• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2014

Objectives : I investigated whether Bee Venom can synergistically strengthen the cytotoxic effects of NK-92 cells, enhancing the inhibition of the growth of Lung Cancer Cells including A549 and NCI-H460 through induction of death receptor dependent extrinsic apoptosis and NO generation in the Nitro-oxide pathway. Methods : Bee Venom inhibited cell proliferation of A549 or NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells as well as NK-92 Cells. Moreover, when they were co-punctured with NK cells and concomitantly treated by 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, more influence was exerted on inhibition of proliferation of A549 or NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells than BV or NK cell co-culture alone. Results : The expression of Fas, TNFR2, DR3, DR6 in A549 Lung Cancer Cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells and treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, compared to co-culture of NK-92 cells alone, whereas the expression of Fas, TNFR2, DR6 in NCI-H460 Lung Cancer Cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells, representing no synergistic effects in the co-culture of NK-92 cell and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom. Coincidently, caspase-8, a expression of pro-apoptotic proteins in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway demonstrated same results as the above. Meanwhile, In NO generation, there is little change of NO generation in co-culture of NK-92 cells with A549 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cell with them and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, whereas increase of NO generation was shown in co-culture of NK-92 cells with NCI-H460 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cell with them and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, although synergistic effects by Bee Venom was not found. Conclusions : These present data provide that Bee Venom could be useful candidate compounds to enhance lung cancer growth inhibiting ability of NK-92 cells through DR expression and the related apoptosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.718-728
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• 2022

Splicing factor B subunit 4 (SF3B4), a component of the U2-pre-mRNA spliceosomal complex, contributes to tumorigenesis in several types of tumors. However, the oncogenic potential of SF3B4 in lung cancer has not yet been determined. The in vivo expression profiles of SF3B4 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from publicly available data revealed a significant increase in SF3B4 expression in tumor tissues compared to that in normal tissues. The impact of SF3B4 deletion on the growth of NSCLC cells was determined using a siRNA strategy in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. SF3B4 silencing resulted in marked retardation of the A549 cell proliferation, accompanied by the accumulation of cells at the G0/G1 phase and increased expression of p27, p21, and p53. Double knockdown of SF3B4 and p53 resulted in the restoration of p21 expression and partial recovery of cell proliferation, indicating that the p53/p21 axis is involved, at least in part, in the SF3B4-mediated regulation of A549 cell proliferation. We also provided ubiquitination factor E4B (UBE4B) is essential for p53 accumulation after SF3B4 depletion based on followings. First, co-immunoprecipitation showed that SF3B4 interacts with UBE4B. Furthermore, UBE4B levels were decreased by SF3B4 depletion. UBE4B depletion, in turn, reproduced the outcome of SF3B4 depletion, including reduction of polyubiquitinated p53 levels, subsequent induction of p53/p21 and p27, and proliferation retardation. Collectively, our findings indicate the important role of SF3B4 in the regulation of A549 cell proliferation through the UBE4B/p53/p21 axis and p27, implicating the therapeutic strategies for NSCLC targeting SF3B4 and UBE4B.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 1999

In our continuing search for new antineoplastic agents from natural products, one hundred and thirty-five herbal drugs were extracted with petroleum ether/ether (1:1), ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol, successively and their cytotoxicities were evaluated against A549 (human lung carcinoma) and SK-OV-3(human ovary adenocarcinoma) cell lines. Among them, fifteen kinds of ether extracts, eighteen kinds of ethyl acetate extracts and seven kinds of methanol extracts showed significant cytotoxic activities (above 70% inhibition) against A549 cell lines at a concentration of $40\;{\mu}g/ml,$ while ten kinds of ether extracts, thirteen kinds of ethyl acetate extracts and six kinds of methanol extracts demonstrated significant cytotoxic activities against SK-OV-3 cell lines at the above same concentration.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 1998

For the search of new antineoplastic agents from natural resources, two hudred and one kinds of oriental medicinal drugs were extracted with petroleum ether/ether(1:1), ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol, successively and their cytotoxicities were evaluated against A549 (human lung carcinoma) and SK-OV-3 (human ovary adenocarcinoma) cell lines. Among them, thirty kinds of ether extracts, forty-one kinds of ethyl acetate extracts and nine kinds of methanol extracts showed significant cytotoxic activities (above 70% inhibition) against A549 cell lines at a concentration of $40\;{\mu}g/ml$. And also, twenty-four kinds of ether extracts, thirty-one kinds of ethyl acetate extracts and six kinds of methanol extracts showed significant cytotoxic activities against SK-OV-3 cell lines at the same concentration.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 1999

To evaluate the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of Samiyeongeontanggamibang(SYTG), We have examined whether SYTG can inhibit the growth of several tumor cell lines, tumor cell adhesion, experimental tumor metastasis and increase survival rate of tumor-bearing mice by inhibition of DNA topoisomrase activity. The results were obtained as follows: 1. SYTG extracts revealed an efficient cytotoxicity against A549, SK-OV-3, B16-F10, and SK-MEL-2 cell lines. 2. SYTG extracts inhibited DNA topo-isomerase I from calf thymus. 3. The T/C% in S-180 bearing ICR mice treated with SYTG was 115.8% 4. SYTG extracts significantly inhibited adhesion of A549 cell to complex extracellular matrix. 5. In pulmonary colonization assay, SYTG suppressed lung metastases in tumor cell-injected mice. 6. In CAM assay, SYTG extracts inhibited angiogenesis at $15{\mu}g/egg$ concentration as compared with control. These results suggested that SYTG extracts might be a potent inhibitor of cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.183-189
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• 2003

Platycodi Radix, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, commonly known as Doraji, is used as a traditional oriental medicine. Extracts from the roots of P. grandiflorum have been reported to have wide ranging health benefits. We investigated the effects of an aqueous extract from the roots of P. grandiflorum (AEPG) on the cell proliferation of human lung carcinoma A549 cells in order to understand its anti-proliferative mechanism. AEPG treatment resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. This anti-proliferative effect of A549 cells by AEPG treatment was associated with morphological changes such as membrane shrinking, cell rounding up and inhibition of cell migration. DNA flow cytometric histograms showed that populations of both Sand G2/M phase of the cell cycle were increased by AEPG treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. AEPG treatment induced a marked accumulation of tumor suppressor p53 and a concomitant induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 and p27. In addition, SSS treatment resulted in down-regulation of Cdk2 and Cdk4 expression. The present results indicated that AEPG-induced inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation is associated with the blockage of S to G2/M phase progression the induction of apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that P. grandiflorum has strong potential for development as an agent for prevention against human lung cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.119-125
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• 2021

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a natural product with antiinflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects. We have previously reported that the endocrine-disrupting compound bisphenol A (BPA)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) via nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and promoted the migration of A549. Here, in this study, we assessed the protective effect of KRG on the BPA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of COX-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in A549 cells. Methods: The effects of KRG on the upregulation of ROS production and COX-2 and MMP-9 expression by BPA were evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACs) analysis, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Antimigration ability by KRG was evaluated by migration assay in A549 cells. Results: KRG significantly suppressed the BPA-induced COX-2, the activity of NF-κB, the production of ROS, and the migration of A549 cells. These effects led to the downregulation of the expression of MMP-9. Conclusions: Overall, our results suggest that KRG exerts an antiinflammatory effect on BPA-treated A549 cells via the suppression of ROS and downregulation of NF-κB activation and COX-2 expression which leads to a decrease in cellular migration and MMP-9 expression. These results provide a new possible therapeutic application of KRG to protect BPA-induced possible inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.263-270
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• 2005

In recent years, a combination of two demographic phenomena, an increased number of older people in the population and an increase in the incidence of lung cancer with age, has made it mandatory to develop therapeutic modalities with less toxicity for the treatment of inoperable elderly patients with lung cancer. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between COX-2 expression and cytotoxicity of Nimesulide, a specific COX-2 inhibitor. Material and Method: Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 was performed. After exposure of Nimesulide, XTT analysis, FACS analysis and Hoechst staining were carried out. Result: COX-2 protein was expressed in non-treated A549 cells strongly, but not in H1299. Cytotoxicity of Nimesulide against A549 cell and H1299 cell were similar and $IC_{50}$ of Nimesulide in both cell lines were $70.9{\mu}M$ in A549 cell line and $56.5{\mu}M$ in H1299 cell line respectively. FACS analysis showed $G_0/G_1$ arrest in both cell lines and the S phase cell fraction was decreased. Morphologic assessment of apoptosis by Hoechst 33258 staining, many apoptotic cells were detected in both cell lines. Conclusion: Selective COX-2 inhibitor, Nimesulide, can inhibit the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines in vitro. Inhibitory effect of Nimesulide are induction of apoptosis and $G_0/G_1$ arrest. There is no correlation between COX-2 expression and cytotoxicity of Nimesulide, a specific COX-2 inhibitor. Therefore, highly selective COX-2 inhibitors such as Nimesulide can be expected to lead to even greater efficacy of their use as adjuncts to various anticancer angents and radiation therapy for the treatment of high-risk patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.423-429
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• 2011

B13 analogues are being considered as therapeutic agents for cancer cells, since B13 is a ceramide analogue and inhibits ceramidase to promote apoptosis in cancer cells. B13 sulfonamides are assumed to have biological activity similar to B13, since they are made by bioisosterically substituting the carboxyl moiety of B13 with sulfone group. Twenty B13 sulfonamides were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicities against human colon cancer HT-29 and lung cancer A549 cell lines using MTT assays. Replacement of the amide group with a sulfonamide group increased cytotoxicity in both cancer cell lines. The sulfonamides with long alkyl chains exhibited activities two to three times more potent than that of B13 and compound (15) had the most potent activity with $IC_{50}$ values of 27 and $28.7{\mu}M$ for HT-29 and A549, respectively. The comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were used to carry out QSAR molecular modeling of these compounds. The predictive CoMSIA models for HT-29 and A549 gave cross-validated q2 values of 0.703 and 0.830, respectively. From graphical analysis of these models, we suppose that the stereochemistry of 1,3-propandiol is not important for activity and that introduction of a sulfonamide group and long alkyl chains into B13 can increase cytotoxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.617-622
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• 2014

Voacanga globosa (Blanco), a plant endemic to the Philippines, is traditionally used especially by indigenous people of Bataan in the treatment of ulcers, wounds and tumorous growths. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence to therapeutic properties by determining cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of HPLC fractions from leaves on HCT116 human colon carcinoma and A549 human lung carcinoma cell lines. Ethanolic extraction was performed on V globosa leaves followed by hexane and ethyl acetate partitioning. Silica gel column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) produced MP1, MP2 and MP3 fractions. Cytotoxic activity of the fractions was determined through MTT assay against the cancer cell lines HCT116 and A549 and the non-cancer AA8 Chinese hamster ovarian cell line. Pro-apoptotic activities of the most active fractions were further assessed through DAPI staining, TUNEL assay and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay with HCT116 cells. While the MPI fraction exerted no significant activity against all cell lines tested, MP2 and MP3 fractions demonstrated high toxicity against HCT116 and A549 cells. The MP3 fraction induced formation of apoptotic bodies, condensed DNA and other morphological changes consistent with apoptosis of HCT116 cells and TUNEL assay showed significant increase in DNA fragmentation over time. In these cells, the MP3 fraction also induced mitochondrial membrane destabilization, which is generally associated with the beginning of apoptosis. Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence only of saponins and terpenoids in the MP3 fraction. The results indicate that the MP3 fraction exerts cytotoxic activity on HCT116 cells via induction of apoptosis triggered by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential crucial for cell survival.