The Cone (Pinus densiflora) Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy in Hepatic Stellate Cells

  • Tae-Won Jang (Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • Da-Yoon Lee (Medicinal Plant Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • So-Yeon Han (Medicinal Plant Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • Hye-Jeong Park (Medicinal Plant Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • Seo-Yoon Park (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • Jun-Hwan Jeong (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • Yoon-Jae Kwon (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University) ;
  • Jae-Ho Park (Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University)
  • Published : 2022.09.27

Abstract

The cone of Red Pine (Pinus densiflora), which has been used as a drug in traditional medicine. Its ethyl acetate fraction was reported to exert antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-inflammation activites. Apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) is regarding as a potential strategy for alleviation of hepatic fibrosis. We conducted to investigated whether the treatment of cone has a potential to control of some factors related in apoptosis and autophagy in cell signaling pathways. We suggest that the cone induced apoptosis through confirming the expression levels of genes (cPARP, Bcl-XL, Bax, p53, and caspase-3) in LX-2 cells. Also, the cone may regulate autophagy (LC3, p62, Beclin-1, and ATG12). Remarkably, the treatment of cone may affect to formation of autophagosomes in the immunofluorescence image in live cells. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction from the cone of Red Pine (P. densiflora) may have potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for the alleviation and prevention of liver fibrosis.

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Acknowledgement

본 연구는 중소벤처기업부의 지역주력산업육성(세종)사업의 일환인 ICT기반 스마트팜에서 재배된 지역자원을 활용한 바이오헬스케어 소재 개발 및 제품화(사업번호: S3270662)의 지원에 의해 이루어진 결과로 이에 감사드립니다.