Effect of compound K, a metabolite of ginseng saponin, combined with gamma-ray radiation in human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract

Pretreatment of NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells with compound K produced by intestinal bacteria enhances gamma-ray radiation-induced cell death. Increases in apoptosis induced by combined treatment are made apparent in the observation of nuclear fragmentation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi), and activation of caspase 3. Apoptosis induced by compound K and gamma-ray radiation is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, compound K, in combination with gamma-ray radiation, has an enhanced effect in the regression of NCI-H460 tumor xenografts of nude mice. These results suggest that compound K has possible application for cancer therapy when used in combination with gamma-ray radiation.

• Authors: Sungwook Chae, Kyoung Ah Kang, Weon Young Chang, Min Jung Kim, Su Jae Lee, Yun Sil Lee, Hee Sun Kim, Dong Hyun Kim, Jin Won Hyun
• Journal: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry (J Agric Food Chem) Vol. 57 Issue 13 Pg. 5777-82 (Jul 08 2009) ISSN: 1520-5118 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19526988 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Ginsenosides
• Saponins
• ginsenoside M1

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Gamma Rays
• Ginsenosides (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (pathology, therapy)
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Mice
• Mice, Nude
• Panax (chemistry)
• Saponins (metabolism)