Panaxydol, a polyacetylenic compound derived from Panax ginseng has been reported to suppress the growth of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cycle arrest by this compound in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unknown. Our study found that panaxydol treatment induced cell cycle arrest at G 1 phase in NSCLC cells. The cell cycle arrest was accompanied by down-regulation of the protein expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D 1 and cyclin E, and decrease in the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. Furthermore, up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p21 CIP1/WAF1 and p27 KIP1 was observed in panaxydol-treated NSCLC cells. In addition, panaxydol also induced accumulation of intracellular Ca 2 ([Ca 2 ] i). (Acetyloxy)methyl 2-({2-[(acetyloxy)methoxy]-2-oxoethyl}[2-(2-{2-[bis({2-[(acetyloxy)methoxy]-2-oxoethyl})amino]phenoxy}ethoxy)phenyl]amino)acetate (BAPTA-AM), the Ca 2 chelator, attenuated not only panaxydol-induced accumulation of [Ca 2 ] i , but also G 1 cell cycle arrest and decrease of CDK6 and cyclin D 1 protein expression level. These results demonstrated that the anti-proliferative effects of panaxydol were caused by cell cycle arrest, which is closely linked to the up-regulation of [Ca 2 ] i and represents a promising approach for the treatment of lung cancer.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.