• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.767-774
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• 2011

Defatted green tea seed was extracted with 100% ethanol for 4 hr and then fractionated with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and butanol. The ethanol and butanol extracts showed greater increases in antiproliferation potential against liver cancer cells than petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, $H_2O$, and hot water extracts did. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the anti-proliferative actions of defatted green tea seed ethanol extract (DGTSE) in HepG2 cancer cells. The DGTSE contained catechins including EGC ($1039.1{\pm}15.2\;g/g$), tannic acid ($683.5{\pm}17.61\;{\mu}g/g$), EC ($62.4{\pm}5.00\;{\mu}g/g$), ECG ($24.4{\pm}7.81\;{\mu}g/g$), EGCG ($20.9{\pm}0.96\;{\mu}g/g$) and gallic acid ($2.4{\pm}0.68\;{\mu}g/g$), but caffeic acid was not detected when analyzed by HPLC. The anti-proliferation effect of DGTSE toward HepG2 cells was 83.13% when treated at $10\;{\mu}g$/mL, of DGTSE, offering an $IC_{50}$ of $6.58\;{\mu}g$/mL. DGTSE decreased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Quinone reductase and antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase activities were increased about 2.6 and 1.94-fold at a concentration of $20\;{\mu}g$/mL compared to a control group, respectively. Enhancement of phase II enzyme activity by DGTSE was shown to be mediated via interaction with ARE sequences in genes encoding the phase enzymes. DGTSE significantly (p<0.05) suppressed prostaglandin $E_2$ level, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) protein expressions, and NF${\kappa}$B translocation, but did not affected nitric oxide production. From the above results, it is concluded that DGTSE may ameliorate tumor and inflammatory reactions through the elevation of phase II enzyme activities and suppression of NF${\kappa}$B translocation and TNF-${\alpha}$ protein expressions, which support the cancer cell anti-proliferative effects of DGTSE in HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.441-449
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• 2015

Endlicheria anomala, a neotropical plant, is found in northern South America and the Amazon region. It is traditionally used to remove poisons and cure gangrene. According to recent data, this plant has diverse biological properties such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic properties. However, the anti-cancer effect of E. anomala and its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the anti-cancer effect and the active mechanism of methanol extract of E. anomala (MEEA) in human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and human liver cancer cells (HepG2). Our data revealed that MEEA showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis both in A549 and HepG2 cells. We verified evidences of apoptosis via formation of chromatin condensation, apoptotic body and accumulation of cells in the subG1 phase. Following observed apoptosis-related phenomena, we found that the induction of apoptosis by MEEA was associated with the increase of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) expression. Furthermore, MEEA-induced apoptosis was characterized with proteolytic activation of caspase-3, degradation of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression. Taken together, these findings indicate that MEEA may have potential cancer therapeutic utility in A549 and HepG2 cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.148-151
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• 2006

We have previously reported that 2.4 kb of L-plastin promoter (LP) could regulate the expression of adenoviral vector (AV) exogenous genes in a tumor cell specific manner. In the present study, we tested if the replication competent AdLPE1A vector results in a direct cytotoxic effect in hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) cells. In vitro cytotoxicity tests were carried out with replication-competent (AdLPE1A) and -incompetent (AdLPCD) LP-driven vectors. AdLPE1A is an AV in which LP was inserted 5' to the E1A and E1B genes. The AdLPCD vector contains LP and the E. coli cytosine deaminase (CD) gene in transcription unit. Exposure of cells to AdLPE1A generated a significant cytotoxic effect as compared to the control. Almost 90% of the cell had manifested the characteristic cytopatic effect on day 9 after infection of cells with 10 MOI of AdLPE1A. On the other hand, almost 35% of the cells were left when the cells had been treated with 100 MOI of AdLPCD together with 5-FC on day 9 when compared with the cells which had never been exposed neither 5-FC nor AdLPCD. These results showed that the replication competent AdLPE1A vector could kill the HepG2 cells directly by the oncolytic effect of the virus. The replication competent AV vector carrying viral E1A generated greater cytotoxic effect than the replication incompetent AV, which contains the CD prodrug activation transcription unit without E1A, in HepG2 cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.37.1-37.17
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein has been reported as a key protein regulating the pathogenesis of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent evidence has shown that HBx is implicated in the activation of autophagy in hepatic cells. Nevertheless, the precise molecular and cellular mechanism by which HBx induces autophagy is still controversial. Herein, we investigated the molecular and cellular mechanism by which HBx is involved in the TRAF6-BECN1-Bcl-2 signaling for the regulation of autophagy in response to TLR4 stimulation, therefore influencing the HCC progression. HBx interacts with BECN1 (Beclin 1) and inhibits the association of the BECN1-Bcl-2 complex, which is known to prevent the assembly of the pre-autophagosomal structure. Furthermore, HBx enhances the interaction between VPS34 and TRAF6-BECN1 complex, increases the ubiquitination of BECN1, and subsequently enhances autophagy induction in response to LPS stimulation. To verify the functional role of HBx in liver cancer progression, we utilized different HCC cell lines, HepG2, SK-Hep-1, and SNU-761. HBx-expressing HepG2 cells exhibited enhanced cell migration, invasion, and cell mobility in response to LPS stimulation compared to those of control HepG2 cells. These results were consistently observed in HBx-expressed SK-Hep-1 and HBx-expressed SNU-761 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HBx positively regulates the induction of autophagy through the inhibition of the BECN1-Bcl-2 complex and enhancement of the TRAF6-BECN1-VPS34 complex, leading to enhance liver cancer migration and invasion.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2006

The differential effects of various fatty acids such as n-3 and n-6 types or degrees of unsaturation on the CYP2E1 induction and the production of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were investigated. The CYP2E1-transduced human hepatoma HepG2 cells (E47) were cultured in RPMI 1640 media containing different concentrations of various fatty acids up to 48 h incubation compared to 04 cells and CYP2E1-null cells. Treated fatty acids were linoleic acid (LA:n-6, C18:2), arachidonic acid (AA:n-6, C20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA:n-3, C22:6). The cell survival rate was decreased corresponding to the degree of unsaturation (LA>AA $\cong$DHA) and to LPO production in E47 and 04 cells. The four or five unsaturation degree of fatty acids, AA and DHA, caused time- and dose-dependent cell death in E47 cells but not as much as in C34 (without CYP2E1), suggesting an important role of CYP2E1 in the DHA mediated damage. In the levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), AA also elevated LPO by 3- and 5- fold compared to DHA or LA treated E47 cells. However, AA did not increase LPO until 48 h incubation in C34 cells. In conclusion, the polyunsaturated fatty acids induced CYP2E1 induction might be changed by the elevated levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and oxidative stress through the connection of CYP2E1 and degrees of unsaturated fatty acids.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.92.1-92.12
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• 2021

Background: Naringin and its aglycone naringenin are citrus-derived flavonoids with several pharmacological effects. On the other hand, the mechanism for the anti-diabetic effects of naringenin and naringin are controversial and remain to be clarified further. Objective: This study examined the relationship between glucose uptake and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation by naringenin and naringin in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: Glucose uptake was measured using the 2-NBDG fluorescent D-glucose analog. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK and GSK3β (Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta) were observed by Western blotting. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of naringenin and naringin to the γ-subunit of AMPK. Results: The treatment with naringenin and naringin stimulated glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Both flavonoids increased glucose uptake by promoting the phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 and increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β. Molecular docking analysis showed that both naringenin and naringin bind to the γ-subunit of AMPK with high binding affinities. In particular, naringin showed higher binding affinity than the true modulator, AMP with all three CBS domains (CBS1, 3, and 4) in the γ-subunit of AMPK. Therefore, both naringenin and naringin could be positive modulators of AMPK activation, which enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Conclusions: The increased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 by naringenin and naringin might enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose treated HepG2 cells.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.175-181
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• 2015

Cells proliferate via repeating process that growth and division. This process is G1, S, G2 and M four phases consists. Monitoring the progression of the cell cycle is a specific step that to be a continuous process is repeated to adjust the start of the next step. At this time, this process is called a Checkpoint. Currently, there are three known checkpoints that G1-S phase, G2-M phase, and the M phase. In this study, we confirmed that cell cycle arrest effects by ethanol extracts of Artemisia annua Linne (AAE) in Hep3B liver cancer cells. AAE was regulated proteins which involved in cell cycle such as pAkt, pMDM2, p53, p21, pCDK2 (T14/Y15). AAE induced cell cycle arrest in G1 checkpoint through phosphorylation of CDK2. Akt and p53 upstream is inhibited by AAE and p53 activated by non-activated pMDM2, p53 inhibitor. Thereby, activated p53 is transcript to p21 and activated p21 protein is combined with Cyclin E-pCDK2 complex. Therefore, we confirmed that AAE-induced cell cycle arrest was occurred by p21-Cyclin E-pCDK2 complex by inhibition of pAkt signal. Because of this cell cycle can't pass to S phase from G1 phase.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.373-384
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• 2020

Paeonol, quercetin, β-sitosterol, and gallic acid extracted from Moutan Cortex had been reported to possess anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activities. This work aimed to illustrate the potential anti-oxidative mechanism of monomers in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells-induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and to evaluate whether the hepatoprotective effect of monomers was independence or synergy in mice stimulated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Monomers protected against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells in a dose-response manner by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species, increasing total antioxidant capacity, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and activating the antioxidative pathway of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Nrf2/Keap1) signaling pathway. We found that the in vitro antioxidant capacities of paeonol and quercetin were better than those of β-sitosterol and gallic acid. Furthermore, paeonol apparently diminished the levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, augmented the contents of glutathione and SOD, promoted the expressions of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 proteins in mice stimulated by CCl₄. In HepG2 cells, paeonol, quercetin, β-sitosterol, and gallic acid play a defensive role against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress through activating Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, indicating that these monomers have anti-oxidative properties. Totally, paeonol and quercetin exerted anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects, which is independent rather than synergy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1391-1397
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• 2016

We investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extract (AK) in HepG2-overexpressing cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and C57BL/6J mice. In HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1, cell viability and catalase activity in the ethanol-AK co-treated group significantly increased compared to those in the ethanol-treated group. In the in vivo study with C57BL/6J mice, the AK-supplemented group with ethanol liquid diet showed significantly reduced hepatic markers, including serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase, compared to the ethanol group without AK supplementation. AK supplementation (20 mg/kg BW/d) also significantly attenuated reactive oxygen species generation and malondialdehyde level. Notably, a low dose of AK supplementation (20 mg/kg BW/d) suppressed expression of hepatic CYP2E1 and inhibited CYP2E1 enzyme activity. These data indicate that a low dose of AK supplementation could restrain alcohol-induced hepatic damage mediated by CYP2E1.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2008

The present study represents the screening of the protective effects of herbal methanolic extracts from Baekdu mountain against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Tacrine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, administration of tacrine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease results in a reversible hepatotoxicity in 30-50% of patients, consequently limiting clinical use. Therefore, studies for natural products with protective effect on the tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity would be valuable as providing potential therapeutic use. 109 plant sources were collected in Baekdu mountain, and extracted with methanol. These extracts had been screened the protective effects against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells at the 100 and 300 ${\mu}g/ml$. Of these, ten methanolic extracts, roots of Ampelosis japonica, aerial parts of Berberis amurensis, aerial parts of Sedum aizoon, aerial parts of Lespedeza tomentosa, aerial parts of Lespedeza juncea, aerial parts of Hypenricum ascyron, stem barks of Syringa reticulata, fruits of Gleditsia japonica, aerial parts of Chamaenerion angustifolium, branches of Ginkgo biloba, showed significant protective effects against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells.