RESUMO
Because of poor prognosis, clinical treatment of triple-negative (TN) breast cancer remains the most challenging factor in cancer treatment. Extensive research into alternative cancer therapies includes studying the naturopathic effects of the medicinal herb ginseng. This study investigates the anti-neoplastic properties of ginseng sapogenins and the derivatives: (1) (20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), (2) 20(S)-protopanaxatriol), (3) (20(S)-dihydroprotopanaxadiol, and (4) 20(S)-dihydroprotopanaxatriol). These compounds were found to prevent the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. PPD was the most potent inhibitor, exhibiting an IC50 (5.87 µM) comparable to that of the chemotherapeutic drug taxol. Furthermore, PPD induced dose-dependent cleavage of caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP in MDA-MB-231 cells. Thus, we propose that PPD acts as anti-cancer agent by stimulating caspase-dependent apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
Assuntos
Sapogeninas/farmacologia , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/tratamento farmacológico , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/farmacologia , Feminino , Humanos , Panax/química , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/patologiaRESUMO
The cation channel of sperm (CatSper) protein family plays important roles in male reproduction and infertility. The four members of this family are expressed exclusively in the testis and are localized differently in sperm. To investigate the effects of Panax ginseng treatment on the expression of CatSper genes and sperm hyperactivation in male mice, sperm motility and CatSper gene expression were assessed using a computer-assisted semen analysis system, a Fluoroskan Ascent microplate fluorometer to assess Ca²âº influx, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The results suggested that the Ca²âº levels of sperm cells treated with P. ginseng were increased significantly compared with the normal group. The P. ginseng-treated groups showed increased sperm motility parameters, such as the curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Taken together, the data suggest that CatSper messenger ribonucleic acid levels were increased significantly in mouse testes in the P. ginseng-treated group, as was the protein level, with the exception of CatSper2. In conclusion, P. ginseng plays an important role in improving sperm hyperactivation via CatSper gene expression.
Assuntos
Canais de Cálcio/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Panax/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Espermatozoides/fisiologiaRESUMO
Panax ginseng (PG) is a medicinal herb which has been used to improve male reproduction in traditional Korean medicine. This study investigated the effect of PG on spermatogenesis and the regulation of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which has a crucial role in spermatogonial stem cell maintenance. PG was administered to 8-week-old male Wistar rats (1.0 g/kg/day, p.o.) for 56 consecutive days, the sperm formation period of the rat. Sperm analysis, RT-PCR and western blot assays were then carried out. The PG-treated group had significantly enhanced sperm counts, GDNF mRNA level and protein level. These results suggest that PG induces spermatogenesis and GDNF activation in rat testes.