Induction of apoptosis by sarijang, a bamboo salt sauce, in U937 human leukemia cells through the activation of caspases.

Abstract

Sarijang is a bamboo salt soy sauce, containing extracts of Rhynchosia nulubilis, sulfur-fed duck, dried bark of Ulmus davidiana and Allium sativum, which has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of sarijang have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic effects of sarijang in an in vitro U937 human leukemia cell model. Treatment with sarijang resulted in a concentration-dependent growth inhibition of the cells, coupled with the characteristic morphological features of apoptosis. The induction of the apoptotic cell death of the U937 cells by sarijang exhibited a correlation with the upregulation of death receptor 4 (DR4), the downregulation of members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, including survivin and cellular IAP (cIAP)-1, and the cleavage of Bid. Apoptosis-inducing concentrations of sarijang also induced the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8 and -9), accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase, β-catenin and phospholipase C-γ1. However, the apoptosis induced by sarijang was significantly inhibited by z-VED-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, which demonstrated the importance of caspases in the process. These results suggested that sarijang may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of U937 human leukemia cells. Further studies are required to identify the active compounds in sarijang.

• Authors: Eun-A Choi, Cheol Park, Min-Ho Han, Jun Hyuk Lee, Gi-Young Kim, Byung Tae Choi, Yung Hyun Choi
• Journal: Experimental and therapeutic medicine (Exp Ther Med) Vol. 6 Issue 2 Pg. 381-387 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1792-0981 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 24137193 (Publication Type: Journal Article)