Effects of ginsenoside compound K combined with cisplatin on the proliferation, apoptosis and epithelial mesenchymal transition in MCF-7 cells of human breast cancer

Abstract

Context: Breast cancer seriously harms the health of women and there are currently few therapeutic options for patients with breast cancer. Objective: Effects of ginsenoside compound K (CK) in combination with cisplatin (DDP) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MCF-7 cells were studied. Materials and methods: MCF-7 cells were divided into CK (50 mmol/L) group, DDP (10 mg/L) group, CK (50 mmol/L) +DDP (10 mg/L) group, and control (CON) group. The cells in the CON group were not treated with any drugs. Proliferation, apoptosis, expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and level of fibronectin (FN) in MCF-7 cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), flow cytometry, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results: The proliferation inhibition rates in CK, DDP, and CK + DDP groups at 48 h were 19.18 ± 2.25, 21.34 ± 2.84, and 43.37 ± 5.62, respectively. The apoptosis rates were 2.85 ± 0.56, 13.37 ± 2.28,

The ginsenoside metabolite compound K inhibits growth, migration and stemness of glioblastoma cells

“…CK is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract before being slowly metabolized (14,15). Several studies have indicated that CK possesses anticancer activity against a variety of tumor cell types by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis (16,17). CK also has antimetastatic potential in various tumor cells (18,19).…”

Saponins as chemosensitizing substances that improve effectiveness and selectivity of anticancer drug—Minireview of in vitro studies

“…Most research papers cited in this review were focused solely on the mechanisms of action and the efficiency of combined saponin/drug use, and these concerned mainly dammarane‐type saponins such as ginsenosides isolated from Panax sp. (Lee et al, ; Park et al, ; Wang et al, ; Yang et al, ; Zhang et al, ; Zhang et al, ; Zhang & Li, ). However, it is not possible to draw any conclusions concerning the potential SAR.…”

“…Most research papers cited in this review were focused solely on the mechanisms of action and the efficiency of combined saponin/drug use, and these concerned mainly dammarane-type saponins such as ginsenosides isolated from Panax sp. (Lee et al, 2014;Park et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2015;Yang et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2009;Zhang & Li, 2016 enhanced the effect of therapy and/or reduced toxicity. It is also interesting that in most saponins one of the sugar chains is attached through an ester linkage at C-28.…”

The combined administration of parthenolide and ginsenoside CK in long circulation liposomes with targeted tLyp-1 ligand induce mitochondria-mediated lung cancer apoptosis

“…Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has been used for nearly 5000 years in oriental medical traditions and more recently in western medicine [19]. As the major active compound present in ginseng, CK can block glycogen synthase kinase 3b signaling [20], inhibit sphingosine kinase-1 [21], decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species [22], and increase the cisplatin sensitivity of cancer cells when co-administered with cisplatin [23].…”