In vivo microdialysis and in vitro HPLC analysis of the impact of paeoniflorin on the monoamine levels and their metabolites in the rodent brain.

Background: Paeoniflorin (PF) possesses several effects such as analgesic, the anti-spasmodic effect on smooth muscle. It protects the cardiovascular system and reveals the neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia. Monoamine system has been identified to have complex regulatory effects in pain signaling.

Danthron inhibits the migration and invasion of human brain glioblastoma multiforme cells through the inhibition of mRNA expression of focal adhesion kinase, Rho kinases-1 and metalloproteinase-9.

In this study, we investigated the effect of danthron on the cell migration and invasion of human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cells in vitro. The changes of migration and invasion of GBM 8401 cells after treatment with danthron were detected by cell migration assay and cell invasion assay. The levels of mRNA gene expression associated with cell migration and invasion were detected by real-time PCR.

Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in CCL5/CCR5 pathway of chondrosarcomas metastasis.

CCL5 (previously called RANTES) was originally recognized as a product of activated T cells, and plays a crucial role in the migration and metastasis of human cancer cells. It has been reported that the effect of CCL5 is mediated via CCR receptors. We found that human chondrosarcoma tissues had significant expression of the CCL5 and CCR5, which was higher than that in normal cartilage.

A. cantoniensis inhibits the proliferation of murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vivo and promotes immunoresponses in vivo.

Ampelopsis cantoniensis (AC) has been used as a folk medicine for reducing pain in the Taiwanese population. Our previous studies have shown that the crude extract of AC induced apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. In this study, the in vivo effects of AC on leukemia WEHI-3 cells and immune responses such as phagocytosis and natural killer (NK) cell activity were investigated.

CCL5/CCR5 axis promotes the motility of human oral cancer cells.

CCL5 (previously called RANTES) is in the CC-chemokine family and plays a crucial role in the migration and metastasis of human cancer cells. On the other hand, the effect of CCL5 is mediated via CCR receptor. RT-PCR and flow cytometry studies demonstrated CCR5 but not CCR1 and CCR3 mRNA in oral cancer cell lines, especially higher in those with high invasiveness (SCC4) as compared with lower levels in HSC3 cells and SCC9 cells.

Cyr61 increases migration and MMP-13 expression via alphavbeta3 integrin, FAK, ERK and AP-1-dependent pathway in human chondrosarcoma cells.

Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61), from the CCN gene family, is a secreted and matrix-associated protein, which is involved in many cellular activities such as growth and differentiation. However, the effect of Cyr61 on migration activity in human chondrosarcoma cells is mostly unknown. Here, we found that Cyr61 increased the migration and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 in human chondrosarcoma cells (JJ012 cells).

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) induces apoptosis in human cervical cancer Ca Ski cells via reactive oxygen species and Ca2+-dependent mitochondria-dependent pathway.

The mechanisms of apoptosis induced by diallyl disulfide (DADS) were explored in human cervical cancer Ca Ski cells. Flow cytometric analysis, DNA gel electrophoresis and DAPI staining demonstrated that DADS induced apoptosis in Ca Ski cells. DADS induced apoptosis through the production of reactive oxygen species and Ca2+, and induced abrogation of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) and cleavage of Bid protein (t-Bid).

Baicalein induces apoptosis in SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells via a Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

Background: The effects of baicalein on SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells were examined to better understand its effect on apoptosis and associated possible signal pathways in vitro.

Materials And Methods: Apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytoplasmic Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and caspase-3 activity were analyzed using the flow cytometric assay. Apoptosis-associated proteins, such as p53, BAX, BCL-2, cytochrome c, caspase-3 and -9, EndoG and AIF were determined by Western blotting.

Diallyl disulfide induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 expression in human colon cancer colo 205 cells using differential display RT-PCR.

Diallyl disulfide is one of the components of garlic and has been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in many cancer cell lines, though it is not reported to be associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) expression. Moreover the role of STAT1 does not directly affect apoptosis in cancer cells after exposure to chemotherapy agents, though some reports showed that STAT1 is associated with apoptosis. In this study, differential display RT-PCR was used to examine the effects of diallyl disulfide (DADS) on human colon cancer cells (colo 205).

Berberine inhibits WEHI-3 leukemia cells in vivo.

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of pharmacological effects including anticancer activities, yet the exact effects on leukemia in vivo are unknown. Our previous studies have demonstrated that berberine induced cytotoxicity against murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. In order to understand the berberine action against leukemia, the effect of berberine on WEHI-3 leukemia cells in vivo was studied.

Curcumin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells via MMP changes and caspase-3 activation.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), is a natural product derived from the root of the plant Curcuma longa. For centuries, it has been used as a spice and as a herbal medicine in Chinese populations. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 expression and apoptosis in several human cancer cell lines.

Capsaicin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma CE 81T/VGH cells through the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ productions and caspase-3 activation.

Capsaicin (N-vanillyl-8-methyl-1-nonenamide) is found in pungent fruits, especially in red pepper. Many studies have focused on the anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic or chemopreventive activities of capsaicin. However, the effects of capsaicin on human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells have never been investigated.