• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7055-7059
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• 2014

Artemisia, as one of the largest genera in the tribe Anthemideae of the Asteraceae comprises an important part of Iranian flora. While cytotoxic and apoptotic properties have already been reported for some species of the genus there is not any report on cytotoxic effects of A. ciniformis. Petroleum ether (40-60), dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and ethanol-water (50:50) extracts of the aerial parts of A. cinformis were subjected to cytotoxic and apoptotic evaluations on two cancer human cell lines (K562 and HL-60) and on J774 normal cells. Among multiple extracts evaluated for cytotoxicity, dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$) and petroleum ether (PE) extracts were shown to possess the highest anti-proliferative effects on HL-60 and K562 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 31.3 and $25.5{\mu}g/ml$ respectively. Apoptosis induction verified by sub-G1 peaks was seen in flow cytometry histograms. Increase in the amount of Bax protein, formation of DNA fragments, and cleavage of PARP to 24 and 89kDa sub units all confirmed induction of apoptosis by A. cinformis extracts. Taken together according to the result of the present study some extracts of A. cinformis could be considered as sources for natural cytotoxic compounds and further mechanistic and phytochemical studies are recommended to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of cnacer cell death as well as identification of responsible phytochemicals.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.42-66
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• 2008

Aconiti Tuber is a traditional medicinal plant generally used in Oriental medicine therapy. In this study, we investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects by the methanol extract of Aconiti tuber (MEBJ) in Caki-1 human renal cell carcinoma cells. It was found that MEBJ could inhibit, in a dose-dependent manner, cell growth which was associated with apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Apoptosis of Caki-1 cells by MEBJ was associated with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression, and a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 in a dose-dependent manner; however, the levels of IAP family were not affected. MEBJ treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and -8, and a inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and $PLC{\gamma}1$ protein. Furthermore, MEBJ treatment caused a dose-dependent inhibition of iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Though further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-cancer activity of MEBJ, the present findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the apoptotic activity of MEBJ in cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2019

The apoptotic effects of shikonin (5,8-dihydroxy-2-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-4-methylpent-3-enyl]naphthalene-1,4-dione) on the human colon cancer cell line SNU-407 were investigated in this study. Shikonin showed dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against SNU-407 cells, with an estimated $IC_{50}$ value of $3{\mu}M$ after 48 h of treatment. Shikonin induced apoptosis, as evidenced by apoptotic body formation, sub-G_1$ phase cells, and DNA fragmentation. Shikonin induced apoptotic cell death by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase family members, and the apoptotic process was mediated by the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, leading to activation of the $PERK/elF2{\alpha}/CHOP$ apoptotic pathway, and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation. Shikonin increased mitochondrial membrane depolarization and altered the levels of apoptosis-related proteins, with a decrease in B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and an increase in Bcl-2-associated X protein, and subsequently, increased expression of cleaved forms of caspase-9 and -3. Taken together, we suggest that these mechanisms, including MAPK signaling and the ER- and mitochondria-mediated pathways, may underlie shikonin-induced apoptosis related to its anticancer effect.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.722-729
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• 2006

Recently, we have reported that 3-hydrogenkwadaphnin (3-HK), a diterpene ester isolated from Dendrostellera lessertii (Thymealeaceae), is very effective against leukemia cell lines without any detectable effects on normal cells (Moosavi et al., 2005b). In this study, we report that 3-HK induces $G_1$ cell-cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis in APL NB4 cell line. Indeed, the drug between 24 to 96 h induced 7-65% growth inhibition of NB4 cells. Cell viability was also decreased by 2-55% between 24 to 96 h treatments with the drug, respectively. These effects of the drug were also dose-dependent. According to flow cytomtry results, 3-HK (15 nM) induced a significant G1-arrest up to 24 h which was consequently followed with appearance of sub-$G_1$ peak at 72 to 96 h. Hoechst 33258 staining and DNA fragmentation assays confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis among the treated cells. On the other hand, NBT reducing assay, Wright-Giemsa staining, phagocytic activity and expression of cell surface markers (CD11b and CD14) confirmed that the inhibition of proliferation is associated with differentiation especially toward macrophage-like morphology. Interestingly, 3-HK at 5 and 10 nM enhanced the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in NB4 cells. Based on these results, 3-HK might become an ideal candidate for treatment of APL patients pending full exploration of its biological functions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2021

This study developed a species identification method for the salted opossum shrimp of Acetes japonicus, A. chinensis (Korea, China), A. indicus (I, II), and Palaemon gravieri based on PCR-RFLP markers. Genomic DNA was extracted from the salted opossum shrimp. The COI gene was used to amplify 519 base pairs (bp) using specific primers. The amplified products were digested by Acc I and Hinf I, and the DNA fragments were separated by automated electrophoresis for RFLP analysis. When the amplified DNA product (519 bp) was digested with Acc I, A. japonicus, A. chinensis (Korea), and A. indius (II) showed two fragments, whereas a single band of 519 bp was detected in A. chinensis (China) and A. indius (I). Also, in the RFLP patterns digested by Hinf I, A. chinensis (Korea) and A. chinensis (China) showed a single band of 519 bp, while two fragments were observed in A. japonicus and A. indius (I) and four fragments in A. indius (II). The PCR amplicon of P. gravieri was digested by Acc I into 3 bands of 271, 202, and 46 bp and by Hinf I into a single band of 519 bp. Therefore, salted opossum shrimp-specific RFLP markers showing distinct differences between four species and two sub-species by PCR-RFLP analysis. Thus, the PCR-RFLP markers developed in this study are a good method for identifying the six types of salted opossum shrimp.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.181-191
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• 2005

Purpose : ${\beta}$-sitosterol is kind of phytosterols or plant which are structurally similar to cholesterol. This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of the ${\beta}$-sitosterol on the proliferation of human uterine leiomyoma cells and the expression of gene related the mechanism of cell apoptosis. Methods : We counted the number of death cells treated with indicated time of the ${\beta}$-sitosterol and investigated cell death rate by cell count assay. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis and DNA fragmentation assay were used to dissect between necrosis and apoptosis. and then we observed the differential gene expression by western blot analysis. Results : 1) The inhibitory effect on the growth of uterine leiomyoma cell treated with the ${\beta}$-sitosterol $16{\mu}M$ was increased in a time dependent. 2) The result of flow cytometry analysis, subG1 phase arrest related cell apoptosis was investigated 16.97% in uterine leiomyoma cell treated with the ${\beta}$-sitosterol $16{\mu}M$ and showed the fashion of proportional time dependent. 3) The gene expression of p27, p21 related cell cycle was increased according to increasing time interval but cyclin E-CDK2 complex was decreased expression. 4) The character of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation was significantly observed on the time dependent. 5) The expression of pro-caspase 3 and PARP were decreased dependent on treatment with time dependent. Conclusion : This study showed that the ${\beta}$-sitosterol have the inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human uterine leiomyoma cell and the effect was related with apoptosis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.14-27
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex Radicis extract(ACRE) on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Methods: After treatment with various concentration of ACRE, cell growth was evaluated in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Hoechst 33342 staining was performed to estimate DNA fragment effect of ACRE on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay was used to estimate the effects of ACRE on the early apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. RT-PCR was used to estimate the apoptosis gene expression effect of ACRE on Hela cell MCF-7 cell. Results: Under $0.1mg/m\ell$ of ACRE, cytotoxic effect was not found per NIH3T3 cell. The viability of HeLa cell and MCF-7 cells was significantly decreased ACRE ($100{\mu}g/m\ell$) in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell, ACRE ($50{\mu}g/m\ell$) in HeLa cell 3 days after treatment, in MCF-7 cell 1&3 days after treatment (p<0.01). DNA fragmentation was observed 3 days after treatment of cl of ACRE on HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. In Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay, after treatment of $100{\mu}g/m\ell$ of ACRE, the early apoptotic cell increased both in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. In RT-PCR analysis, after treatment of $100{\mu}g/m\ell$ of ACRE, bcl-2 were decreased and bax, caspase-3 were increased both in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Conclusions: ACRE appears to have considerable activity on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2001

Sophoricoside was isolated as the inhibitor of IL-5 bioactivity from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae). It has been reported to has an anti-inflammatory effect on rat paw edema model. To develope as an anti-allergic drug, genotoxicity of sophoricoside was investigated in bacterial and mammalian cell system such as Ames bacterial reversion test, chromosomal aberration assay and single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. As results, in the range of 1,250~40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/plate sophoricoside concentrations was not shown significant mutagenic effects in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537 strains in Ames test. The 80% cell growth inhibition concentration (IC/SUB 80/) of sophoricoside was determined as above 5,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) fibroblast cell and L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line for the chromosomal aberration and comet assay, respectively. Sophoricoside was not induced chromosomal aberration in CHL fibroblast cell at concentrations of 700, 350 and 175 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ or 600, 300 and 150 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ in the absence or presence of S-9 metabolic activation system, respectively. Also, in the comet assay, the induction of DNA damage was not observed in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line both in the absence or presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. From these results, no genotoxic effects of sophoricoside were observed in bacterial and mammalian cell systems used in these experiments.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 2018

The liver is an essential organ for the detoxification of exogenous xenobiotics, drugs and toxic substances. The incidence rate of non-alcoholic liver injury increases due to dietary habit change and drug use increase. Our previous study demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) formulation has hepatoprotective effect against alcohol-induced liver injury in rat and tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells. This present study was designated to elucidate hepatoprotective effects of ES formulation against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury in Sprague Dawley rat. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups. The rats were treated orally with ES formulation and silymarin (served as positive control, only 100 mg/kg/day) at a dose of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Seven days after treatment, liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$ (1.5 ml/kg, twice a week for 14 days). The administration of $CCl_4$ exhibited significant elevation of hepatic enzymes (like AST and ALT), and decrease of antioxidant related enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and glutathione. Then, it leaded to DNA damages (8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde). Administration of ES formulation inhibited imbalance of above factors compared to $CCl_4$ induced rat in a dose dependent manner. Real time PCR analysis indicates that CYP2E1 was upregulated in $CCl_4$ induced rat. However, increased gene expression was compromised by ES formulation treatment. These findings suggests that ES formulation could protect hepatotoxicity caused by $CCl_4$ via two pathways: elevation of antioxidant enzymes and normalization of CYP2E1 enzyme.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.565-583
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of the water extract of Dan-Seon-Tang (DST) in human leukemia U937 cells. Methods : U937 cells were exposed to DST and growth inhibition was measured by MTT assay. Results : Exposure of U937 cells to DST resulted in the growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was associated with morphological changes and apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies, increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase and induction of DNA fragmentation. The induction of apoptotic cell death in U937 cells by DST was associated with up-regulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and down-regulation of Bid, surviving and cellular inhibition of apoptosis protein-2 (cIAP-2) expression. DST treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and a concomitant degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), phospholipase (PLC)-${\gamma}1$, ${\beta}$-catenin and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibotor of caspase activated DNAse (DFF45/ICAD). Furthermore, apoptotic cell death by DST was significantly inhibited by caspase-3 specific inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk, demonstrating the important role of caspase-3. Conclusions : These findings suggest that herb prescription DST may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human leukemia U937 cells; further study is needed to identify the active compounds.