• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2005

[ $BARODON^{(R)}$ ] is a multi-purpose, high functional alkali solution made by mixing and liquid-ionizing silicon, calcium, sodium, borax, organic carbon chemicals and silver. In this study, we have investigated the apoptotic potential and mechanistic insights of $BARODON^{(R)}$ in human gastric cancer cell line (AGS cells). In MTT assay, $BARODON^{(R)}$ reduced cell viability in AGS cells. Morphological features of apoptosis with marked cytoplasmic vacuolation and appearance of apoptotic peaks in flow cytometry were observed in AGS cells with$BARODON^{(R)}$ treatment. In addition, $BARODON^{(R)}$ induced apoptosis of stomach cancer cell is related to bax up-regulation, caspase 7 protease activation and subsequent cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results suggest that BARODON can induce the apoptosis of AGS cells through modulation of bcl-2 family and the activation of intrinsic caspase cascades, indicating that it is potentially useful as a anti-cancer agent.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.849-860
• /
• 2015

The anti-cancer activities of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (GC), Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai (UGP) and arsenium sublimatum (SS) extracts, which have been used Oriental medicine therapy for various diseases, were investigated. The treatment of GC, UGP and SS alone, and combined treatment with GC, UGP and SS did not affect the cell viability in the mouse normal cell lines (RAW 264.7 macrophages and C2C12 myoblasts). However, co-treatment with GC, UGP and SS markedly induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer AGS cells, but not in other various cancer cell lines (human lung cancer A549, colon cancer HCT116, liver cancer Hep3B and bladder T24 cells) as evidenced by formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and accumulation of annexin-V positive cells. Co-treatment with GC, UGP and SS effectively induced the expression levels of Fas and Fas ligand, and inhibited the levels IAP family proteins such as XIAP, cIAP-1 and survivin, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL proteins compared with treatment with either agent alone. Combined treatment also significantly induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was associated with the activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9) and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, the cytotoxic effects induced by co-treatment with GC, UGP and SS were significantly attenuated by pan-caspases inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, indicating an important role for caspases. These results indicated that the caspases were key regulators of apoptosis in response to co-treatment of GC, UGP and SS in human gastric cancer AGS cells and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.431-438
• /
• 2016

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered a promising anticancer agent due to its unique ability to induce cancer cell death having only negligible effects on normal cells. However, many cancer cells tend to be resistant to TRAIL. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of sodium butyrate (SB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in sensitizing TRAIL-induced apoptosis in 5637 human bladder cancer cells. Our results indicated that co-treatment with SB and TRAIL significantly increased the apoptosis induction, compared with treatment with either agent alone. Co-treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively increased the cell-surface expression of death receptor (DR) 5, but not DR4, which was associated with the inhibition of cellular Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE) inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Furthermore, the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8 and -9) and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) were markedly increased in 5637 cells co-treated with SB and TRAIL; however, the synergistic effect was perfectly attenuated by caspase inhibitors. We also found that combined treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively induced the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c and cleave Bid to truncated Bid (tBid), along with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL expression. These results collectively suggest that a combined regimen of SB plus TRAIL may offer an effective therapeutic strategy for safely and selectively treating TRAIL-resistant bladder cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.398-405
• /
• 2016

Statins, the inhibitors of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are widely used in treatments of hypercholesterolemia and newly known as anti-cancer effect of various cancer cells. Recently, several studies suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role on cell death signaling. However, mechanism of ROS by rosuvastatin is currently unclear. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of apoptosis by rosuvastatin in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Cell viability and apoptosis-related protein expression were measured by MTT assay and western blotting, respectively. In addition, the levels of apoptosis and ROS were analyzed. The results showed that rosuvastatin dramatically reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We confirmed that rosuvastatin induced apoptosis through reduction of procaspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in PC-3 cells. In addition, rosuvastatin stimulated ROS production in a dose-dependent manner and pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, significantly recovered rosuvastatin-induced ROS and apoptosis. Thus, we concluded that rosuvastain induces apoptosis through generation of ROS in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and provides a promising approach to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.648-657
• /
• 2015

H9, a novel herbal extract, demonstrated cytotoxicity in A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether H9, and/or co-treatment with an anticancer drug, pemetrexed (PEM), inhibited tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice models bearing A549 NSCLC cells. The mice were separated into groups and administered H9 and PEM for 2 weeks. Protein and mRNA levels were detected using western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively; immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also performed on the tumor tissues. H9 and co-treatment with PEM induced the cleavage of proapoptotic factors, such as caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP). Expression levels of cell-death receptors involving Fas/FasL, TNF-related apoptosisinducing ligands (TRAIL), and TRAIL receptors were increased by H9 and co-treatment with PEM. Furthermore, analysis of levels of cell-cycle modulating proteins indicated that tumor cells were arrested in the G1/S phase. In addition, the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt survival signaling pathways were inhibited by H9 and co-treatment with PEM. In conclusion, H9 and co-treatment with PEM inhibited tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice models bearing A549 NSCLC cells. These results indicate that H9 and co-treatment with PEM can be used as an anticancer therapy in NSCLC.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.261-270
• /
• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activities of Typhae pollen (TP) by confirming in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo anti-tumor and immune-modulatory effect with anti-cachexia effect. The MTT assay is used in HepG2 cell to detect potential cytotoxic activities of aqueous extract of Typhae pollen (TPe). After HepG2 tumor cell implantation, eight mice per groups were assigned to six groups. Three different dosages of TPe (500, 250 and 125 mg/kg) were orally administered in the amount of $10m{\ell}/kg$ and sorafenib also administered 20mg/kg, every day for 35 days from 28 days after the tumor cell implantation. We observed the changes on body weights, tumor volume and weights, lymphatic organ, serum interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ levels, splenocytes and peritoneal NK cell activity, splenic tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-10 contents. Periovarian fat weights, serum IL-6 levels, thicknesses of deposited periovarian adipose tissue and mean diameters were also detected to monitor the tumor-related anticachexic effects. In tumor masses, the immunoreactivities of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (cleaved PARP) - apoptotic marks, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ were additionally observed by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with sorafenib. Decreases of COX-2 were demonstrated in sorafenib and TPe treated mice and also increases of iNOS in tumor masses were observed in TPe, not in sorafenib. TPe increased periovarian fat pad weights compared with tumor-bearing controls and sorafenib treated mice. TPe showed increases of splenic $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10 and $IL-1{\beta}$, serum $IFN-{\gamma}$ and NK cell activities corresponding to increases of spleen weights, lymph node weights and non-atrophic changes of lymph nodes. Our results show oral treatment of TPe 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg has potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities through modest cytotoxic effects, immunomodulatory effects and apoptotic activities in HepG2 tumor cells. In addition, TPe can prevent cancer related cachexia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.287-297
• /
• 2001

Contraction of smooth muscle is initiated by an increase in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ leading to activation of $Ca^{2+}$/ calmodulin-dependnet myosin light chain (MLC) kinase and phosphorylation of MLC. The types of contraction and signaling mechanisms mediating contraction differ depending on the region. The involvement of these different mechanisms varies depending on the source of $Ca^{2+}$ and the kinetic of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization. $Ca^{2+}$ mobilizing agonists stimulate different phospholipases $(PLC-{\beta},\;PLD\;and\;PLA_2)$ to generate one or more $Ca^{2+}$ mobilizing messengers $(IP_3\;and\;AA),$ and diacylglycerol (DAG), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). The relative contributions of $PLC-{\beta},\;PLA_2$ and PLD to generate second messengers vary greatly between cells and types of contraction. In smooth muscle cell derived form the circular muscle layer of the intestine, preferential hydrolysis of $PIP_2$ and generation of $IP_3$ and $IP_3-dependent\;Ca^{2+}$ release initiate the contraction. In smooth muscle cells derived from longitudinal muscle layer of the intestine, preferential hydrolysis of PC by PLA2, generation of AA and AA-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ influx, cADP ribose formation and $Ca^{2+}-induced\;Ca^{2+}$ release initiate the contraction. Sustained contraction, however, in both cell types is mediated by $Ca^{2+}-independent$ mechanism involving activation of $PKC-{\varepsilon}$ by DAG derived form PLD. A functional linkage between $G_{13},$ RhoA, ROCK, $PKC-{\varepsilon},$ CPI-17 and MLC phosphorylation in sustained contraction has been implicated. Contraction of normal esophageal circular muscle (ESO) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) is linked to $M_2$ muscarinic receptors activating at least three intracellular phospholipases, i.e. phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), phospholipase D (PLD) and the high molecular weight (85 kDa) cytosolic phospholipase $A_2\;(cPLA_2)$ to induce phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism, production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and arachidonic acid (AA), resulting in activation of a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In contrast, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) contraction induced by maximally effective doses of ACh is mediated by muscarinic $M_3$ receptors, linked to pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding proteins of the $G_{q/11}$ type. They activate phospholipase C, which hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate $(PIP_2),$ producing inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate $(IP_3)$ and DAG. $IP_3$ causes release of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and formation of a $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin complex, resulting in activation of myosin light chain kinase and contraction through a calmodulin-dependent pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.516-523
• /
• 2006

The mushroom Inonotus obliquue (IO) has been traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in Russia, Poland, and most of Baltic countries. To explore the possibility that IO has chemoprevention effects, we examined whether or not the aqueous extract of IO inhibits HT-29 cell growth and investigated tile mechanism for this effect. Cells were incubated in the presence of increasing concentrations of the aqueous extract of IO. The extract substantially inhibited the viable HT-29 cell number in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA of HT-29 cells. Annexin-V staining followed by flow cytometry revealed that the extract induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis of total cell lysates revealed that the extract induced cleavage of caspase-8, -9 and -3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, but did not affect the protein levels of Bax and Bcl-2. In addition, the extract dose-dependently increased the activity of caspase-8, -9 and -3. We have demonstrated that the aqueous extract of IO inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells, which may be mediated by its ability to activate the caspase pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.27-37
• /
• 2007

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver worldwide. In-Jin-Ho-Tang(IJHT) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine since ancient time. and today it is widely applied as a medication for jaundice which is associated with inflammation in liver. In this study, I investigated whether methanol extract of IJHT induced HepG2 cancer cell death. Methods: Cytotoxic activity of IJHT on HepG2 cells was using XTT assay. Apoptosis induction by Ros A in HCT116 cells was verified by the induction of cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). and activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. the level of Bcl-2 and Bax and the expression of p53 and p21 were examined by western blotting analysis. Furthermore, MAPKs activation was analyzed by western blotting analysis. Results: IJHT induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. And treatment of IJHT resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and increased pri-apoptotic Bax expression. IJHT markedly inactivated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and activated p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Sodium orthovanadate (SOV), a phosphatase inhibitor, to reverse IJHT-induced ERK1/2 inactivation and SB203580, a specific p38 MAP Kinase inhibitor efficiently blocked apoptosis of HepG2. Thus, IJHT induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via MAP kinase modulation. Conclusion: These results indicated that IJHT has some potential for use as an anti-cancer agent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.75 no.3
• /
• pp.95-103
• /
• 2013

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation during epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment in lung cancer has been suggested as one of possible resistance mechanisms. Methods: We evaluated whether SCLC transformation or neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation can be found in the cell line model. In addition, we also investigated its effect on responses to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs of the SCLC treatment. Results: Resistant cell lines to various kinds of EGFR-TKIs such as gefitinib, erlotinib, CL-387,785 and ZD6474 with A549, PC-9 and HCC827 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were established. Among them, two resistant cell lines, A549/GR (resistant to gefitinib) and PC-9/ZDR (resistant to ZD6474) showed increased expressions of CD56 while increased synaptophysin, Rb, p16 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were found only in A549/GR in western blotting, suggesting that NE differentiation occurred in A549/GR. A549/GR cells were more sensitive to etoposide and cisplatin, chemotherapeutic drugs for SCLC, compared to parental cells. Treatment with cAMP and IBMX induced synaptophysin and chromogranin A expression in A549 cells, which also made them more sensitive to etoposide and cisplatin than parental cells. Furthermore, we found a tissue sample from a patient which showed increased expressions of CD56 and synaptophysin after development of resistance to erlotinib. Conclusion: NE differentiation can occur during acquisition of resistance to EGFR-TKI, leading to increased chemosensitivity.