%0 Journal Article
%T Ginsenoside Rh2 Induces Human Hepatoma Cell Apoptosisvia Bax/Bak Triggered Cytochrome C Release and Caspase-9/Caspase-8 Activation
%A Xiao-Xi Guo
%A Qiao Guo
%A Yang Li
%A Seung Ki Lee
%A Xue-Ning Wei
%A Ying-Hua Jin
%J International Journal of Molecular Sciences
%D 2012
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/ijms131215523
%X Ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) has been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in a variety of cancer cells. However, the details of the signal transduction cascade involved in G-Rh2-induced cell death is unclear. In this manuscript we elucidate the molecular mechanism of G-Rh2-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells by demonstrating that G-Rh2 causes rapid and dramatic translocation of both Bak and Bax, which subsequently triggers mitochondrial cytochrome c release and consequent caspase activation. Interestingly, siRNA-based gene inactivation of caspase-8 effectively delays caspase-9 activation and apoptosis induced by G-Rh2, indicating that caspase-8 also plays an important role in the G-Rh2-induced apoptosis program. Taken together, our results indicate that G-Rh2 employs a multi pro-apoptotic pathway to execute cancer cell death, suggesting a potential role for G-Rh2 as a powerful chemotherapeutic agent.
%K apoptosis
%K Bax/Bak translocation
%K caspase activation cascade
%K caspase-8/Bid pathway
%K ginsenoside Rh2
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/12/15523