• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.2335-2341
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• 2014

Chemical investigation on the methanol extract of the starfish Ctenodiscus crispatus resulted in the isolation of five steroids, (22E,$24{\zeta}$)-26,27-bisnor-24-methyl-$5{\alpha}$-cholest-22-en-$3{\beta}$,5,$6{\beta}$,$15{\alpha}$,25-pentol 25-O-sulfate (1), (22E,24R,25R)-24-methyl-$5{\alpha}$-cholest-22-en-$3{\beta}$,5,$6{\beta}$,$15{\alpha}$,25,26-hexol 26-O-sulfate (2), (28R)-24-ethyl-$5{\alpha}$-cholesta-$3{\beta}$,5,$6{\beta}$,8,$15{\alpha}$,28,29-heptaol-24-sulfate (3), (25S)-$5{\alpha}$-cholestane-$3{\beta}$,5,$6{\beta}$,$15{\alpha}$,$16{\beta}$,26-hexaol (4), and ${\Delta}7$-sitosterol (5). Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D, 2D NMR and MS and chemical methods. Compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against human hepatoma HepG2 and glioblastoma U87MG cells via inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis by 4 was demonstrated by cell death, DNA fragmentation, increased Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio and the activation of caspase-3, caspase-9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1047-1052
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• 2005

Two phenolic glucosides, eutigoside Band eutigoside C were isolated from the fresh leaves of Eurya emarginata. These two phenolic glucosides exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Furthermore, when the HL-60 cells were treated with eutigoside C, several apoptotic characteristics such as DNA fragmentation, morphologic changes, and increase of the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed. In order to understand the mechanism of apoptosis induction by eutigoside C, we examined the changes of Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels. The eutigoside C reduced BcI-2 protein and mRNA levels, but slightly increased Bax protein and mRNA levels in a time-dependent manner. When we examined the activation of caspase-3, an effector of apoptosis, the eutigoside C increased the expression of active form (19-kDa) of caspase-3 and the increase of their activities was demonstrated by the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a substrate of caspase-3, to 85-kDa. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect of eutigoside C from E. emarginata on the growth of HL-60 appears to arise from the induction of apoptosis via the down-regulation of BcI-2 and the activation of caspase.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2007

We found that the main bacterial metabolite M1 is an active component of orally administered protopanxadiol-type ginsenosides, and that the anti-metastatic effect by oral administration of ginsenosides may be primarily mediated through the inhibition of tumor invasion, migration and growth of tumor cells by their metabolite M1. Pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of ginsenoside Rb1 revealed that M1 was detected in serum for 24 h by HPLC analysis but Rb1 was not detected. M1, with anti-metastatic property, inhibited the proliferation of murine and human tumor cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in vitro, and also induced apoptotic cell death (the ladder fragmentation of the extracted DNA). The induction of apoptosis by M1 involved the up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase(CDK) inhibitor $p27^{Kip1}$ as well as the down-regulation of a proto-oncogene product c-Myc and cyclin D1 in a time-dependent manner. Thus, M1 might cause the cell-cycle arrest (G1 phase arrest) in honor cells through the up/down-regulation of these cell-growth related molecules, and consequently induce apoptosis. The nucleosomal distribution of fluorescence-labeled M1 suggests that the modification of these molecules is induced by transcriptional regulation. Tumor-induced angiogenesis (neovascularization) is one of the most important events concerning tumor growth and metastasis. Neovascularization toward and into tumor is a crucial step for the delivery of nutrition and oxygen to tumors, and also functions as the metastatic pathway to distant organs. M1 inhibited the tube-like formation of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial (HSE) cells induced by the conditioned medium of colon 26-L5 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. However, M1 at the concentrations used in this study did not affect the growth of HSE cells in vitro.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.44-58
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the protective effects of Chongmyunggongjin-dan (CMGJD) on Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis mechanisms in C6 glial cells. Method: We used CMGJD after distilled water extraction, filtration, and lyophilization. The ROS scavenging effect was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Expression levels of proteins related to ROS generation were investigated by western blotting. Functional changes in organelles related to Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were investigated by immunoblotting and by verifying expression level of relevant enzymes. Results: The CMGJD extract protected the cells against H₂O₂-induced morphological changes and DNA fragmentation, inhibited the increase of Heme_oxygenase-1(HO^-1) and the decrease in catalase, protected against the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited disturbances of lysosomal function, and induced an increase in peroxisomes. Conclusion: CMGJD was confirmed to have a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced C6 glial cell death possibly by blocking the pathways causing damage to subcellular organelles, such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes. We assume that CMGJD will be effective for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke in a clinical environment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2010

Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been used for the local reduction of fat tissue in the clinical setting. However, its safety and efficacy have not been proven. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PTX on cell lines established from fat tissue. Newly cultured human preadipocytes and adipocytes from subcutaneous abdominal fat in addition to purchased human lung fibroblasts and keratinocytes were treated with PTX at different concentrations. Cell viability was determined using the Cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay and lipolysis was evaluated using an Elisa kit. DNA fragmentation, Western blot analysis, Hoechst and Propidium Iodide (PI) staining and fluorescence activated cell scanning analysis were performed to confirm apoptosis. The viability of adipocytes, preadipocytes, keratinocytes and fibroblasts was markedly decreased at concentrations of PTX above 20 mM. Apoptosis was induced at concentrations of PTX over 40 mM in all cell lines. Lipolysis was increased by 60% at concentrations of PTX of 20 mM compared to the control. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that 20 mM of PTX induced lipolysis. At concentrations over 20 mM, PTX reduced the viability of all cells studied including: adipocytes, preadipocytes, fibroblasts and keratinocytes, in a non-specific manner.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.2993-2999
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• 2014

Saccharina japonica is a family member of Phaeophyceae (brown macro-alga) and extensively cultivated in China, Japan and Korea. Here, the potential anti-cancer effect of n-hexane fraction of S. japonica was evaluated in SK-Hep1 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The N-hexane fraction reduced cell viability and increased the numbers of apoptotic cells in a both dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis was activated by both caspase-dependent and independent pathways. The caspase-dependent cell death pathway is mediated by cell surface death receptors and activated caspase-8 amplified the apoptotic signal either through direct activation of downstream caspase-3 or pro-apoptotic proteins (Bad, Bax and Bak) subsequently leading to the release of cytochrome c. On the other hand, caspase-independent apoptosis appeared mediated by disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and translocation of AIF to the nucleus where they induced chromatin condensation and/or large-scale DNA fragmentation. In addition, the n-hexane fraction induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress and cell cycle arrest. The results suggested that potential anti-cancer effects of n-hexane extract from S. japonica on SK-Hep1 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2011

Insulin has antiapoptotic activity in various cell types. However, the signaling pathways underlying the antiapoptotic activity of insulin is not yet known. This study was conducted to determine if cAMP affects the antiapoptotic activity of insulin and the activity of PI3K and ERK in CHO cells expressing human insulin receptors (CHO-IR). Insulin-stimulated ERK activity was completely suppressed by cAMP-elevating agents like as pertussis toxin (Ptx) and cholera toxin (Ctx) after 4 h treatment. Insulin-stimulated PKB/Akt activity was not affected at all. Ptx treatment together with insulin increased the number of apoptotic cells and the degree of DNA fragmentation. Ctx or 8-br-cAMP treatment also increased the number of apoptotic cells and stimulated the cleavage of caspase-3 and the hydrolysis of PARP. Taken together, cAMP antagonizes the antiapoptotic activity of insulin and the main target molecule of cAMP in this process is likely ERK, not PI3K-dependent PKB/Akt.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3191-3196
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• 2013

Leaf extracts of Cassia alata L (akapulko), traditionally used for treatment of a variety of diseases, were evaluated for their potential antitumor properties in vitro. MTT assays were used to examine the cytotoxic effects of crude extracts on five human cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7, derived from a breast carcinoma, SK-BR-3, another breast carcinoma, T24 a bladder carcinoma, Col 2, a colorectal carcinoma, and A549, a nonsmall cell lung adenocarcinoma. Hexane extracts showed remarkable cytotoxicity against MCF-7, T24, and Col 2 in a dose-dependent manner. This observation was confirmed by morphological investigation using light microscopy. Further bioassay-directed fractionation of the cytotoxic extract led to the isolation of a TLC-pure isolate labeled as f6l. Isolate f6l was further evaluated using MTT assay and morphological and biochemical investigations, which likewise showed selectivity to MCF-7, T24, and Col 2 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 16, 17, and 17 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Isolate f6l, however, showed no cytotoxicity towards the non-cancer Chinese hamster ovarian cell line (CHO-AA8). Cytochemical investigation using DAPI staining and biochemical investigation using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-a method used to detect DNA fragmentation-together with caspase assay, demonstrated apoptotic cell death. Spectral characterization of isolate f6l revealed that it contained polyunsaturated fatty acid esters. Considering the cytotoxicity profile and its mode of action, f6l might represent a new promising compound with potential for development as an anticancer drug with low or no toxicity to non-cancer cells used in this study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.135-145
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• 2005

Objectives : This study investigated effect of Evodiae fructus water extract (EVOR) on apoptotic cell death induced by NaCN in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell lines. NaCN stimulates glutamate release which can activate glutamate receptors to initiate excitotoxic processes. This study examines the role of EVOR in mediating NaCN-induced cytotoxicity. Methods & Results : Cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture media. NaCN(0.1mM) produced cytotoxicity following 12hrs of incubation. NaCN-induced cytotoxicity was partially blocked by EVOR. The treatment of EVOR in simultaneous exposure of cultures to NaCN provided complete protection against cytotoxicity. NaCN-induced cytotoxicity was found to inhibit DNA fragmentation, repaired by cell cycle and simultaneous exposure to NaCN, regenerated with neurite outgrowh by EVOR. These results indicate thaf damage by NaCN in neumnal cell cultures was repaired by EVOR, whereas NaCN-induced cytotoxicity is blocked Primarily by activation of anti-apoptosis. Conclusions : These results suggest that EVOR may be beneficial for the treatment of dementia and other degenerative problems of the central nervous system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.631-637
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• 2013

Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid present in many plants with diverse applications in pharmacology. Despite several studies elucidating its significant anti-cancer activity against various cancer cells, the mechanism of action in skin cancer is not well addressed. Hence, we investigated the effects of luteolin in HaCaT (human immortalized keratinocytes) and A375 (human melanoma) cells. The radical scavenging abilities of luteolin were determined spectrophotometrically, prior to a cytotoxic study (XTT assay). Inhibitory effects were assessed by colony formation assay. Further, the capability of luteolin to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were demonstrated by flow cytometry and cellular DNA fragmentation ELISA, respectively. The results revealed that luteolin possesses considerable cytotoxicity against both HaCaT and A375 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 37.1 ${\mu}M$ and 115.1 ${\mu}M$, respectively. Luteolin also inhibited colony formation and induced apoptosis in a dose and time-dependent manner by disturbing cellular integrity as evident from morphological evaluation by Wright-Giemsa staining. Accumulation of cells in G2/M (0.83-8.14%) phase for HaCaT cells and G0/G1 (60.4-72.6%) phase for A375 cells after 24 h treatment indicated cell cycle arresting potential of this flavonoid. These data suggest that luteolin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in skin cancer cells with possible involvement of programmed cell death, providing a substantial basis for it to be developed into a potent chemopreventive template for skin cancer.