ABSTRACT
AIM OF THE STUDY: Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus and has long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat illnesses, promote longevity, increase athletic power, and relieve exhaustion and cancer. In this study, we reveal the mechanisms underlying apoptosis induced by Cordyceps pruinosa butanol fraction (CPBF) in the human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line, HeLa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proliferation and apoptosis of cells were examined by MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, phosphatidyl serine distribution assay, Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry. To determine the association between CPBF related apoptosis and ROS, electron spin resonance (ESR) trapping experiments were used. RESULTS: CPBF inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner using a MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, and a phosphatidyl serine distribution assay. Western blot analysis showed that apoptosis in HeLa cells was caspase-3- and -9-dependent. Proteolytic cleavage of PARP and the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol were significantly increased and the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio was decreased. Apoptosis induced by CPBF was not prevented by various antioxidants. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that apoptotic effects of CPBF on HeLa cells are mediated by mitochondria-dependent death-signaling pathway independent of reactive oxygen species, suggesting that CPBF might be effective as an anti-proliferative agent for cancer.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Caspase 3/metabolism , Caspases/metabolism , Cordyceps/metabolism , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Cytochrome c Group/metabolism , Cytochromes c/metabolism , DNA Fragmentation/drug effects , HeLa Cells , Humans , Mitochondria/metabolism , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolismABSTRACT
The Di(b) antigen usually occurs with high incidence, except in certain Asian and South American Indian populations. In general, hemolysis caused by anti-Di(b) is not severe and its clinical course is benign. We report a Korean neonate with severe hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by anti-Di(b). The phenotype and genotype of the Diego blood group system of the patient and his mother were Di(a+b+) and Di(a+b-), respectively. The mother's serum and eluate from the neonate's erythrocytes contained anti-Di(b). This case was successfully managed with phototherapy and high dose iv immunoglobulin. Since most commercial antibody detection panels do not contain Di(b-) red cells, it is important to consider anti-Di(b) in cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by an antibody against a high frequency antigen.