• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1 s.28
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• pp.41-46
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• 1981

Eighty of Sarcoma 180 bearing mice, averaging 30 gm of body weight, were divided into eight groups of animals receiving Saline as the control, Corynebacterium parvum, Tubercin-3 and Cyclophosphamide alone and Cyclophosphamide combined with C. parvum, with Tubercin-3 and with both C. parvum and Tubercin-3 and Tubercin-3 combined with C. parvum respectively. Treatment was initiated 4.8 hours after tumor implantation and repeated three times once a day. Doses were suspended or dissolved in 0.2 ml of Saline: 1.4 mg of C. parvum: 0.5 micrograms of Tubercin-3; and 2.7 mg of Cyclophosphamide either in alone or in combination. All the agents given were administered subcutaneously but Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally. The observation on the general conditions of animal took place twice a day following the treatment until the time of death after tumor implantation was determined. Average survival days in each group were as follows: In Control, Saline (11.2 days), C. parvum (14.8 days), Tubercin-3 (16.7 days), Cyclophosphamide(18.7 days). In combination therapy, Cyclophosphamide with C. parvum(22.8 days) with Tubercin-3 (26.9 days). Cyclophosphamide with both C. parvum an Tubercin-3, however, was somewhat longer than in Cyclophosphamide alone but shorter than in combined with either one of C. parvum or Tubercin-3. Finally, in combination with immunotherapeutic agents, Tubercin-3 and C. parvum each other it (8.2 days) was shorter even than Control. Life span of host is, in generally, inversely related to the number of malignant cells and conclusively, the therapeutic potentiation was reflected to be extended survival in combined treatment of a chemotherapeutic Cyclophosphamide with either one of immunotherapeutics, Tubercin-3 or C. parvum. Tubercin-3 and C. parvum in combination, however, appeared to be antagonistic each other.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.474-479
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• 2018

Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of HCC, but many patients will ultimately relapse with cisplatin-resistant disease. Used in combination with cisplatin, resveratrol has synergistic effect of increasing chemosensitivity of cisplatin in various cancer cells. However, the mechanisms of resveratrol enhancing cisplatin-induced toxicity have not been well characterized. Our study showed that resveratrol enhances cisplatin toxicity in human hepatoma cells via an apoptosis-dependent mechanism. Further studies reveal that resveratrol decreases the absorption of glutamine and glutathione content by reducing the expression of glutamine transporter ASCT2. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrate that resveratrol and cisplatin combined treatment leads to a significant increase in ROS production compared to resveratrol or cisplatin treated hepatoma cells alone. Phosphorylated H2AX (${\gamma}H2AX$) foci assay demonstrate that both resveratrol and cisplatin treatment result in a significant increase of ${\gamma}H2AX$ foci in hepatoma cells, and the resveratrol and cisplatin combined treatment results in much more ${\gamma}H2AX$ foci formation than either resveratrol or cisplatin treatment alone. Furthermore, our studies show that over-expression of ASCT2 can attenuate cisplatin-induced ROS production, ${\gamma}H2AX$ foci formation and apoptosis in human hepatoma cells. Collectively, our studies suggest resveratrol may sensitize human hepatoma cells to cisplatin chemotherapy via gluta${\gamma}H2AX$mine metabolism inhibition.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.191-206
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• 1997

In order to investingate the effects of Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang Extract on antitumor effects after human cell lines(A549, hep3B, Caki-1, Ehrlich) transplantation into the peritoneal cavity or right groin in mice induced by RPMI 1640 and GIBCO etc., the extracts of its herbal medicines were orally administered for 10 or 12days. Experimental studies were performed for measurance of antitumor effect of MMC(Mitomycin C) and lysosomal enzyme's activities using colony forming efficiency, SRB assay which were regarded as a valuable method for antitumor effects of unknown compound on tumor cell lines. The results obtained in this studies were as follows: 1. According to the change of colony-forming efficiency and SRB assay of Caki-1 cell, hep3B and A549 cells after exposure to the extract of Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract, that extract depressed the growth of tumor cells depending on its concentration. 2. Antitumor activities of the ethanol extract from Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract and MMC on ascites form of Ehrlich carcinoma in mice is a little improved. Especially mean survival times of the group of Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract 200mg/kg and MMC 0.1mg/kg is improved over 30%. 3. When Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract and MMC are administerated together, the weight of tumor is more decreased than MMC alone. 4. The effects of the Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract and MMC on the lysosomal enzymes in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell are more significantly improved than MMC alone. 5. Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract also increased the uptake of MMC into Ehrlich carcinoma cells. According to the above results, it could be suggested that Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract has indirect autitumor effects by strengthening the effects of MMC on tumor cells.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-small cell lung cancer is mostly recognized among other types of lung cancer with a poor prognosis by cause of chemotherapeutic resistance and increased metastasis. Luteolin has been found to decrease cell metastasis. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. The objective of this study was to examine the effect (and its mechanism) of luteolin on the migration and invasion of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Wound healing and transwell assays were evaluated to assess migration and invasion, respectively. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were further performed to investigate the role of luteolin and its mechanisms of action. RESULTS: Administration with up to 40 μM luteolin showed no cytotoxic activity on lung cancer A549 cells or non-cancer MRC-5 cells. Additionally, luteolin at 20-40 μM significantly suppressed A549 cells' migration, invasion, and the formation of filopodia in a concentration-dependent manner at 24 h. This is similar with western blot analysis, which revealed diminished the phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (pFAK), phosphorylated non-receptor tyrosine kinase (pSrc), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), cell division control protein 42 (Cdc42), and Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our data indicate that luteolin plays a role in controlling lung cancer cells' migration and invasion via Src/FAK and its downstream Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA pathways. Luteolin might be considered a promising candidate for suppressing invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2016

Objectives: The crude extracts of Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SB) have traditionally demonstrated inhibitory effects on numerous human cancers both in vitro and in vivo. Gastric cancer is one of the most common types of cancer on world. The authors investigated the effects of an ethanol extract of Scutellaria barbata D. Don (ESB) on the growth and survival of MKN-45 cells (a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line). Methods: The MKN-45 cells were treated with different concentrations of ESB, and cell death was examined using an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Analyses of sub-G1 peaks, caspase-3 and -9 activities, and mitochondrial membrane depolarizations were conducted to determine the anti-cancer effects of SB on MKN-45 cells. Also, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was investigated. Results: ESB inhibited the growth of MKN-45 cells, caused cell cycle arrest, and increased the sub-G1 population. In addition, ESB markedly increased mitochondrial membrane depolarization and the activities of caspase-3 and -9. ESB exerted anti-proliferative effects on MKN-45 cells by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and by increasing the generation of ROS. Furthermore, combinations of anti-cancer drugs plus ESB suppressed cell growth more than treatments with an agent or ESB, and this was especially true for cisplatin, etoposide, and doxorubicin. Conclusion: ESB has a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on MKN-45 cells and this is closely associated with the induction of apoptosis. ESB-induced apoptosis is mediated by mitochondria-, caspase- and MAPK dependent pathways. In addition, ESB enhances ROS generation and increases the chemosensitivity of MKN-45 cells. These results suggest that treatment with ESB can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma cells by modulating the caspase-, MAPK- and ROS-dependent pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1997

Cis-dichlorodiammine platin${\mu}M$II (Cisplatin), an effective chemotherapeutic agent, induces acute renal failure by unknown mechanisms. To investigate direct toxic effects of cisplatin on the renal proximal tubular transport system, LLC-$PK_1$ cell line was selected as a cell model and the sugar transport activity was evaluated during a course of cisplatin treatment. Cells grown to confluence were treated with cisplatin for 60 min, washed, and then incubated for up to 5 days. At appropriate intervals, cells were tested for sugar transport activity using ${\alpha}-methyl-D-[^{14}C]glucopyranoside$ (AMG) as a model substrate. In cells treated with 100 ${\mu}M$ cisplatin, the AMG uptake was progressively impaired after 3 days. The viability of cells was not substantially changed with cisplatin of less than 100 ${\mu}M$, but it decreased markedly with 150 and 200 ${\mu}M$. In cisplatin-treated cells, the $Na^+$ -dependent AMG uptake was drastically inhibited with no change in the $Na^+$ -independent uptake. Kinetic analysis indicated that Vmax was suppressed, but Km was not altered. The $Na^+$ -dependent phlorizin binding was also decreased in cisplatin-treated cells. However, the AMG efflux from preloaded cells was not apparently retarded by cisplatin treatment. These data indicate that the cisplatin treatment impairs $Na^+$ -hexose cotransporters in LLC-$PK_1$ cells and suggest strongly that defects in transporter function at the luminal plasma membrane of the proximal tubular cells constitute an important pathogenic mechanism of cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.149-167
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• 1997

In order to investingate the effects of Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang Extract on antitumor effects after human cell lines(A549, hep3B, Caki-1, Ehrlich) transplantation into the peritoneal cavity or right groin in mice induced by RPMI 1640 and GIBCO etc., the extracts of its herbal medicines were orally administered for 10 or 12days. Experimental studies were performed for measurance of antitumor effect of MMC(Mitomycin C) and lysosomal enzyme's activities using colony forming efficiency, SRB assay which were regarded as a valuable method for antitumor effects of unknown compound on tumor cell lines. The results obtained in this studies were as follows: 1. According to the change of colony-forming efficiency and SRB assay of Caki-1 cell, hep3B and A549 cells after exposure to the extract of Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract, that extract depressed the growth of tumor cells depending on its concentration. 2. Antitumor activities of the ethanol extract from Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract and MMC on ascites form of Ehrlich carcinoma in mice is a little improved. Especially mean survival times of the group of Jukyeopseokgotang-gagambang extract 200mg／kg and MMC 0.1mg／kg is improved over 30%. 3. When Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract and MMC are administerated together, the weight of tumor is more decreased than MMC alone. 4. The effects of the Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract and MMC on the lysosomal enzymes in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell are more significantly improved than MMC alone. 5. Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract also increased the uptake of MMC into Ehrlich carcinoma cells. According to the above results. it could be suggested that Jukyeopseokgotanggagambang extract has indirect autitumor effects by strengthening the effects of MMC on tumor cells.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.392-399
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• 2007

Objective : Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$) has been used as an anticancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine for thousand years and berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid present that has indicated significant antimicrobial activity. We have examined the combined anticancer effects of $As_2O_3$ and berberine against the human neuroblastoma (HNB) SH-SY5Y cells in vitro, and to elucidate underlying molecular mechanism. Methods : HNB SH-SY5Y cells were treated with $2\;{\mu}M\;As_2O_3$ and $75\;{\mu}g/ml$ berberine, and their survival, cell death mechanism as well as synergistic cytotoxic effects were estimated by using MTT assay, DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometric analysis, and western blot analysis. Results : The combined treatment of two drugs also markedly decreased cell viability. The cytotoxic effects of two drugs were revealed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The apoptotic cytotoxicity was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 protease as well as decreased the expression of Bcl-2, Bid, and Bcl-x/L. In addition, the cells treated with combination of two drugs also showed significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and lipid peroxidation compared to cells $As_2O_3$or berberine only. Conclusion : Combined treatment of $As_2O_3$ with berberine induced activation of apoptotic signaling pathways in HNB SH-SY5Y cells. These results suggest that the possibility of the combined treatment of two chemotherapeutic agents with low concentration improving cytotoxic effect for cancer cells with minimal side effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6939-6944
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• 2014

Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis for decades. Recently, some reports have suggested that SSZ also has anti-cancer properties against human tumors. However, little is known about the effects of SSZ on oral cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of SSZ in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. The authors investigated the anti-proliferative effect of SSZ using the MTT method in HSC-4 cells (an OSCC cell line). Cell cycle analysis, acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) staining, monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and Western blotting were also conducted to investigate the cytotoxic mechanism of SSZ. SSZ significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSC-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, SSZ induced autophagic cell death, increased microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (MAP1-LC; also known as LC) 3-II levels, as well as induced punctate AVO and MDC staining, resulted in autophagic cell death. Furthermore, these observations were accompanied by the inhibition of the Akt pathway and the activation of ERK pathway. These results suggest that SSZ promotes autophagic cell death via Akt and ERK pathways and has chemotherapeutic potential for the treatment of oral cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7719-7724
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• 2013

Background: Overexpression of survivin, a known inhibitor of apoptosis, is associated with tumor progression and drug resistance in numerous malignancies, including leukemias. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a specific survivin small interference RNA (siRNA) on proliferation and the sensitivity of HL-60 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to the chemotherapeutic drug etoposide. Materials and Methods: The cells were transfected with siRNAs using Lipofectamine $^{TM}2000$ transfection reagent. Relative survivin mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Trypan blue exclusion assays were performed to monitor tumor cell proliferation after siRNA transfection. The cytotoxic effects of etoposide and survivin siRNA, alone and in combination, on leukemic cells were determined using MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by ELISA cell death assay. Results: Survivin siRNA markedly reduced both mRNA and protein expression levels in a time-dependent manner, leading to distinct inhibition of cell proliferation and increased spontaneous apoptosis. Surprisingly, survivin siRNA synergistically increased the cell toxic effects of etoposide. Moreover, survivin down-regulation significantly enhanced its induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: Our study suggests that down-regulation of survivin by siRNA can trigger apoptosis and overcome drug resistance of leukemia cells. Therefore, survivin siRNA may be an effective adjuvant in AML chemotherapy.