• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.50-60
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• 2009

Objectives: To elucidate the antitumor activities of Hang-Am-Dan (HAD), we investigated the anti-proliferative effects and related mechanisms of HAD, the main ingredients such as Cordyceps Militaris and Santisigu Tuber, and its main effective components cordycepin and colchicin, respectively. Methods: We cultivated Calu6 and MCF-7 cells and gave them phosphate-buffered saline extracts of HAD, each ingredient of HAD, and the main effective components of each ingredient. After these processes, we performed MTT assay, BrdU assay, TUNEL assay, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis and observed the results. Results: The survival rate of these two cancer cells in HAD were 34-38%. The survival rate in extract of Cordyceps militaris (ECM) and extract of Santisigu tuber (EST) were both about 50%. Cordycepin showed decreased survival rate in both cancer cells, 32% and 89%. Colchicin also showed decreased survival rate, 30% and 16%. We observed that all of the cancer cells got apoptotic bodies after adding the extracts and they have more apoptotic bodies when they were exposed to more extracts. The expression of caspase-3 was increased in Calu6 cell lines treated with the ECM, cordycepin and colchicin. The expression of p53 and p21 were increased in the MCF-7 cell lines treated with the ECM and cordycepin. Conclusions: HAD showed cytotoxic activities on the two kinds of human cancer cell lines, Calu6 and MCF-7. Additionally, HAD and its main ingredients caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and induced the apoptotic cell death.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.572-578
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• 1997

To gain further insight into how antiestrogens modulate cell function, the effects of antiestrogen on cell proliferation were studied in human breast cancer cells. We examined the effects of trans-tamoxifen on the proliferation of three human breast cancer cell lines that differed in their estrogen receptor contents. Trans-tamoxifen $(1{\mu}M)$ markedly inhibited the estrogen stimulated proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells that contained high levels of estrogen receptor $(1.15{\pm}0.03 pmole/mg protein)$ over that of control. In T47D cells that contained low levels of estrogen receptor $(0.23{\pm}0.05 pmole/mg protein)$, trans-tamoxifen $(1{\mu}M)$ showed minimal inhibition of estrogen stimulated cell proliferation over that of control. MDA-MB-231 cells, that contained no detectable levels of estrogen receptors, had their growth unaffected by trans-tamoxifen treatment. These results showed their sensitivity to growth inhibition by antiestrogen conrrelated well with their estrogen receptor content. Also we examined the effect of antiestrogen on cellular progestrone receptor level as well as plasminogen activator activity in MCF-7 cells. Trans-tamoxifen $(1{\mu}M)$ showed maximal inhibition of estrogen stimulated progestrone receptor level as well as plasminogen activator activity in MCF-7 cells that were stimulated by estrogen. It is not clear whether these inhibitions of progestrone receptor and plasminogen activator activity by estrogen are related to the antiestrogen inhibition of cell proliferation of MCF-7 cells. From the results of this study, it is clearly demonstrated that trans-tamoxifen is an antiestrogen in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Our data suggest that the biological effectiveness of trans-tamoxifen appear to result from its affinity of interaction with the estrogen receptor.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) in human breast cancer cell lines. Methods : In cultured human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, we investigated growth inhibitory effect of RVS. MCF-7 cells were cultured with various concentrations (0, 200, 300, and 400 ug/ml) of RVS at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. We performed CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry for detection of Annexin V-PI staining. Results : As a result, RVS inhibits the cell growth and induction of apoptosis in dose dependent manner in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion : RVS has anti-cancer activities and induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Therefore we suggest that RVS can use as a novel class of anti-cancer drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.581-590
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• 2016

Resistance to anoikis, a cell-detachment induced apoptosis, is one of the malignant phenotypes which support tumor metastasis. Molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of this phenotype require further investigation. This study aimed at exploring protein expression profiles associated with anoikis resistance of a metastatic breast cancer cell. Cell survival of suspension cultures of non-metastatic MCF-7 and metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells were compared with their adherent cultures. Trypan blue exclusion assays demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of viable cells in MDA-MB-231 than MCF-7 cell cultures, consistent with analysis of annexin V-7-AAD stained cells indicating that MDA-MB-231 possess anti-apoptotic ability 1.7 fold higher than MCF-7 cells. GeLC-MS/MS analysis of protein lysates of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells grown under both culture conditions identified 925 proteins which are differentially expressed, 54 of which were expressed only in suspended and adherent MDA-MB-231 but not in MCF-7 cells. These proteins have been implicated in various cellular processes, including DNA replication and repair, transcription, translation, protein modification, cytoskeleton, transport and cell signaling. Analysis based on the STITCH database predicted the interaction of phospholipases, PLC and PLD, and 14-3-3 beta/alpha, YWHAB, with the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling network, suggesting putative roles in controlling anti-anoikis ability. MDA-MB-231 cells grown in the presence of inhibitors of phospholipase C, U73122, and phospholipase D, FIPI, demonstrated reduced ability to survive in suspension culture, indicating functional roles of PLC and PLD in the process of anti-anoikis. Our study identified intracellular mediators potentially associated with establishment of anoikis resistance of metastatic cells. These proteins require further clarification as prognostic and therapeutic targets for advanced breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5719-5723
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• 2013

Pharmacological and preventive properties of Petroselinum sativum seed extracts are well known, but the anticancer activity of alcoholic extracts and oil of Petroselinum sativum seeds on human breast cancer cells have not been explored so far. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic activities of these extracts against MCF-7 cells. Cells were exposed to 10 to $1000{\mu}g/ml$ of alcoholic seed extract (PSA) and seed oil (PSO) of Petroselinum sativum for 24 h. Post-treatment, percent cell viability was studied by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays, and cellular morphology by phase contrast inverted microscopy. The results showed that PSA and PSO significantly reduced cell viability, and altered the cellular morphology of MCF-7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Concentrations of $50{\mu}g/ml$ and above of PSA and $100{\mu}g/ml$ and above of PSO were found to be cytotoxic in MCF-7 cells. Cell viability at 50, 100, 250, 500 and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ of PSA was recorded as 81%, 57%, 33%, 8% and 5%, respectively, whereas at 100, 250, 500, and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ of PSO values were 90%, 78%, 62%, and 8%, respectively by MTT assay. MCF-7 cells exposed to 250, 500 and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ of PSA and PSO lost their typical morphology and appeared smaller in size. The data revealed that the treatment with PSA and PSO of Petroselinum sativum induced cell death in MCF-7 cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 2013

Ginsenoside, one of the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, has a variety of physiologic and pharmacologic effects. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of ginsenoside Rd (G-Rd) on melastatin type transient receptor potential 7 (TRPM7) channels with respect to the proliferation and survival of AGS and MCF-7 cells (a gastric and a breast cancer cell line, respectively). AGS and MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of G-Rd, and caspase-3 activities, mitochondrial depolarizations, and sub-G1 fractions were analyzed to determine if cell death occurred by apoptosis. In addition, human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressing TRPM7 channels were used to confirm the role of TRPM7 channels. G-Rd inhibited the proliferation and survival of AGS and MCF-7 cells and enhanced caspase-3 activity, mitochondrial depolarization, and sub-G1 populations. In addition, G-Rd inhibited TRPM7-like currents in AGS and MCF-7 cells and in TRPM7 channel overexpressing HEK 293 cells, as determined by whole cell voltage-clamp recordings. Furthermore, TRPM7 overexpression in HEK 293 cells promoted G-Rd induced cell death. These findings suggest that G-Rd inhibits the proliferation and survival of gastric and breast cancer cells by inhibiting TRPM7 channel activity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.356-364
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• 2003

A methanol extract from seeds of Paeonia lactiflora (Paeoniaceae, peony) was found to possess different antiproliferative activities against four different human cancer cell lines: Hela, MCF-7, HepG2 and HT-29. Furthermore, five different methanol (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 % MeOH) fractions obtained by fractionation of the methanol extract of the seeds on a Diaion HP-20 column exhibited differential antiproliferative effects against the above four cancer cell lines. Among five fractions, the 60 % MeOH fraction showed relatively lower antiproliferative activity on MCF-7 estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell than the other cancer cell lines. Systematic separation of 60% the MeOH fraction by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 columns led to the isolation of four known stilbenes, trans-resveratrol (1), trans-(+)- $\varepsilon$ -viniferin (2), gnetin H (3) and suffruticosol B (4). The four stilbenes (1∼4) exerted differential biphasic effects on cell proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a similar manner as genistein, a soybean isoflavone used as a positive reference, in the concentration range from 1.0 to 200 $\mu$M. Three stilbenes (1 ∼ 3) weakly stimulated the proliferation of MCF -7 cells at doses below 10 JIM. However, strong antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cell were exerted by extract 1 at a dose of 200 JIM, and by 2 and 3 at doses above 25 $\mu$M. In contrast, 4 inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cell at a dose below 25 $\mu$M, but stimulated cell proliferation at concentrations of 50 and 100 $\mu$M. All four stilbenes (1∼4) stimulated the proliferation of ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells in the range of 10$^{-10}$ ∼10$^{-1}$ $\mu$M. Compound 1 exhibited especially potent proliferative activity, although its activity was weaker than that of genistein. Additionally, three resveratrol oligomers (2∼4) also exhibited concentration-dependently moderate proliferative activity, but less than that of 1. These results suggest that resveratrol, and its dimer and trimers from the seeds of Paeonia lactiflora may act as a phytoestrogen, but in a somewhat different manner from that of genistein.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of blueberry extract on cell death, ROS and gene expression patterns associated with the anti-cancer activity in human breast cancer MCF7 cells. To accomplish this, 20 mg/mL concentration of blueberry extract was added to the cell culture for 0, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h, after which the effects were evaluated by various analyses. MTT assay showed that the cellular activities decreased rapidly during the first 12 h of treatment. During this period, dual staining with Hoechst33322 and propidium iodide also produced a similar trend in which the dead or dying cells increased sharply. Furthermore, evaluation of BrdU incorporation as an index for cell proliferation revealed a marked decrease during the first 12 h of treatment, suggesting that anticancer activity involves the inhibition of cell proliferation and induces cell death. ROS also increased according to the duration of the treatment, indicating intracellular accumulation is associated with the cell death. RT-PCR analysis revealed significant decreases in anti-apoptotic (Bax) and increases in pro-apoptotic gene expressions (Bci-2, caspase- 3, and 9) (p<0.05). Taken these together, blueberry extract induces ROS accumulation in MCF7 cells, causing inhibition of cell proliferation and eventually leading to cell death. This cell death was associated with apoptotic gene expression in blueberry-treated cells for up to 24 h.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2015

Background: Black ginseng (Ginseng Radix nigra, BG) refers to the ginseng steamed for nine times and fine roots (hairy roots) of that is called fine black ginseng (FBG). It is known that the content of saponin of FBG is higher than that of BG. Therefore, in this study, we examined antitumor effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells to target the FBG extract and its main component, ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5). Methods: Action mechanism was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle assay and western blot analysis. Results: The results from MTT assay showed that MCF-7 cell proliferation was inhibited by Rg5 treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. Rg5 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and $100{\mu}M$), induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase through regulation of cell cycle-related proteins in MCF-7 cells. As shown in the results from western blot analysis, Rg5 increased expression of p53, $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ and $p15^{INK4B}$ and decreased expression of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E2 and CDK4. Expression of apoptosiserelated proteins including Bax, PARP and Cytochrome c was also regulated by Rg5. These results indicate that Rg5 stimulated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase via regulation of cell cycle-associated proteins in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Rg5 promotes breast cancer cell apoptosis in a multi-path manner with higher potency compared to 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) in MCF-7 (HER2/ER+) and MDA-MB-453 (HER2+/ER) human breast cancer cell lines, and this suggests that Rg5 might be an effective natural new material in improving breast cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.107-107
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• 1997

Cytochrome P450 enzymes have been intensively investigated in hepatic tissues and several mammalian cell lines. Compared to most studies about cytochrome P450 isozymes in liver in vivo and hepatic, cell lines in vitro, the study of cytochrome P450IA1 in human breast cancer cells could be very important to understand the mechanism of the regulation of CYPIA1 gene expression and cell growth. MCF-7 human breast cancer cells are well characterized to study estrogen and antiestrogen action due to the fact that they contain high level of estrogen receptor and have biological markers characterized. And also MCF-7 cells express high level of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and human cytochrome P450IA1 cDNA was cloned from MCF-7 cells. Ah receptor was characterized in many breast cancer cell lines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon such as 3-MC induced the expression of CYPIA1 gene and cytochrome P450- dependent monooxygenase activity. We undertook a study to examine the effect of estrogens and other chemicals on the regulation of human CYPIA1 gene expression in MCF-7 cells via RTPCR analysis, that might help us to understand the mechanism of the regulation of CYPIA1 gene expression and MCF-7 cell growth. Expression vector containing the functional 5'-regulatory region of human CYPIA1 fused to the CAT reporter gene was transfected into estrogen receptor positive MCF-T cells or estrogen receptor negative MDA-MB-231 cells. After these cells were treated with various chemicals, RTPCR was carried out to measure both CYPIA1 mRNA and CAT mRNA levels. 1nM 3-MC increased in both P450 and CAT mRNA levels over those of control by two folds in MCF-7 cells but does not in MDA-MB-231 cells. Estrogen or tamoxifen or retinoic acid or chrysin decreased in both P450 and CAT mRNA levels that were induced by 3-MC in MCF-7 when each chemical was administered with 3-MC concomitantly. These results suggested that the level of CYPIA1 gene expression is modulated with estrogen-related molecules and make it possible to speculate that ER is related to CYPIA1 gene expression and cell growth in breast cancer cells. [Supported by grants from the Korean Ministry of Education ]