Hydrangea serrata extract exerts tumor inhibitory activity against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells via inducing p27/CDK2-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

@#Objective: To examine the inhibitory effect of Hydrangea serrata extract against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The effects of Hydrangea serrata extract on growth inhibition of tumor cells and spheroids were assessed using MTT and 3D culture assays. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were employed to investigate the changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of molecules related to cell cycle and apoptosis. Results: Hydrangea serrata extract effectively inhibited the growth of both tumor cells and spheroids. The extract also significantly upregulated p27 mRNA expression and downregulated CDK2 mRNA expression, leading to cell cycle arrest. Moreover, increased BAX/ Bcl-2 ratio as well as caspase-9 and -3 were observed after treatment with Hydrangea serrata extract, indicating the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. Conclusions: Hydrangea serrata extract has the potential to alleviate tumors by effectively modulating cell-cycle-related gene expressions and inducing apoptosis, thereby inhibiting tumor growth.

Electrophysiologic Responses of Neuromuscular Junction by High Dose of Botulinum Toxin A Injection: Local and Distant Effects

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure the local and distant effects of BTX-A of different dosage through the electrophysiologic study. METHOD: Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into four groups by the dosage of BTX-A (Botox , Allergan Co.): 2, 4, 6, 8 U for each of the four rats. BTX-A was injected into tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Slow rate (3 Hz) and fast rate (20 Hz) repetitive nerve stimulation test (RNST) was performed before and after BTX-A injection. The schedule of postinjection was as follows: 2 days after the injection, every seven days till 10 weeks postinjection, once a month for 4 months. RESULTS: In the fast rate RNST of the treated TA muscle, dose-dependent increments were seen on the 2nd day postin jection and thereafter dose-dependent decrements appeared and weakened over the course of time. In the slow rate RNST of the treated TA, dose-dependent decrements were observed through ten weeks postinjection in all groups. In the fast rate RNST of the untreated TA, incremental responses were produced in all groups in a dose-dependent manner. In the slow rate RNST of the untreated TA, there were no changes. CONCLUSION: The BTX-A injection causes local paralysis in the treated muscles and presynaptic dysfunction of the neuro muscular junction in the distant untreated muscles in a dosedependent manner. This study could not be differentiated between neuromuscular dysfunction, myopathy or neuropathy through these RNST studies.