Systemic and molecular analysis dissect the red ginseng induction of apoptosis and autophagy in HCC as mediated with

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula
09:03

Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula

Published on: January 26, 2024

412

Young Woo Kim1,2, Seon Been Bak1, Won-Yung Lee1

  • 1School of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Ginseng Research
|May 30, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Red Ginseng (RG) shows potential as a novel anti-cancer drug for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RG inhibits HCC growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy through the ATG/AMPK pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge with limited effective treatments.
  • There is an urgent need for novel anti-cancer drugs and therapeutic strategies for advanced HCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-cancer effects and therapeutic potential of Red Ginseng (RG) on HCC.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of RG's action in HCC using network pharmacology and molecular biology.

Main Methods:

  • Network pharmacology was used to analyze the systems-level mechanism of RG in HCC.
  • Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and autophagy were assessed using MTT assays, annexin V/PI, and acridine orange staining.
  • Western blotting was performed to analyze key apoptosis and autophagy-related proteins.

Main Results:

  • RG demonstrated significant inhibition of HCC cell growth and reduced wound healing capacity.
  • RG treatment led to increased apoptosis and autophagy in HCC cells, mediated by AMPK induction.
  • Key RG compounds, 20S-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and 20S-protopanaxatriol (PPT), also induced AMPK-mediated apoptosis and autophagy.

Conclusions:

  • Red Ginseng effectively inhibits HCC cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and autophagy via the ATG/AMPK pathway.
  • This study provides mechanistic evidence supporting RG's potential as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic agent for HCC.
Keywords:
AMPKApoptosisHCCNetwork pharmacologyRed ginseng

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

1.6K
Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

18.7K

Related Concept Videos

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.3K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
6.6K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.7K
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.5K