Anticancer potential of an ethanol extract of Asiasari radix against HCT-116 human colon cancer cells in vitro

Abstract

Abstract. Radix of Asiasarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum F. Maekawa (A. radix) has been prescribed for treating pain, allergies and inflammatory disorders in traditional oriental medicine. However, only limited information on the anticancer effects of A. radix is currently available. The aim of this study was to determine the anticancer effect of the ethanol extract of A. radix (EEAR) on HCT-116 human colon cancer cells and to investigate its underlying mechanisms of action. EEAR significantly induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. EEAR-induced apoptosis was observed in parallel with activation of caspases and an increased ratio of Bax (pro-apoptotic)/Bcl2 (anti-apoptotic). Western blot analyses revealed that EEAR elevated the expression of p53 and p21Waf/Cip1 and decreased the expression of the regulator proteins of G2/M phase progression, such as cdc2 and cyclin B. The upregulation of p53 by EEAR was due to the increased levels of p53 mRNA without a similar increase in proteasome-mediated p53 degradation. EEAR-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells was dependent on p53 expression, as determined by siRNA-mediated p53 knockdown. Taken together, these results suggest that EEAR inhibits the growth of the HCT-116 cells through induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which are mediated by p53 expression.

Effects of Asiasari radix on the morphology and viability of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the gingiva

“…A. radix is termed seshin in Korean, xì xīn in Chinese and saishin in Japanese, and is used for treating pain, allergies and inflammatory disorders in traditional Oriental medicine (3,5,6). A. radix is primarily derived from either Asiasarum heterotropoides or Asiasarum sieboldii (6).…”

“…The herbs have been pre-validated for effectiveness and are expected to have fewer safety issues than chemically synthesized drugs (3).…”

“…radix has been suggested for use in the treatment of oral diseases, including toothache and aphthous stomatitis (9,10), as this therapy been suggested to exert antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects (3,6). However, only limited information is currently available regarding the effects of A. radix on dental tissue (11) and no information is available on the effects on mesenchymal stem cells derived from the gingiva.…”

Phytochemical, Toxicological and Pharmacological Studies of <i>Asiasari Radix</i> et Rhizoma: A Review

“…The use of natural agents derived from fruits, vegetables, spices, legumes and cereals in traditional oriental medicine are attractive sources for developing novel therapeutics or prophylactics because of their safety, affordability, long-term use and ability to target multiple pathways [2]. In the past decades, extensive research and development have generated over 25 % of the approved clinical drugs that are derived or tailored from natural products [3].…”

“…AR is a nearly cylindrical rhizome with numerous thin and long roots, externally light brown to dark brown. The AR is called seshin in Korean, saishin in Japanese, Xixin in Chinese or Chinese wild ginger root in English [2]. AR has long been used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine to treat cough, toothache, headache, neuralgia, aphthous stomatitis, gingivitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma and allergies, as well as for its anti-bacterial and analgesic effects [5,6].…”