title: Inhibitory effects of ginseng sapogenins on the proliferation of triple  negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.
abstract: Because of poor prognosis, clinical treatment of triple-negative (TN) breast cancer remains the most challenging factor in cancer treatment. Extensive research into alternative cancer therapies includes studying the naturopathic effects of the medicinal herb ginseng. This study investigates the anti-neoplastic properties of ginseng sapogenins and the derivatives: (1) (20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), (2) 20(S)-protopanaxatriol), (3) (20(S)-dihydroprotopanaxadiol, and (4) 20(S)-dihydroprotopanaxatriol). These compounds were found to prevent the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. PPD was the most potent inhibitor, exhibiting an IC₅₀ (5.87 μM) comparable to that of the chemotherapeutic drug taxol. Furthermore, PPD induced dose-dependent cleavage of caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP in MDA-MB-231 cells. Thus, we propose that PPD acts as anti-cancer agent by stimulating caspase-dependent apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Jun Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dahae
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Eun Hwa
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ki Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hye-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyun Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyuk Jai
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Jungyeob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.forename: Gwi Seo
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamabe
authors.forename: Ki Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry; D012502:Sapogenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D064726:Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012502:Sapogenins