Anti-proliferation and apoptosis induced by a novel intestinal metabolite of ginseng saponin in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Abstract

20-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (IH-901), a novel intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins, is reported to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. We purified the compound and measured its in vitro anti-tumor activity. IH-901 inhibited cell growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We also found that IH-901 induced apoptotic cell death concurrent with cell cycle arrest in G0-G1 phase in SMMC7721 cells. At the molecular level, we show that IH-901 upregulates cytochrome c, p53, and Bax expression, and downregulates pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-9 expressions in a dose-dependent manner, while the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) were unchanged in IH-901-treated SMMC7721 cells. These results provide significant insight into the anticarcinogenic action of IH-901.

• Authors: Yan-lin Ming, Gang Song, Liang-hua Chen, Zhi-zhong Zheng, Zhong-yan Chen, Gao-liang Ouyang, Qing-xuan Tong
• Journal: Cell biology international (Cell Biol Int) Vol. 31 Issue 10 Pg. 1265-73 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 1065-6995 [Print] England
• PMID: 17587608 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• 20-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol
• BAX protein, human
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Sapogenins
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• bcl-X Protein
• Cytochromes c
• Caspase 3
• Caspase 9
• Caspases

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Blotting, Western
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Caspase 9 (metabolism)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cytochromes c (metabolism)
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• Sapogenins (pharmacology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (metabolism)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (metabolism)
• bcl-X Protein (metabolism)