Background: In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of the root of Aralia cordata var. continentalis (Kitagawa) Y. C. Chu (RAc-E70) against human colorectal cancer cells. Methods and Results: RAc-E70 suppressed the proliferation of the human colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480. Although RAc-E70 reduction cyclin D1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels, RAc-E70-induced reduction in cyclin D1 protein level occurred more dramatically than that of cyclin D1 mRNA. The RAc-E70-induced downregulation of cyclin D1 expression was attenuated in the presence of MG132. Additionally, RAc-E70 reduced HA-cyclin D1 levels in HCT116 cells transfected with HA-tagged wild type-cyclin D1 expression vector. RAc-E70-mediated cyclin D1 degradation was blocked in the presence of LiCl, a GSK3β inhibitorbut, but not PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and SB203580, a p38 inhibitor. Furthermore, RAc-E70 phosphorylated cyclin D1 at threonine-286 (T286), and LiCl-induced GSK3β inhibition reduced the RAc-E70-mediated phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at T286. Conclusions: Our results suggested that RAc-E70 may downregulate cyclin D1 expression as a potential anti-cancer target through GSK3β-dependent cyclin D1 degradation. Based on these findings, RAc-E70 maybe a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.

This study was conducted to improve the managing and storing methods of the seeds of Aralia cordata var. continentalis (Kitagawa) Y.C.Chu, to examine the viability and the germination ability of seeds with different storing conditions and methods, and to develop new ways to propagate and have better healthy seedling. Therefore, the germination rate, days required for germinating seeds, and early growth responses of Aralia cordata var. continentalis (Kitagawa) Y.C.Chu were investigated with different storing temperatures, durations and methods. The germination rate was higher in stratified storage than that in dry storage condition. The highest germination rate was with outdoor temperature at 30 days after stratified storage. The days required for germinating seeds were less than 10 days with the treatment of 25℃ and outdoor temperature in stratified storage. In dry condition, they were shorter with 4℃ and 25℃ than those with -20℃ and outdoor temperature. Leaf number of seedling was higher in stratified storage compared to that in dry condition, while it was not clearly different according to storage temperatures and durations. Leaf length and leaf width of seedling was not difference among the treatment of storage methods, temperatures, and durations. Stem length of seedling was higher in stratified storage than those in dry condition, while root length was not clearly different among the treatments. It would be assumed that temperatures, methods and durations of storage could affect much to the germination rate and the early seedling growth response.