ABSTRACT Platycodin D (PD) is a major active component of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A.DC. and possesses multiple biological and pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer activity. The aim of this study was to characterize PD-induced cytoplasmic vacuolation in human cancer cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. PD-induced cancer cell death was associated with cytoplasmic pinocytic and autophagic vacuolation. Cellular energy levels were decreased by this compound, leading to the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Additionally, compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, completely prevented PD-induced vacuolation. These results suggest that PD induces cancer cell death, associated with excessive vacuolation through AMPK activation when cellular energy levels are low. Therefore, our findings provide a mechanistic rationale for a novel combinatorial approach using PD to treat cancer.

中文翻译：

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桔梗素 D 是桔梗的一种生物活性成分，可诱导与极端空泡化相关的癌细胞死亡

摘要桔梗素 D (PD) 是桔梗 (Jacq.) A.DC 根的主要活性成分。并具有多种生物学和药理学特性，包括抗癌活性。本研究的目的是表征人类癌细胞中 PD 诱导的细胞质空泡化并研究其潜在机制。PD 诱导的癌细胞死亡与细胞质胞饮和自噬空泡化有关。这种化合物降低了细胞能量水平，导致 AMP 活化蛋白激酶 (AMPK) 的激活。此外，AMPK 抑制剂化合物 C 完全阻止了 PD 诱导的空泡形成。这些结果表明，当细胞能量水平低时，PD 会诱导癌细胞死亡，这与通过 AMPK 激活产生的过度空泡化有关。所以，