title: Bak is a key molecule in apoptosis induced by methanol extracts of Codonopsis lanceolata and Tricholoma matsutake in HSC-2 human oral cancer cells.
abstract: Since the 5-year survival rate of oral cancer remains low, more effective and non-toxic therapeutic and preventive strategies are required. Certain natural products possess anti-cancer properties. The present study investigated the effects of the methanol extracts of Codonopsis lanceolata (MECI) and Tricholoma matsutake (METM) and identified the molecular target in HSC-2 human oral cancer cells. The results revealed that MECI and METM inhibited growth and induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and nuclear condensation and fragmentation. The compounds also increased Bak protein expression, while Bax, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 were not affected. The results of the present study show that MECI and METM induce apoptosis to inhibit tumor growth of HSC-2 cells by modulating the Bak protein and suggest that Codonopsis lanceolata and Tricholoma matsutake are potential anticancer drug candidates for oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju;
authors.forename: Ji-Ae
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jun Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In-Sun
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Sung-Dae
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Cho