• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2014

A5E is complex of several medicinal herb ethanol extracts. The aim of this study is investigating the anticancer effect for non-small cell lung cancer. The antitumor effects of A5E on NCI-H460 were examined by regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$), and apoptosis-related protein. Cell proliferation was measured by MTS assay. Apoptosis induced by A5E was confirmed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining, and cell cycle arrest was measured by PI staining. NF-${\kappa}B$ translocation was detected by immunofluorescence and MMP (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$) was measured by JC-1 staining. The expression of extrinsic pathway molecules such as FasL and FADD were elevated, and procaspase-8 was processed by A5E. In addition, intrinsic pathway related molecules were altered. The Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl levels decreased, Bax increased, and cytochrome C was released. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential collapsed, and caspase-3 and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase were processed by A5E. Moreover, A5E affected the cellular survival pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and NF-${\kappa}B$. PI3K and Akt were downregulated, also NF-${\kappa}B$ expression was decreased, and nuclear translocalization was inhibited by A5E. These results suggested that A5E delays proliferation, inhibit cell cycle progression and induce apoptosis in human lung cancer cell. We conclude that A5E is a potential anticancer agent for human lung carcinoma.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2021

Objective : Citrus unshiu peel (Citri Unshius Pericarpium) has been prescribed to suppress coughing and phlegm in Korean medicine. In this study, the effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) on apoptosis was investigated using cadmium chloride (CdCl2) treated HepG2 cells. Methods : CEE was prepared by extracting 300 g of Citri Unshius Pericarpium in 3 L of ethanol for 72 h. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was monitored using the membrane-permeable fluorescent dye Rh123. The expression level of each protein was monitored by Western blot analysis. Results : CEE protected HepG2 cells from apoptosis as determined by the TUNEL assay. A decrease in MMP was observed in cells exposed to cadmium, indicating that mitochondria are involved in the induction of apoptosis. However, CEE recovered the reduction in MMP caused by cadmium. In addition, decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), procaspase, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by cadmium was increased by CEE. The anti-apoptotic effect of CEE was found to be associated with inhibition of JNK and p38 phosphorylation when examining the expression of phosphorylated MAPK by Western blot. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted anti-apoptotic effects in cadmium-induced HepG2 cells by inhibiting the reduction of MMP and changes in the expression level of apoptotic proteins. These results suggest the potential for CEE to be used for heavy metal-induced liver damage.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2021

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), which is a curcuminoid found in turmeric, has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of DMC on osteosarcoma has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DMC on cell growth and apoptosis induction in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. This study was investigated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromid assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and immunoblotting in MG-63 cells. DMC induced MG-63 cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 54.4 µM. DMC treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in MG-63 cells. DMC-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting results showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while Bax and Bad were upregulated by DMC in MG-63 cells. These results indicated that DMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells via the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

Humulus japonicus (HJ) is a widely used herbal medicine for pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, leprosy, and venomous wounds in Asia, particularly in China. Although HJ has certain physiological activities, such as longitudinal bone growth, antioxidation and alleviation of rheumatism, its anticancer activities, other than in colorectal and ovarian cancer, are yet to be studied. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity and mechanism of methanol extracts of HJ (MeHJ) against human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. MeHJ suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), which was demonstrated using the MTT and Live & Dead assays. Furthermore, MeHJ effectively inhibited colony formation of FaDu cells, even at non-cytotoxic concentrations, and significantly induced apoptosis through the proteolytic cleavage of caspase-9, -3, -7, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and through the downregulation of BCL-2 and upregulation of BAX in FaDu cells, as determined by DAPI staining, flow cytometry, and western blot analyses. Collectively, these findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of MeHJ on the growth and colony formation of oral cancer cells may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, MeHJ has the potential to be used as a natural chemotherapeutic drug against human oral cancer.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.41-48
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• 2022

Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.77-86
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• 2009

Objectives : The proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) in response to activation by various stimuli plays a critical role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. This study was conducted to examine the effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves (NNL) on the proliferation and migration of HASMC. Additionally, the mechanisms involved in any observed effects were also evaluated. Methods : Apoptotic cells were measured by staining with FITC-labeled annexin V, followed by flow cytometric analysis. The expression level of apoptosis related proteins was confirmed by western blot. And MMP-9 activity was measured by gelatin zymography and MMP-9 expression was measured by ELISA Results : NNL completely inhibited the proliferation of HASMC via induction of the expression of apoptotic proteins including annexin V, cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and caspase-3 and -8. NNL treatment resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, a decrease in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and an increase in Bax expression. NNL also blocked HASMC migration via suppression of MMP-9. Conclusions : Taken together, these results indicate that NNL has the potential for use as an anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.321-329
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• 2023

Anaplastic thyroid cancer has the highest mortality rate of all thyroid cancers and shows low responsiveness to most treatments. Hongyoung, a reddish-colored potato, is an excellent source of dietary polyphenol containing a large amount of anthocyanins, which has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the effects of Hongyoung extract on apoptosis and invasiveness in SNU-80 anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. The quantification of the total polyphenol content was done by spectrophotometric measurement. Cell growth was measured by using 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl) 2H tetrazolium, monosodium salt (MTS) assay. Cell cycle was analyzed through FACS analysis. Induction of apoptosis in cells was investigated by annexin V staining using flow cytometer and the expression of caspase-3 and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) through western blot. mRNA expression and protein activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2/-9 were examined by RT-PCR and zymography. As a result, the TPC of Hongyoung was 292.43±8.42 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry extract. Hongyoung showed a dose-dependent cell growth inhibition, and the IC₅₀ values was 1,000 ㎍/mL. sub-G1 phase was more than doubled compared to the control group, and S and G2/M phase arrest were also induced. Hongyoung induced apoptosis by increasing FITC-Annexin V-positive cells and increased the activation of caspase-3 (cleaved caspase-3) and PARP (fragmented PARP). Hongyoung significantly inhibited mRNA expression and protein activation of MMP-2/-9 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated SNU-80 cells. Therefore, this study suggests the possibility of development of Hongyoung extract as an anti-cancer agent.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.303-312
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• 2019

Oxidative stress in kidneys can precede the development of chronic renal injury. We investigated the antioxidative effect of membrane-free stem cell extract (MFSCE) from adipose tissue in LLC-$PK_1$ renal proximal tubule cells. Treatment of LLC-$PK_1$ cells with MFSCE showed the up-regulation of heme-oxygenase-1, thioredoxin reductase 1, and NADPH quinine oxidoreductase-1 protein expressions, which are proteins related with antioxidative activities. When oxidative stress was induced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), cell viability was decreased, indicating that LLC-$PK_1$ cells were damaged by SIN-1. However, MFSCE significantly elevated cell viability from 58.84% to 64.43% at the concentration of $2.5{\mu}g/mL$ in oxidative stress-induced LLC-$PK_1$ cells. Furthermore, MFSCE ameliorated inflammation and apoptosis in SIN-1-treated LLC-$PK_1$ cells by modulating protein expressions. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expressions were down-regulated when LLC-$PK_1$ cells were treated with MFSCE. Apoptosis-related proteins, including B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein/B-cell lymphoma-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, were also down-regulated. It indicated that MFSCE protected apoptosis against oxidative stress in LLC-$PK_1$ cells. Taken together, these results suggested that MFSCE had a protective effect against SIN-1-induced oxidative stress in LLC-$PK_1$ cells. Therefore, MFSCE could be a promising therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-induced renal injury.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2001

Purpose : The mechanical insights of death of cancer cells by ionizing radiation are not of yet clearly defined. Recent evidences have demonstrated that radiation therapy may induce cell death via activation of signaling pathway for apoptosis in target cells. This study is designed whether ionizing radiation may activate the signaling cascades of apoptosis including caspase family cysteine pretenses, $Bcl_2/Bax$, cytochrome c and Fas/Fas-L in target cells. Materials and Methods : HL-60 cells were irradiated in vitro with 6 MV X-ray at dose ranges from 2 Gy to 32 Gy. The cell viability was tested by M assay and the extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. The activities of caspase proteases were measured by proteolytic cleavages of substrates. Western blot analysis was used to monitor PARP, Caspase-3, Cytochrome-c, Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas-L. Results : Ionizing radiation decreases the viability of HL-60 cells in a time and dose dependent manner. Ionizing radiation-induced death in HL-60 cells is an apoptotic death which is revealed as characteristic ladder-pattern fragmentation of genomic DNA over 16 Gy at 4 hours. ionizing radiation induces the activation of caspase-2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 of HL-60 cells in a time-dependent manner. The activation of caspase-3 pretense is also evidenced by the digestion of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and procaspase 3 with 16Gy ionizing irradiation. Anti-apoptotic Bcl2 expression is decreased but apoptotic Bax expression is increased with mitochondrial cytochrome c release in a time- dependent manner. In addiiton, expression of Fas and Fas-L is also increased in a time dependent manner. Conclusion : These data suggest that ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis is mediated by the activation of various signaling pathways including caspase family cysteine proteases, $Bcl_2/Bax$, Fas and Fas-L in a time and dose dependent manner.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 1996

Properties of enzymatic hydrolysates from ascidian tunic were assessed on supernatant ratio, solid yields and solid concentration. The concentartion of solid and yields in the extracts were increased as the enzyme concentration raised from $100\;{\mu}l\;to\;1000{\mu}l$ during the extraction period. The optima concentration and reaction time of each enzyme on digestion were $400\;{\mu}l$ 60 minutes, through treated with Duncan's multiple test. The percent of yields of solid, protein and carotenoids for 60 minutes extraction at $400\;{\mu}l$ were $32.32\%,\;1.34\%\;and\;74.60\;mg\%$, respectively, in Viscozyme systems. The extracts were composed with many kinds of carbohydrates such as arabinose, ribose, xylose, galactose, glucose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Aspartic and glutamic arid were noted as predominant amino acids in all parts. Amino acid profiles of various ascidian tunic part were similiar to each other, but most of essential amino acids content of inter coat was higher than that of root and tunic (body). About sixty six fatty acids components were observed, and their distribution among neutral and polar lipids was compared. The main fatty acids were found to be 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n7, 18:0, 18:1n9, 18:1n7, 18:2n6, 20:5n3, and 22:6n3.