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Ultrasonication processed Panax ginseng berry extract induces apoptosis through an intrinsic apoptosis pathway in HepG2 cells

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Abstract

Ginseng’s major active components, ginsenosides, have been known to show anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities. Ultrasonication processed Panax ginseng berry extract (UGB) contains various ginsenosides. The components are different from Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE). This study was aimed to investigate the cytotoxic mechanism of UGB in HepG2 cells, human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. HepG2 cells were treated with UGB (0, 10, 20 μg/ml). Cell growth and cellular apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and Annexin V/Pi staining, respectively. Intracellular Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also determined by 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA) staining. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3, the apoptotic markers, were evaluated by Western Blot. UGB dose-dependently inhibited cell growth and induced apoptotic cell death. Intracellular ROS levels were increased. UGB increased the expression of the cleaved form of caspase-3. Furthermore, UGB induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells through Bax activation and Bcl-2 inhibition. In conclusion, UGB induced apoptosis through an intrinsic pathway in HepG2 cells suggesting that UGB might play a role as a novel substance for anti-cancer effect.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by High Value-added Food Technology Development program, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (113021-03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, Republic of Korea

    Hyunwoo Jung, Jinhyung Bae & Uy Dong Sohn

  2. Department of Oriental Medical Food & Nutrition, Semyung University, Jecheon, Choongbuk, Republic of Korea

    Sung Kwon Ko

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  1. Hyunwoo Jung
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  2. Jinhyung Bae
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  3. Sung Kwon Ko
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  4. Uy Dong Sohn
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Correspondence to Uy Dong Sohn.

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Jung, H., Bae, J., Ko, S.K. et al. Ultrasonication processed Panax ginseng berry extract induces apoptosis through an intrinsic apoptosis pathway in HepG2 cells. Arch. Pharm. Res. 39, 855–862 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-016-0760-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-016-0760-6

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