Author/Authors :
Kang, Chang-Hee Jeju National University - Department of Marine Life Sciences, Laboratory of Immunobiology, South Korea , Kang, Sang-Hyuck Jeju National University - Department of Marine Life Sciences, Laboratory of Immunobiology, South Korea , Boo, Sung-Hwan Jeju National University - Department of Marine Life Sciences, Laboratory of Immunobiology, South Korea , Park, Sung-Young OTTOGI Ltd. - OTTOGI Research Institute, South Korea , Choi, Yung H. Dongeui University - College of Oriental Medicine - Department of Biochemistry, South Korea , Moon, Dong-Oh Daegu University - College of Education - Department of Biology Education, South Korea , Kim, Gi-Young Jeju National University - Department of Marine Life Sciences, Laboratory of Immunobiology, South Korea
Abstract :
Purpose: Hizikia fusiforme is renowned for the possession of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. In this study, the role of the ethyl alcohol extract of H. fusiforme (EAHF) in the induction of apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells was investigated. Methods: Protein expression was investigated by Western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed by an MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis. Caspase activity was analyzed using a caspase-specific kit. Results: EAHF suppressed the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was closely related to the induction of apoptosis via the downregulation of IAP family members such as IAP-1, IAP-2 and XIAP, as well as Bcl-2 proteins. The results also showed that caspases play an essential role in EAHF-induced apoptosis by generating of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, ROS scavenging by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) decreased EAHF-induced apoptosis via the suppression of caspase activity. Although EAHF induced the phosphorylation of mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs), treatment with MAPK inhibitors did not affect EAHF-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: These results suggest that EAHF induces apoptosis in U937 cells via ROS-dependent caspase activation.
Keywords :
Hizikia fusiforme , Apoptosis , Caspase , Reactive oxygen species
