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ABSTRACT: Plant-derived active constituents and their semi-synthetic or synthetic analogs have served as major sources of anticancer drugs. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) is a metabolite of ginseng saponin of both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). We previously demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3, a glucoside precursor of PPD, exhibits anti-proliferative effects on HCT116 cells and reduces tumor size in a xenograft model. Our subsequent study indicated that PPD has more potent antitumor activity than that of Rg3 in vitro although the mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of PPD remains to be defined. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of PPD in human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. PPD was shown to inhibit growth and induce cell cycle arrest in HCT116 cells. The in vivo studies indicate that PPD inhibits xenograft tumor growth in athymic nude mice bearing HCT116 cells. The xenograft tumor size was significantly reduced when the animals were treated with PPD (30 mg/kg body weight) for 3 weeks. When the expression of previously identified Rg3 targets, A kinase (PRKA) anchor protein 8 (AKAP8L) and phosphatidylinositol transfer protein α (PITPNA), was analyzed, PPD was shown to inhibit the expression of PITPNA while upregulating AKAP8L expression in HCT116 cells. Pathway-specific reporter assays indicated that PPD effectively suppressed the NF-κB, JNK and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that the anticancer activity of PPD in colon cancer cells may be mediated through targeting NF-κB, JNK and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, although the detailed mechanisms underlying the anticancer mode of PPD action need to be fully elucidated.
Oncology Reports 04/2013; · 1.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Context: Cancer dramatically impacts human life expectancy and quality of life. Natural substances from vegetables, herbs and spices could be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of a variety of cancers. Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), which has been used as a folk medicine for treating diseases for ages, showed obvious cancer chemoprevention potential. Objective: This article focuses on the effects of Crocus sativus and its main ingredients, such as crocin, on cancer therapeutics. Methods: We reviewed research data from saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, and its constituents using the major databases, namely, Web of Science, SciFinder and PubMed. Results and conclusion: Saffron possesses free radical-scavenging properties and antitumor activities. Significant cancer chemopreventive effects have been shown in both in vitro and in vivo models. Based on current data, saffron and its ingredients could be considered as a promising candidate for clinical anticancer trials.
Pharmaceutical Biology 04/2013; · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: American ginseng is a widely used natural product. Ginseng products are usually taken orally, and human intestinal microflora may metabolize ginsenosides. Existing publications report the metabolite fates of ginsenosides. However, investigations on the comprehensive metabolic profile of American ginseng extract are absent because of the chemical complexity and limitation of analytical methods. In this work, we studied the biotransformation and metabolic profile of American ginseng extract by human intestinal microflora. Human fecal microflora was prepared from a healthy Chinese man and then anaerobically incubated with American ginseng sample at 37°C for 24h. A rapid and simple liquid-liquid extraction method was used for sample pretreatment. A highly sensitive and selective liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) method was used to characterize ginsenosides and related metabolites in the reaction samples. The LC-Q-TOF-MS provides superior data quality and advanced analytical capabilities for profiling, identifying, and characterizing complex metabolites in matrix-based biological samples. A total of 25 metabolites were detected, 13 of which were undoubtedly assigned by comparison with reference compounds, and 12 others were tentatively identified. The three most abundant metabolites are 20S-ginsenoside Rg3, ginsenoside F2 and compound K. The main metabolic pathways of ginseng saponins are deglycosylation reactions by intestinal microflora through stepwise cleavage of sugar moieties. Subsequent dehydration reactions also occur. Protopanaxadiol- and oleanane-type triterpenoids are easy to metabolize. The intestinal microbiota may play an important role in mediating the metabolism bioactivity of American ginseng.
Journal of chromatography. A 02/2013; · 4.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Objective: Methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally restricted opioid antagonist with mu-opioid receptor selectivity, can reduce opioid activity in the gastrointestinal tract while sparing the pain relief afforded by opioids. Since the bioavailability of oral MNTX is low, it is necessary to explore the oral formulations of MNTX that increase its bioavailability. Materials and methods: An MNTX-phosphatidylcholine complex (MNTX-PC) formulation was prepared. The physicochemical properties of MNTX-PC were analyzed, and its bioavailability was evaluated in rats. After 250 mg/kg of oral MNTX-PC, plasma samples were collected up to 9 h. The concentrations of the compound in rat plasma were quantified using LC/MS/MS. Results: Two MNTX plasma concentration peaks were observed at 120 and 180 min for the MNTX-PC group and control (MNTX in a water solution). T(max) was 180 min, C(max) was 1083.7 ± 293.9 ng/mL, and T(1/2) was 496 min for the MNTX-PC group. For control, T(max) was 180 min, C(max) was 448.4 ± 126.0 ng/mL, and T(1/2) was 259 min. The AUC(0-540 min) for the MNTX-PC group was 5758.2 ± 1474.2 ngh/mL; for control, 1405.9 ± 447.8 ngh/mL. Thus, the relative bioavailability after the oral administration of MNTX-PC was 410% compared to that of control. Conclusion: MNTX-PC formulation significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of MNTX.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy 01/2013; · 1.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SbE) has been shown to exert chemopreventive effects on several types of cancer. Baicalin, a hydrophilic flavonoid found in SbE, may have opposing effects that decrease the antitumor potential of SbE against colorectal cancer. In this study, after removing baicalin, we prepared an aglycone-rich fraction (ARF) of SbE and evaluated its anti-proliferative activity and mechanisms of action. The flavonoids found in ARF, baicalin fraction (BF) and SbE were determined by high-performance liquid chromato-graphy (HPLC). The effects of ARF, BF, SbE and representative flavonoids on the proliferation of HCT-116 and HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells were determined by an MTS assay. The cell cycle, the expression of cyclins A and B1 and cell apoptosis were assayed using flow cytometry. Apoptosis-related gene expression was visualized by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and mitochondrial membrane potential was estimated following staining with JC-1. HPLC analysis showed that ARF contained two hydrophobic flavonoids, baicalein and wogonin, and that BF contained only baicalin. SbE had little anti-proliferative effect on the colorectal cancer cells; cancer cell growth was even observed at certain concentrations. ARF exerted potent anti-proliferative effects on the cancer cells. By contrast, BF increased cancer cell growth. ARF arrested cells in the S and G2/M phases, increased the expression of cyclins A and B1, and significantly induced cell apoptosis. Multiple genes in the mitochondrial pathway are involved in ARF-induced apoptosis, and subsequent cellular functional analysis validated the involvement of this pathway. These results suggest that removing baicalin from SbE produces an ARF that significantly inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer cells, and that the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway plays a role in hydrophobic flavonoid-induced apoptosis.
International Journal of Oncology 01/2013; · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is a triterpenoid that can be prepared from steamed ginseng. PPD possesses anticancer potential via caspase-dependent apoptosis. Whether paraptosis, a type of the caspase-independent cell death, is also induced by PPD has not been evaluated. METHODS: Cell death, the cell cycle and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry after staining with annexin V/PI, PI/RNase or H2DCFDA. We observed morphological changes by crystal violet staining assay. Mitochondrial swelling was measured by ultraviolet--visible spectrophotometry. The activation of NF-kappaB was measured by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: At comparable concentrations of 5-fluorouracil, PPD induced more cell death in human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT-116 and SW-480. We demonstrated that PPD induced paraptosis in these cancer cells. PPD treatment significantly increased the percentage of cancer cells with cytoplasmic vacuoles. After the cells were treated with PPD and cycloheximides, cytoplasmic vacuole generation was inhibited. The paraptotic induction effect of PPD was also supported by the results of the mitochondrial swelling assay. PPD induced ROS production in cancer cells, which activated the NF-kappaB pathway. Blockage of ROS by NAC or PS-1145 inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB signaling. CONCLUSIONS: PPD induces colorectal cancer cell death in part by induction of paraptosis. The anticancer activity of PPD may be enhanced by antioxidants such as green tea, which also inhibit the activation of NF-kappaB signaling.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 01/2013; 13(1):2. · 2.24 Impact Factor
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Zhiyu Zhang,
Guang-Jian Du, Chong-Zhi Wang,
Xiao-Dong Wen,
Tyler Calway,
Zejuan Li,
Tong-Chuan He,
Wei Du,
Marc Bissonnette,
Mark W Musch,
Eugene B Chang,
Chun-Su Yuan
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ABSTRACT: Compound K (20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol, CK), an intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins, has been shown to inhibit cell growth in a variety of cancers. However, the mechanisms are not completely understood, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC). A xenograft tumor model was used first to examine the anti-CRC effect of CK in vivo. Then, multiple in vitro assays were applied to investigate the anticancer effects of CK including antiproliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. In addition, a qPCR array and western blot analysis were executed to screen and validate the molecules and pathways involved. We observed that CK significantly inhibited the growth of HCT-116 tumors in an athymic nude mouse xenograft model. CK significantly inhibited the proliferation of human CRC cell lines HCT-116, SW-480, and HT-29 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We also observed that CK induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase in HCT-116 cells. The processes were related to the upregulation of p53/p21, FoxO3a-p27/p15 and Smad3, and downregulation of cdc25A, CDK4/6 and cyclin D1/3. The major regulated targets of CK were cyclin dependent inhibitors, including p21, p27, and p15. These results indicate that CK inhibits transcriptional activation of multiple tumor-promoting pathways in CRC, suggesting that CK could be an active compound in the prevention or treatment of CRC.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences 01/2013; 14(2):2980-95. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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Jing Li,
Zuo-Hui Shao,
Jing-Tian Xie, Chong-Zhi Wang,
Srinivasan Ramachandran,
Jun-Jie Yin,
Han Aung,
Chang-Qing Li,
Gina Qin,
Terry Vanden Hoek,
Chun-Su Yuan
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ABSTRACT: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce oxidative injury via iron interactions (i.e. Fenton chemistry and hydroxyl radical formation). Our prior work suggested that American ginseng berry extract and ginsenoside Re were highly cardioprotective against oxidant stress. To extend this study, we evaluated the protective effect of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside Rb1 (gRb1) on H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative injury in cardiomyocytes and explored the ROS-mediated intracellular signaling mechanism. Cultured embryonic chick cardiomyocytes (4-5 day) were used. Cell death was assessed by propidium iodide and lactate dehydrogenase release. Pretreatment with gRb1 (0.01, 0.1, or 1 μM) for 2 h and concurrent treatment with H(2)O(2) (0.5 mM) for 2 h resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of cell death, 36.6 ± 2.9% (n = 12, p < 0.05), 30.5 ± 5.1% (n = 12, p < 0.05) and 28.6 ± 3.1% (n = 12, p < 0.01) respectively, compared to H(2)O(2)-exposed cells (48.2 ± 3.3%, n = 12). This cardioprotective effect of gRb1 was associated with attenuated intracellular ROS generation as measured by 6-carboxy-2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, preserved the mitochondrial membrane potential as determined using JC-1. In the ESR study, gRb1 exhibited the scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radical activities. Furthermore, our data showed the increased JNK phosphorylation (p-JNK) in H(2)O(2)-exposed cells was suppressed by the pretreatment with gRb 1 (1 μM) (p < 0.01). Co-treatment of gRb1 with a specific inhibitor of JNK SP600125 (10 μM) further reduced the p-JNK and enhanced the cell survival after H(2)O(2) exposure. Collectively, our results suggest that gRb1 conferred cardioprotection that was mediated via attenuating ROS and suppressing ROS-induced JNK activation.
Archives of Pharmacal Research 07/2012; 35(7):1259-67. · 1.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Panaxadiol (PD) is a purified sapogenin of ginseng saponins, which exhibits anticancer activity. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major catechin in green tea, is a strong botanical antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the possible synergistic anticancer effects of PD and EGCG on human colorectal cancer cells and explored the potential role of apoptosis in the synergistic activities. Effects of selected compounds on HCT-116 and SW-480 human colorectal cancer cells were evaluated by a modified trichrome stain cell proliferation analysis. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic effects were analyzed by flow cytometry after staining with PI/RNase or annexin V/PI. Cell growth was suppressed after treatment with PD (10 and 20 µm) for 48 h. When PD (10 and 20 µm) was combined with EGCG (10, 20, and 30 µm), significantly enhanced antiproliferative effects were observed in both cell lines. Combining 20 µm of PD with 20 and 30 µm of EGCG significantly decreased S-phase fractions of cells. In the apoptotic assay, the combination of PD and EGCG significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells compared with PD alone (p < 0.01). The synergistic apoptotic effects were also supported by docking analysis, which demonstrated that PD and EGCG bound in two different sites of the annexin V protein. Data from this study suggested that apoptosis might play an important role in the EGCG-enhanced antiproliferative effects of PD on human colorectal cancer cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytotherapy Research 05/2012; · 2.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Panaxadiol is a purified sapogenin of ginseng saponins that exhibits anticancer activity. Irinotecan is a second-line anticancer drug, but clinical treatment with irinotecan is limited due to its side effects. In this study, we have investigated the possible synergistic anticancer effects of panaxadiol and irinotecan on human colorectal cancer cells and explored the potential role of apoptosis in their synergistic activity.
The combination of panaxadiol and irinotecan significantly enhanced antiproliferative effects in HCT-116 cells (P< 0.05). Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that combining irinotecan treatment with panaxadiol significantly increased the G1-phase fractions of cells, compared with irinotecan treatment alone. In apoptotic assays, the combination of panaxadiol and irinotecan significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells compared with irinotecan alone (P<0.01). Increased activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was observed after treating with panaxadiol and irinotecan. The synergistic apoptotic effects were supported by docking analysis, which demonstrated that panaxadiol and irinotecan bound two different chains of the caspase-3 protein.
Data from this study suggested that caspase-3- and caspase-9-mediated apoptosis may play an important role in the panaxadiol enhanced antiproliferative effects of irinotecan on human colorectal cancer cells.
The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. 05/2012; 64(5):727-34.
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ABSTRACT: In the present study, rapid resolution liquid chromatography was coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) to identify the absorbed components and metabolites in rat urine after oral administration of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD). After oral administration of BYHWD, urine samples were collected and pretreated by solid phase extraction. The mass measurements were accurate within 5 ppm of error for all the protonated molecules, and subsequent fragment ions offered higher quality structural information for interpretation of the fragmentation pathways of various compounds. A total of 50 compounds were detected in rat urine samples within 20 min, including 12 parent compounds and 38 metabolites. Except for three prototype components (Hydroxysafflor yellow A, Paeoniflorin, and Amygdalin), the metabolites identified mainly came from Radix Astragali, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Rhizoma Chuanxiong. The results indicated that glucuronidation and sulfation were the major metabolic pathways of isoflavonoids, while glutathione conjugation, glucuronidation and sulfation were the main metabolic pathways of phthalides. No saponin-related metabolites were detected. The present study provided important structural information on the metabolism of BYHWD. Furthermore, the results of this work have demonstrated the feasibility of the RRLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS approach for rapid and reliable characterization of metabolites from herbal medicines.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis 04/2012; 67-68:114-22. · 2.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Our research to seek active compounds against human colorectal cancer from the root of Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch led to the isolation of two naphthoquinones, alkannin (1) and angelylalkannin (2). The antiproliferative effects of the two compounds on human colon cancer cells HCT-116 and SW-480 were determined by the 3,4-(5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt (MTS) method. Cell cycle profile and cell apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry. Both of the two compounds showed significant inhibitory effects on the cancer cells. For alkannin (1) and angelylalkannin (2), the median inhibitory concentration (IC(50) ) values were 2.38 and 4.76 µ m for HCT-116 cells, while for SW-480 cells they were 4.53 and 7.03 µ m, respectively. The potential antiproliferative mechanisms were also explored. At concentrations between 1-10 µ m, both compounds arrested the cell cycle at the G1 phase and induced cell apoptosis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytotherapy Research 04/2012; · 2.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: As one of the most commonly used medicinal plants, ginseng has been an attractive model herb for study. A wide range of analytical methods has been used to characterize its constituents. However, less effort has been devoted to the rare ginseng saponins, especially their isomers and sugar linkages. In this study, we used segmental monitoring and diagnostic ion filtering to characterize ginseng saponins by rapid liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS). By using selected diagnostic ions, specific groups of ginseng saponins were readily extracted from the complicated matrix. 20(R) and 20(S) stereo-saponins were differentiated using the peak abundance ratio of [M-H(2)O+H](+) to [M-2H(2)O+H](+). The fragmentation behavior of ginsenosides was first reported in negative ion mode by MS/MS with high-energy collision-induced dissociation, producing rules to determine sugar numbers, positions and linkages. Using the rules, we identified and compared the nontarget ginseng saponin profiling of raw and steamed American ginseng roots and berries. We characterized 70 saponins in the samples. Our strategy can be extended to screen and characterize other rare ginseng saponins and their metabolites.
Journal of chromatography. A 03/2012; 1230:93-9. · 4.19 Impact Factor
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Xiao-Dong Wen,
Jie Yang,
Rong-Hua Ma,
Wen Gao,
Lian-Wen Qi,
Ping Li,
Brent A Bauer,
Guang-Jian Du,
Zhiyu Zhang,
Jacqueline Somogyi, Chong-Zhi Wang,
Chun-Su Yuan
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ABSTRACT: A dynamic microdialysis sampling method with liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS) was developed for rapid and sensitive analysis of the metabolite profile of Panax notoginseng extract (PNE) in rat bile. In vivo studies in male Sprague-Dawley rats were performed with microdialysis probes implanted into the bile duct before bile samples were collected from 0 to 12h. Metabolites of PNE were identified using dynamic adjustment of the fragmentor voltage to produce structure-relevant fragment ions. The mass accuracy of precursor and fragment ions was typically within 5 ppm of the theoretical values. We identified 7 compounds: 4 parent compounds (notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rg1, Rb1, and Rd) and 3 metabolites (ginsenosides Rg2, Rh2, and compound K). Data from this study suggest that this microdialysis technique could be used in notoginseng saponin metabolic animal studies.
Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences 03/2012; 895-896:162-8. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ginsenoside compound K (C-K) is an intestinal microbiota metabolite of ginsenoside Rb1, a major constituent in American ginseng. However, previous ginseng anti-cancer observations were largely focused on ginseng parent compounds but not metabolites, and anti-colorectal cancer studies on C-K were limited. This study investigated the anti-proliferative effects of C-K when compared to those of Rb1, and the related mechanisms of action, in HCT-116 and SW-480 colorectal cancer cells. The effects of Rb1 and C-K on the proliferation of HCT-116 and SW-480 human colorectal cancer cells were compared using an MTS assay. Cell cycle and cell apoptosis were assayed using flow cytometry. Enzymatic activities of caspases were determined by colorimetric assay, and interactions of C-K and caspases were explored by docking analysis. C-K showed significant anti-proliferative effects in HCT-116 and SW-480 cells at concentrations of 30-50 µM. At the same concentrations, Rb1 did not show any effects, while C-K arrested the cells in the G1 phase, and significantly induced cell apoptosis. Compared to HCT-116 (p53 wild-type), the p53 mutant cell line SW-480 was more sensitive to C-K as assessed by cell cycle regulation and apoptosis induction. C-K activated expression of caspases 8 and 9, consistent with docking analysis. The docking data suggested that C-K forms hydrogen bonds with Lys253, Thr904 and Gly362 in caspase 8, and with Thr62, Ser63 and Arg207 in caspase 9. C-K, but not its parent ginsenoside Rb1, showed significant anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in human colorectal cancer cells. These results suggest that C-K could be a potentially effective anti-colorectal cancer agent.
International Journal of Oncology 03/2012; 40(6):1970-6. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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Annals of internal medicine 01/2012; 156(2):166; author reply 166-7. · 16.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the United States, many patients, including cancer patients, concurrently take prescription drugs and herbal supplements. Co-administration of prescription medicines and herbal supplements may have negative outcomes via pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions. However, multiple constituents in botanicals may also yield beneficial pharmacological activities. Botanicals could possess effective anticancer compounds that may be used as adjuvants to existing chemotherapy to improve efficacy and/or reduce drug-induced toxicity. Herbal medicines, such as ginseng, potentiated the effects of chemotherapeutic agents via synergistic activities, supported by cell cycle evaluations, apoptotic observations, and computer-based docking analysis. Since botanicals are nearly always administrated orally, the role of intestinal microbiota in metabolizing ginseng constituents is presented. Controlled clinical studies are warranted to verify the clinical utility of the botanicals in cancer chemoprevention.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2012; 40(4):657-69. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2012; 40(6):1321-2. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important component of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The fast economic growth of mainland China in the past two decades has promoted the use of TCM beyond Chinese-speaking countries. Chinese researchers have published more TCM research studies in CAM-related professional journals, including the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (AJCM), the highest impact journal in Chinese medicine. The consistent increase of the impact factor of the AJCM suggests a growth in TCM popularity. This study analyzed articles published in the AJCM between 2004 and 2011. Our data show that while enthusiasm towards cardiovascular, nervous system and inflammation related research remained high, more herbal investigations and cancer studies were published. Furthermore, a reduction in TCM formulation studies was replaced by increasing botanical single constituent research. Examples of frequently cited studies, including those before 2004, are presented. These data are not only important to the scientific community for recognition of trends in TCM research, but also for providing information to TCM researchers who are targeting potentially highly cited studies.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2012; 40(6):1099-108. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Green tea is a popular drink consumed daily by millions of people around the world. Previous studies have shown that some polyphenol compounds from green tea possess anticancer activities. However, systemic evaluation was limited. In this study, we determined the cancer chemopreventive potentials of 10 representative polyphenols (caffeic acid, CA; gallic acid, GA; catechin, C; epicatechin, EC; gallocatechin, GC; catechin gallate, CG; gallocatechin gallate, GCG; epicatechin gallate, ECG; epigallocatechin, EGC; and epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG), and explored their structure-activity relationship. The effect of the 10 polyphenol compounds on the proliferation of HCT-116 and SW-480 human colorectal cancer cells was evaluated using an MTS assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic effects were analyzed by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide (PI)/RNase or annexin V/PI. Among the 10 polyphenols, EGCG showed the most potent antiproliferative effects, and significantly induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and cell apoptosis. When the relationship between chemical structure and anticancer activity was examined, C and EC did not show antiproliferative effects, and GA showed some antiproliferative effects. When C and EC esterified with GA to produce CG and ECG, the antiproliferative effects were increased significantly. A similar relationship was found between EGC and EGCG. The gallic acid group significantly enhanced catechin's anticancer potential. This property could be utilized in future semi-synthesis of flavonoid derivatives to develop novel anticancer agents.
Nutrients 01/2012; 4(11):1679-91. · 0.68 Impact Factor
