Mongkol YanarojanaThamthiwat NararatwanchaiSarut ThairatSalunya TancharoenMae Fah Luang UniversityMahidol University2018-12-212019-03-142018-12-212019-03-142017-12-01Anticancer research. Vol.37, No.12 (2017), 6619-6628179175302-s2.0-85038129645https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/41646Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved. BACKGROUND/AIM: To analyze the apoptotic effect of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) extract on human melanoma A375 cells and its underlying mechanisms.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of HCT on cell death were determined using the MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining was conducted to confirm the detection of cell apoptosis. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 mRNA and cleaved protein levels were investigated by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by ELISA.RESULTS: Caspase-3 and caspase-8 specific inhibitors suppressed HCT-induced cell death. HCT increased caspase-3 and caspase-8 mRNA, protein levels, and caspase activities in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. HCT induced MAPK phosphorylation in a time-dependent fashion. Pretreatment of cells with a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK reduced apoptosis and reversed the levels of HMGB1 release in response to HCT treatment.CONCLUSION: HCT induces A375 programmed cell death by activating the caspase-dependent pathway and by p38 phosphorylation associated with HMGB1 reduction.Mahidol UniversityBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular BiologyArticleSCOPUS