• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.344-350
• /
• 2023

Background: 4-carvomenthenol[4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol] is a main component of Origanum vulgare L., Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC., and other plants. It has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct a toxicity test on 4-carvomenthenol to ensure its safety. Methods: This study included 5-week-old Institute of Cancer Research mice that were categorized into 3 treatment groups (12, 25, and 50 mg/kg 4-carvomenthenol dose levels) and a control group (10% dimethyl sulfoxide, 40% polyethylene glycol 300, 5% Tween 80, and 45% normal saline injection of the final volume), with 5 male mice and 5 female mice per group. All groups were observed for clinical symptoms and body weight in a period of 14 days and were subjected to gross necropsy after euthanasia. Results: No deaths were recorded. No test substance-related clinical signs in the female mice of the 12 mg/kg dose group were observed. Abnormal gait was observed in 1 male from day 1 to day 3 in the 12 mg/kg dose group; 1-3 males from day 1 to day 7 and 1-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 25 mg/kg dose group; and 2-5 males and 2-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 50 mg/kg dose group. No test substance-related effect on the body weight and necropsy findings was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the lethal dose of 4-carvomenthenol could be greater than 50 mg/kg. However, further research is needed, especially repeated-dose toxicity studies, to confirm the efficacy and safety of 4-carvomenthenol.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.242-247
• /
• 2012

Chondrocyte apoptosis has been recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), which produces reactive oxygen species, reportedly induces apoptosis in chondrocytes. The ginsenoside $Rb_1$ (G-$Rb_1$) is the principal component in ginseng and has been shown to have a variety of biological activities, such as anti-arthritis, anti-inflammation, and anti-tumor activities. In this study, we evaluated the effects of G-$Rb_1$ on the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and caspase-3 activity of chondrocyte apoptosis induced by $H_2O_2$. Cultured rat articular chondrocytes were exposed to $H_2O_2$ with or without G-$Rb_1$ and assessed for viability, MPT, Bcl-xL/Bax expression, caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis. The co-treatment with G-$Rb_1$ showed an inhibition of MPT, caspase-3 activity, and cell death. Additionally, the levels of the apoptotic protein Bax were significantly lower and the levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL were higher compared with $H_2O_2$ treatment alone. The results of this study demonstrate that G-$Rb_1$ protects chondrocytes against $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis, at least in part via the inhibition of MPT and caspase-3 activity. These results demonstrate that G-$Rb_1$ is a potentially useful drug for the treatment of OA patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2011

Atherosclerosis and post-angiography restenosis are associated with intimal thickening and concomitant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Obovatol, a major biphenolic component isolated from the Magnolia obovata leaf, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. The goal of the present study was to enhance the inhibitory effects of obovatol to improve its potential as a preventive or therapeutic agent in atherosclerosis and restenosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) was examined in the presence or absence of a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, OD78. The observed anti-proliferative effect of OD78 was further investigated by cell counting and [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assays. Treatment with 1-4 ${\mu}M$ OD78 dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMCs. Accordingly, OD78 blocked PDGF-BB-induced progression from the $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells. OD78 decreased the expression levels of CDK4, cyclin E, and cyclin D1 proteins, as well as the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen; however, it did not change the CDK2 expression level. In addition, OD78 inhibited downregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) $p27^{kip1}$. However, OD78 did not affect the CKI $p21^{cip1}$ or phosphorylation of early PDGF signaling pathway. These results suggest that OD78 may inhibit PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation by perturbing cell cycle progression, potentially through $p27^{kip1}$ pathway activation. Consequently, OD78 may be developed as a potential anti-proliferative agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis and angioplasty restenosis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.847-854
• /
• 2016

Cordycepin, a derivative of the nucleoside adenosine, is one of the active components extracted from fungi of genus Cordyceps, and has been shown to have many pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of cordycepin on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer AGS cells, and its possible mechanism of action. Treatment of cordycepin resulted in significant decrease in cell viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner. A concentration-dependent apoptotic cell death was also measured by agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometery analysis. Molecular mechanistic studies of apoptosis unraveled cordycepin treatment resulted in an enhanced expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, death receptor 5 and Fas ligand. Furthermore, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression were also observed in cordycepin-treated AGS cells. These were followed by activation of caspases (caspase-9, -8 and -3), subsequently leading to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Taken together, these findings indicate that cordycepin induces apoptosis in AGS cells through regulation of multiple apoptotic pathways, including death receptor and mitochondria. Although further mechanical studies are needed, our results revealed that cordycepin can be regarded as a new effective and chemopreventive compound for human gastric cancer treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.673-679
• /
• 2016

The development of safe and effective anti-cancer compounds has been seriously required to prevent and treat development of tumor in recent years. Among them, natural compounds derived traditional medicinal stuffs have been paid to attention as an anti-cancer candidate. In this study, aesculetin is a main component of a widely known as a medicinal stuff. It was reported that aesculetin has various biological effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, but its effect related to cell invasion was not discovered. Therefore, in this study, the effect of aesculetin on antioxidant and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) was investigated in human fibrosarcoma cells, HT1080. First of all, aesculetin showed the scavenging activity of DPPH radical and reducing power in a dose dependent manner. As a result of cytotoxicity, the nontoxic concentration of aesculetin was below 2 μM in HT1080 cells performed by MTT assay. In addition, aesculetin displayed the inhibitory effect on MMP-9 activity related to cell invasion in experiment carried out by gelatin zymography assay. Furthermore, aesculetin increased the expression level of TIMP-1 but decreased the expression level of MMP-9 stimulated with PMA in western blot assay. Furthermore, aesculetin remarkably inhibited cell invasion related to metastasis a dose dependent manner. Above results suggest that aesculetin could exert chemopreventive effect through inhibition of activity and expression of MMP-9 related to cell invasion.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.12
• /
• pp.1802-1807
• /
• 2009

Platycodin D, a major component of Platycodi radix, is known to have various activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor activities and others. Recently, it was reported that platycodin D inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether various adipogenic regulators are modulated by platycodin D treatment during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. mRNA levels of terminal markers of adipogenesis such as ADIPOQ (adiponectin) and GLUT (glucose transporter) 4, which were quantified by real time PCR, were decreased by platycodin D treatment. mRNA expression of PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) $\gamma$ and C/EBP (CCAAT/enhaner binding protein) $\alpha$, which are central transcription factors of adipogenesis, were also decreased by platycodin D treatment. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed mRNA expression of upstream regulators of PPAR$\gamma$ and C/EPB$\alpha$. mRNA levels of the pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF (Kruppel-like factor) 15 were markedly down-regulated by platycodin D treatment. On the other hand, mRNA expression of CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), an anti-adipogenic regulator, was significantly up-regulated by platycodin D treatment. mRNA levels of other pro-adipogenic regulators, C/EBP$\beta$ and C/EPB$\delta$, were not affected by platycodin D treatment, and another anti-adipogenic regulator, C/EBP$\gamma$ was also not affected by platycodin D treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis is mediated by gene interactions including the down-regulation of pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF15, and the up-regulation of an anti-adipogenic regulator, CHOP.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, a primary bioactive component of red ginseng, has anti-cancer effects. However, the effects of Rg3-enriched ginseng extract (Rg3RGE) on apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we explored the anti-tumor effects of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells stimulated CoCl₂, a mimetic of the chronic hypoxic response, and determined the operative mechanisms of action. Methods: The inhibitory mechanisms of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells, such as apoptosis, autophagy and ROS levels, were detected both in vitro. To determine the anti-cancer effects of Rg3RGE in vivo, the cancer xenograft model was used. Results: Rg3RGE suppressed CoCl₂-induced spheroid formation and cell viability in 3D culture of breast cancer cells. Rg3RGE promoted apoptosis by increasing cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP and decreasing Bcl2 under the hypoxia mimetic conditions. Further, we identified that Rg3RGE promoted apoptosis by inhibiting lysosomal degradation of autophagosome contents in CoCl₂-induced autophagy. We further identified that Rg3RGE-induced apoptotic cell death and autophagy inhibition was mediated by increased intracellular ROS levels. Similarly, in the in vivo xenograft model, Rg3RGE induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation and autophagy. Conclusion: Rg3RGE-stimulated ROS production promotes apoptosis and inhibits protective autophagy under hypoxic conditions. Autophagosome accumulation is critical to the apoptotic effects of Rg3RGE. The in vivo findings also demonstrate that Rg3RGE inhibits breast cancer cell growth, suggesting that Rg3RGE has potential as potential as a putative breast cancer therapeutic.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.117-127
• /
• 2008

Objective: Bee venom (BV) has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and relief of pain in Oriental medicine. The two main components of BV are melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Of these, melittin, the major active ingredient of BV, has been reported to induce apoptosis and to possess anti tumor effects. Several studies have established that the agents inducing apoptosis in target organs suppress tumorigenesis. As the other component, PLA2 has been reported to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. However, there was no report about proliferative effect of BV in neuronal cells. In order to examine the effect of BV on glioma cell, human glioma cell line, U87 was used. Methods: Analysis of proliferation was confirmed by MTT assay. BV increased cell number through dose and duration dependent manner and these effects are apparent at a concentration of 10 ug/ml. To observe which signaling molecules will be activated by BV, phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK, PYK2 or CREB were examined by Western blot analysis. To study the long term effect of BV in U87 cells, the image of cells treated with BV for 4 days were obtained. Results: The phosphorylation levels of PYK2 and Akt were increased at 5 min after addition of 10 ug/ml of BV and sustained to 2 hours. On the other hand, phosphorylation of MAPK and CREB were increased at 5 min, maximum at 10 min, and returned to 30 min. These imply that BV may activate two different signaling pathways, PYK2/Akt and MAPK/CREB. BV treated cells showed increased neurite number and length. Conclusion: These results propose that BV may induce differentiation as well as proliferation of U87 cells through the activation of PYK2/ Akt and MAPK/ CREB.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 2009

Korean mistletoe lectin (KML) is the major component found in Viscum album var. (coloratum), displaying anti-cancer and immunostimulating activities. Even though it has been shown to boost host immune defense mechanisms, the regulatory roles of KML on the functional activation of macrophages have not been fully elucidated. In this study, regulatory mechanism of KML on macrophage-mediated immune responses was examined in terms of KML-mediated signaling event. KML clearly induced mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phagocytic uptake in RAW264.7 cells. All of these events were strongly suppressed by U0126, whereas TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA was not diminished by SB203580 and SP600125, indicating ERK as a central enzyme managing KML-induced up-regulation of macrophage functions. Indeed, KML strongly induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner without altering its total level. Therefore, these data suggest that ERK may be a major signaling enzyme with regulatory property toward various KML-mediated macrophage responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.1134-1138
• /
• 2007

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is an adenosine analog, isolated from Cordyceps militaris, and it has been used as an anticancer and anti-inflammation ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. We investigated the effects of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) on human platelet aggregation, which was induced by thapsigargin, a tumor promoter, and determined the cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ levels ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) (an aggregation-stimulating molecule) and cyclic-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) (an aggregation-inhibiting molecule). Cordycepin inhibited thapsigargin-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, and it clearly reduced the levels of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, which was increased by thapsigargin ($1\;{\mu}M$) or U46619 ($3\;{\mu}M$). Cordycepin also increased the thapsigargin-reduced cGMP levels. Accordingly, our data demonstrated that cordycepin may have a beneficial effect on platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic diseases through the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-regulating system such as cGMP.