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Black ginseng extract suppresses lung cancer growth in a xenograft mouse model
Hye Jin Park1, Ha Rin Namkung2, Su Bin Jung2
1Truth & Ginseng Biotechnology Research Co., Ltd., Jinan, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, and current therapies are limited by toxicity and drug resistance. Natural product-derived ginsenosides, particularly those in black ginseng extract (BGE), show potent anticancer activity, yet their effects on lung cancer overall are not well understood. Accordingly, we evaluated the preventive and therapeutic potential of BGE on human lung cancer cell proliferation and the growth of solid tumors in mice.
Methods:
The antitumor activity of BGE was evaluated by assessing its cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human lung cancer cell Calu-3 and NCI-H1975 cells in vitro. For the in vivo experiment, Athymic NCr-nu/nu male mice bearing Calu-3 cell-derived lung tumor xenografts were orally administered BGE. Tumor volume and body weight were monitored throughout the treatment period. At the end of the study, tumors were excised and weighed, and liver and spleen tissues were collected and examined histologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to assess tissue morphology and confirm the absence of BGE-induced abnormalities.
Results:
In vitro, BGE showed significant apoptosis-associated cytotoxicity in Calu-3 cells at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (P=0.002) and in NCI-H1975 cells at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL (P<0.001). Conversely, in vivo administration of BGE in Calu-3 xenograft mice did not alter body weight (P=0.37) or tumor volume but significantly reduced tumor weight (P=0.042) and size (P=0.008). No significant changes were observed in the weights or histopathological features of the liver (P=0.67) and spleen (P=0.41), indicating that BGE does not cause toxicity in major organs.
Conclusions:
BGE demonstrated strong antitumor effects against lung cancer cells under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, with no detectable toxicity in key organs. These findings highlight the potential of BGE as a safe and effective therapeutic or preventive agent for lung cancer.
Insights
Black ginseng extract (BGE) effectively reduced lung cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in mice. This natural compound demonstrated significant antitumor effects with no observable toxicity in major organs, suggesting its potential as a lung cancer therapeutic.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, with current treatments facing limitations due to toxicity and drug resistance.
- Ginsenosides from natural products, particularly black ginseng extract (BGE), exhibit anticancer properties, but their specific impact on lung cancer requires further investigation.
- The study aimed to explore the preventive and therapeutic potential of BGE against human lung cancer cells and tumor growth in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of BGE on human lung cancer cell lines (Calu-3 and NCI-H1975) in vitro.
- To assess the efficacy of BGE in inhibiting the growth of lung cancer xenografts in mice.
- To determine the safety profile of BGE by examining its effects on major organs.
Main Methods:
- In vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays were performed on Calu-3 and NCI-H1975 lung cancer cells treated with BGE.
- In vivo studies involved administering BGE orally to athymic mice bearing Calu-3 lung tumor xenografts.
- Tumor volume, body weight, and organ histology (liver, spleen) were analyzed to assess efficacy and toxicity.
Main Results:
- BGE induced significant apoptosis-associated cytotoxicity in both Calu-3 (10 mg/mL) and NCI-H1975 (0.5 mg/mL) cells.
- In vivo, BGE treatment significantly reduced lung tumor weight and size without affecting body weight.
- Histopathological examination revealed no BGE-induced abnormalities in the liver or spleen, indicating a lack of organ toxicity.
Conclusions:
- BGE exhibits potent antitumor activity against lung cancer cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo.
- BGE demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with no detectable toxicity in key organs.
- These findings support the potential of BGE as a safe and effective agent for lung cancer prevention or therapy.
