• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.418-425
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• 2022

Background: Sorafenib is effective in treating hepatoma, but most patients develop resistance to it. STAT3 signaling has been implicated in sorafenib resistance. Artesunate (ART) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have anti-hepatoma effects and can inhibit STAT3 signaling in cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rg3 in combination with ART (Rg3-plus-ART) in overcoming sorafenib resistance, and to examine the involvement of STAT3 signaling in these effects. Methods: Sorafenib-resistant HepG2 cells (HepG2-SR) were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. A HepG2-SR hepatoma-bearing BALB/c-nu/nu mouse model was used to assess the in vivo anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Immunoblotting was employed to examine protein levels. ROS generation was examined by measuring DCF-DA fluorescence. Results: Rg3-plus-ART synergistically reduced viability of, and evoked apoptosis in HepG2-SR cells, and suppressed HepG2-SR tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rg3-plus-ART inhibited activation/phosphorylation of Src and STAT3 in HepG2-SR cultures and tumors. The combination also decreased the STAT3 nuclear level and induced ROS production in HepG2-SR cultures. Furthermore, overactivation of STAT3 or removal of ROS diminished the anti-proliferative effects of Rg3-plus-ART, and removal of ROS diminished Rg3-plus-ART's inhibitory effects on STAT3 activation in HepG2-SR cells. Conclusions: Rg3-plus-ART overcomes sorafenib resistance in experimental models, and inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling and modulation of ROS/STAT3 signaling contribute to the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a pharmacological basis for developing Rg3-plus-ART into a novel modality for treating sorafenib-resistant hepatoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1745-1749
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• 2014

Background: Platycodin D (PD), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Platycodonis radix, possesses anti-cancer effects in several cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate its anticancer activities in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: MTT and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, along with flow cytometry and Western blotting for apoptosis. Cell adhesion was tested by observing cellular morphology under a microscope, while the transwell assay was employed to investigate the cell migration and invasion. Results: PD concentration-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in both HepG2 and Hep3B cells, and significantly suppressed colony formation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The protein levels of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and Bax were up-regulated while that of survivin was down-regulated after treatment with PD. Moreover, PD not only obviously suppressed the adhesion of HepG2 cells to Matrigel, but also remarkably depressed their migration and invasion induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Conclusions: PD presents anti-cancer potential in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting cell adhesion, migration and invasion, indicating promising features as a lead compound for anti-cancer agent development.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.94-104
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• 2024

β-Lapachone is a natural quinone compound originally obtained from the bark of the lapacho tree (Tabebuia vellanedae), which has been used in traditional medicine in several South and Central American countries for treating various diseases. Although β-lapachone has been reported to have potent anticancer activity in many types of cancer cells, its effect on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of β-lapachone on the proliferation of human HCC Hep3B cells. According to our results, the decrease in cell viability of Hep3B cells caused by β-lapachone was closely related to the induction of apoptosis, which was confirmed through changes in nuclear morphology and flow cytometry. In addition, in Hep3B cells treated with β-lapachone, the expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic factor, was decreased, while the expression of Bax, an apoptosis inducer, was increased, and the activity of the caspase cascade was also increased. However, in the presence of a pan-caspase inhibitor, β-lapachone-induced apoptosis was weakened, indicating that the induction of apoptosis by β-lapachone was caspase-dependent. Moreover, β-lapachone treatment activated extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling while inhibiting activation of the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Furthermore, the effect of the ERK inhibitor on suppressing the induction of apoptosis by β-lapachone was minimal, and the PI3K inhibitor significantly increased β-lapachone-induced apoptosis. The findings from this study will contribute to a better understanding of the anticancer activity of β-lapachone in HCC cells.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2012

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate ssrA expression resulting from adaptation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to oral pathogens through signal exchange. Materials and Methods: Human cell lines Hep2 and HT29, wild-type E. coli (WT K-12), ssrA knock-out E. coli (${\Delta}K$-12), and Scleropages aureus (S. aureus) were used. A single culture consisting of Hep2, HT29, WT K-12, and ${\Delta}K$-12, and mixed cultures consisting of Hep2 and WT K-12, Hep2 and ${\Delta}K$-12, WT K-12 and S. aureus, ${\Delta}K$-12 and S. aureus, and Hep2, WT K-12, and S. aureus were prepared. For HT29, a mixed culture was prepared with WT K-12 and with WT K-12 and S. aureus. Total RNA was extracted from each culture with the resulting expression of ssrA, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$), and p53 was evaluated by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The expression of ssrA in a single culture of WT K-12 was lower than that observed in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with S. aureus. Greater ssrA expression was observed in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2 than in the single culture of WT K-12. The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ was higher in the mixed culture of Hep2 with ${\Delta}K$-12 than that in the mixed culture of Hep2 with WT K-12, and was lowest in the single culture of Hep2. The expression of ssrA was higher in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2 and S. aureus than in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2. Conclusion: These results suggest that ssrA plays an important role in the mechanism of E. coli adaptation to a new environment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2009

We have previously reported that N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) induces apoptosis through activation of $K^+$, $Cl^-$-cotransport (KCC) in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells. In this study we investigated the possible role of phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$)-arachidonic acid (AA) signals in the mechanism of the NEM-induced apoptosis. In these experiments we used arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone ($AACOCF_3$), bromoenol lactone (BEL) and p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) as inhibitors of the calcium-dependent cytosolic $PLA_2$ ($cPLA_2$), the calcium-independent $PLA_2$ ($iPLA_2$) and the secretory $PLA_2$ ($sPLA_2$), respectively. BEL significantly inhibited the NEM-induced apoptosis, whereas $AACOCF_3$ and BPB did not. NEM increased AA liberation in a dose-dependent manner, which was markedly prevented only by BEL. In addition AA by itself induced $K^+$ efflux, a hallmark of KCC activation, which was comparable to that of NEM. The NEM-induced apoptosis was not significantly altered by treatment with indomethacin (Indo) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX), respectively. Treatment with AA or 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), a non-metabolizable analogue of AA, significantly induced apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that AA liberated through activation of $iPLA_2$ may mediate the NEMinduced apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2005

For decades, the demand for new antiviral strategies, especially in hepatitis, has increased markedly due to its devastating pathogenic outcome, In the present study, we examin ed the antiviral effect of the combination of amantadine and biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) in HepG2 2.2.15, which is transfected with HBV DNA. The study demonstrated that the combination not the single treatment may have an anti-HBV effect through a synergism of antiviral, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities in STAT1 ${\alpha}$, 6-16 gene, and pro-inflammatory components such as nitric oxide and IL-1${\beta}$ expression. In addition, hepatitis B surface and core gene expression were examined as a final end point for the anti-HBV activities, which was also significantly suppressed comparing to normal control (p<0.01).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.187-191
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• 2002

Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen, has previously been shown to induce apoptosis in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells through activation of the pathways independent of estrogen receptors, i.e., intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the mechanism of tamoxifen to link increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ to ROS generation is currently unknown. Thus, in this study we investigated the possible involvement of calmodulin, a $Ca^{2+}$ activated protein, and $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the above tamoxifen-induced events. Treatment with calmodulin antagonists (calmidazolium and trifluoroperazine) or specific inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (KN-93 and KN-62) inhibited the tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, these agents blocked the tamoxifen-induced ROS generation in a concentration-dependent fashion, which was completely suppressed by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelation. These results demonstrate for the first time that, despite of its well-known direct calmodulin-inhibitory activity, tamoxifen may generate ROS and induce apoptosis through indirect activation of calmodulin and $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in HepG2 cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2005

The effect of capsaicin on apoptotic cell death was investigated in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Capsaicin induced apoptosis in time- and dose-dependent manners. Capsaicin induced a rapid and sustained increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration, and BAPTA, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced apoptosis. The capsaicin-induced increase in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and apoptosis were not significantly affected by the extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelation with EGTA, whereas blockers of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release (dantrolene) and phospholipase C inhibitors, U-73122 and manoalide, profoundly reduced the capsaicin effects. Interestingly, treatment with the vanilloid receptor antagonist, capsazepine, did not inhibit either the increased capsaicin-induced $Ca^{2+}$ or apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in the HepG2 cells may result from the activation of a PLC-dependent intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release pathway, and it is further suggested that capsaicin may be valuable for the therapeutic intervention of human hepatomas.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.333-340
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• 2005

Background: Cancer reseach is done in earnest world-wide, because cancer is one of most threatening diseases to humans. Orostachyos Herba is a widely used herb that has long been in use in Korea as an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapy. The purpose of this study is to verify any anti-cancer effects on stomach and liver cancer in vitro. Materials & Methods: AGS and KATO III stomach cancer cells and Hep3B and HepG2 liver cancer cells, all obtained from Korean Cell Line Bank, were used. The boiled extract of Orostachyos Herba(20 and 40 microliters) were injected into cultures and observed at 0 hours, and at 24-hour intervals up to 96 hours. The destruction of stomach and liver cancer cells was measured through Trypan blue exclusion testing. The suppression on viability of stomach and liver cancer cells was observed, and anti-cancer mechanisms was examined by analyzing the cell cycle. Results: In morphologic change, AGS, KATO III, HepG2 and Hep3B showed some of the withdrawn and floating appearance that is typical in cellular imparment. AGS, KATO III, HepG2 and Hep3B showed more destruction of stomach cancer cells in each test group than in the control group to a statistically significant degree. Analysis of the cell cycle after introduction of Orostachyos Herba showed very little inhibition of divisions of all cell lines. Conclusions: This experiment suggests that Orostachyos Herba has some anti-tumor effects on stomach and liver cancer cells. Progressive research on Orostachyos Herba and it's anti-tumor effects will be needed to determine its practicability as a cancer treatment.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.120-127
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• 2009

In this study, Pip(Pip) and shell powder(Cortex) extracts, and juice concentrates(Juice-1 and Juice-2) of Pomegranate were screened for their growth inhibition on HepG-2 cells and antioxidant activities on DPPH radical-scavenging activity. All samples with higher concentrations showed the growth inhibition against HepG-2 cells. The growth inhibitions against HepG-2 liver cancer cells at 2,500 ppm were in order of Juice-2(43%), Pip(42%), Cortex(38%) and Juice-1(29%). DPPH radical-scavenging activities were higher with the concentrations of the samples increased. The activities of antioxidant BHT, Pip, Cortex, Juice-1, and Juice-2 at 12.5 ppm were 29.9, 16.2, 60.8, 12.6, and 15.1% respectively and those at 25, 50, 100, and 200 ppm were in order of Cortex(81.9$\sim$85.3%), Pip(33.4$\sim$83.0%), BHT(31.3$\sim$47.8%), Juice-2(15.4$\sim$36.8%) and Juice-1(13.4$\sim$36.1%).