Induction of Apoptosis by Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil on AGS Gastric Cancer Cells

Abstract

We performed this study to understand the molecular basis underlying the antitumor effects of Saussurea lappa, Pharbitis nil, Plantago asiatica and Taraxacum mongolicum, which have been used for herbal medicinal treatments against cancers in East Asia. We analyzed the effects of these medicinal herbs on proliferation and on expression of cell growth/apoptosis related molecules, with using an AGS gastric cancer cell line. The treatments of Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil dramatically reduced cell viabilities in a dose and time-dependent manner, but Plantago asiatica and Taraxacum mongolicum didn't. FACS analysis and Annexin V staining assay also showed that both Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil induce apoptotic cell death of AGS. Expression analyses via RT-PCR and Western blots revealed that Saussurea lappa, but not Pharbitis nil, increased expression of the p53 and its downstream effector p21 Waf1, and that the both increased expression of apoptosis related Bax and cleavage of active caspase-3 protein. We also confirmed the translocation of Bax to mitochondria. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil induce growth inhibition and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells, and these effects are correlated with down-and up-regulation of growth-regulating apoptotic and tumor suppressor genes, respectively.

Anticancer activity ofSaussurea lappaextract by apoptotic pathway in KB human oral cancer cells

“…Recent scientific efforts have focused on the potential roles of traditional herbs extracts as alternative and complementary medications for cancer treatment (Kim et al, 2012;Lee et al, 2010;Moon, 2012). Currently, Compelling evidence reported by several investigators suggested different anticancer activities of S. lappa extract in both in vitro and in vivo (Ko et al, 2004(Ko et al, , 2005Sun et al, 2003). However, the effect of the S. lappa extract on the growth of KB human oral cancer cell has not been investigated.…”

“…The essential oil of the roots has strong antiseptic, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties (Madhavi et al, 2001). Previous study has shown that the ethanol extract of S. lappa has anticancer activity (Ko et al, 2004) in AGS gastric cancer cells. Recently, studies reported that the methanol extract of Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Yeh et al, 2012) and the hexane extract of Rheum undulatum L inhibited oral cancer cell proliferation through apoptosis and the down-regulation of specificity protein 1 and surviving (Choi et al, 2011), respectively.…”

A Comparative Study of Memory Improving Effects of Taraxaci herba on Scopolamine-induced Amnesia in Mouse

“…한방에서 민들레는 포공영이라고 하며 청열해독(淸熱解毒), 소염, 이뇨의 목적으로 이용하여 왔으며 15) , 어린잎은 나물로 뿌리는 약용으로 쓰기도 하였다 16) . 이 밖에도, 항암효과 17) , 위장관의 화생(metaplasia)와 비정형증식증(atypical hyperplasia)의 치료효과 18) , 만성 B형간염의 치료효과 19) , 만 성대장염 20) , 아토피성 피부염 21) , 항 바이러스작용 22) , 요로결 석 2) RAPD PCR 분석 Table 1에 제시하였다. …”

Determination of Phenolic Compounds in Saussurea salicifolia (L.) DC. by HPLC

“…Previous phytochemical and bioactivity investigations of several species of Saussurea by other scientists in the world have revealed the presence of interesting bioactive compounds like flavonoids (Jiang et al 1979;Fan & Yoe 2003), lignans (Takasaki et al 2000;Ko et al 2004), sesquiterpene lactones (Todorova et al 1991;Yang et al 2004) and γ-linolenic acid (Tsevegsuren et al 1997) with antioxidant, anticancer and anti-atherosclerotic activities.…”