RETRACTED ARTICLE: Molecular insights into the anti-cancer properties of Traditional Tibetan medicine Yukyung Karne

Abstract

BackgroundYukyung karne (YK) is a traditional Tibetan formulation used for many centuries for the treatment of ovarian cancer. However, the pharmacological basis of its anticancer property is not well understood. In the present study, the anticancer property of YK was investigated in cell culture.MethodsThe growth inhibitory property of YK was evaluated in SKOV6, IHH, HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines using MTT assay. The pro-apoptotic activity of drug was analyzed by terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA fragmentation assays. Confocal microscopy was used to show the release of cytochrome c and its co-localization with mitochondria with the help of dsRed mitotracker in SKOV6 cells. The inhibition in cell proliferation was also visualized by confocal microscopy after BrDU incorporation. The activation of tumor suppressor p53 was evaluated by Western blotting while VEGF levels in culture supernatant were measured by a colorimetric method.ResultsYK specifically and efficiently induced apoptotic killing of the human ovarian cancer SKOV6 cells as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation and nick end DNA labeling. Confocal microscopy suggested inhibition of cell proliferation and increase in cytochrome c release via perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Further, YK up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and key cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and inhibited VEGF secretion by cells. Interestingly, YK also exhibited a synergy with paclitaxel which is a well-known anti-cancer therapeutic drug.ConclusionsThe pharmacological properties of YK to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cells amply justify its usage in primary as well as adjunct therapy for ovarian cancer.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-380) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Induction of Mitochondrial Dependent Apoptosis in Human Leukemia K562 Cells by Meconopsis integrifolia: A Species from Traditional Tibetan Medicine

“…Paradoxically, induction of DNA damage, such as DNA double-strand break (DSB), has been shown to be an effective cancer treatment [13]. Yukyung Karne , a traditional Tibetan medicine was able to cause DNA fragmentation and induce cell cycle arrest in many cancer cells [14]. Thus, DNA damage was evaluated in the present study.…”

RETRACTED ARTICLE: The traditional Tibetan medicine Yukyung Karne exhibits a potent anti-metastatic activity by inhibiting the epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cell migration

“…In traditional Tibetan medicine, Yukyung Karne has been used as an effective alternative treatment for cancer metastasis specifically for ovarian cancer. Recently, we have shown that Yukyung Karne exhibits several therapeutic effects on ovarian cancer cells such as induction of growth arrest and apoptosis [ 11 ]. In addition to our earlier observation, we observed a marked increase in the levels of a critical enzyme nSMNaseII which is involved in generation of ceramide from sphingomyelins in response to apoptotic inducers such as chemotherapeutic agents leading to growth inhibition and apoptosis [ 14 ].…”

“…Yukyung Karne has been used for many decades in traditional Tibetan medicine or Sowa Rigpa for treatment of cancer [ 10 ]. Recently, we have reported the anticancer potential of Yukyung Karne using ovarian cancer cells in culture [ 11 ]. In the present study, we have investigated the anti-metastatic properties of Yukyung Karne on ovarian cancer cells by evaluating its inhibitory effects on cell migration, cell invasion, EMT and ECM.…”

In VitroandIn VivoAntitumor Effects of n-Butanol Extracts ofPterocephalus hookerion Hep3B Cancer Cell

“…Tibetan herbs, as traditional Chinese herbal medicines, have been used to treat a wide variety of clinical diseases in China for several centuries. Numerous studies have identified that Tibetan herbs have proapoptotic and anticancer properties [ 5 , 6 ]. Pterocephalus hookeri is a popular Tibetan herb, locally known as “Bang-zi-du-wu” in the Tibetan language and recorded in the Tibetan medicine book as “Si-Bu-Yi-Dian” [ 7 ].…”