title: Evaluation of anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties of Dendropanax morbifera Léveille.
abstract: Dendropanax morbifera Léveille, an endemic species in Korea, is best known as a tree that produces a resinous sap. Although D. morbifera is used in folk medicine, its biological activities are poorly understood. In this study, the methanolic extracts of D. morbifera branches, debarked stems, bark, and two different stages of leaves were evaluated for anti-oxidant activity and anti-cancer potential. The debarked stem extract exhibited strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and reducing power compared with other samples. In addition, the cytotoxic activities of these extracts were investigated in human tumour cell lines. The results suggested that the extracts of debarked stems, green leaves, and yellow leaves were the potent source of anti-cancer compounds, particularly in Huh-7 cells. Furthermore, treatment with the extracts of debarked stems, green leaves, and yellow leaves caused an increase of apoptotic or senescent cells in Huh-7 cells. Twenty-four hour treatment with debarked stems extract resulted in the strong induction of p53 and p16, whereas both leaf extracts inhibited the activation of ERK. The debarked stems and green leaf extracts reduced Akt levels in Huh-7 cells, indicating that D. morbifera extracts caused the activation of p16 and p53 pathways. This, together with the inhibition of Akt or ERK signalling, resulted in suppression of Huh-7 cell proliferation. These results suggest that methanolic leaf and debarked stems extracts are a source of anti-oxidant and anti-cancer compounds, and could be developed as a botanical drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Kyung
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.forename: Myeong-ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyunkyoung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Younjoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Euikyung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ju-Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027481:Araliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; C000614131:CDKN2A protein, human; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
keywords: Anti-cancer; Anti-oxidant; Apoptosis; Dendropanax morbifera Léveille; Senescence