Y. Liu, Y-J Kim
Kyung Hee University,
Korea
Keywords: compound K, CopA3, gold nanoparticles, inflammation, cancer
Summary:
Ginsenoside compound K (CK) has been reported to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. However, its high hydrophobicity hinders its application. In present work, ginsenoside CK has been successfully loaded onto gold nanoparticles through one-pot biosynthesis using probiotic Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens kh-1 and conjugated with insect peptide CopA3 (GCC-AuNps). CopA3, a disulfide dimer of the coprisin peptide analogue (LLCIALRKK), also exerts anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The synthetic GCC-AuNps were performed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and cancer (AGS, MDA-MB-231, and A549) cell lines. Transmission electron microscopy images and fluorescence analysis revealed that the GCC-AuNps could be effective uptake and internalization into RAW 264.7 and AGS cells. GCC-AuNps pretreatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in macrophages. Mechanistically, GCC-AuNps suppressed the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB, but not JAK/ STAT signal pathways. Furthermore, GCC-AuNps induced AGS and A549 cells apoptosis. Taken together, our findings indicate that the GCC-AuNps would be potential use for inflammation-related diseases and cancer risks.