title: The Methanol Extract of Angelica sinensis Induces Cell Apoptosis and Suppresses Tumor Growth in Human Malignant Brain Tumors.
abstract: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly vascularized and invasive neoplasm. The methanol extract of Angelica sinensis (AS-M) is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat several diseases, such as gastric mucosal damage, hepatic injury, menopausal symptoms, and chronic glomerulonephritis. AS-M also displays potency in suppressing the growth of malignant brain tumor cells. The growth suppression of malignant brain tumor cells by AS-M results from cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. AS-M upregulates expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors, including p16, to decrease the phosphorylation of Rb proteins, resulting in arrest at the G0-G1 phase. The expression of the p53 protein is increased by AS-M and correlates with activation of apoptosis-associated proteins. Therefore, the apoptosis of cancer cells induced by AS-M may be triggered through the p53 pathway. In in vivo studies, AS-M not only suppresses the growth of human malignant brain tumors but also significantly prolongs patient survival. In addition, AS-M has potent anticancer effects involving cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and antiangiogenesis. The in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects of AS-M indicate that this extract warrants further investigation and potential development as a new antibrain tumor agent, providing new hope for the chemotherapy of malignant brain cancer.
authors: College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan ; Center for Bioinformatics Research, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.
authors: Yu-Ling
authors: YL
authors: Lin
authors: Wen-Lin
authors: WL
authors: Lai
authors: Horng-Jyh
authors: HJ
authors: Harn
authors: Pei-Hsiu
authors: PH
authors: Hung
authors: Ming-Chang
authors: MC
authors: Hsieh
authors: Kai-Fu
authors: KF
authors: Chang
authors: Xiao-Fan
authors: XF
authors: Huang
authors: Kuang-Wen
authors: KW
authors: Liao
authors: Ming-Shih
authors: MS
authors: Lee
authors: Nu-Man
authors: NM
authors: Tsai