• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.405-414
• /
• 2015

This study examines the effects of purple Kohlrabi fresh and peel ethanol extracts on the antioxidative activity and antiproliferation of human cancer cells (Hep G2 human liver, HCT-116 human colon, and A549 human lung cancer cells.) The total flavonoid and anthocyanin content of purple Kohlrabi ethanol extracts were much greater in the peel than in the flesh. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and antioxidative index of purple Kohlrabi peel extracts were similar to those of the BHA and the BHT. Antiproliferation effects of purple Kohlrabi peel extracts on human cancer cells (Hep G2, HCT-116, and A549) strengthened in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, the antiproliferation activity of purple Kohlrabi peel extracts exceeded 40% in colon cancer cells. These results indicate that the purple Kohlrabi peel may contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids as well as anthocyanin and that these compounds may facilitate cancer prevention.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.9
• /
• pp.984-992
• /
• 2015

Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid originally isolated from the roots of Sanguinaria canadensis. It has multiple biological activities (e.g., antioxidant and antiproliferative) and immune-enhancing potential. In this study, we explored the proapoptotic properties and modes of action of sanguinarine in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Our results revealed that sanguinarine inhibited HepG2 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis by sanguinarine was associated with the up-regulation of Fas and Bax, the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, and the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, sanguinarine activated caspase-9 and -8, initiator caspases of the intrinsic and death extrinsic pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Sanguinarine also triggered the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elimination of ROS by N-acetylcysteine reversed sanguinarine-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, sanguinarine induced the dephosphorylation of Akt and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. The growth inhibition was enhanced by the combined treatment of sanguinarine with a phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor and an ERK inhibitor but not JNK and p38 inhibitors. Overall, our data indicate that the proapoptotic effects of sanguinarine in HepG2 cells depend on ROS production and the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways, which is mediated by blocking PI3K/Akt and activating the ERK pathway. Thus, our data suggest that sanguinarine may be a natural compound with potential for use as an antitumor agent in liver cancer.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2003

We investigated the anti-proliferative effects of luteolin and apigenin, isolated from Ixeris sonchifolia Hance, on HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In MTT assay luteolin showed more efficient anti-proliferative effects on cells than apigenin did. According to propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry studies, we postulated that these effects might be a result of cell cycle arrest. Hence we examined the changes of protein expressions related to cell cycle arrest. Western blotting data demonstrated that the down-regulated expression of CDK4 was correlated to the increase of p53 and CDK inhibitor $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein. These data suggest that luteolin may have potential as an anti-cancer agent.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2009.07a
• /
• pp.1232_1233
• /
• 2009

Paraquat is well-known to cause hepatotoxic responses in human and other mammal species. In solution, it forms free radicals and charge-transfer complex of which formation plays an important role in determination of its biological activity in the presence of various anions. The HepG2 cells were cultured onto a quartz crystal sensor which is possible to detect the density and a viscosity changes using the resonance frequency (F) and the resonance resistance (R). The plot of F-R diagram is able to explain the rheological change of cells onto the surface of the quartz crystal sensor. In this paper, we investigated the physical properties of the HepG2 cells cultured onto a ITO electrode of the quartz crystal sensor according to the paraquat injection at various concentrations (100 mM, 10 mM, 1 mM). We also observed the morphological changes with a micro CCD camera, simultaneously. The HepG2 cells were cultured onto the ITO electrode surface of the quartz crystal modified a collagen film in $CO_2$ incubator. After the paraquat injection, we observed the changes of the morphologies by the micro CCD camera depending on time and analyzed the physical changes of cells on the electrode surface of quartz crystal using F-R diagram. From all results, we proved the effect of paraquat at various concentrations which is led to an apoptosis such as weakening and death of the cells by oxidation and reduction reaction that were produced the superoxide anions and other free radicals.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.577-582
• /
• 1997

Effects of four citrus flavonoids, hesperidin, naringin and their aglycones on phosphatidate phosphohydrolase(PAP, EC 3.1.3.3) activity were examined using isolated rat microsomes as an enzyme source. In addition, these flavonoids were tested to see whether they exert any influence on the proliferation and growth in cultured human hepatocytes HepG2 cells. Flavonoids at concentration up to $10{-4}M$ had no significant effect on the number of cells and cell proliferation by MTT cell growth assay method, whereas aglycone flavonoids, hesperetin and narigenin, at concentration of $10{-3}M$ significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Hesperetin inhibited PAP activity in a dose-dependent manner starting at concentration of $10{-5}M$. Narigenin at concentration of $10{-2}M$ inhibited PAP activity markedly, while the other flavonoids did not show any significant effect. The present study, therefore, demonstrated that aglycone flavonoids exerted portent effects on PAP activity and on cell proliferation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.9 s.89
• /
• pp.1298-1302
• /
• 2007

A hallmark of cancers is 'leaky' tight junctions (Tjs). TJs mediated paracellular permeability is elevated and TJs maintained cell polarity is frequently lost. Concomitantly, TJs-associated proteins including members of the claudin family of proteins are dysregulated. Recent findings indicate that these TJs changes can contribute to cancer progression. In this study, we examined the effects of ${\beta}-lapachone$, a quinone compound obtained from the bark of the lapacho tree (Tabebuia avellanedae), on the Tjs-associated regulators in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B. ${\beta}-lapachone$ treatment downregulated the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-lR) proteins in both HepG2 and Hep3B cells. But the levels of claudin-3 and -4 proteins were increased in ${\beta}-lapachone$-treated HepG2 and Hep3B cells. And also the zonnula occludens-l (la-I) and p-catenin protein levels by ${\beta}-lapachone$ were increased in a time-dependent manner. However, claudin-3 and -4 mRNA levels were uninhibited by ${\beta}-lapachone$ in HepG2 and Hep3B. The present results suggest that the upregulation of claudin-3 and -4 protein levels by ${\beta}-lapachone$ occurs by a post-transcriptional mechanism and points to a novel mechanism by ${\beta}-lapachone$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.18
• /
• pp.7527-7532
• /
• 2014

Saussurea involucrata is a Mongolian medicinal plant well known for its effects in promoting blood circulation, and anti-inflammation and analgesic functions. Earlier studies reported that Saussurea involucrata has anticancer activity. The purpose of this study was to confirm the anticancer activity of an ethanol extract of Saussurea involucrata against hepatic cancer and elucidate its mechanisms of action. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, AO/EB staining for apoptotic cells, apoptotic DNA fragmentation and cell cycle distribution in response to Saussurea involucrata extract (SIE). The mRNA expression of caspase-3,-9 and Cdk2 and protein expression of caspase-3,-9, PARP, XIAP, Cdk2 and p21 were analyzed through real time PCR and Western blotting. Treatment with SIE inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation dose- and time-dependently, but SIE only exerted a modest cytotoxic effect on a viability of Chang human liver cells. Cells exposed to SIE showed typical hallmarks of apoptotic cell death. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SIE caused G1-phase arrest in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, Saussurea involucrata ethanol extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G1) arrest and apoptosis induction through up-regulation of the protein expressions of caspase-3,-9 a nd p21, degradation of PARP and down-regulation of the protein expression of Cdk2 and XIAP.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.103-113
• /
• 2015

This study examines the effects of Korean Crataegi fructrus(KCF) and Chinese Crataegi fructrus(CCF) on the antioxidative activity and antiproliferation of human cancer cells(HCT-116 human colon, Hep G2 human liver, and A549 human lung cancer cells). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, and antioxidative index of the Crataegi fructrus ethanol extracts were significantly higher in KCF than in CCF. The DPPH radical-scavenging activity of the KCF ethanol extract was 82.26%(1000 ppm), and that of the CCF ethanol extract was 77.64%. Antiproliferation effects of 80% ethanol extracts of KCF and CCF on human cancer cells(HCT-116, Hep G2 and A549) increased in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitory effects of KFC on HCT-116 and A549 cells were greater than those of CCF. The results suggest that ethanol extracts of Crataegi fructrus have antioxidative and hyperplasia inhibition effects on human cancer cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed for the investigation of anticancer effects of methanol extract of Rheum Rhizoma (MeOH-RR) on a human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). Methods : To study the cytotoxic effect of MeOH-RR on HepG2 cells, the cell viability was determined by XTT reduction method and trypan blue exclusion assay. The cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3 and a typical sign of apoptosis, and the activation of procaspase-3, -8 and -9 were examined by western blot analysis. Furthermore, MeOH-RR-induced apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, the level of Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by western blot analysis. Results : MeOH-RR reduced proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h and 48 h treatment. MeOH-RR induced the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3. Furthermore, treatment with MeOH-RR resulted in internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, evidenced by the formation of a DNA ladder on agarose gel, a hallmark of cells undergoing apoptosis. MeOH-RR downregulated Bcl-2, upregulated Bax, and increased the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into cytosol in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, MeOH-RP increased caspase-3 activity. Conclusion : There results suggest that MeOH-RR induce apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and caspase-3-dependent pathway in HepG2 cells. There results suggest that MeOH-RR is potentially useful as a chemotherapeutic agent in human liver cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.93-94
• /
• 2001

Former studies dealing with combined effects caused by chemical compounds in the metabolically competent hepatoma cell line Hep G2 indicated that Hep G2 cells are useful and sensitive indicators for the identification of synergisms of promutagens, comutagens and antimutagens which are relevant in eukryontic (human) cells. In the present study we examined the modulation of DNA damages by the suspected antimutagens ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, alpha-naphthoflavone and beta-naphthoflavone in Hep G2 cells.(omitted)