• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2019

Background: In colorectal cancer (CRC), 40-60% of patients develop metastasis. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a pivotal and intricate process that increases the metastatic potential of CRC. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) on colorectal metastasis through inhibition of EMT and the metastatic abilities of CRC cells. Methods: To investigate the effect of RGE on the metastatic phenotypes of CRC cells, CT26 and HT29 cells were evaluated by using an adhesion assay, a wound-healing assay, an invasion assay, zymography, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Western-blot analysis was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of RGE, which showed an inhibitory effect on the transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$)-induced EMT in HT29 cells. Additionally, the antimetastatic effect of RGE was evaluated in a mouse model of lung metastasis injected with CT26 cells. Results: RGE decreased the adhesion and migration ability of the CT26 cells and TGF-${\beta}1$-treated HT29 cells. The invasion ability was also reduced by RGE treatment through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and activity. Moreover, RGE suppressed the TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT via TGF-${\beta}1$/Smad-signaling-mediated Snail/E-cadherin expression in HT29 cells and lung tissue in CT26 tumor-bearing mice. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that RGE inhibited colorectal lung metastasis through a reduction in metastatic phenotypes, such as migration, invasion, and the EMT of CRC cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.167-174
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• 2022

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), one of the main active metabolites of ginseng, performs a broad spectrum of anti-tumor effects. Our aims are to search out new strategies to enhance anti-tumor effects of natural products, including 20(S)-PPD. In recent years, fasting has been shown to be multi-functional on tumor progression. Here, the effects of fasting combined with 20(S)-PPD on hepatocellular carcinoma growth, apoptosis, migration, invasion and cell cycle were explored. Methods: CCK-8 assay, trypan blue dye exclusion test, imagings photographed by HoloMonitorTM M4, transwell assay and flow cytometry assay were performed for functional analyses on cell proliferation, morphology, migration, invasion, apoptosis, necrosis and cell cycle. The expressions of genes on protein levels were tested by western blot. Tumor-bearing mice were used to evaluate the effects of intermittent fasting combined with 20(S)-PPD. Results: We firstly confirmed that fasting-mimicking increased the anti-proliferation effect of 20(S)-PPD in human HepG2 cells in vitro. In fasting-mimicking culturing medium, the apoptosis and necrosis induced by 20(S)-PPD increased and more cells were arrested at G0-G1 phase. Meanwhile, invasion and migration of cells were decreased by down-regulating the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in fasting-mimicking medium. Furthermore, the in vivo study confirmed that intermittent fasting enhanced the tumor growth inhibition of 20(S)-PPD in H22 tumor-bearing mice without obvious side effects. Conclusion: Fasting significantly sensitized HCC cells to 20(S)-PPD in vivo and in vitro. These data indicated that dietary restriction can be one of the potential strategies of chinese medicine or its active metabolites against hepatocellular carcinoma.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.375-380
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• 2011

This study investigated the effects of inorganic sulfur on metastasis in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in the absence or presence of various concentrations (12.5, 25, or 50 ${\mu}mol$/L) of inorganic sulfur. Cell motility, invasion, and the activity and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) were examined. Numbers of viable MDA-MB-231 cells did not differ by inorganic sulfur treatment from 0 to 50 ${\mu}mol$/L within 48 h. Inorganic sulfur significantly decreased cell motility and invasion in the MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), as determined using a Boyden chamber assay and a Matrigel chamber. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced by inorganic sulfur in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The inorganic sulfur also significantly inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the cells (P<0.05). These data suggest that inorganic sulfur can suppress cancer cell motility and invasion by inhibiting MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and gene expression in MDA-MB-231 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.559-564
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• 2015

We investigated the effects of mangiferin on the expression and activity of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and the invasion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$-stimulated human LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed that mangiferin significantly reversed TNF-$\alpha$-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 expression. Zymography data confirmed that stimulation of cells with TNF-$\alpha$ significantly increased MMP-9 activity. However, mangiferin substantially reduced the TNF-$\alpha$-induced activity of MMP-9. Additionally, a matrigel invasion assay showed that mangiferin significantly reduced TNF-$\alpha$-induced invasion of LNCaP cells. Compared to untreated controls, TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated LNCaP cells showed a significant increase in nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) luciferase activity. However, mangiferin treatment markedly decreased TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase activity. Furthermore, mangiferin suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ subunits p65 and p50. Collectively, our results indicate that mangiferin is a potential anti-invasive agent that acts by suppressing NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated MMP-9 expression.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.177-184
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• 2021

The root bark of Morus alba L. (MA) used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of pulmonary diseases exerts various pharmacological activities including anticancer effects. In the current study, we investigated the effects of MA on the migration and invasion of colorectal carcinoma cells. Results from a transwell assay showed that the methylene chloride extract of MA (MEMA) suppressed the migration and invasion of HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. MEMA reduced both mRNA and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but did not suppress the expression of MMP-2 in HCT116 cells. As a molecular mechanism, MEMA inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including ERK, JNK and p38, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, MEMA dephosphorylated both Src and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in HCT116 cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that MEMA suppressed the migration and invasion capacity of HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells by downregulation of MMP-9 and inactivation of both MAPKs and Src/STAT3 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.439-445
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• 2016

Soybean leaves, a Korean edible plant material, have been reported to prevent the development of osteoporosis and breast cancer. Based on this rational, soybean fallen leaves ethanolic extract (SBFL) was used for the experiment of cell invasion related to metastasis and antioxidant activity. The effect of SBFL on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human fibrosarcoma cells, HT1080 as well as its anti-oxidant activity was investigated in this study. The effect of SBFL on scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species was evaluated in vitro using lipid peroxidation assay,DPPH radical and reducing power assay. SBFL showed the positive effects on antioxidant activity, compared with vitamin C and vitamin E used as positive controls. Furthermore, SBFL showed cytotoxicity above 16 µg/ml in MTT assay. In particular, it was found that SBFL decreased the activation of MMP-9 stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetae (PMA) and phenazine methosulfate (PMS). SBFL treatment increased the expression levels of p-FoxO-1 and SOD-1. Moreover, SBFL inhibited cell invasion stimulated by vascular endothelial growth Factor (VEGF). These results indicate that SBFL could inhibit cell invasion related to the activation of MMP-9 and oxidative stress, suggesting that it could be available as a main ingredient for prevention of metastasis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1881-1890
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• 2016

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a vital enzyme that protects cells from free radicals through eliminating superoxide radicals ($O^{2-}$). Hirudin, a kind of small active peptide molecule, is one of the strongest anticoagulants that can effectively cure thrombus diseases. In this study, we fused Hirudin to the C terminus of human MnSOD with the GGGGS linker to generate a novel dual-feature fusion protein, denoted as hMnSOD-Hirudin. The hMnSOD-Hirudin gene fragment was cloned into the pET15b (SmaI, CIAP) vector, forming a recombinant pET15b-hMnSOD-Hirudin plasmid, and then was transferred into Escherichia coli strain Rosetta-gami for expression. SDS-PAGE was used to detect the fusion protein, which was expected to be about 30 kDa upon IPTG induction. Furthermore, the hMnSOD-Hirudin protein was heavily detected as a soluble form in the supernatant. The purification rate observed after Ni NTA affinity chromatography was above 95%. The hMnSOD-Hirudin protein yield reached 67.25 mg per liter of bacterial culture. The identity of the purified protein was confirmed by western blotting. The hMnSOD-Hirudin protein activity assay evinced that the antioxidation activity of the hMnSOD-Hirudin protein obtained was $2,444.0{\pm}96.0U/mg$, and the anticoagulant activity of the hMnSOD-Hirudin protein was $599.0{\pm}35.0ATU/mg$. In addition, in vitro bioactivity assay showed that the hMnSOD-Hirudin protein had no or little cytotoxicity in H9c2, HK-2, and H9 (human $CD_4{^+}$, T cell) cell lines. Transwell migration assay and invasion assay showed that the hMnSOD-Hirudin protein could suppress human lung cancer 95-D cell metastasis and invasion in vitro.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.295-305
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• 2017

Purpose: We previously found that the histone methyltransferase suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, trithorax and myeloid-nervy-deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) is a potential independent predictive factor or prognostic factor for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, but its roles seem to differ from those in other cancers. Therefore, in this study, the detailed functions of SMYD3 in cell proliferation and migration in gastric cancer were examined. Materials and Methods: SMYD3 was overexpressed or suppressed by transfection with an expression plasmid or siRNA, and a wound healing migration assay and Transwell assay were performed to detect the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, an MTT assay and clonogenic assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, and a cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining. Furthermore, the expression of genes implicated in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation were detected by polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Results: Compared with control cells, gastric cancer cells transfected with si-SMYD3 showed lower migration and invasion abilities (P<0.05), and the absence of SMYD3 halted cells in G2/M phase and activated the ATM pathway. Furthermore, the opposite patterns were observed when SMYD3 was elevated in normal gastric cells. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that the absence of SMYD3 could inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of gastric cancer cells and halt cells in G2/M phase via the ATM-CHK2/p53-Cdc25C pathway. These findings indicated that SMYD3 plays crucial roles in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and may be a useful therapeutic target in human gastric carcinomas.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.160-166
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• 2007

Purpose: Recently, chemosensitivity tests have become widely used for the selection of effective drugs in gastric cancer patients. In this study, a chemosensitivity test was performed to select agents to increase the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Chemosensitivity testing was performed in 81 gastric cancer patients that received a gastrectomy at the Yeungnam University Hospital. An ATP (adenosine triphosphate) based chemotherapy response assay was used. Clinicopatholgical factors such as sex, age, expression of tumor markers (CEA and CA19-9 levels), location of the tumor, morphology of advanced cancer, histological type, cell differentiation, depth of invasion, Lauren classification, Ming classification, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, neural invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage were used to correlate the chemosensitivity and clinicopathological factors. Results: The most effective antitumor agents in gastric cancer patients were (in order of effectiveness) 5-FU, Epirubicin, lrinotecan and Oxaliplatin in our series. The chemosensitivity test showed a significant difference in susceptibility according to clinicopathological factors. Conclusion: Further studies on multidrug therapy are needed to evaluate synergistic effects of drugs. Therefore, for effective chemotherapy, it is more efficacious to select a chemosensitive drug than continue to use the same drug regimen.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2003

Purpose: The prognostic significance of peri-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 determination in patients with gastric cancer has been controversial. This study was performed to evaluate the significance of CEA and CA19-9 as clinical predictors of prognosis. Materials and Methods: The correlations between peri-operative serum CEA/CA19-9 levels and clinicopathologic factors were evaluated retrospectively in gastric cancer patients who had undergone curative surgery during the period from January 1995 to December 1998 at the Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Results: The positive rates for CEA and CA19-9 were $17.9\%$ and $18.4\%$, respectively. The CEA positivity was related to the depth of invasion (P=0.040), lymph-node metastasis (P=0.000), and stage (P=0.001). The CA19-9 positivity was significantly related to the depth of invasion (P=0.000), lymph-node status (P=0.000), and stage (P=0.000). The positive rate of combined assay of pre-operative CEA and CA19-9 was $30.0\%$ There were statistically significant correlations with stage, depth of invasion, or degree of lymphnode metastasis in the combined assay. The survival rates according to the positivity of CEA and to the positivity of CA19-9 were clearly different (P=0.000). Conclusion: It should be stressed that even a simple blood test prior to surgery could be useful in establishing the depth of invasion, the status of lymph-node involvement, and the prognosis. For improved survival, an aggressive lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for patients with positive levels of pre-operative CA19- 9.