Acacetin, which is present in damiana (Turnera diffusa ) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ), has several pharmacologic activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of acacetin on head and neck cancers has not been clearly established. This study aimed to examine the effects of acacetin on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells. These were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation assay, and immunoblotting in FaDu cells. Acacetin induced FaDu cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 41.9 µM, without affecting the viability of L-929 mouse fibroblasts as normal cells. Acacetin treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in the FaDu cells. It promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8, and -9 with increasing amounts of the cleaved caspase isoforms in FaDu cells. Acacetin-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting showed downregulation of the anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but upregulation of the mitochondria-dependent pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Badin FaDu cells after acacetin treatment. These findings indicate that acacetin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Bilobalide isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba has several pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant. However, the effect of bilobalide on cancer has not been clearly established. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bilobalide on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This was examined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, nuclear 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, DNA fragmentation analysis, and immunoblotting. Bilobalide inhibited the growth of FaDu cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Treatment with bilobalide resulted in nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation in FaDu cells. Furthermore, it promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3/-7/-8/-9 with increase in the amount of cleaved caspase-3/-7/-8/-9. Bilobalide-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and the activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting revealed that the antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein Bcl-2 was downregulated, but the proapoptotic protein Bax was upregulated by bilobalide in FaDu cells. Bilobalide significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These results suggest that bilobalide inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in FaDu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Tyrosol, a phenylethanoid and a derivative of phenethyl alcohol, possesses various biological properties, such as anti-oxidative and cardioprotective activity. Olive oil is the principal source of tyrosol in the human diet. However, so far the anti-cancer activity of tyrosol has not yet been well defined. This study therefore undertakes to examine the cytotoxic activity and the mechanism of cell death exhibited by tyrosol in KB human oral cancer cells. Treatment of KB cells with tyrosol induced the cell growth inhibition in a concentration- and a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the treatment of tyrosol induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation of KB cells. Tyrosol also promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and –9, increasing the amounts of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and –9. In addition, tyrosol increased the levels of cleaved PARP in KB cells. These results suggest that tyrosol induces the suppression of cell growth and cell apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and is therefore a potential candidate for anti-cancer drug discovery.

β-carotene is present in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. It suppresses many types of cancers by regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis through a variety of mechanisms. However, the effects of β -carotene on oral cancer cells have not been clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of β-carotene on cell growth and apoptosis in oral cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment with β-carotene induced inhibition of cell growth, and that the effect was dependent on β-carotene treatment time and concentration in KB cells. Furthermore, treatment with β-carotene induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in KB cells. β-carotene promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and –9 with associated increases in the concentration of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and –9. In addition, the level of cleaved PARP was increased by β-carotene treatment in KB cells. These results suggest that β-carotene can suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and that it may have potential usefulness in anti-cancer drug discovery efforts.

영지버섯 자실체를 열수추출과 주정추출을 하여 항산화 효능 및 간암 및 위암세포의 생장 저해도를 분석하였다. 항산화 효능을 실시한 결과, 대조군인 Trolox, BHA보다 높은 항산화 효능을 보인 것은 ASI 7004, 7014이며, 이 두 균주는 열수추출물과 주정 추출물에서 모두 높은 항산화 효능을 나타냈다. 나머지 균주는 대조군인 ABTs보다 대체적으로 높은 효능을 보였다. 또한 암세포 생장저해도를 알아보기 위해서 열수, 주정 추출물을 간암세포인 HepG2에 농도별로(100, 200, 400μg/ml) 처리하여, 세포 생장 저해도(MTT assay)를 측정한 결과, 열수 추출물에서는 ASI 7002, 7011, 7014, 7020이 농도 의존적으로 간암세포의 생장을 저해하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 주정 추출물에서는 ASI 7011, 7019가 농도 의존적으로 간암세포 생장을 저해하는 것으로 나타났다. 위암세포인 AGS에 농도별로(100, 200, 400μg/ml)처리하여, 세포 생장 저해도(MTT assay)를 측정한 결과, 열수 추출물에서는 ASI 7001, 7002, 7019, 7020이 농도 의존적으로 위암세포의 생장을 저해하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 주정 추출물에서는 ASI 7001, 7002가 농도 의존적으로 위암세포 생장을 저해하는 것으로 나타났다.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that mediate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by degrading or repressing targeted mRNAs. These molecules are about 21-25 nucleotides in length and exert their effects by binding to partially complementary sites in mRNAs, predominantly in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Recent evidence has demonstrated that miRNAs can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors through the modulation of multiple oncogenic cellular processes in cancer development, including initiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. In our present study, we examined the expression profile of miRNAs related to oral cancer cell growth inhibition using normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOK) and YD-38 human oral cancer cells. By miRNA microassay analysis, 40 and 31 miRNAs among the 1,769 examined were found to be up- and down-regulated in YD-38 cells compared with NHOK cells, respectively. Using qRT-PCR analysis, the expression levels of miR-30a and miR-1246 were found to be increased in YD-38 cells compared with NHOK cells, whereas miR-203 and miR-125a were observed to be decreased. Importantly, the overexpression of miR-203 and miR-125a significantly inhibited the growth of YD-38 cells. This finding and the microarray data indicate the involvement of specific miRNAs in the development and progression of oral cancer.

Angelica decursiva has been used in Korean traditional medicine as an antitussive, an analgesic, an antipyretic and a cough remedy. However, the anti-cancer properties of Angelica decursiva have not yet been well defined. In our current study the cytotoxic activity of ethanol extracts of Angelica decursiva root (EEAD) and the mechanism of cell death exhibited by EEAD were examined in FaDu human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. The cytotoxic effects of EEAD upon the growth of FaDu cells were examined with an MTT assay. In addition, the mechanism of cell death induced by EEAD was evaluated by DNA fragmentation analysis, immunoblotting and caspase activation measurements. EEAD induced apoptotic cell death in FaDu cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, as determined by MTT assay and DNA fragmentation analysis. Furthermore, the proteolytic processing of caspase-3, -7 and -9 was increased by EEAD treatment of FaDu cells. In addition, the activation of caspase-3 and -7 was detected in living FaDu cells by fluorescence microscopy. These results suggest that EEAD can induce apoptosis and suppress cell growth in cancer cells and may have utility as a future anticancer therapy.

This study examined the effects of red light generated from a light emitting diode (LED) upon proliferation and mitochondrial stress in human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). Cells were exposed to LED-generated red light at a clinically relevant intensity and distance with a 610-630 nm wavelength for various times (0-48 min). At different exposure times, cells were processed for the analysis of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cytotoxicity. Cell cycle progression was also investigated by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. Red light exposure was found to inhibit SDH activity and DNA synthesis in hGFs in a time-dependent manner. Light exposure also reduced the MMP levels in these cells and this was closely associated with a G0/G1 arrest. In contrast, exposure of hGFs to red light for 48 min led to a dramatic loss of MMP with an attendant increase in cytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate that LED-generated red light may cause mitochondrial stress and growth inhibition in hGFs during tooth whitening therapy, depending on the length of the exposure.

Amino acid transporters are essential for the growth and proliferation in all living cells. Among the amino acid transporters, the system L amino acid transporters are the major nutrient transport system responsible for the Na+-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), an isoform of system L amino acid transporter, is highly expressed in cancer cells to support their continuous growth and proliferation. 2-Aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid(BCH) is a model compound for study of amino acid transporter as a system L selective inhibitor. We have examined the effect and mechanism of BCH on cell growth suppression in FaDu human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The BCH inhibited the L-leucine transport in a concentration-dependent manner with a IC 50 value of 43.8±4.3μM. The majority of L-leucine uptake is, therefore, mediated by LAT1 in FaDu cells. The growth of FaDu cells was inhibited by BCH in the time- and concentration- dependent manners. The formation of DNA ladder was not observed with BCH treatment in the cells. Furthermore, the proteolytic processing of caspase-3 and caspase-7 in the cells was not detected by BCH treatment. These results suggest that the BCH inhibits the growth of FaDu human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through the intracellular depletion of neutral amino acids for cell growth without apoptotic processing

곰피추출물의 CCD-986sk cell line monolayer (human fibroblast, KCBL-21947)에 대한 피부세포 생리활성효과를 측정하고, 또한 곰피추출물의 Clone M-3 mouse melano-cyte cell line에 대한 melanin formation 저해효과를 측정하기 위해 in vitro레벨에서 실험을 실시하였다. 곰피는 다년생 갈조류의 일종으로 이 종은 한국 연안해역에서 중요한 1차생산자의 역할을 담당하고 있는

소프트 콘돼트렌즈의 재질파 보관용액에 의한 세포독성과 홉수 스펙트럼에 대한 홉광도를 비교하여 상호간에 관련이 있는지 여부를 조사하기 위해 본 연구롤 시행하 였다.7 개 제품의 각 제품별로 16 개 렌즈를 5ml의 증류수가 들어있는 병에 넣어 12 1 "C에서 1 시간 동안 용출하였다. 전에 연구한 배양세포 증식저해 시험에 대한 결과를 토대로 용출액과 보관용액에 대한 홉광도를 UV Spectrophotorne따를 이용하여 220- 350nm에서 측정하였다. 고함수 이온성 재질인 2 개 제품의 용출액과 보관용액의 홉 광도는 220-240nm에서 기준값보다 높게 나왔으나 241-350nm에서는 모두 훨씬 낮은 값올 나타내어 투명한 것으로 판명되었다. 이러한 결과로 용출액과 보관용액의 세포독성과 홉광도와는 거의 관련이 없는 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 색소의 종류가 다른 흑미와 적미의 생리기능 성을 구명하여 천연 기능성 식품 소재로의 이용을 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 일반 벼인 일품을 포함하여 흑미인 흑광, 흑설 및 적미인 적진주, 홍진주을 실험재료로 항산화 활성 및 암세포 성장 억제에 대한 실험을 수행하였다. 추출 수율 및 총 페놀함량은 흑미가 적미 보다 높았다. 총 페놀함 량에서 흑미와 적미는 일반벼 보다 4배 이상 높은 수준이었 다. DPPH radical 소거능은 적미와 흑미 간에는 차이가 없었 으나 품종 간에는 홍진주, 흑광, 흑설, 적진주 순서로 높았 다. 반면, ABTS 항산화력은 적미보다 흑미가 높았다. 이는 총 페놀화합물 함량 결과와 경향이 같았다. 암세포 성장 억제 능 측정 결과, 적미는 폐암세포 성장 억제 효과가 흑미 보다 높았다. 반면, 유방암 세포 성장 억제 능은 흑미와 적미 간에는 차이가 없었으며, 품종 간에는 적진주, 흑광, 홍진주, 흑설 순으로 높았다. 흑미와 적미의 생리기능성 비교 결과, 항산화 활성은 흑미가 높은 반면, 적미는 폐암세 포 성장 억제 효과에서 높았다.

각 균주에 대하여 씀바귀 분말 시료들이 독성을 나타내지 않는 범위에서 강력한 발암물질로써 직접 변이원으로 사용된 MNNG(0.4μg/plate)의 경우 S. typhymurium TA100 균주에서 시료농도 100μg/plate에서 메탄올 추출물이 84.51%로 가장 높은 억제효과가 나타났으며, 4NQO(0.15μg/plate)에 대한 S. typhymurium TA98 균주에서 시료농도 100μg/plate에서는 물 분획물이 86.73%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 나타내었다 또한, TA100균주의 경우에는 부탄올 분획물에서 88.93%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 나타내었다. 간접변이원인 B(a)P를 사용한 실험에서 TA98 균주에서는 메탄올 추출물이 86.98%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 보였으며, TA100 균주에서는 부탄올 분획물이 75.35%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 나타냈다. 암세포주(A549, Hep3B, MCF-7)에 대한 씀바귀 분말의 증식 억제효과를 알아보기 위하여 실험한 결과, 폐암세포주인 A549세포에서는 핵산 분획물(500μg/ml)이 87.91%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 나타내었으며, 간암 세포주인 Hep3B 에서는 핵산 분획물(375μg/ml)이 70.64%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 나타냈다. 유방암 세포주인 MCF-7에서도 핵산 분획물(375μg/ml)이 82.89%로 가장 높은 억제효과를 보였으며, 인간 정상 간세포 293에 대해서는 24% 이하의 생육억제율을 보였다. 이는 암세포주에 대한 높은 억제효과에 비해 정상세포에 대해서는 비교적 낮은 증식 억제효과를 나타냄을 알 수 있었다.