title: Effects and mechanisms of aloe-emodin on cell death in human lung squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Aloe-emodin (1,8-dihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-anthraquinone) is an active component from the root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum. The study investigated the effects and mechanisms of aloe-emodin-induced cell death in human lung squamous cell carcinoma cell line CH27. Aloe-emodin (40 microM)-induced CH27 cell apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladders and sub-G(1) formation). Aloe-emodin-induced apoptosis of CH27 cells involved modulation of the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, such as BclX(L), Bag-1, and Bak, and was associated with the translocation of Bak and Bax from cytosolic to particulate fractions. Aloe-emodin-treated CH27 cells had an increased relative abundance of cytochrome c in the cytosolic fraction. Results demonstrated that the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 is an important determinant of apoptotic death induced by aloe-emodin. These results suggest that aloe-emodin induces CH27 cell death by the Bax and Fas death pathway.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, China Medical College, 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan. hong@mail.cmc.edu.tw
authors.forename: H Z
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D020169:Caspases / Q000032:analysis; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004642:Emodin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D012250:Rheum / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C059635:aloe emodin anthrone; C518327:aloe emodin; D020169:Caspases; D004642:Emodin