Search

Background: Carthami flos (CF) is a traditional medicine used to treat various diseases, especially cancer therapy. Objectives: The mechanisms of cell death induction by CF were investigated in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability assay, cell cycle analysis, caspase activity assay, western blotting, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay were used to check the anti-cancer effects of CF on AGS cells. Results: Treatment with CF (100500 μg/mL) inhibited AGS cell proliferation and increased the ratio of the subG1 phase of the cell cycle. CF induced cell death was associated with a reduction in Bcl-2 and an increase in Bax levels. Moreover, expression of the apoptosismediating surface antigen (FAS) was increased. CF activated caspase-3 and -9. In addition, it regulated the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and increased intracellular ROS generation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CF induced apoptosis in AGS cells and could thus, serve as a novel anticancer agent to promote apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Background: Bojungikki-tang (BJIT) is a traditional formula used to treat Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Objectives: We investigated the GI motility functions in vivo and the pacemaker potential in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in vitro by BJIT. Materials and Methods: Intestinal transit rate (ITR) and serum levels of GI hormones were investigated in mice. ICC-induced pacemaker potential was evaluated using the electrophysiological method. Results: ITR values and the level of motilin significantly increased after treatment with BJIT. The BJIT-induced ITR increase was related to the increase in the expression of a c-kit. BJIT induced the pacemaker potential depolarizations and the frequency decrease of ICCs. Pretreatment with methoctramine resulted in the inhibition of BJIT-induced depolarization of the pacemaker potential. However, BJIT-induced effects were retained in the presence of 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide. Furthermore, thapsigargin pretreatment resulted in the inhibition of BJIT-induced effects. Moreover, BJIT blocked both transient receptor potential melastatin 7 and calcium-activated chloride (transmembrane protein 16A) channels. Conclusion: These results indicate that BJIT can be considered a good medicine for controlling GI motility.

Background: Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid isolated from the roots of various species of licorice plants. Objectives: Mechanisms underlying ISL-induced cell death were investigated in 5637 human bladder cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Cell viabilities were measured with 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell cycle analysis, caspase activity assay, western blotting, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay were also used to investigate the anticancer effects of ISL on 5637 cells. Results: ISL (100–500 μg/ml) inhibited cancer cell proliferation and increased sub-G1 cell cycle phase ratios. ISL-induced cell death resulted in reduced Bcl-2 and increased Bax. ISL also activated caspase-3 and -9 and increased the levels of intracellular ROS generated. In addition, TG100-115 (transient receptor potential [TRP] melastatin 7 inhibitor) and tranilast (TRP vanilloid 2 inhibitor) each exerted a synergistic effect with ISL on ISL-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ISL causes apoptosis in 5637 cancer cell line. Therefore, ISL may be a potential anticancer drug for treating bladder cancer and a good anticancer supplement.

Background: Herbal medicine has been used for the treatment of obesity. Obesity is a very common global health problem, and it is known to be linked to metabolic diseases. Objective: To investigate on the anti-obesity effects of herbal medicines such as Rehmanniae radix (RR), Citrus unshiu peel (CUP), and Poria cocos wolf (PCW) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or an HFD for 6 weeks, and herbal medicines were administered orally three times a week for 8 weeks. Serum biochemical parameters were detected by measuring glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. In addition, histological changes were observed in epididymal adipose tissues. Results: The RR, CUP, and PCW effectively lowered both the body weight and epididymal adipose tissue weight and reduced the adipocyte enlargement. In addition, we examined the serum biochemical profiles of HFD-induced obese mice to confirm the anti-obesity effects of RR, CUP, and PCW. Compared to the ND mice, the administration of RR, CUP, and PCW efficiently reduced the glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol serum levels in HFD-induced obese mice. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the herbal medicines, such as RR, CUP, and PCW, are potential novel agents for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases, especially obesity.