title: Induction of apoptosis by Cordyceps militaris through activation of caspase-3 in leukemia HL-60 cells.
abstract: Cordyceps militaris is a traditional herbal ingredient frequently used for tonic and medicinal purposes in eastern Asia. The hot water extract of its cultivated fruiting bodies demonstrated a potent cytotoxic effect against the proliferation of the human premyelocytic leukemia cell HL-60, with an IC50 of 0.8 mg/ml for a 12-h treatment. It induced the characteristic apoptotic symptoms in the HL-60 cells, including DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation, occurring within 12-16 h of treatment at a dose of 1 mg/ml. The activation of caspase-3 and the specific proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were detected during the course of apoptosis induction. These results indicate that the hot water extract of Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies inhibited cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3, and that the Cordyceps militaris extract may therefore have therapeutic potential against human leukemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Haemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yun Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ha Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Taesun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004586:Electrophoresis; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D045304:Cytochromes c; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; C022616:thiazolyl blue