• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.1083-1086
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of daidzein against H. pylori and its cholesterol $\alpha$-glucosyltransferase ($CHL{\alpha}GcT$). $CHL{\alpha}GcT$ is responsible for the production of $\alpha$-glucosyl cholesterol which constitutes more than 25% of cell wall lipids in H. pylori, and it has been suggested that it is essential for H. pylori viability. $CHL{\alpha}GcT$ was inhibited by daidzein, in a dose-dependant manner, of which $IC_{50}$ value was $128.5\;{\mu}M$. Daidzein also showed the inhibitory effect toward H. pylori growth by paper disc diffusion assay. Therefore, it is thought that the inhibition of daidzein on $CHL{\alpha}GcT$ was related to its anti-Helicobacter activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.61-69
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• 1997

Exposure of splenocytes to 2-chloroethylethyl sulfide (CEES) resulted in the cell death, and the cytotoxicity of CEES was prevented by inhibitors of lysosomal hydrolases. Therefore, it has been postulated that the cytotoxicity of CEES may be partially due to the lysosomal labilization. This study, based on this mechanism, was undertaken to determine whether aminoglycoside antibiotics as inhibitors of lysosomal phospholipases and their combinations with other lysosome stabilizers can be useful as a treatment to reduce the CEES toxicity in mice. 2-Chloroethylethyl sulfide (20 mg/kg body weight) was injected ip into female ICR mice, and candidate compounds were administered ip before or after the CEES challenge. Kanamycin (40 mg/kg body weight) as effective as deferoxamine (100 mg/kg body weight) enhanced the survival rate after 5 days of intoxication from 10% of control to 50 - 60%. The most effective was found to be the combination of kanamycin, cycloheximide, deferoxamine and dextrose showing an almost full protection against 2LD50 of CEES. Consistent with the protection of the CEES toxicity, the decrease of body weight in mice intoxicated with CEES was effectively prevented by kanamycin or its combinations. It is suggested that kanamycin or its combination (kanamycin, cycloheximide, deferoxamine and dextrose) would be one of effective antidotes against the CEES poisoning in mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.893-899
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• 2004

To test the cytoprotective effect of sophorae radix (SR) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cytotoxicity, we investigated the cell viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in the presence of ethyl acetate subfractions of SR water extracts In H9c2 cells. And to clarify the cytoprotective mechanism of SR extracts, we evaluated the cellular glutathione (GSH) contents in the presence of subfraction 1, 2, 3, and 4 of SR ethyl acetate soluble fractions. Among 1 -12 subfractions of SR ethyl acetate soluble fractions, 1, 2, 3 and 4 subfractions have an efficacy inhibiting the cytotoxicity induced by H₂O₂ in H9c2 cells. Also, the protective effects of 1, 2, 3 and 4 subfractions of SR ethyl acetate soluble fractions resulted from the anti-oxidant effects. These results suggest that ethyl acetate soluble fractions of SR water extracts is effective in the prevention of H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and 1, 2, 3 and 4 subfraction of ethyl acetate soluble fractions possess the anti-oxidant component.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.3981-3986
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• 2014

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) extracted from Ganoderma lucidum have been shown to induce cell death in some kinds of cancer cells. This study investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of GLP on HCT-116 human colon cancer cells and the molecular mechanisms involved. Cell proliferation, cell migration, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and intracellular free calcium levels ($[Ca^{2+}]i$) were determined by MTT, wound-healing, LDH release and fluorescence assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. For the mechanism studies, caspase-8 activation, and Fas and caspase-3 expression were evaluated. Treatment of HCT-116 cells with various concentrations of GLP (0.625-5 mg/mL) resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability (P< 0.01). This study showed that the antitumor activity of GLP was related to cell migration inhibition, cell morphology changes, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ elevation and LDH release. Also, increase in the levels of caspase-8 activity was involved in GLP-induced apoptosis. Western blotting indicated that Fas and caspase-3 protein expression was up-regulated after exposure to GLP. This investigation demonstrated for the first time that GLP shows prominent anticancer activities against the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line through triggering intracellular calcium release and the death receptor pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2637-2641
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• 2013

6,8-Dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1-methyl-azafluorenone (DMMA), a purified compound from Polyalthia cerasoides roots, is cytotoxic to various cancer cell lines. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the type of cancer cell death and the mechanism(s) involved. DMMA inhibited cell growth and induced apoptotic death in human leukemic cells (HL-60, U937, MOLT-4), human breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells and human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells in a dose dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values ranging between 20-55 ${\mu}M$. DMMA also decreased cell viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The morphology of cancer cells induced by the compound after staining with propidium iodide and examined under a fluorescence microscope was condensed nuclei and apoptotic bodies. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) was decreased after 24h exposure in all five types of cancer cells. DMMA-induced caspase-3, -8, and -9 activity was strongly induced in human leukemic HL-60 and MOLT-4 cells, while in U937-, MDA-MB231- and HepG2-treated cells there was partial induction of caspase. In conclusion, DMMA-induced activation of caspase-8 and -9 resulted in execution of apoptotic cell death in human leukemic HL-60 and MOLT-4 cell lines via extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate the action of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) used as a preservative in most ophthalmic topical solutions, on human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells in vitro. HCE cell line was exposed to BAC solutions at various concentrations (0.01%~0.0001%) for 15 minutes followed by 24 hours of cell recovery. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay and chromatin condensation with a Hoechst 33342 test. The expression of membrane protein Fas and Fas ligand was examined by western blot and immunocytochemistry, and DNA fragmentation was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. A significant decrease of membrane integrity with chromatin condensation was observed with BAC tested at concentrations of 0.005% and higher. BAC was cytotoxic preservatives in this study. An apoptotic mechanism appeared to be present at low concentrations of BAC, whereas a necrotic process appeared at higher concentrations. A functional Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway is present in cultured HCE cells and can be activated by upregulation of Fas expression with BAC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.487-496
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Soshiho-tang (SSH) in mouse primary liver cells against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress. We also elucidated the molecular mechanism of hepatoprotective effect by SSH. Methods : Cell viability, level of ALT, AST and LDH, intracellular ROS level, mRNA expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes were used to evaluate hepatoprotection of SSH against $H_2O_2$. Target gene expressions were analyzed by real-time PCR. Results : Pre-treatment with SSH for 1 hour prevented cytotoxicity against $H_2O_2$. $H_2O_2$-induced ROS level decreased under SSH pre-treatment. mRNA expression of GPx and SOD increased in SSH-treated cells. In addition, HSP72 and HSP40 gene expression were elevated under SSH-treatment. Conclusions : These results indicate that SSH protects mouse primary liver cells from $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative injury. This hepatoprotective activity of SSH is mediated by decreasing intracellular ROS and increasing antioxidant enzyme expression (GPx and SOD) and stress response protein (HSP72 and HSP40).

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.91-102
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• 2012

Bcl-2 protects tumor cells from the apoptotic effects of various anti-neoplastic agents. Increased expression of Bcl-2 has been associated with a poor response to chemotherapy in various malignancies, including leukemia. Hence, bypassing the resistance conferred by anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2 represents an attractive therapeutic strategy against cancer cells, including leukemic cells. This study was undertaken to examine whether the anticancer drug, cisplatin and the synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) derivative, HS-1200 show anti-tumor activity in U937 and U937/Bcl-2 cells. Viability assays revealed that HS-1200 overcomes the resistance conferred by Bcl-2 in human leukemic U937 cells. Various apoptosis assessment assays further demonstrated that HS-1200 overcomes the resistance conferred by Bcl-2 in human leukemic U937 cells by inducing apoptosis. In addition HS-1200, but not cisplatin, overcomes the anti-apoptotic effects of Bcl-2 in Bcl-2 over-expressing human leukemic cells (U937/Bcl-2 cells). Notably, we observed that the HS-1200-induced formation of mature promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NBs) correlates with a suppression of the anti-apoptotic effects of Bcl-2 in human leukemic cells over-expressing this protein (U937/Bcl-2 cells). Furthermore, HS-1200 was found to induce the association between PML and SUMO-1, Daxx, Sp100, p53 or CBP in the aggregated PML-NBs of U937/Bcl-2 cells. Thus, PML protein and the formation of mature PML-NBs could be considered as therapeutic targets that may help to bypass the resistance to apoptosis conferred by Bcl-2. Elucidating the exact mechanism by which PML regulates Bcl-2 will require further work.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.1060-1065
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• 2003

To determine whether dietary fatty acids affect pancreatic $\beta$-cell function, the INS-1 $\beta$-cells and the pancreatic islets isolated from Zucker obese (fa/fa) rats were cultured with stearic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). As a result, DNA fragmentation laddering was substantially decreased in the INS-1 $\beta$-cells and the isolated pancreatic islets cultured with 2 mM CLA compared to those cultured with stearic acid. To investigate the mechanism by which CLA alleviates cell apoptosis under DNA fragmentation assay, we examined mRNA expressions of apoptosis-related proteins including Bax and Bcl-2 associated with cell death agonist and antagonist, respectively, in both INS-1 cells and islets cultured with 2 mM fatty acids. Bax mRNA expression was not altered by either stearic acid or CLA, whereas Bcl-2 mRNA expression was enhanced by CLA when compared to the stearic acid cultures. However, there were no changes in cell apoptosis and apoptotic-regulating gene products in either INS-1 cells or isolated islets treated with or without 2 mM CLA. It is concluded that CLA maintains $\beta$-cell viability via increased Bcl-2 expression compared to the stearic acid cultures, which may help to alleviate, at least somewhat, the onset of NIDDM in the physiological status. More detailed study is still needed to elucidate the effect of CLA on the prevention of fatty acid-induced $\beta$-cell apoptosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7003-7006
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• 2015

Background: Nanoparticles of gold and silver are offering revolutionary changes in the field of cancer therapy. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metal complexes possess diverse biological activities and are being investigated as potential chemotherapeutic agents. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity and possible mechanisms of action of two types of newly synthesized nanofiber composites containing BIAN N-heterocyclic gold carbene complexes in two types of human cancer cells, namely breast cancer (MCF7) and liver cancer (HepG2) cells and also in normal human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT cell viability assay and oxidative stress by checking the total glutathione level. Results: Both compounds affected the cell survival of the tested cell lines at very low concentrations (IC50 values in the micro molar range) as compared to a well-known anti-cancer drug, 5 fluorouracil. A 60-80% depletion in total glutathione level was detected in treated cells. Conclusions: Reduction in total glutathione level is one of the biochemical pathways for the induction of oxidative stress which in turn could be a possible mechanism of action by which these compounds induce cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. The in vitro toxicity towards cancer cells found here means that these molecules could be potential anticancer candidates.