• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.272-277
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• 2013

In this study, the tar compounds derived from the plant cell cultures of Taxus chinensis were first identified and then quantified via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography (GC). 2-Picoline, 2,5-xylenol, acenaphthene, 1-methylnaphthalene and o-xylene were found to be the major tar compounds by biomass. These compounds were identified and confirmed by comparing their retention times with those of authentic compounds. Each compound also spiked with the pure standard. The contents of 2-picoline, 2,5-xylenol, acenaphthene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and o-xylene in biomass were 0.2512, 0.1586, 0.1240, 0.0942 and 0.0525 wt%, respectively. Liquid-liquid extraction and adsorbent treatment were able to remove 42% and 94% of the tars from biomass, respectivly. After hexane precipitation, all of the tars were perfectly removed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.439-456
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• 2021

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) has high morbidity and mortality and is a serious threat to public health. The flavonoid compound vitexin is known to exhibit anti-tumor activity. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of vitexin in GC and its underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: The viability, migration, and invasion of GC cells were determined using MTT, scratch wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. Target molecule expression was determined by western blotting. Tumor growth and liver metastasis were evaluated in vivo using nude mice. Protein expression in the tumor tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Vitexin inhibited GC cell viability, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a dose-dependent manner. Vitexin treatment led to the inactivation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway by repressing HMGB1 expression. Vitexin-mediated inhibition in proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of GC cells were counteracted by hyper-activation of PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α pathway or HMGB1 overexpression. Finally, vitexin inhibited the xenograft tumor growth and liver metastasis in vivo by suppressing HMGB1 expression. Conclusions: Vitexin inhibited the malignant progression of GC in vitro and in vivo by suppressing HMGB1-mediated activation of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway. Thus, vitexin may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of GC.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.849-860
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• 2015

The anti-cancer activities of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (GC), Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai (UGP) and arsenium sublimatum (SS) extracts, which have been used Oriental medicine therapy for various diseases, were investigated. The treatment of GC, UGP and SS alone, and combined treatment with GC, UGP and SS did not affect the cell viability in the mouse normal cell lines (RAW 264.7 macrophages and C2C12 myoblasts). However, co-treatment with GC, UGP and SS markedly induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer AGS cells, but not in other various cancer cell lines (human lung cancer A549, colon cancer HCT116, liver cancer Hep3B and bladder T24 cells) as evidenced by formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and accumulation of annexin-V positive cells. Co-treatment with GC, UGP and SS effectively induced the expression levels of Fas and Fas ligand, and inhibited the levels IAP family proteins such as XIAP, cIAP-1 and survivin, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL proteins compared with treatment with either agent alone. Combined treatment also significantly induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was associated with the activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9) and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, the cytotoxic effects induced by co-treatment with GC, UGP and SS were significantly attenuated by pan-caspases inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, indicating an important role for caspases. These results indicated that the caspases were key regulators of apoptosis in response to co-treatment of GC, UGP and SS in human gastric cancer AGS cells and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.653-664
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• 2018

The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) binds to adenosine-uridine AU-rich elements in the 3'-untranslated region of messenger RNAs and facilitates rapid degradation of the target mRNAs. Therefore, it regulates the expression of multiple cancer and immunity-associated transcripts. Furthermore, a lack of TTP in cancer cells influences cancer progression and predicts poor survival. Although the functions of TTP on cancer cells have previously been researched, the mechanism of TTP on the interaction between cancer cells with their micro-environment remains undiscovered. In this study, we admed to determine the role of cancer cell TTP during the interaction between tumor and immune cells, specifically regulatory T cells (Tregs). We evaluate the capability of TTP to modulate the antitumor immunity of GC and explored the underlying mechanism. The overexpression of TTP in GC cells dramatically increased peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocyte (PBML) -mediated cytotoxicity against GC cells. Increased cytotoxicity against TTP-overexpressed GC cells by PBMLs was determined by Treg development and infiltration. Surprisingly, we found the stabilization of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA was declining while TTP was elevated. The PD-L1 protein level was reduced in TTP-abundant GC cells. PD-L1 gas been found to play a pivotal role in Treg development and functional maintenance in immune system. Taken together, our results suggest the overexpression of TTP in GC cells not only affects cell survival and apoptosis but also increases PBMLs -mediated cytotoxicity against GC cells to decelerate tumor progression. Moreover, we identified PD-L1 as a critical TTP-regulated factor that contributes to inhibiting antitumor immunity.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2001

This experiment was designed to evaluate effects of nonspecific immunostimulator(NIS) Barodon-FX(equation omitted), anionic alkali mineral complex and far-infrared radiation solution on in vivo-produced mouse and in vitro-produced bovine embryos to blastocyst development. Proportion of mouse embryos developing into blastocyst was not greater in BSA- and Barodon-added medium than in BSA-control, but there was signifcantly different(P ＜ 0.05) in hatching and hatched blastocyst development between 0.25% Barodon-and PVP-contained medium(54.7%) than PVP-control(32.5%). BOEC and GC resulted in higher proliferation rate(24∼40% and 17∼22%, respectively) in 0.25∼0.5% Barodon-added medium than in controls, but proliferation of GC and CC greatly decreased in 1∼2% Barodon-added medium. Effect of Barodon on cell proliferation greatly varied among somatic cells. Proportion of early bovine embryos developing into morula and blastocyst was significantly greater(P ＜ 0.05) in 0.5% Barodon-added medium(50% and 63.6%) than in control(31.6% and 27.4%) under co-culture with BOEC and GC, but developmental rate was not different between other Barodon treatments and control. These data indicate that effect of Barodon on cell proliferation significantly varied between somatic cells and that addition of 0.5% Barodon in BOEC-coculture system may further improve blastocyst development in early bovine embryos.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2519-2522
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• 2012

Objective: Data from a recent genome-wide association studiesy of gastric cancer (GC) and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese living in the Taihang Mountains of north-central China suggest that 1q22 and 10q23 are susceptibility-associated regions for GC. However, this has not been confirmed in southern Chinese populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these polymorphisms at 1q22 and 10q23 are associated with the risk of GC in a southern Chinese population. Methods: We selected seven top significant associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 1q22 and 10q23 and conducted a population-based case-control study in a southern Chinese population. Genotypes were determined using MassARRAYTM system (Sequenome, San Diego, CA). Results: Two SNPs at 1q22, rs4072037 and rs4460629, were significantly associated with a reduced risk of GC, best fitting the dominant genetic model. Logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex showed that rs4072037 AG and GG (OR=0.64, P=0.017, compared with AA) and rs4460629 CT and TT (OR=0.54, P=0.0016, compared with TT) significantly reduced the risk of GC. However, no significant results for the five SNPs at 10q23 were obtained in this study. Conclusion: These outcomes indicate that 1q22 is associated with GC susceptibility in this southern Chinese population, while an association for the locus at 10q23 was not confirmed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.794-803
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• 2019

Ultraviolet light (UV)-induced cellular response has been studied by numerous investigators for many years. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new regulators of diverse cellular process; however, little is known about the role of lncRNAs in the cellular response to UV treatment. Here, we demonstrate that levels of lncRNA-HOTTIP significantly increases after UV stimulation and regulates the UV-mediated cellular response to UV through the coordinate activation of its neighboring gene Hoxa13 in GC-1 cells (spermatogonia germ cell line). UV-induced, G2/M-phase arrest and early apoptosis can be regulated by lncRNA-HOTTIP and Hoxa13. Furthermore, lncRNA-HOTTIP can up-regulate ${\gamma}-H_2AX$ and p53 expression via Hoxa13 in UV-irradiated GC-1 cells. In addition, p53 has the ability to regulate the expression of both lncRNA-HOTTIP and Hoxa13 in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide new data regarding the role lncRNAs play in the UV response in spermatogenic cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.893-902
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• 2020

Propolis is a resinous substance that is collected by Apis mellifera from plant sources and is used in traditional medicine. To study the phytochemical constituents and apoptotic potential of Jordanian propolis extract against different cancer cell lines, propolis was extracted using methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate and was fractionated using chromatographic methods. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT and LDH assays. The apoptotic potential was investigated using florescence microscopy, multicaspase assay, Annexin-V and dead cell assay, and cell cycle assay. The phytochemical constituents were analyzed using GC-MS. The methanol extract of propolis exhibited cytotoxic potential against all cell lines tested. The IC₅₀ values of the methanol extract were 47.4, 77.8, 91.2, and 145.0 ㎍/ml for HepG2, LoVo, MDAMB231, and MCF7 cell lines, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of the F1 fraction were 31.6 (MDAMB231), 38.9 (HepG2), 36.7 (LoVo) and 75.5 (MCF7) ㎍/ml. On further purification using thin-layer chromatography, the IC₅₀ values of the F1-3 fraction were found to be 84.31(HepG2), 79.2 (MCF7), 70.4 (LoVo), and 68.9 (MDAMB231) ㎍/ml, respectively. The anticancer potential of the F1 fraction was confirmed through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. The GC-MS analysis of the F1 fraction revealed the presence of 3-methyl-4-isopropylphenol (29.44%) as a major constituent. These findings indicate the potential of propolis extract as a cancer therapy. However, further investigation is required to assess the acute and subacute toxicity of the most active fraction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 1992

Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid (GC) derivatives have been clinically used in immune-malfunctional diseases for their immunosuppressive activity. However, there is still a lack of knowledge on the relationship between anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. In order to compare immunosuppressive activities with the known anti-inflammatory activities of the GC derivatives, eight clinically used GC derivatives including hydrocortisone, prednislone, 6$\alpha$-methyl prednisolone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, triamcinolone acetonide and fluocinolone acetonide were selected, and lymphoblastosis inhibition and plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in mice were studied as immunological parameters. In Con A-induced lymphoblatosis inhibition invitro, all derivatives showed potent inhibition $IC_{50}$ values of the derivaties except methyl prednisolone and triamcinolone were less than $10^{-7}$M and good dose dependency was obtained. This result was well correlated with that of their anti-inflammatory potencies obtained. This result was well correlated with that of their anti-inflammatory potencies and their receptor binding affinities. However, in PFC response, consistent result were not obtained. Total numbers of PFCs per spleen were decreased by some derivatives, but numbers of PFCs per $10^6$ cells were not decreased by systemic administration of but numbers of PFCs per $10^6$ cells were not decreased by systemic administration of GC at the dose of 0.05 mg/mouse. Furthermore, at the dose of 0.1 mg/mouse, numbers of PFCs per $10^6$ cells were found to be increased, although total PFCs per spleen were decreased.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 1987

This experiment was performed on mice to investigate the effects of an immunopotentiator, picibanil(PC), on the immune responses such as phagocytic activity of reticuloen-dothelial(RE) system, E rosette formation rate of splenic lmphocytes and morphological changes of lymph node tissue. Groups of mice were treated with a single(1KE/kg BW) or sequential(0.1, 0.25 and 0.5KE/kg BW for successive 3 days) intravenous injections of PC. PC treated and untreated control mice were sensitized with 50% sheep erythrocyte suspension(0.2ml/mouse) at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after PC treatment. Functional and morphological examinations were carried out 5 days after sensitization. The following results were obtained: The phagocytic activity of RE system and the weight of liver and spleen were increased significantly at 3rd, 5th and 7th day. The peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocyte and percent of lymphocyte and monocyte were slightly increased. The rates of E rosette formation of splenic lymphotytes, sequential PC treated groups were more increased at 3rd and 5th day in sequential PC treated groups than in single treated groups. Thereafter it returned gradually to the control level by the time of 10th day. Microscopically primary lymph follicles with indistinct germinal center (GC) were partially disrupted and the parafollicular areas were consisted of the pyroninophilic cells in control group. In PC treated group, the parafollicular areas were markedly proliferated and developments of secondary lymph follicles with enlarged and prominent GC were more pronounced in the sequential injected groups compared to single injected groups. These results indicate that PC affected not only parafollicular area of the T-cell area, but also GC of the B-cell area. It suggests that PC may potentiate both cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity.