• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2016

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is one of the most common causes of acute liver failure. The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of carnosic acid (CA) on APAP-induced acute hepatotoxicity and its underlying mechanism in mice. To induce hepatotoxicity, APAP solution (400 mg/kg) was administered into mice by intraperitoneal injection. Histological analysis revealed that CA treatment significantly ameliorated APAP-induced hepatic necrosis. The levels of both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum were reduced by CA treatment. Moreover, CA treatment significantly inhibited APAP-induced hepatocytes necrosis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) releasing. Western blot analysis showed that CA abrogated APAP-induced cleaved caspase-3, Bax and phosphorylated JNK protein expression. Further results showed that CA treatment markedly inhibited APAP-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 mRNA expression and the levels of phosphorylated $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and p65 protein in the liver. In addition, CA treatment reduced APAP- induced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Conversely, hepatic glutathione (GSH) level was increased by administration of CA in APAP-treated mice. Mechanistically, CA facilitated Nrf2 translocation into nuclear through blocking the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1, which, in turn, upregulated anti-oxidant genes mRNA expression. Taken together, our results indicate that CA facilitates Nrf2 nuclear translocation, causing induction of Nrf2-dependent genes, which contributes to protection from acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2011

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is widely used in dentistry as a component of zinc oxide eugenol cement that is commonly applied to the mouth environment. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with eugenol and cisplatin on human melanoma (G361) cells. To investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following this co-treatment. Furthermore, proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed. The results indicated that a co-treatment with eugenol and cisplatin induced multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells including nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, the increase and decrease of Bax and Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 300 ${\mu}M$ eugenol or 3 ${\mu}M$ cisplatin for 24 h did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of eugenol and cisplatin is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.101-110
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• 2013

We investigated the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with Chios gum mastic (CGM) and eugenol on G361 human melanoma cells. An MTT assay was conducted to investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining, and analyses of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate expression and translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following CGM and eugenol co-treatment. Proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed.The results indicated that the co-treatment of CGM and eugenol induces multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells. These include nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, an increase of Bax and decrease of Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of $40{\mu}g/ml$ CGM or $300{\mu}M$ eugenol for 24 hours did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of CGM and eugenol is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.553-560
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• 2012

Hizikia fusiformis, a brown alga that is widely consumed in Korea, Japan, and China, possesses a number of potentially beneficial compounds, including antioxidants and anticoagulants. However, the molecular mechanisms of H. fusiformis in hepatoma cells have not been elucidated. This study investigated the antiproliferative effect and mechanism of action of a glycoprotein from H. fusiformis (HFGP) in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. In an MTS assay, 25 ${\mu}g/mL$ HFGP inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells by $52.36{\pm}2.37%$. HFGP caused the dose-dependent growth inhibition of HepG2 cells by inducing apoptosis and a sub-G1 phase arrest. The antiproliferative activity of HFGP was confirmed based on the expression of several apoptosis-related proteins, which was assessed by Western blot analysis. The expressions of Fas, Fas-associated death domain protein, Bax, and Bad was significantly up-regulated in HFGP-treated cells, and HFGP induced the translocation of Bax to mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Therefore, HFGP might be useful in the treatment of liver cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.139-157
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• 2006

In the present study, I have investigated the bee venom (BV) and melittin (a major component of BV) -mediated anti-proliferative effects, and defined its mechanisms of action in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). BV and melittin $(0.4{\sim}0.8\;{\mu}g/ml)$ effectively inhibited 50 ng/ml platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)-induced VSMCs proliferations. The regulation of apoptosis has attracted much attention as a possible means of eliminating excessively proliferating VSMCs. In the present study, the treatment of BV and melittin strongly induced apoptosis of VSMCs. I examined the effects on $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation to investigate a possible mechanism for anti-proliferative effects of BV and melittin, the PDGF-BB-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and its degradation were potently inhibited by melittin, and DNA binding activity and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 subunit in response to the action of PDGF-BB were potently attenuated by melittin. In further investigations, melittin markedly inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of Akt but not ERK1/2, upstream signals of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Treatment of melittin also potently induced pro-apoptotic protein p53, Bax, and caspase-3 expression, but decreased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression. These results suggest that the anti-proliferative effects of BV and melittin in VSMCs through induction of apoptosis via suppressions of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and Akt activation, and enhancement of apoptotic signal pathway. Based on these results, BV acupuncture can be a candidate as a therapeutic method for restenosis and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1193-1203
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• 2019

We investigated the protective effects of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced apoptosis in Vero cells. BDB exhibited scavenging activity for DPPH, hydroxyl, and alkyl radicals. BDB also inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced lipid peroxidation, cell death, and apoptosis in Vero cells by inhibiting the production of ROS. To evaluate the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis inhibition, the expression of Bax/Bcl-xL and $NF-{\kappa}B$ was assessed by western blot assay. BDB significantly suppressed the cleavage of caspase-9 and PARP and reduced Bax levels in $H_2O_2$-induced Vero cells. Besides, BDB suppressed the phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}$B and the translocation of p65 in $H_2O_2$-induced cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of BDB on ROS production, cell death, and lipid peroxidation in an $H_2O_2$-stimulated zebrafish embryo model. Taken together, these results indicated that ROS generation and cell death were significantly inhibited by BDB in zebrafish embryos, thereby proving that BDB exerts excellent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.326-334
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• 2019

Background: The objective of our study was to analyze the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside derivatives Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, and Rg3 against glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal mouse neuron cells. Methods: The neuroprotective effect of ginsenosides were evaluated by measuring cell viability. Protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Bcl2, Bax, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were determined by Western blot analysis. The occurrence of apoptotic and death cells was determined by flow cytometry. Cellular level of $Ca^{2+}$ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by image analysis using the fluorescent probes Fluor-3 and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, respectively. In vivo efficacy of neuroprotection was evaluated using the Mongolian gerbil of ischemic brain injury model. Result: Reduction of cell viability by glutamate (5 mM) was significantly suppressed by treatment with ginsenoside Rb2. Phosphorylation of MAPKs, Bax, and nuclear AIF was gradually increased by treatment with 5 mM of glutamate and decreased by co-treatment with Rb2. The occurrence of apoptotic cells was decreased by treatment with Rb2 ($25.7{\mu}M$). Cellular $Ca^{2+}$ and ROS levels were decreased in the presence of Rb2, and in vivo data indicated that Rb2 treatment (10 mg/kg) significantly diminished the number of degenerated neurons. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Rb2 possesses neuroprotective properties that suppress glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. The molecular mechanism of Rb2 is by suppressing the MAPKs activity and AIF translocation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3395-3403
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• 2016

Conjugated linoleic acid, a functional lipid, produced from Lactobacillus plantarum (LP-CLA), has been demonstrated to possess apoptotic activity. The anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential of LP-CLA was here evaluated in vitro using the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line as a model system. Proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells was inhibited with increasing concentrations of LP-CLA with altered morphological features like cell detachment, rounding of cells and oligonucleosomal fragmentation of DNA. Flow cytometry confirmed the apoptotic potential of LP-CLA by ANNEXIN V/PI double staining. Furthermore, outcome results indicated that the apoptosis was mediated by downregulation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway which in turn acted through proteasome degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, inhibition of p65 nuclear translocation, release of cytochrome-C from mitochondria and finally overexpression of Bax protein. Thus, conjugated linoleic acid, a natural product derived from probiotics, could therefore be a possible potential chemotherapeutic agent due to its apoptotic activity against estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2019

The anticancer activity of guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf extract (GLE) occurs via the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the mechanism behind GLE-induced apoptosis in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the apoptotic effects and mechanism of action of GLE in cultured HepG2 cells. The results showed that GLE induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$). Moreover, GLE increased the expression of apoptotic pathway proteins, such as the cleaved forms of caspase-3, -8, and -9; the translocation of Bax and cytochrome c (cyt-c) from the mitochondria to the cytosol; and the downregulation of Bcl-2. In addition, p53 protein expression was increased upon GLE treatment. These observations indicate that the GLE-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells is mediated by mitochondrial ROS generation, followed by caspase activation and cyt-c release, suggesting that GLE may be a promising candidate for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of liver cancers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2022

Radiation resistance represents an imperative obstacle in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer, which remains difficult to overcome. Here, we explored the anti-proliferative and migration-inhibiting properties of the natural product shikonin on a radiation-resistant human colon carcinoma cell line (SNU-C5RR). Shikonin reduced the viability of these cells in a dose-dependent manner; 38 µM of shikonin was determined as the half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Shikonin induced apoptotic cell death, as demonstrated by increased apoptotic body formation and the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, shikonin enhanced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and Bax expression and also decreased Bcl-2 expression with translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. In addition, shikonin activated mitogen-activated protein kinases, and their specific inhibitors reduced the cytotoxic effects of shikonin. Additionally, shikonin decreased the migration of SNU-C5RR cells via the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin. Taken together, these results suggest that shikonin induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in SNU-C5RR cells.