Astragalus saponins induce apoptosis via an ERK-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line

  • Authors:
    • Kathy Ka-Wai Auyeung
    • Pui-Ching Law
    • Joshua Ka-Shun Ko
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  • Published online on: February 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000116
  • Pages: 189-196
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Abstract

Astragalus membranaceus has been used to ameliorate the side effects of anti-neoplastic drugs. We recently reported that total Astragalus saponins (AST) possess anti-tumor properties in human colon cancer cells and tumor xenografts. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to unveil the anti-carcinogenic potential of AST in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and to clarify the signaling pathway. We demonstrated here that AST downregulated expression of the HCC tumor marker α-fetoprotein and suppressed HepG2 cell growth by inducing apoptosis. AST also caused caspase activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, nuclear chromatin condensation, with downregulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins bcl-2 and bcl-xL and decreased nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/DNA-binding activity. Concomitantly, expression of the phosphorylated form of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) was prominently increased. Nevertheless, pretreatment of ERK inhibitor PD98059 did not attenuate AST-induced PARP cleavage. Taken together, these results exemplify that AST induced growth inhibition and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells through modulation of an ERK-independent NF-κB signaling pathway.

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February 2009
Volume 23 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Auyeung KK, Law P and Ko JK: Astragalus saponins induce apoptosis via an ERK-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line. Int J Mol Med 23: 189-196, 2009.
APA
Auyeung, K.K., Law, P., & Ko, J.K. (2009). Astragalus saponins induce apoptosis via an ERK-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 23, 189-196. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000116
MLA
Auyeung, K. K., Law, P., Ko, J. K."Astragalus saponins induce apoptosis via an ERK-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 23.2 (2009): 189-196.
Chicago
Auyeung, K. K., Law, P., Ko, J. K."Astragalus saponins induce apoptosis via an ERK-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 23, no. 2 (2009): 189-196. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000116