• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.655-661
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• 2007

The biological activities of methanol extracts of Angelica gigas Nakai, such as antioxidation, anticancer and immuno-activity, were investigated in relation to development of functional foods. Anti-oxidation activity in the methanol extracts were assessed by hydrogen donating activity, reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Activities were dose-dependent over concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL, with thehydrogen donating activity being over 50% at 1 mg/mL concentration. The methanol extracts inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies were observed by fluorescence microcopy in the cells treated with the extracts for 24 hr. Caspase-3 activity was also increased in a dose-dependent manner in cells treated with the extracts relative to control cells. The extracts did not induce the proliferation of mouse spleen cells or NO production in macrophage cells (RAW 264.7). These results show that the methanol extract had slight anti-oxidative activity and did not increase immuno-activity, but inhibited proliferation of SW480 through apoptosis via a caspase dependent pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2017

Background: KG-135, a standardized formulation enriched with Rk1, Rg3, and Rg5 ginsenosides, has been shown to inhibit various types of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we explored its effects in A549 human lung cancer cells to investigate the induction of Forkhead Class box O3a (FOXO3a) and autophagy. Methods: Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B staining. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed using flow cytometry. The changes of protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis. Autophagy induction was monitored by the formation of acidic vesicular organelles stained with acridine orange. Results: KG-135 effectively arrested the cells in G1 phase with limited apoptosis. Accordingly, a decrease of cyclin-dependent kinase-4, cyclin-dependent kinase-6, cyclin D1, and phospho-retinoblastoma protein, and an increase of p27 and p18 proteins were observed. Intriguingly, KG-135 increased the tumor suppressor FOXO3a and induced the accumulation of autophagy hallmark LC3-II and acidic vesicular organelles without an increase of the upstream marker Beclin-1. Unconventionally, the autophagy adaptor protein p62 (sequestosome 1) was increased rather than decreased. Blockade of autophagy by hydroxychloroquine dramatically potentiated KG-135-induced FOXO3a and its downstream (FasL) ligand accompanied by the cleavage of caspase-8. Meanwhile, the decrease of Bcl-2 and survivin, as well as the cleavage of caspase-9, were also drastically enhanced, resulting in massive apoptosis. Conclusion: Besides arresting the cells in G1 phase, KG-135 increased FOXO3a and induced an unconventional autophagy in A549 cells. Both the KG-135-activated extrinsic FOXO3a/FasL/caspase-8 and intrinsic caspase-9 apoptotic pathways were potentiated by blockade of autophagy. Combination of KG-135 and autophagy inhibitor may be a novel strategy as an integrative treatment for cancers.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

Background: Clinical observations and laboratory studies have supported an immune basis for most acquired aplastic anemias, with the majority of patients responding to immunosuppressive therapy. Fas, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily is a critical downregulator of cellular immune responses. Proinflammatory cytokines like interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) and TNF-${\alpha}$ can induce Fas expression and render hematopoietic progenitor cells susceptible to Fas-induced growth suppression and apoptosis. Methods: In order to investigate the involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia (AA), we measured the expression of Fas antigen and caspase-3 on bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (MNCs) of AA in the presence or absence of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or macrophage inflammatory protein 1-${\alpha}$ (MIP-$1{\alpha}$). Results: We confirmed that AA BM MNCs were more apoptotic and highly expressed Fas antigen than normal donors. Stimulation by IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or MIP-$1{\alpha}$ increased Fas antigen and caspase-3 expression in AA BM MNCs than BM MNCs of normal donors. Anti-Fas monoclonal antibody enhanced IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or MIP$1{\alpha}$ mediated caspase-3 expression in BM MNCs of normal donors. Among these three cytokines, IFN-${\gamma}$ enhanced apoptosis most strongly via Fas-caspase-3 pathway. Conclusion: These results suggest that Fas signal pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of aplastic anemia and negative hematopoietic regulators like IFN-${\gamma}$ can induce apoptosis of bone marrow progenitors in part by Fas induction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.657-662
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• 2009

Antioxidant and anticancer activities of water and ethanol extracts of defatted soybean grits (DSG) fermented Bacillus subtilis NUC1 were determined and compared with those of the raw DSG. The fermented defatted soybean grits (FDSG) exhibited higher total polyphenols and flavonoids contents than DSG. The ethanol extracts of FDSG (FD-E) showed the highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents with 23.35 mg/g and 3.48 mg/g, respectively. Particularly, FD-E showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activities with $RC_{50}$ of 0.32 mg/mL than other samples with $RC_{50}$ of 1.10${\sim}$3.89 mg/mL. The water and ethanol extracts of FDSG and DSG showed growth inhibitory effects against AGS, A549 and Hela cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, and especially FD-E showed the highest growth inhibition effects. FD-E induced apoptosis in Hela cells through an increased activation of caspase-3 and caspase-3 target protein, PARP, but rarely affected caspase-7.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1337-1347
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• 2009

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2004

Previously, we synthesized a novel Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, MCS-5A. Also, we investigated the involvement of cell cycle regulatory events during MCS-5A-mediated apoptosis in HL-60(+p16/-p53) cells with up-regulation of p16 protein expression. In contrast, apoptosis was not observed in A549(-p16/+p53) cells. Therefore we propose that $p16^{INK4A}$ is a key enzyme for inducing apoptosis. In the present studies, we have explored the mechanism of $p16^{INK4A}$ -mediated cytotoxicity and the role of p16.sup INK4A/ overexpression in the induction of apoptosis in human tumor cells. The tumor suppressor gene $p16^{INK4A}$ is known as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) and cell cycle regulator. We expressed wild type $p16^{INK4A}$ in pcDNA3.1 vector and then transfected into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell expressing different statue of p16$^{INK4A}$, p53 gene〔A549(-p16/+p53), H1299(-p16/-p53) and HeLa(+pl6/+p53) cell line〕. TUNEL assay (including propidium iodide staining following transfection of these cell line with pcDNA3.1-pl6) indicate that p16$^{INK4A}$-mediated cytotoxicity was associated with apoptosis. This is supported by studies demonstrating an induction of caspase 3 cleavage due to the transfection of A549, H1299 and HeLa cells with pcDNA3.1-pl6. These results suggest that p16$^{INK4A}$ has a new function of inducing apoptosis which is not related with the function of tumor suppressor gene p53.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4609-4615
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• 2014

Background: To investigate tumor inhibition effects and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis and Sophorae flavescentis ait decoction (ASSF) combined with diamine-dichloroplatinum (DDP). Materials and Methods: Bodyweight, tumor inhibition rate and q value were calculated for single ASSF or ASSF combined with DDP on H22 carcinoma xenograft KM mice. Biochemical methods for serum LDH, AST, ALT, and AKP, ELISA method for serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$, pathological assessemnt of thymus, immunohistochemistry detection of tumor tissue caspase3 and mutant p53 protein, and qRT-PCR detection of bax/ bcl-2 mRNA were applied. Results: Compared with DDP control group, the bodyweight increased in ASSF-DDP group (p<0.01). Tumor inhibition rates for DDP, ASSF, ASSF-DDP were 62.7%. 43.7% and 71.0% respectively, with a q value of 0.90. Compared with other groups, thymus of DDP control group had obvious pathological injury (p<0.01), serum LDH, AST, ALT, AKP increased significantly in DDP control group (p<0.01), while serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ was increased in the model control group. Compared with this latter, the expression of mutant p53 protein and bcl-2 mRNA were decreased in all treatment groups (p<0.01), but there were no statistical difference between DDP control p and ASSF-DDP groups. The expression of caspase3 protein and bax mRNA was increased in all treatment groups, with statistical differences between the DDP and ASSF-DDP groups (p<0.01). Conclusions: ASSF can inhibit bodyweight decrease caused by DDP, can inhibit tumor growth synergistically with DDP mainly through increasing serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and pro-apoptotic molecules such as caspase 3 and bax, rather than through decreasing anti-apoptotic mutant p53 and bcl-2. ASSF can reduce DDP toxicity due to decreasing the release of LDH, AST, ALT, AKP into blood and enhancing thymus protection.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-35
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• 2010

연구목적 : 이 연구는 봉약침의 봉독이 NF-${\kappa}B$ 활성억제와 안드로겐 수용체 조절 단백질 및 세포자멸사 조절 단백질의 발현을 통하여 세포자멸사를 유도하고, 전립선 암세포를 이식한 쥐에서의 세포자멸사 유도 효과를 확인함으로써, 봉약침의 봉독이 생체 내에서도 세포자멸사를 유도하여 전립선암에 효과를 나타냄을 확인하고자 하였다. 실험방법 : 세포자멸사의 관찰에는 DAPI, TUNEL staining assay를 시행하였으며, 세포자멸사 조절 단백질의 변동 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사와 연관된 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA를 시행하였다. 결과 : 1. DAPI, TUNEL staining assay 결과 봉독 및 melittin을 처리한 LNCaP 세포 모두에서 세포자멸사 유도율이 유의한 증가를 나타내었다. 2. LNCaP 세포에 봉독이나 melittin을 처리한 결과, 안드로겐 수용체 조절 단백질 중 p-Akt, COX-2, calpain은 봉독과 melittin 모두에서 유의한 감소를 나타내었고, Akt는 melittin에서 유의한 감소를 나타냈으며, 봉독에서 증가하는 경향을 보였고, MMP-9은 증가하였다. 3. 생체 내에서의 봉독의 항암효과를 확인하기 위해 전립선암세포가 이식된 쥐에 봉독을 처리한 후 암세포의 부피와 무게, 쥐의 체중을 측정한 결과, 봉독을 처리한 군에서 암 세포 부피비율 및 무게는 감소하였고, 쥐의 체중은 증가하였다. 4. 전립선암세포가 이식된 쥐에 봉독을 처리한 결과, NF-${\kappa}B$ 활성에서 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 5. 전립선암세포가 이식된 쥐에 봉독을 처리한 결과, 세포자멸사 조절 단백질 중 Bax/Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, calpain은 유의한 증가를, COX-2는 유의한 감소를 나타냈으며, MMP-9는 증가를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 봉독이 시험관 내에서 뿐만 아니라 생체 내에서도 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성을 억제하고 안드로겐 수용체 조절 단백질 및 세포자멸사 조절 단백질의 조절을 통하여 인간 전립선암 세포주인 LNCaP의 세포자멸사를 유도함으로써 전립선암 세포 증식억제 효과 및 호르몬 비의존적인 전립선암으로의 전이를 지연시키는 경향이 있을 것으로 사료되고, 봉독이 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 효과적으로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2018

Anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin are effectively used more than radiotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug, used for treatment of various forms of cancer. However, it has side effects such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity increases tubular damage and renal dysfunction. Consequently, we investigated the beneficial effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury using HK-2 cell (human proximal tubule cell line) and an animal model. Results indicated that $10{\mu}M$ cynaroside diminished cisplatin-induced apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase-3 activation, cisplatin-induced upregulation of caspase-3/MST-1 pathway decreased by treatment of cynaroside in HK-2 cells. To confirm the effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vivo, we used cisplatin exposure animal model (20 mg/kg, balb/c mice, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Renal dysfunction, tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin injection were decreased by cynaroside (10 mg/kg, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Results indicated that cynaroside decreased cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vitro and in vivo, and it could be used for improving cisplatin-induced side effects. However, further experiments are required regarding toxicity by high dose cynaroside and caspase-3/MST-1-linked signal transduction in the animal model.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.465-474
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the raising anticancer effects of resveratrol (Res) on paclitaxel (PA) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549. The $10{\mu}g/ml$ of Res had no effect on human fetal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells or on A549 cancer cells and the 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$ of PA also had no effect on MRC-5 normal cells. PA-L ($5{\mu}g/ml$) and PA-H ($10{\mu}g/ml$) had the growth inhibitory effects in NSCLC cell line A549, and Res increased these growth inhibitory effects. By flow cytometry experiment, after Res ($5{\mu}g/ml$)+PA-H ($10{\mu}g/ml$) treatment, the A549 cells showed the most apoptosic cells compared to other group treatments, and after additional treatment with Res, the apoptosic cells of both two PA concentrations were raised. Res+PA could reduce the mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2, and Res+PA could reduce the COX-2 related genes of VEGF, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$, Bcl-2, BclxL, procollagen I, collagen I, collagen III and CTGF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, iNOS and raise the TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, p53, p21, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bax genes compared to the control cells and the PA treated cells. From these results, it can be suggested that Res could raise the anticancer effects of PA in A549 cells, thus Res might be used as a good sensitizing agent for PA.