Mountain grown ginseng induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells and its mechanism have little relation with TNF-alpha production

作者：Koo Hyun Na; Jeong Hyun Ja; Choi In Young; An Hyo Jin; Moon Phil Dong; Kim Seong Jin; Jee Seon Young; Um Jae Young; Hong Seung Heon; Shin Soon Shik; Yang Deok Chun; Seo Yong Suk; Kim Hyung Min^*

来源：American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2007, 35(1): 169-182.

DOI：10.1142/S0192415X07004710

• mountain grown ginseng (MGG)
• apoptosis
• caspase-3
• tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
• nitric oxide (NO)

The root of ginseng is one of the most popular natural tonics in Oriental countries. Ginseng grown in the wild, deep in the mountains, is known as Sansam (mountain grown ginseng, MGG). MGG belongs to Araliaceae and Panax. In this study, we investigated the effects of MGG on the cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis and the putative pathways of its actions in human promyelocytic leukemia cells, HL-60. Using apoptosis analysis, we found that MGG is a potent inducer of apoptosis, but it has less effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Caspase-3 activation and subsequent apoptotic cell death in MGG-treated cells were partially blocked by the caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-DEVD-FMK. MGG also inhibited the caspase-8 activity. To determine whether MGG-induced apoptosis is involved in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion, TNF-alpha secretion was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Unexpectedly, MGG significantly decreased the TNF-alpha secretion compared to the control. These results suggest that MGG-induced cytotoxicity have little relation with the secretion of TNF-alpha in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, MGG with rIFN-gamma synergistically increased nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that MGG is a potent inducer of apoptosis on HL-60 cells and these abilities could be used clinically for the treatment of cancer.

• 出版日期2007