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Target genes involved in antiproliferative effect of modified ginseng extracts in lung cancer A549 cells
Keun-Hong Kim1, Ilsan Choi2, Yeon-Weol Lee1
1East-West Cancer Center, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon 302-122, Korea.
Abstract:
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Panax ginseng has long been used to treat cancer and other diseases worldwide. Most of the pharmacological actions of ginseng are attributed to a variety of ginsenosides, which are often metabolized by intestinal bacteria into more effective forms. In this study, we found that the antiproliferative activity of ginseng was increased after enzymatic processing of ginseng saponin (50% inhibitory concentration, >70 μg/ml). To elucidate the mechanism by which modified ginseng extract (MGX) induced cell death in human lung cancer cells, the gene expression profiles of A549 cells regulated by MGX were assayed using Agilent PrimeView Human Gene Expression Arrays. The expression of 17 genes involved in the regulation of cell signaling, cell metabolism, transport, and cytoskeleton-regulation was up-regulated, whereas the expression of 16 genes implicated in invasion and metastasis and cellular metabolism was down-regulated in MGX-treated A549 cells. Moreover, nuclear staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole revealed that MGX clearly caused nuclear condensation and fragmentation which are observed in apoptosis cell. These results elucidate crucial anticancer mechanisms of MGX and provide potential new targets for the assessment of anticancer activity of MGX.
Insights
Modified ginseng extract (MGX) shows enhanced antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells. MGX induces apoptosis and alters gene expression, suggesting potential as a novel lung cancer therapeutic.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- Panax ginseng and its compounds (ginsenosides) have traditional uses in cancer treatment.
- Intestinal bacteria metabolize ginsenosides into more potent forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticancer mechanisms of modified ginseng extract (MGX) in human lung cancer cells.
- To elucidate the effects of MGX on gene expression profiles in A549 lung cancer cells.
- To determine if MGX induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic processing of ginseng saponin to create MGX.
- Gene expression profiling of A549 cells using Agilent PrimeView Human Gene Expression Arrays.
- Nuclear staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) to assess apoptosis.
Main Results:
- MGX demonstrated increased antiproliferative activity against lung cancer cells.
- MGX modulated the expression of 17 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated genes involved in cell signaling, metabolism, transport, invasion, and metastasis.
- MGX treatment led to nuclear condensation and fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- MGX exhibits significant anticancer activity against human lung cancer cells.
- The anticancer effects of MGX are mediated through the induction of apoptosis and modulation of specific gene expression pathways.
- MGX presents potential as a novel therapeutic agent for lung cancer, with identified molecular targets for further assessment.
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