not control HepG2 cell proliferation but controlled SNU-1 cell and A549 cell proliferation. In particular, the inhibitory effect on SNU-1 cell proliferation was highest. The Bistortae Rhizoma decoction extract showed to increase the apoptosis of the HepG2 ceil, SNU-1 cell and A549 cell in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, the promotion effect of the apoptosis was highest in SNU-1 cell. Among the various fraction extracts of the Bistortae Rhizoma decoction, n-BuOH extraction showed the greatest increase of the apoptosis of the HepG2 cell. The Bistortae Rhizoma decoction extract decreased dose-dependently the secretion of the TGF-$\beta$ in the HepG2 cell, SNU-1 cell and A549 cell and increased the secretion of the TNF-$\alpha$ and the IFN-$\gamma$. These results suggest that the total extract of Bistortae Rhizoma decoction has anti-cancer effect against SNU-1 cell and A549 cell.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2020

Aging is one of the risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. During the progression of cellular senescence, cells enter a state of irreversible growth arrest and display resistance to apoptosis. As a flavonoid, quercetin induces apoptosis in various cells. Accordingly, we investigated the relationship between quercetin-induced apoptosis and the inhibition of cellular senescence, and determined the mechanism of oxidative stress-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence. In cultured VSMCs, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) dose-dependently induced senescence, which was associated with increased numbers of senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cells, decreased expression of SMP30, and activation of p53-p21 and p16 pathways. Along with senescence, expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was observed to increase and the levels of proteins related to the apoptosis pathway were observed to decrease. Quercetin induced apoptosis through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. This action led to the alleviation of oxidative stress-induced VSMC senescence. Furthermore, the inhibition of AMPK activation with compound C and siRNA inhibited apoptosis and aggravated VSMC senescence by reversing p53-p21 and p16 pathways. These results suggest that senescent VSMCs are resistant to apoptosis and quercetin-induced apoptosis attenuated the oxidative stress-induced senescence through activation of AMPK. Therefore, induction of apoptosis by polyphenols such as quercetin may be worthy of attention for its anti-aging effects.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Cervi Pontotrichum Cornu extract solution on the cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in human leiomyoma cell. Methods: The leiomyoma cell of patients was used in the study, and we administered the extract solution of Cervi Pontotrichum Cornu concentration at 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ to the leiomyoma cell for 48 hours. We used flow cytometry and western blotting to confirm cell cycle and apoptosis. Results: In flow cytometry, G1 phase of the $1mg/m{\ell}$ group prolonged. But G1 phase of $10mg/m{\ell}$ group was shortened and S phase was increased. Cyclin D1 expression increased in higher concentration group. And Bax expression that regulates cell apoptosis increased in $1mg/m{\ell}$ and $10mg/m{\ell}$ group than control group. Bcl-2 expression decreased in 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ groups than control group. VEGF expression rised in higher Cervi Pontotrichum Cornu concentration group. Conclusion: This study means that Cervi Pontotrichum Cornu could induce the apoptosis of leiomyoma cell by increasing Bax and decreasing Bcl-2 expression. But Cervi Pontotrichum Cornu could increase Cyclin D1 and VEGF expression, so more detailed studies would be needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.617-622
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• 2014

Voacanga globosa (Blanco), a plant endemic to the Philippines, is traditionally used especially by indigenous people of Bataan in the treatment of ulcers, wounds and tumorous growths. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence to therapeutic properties by determining cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of HPLC fractions from leaves on HCT116 human colon carcinoma and A549 human lung carcinoma cell lines. Ethanolic extraction was performed on V globosa leaves followed by hexane and ethyl acetate partitioning. Silica gel column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) produced MP1, MP2 and MP3 fractions. Cytotoxic activity of the fractions was determined through MTT assay against the cancer cell lines HCT116 and A549 and the non-cancer AA8 Chinese hamster ovarian cell line. Pro-apoptotic activities of the most active fractions were further assessed through DAPI staining, TUNEL assay and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay with HCT116 cells. While the MPI fraction exerted no significant activity against all cell lines tested, MP2 and MP3 fractions demonstrated high toxicity against HCT116 and A549 cells. The MP3 fraction induced formation of apoptotic bodies, condensed DNA and other morphological changes consistent with apoptosis of HCT116 cells and TUNEL assay showed significant increase in DNA fragmentation over time. In these cells, the MP3 fraction also induced mitochondrial membrane destabilization, which is generally associated with the beginning of apoptosis. Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence only of saponins and terpenoids in the MP3 fraction. The results indicate that the MP3 fraction exerts cytotoxic activity on HCT116 cells via induction of apoptosis triggered by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential crucial for cell survival.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2011

Eugenol is an essential oil found in cloves and cinnamon that is used widely in perfumes. However, the significant anesthetic and sedative effects of this compound have led to its use also in dental procedures. Recently, it was reported that eugenol induces apoptosis in several cancer cell types but the mechanism underlying this effect has remained unknown. In our current study, we examined whether the cytotoxic effects of eugenol upon human melanoma G361 cells are associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis using a range of methods including an XTT assay, Hoechst staining, immunocyto-chemistry, western blotting and flow cytometry. Eugenol treatment was found to decrease the viability of the G361 cells in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in eugenol-treated G361 cells was confirmed by the appearance of nuclear condensation, the release of both cytochrome c and AIF into the cytosol, the cleavage of PARP and DFF45, and the downregulation of procaspase-3 and -9. With regard to cell cycle arrest, a time-dependent decrease in cyclin A, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4, and cdc2 expression was observed in the cells after eugenol treatment. Flow cytometry using a FACScan further demonstrated that eugenol induces a cell cycle arrest at S phase. Our results thus suggest that the inhibition of G361 cell proliferation by eugenol is the result of an apoptotic response and an S phase arrest that is linked to the decreased expression of key cell cycle-related molecules.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2009

In this study, we aimed to determine whether the evaluated markers of cell death could be found at particular developmental stages of normal porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. We investigated the characteristics of spontaneous and induced apoptosis during preimplantation development stages of porcine IVF embryos. In experiment 1, to induce apoptosis of porcine IVF embryos, porcine IVF embryos at 22h post insemination were treated at different concentration of actinomycin D (0, 5, 50 and 500 ng/ml in NCSU medium). Treated embryos were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$ for 8h, and then washed to NCSU medium and incubated until blastocyst (BL) stage. We examined cleavage rate at 2days and BL development rate at 7days after in vitro culture. A significantly lower rate of cleavage was found in the 500 ng/ml group compared to others (500 ng/ml vs. 0, 5, 50 ng/ml; 27.8 % vs. 50.0%, 41.2%, 35.9%), and BL formation rate in 500 ng/ml was lower than that of others (500 ng/ml vs. 0, 5, 50 ng/ml; 8.0% vs. 12.6%, 11.2%, 12.6%). In experiment 2, to evaluate apoptotic cells, we conducted TUNEL assay based on morphological assessment of nuclei and on detection of specific DNA degradation under fluorescence microscope. This result showed that apoptosis is a normal event during preimplantation development in control group (0 ng/ml actinomycin D). A high number of BL derived control group contained at least one apoptotic cell. Actinomycin D treated BLs responded to the presence of apoptotic inductor by significant decrease in the average number of blastomeres and increase in the incidence of apoptotic cell death. In 500 ng/ml group, the incidence of apoptosis increased at 4-cell stage and later. This result suggested that apoptosis is a process of normal embryonic development and actinomycin D is useful tool for the apoptosis study of porcine preimplantation embryos.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2013

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) is a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates the inflammatory response and immune functions, and modulates the proliferation, differentiation and cell death of cancer cells. The differential functions of TNF-${\alpha}$ in various human cells due to the formation of different stimulating pathway upon the binding of TNF-${\alpha}$ to its receptors. In the present study, we examined the different effects of TNF-${\alpha}$ on the survival and apoptosis between normal granulocytes and human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells. Although TNF-${\alpha}$ did not affect on the constitutive apoptosis of granulocytes, TNF-${\alpha}$ strongly induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. TNF-${\alpha}$-induced apoptosis was occurred via the activation of caspase 8, caspase 9 and caspase 3/7 and the induction of ROS production in HL-60 cells. Also, BAY-11-7085, a NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor, blocked the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. NF-${\kappa}B$ may be involved in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced apoptotic signaling pathway in HL-60 cells. These results suggest that TNF-${\alpha}$ activates apoptotic pathways and its process depends on cell type and many cellular factors. A better understanding of the differential effect of TNF-${\alpha}$ on cell apoptosis and survival may provide important information that can be used to elucidate the specific inhibitory effect of TNF-${\alpha}$ on the cancer dis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.888-894
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• 2009

It has been reported that silibinin, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, induces cell death in various cancer cell types. However, the underlying mechanisms by which silibinin induces apoptosis in human glioma cells are poorly understood. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the effect of silibinin on glioma cell apoptosis and to determine its underlying mechanism in human glioma cells. Apoptosis was estimated by FACS analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Psi}m$) were measured using fluorescence dyes DCFH-DA and $DiOC_6$(3), respectively. Cytochrome c release from mitochondria and caspase-3 activation were estimated by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies. Exposure of cells to 30 mM silibinin induced apoptosis starting at 6 h, with increasing effects after 12-48h in a time-dependent manner. Silibinin caused ROS generation and disruption of ym, which were associated with the silibinin-induced apoptosis. The silibinin-induced ROS generation and disruption in ym were prevented by inhibitors of mitochondrial electron transport chain. The hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase blocked ROS generation and apoptosis induced by silibinin. Silibinin induced cytochrome c release into cytosolic fraction and its effect was prevented by catalase and cyclosporine A. Silibinin treatment caused caspase-3 activation, which was inhibited by DVED-CHO and cyclosporine A. Pretreatment of caspase inhibitors also protected against the silibinin-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that ROS generation plays a critical role in the initiation of the silibinin-induced apoptotic cascade by mediation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway including the disruption of ${\Psi}m$, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation.