• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2019

Immunometabolism, defined as the interaction of metabolic pathways with the immune system, influences the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Metformin and carbon monoxide (CO) are two pharmacological agents known to ameliorate metabolic disorders. There are notable similarities and differences in the reported effects of metformin and CO on immunometabolism. Metformin, an anti-diabetes drug, has positive effects on metabolism and can exert anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects via adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. CO, an endogenous product of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), can exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects at low concentration. CO can confer cytoprotection in metabolic disorders and cancer via selective activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) pathway. Both metformin and CO can induce mitochondrial stress to produce a mild elevation of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) by distinct mechanisms. Metformin inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), while CO inhibits ETC complex IV. Both metformin and CO can differentially induce several protein factors, including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and sestrin2 (SESN2), which maintain metabolic homeostasis; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of the antioxidant response; and REDD1, which exhibits an anticancer effect. However, metformin and CO regulate these effects via different pathways. Metformin stimulates p53- and AMPK-dependent pathways whereas CO can selectively trigger the PERK-dependent signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to identify the mechanistic differences between metformin and CO, pharmacological application of these agents may represent useful strategies to ameliorate metabolic diseases associated with altered immunometabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2013

The ginseng plant (Panax ginseng Meyer) has a large number of active ingredients including steroidal saponins with a dammarane skeleton as well as protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol, commonly known as ginsenosides, which have antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-adipocyte, and sexual enhancing effects. Though several discoveries have demonstrated that ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) as the most important therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis, yet the molecular mechanism of its active metabolites is unknown. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the therapeutic properties of ginsenosides both in vivo and in vitro, with an emphasis on the different molecular agents comprising receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, as well as the bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Smad signaling pathways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.3865-3871
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• 2014

It is becoming progressively more understandable that different phytochemicals isolated from edible plants interfere with specific stages of carcinogenesis. Cancer cells have evolved hallmark mechanisms to escape from death. Concordant with this approach, there is a disruption of spatiotemproal behaviour of signaling cascades in cancer cells, which can escape from apoptosis because of downregulation of tumor suppressor genes and over-expression of oncogenes. Genomic instability, intra-tumor heterogeneity, cellular plasticity and metastasizing potential of cancer cells all are related to molecular alterations. Data obtained through in vitro studies has convincingly revealed that curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol and quercetin are promising anticancer agents. Their efficacy has been tested in tumor xenografted mice and considerable experimental findings have stimulated researchers to further improve the bioavailability of these nutraceuticals. We partition this review into different sections with emphasis on how bioavailability of curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol and quercetin has improved using different nanotechnology approaches.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.607-611
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• 2012

Non-toxic stimulation of dendritic cells (DCs), which are central immunomodulators, may aid the prevention of cancer. Furthermore, induction of apoptosis in cancer cells by anticancer agents contributes to the induction of DC maturation. We previously reported that extracts from $Pinus$ $parviflora$ Sieb. et Zucc pine cone and $Mucuna$ seed induce differentiation of mouse bone marrow cells into mature dendritic cells and also induce apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines. In the present study, we screened 31 kinds of edible beans with biological activity similar to that of extracts from pine cone and $Mucuna$ and found that the heat-stable extract from azuki bean ($Vigna$ $angula$) stimulated differentiation of bone marrow cells into immature DCs with the greatest efficacy. The level of IL-6 produced by sequential treatment of DCs with azuki extract and lipopolysaccharide was the highest among the examined beans. Azuki extract also inhibited the growth of human leukemia U937 cells, leading to induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that azuki bean and its extract are immunopotentiating foods that can be used as a dietary supplement for cancer prevention and immunotherapy.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.104-108
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• 1998

In the present study, we have evaluated cytotoxic effects of Taraxaci Herba extract in human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. An antitumor activity was measured by colorimetric assays using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and sulforhodamine protein B (SRB). The light microscopic study showed morphological changes, Ag-NOR (argyrophylic nucleolar organizer region) number and PAS positive reaction or the treated cells. These results obtained are as follows : MTT and SRB quantities were significantly decreased in cultured KB cells treated with 10$^{-2}$ /mg/ml and 10$^{-3}$ /mg/ml concentrations. The number of Ag-NORs were significantly decreased in cultured KB cells treated with 10$^{-2}$ /mg/ml and 10$^{-3}$ /mg/ml concentrations and the rate of Ag-NORs was shifted to left side (one Ag-Nounucleus was increased and five Ag-NORs/nucleus were decreased) by the high concentration. PAS reaction of cultured KB cells treated with 10$^{-2}$ /mg/ml and 10$^{-3}$ /mg/ml concentrations was negative. These results suggest that Taraxaci Herba retains a potential antitumor activity.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48
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• pp.41-48
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• 2003

The number of natural products obtained from plants has now reached over 100,000 and new chemical compounds are being discovered ever year. Medicinal and Aromatic plants and their extracts have been used for centuries to relieve pain, aid healing, kill bacteria and insects are important as the antifungal and anti-herbivore agents with further compounds being involved in the symbiotic associations. Although their functions in plants have not been fully established, it is Known that some substances have growth regulatory properties while others are involved in pollination and seed dispersal. The complex nature of these chemicals are usually produced in various types of secretory structures which is an important character of a plant family and also influenced and controlled by genetic and ecological factors. Detailed anatomical description of these structures ave relevant to the market value of the plants, the verification of authenticity of a given species and for the detection of substitution or adulteration. Volatile oils are used for their therapeutic action for flavoring of lemon, in perfumery of rose or as starting materials for the synthesis of other compounds of turpentine. For therapeutic purposes they are administered as inhalations of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, as gargles and mouthwashes of thymol and transdermally many essential oils including those of lavender, etc. With these current trend for using volatile components in essential oil will be increasing in the future in Korea and in the world as well.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2001

We have synthesized a novel platinum(II) coordination complex containing cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) as a carrier ligand and 1,3-dichloropropane (DCP) as a leaving group. A new series of [Pt(cis- DACH)(DCP)](PC) was evaluated for its cytotoxic activity on MKN-45 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and normal primary cultured kidney cells. The new platinum complex has demonstrated high efficacy in the cytotoxicity against MKN-45/P, MKN-45/ADM and MKN-45/CDDP cell-lines. The cytotoxicity of PC against rabbit proximal renal tubular cells, human renal cortical cells and human renal cortical tissues, determined by MTT assay, the $[^3H]-thymidine$ uptake and glucose consumption tests, was found to be quite less than those of cisplatin. Based on these results, this novel platinum(II) coordination complex appears to be better for improving antitumor activities with low nephrotoxicity and is a valuable lead in the development of new, clinically available anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2008

While indirect targeting strategies using reporter-genes are taking center stage in current molecular imaging research, another vital strategy has long involved direct imaging of specific receptors using radiolabeled ligands. Recently, there is renewal of immense interest in this area with particular attention to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane glycoprotein critically involved in the regulation of many cellular functions and malignancies. Recently, two novel classes of EGFR-targeting anticancer drugs have entered clinical trials with great expectations. These are monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab that target the extracellular domain, and small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as gefitinib (lressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva) that target the catalytic domain of the receptor. However, early results have showed disappointing survival benefits, disclosing a major challenge for this therapeutic strategy; namely, the need to identify tumors that are most likely to respond to the agents. To address this important clinical issue, several noninvasive imaging techniques are under investigation including radiolabeled probes based on small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-EGFR antibodies, and EGF peptides. This review describes the current status, limitations, and future prospects in the development of radiotracer methods for EGFR imaging.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2003

A new series of highly water soluble platinum(II) complexes[Pt(II)(DL-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate)(trans-l-1,2-dimninocyc1ohexane)] (PC-1) and [Pt(II)DL-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate](cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)](PC-2) were synthesized and characterized by their elemental analysis and by various spectroscopic techniques [infrared(IR), $^{13}C$-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)]. In vitro antitumor activity of new Pt(II)complexes was tested against MKN-45, MKN/ADM and MKN/CDDP human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines using colorimetric MTT[3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] assay for cell survival and proliferation. PC-1 and PC-2 showed active against MKN-45/P, MKN/ADM and MKN/CDDP human gastric cancer cell lines, and the antitumor activity of these compounds were comparable or superior to that of cisplatin. The nephrotoxicities of PC-1 and PC-2 were found quite less then that of cisplatin using MTT and [$^3H$] thymidine uptake tests in rabbit proximal tubule cells, human kidney cortical cells human renal cortical tissues. Based on these results, these novel platinum(II) complex compounds(PC-1 ＆ PC-2) represent a valuable lead in the development of the new anticancer chemotherapeutic agents capable of improving antitumor activity and low nephrotoxicity.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 1998

In the present study, we have evaluated cytotoxic effects of the chloroform soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of Perilla frutescens in human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. The light microscopic study showed morphological changes of the treated cells. Cell membrane damaging activity was measured by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and disruptions in cell organelles were determined by 3-(4,5-dime-thylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red (NR) and sulforhodamine protein B (SRB) of colorimetric assay. These results suggest that Perilla frutescens retains a potential antitumor activity.