• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.963-967
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• 2014

Previous studies have suggested anti-tumor effects of asiatic acid in some human cancer cell lines. This agent is reported to increase the levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in human breast cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanisms have not been established. Here we report that asiatic acid up-regulates $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein expression but not the level of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ mRNA in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we found that the asiatic acid induced increase of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein was associated with decreased phosphorylation (ser-146) of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$. Knockdown of NDR1/2 kinase, which directly phosphorylates $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein at ser-146 and enhances its proteasomal degradation, increased the levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein and eliminated the regulation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ stability by asiatic acid. At the same time, the expression of NDR1/2 kinase decreased during treatment with asiatic acid in HepG2 cells. Moreover, asiatic acid inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, this being attenuated by knockdown of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$. In conclusion, we propose that asiatic acid inhibits the expression NDR1/2 kinase and promotes the stability of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein through attenuating NDR1/2 dependent phosphorylation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in HepG2 cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권12호
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• pp.1002-1014
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• 2023

다양한 질병의 발병 및 진행을 예방하기 위해 오랫동안 사용되어 온 대계는 항산화 활성을 포함하여 광범위한 생리 활성을 갖는 것으로 보고되었으나, 간세포에서의 효능에 대한 연구는 여전히 미비한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 간세포에서 대계 에탄올 추출물(EECJ)의 항산화 활성 및 관련 기전을 조사하기 위해 인간 간세포암종 HepG2 세포주를 선택하였고, 산화적 스트레스를 모방하기 위해 H₂O₂를 처리하였다. 본 연구 결과에 따르면 EECJ는 H₂O₂가 처리된 HepG2 세포에서 세포 생존율의 감소와 LDH의 방출을 유의적으로 억제하였다. EECJ는 또한 세포 형태학적 변화의 관찰, 유세포 분석 및 LC3의 발현 결과에서 입증된 바와 같이 H₂O₂에 의해 유도된 자가포식을 유의하게 감소시켰으며, H₂O₂에 의해 유도된 세포사멸과 세포주기의 교란을 약화시켰다. 이는 H₂O₂에 노출된 HepG2 세포가 EECJ에 의하여 지속적인 세포 분열과 증식이 유지되고 있음을 의미한다. 또한, EECJ가 강력한 항산화 활성을 가지고 있음을 세포 내 ROS 및 미토콘드리아 슈퍼옥사이드 생산의 차단으로 확인하였으며, 이는 H₂O₂에 의해 감소된 세포 내 GSH 함량의 회복과 MnSOD 및 GPx의 발현 및 활성을 보존과 연관성이 있었다. 비록 EECJ에 함유된 활성 성분의 분석과 in vivo 동물 모델에서의 검증이 요구되지만, 본 연구의 결과는 EECJ가 산화적 스트레스로 인한 간세포의 손상을 예방하고 치료하기 위한 잠재적인 후보로 사용될 수 있음을 의미한다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.488-497
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• 2011

Oxygen is necessary to sustain life, yet cellular oxygen metabolism creates destructive elements called free radicals. Free radicals are chemically unbalanced and carrying free electrons that can damage molecules, potentially damaging the cell itself. For this reason, many antioxidant products, including supplements and functional foods, are being developed. In particular, natural products are rich sources of pharmacologically active compounds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of target biomaterials in Korean traditional spices such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), capsaicin (CAP), and gingerol (GGR), and to investigate the response of the antioxidant defense system to oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) compared to sulforaphane (SFN) in HepG2 cells. After the analysis of the cell viability using Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, we determined that the optimum levels were $200{\mu}M$ DAS, $25{\mu}M$ CAP, $50{\mu}M$ GGR, and $12.5{\mu}M$ SFN. Antioxidant enzymes were measured and protein expression was detected by Western blotting. All treatments showed a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity such as superoxide dismutase, catalse, and glutathione peroxidase in HepG2 cells. Additionally, DAS, CAP, GGR and SFN increased the antioxidant system-related transcription factor Nrf2 which was found to be regulated by the activation of MAPK-JNK in this study. In conclusion, these results indicate the protective effects of DAS CAP, GGR, and SFN against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권12호
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• pp.4919-4923
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the effect of celecoxib on telomerase activity and apoptosis in a human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line (Hep-2 cells). Materials and Methods: The growth inhibition rate of Hep-2 cells in vitro was measured by MTT assay, and apoptosis by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry (FCM). The TRAP-ELISA method was used to determine telomerase activity in Hep-2 cells. The mRNA expression of human telomerase RNA component(hTR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and human telomerase-associated protein(hTEP1) was determined by RT-PCR assay. Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was assessed by Western blotting. Results: Celecoxib can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, repress telomerase activity, decrease hTERT mRNA and Bcl-2 protein expression and increase Bax protein expression, PGE2 had no effect on telomerase. Conclusions: Celecoxib had the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect in Hep-2 cells. Apoptosis was accompanied by a decrease in telomerase activity which was directly correlated with hTERT mRNA and up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2. Bcl-2 may thus play an important role in telomerase activity as well as apoptosis.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.170-175
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• 2018

Background: Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common liver tumor and the main cause of cancer-related death. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib and GNF5 which were developed to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia, regulate the progression of various cancers. The aim of this study was to confirm the anti-tumor activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors through regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), an important oncogenic factor in various cancer cells, in human hepatocarcinoma SK-HEP1 cells. Methods: Cell viability and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of imatinib, GNF5 and GNF2 on the growth of SK-HEP1 cells. Using immunoblot analysis, we assessed change of the activation of caspases, PARP, Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Skp2/p27/p21 pathway by imatinib and GNF5 in SK-HEP1 cells. Using sh-Skp2 HCC cells, the role of Skp2 in the effects of imatinib and GNF5 was evaluated. Results: Imatinib and GNF5 significantly inhibited the growth of SK-HEP1 cells. Treatment of imatinib and GNF5 decreased Skp2 expression and Akt phosphorylation, and increased the expression of p27, p21, and active-caspases in SK-HEP1 cells. In sh-Skp2 HCC cells, cell growth and the expression of Skp2 were inhibited by more than in the mock group treated with imatinib and GNF5. Conclusions: These results suggest that the anti-growth activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be associated with the regulation of p27/p21 and caspases through Skp2 blockage in HCC cells.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Background: Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are a group of chemical substances used in building materials and plastic products to suppress or mitigate the combustion of materials. Although OPFRs are generally used in mixed form, information on their mixture toxicity is quite scarce. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the toxicity and determine the types of interaction (e.g., synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effect) of OPFRs mixtures. Methods: Nine organophosphorus flame retardants, including TEHP (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate) and TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate), were selected based on indoor dust measurement data in South Korea. Nine OPFRs were exposed to the luminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri for 30 minutes and the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 for 48 hours. Chemicals with significant toxicity were only used for mixture toxicity tests in HepG2. In addition, the observed EC_x values were compared with the predicted toxicity values in the CA (concentration addition) prediction model, and the MDR (model deviation ratio) was calculated to determine the type of interaction. Results: Only four chemicals showed significant toxicity in the luminescent bacteria assays. However, EC₅₀ values were derived for seven out of nine OPFRs in the HepG2 assays. In the HepG2 assays, the highest to lowest EC₅₀ were in the order of the molecular weight of the target chemicals. In the further mixture tests, most binary mixtures show additive interactions except for the two combinations that have TPhP (triphenyl phosphate), i.e., TPhP and TDCPP, and TPhP and TBOEP (tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate). Conclusions: Our data shows OPFR mixtures usually have additivity; however, more research is needed to find out the reason for the synergistic effect of TPhP. Also, the mixture experimental dataset can be used as a training and validation set for developing the mixture toxicity prediction model as a further step.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1376-1380
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• 2005

In this study, ethanolic extracts from 18 seaweed variants were assessed for hepatoprotective activity against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells. Only one of these, Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura (Laminariaceae), a member of the brown algae, exhibited promising hepatoprotective activity. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the active ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction obtained from the ethanolic extract of E. stolonifera, resulted in the isolation of several phlorotannins [phloroglucinol (1), eckstolonol (2), eckol (3), phlorofucofuroeckol A (4), and dieckol (5)]. Compounds 2 and 4 were determined to protect Hep G2 cells against the cytotoxic effects of tacrine, with $EC_{50}$ values of 62.0 and 79.2 $\mu$g/mL, respectively. Silybin, a well characterized hepatoprotective agent, was used as a positive control, and exhibited an $EC_{50}$ value of 50.0 $\mu$g/mL. It has been suggested that the phlorotannins derived from marine brown algae might prove useful sources in the development of novel hepatoprotective agents.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.139-145
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidant effect of Cynomorium songaricum. The extract of Cynomorii Herba was studied for diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, HepG2 cell viability and $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity by a modified MTT assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity was measured after 30 minutes. The extract was tested by 1. 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentrations. HepG2 cell viability by a modified MTT assay was measured in the concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 ug/ml for 24 h. The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical up to 52.2% with 50 ug/ml concentration. The extract did not reduced the cell viability and $H_2O_2-induced$ cytotoxicity (69.4%) was blocked by the extract in the concentrations of 50, 100, 250 and 500 ${\mu}g/ml$. In conclusion, the extract of Cynomorii Herba has potent antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.236-245
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• 2018

Ingredients of soy and fermented soy products have been widely utilized as food supplements for health-enhancing properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented soymilk (FSM) and soymilk (SM) on free fatty acid-induced lipogenesis in the hepatocellular steatosis model. HepG2 cells were incubated with palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h to induce lipogenesis and accumulation of intracellular lipid contents. The PA-treated cells were co-incubated with FSM, SM, genistein, and estrogen, respectively. Lipid accumulation in the PA-treated HpG2 cells was significantly decreased by co-incubation with FSM. Treatment of HepG2 cells with PA combined with genistein or estrogen significantly increased the expression of SREBP-1. However, FSM co-incubation significantly attenuated SREBP-1 expression in the PA-treated HepG2 cells; in addition, expression of NRF-2 and phosphorylation of ERK were significantly increased in the PA and FSM co-incubated cells. PA-induced ROS production was significantly reduced by FSM and SM. Our results suggested that the bioactive components of FSM could protect hepatocytes against the lipid accumulation and ROS production induced by free fatty acids. These effects may be mediated by the inhibition of SREBP-1 and the activation of NRF-2 via the ERK pathway in HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제67권
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• pp.244-254
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• 2018

Surface modified poly ${\text\tiny{L}}$-lactic acid (PLLA) samples with hydroxyapatite (HA), heparin and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) mediated by polydopamine (pDA) coating (PLLA/pDA/HA/Hep/BMP-2) were prepared, and their effects on the enhancements of bone formation and osseointegration were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as compared to PLLA, PLLA/pDA/HA, and PLLA/pDA/Hep/BMP-2. The changes in surface chemical compositions, morphologies and wettabilities were observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and water contact angle measurements. Pre-coating of HA particles with pDA provided uniform and homogeneous anchoring of particles to PLLA surface. In addition, the strong ionic interaction between heparin and pDA led PLLA surface readily heparinized for loading of BMP-2. In vitro experiments revealed that the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and osteocalcin (OCN) gene expression were higher in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell lines grown on PLLA/pDA/HA/Hep/BMP-2 than on control PLLA, PLLA/pDA/HA, and PLLA/pDA/Hep/BMP-2. In vivo studies using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) also showed that PLLA/pDA/HA/Hep/BMP-2 screw exhibited greatest value of bone volume (BV) and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) among samples. Histological evaluations with H&E and Von Kossa staining demonstrated that a combination of HA and BMP-2 contributed to the strong osseointegration.