J. Y. Kim, Su-jin Yu, H. Oh
Apr 1, 2011
Citations
1
Influential Citations
65
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Apoptosis
Abstract
Panaxydol, a polyacetylenic compound derived from Panax ginseng roots, has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrated that panaxydol induced apoptosis preferentially in transformed cells with a minimal effect on non-transformed cells. Furthermore, panaxydol was shown to induce apoptosis through an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), activation of JNK and p38 MAPK, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) initially by NADPH oxidase and then by mitochondria. Panaxydol-induced apoptosis was caspase-dependent and occurred through a mitochondrial pathway. ROS generation by NADPH oxidase was critical for panaxydol-induced apoptosis. Mitochondrial ROS production was also required, however, it appeared to be secondary to the ROS generation by NADPH oxidase. Activation of NADPH oxidase was demonstrated by the membrane translocation of regulatory p47phox and p67phox subunits and shown to be necessary for ROS generation by panaxydol treatment. Panaxydol triggered a rapid and sustained increase of [Ca2+]i, which resulted in activation of JNK and p38 MAPK. JNK and p38 MAPK play a key role in activation of NADPH oxidase, since inhibition of their expression or activity abrogated membrane translocation of p47phox and p67phox subunits and ROS generation. In summary, these data indicate that panaxydol induces apoptosis preferentially in cancer cells, and the signaling mechanisms involve a [Ca2+]i increase, JNK and p38 MAPK activation, and ROS generation through NADPH oxidase and mitochondria.