Wikyungtang inhibits proliferation of A549 human lung cancer cells via inducing apoptosis and suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 activity

摘要: Wikyungtang, an oriental herbal formulation, has been known to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral activity. However, its molecular mechanism of action is not understood. The purpose the present study was examine effect water extract Wikyungtang (WKT) on growth A549 human lung cancer cells. Treatment with WKT resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition coupled characteristic morphological features apoptosis. Apoptosis-inducing concentrations induced caspase-3 caspase-9 activation accompanied by proteolytic degradation poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase phospholipase C-gamma1. In addition, WKT-induced apoptosis cells associated decreased expression anti-apototic Bcl-XL expression. treatment also inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 accumulation prostaglandin E2 without significant changes levels COX-1. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into possible mechanisms anti-cancer activity WKT.