Polyphenolic compounds from Korean Lonicera japonica Thunb. induces apoptosis via AKT and caspase cascade activation in A549 cells.

Abstract

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (L. japonica T.) has historically been used in Korean herbal medicine due to its anticancer and protective effects on the respiratory system. In the present study, the polyphenolic compounds in L. japonica T. were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and its anticancer effects on A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells were studied. Polyphenolic compounds potentially inhibit A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis demonstrated that polyphenolic compounds induce apoptosis by regulating the protein expression levels of caspases, poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase and the B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X-protein/B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio. Furthermore, polyphenolic compounds inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential activity. Caspase-3 activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner and polyphenolic compounds inhibited the activation of protein kinase B by dephosphorylation. These results suggest that polyphenolic compounds in A549 cells indicate the anticancer activity through the induction of apoptosis.

• Authors: Kwang Il Park, Hyeonsoo Park, Arulkumar Nagappan, Gyeong Eun Hong, Silvia Yumnam, Ho Jeong Lee, Eun Hee Kim, Won Sup Lee, Sung Chul Shin, Jin A Kim, Sang Joon Lee, Jin Yeul Ma, Taesun Min, Jeong Doo Heo, Gon Sup Kim
• Journal: Oncology letters (Oncol Lett) Vol. 13 Issue 4 Pg. 2521-2530 (Apr 2017) ISSN: 1792-1074 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 28454429 (Publication Type: Journal Article)