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A strain of carrot cells (Daucus carota cv. Kintoki) grew exponentially in the presence of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D, 1 mg/1) with a doubling time of about 2 days. When those cells were transferred to a medium lacking 2,4‐D, they continued to grow at almost the same rate for about a week. When the cells were again transferred to the auxin‐free medium, the rate of cell division gradually decreased. After the cell division had ceased, cells were returned to the ordinary 2,4‐D medium. A burst of cell divisions occurred after about 2 days. Timing of DNA synthesis and of mitosis suggested that the cells had been arrested at G1 phase. In a medium containing indoleacetic acid instead of 2,4‐D, the auxin was rapidly degraded and the culture was similarly synchronized as in the auxin‐omitted medium.

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For the first time, we discovered a small proportion of aqueous fraction from Saw Palmetto apart from the fatty acid-rich fraction exhibited pharmacological activity. Therefore, this study aims to explore the anti-tumor potential of red pigmented aqueous fraction of Saw Palmetto, NYG on human hepatocellular carcinoma and its possible targets. Subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic implantation models of HCC were used to evaluate the tumor inhibitory effect of NYG. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used as in vitro model. The mRNA expression was conducted by qPCR. Protein expression was monitored by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Cell migration and blood vessel formation were determined by chamber assay and tube formation assay, respectively. Significant tumor inhibition of NYG in dose-dependent manner was observed on subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic HCC model. NYG has no direct action on cell viability or VEGF secretion of HCC cells. However, NYG reduced in vitro migration and vessel formation activities of HUVEC cells, as well as in vivo intratumoral neovascularization. NYG attenuated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) activation in endothelial cells, which may be associated with the suppression of migration and tube formation of HUVEC. NYG suppressed tumor expansion of HCC via inhibiting neovascularization, and may be potential adjuvant treatment for HCC.

Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) is an edible and medicinal mushroom with versatile effects such as antitumor and immunomodulating actions. Here, we demonstrated that an ethanol extract of G. frondosa fruiting body (Maitake extract) augmented intracellular lipid droplet formation and the production of triacylglycerols (TG), a major component of sebum, along with the activation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase, a ratelimiting enzyme of TG synthesis in cultured hamster sebocytes. The topical treatment of Maitake extract on the skin of hamster auricles augmented sebum accumulation in sebaceous glands and ducts. However, in comparison with the Maitake extract, another ethanol extract prepared from Agaricus blazei Murill showed less activity in sebaceous lipogenesis in hamsters in vivo and in vitro. These results provide novel evidence that Maitake extract augments sebaceous lipogenesis in hamsters in vivo and in vitro. Thus, Maitake extract is likely to be a unique agent leading to the remission of dry skin.Key words: Grifola frondosa -sebaceous lipogenesis -sebocytesxeroderma Please cite this paper as: Augmentation of sebaceous lipogenesis by an ethanol extract of Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in hamsters in vivo and in vitro.