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Anticancer activity of Asparagus cochinchinensis extract and fractions in HepG2 cells

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Abstract

Asparagus cochinchinensis Merrill (Liliaceae) has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Korea and China, but its anticancer activity and underlying mechanism remain to be defined. Anticancer activities were investigated on fractions obtained from A. cochinchinensis 70% ethanol extract (ACE-EtOH) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Ethylacetate fraction from A. cochinchinensis extract (ACE-EA), more effective than other fractions, induced apoptosis of HepG2 (IC50=72.33±0.34 μg/mL), as revealed by apoptotic feature observation, increased capase-3 activity and Poly ADP ribose polymerase cleavage, and decreased expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in a dose-dependent manner. Protein levels of autophagyrelated molecules, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 α and beclin 1, appeared to be induced by ACE-EA, suggesting ACE-EA exhibits anti-cancer activity with induction via both apoptosis and autophagy signaling pathways in HepG2 cells.

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Author notes

  1. Myeong Sook Cheon

    Present address: Biotechnology Examination Division, Chemistry and Biotechnology Examination Bureau, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Republic of Korea

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Pharmacology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Yuseong-gu, P.O.Box 107, 305-600, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

    Mikyung Park & Seong Hwan Kim

  2. Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 483 Exporo, 305-811, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

    Myeong Sook Cheon, Jin Mi Chun, A Yeong Lee, Byeong Cheol Moon, Taesook Yoon & and Ho Kyoung Kim

  3. Department of Crop Agriculture & Life Science, College of Agriculture & Life Science, Chonbuk National University, 561-756, Jeonju, Republic of Korea

    Byung Kil Choo

Authors
  1. Mikyung Park
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  2. Myeong Sook Cheon
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  3. Seong Hwan Kim
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  4. Jin Mi Chun
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  5. A Yeong Lee
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  6. Byeong Cheol Moon
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  7. Taesook Yoon
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  8. Byung Kil Choo
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  9. and Ho Kyoung Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to and Ho Kyoung Kim.

Additional information

M. Park† and M.S. Cheon† contributed equally.

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Park, M., Cheon, M.S., Kim, S.H. et al. Anticancer activity of Asparagus cochinchinensis extract and fractions in HepG2 cells. J. Korean Soc. Appl. Biol. Chem. 54, 188–193 (2011). https://doi.org/10.3839/jksabc.2011.031

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3839/jksabc.2011.031

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