• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제16권5호
• /
• pp.366-375
• /
• 2012

Gallotannin (GT) is derived from plant poly phenol and is associated with biological actions in a wide range of cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of GTon apoptosis and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and attempted to shed light on the mechanism of action in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. We found that GT dramatically induced apoptosis as demonstrated by expression of p53 and active caspase-3 via western blot analysis and fragmented DNA as detected by DNA fragmentation and DAPI staining. We also observed that GT significantly causes COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner determined by western blot analysis. Phosphorylation of Akt and p38 was considerably increased by GT in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. Inhibition of Akt and p38kinase with LY294002 or SB203580 suppressed GT-induced apoptosis and COX-2 expression. Furthermore, we have shown that prevention of COX-2 with NS398 or indomethacin does not any effects on apoptosis induced by GT. Taken together, our present results suggest that GT regulates apoptosis and COX-2 expression through Akt and p38kinase pathway in A549, human lung carcinoma cells.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• 제12권4호
• /
• pp.197-201
• /
• 2007

Genistein is an active component of legumes and other related food shown to be associated with prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer through inducing signaling pathways. Treatment of genistein resulted in the induction of apoptosis in the cultured cancer cells. This induction of apoptosis was demonstrated by the Tunel assay in these cells. Unveiling the potential of genistein in cytotoxicity via apoptosis when it is treated with estrogen can predict the therapeutic capability of genistein in breast cancers in the presence of endogenous estrogen. We have found that apoptosis induced by genistein treatment in the presence of estrogen is agonistic or antagonistic depending on the concentrations and treatment periods applied in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. For the suppression of cell survival, 24 hr of treatment was required to induce a synergistic agonistic response between estrogen and genistein at low concentrations of genistein. After this period, the agonistic pattern of genistein to estrogen disappeared. The decrement of COX-2 expression in MCF-7 cells treated with genistein was accompanied with the activation of AMPK only at a high concentration of genistein. This association between AMPK activation and down-regulation of COX-2 by genistein was dampened in the presence of estrogen. It was also demonstrated that genistein and estrogen regulate cell survival and apoptosis by modulating p53 and caspase-3 in the opposite direction. These results suggest that genistein has the potential to control breast cancer development, and co-treatment with estrogen can cause agonistic or antagonistic action on breast cancer cell control.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제40권7호
• /
• pp.457-465
• /
• 2017

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced murine models of type 1 diabetes have been used to examine ER stress during pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis, as this ER stress plays important roles in the pathogenesis and development of the disease. However, the mechanisms linking type 1 diabetes to the ER stress-modulating anti-diabetic signaling pathway remain to be addressed, though it was recently established that ERK5 (Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5) contributes to the pathogeneses of diabetic complications. This study was undertaken to explore the mechanism whereby ERK5 inhibition instigates pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis via an ER stress-dependent signaling pathway. STZ-induced diabetic WT and CHOP deficient mice were i.p. injected every 2 days for 6 days under BIX02189 (a specific ERK5 inhibitor) treatment in order to evaluate the role of ERK5. Hyperglycemia was exacerbated by co-treating C57BL/6J mice with STZ and BIX02189 as compared with mice administered with STZ alone. In addition, immunoblotting data revealed that ERK5 inhibition activated the unfolded protein response pathway accompanying apoptotic events, such as, PARP-1 and caspase-3 cleavage. Interestingly, ERK5 inhibition-induced exacerbation of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis was inhibited in CHOP deficient mice. Moreover, transduction of adenovirus encoding an active mutant form of $MEK5{\alpha}$, an upstream kinase of ERK5, inhibited STZ-induced unfolded protein responses and ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis. These results suggest that ERK5 protects against STZ-induced pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis and hyperglycemia by interrupting the ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제31권11호
• /
• pp.1559-1567
• /
• 2021

The root bark of Morus alba L. has cytotoxic activity against several types of cancer cells. However, little is known about its chemopreventive mechanisms and bioactive metabolites. In this study, we showed that M. alba L. root bark extracts (MRBE) suppressed β-catenin response transcription (CRT), which is aberrantly activated in various cancers, by promoting the degradation of β-catenin. In addition, MRBE repressed the expression of the β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF)-dependent genes, c-myc and cyclin D1, thus inhibiting the proliferation of RPMI-8226 multiple myeloma (MM) cells. MRBE induced apoptosis in MM cells, as evidenced by the increase in the population of annexin VFITC-positive cells and caspase-3/7 activity. We identified ursolic acid in MRBE through LC/mass spectrum (MS) and observed that it also decreased intracellular β-catenin, c-myc, and cyclin D1 levels. Furthermore, it suppressed the proliferation of RPMI-8226 cells by stimulating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These findings suggest that MRBE and its active ingredient, ursolic acid, exert antiproliferative activity by promoting the degradation of β-catenin and may have significant chemopreventive potential against MM.

• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The present study was conducted to examine whether Toosendan Fructus has an ameliorative effect on diabetes-induced alterations such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the pancreas of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of human type I diabetes. Methods : Extracts of Toosendan Fructus (ETF) were administered to NOD mice at three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). Mice at 18 weeks of age were measured glucose tolerance using intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. After 28 weeks of ETF treatment, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and proinflammatory cytokines in serum, western blot analyses and a histopathological examination in pancreas tissue, and on the onset of diabetes were investigated. Results : The results showed that levels of glucose, glucose tolerance, TC, TG, interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-1 ${\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12 in serum were down-regulated, while IL-4, IL-10, SOD, and catalase significantly increased. In addition, ETF improved protein expression of proinflammatory mediaters (such as cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and a proapoptotic protein (caspase-3) in the pancreatic tissue. Also, in the groups treated with ETF (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg), insulitis and infiltration of granulocytes were alleviated. Conclusions : Based on these results, the anti-diabetic effect of ETF may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Our findings support the therapeutic evidence for Toosendan Fructus ameliorating the development of diabetic pancreatic damage via regulating inflammation and apoptosis. Our future studies will be focused on the search for active compounds in these extracts.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제24권5호
• /
• pp.467-475
• /
• 2014

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)은 flavonoid, carotenoids, steroids, vitamin, tannins, oleic acid 등의 생물학적으로 활성이 높은 성분을 풍부하게 함유하고 있어 오랫동안 피부질환(skin diseases), 위궤양(gastric ulcers), 천식(asthma), 폐질환 등에 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 아시아와 유럽의 고지대에서 야생으로 자라는 Sea buckthorn의 열매추출물(SBFE)이 UV조사 후 유도되는 세포사와 연관성을 규명하기 위하여, 세포사와 관련된 다양한 인자의 변화를 관찰하였다. 그 결과, 세포사를 유발할 수 있는 UV조사농도는 400 mJ로 설정하였고, 세포생존율은 UV + LoC, UV + MeC, UV + HiC 처리군에서는 유의적으로 증가하였다. 또한 FACS와 DAPI염색의 결과에서 PI로 염색된 세포수는 UV + vehicle 처리군에서 급격히 증가한 이후 UV + SBFE 처리군에서 유의적으로 감소하였고, Annexin V가 염색된 세포 수는 고농도의 SFBE을 처리한 UV + HiC 처리군에서 유의적으로 감소하였다. 그러나 PI와 Annexin V가 동시에 염색된 세포의 수는 UV + LoC 처리군에서 오히려 증가하였고 나머지 그룹에서는 유의적인 변화가 관찰되지 않았다. 한편, 세포사와 관련된 단백질의 변화에 대한 연구에서 caspase-3는 pro 형태와 active 형태 모두에서 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았으며, Bax와 Bcl-2 모두 UV 무처리군에 비하여 UV + Vehicle 처리군에서 감소하였으나 Bax의 발현양은 UV + SBFE 처리군에서 농도의존적으로 증가한 반면, Bcl-2의 발현양은 UV + SBFE 처리군에서 추가적으로 더욱 감소하였다. 따라서 이상의 결과들은 SBFE가 UV조사에 의해 유도된 세포사를 억제하거나 회복시키는 기능을 가지고 있음을 제시하고 있어 향후 UV조사에 의해 유발되는 다양한 상해에 대한 치료제로서의 가능성을 제시하고 있다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제40권2호
• /
• pp.135-140
• /
• 2016

Background: Nephrotoxicity is a common side effect of medications. Panax ginseng is one of the best-known herbal medicines, and its individual constituents enhance renal function. Identification of its efficacy and mechanisms of action against drug-induced nephrotoxicity, as well as the specific constituents mediating this effect, have recently emerged as an interesting research area focusing on the kidney protective efficacy of P. ginseng. Methods: The present study investigated the kidney protective effect of fermented black ginseng (FBG) and its active component ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 against cisplatin (chemotherapy drug)-induced damage in pig kidney (LLC-PK1) cells. It focused on assessing the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases as important mechanistic elements in kidney protection. Results: The reduced cell viability induced by cisplatin was significantly recovered with FBG extract and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 dose-dependently. The cisplatin-induced elevated protein levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p53, and cleaved caspase-3 were decreased after cotreatment with FBG extract or ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3. The elevated percentage of apoptotic LLC-PK1 cells induced by cisplatin treatment was significantly abrogated by cotreatment with FBG and the ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3. Conclusion: FBG and its major ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells by blocking the JNKep53ecaspase-3 signaling cascade.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제21권11호
• /
• pp.1573-1578
• /
• 2011

Silibinin은 milk thistle에서 분리된 주된 생리활성 성분으로 강력한 항산화제, 항암활성에 대해서 보고되어 있다. 하지만 항암활성에 대한 정확한 기전에 대해서는 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 인간 전립선 암세포주인 PC-3 세포를 이용하여 세포사멸의 기전을 조사하였다. MTT assay를 통해 세포독성을 확인하였고, PI 염색을 통해 세포주기를 확인하고, Annexin-V/PI 염색을 통한 세포사멸을 확인하였다. 뿐만 아니라 western blot을 이용하여 세포주기 및 세포사멸에 관련된 단백질 발현 정도를 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과에서 silibinin은 인간 전립선 암세포주인 PC-3 세포에서 세포주기관련 단백질의 발현을 조절하여 세포주기 진행을 억제함으로써 세포사멸을 유도 함을 알 수 있었다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제28권5호
• /
• pp.437-442
• /
• 2020

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for host defense as well as the progression of inflammatory diseases through the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which is cleaved by active caspase-1. It has been reported that overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development and pathology of acne vulgaris. Therefore, inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a new therapeutic strategy for acne vulgaris. In this study, we investigated whether auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby effectively treating acne vulgaris. Auranofin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Propionibacterium acnes, reducing the production of IL-1β in primary mouse macrophages and human sebocytes. In a P. acnes-induced acne mouse model, injection of P. acnes into the ears of mice induced acne symptoms such as redness, swelling, and neutrophil infiltration. Topical application of auranofin (0.5 or 1%) to mouse ears significantly reduced the inflammatory symptoms of acne vulgaris induced by P. acnes injection. Topical application of auranofin led to the downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by P. acnes in mouse ear skin. These results show that auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome, the activation of which is associated with acne symptoms. The results further suggest that topical application of auranofin could be a new therapeutic strategy for treating acne vulgaris by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제25권8호
• /
• pp.849-860
• /
• 2015

본 연구에서는 한약재로 널리 사용되는 건칠, 유근피 및 신석 추출물의 항암 활성을 조사하였다. 생쥐 유래 정상세포(RAW 264.7 대식세포 및 C2C12 근아세포)에서는 건칠, 유근피 및 신석 단독 및 복합 처리에 의하여 유의적인 세포생존율의 억제 현상은 관찰 할 수 없었다. 그리고 건칠, 유근피 및 신석의 복합 처리는 단독 처리군에 비하여 AGS 위암세포의 생존력을 유의적으로 억제하였으나, 폐암(A549), 대장암(HCT116), 간암(Hep3B) 및 방광암(T24) 세포에서는 그 효과가 미비하였다. 아울러 이러한 AGS 위암세포 선택적 생존 억제력은 apoptosis 유도와 밀접한 연관성이 있음을 염색질의 응축 현상, DNA 단편화 및 annexin-V 염색에 의한 flow cytometry 분석을 통하여 확인하였다. 건칠, 유근피 및 신석의 복합 처리는 Fas 및 Fas legand의 발현을 증가시켰으며, XIAP, cIAP-1 및 survivin과 같은 IAP family 단백질과 anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL의 발현은 저하시켰다. 복합 처리는 또한 mitochondrial membrane potential의 손실과 caspases (-3, -8 및 -9)의 활성에 PARP 단백질의 분절화를 유도하였다. 그러나 이러한 복합 처리에 의한 AGS 세포에서 관찰된 세포독성 및 apoptosis 유도 효과는 pan-caspases inhibitor인 z-VAD-fmk의 선처리에 의하여 차단되었다. 이상의 결과는 건칠, 유근피 및 신석의 복합 처리에 의한 AGS 위암세포 선택적 apoptosis 유도가 caspase 의존적으로 일어나고 있음을 보여주는 결과이며, in vivo 모델을 이용한 후속 연구가 진행되어야 할 것이다.