• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.448-459
• /
• 2019

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway is a promising target for gastric cancer (GC) treatment; however the efficacy of PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors in GC has not yet been maximized. Additionally, the effect of autophagy regulation by PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors has not been clearly elucidated in GC treatment. We aimed to show that our newly developed PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, CMG002, when combined with an autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine (CQ), potently induces effective cancer cell death in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) cells, where both the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and autophagy pathways play important roles in disease pathogenesis. EBV- and mock-infected AGS and NUGC3 GC cell lines were treated with CMG002 +/- CQ. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway mediators, cellular apoptosis and autophagy markers were confirmed by Western blot assay. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. CMG002 effectively blocked the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by markedly decreasing phosphorylation of AKT and its downstream mediator S6. CMG002 induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and enhanced apoptotic cell death in AGS and NUGC3 cells, particularly EBV-infected cells compared with mock-infected cells, as confirmed by flow cytometric analyses and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assays. The combination of CMG002 plus CQ synergistically increased apoptotic cell death in EBV-infected GC cell lines when compared with CMG002 alone (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that the new PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, CMG002, when used in combination with the autophagy inhibitor, CQ, provides enhanced therapeutic efficacy against EBVaGC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.227-232
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the flavopiridol effect on radiation-induced apoptosis and expression of apoptosisrelated genes of human laryngeal and lung cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A human laryngeal cancer cell line, AMC-HN3 and a human lung cancer cell line, NCI-H460, were used in the study. The cells were divided into four groups according to the type of treatment: 1) control groups; 2) cells that were only irradiated; 3) cells treated only with flavopiridol; 4) cells treated with flavopiridol and radiation simultaneously. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy of X-rays using a 4 MV linear accelerator. Flavopiridol was administered to the media at a concentration of 100 nM for 24 hours. We compared the fraction of apoptotic cells of each group 24 hours after the initiation of treatment. The fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by measurement of the sub-G1 fractions from a flow cytometric analysis. The expression of apoptosis-regulating genes, including cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), p53, p21, cyclin D1, and phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The sub-G1 fraction of cells was significantly increased in the combination treatment group, as compared to cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Western blotting also showed an increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expression in cells of the combination treatment group, as compared with cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Treatment with flavopiridol down regulated cyclin 01 expression of both cell lines but its effect on p53 and p21 expression was different according to each individual cell line. Flavopiridol did not affect the expression of phophorylated Akt in both cell lines. Conclusion: Treatment with flavopiridol increased radiation-induced apoptosis of both the human laryngeal and lung cancer cell lines. Flavopiridol effects on p53 and p21 expression were different according to the individual cell line and it did not affect Akt activation of both cell lines.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2023

MRSA is Staphylococcus aureus resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, and is a worldwide infectious disease. Even with the discovery of new antibiotics, resistance develops rapidly, so new alternatives are needed. Jakyakgamcho-tang (JGT) is a combination of Jakyak and Gamcho, and has been mainly used as an antispasmodic and analgesic in oriental medicine. This study was conducted to find out whether there is an effect on MRSA in relation to the anti-inflammatory effect of JGT and the antibacterial effect of Jakyak and Gamcho found in previous studies. In this study, in order to investigate the antibacterial activity of JGT and the combined effect of existing antibiotics, after extracting JGT with 70% EtoH, the disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), drug combination effect (FICI), and time-kill analysis (Time-kill assay), metabolic inhibition, Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis were used to confirm the antibacterial activity mechanism of MRSA of JGT. As a result of the experiment, all of MRSA showed antibacterial activity in JGT's disc diffusion method, and the MIC was 250-1000 ㎍/mL. When existing antibiotics and JGT were combined with drugs, most had synergy or partial synergy. In addition, it was confirmed that the degree of bacterial growth was suppressed over time when simultaneous administration for 24 hours. JGT showed a synergistic effect when administered together with the ATPase-inhibitor DCCD, suggesting that it affected the inhibition of ATPase. As a result of observing the expression of PBP2a, and hla protein in the JGT-treated group and the untreated control group through wstern blot, it was confirmed that the protein expression of the JGT-treated group was significantly suppressed, and the expression levels of mecA, mecR1 and hla genes were also suppressed during JGT treatment. was observed by qRT-PCR. Combining the results of the experiment, it can be seen that JGT has antibacterial activity in MRSA, and when combined with existing antibiotics, the effect was increased compared to treatment with the drug alone. This suggests that JGT can be an alternative to treatment for antibiotic resistance of MRSA.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.247-257
• /
• 2020

Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy drugs remains a major challenge in clinical cancer treatment. Here we investigated whether and how ginsenoside Rg5 overcomes the MDR mediated by ABCB1 transporter in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cytotoxicity and colon formation as well as the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates were carried out in MDR cancer cells A2780/T and A549/T for evaluating the reversal effects of Rg5. The expressions of ABCB1 and Nrf2/AKT pathway were determined by Western blotting. An A549/T cell xenograft model was established to investigate the MDR reversal activity of Rg5 in vivo. Results: Rg5 significantly reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR by increasing the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates without altering protein expression of ABCB1. Moreover, Rg5 activated ABCB1 ATPase and reduced verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity, suggesting a high affinity of Rg5 to ABCB1 binding site which was further demonstrated by molecular docking analysis. In addition, co-treatment of Rg5 and docetaxel (TXT) suppressed the expression of Nrf2 and phosphorylation of AKT, indicating that sensitizing effect of Rg5 associated with AKT/Nrf2 pathway. In nude mice bearing A549/T tumor, Rg5 and TXT treatment significantly suppressed the growth of drug-resistant tumors without increase in toxicity when compared to TXT given alone at same dose. Conclusion: Therefore, combination therapy of Rg5 and chemotherapy drugs is a strategy for the adjuvant chemotherapy, which encourages further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.207-215
• /
• 2003

Purpose: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is part of the mitogen-activated protin kinase cascade, opposes initiation of the apoptotic cell death which is programmed by diverse cytotoxic stimuli. In this regard, the inhibition of ERK may be useful in improving the therapeutic efficacy of established anticancer agents. Materials and Methods: Murine hepatocarcinoma, HCa-I is known to be highly radioresistant with a TCD50 (radiation dose yield in $50\%$ cure) of more than 80 Gy. Various anticancer drugs have been found to enhance the radioresponse of this particular tumor but none were successful. The objective of this study was to explore whether the selective inhibition of MEK could potentiate the antitumor efficacy of radiation in vivo, particularly in the case on radioresistant tumor. C3H/HeJ mice hearing $7.5\~8\;mm$ HCa-I, were treated with PD98059(intratumoral injection of $0.16\;\mug/50\;\mul$). Results: Downregulation on ERK by PD98059 was most prominent 1h after the treatment. In the tumor growth delay assay, the drug was found to Increase the effect of the tumor radioresponse with an enhancement factor (EF) of 1.6 and 1.87. Combined treatment of 25 Gy radiation with PD98059 significantly increased radiation induced apoptosis. The peak apoptotic index (number on apoptotic nuclei in 1000 nuclei X100) was $1.2\%$ in the case of radiation treatment alone, $0.9\%$ in the case of drug treatment alone and $4.9\%,\;5.3\%$ in the combination treatment group. An analysis of apoptosis regulating molecules with Western blotting showed upregulation of p53, p$p21^{WAF1/CIP1}\;and\;Bcl-X_s$ in the combination treatment group as compared to their levels in either the radiation alone or drug alone treatment groups. The level of other molecules such as $Bcl-X_L4, Bax and Bcl-2 were changed to a lesser extent. Conclusion: The selective inhibition of MEK in combination with radiation therapy may have potential benefit in cancer treatment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2004

Purpose : To examine whether a synthetic bile acid derivatives (HS-1200) sensitizes the radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods : Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in exponential growth phase were treated with HS-1200 for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ with 5$\%$ CO$_{2}$ in air atmosphere. After removal of HS-1200, cells were irradiated with 2$\~$8 Gy X-ray, and then cultured Ii drug-free media for 24-96 hours. The effect of radiation on the clonogenicity of MCF-7 cells was determined with clonogenic cell survival assay with 16$\mu$M of HS-1200. The induction of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. The expression level of apoptosis-related molecules, such as PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, Bak and AIF, were assayed by Western blotting analysis with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation. To examine the cellular location of cytochrome c, bax and AIF immunofluorescent stainings were undertaken. Results : Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation showed several changes associated with enhanced apoptosis by agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation treatment also enhanced production of PARP cleavage products and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by Western blotting. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ($\Delta$$\psi$$_{m}$) and increased cytochrome c staining indicated that cytochrome c had been released from the mitochondria in HS-1200 treated cells. Conclusion : We demonstrated that combination treatment with a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative HS-1200 and irradiation enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). We suggest that the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio In HS-1200 co-treatment group underlies the increased radio sensitivity of MCF-7 cells. Further futures studies are remained elusive.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2017

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Sulfasalazine commonly used in IBD, possibly has various side effects after high dosage and long term intake. The present study aimed to investigate the sulfasalazine and combination with herbal medicine on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced in mice model. TNBS-induced mice were injected through a flexible catheter 4 cm in length 1.6 mg TNBS. Animals were divided into five groups (n=12): Normal group, TNBS control group, Sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg) group, Sulfasalazine (60 mg/kg) group, Sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg)+Cinnamomi cortex and Bupleuri radix mixture (30 mg/kg) (SCB) group. Administration groups were fed extract during 7 days. The inflammatory, and apoptotic protein levels were determined using western blotting. SCB treatment showed an outstanding effectiveness in counteracting the IBD, as assessed by reduction of body weight loss, down-regulation of pro-inflammatory proteins and cytokines, and by inhibition of proteins related to apoptosis. This is the first report that sulfasalazine and Cinnamomi cortex plus Bupleuri radix mixture improve the severity of experimental IBD through the inhibition of both inflammation and apoptosis. We confirm that the SCB treatment instead of sulfasalazine alone may be promising as an alternative therapeutic plan against IBD, without any evidence of adverse effects.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.10
• /
• pp.415-447
• /
• 1997

Obstetrics and Gynecology include gynecology which is concerned with the treatment for the disease based on physiology and pathology of women, and obstetrics which is concerned with pregnancy delivery. These obstetrics and gynecology can be said to da-te from the birth of human beings. This pap-er has carried on the studies about the deve-loping process of obstetrics and gynecology of Ming and Qing age. The results of this study are as follows: In Ming age, Many Obstetrics and Gynecology books including "Nukecuoyao"("女科撮要"), "Xiaozhufurenliangfang"("校注婦人良方"), "Wanshifurenke"("萬氏婦人科") and "Nukezhingzhizhunsheng"("女科證治准繩") were published Distinction in Ming age we-re equal development on theory and clinic t-aking a serious view of the differentiation of symptoms and signs, fashion of medicine th-ought of reactionism under the influence of "lixue"(理學). The refore Obstetrics and Gyn-ecology were influenced by these points. And for this example, as treatment contents on "Xiaozhufurenliangfang"("校注婦人良方") and the theory about "fetuse-energy"(胎氣) in "Furengui"("婦人規"), theoretic system with a view point's change of women's disease were established on Obstetrics and Gynecology. But it was restricted on a field of diagnosis under the influence of feudal "lixue"(理學), so the the number of obstetrics doc-tors who were mostly men at that time had fallen greatly and maternity who were short of expert medical knowledge appeared. In Qing age, an explosive increase in po-pulation called greater demand on medicine book and generation after generation extre-mely much Obstetrics and Gynecology books including "NukeChanhoubian"("女科産後編"), "Yetianshinuke"("葉天士女科"), and "Shenshinukejiyao"("沈氏女科輯要") were p-ublished, and it is studied that application of "eight extra-channel"(奇經八脈) theory and the study of drug attributive on extra-chan-nel were progressed. Besides, it is studied that existing traditional Obstetrics and Gyn-ecology changed newly under the influence of the school of combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine which was appeared in the late Qing age.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2022

The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of Lindera glauca (ELG). We found that ELG significantly suppressed NO production through decreased enzyme activity and expression of iNOS in the IFN-γ/LPS-activated murine peritoneal macrophages. The treatment of ELG also down-regulated the expression of COX-2. Our western blot data revealed that inhibitory effects of ELG on these pro-inflammatory mediators were attributed to inactivation of NF-κB. In addition, ELG-fed mice showed a marked decrease in paw edema induced by subplantar injection of trypsin, suggesting in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of ELG. We further investigated the anti-nociceptive properties of ELG using thermal and chemical nociception model. We found that ELG has a strong anti-nociceptive activities in both central and peripheral mechanism. An additional combination test with naloxone revealed that opioid receptor was not involved in the ELG-mediated anti-nociception. In conclusion, ELG may possibly be used as valuable anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and pains.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.298-304
• /
• 2013

Objectives : We examined mutual inhibitory effects of combined acupoints in arthritic pain induce by carrageenan(CA). Electroacupuncture(EA) is considered a potentially useful treatment for arthritis. Although the analgesic effect of acupuncture is well documented, little is understood about its biological basis. There are many previous studies of positive effect of combined acupoint, this study was conducted to see the mutual inhibitory effects produced by combined acupoint(ST36 and PC7) on arthritic rats. Methods : For the induction of inflammatory pain rat model, CA was injected into the knee joint cavity. There are four groups; EA was applied to bilateral PC7 acupoints(PC7 group), ST36 acupoints(ST36 group), and both PC7 and ST36 acupoints(ST36+PC7 group) except for the control group. The pain level were assessed to determine the change in weight bearing force. We also examined the COX-2 expression in dorsal horn using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Results : The ST36+PC7 group data showed the significant reduction of weight bearing force and the induction of COX-2 protein expression compared with the ST36 group. Conclusions : Simultaneous EA applied to the ST36 and PC7 acupoints reduced the analgesic effect of the ST36 group on knee inflammatory pain.