• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.1470-1478
• /
• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate biological activity and biochemical properties of extracts from Bacillus subtilis-fermented silkworm (Bombyx mori L., SP) powder of different origin (Buan, Namwon, and Boeun). An additional aim was to determine the inhibition of cancer cell (B16-F10, HT-29, LNcaP, and MCF-7) proliferation and nitric oxide (NO) production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Biological activities (${\alpha},{\alpha}^{\prime}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], free radical scavenging activity, fibrinolytic activity, antiproliferation activity, and anti-inflammatory activity) and biochemical properties (compositional amino acid contents, and mineral contents) were examined in water extracts from silkworm powder and B. subtilis-fermented silkworm powder. The highest amino acid contents were detected in Buan silkworm powder (BU). After fermented, the highest contents were found in B. subtilis-fermented Buan silkworm powder (BBO). The major minerals detected were K, Ca, and Mg. Rates of these minerals, especially those of Na increased after fermented. DPPH radical scavenging activity and fibrinolytic activity were stronger in the fermented group than non-fermented group. DPPH radical scavenging activity and fibrinolytic activity were highest in the extract from BBO. The inhibition activities of LNcaP and MCF-7 cells viability were significantly decreased in the BBO, and there was no inhibition activity in other cancer cells (B16-F10 and HT-29). An SRB assay of the cell viability of RAW 264.7 cells exposed to extracts of silkworm powder and B. subtilis-fermented silkworm powder revealed no toxicity in any of the groups. Compared with the LPS-treated group, the biggest reduction in NO production was detected in the BBO group. Based on these results, extracts from Boeun silkworm powder fermented with B. subtilis could be a candidate material as a dietary supplement for use in healthy functional foods.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.133-143
• /
• 2018

Background: AD-2 (20(R)-dammarane-3b, 12b, 20, 25-tetrol; 25-OH-PPD) is a ginsenoside and isolated from Panax ginseng, showing anticancer activity against extensive human cancer cell lines. In this study, effects and mechanisms of 1C ((20R)-3b-O-(L-alanyl)-dammarane-12b, 20, 25-triol), a modified version of AD-2, were evaluated for its development as a novel anticancer drug. Methods: MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell cytotoxic activity. Cell cycle and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using flow cytometry analysis. Western blotting was employed to analyze signaling pathways. Results: 1C concentration-dependently reduces prostate cancer cell viability without affecting normal human gastric epithelial cell line-1 viability. In LNCaP prostate cancer cells, 1C triggered apoptosis via Bcl-2 family-mediated mitochondria pathway, downregulated expression of mouse double minute 2, upregulated expression of p53 and stimulated ROS production. ROS scavenger, N-acetylcysteine, can attenuate 1C-induced apoptosis. 1C also inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP cells through inhibition on $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway. Conclusion: 1C shows obvious anticancer activity based on inducing cell apoptosis by Bcl-2 family-mediated mitochondria pathway and ROS production, inhibiting $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate that 1C may provide leads as a potential agent for cancer therapy.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate whether hwang-ryun-haedok-tang (HDT) affect proliferations of androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells, androgen-independent PC-3, DU-145 prostate cancer cells, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, A549, NCI-H292 human pulmonary cancer cells and K-562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. Materials and Methods Effects of HDT on proliferations of each cancer cell line were investigated. 20,000 cells/well were plated in each well of 96-well culture plate. After 24 hrs, 0.01-10% of HDT in culture medium was added to cancer cells. The number of cells was counted by using SRB assay or direct cell counting method after 72 hours from drug treatment. Effect of baicalein or berebrine on proliferation was assessed according to the same method. Results (1) HDT inhibited proliferations of LNCaP, PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells. (2) HDT inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. (3) HDT also inhibited proliferations of A549, NCI-H292 pulmonary cancer cells and K-562 chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. (4) Baicalein and berberine also showed inhibitory effects on proliferations of prostate and breast cancer cells. Conclusion : HDT inhibited proliferations of human prostate, breast, pulmonary and blood cancer cells. These results suggest us the potential use of HDT as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent. Effect of HDT on human cancer should be further investigated using in vivo experimental models that can reflect pathophysiology of human cancer through another studies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.49-53
• /
• 2013

A number of naturally-occurring or synthetic chemicals have been reported to exhibit prostate chemopreventive effects. Synthetic $5{\alpha}$-reductase (5-AR) inhibitors, e.g. finasteride and durasteride, gained special interests as possible prostate chemopreventive agents. Indeed, two large-scale epidemiological studies have demonstrated that finasteride or durasteride significantly reduced the incidence of prostate cancer formation in men. However, these studies have raised an unexpected concern; finasteride and durasteride increased the occurrence of aggressive prostate tumor formation. In the present study, we have observed that treatment of finasteride did not affect the growth of androgen-refractory PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Finasteride also failed to induce apoptosis or affect the expression of proto-oncogenes in PC-3 cells. Interestingly, we found that treatment of finasteride induced the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in PC-3 cells. In particular, basal level of Nrf2 protein was higher in androgen-refractory prostate cancer cells, e.g. DU-145 and PC-3 cells, compared with androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells, e.g. LNCaP cells. Also, treatment of finasteride resulted in a selective induction of Nrf2 protein in DU-145 and PC-3 cells, but not in LNCaP cells. In view of the fact that upregulation of Nrf2-mediated phase II cytoprotective enzymes contribute to attenuating tumor promotion in normal cells, but, on the other hand, confers a selective advantage for cancer cells to proliferate and survive against chemical carcinogenesis and other forms of toxicity, we propose that finasteride-mediated induction of Nrf2 protein might be responsible, at least in part, for an increased risk of high-grade prostate tumor formation in men.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.50
• /
• pp.137-141
• /
• 2023

The root of Adenophora triphylla is a highly valued medicinal resource that is used to prevent human obesity, cancer, and inflammation, whereas young leaves or sprouts of A. triphylla are used as food ingredients. In this study, we compared the antioxidant and anticancer activities of 70% ethanol extracts of A. triphylla roots and leaves. The leaf extract exhibited stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) than the root extract. Furthermore, the leaf extract was observed to be a potent source of anticancer compounds that were effective against A549 (lung cancer), LNcaP (prostate cancer), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and Caco-2 (colorectal cancer) cells. These results indicate that not only the roots but also the leaves of A. triphylla can serve as valuable sources of functional materials in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1019-1021
• /
• 2009

Antiproliferative activity of the ethanol extract of Atractylodes japonica rhizomes (AJEX) was investigated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays with various cancer cell lines (HL-60, MCF-7, SK-Br-3, MDA-MB-453, HepG2, Hep3B, PC-3, LNCaP, MKN 28, MKN 45, and HT-29 cells). Gastric carcinoma cell lines were the most responsive in terms of cell proliferation. The $IC_{50}$ of MKN 28 and MKN 45 cells were 35.98 and 27.57 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Moreover, gastric carcinoma cells exposed to AJEX underwent apoptosis, as determined by Annexin V binding assay. Compared to respective control level, exposure to the AJEX at each $IC_{50}$ concentration resulted in a remarkable increase in the shift of cell populations. Present results suggest that AJEX possess potential anticancer properties.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.457-462
• /
• 2007

Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) is a family of enzymes that regulate histone acetylation. Dysfunction of HAT plays a critical role in the development of cancer. Here we have screened the various plant extracts to find out the potent HAT inhibitors. The bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorum) root have exhibited approximately 30% of the inhibitory effects on HAT activity, especially p300 and CBP (CREB-binding protein) at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$. The cell viability was decreased approximately 52% in LNCaP cell for 48 hr incubation. Furthermore, mRNA level of 3 androgen receptor target genes, PSA, NKX3.1, and TSC22 were decreased with bellflower root extract treatment ($100\;{\mu}g/mL$) in the presence of androgen. In ChIP assay, the acetylation of histone H3 and H4 in PSA promoter region was dramatically repressed by bellflower root treatment, but not TR target gene, Dl. Therefore, the potent HAT inhibitory effect of bellflower root led to the decreased transcription of AR target genes and prostate cancer cell growth with the repression of histone hyperacetylation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.2985-2989
• /
• 2014

Autophagy is a self-digestion process in which intracellular structures are degraded in response to stress. Notably, prolonged autophagy leads to cell death. In this study, we investigated whether CX-4945, an orally available protein kinase 2 (CK2) inhibitor, induces autophagic cell death in human cervical cancer-derived HeLa cells and in human prostate cancer-derived LNCaP cells. CX-4945 treatment of both cell lines resulted in the formation of autophagosomes, in the conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and in down-regulation of the Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) signaling cascade. Thus, pharmacologic inhibition of CK2 by CX-4945 induced autophagic cell death in human cancer cells by down-regulating Akt-mTOR-S6K. These results suggest that autophagy-inducing agents have potential as anti-cancer drugs.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.7
• /
• pp.411-416
• /
• 2014

In the present study, we demonstrate that ectopic expression of 56-kDa human selenium binding protein-1 (hSP56) in PC-3 cells that do not normally express hSP56 results in a marked inhibition of cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Down-regulation of hSP56 in LNCaP cells that normally express hSP56 results in enhanced anchorage-independent growth. PC-3 cells expressing hSP56 exhibit a significant reduction of hypoxia inducible protein (HIF)-$1{\alpha}$ protein levels under hypoxic conditions without altering HIF-$1{\alpha}$ mRNA (HIF1A) levels. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that hSP56 plays a critical role in prostate cells by mechanisms including negative regulation of HIF-$1{\alpha}$, thus identifying hSP56 as a candidate anti-oncogene product.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.3 s.76
• /
• pp.433-441
• /
• 2006

Polyamines are essential for the normal cell growth and differentiation. They are also known to have paradoxical dual effects on cell proliferation. In this paper we show that the excess amount of polyamines induces apoptosis through the modulation of calcium signaling in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Polyamines, particularly spermidine and spermine, stimulated cell proliferation at a lower concentration (under 10 ${\mu}M$), but it inhibited cell viability at a higher concentration (40 ${\mu}M$). The levels of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration were increased only at a high concentration of polyamines treatment without any noticeable changes at lower concentrations. Nifedipine did not alter the increase of polyamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ levels, but flufenamic acid totally abolished the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels. These results mean that polyamines induce $Ca^{2+}$ influx from the surroundings through nonselective cation channels on the cell membrane. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was almost completely blocked, but the level of Bax protein was increased dramatically in the cells treated with high concentration of polyamine. The present study shows that polyamines at a high concentration induce apoptosis through the modulation of intracellular calcium signaling. The increase of intracellular calcium level induced by polyamines, was possibly a result from the extracellular calcium influx through the nonselective cation channels.