Kong Ka-lai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-149). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Abstract (Chinese Version) --- p.vi / Table of Contents --- p.ix / List of Figures/Table --- p.xiii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- An Overview on Cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biological Effects of Chlorophyllin --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- CHL as Photosensitizer --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- CHL as Antioxidant --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- CHL as Anticarcinogenic Agent --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3 --- Regulation of Cell Cycle --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Cell-Cycle Checkpoints --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Cell-Cycle Regulatory Proteins --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Regulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Cascade --- p.21 / Chapter 1.5 --- Programmed Cell Death (or Apoptosis) --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Regulation of Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis --- p.28 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Regulation of Caspase-Independent Cell Death --- p.32 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Bcl-2 Family Proteins in Modulation of Cell Death --- p.32 / Chapter 1.6 --- In Vivo Antitumor Screening System --- p.37 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aims of the Present Study --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- In Vitro Studies of the Anticancer Effect of Chlorophyllin / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- DNA-Flow Cytometric Analysis --- p.51 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Western Blot Analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Maintenance of Cell Lines --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Effects on the Cancer Cells --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- DNA-Flow Cytometric Analysis --- p.60 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Western Blot Analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- JC-1 Mitochondrial Potential Sensor --- p.64 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Caspase Inhibitors --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Densitometric Analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.67 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Effects of CHL on the Growth of Human Cancer Cells by MTT Assay --- p.67 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Effect of CHL on the Proliferation of MCF-7 Cells by Chemi-BrdU Incorporation --- p.69 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Effect of CHL on Cell Cycle of MCF-7 Cells --- p.71 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Effect of CHL on the Cyclin D1 Expression in MCF-7 Cells --- p.74 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Effects of CHL on JNK and c-Jun Expressions and Their Phosphorylations in MCF-7 Cells --- p.76 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Effect of CHL on DNA fragmentation in MCF-7 Cells --- p.78 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Effect of CHL on Mitochondrial Membrane Potential of MCF-7 Cells --- p.80 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Effects of CHL on the PARP Expression and Cleavage in MCF-7 Cells --- p.83 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- "Effects of CHL on Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bad Expressions in MCF-7 Cells" --- p.85 / Chapter 2.3.10 --- Effects of CHL on Caspase Activations in MCF-7 Cells --- p.88 / Chapter 2.3.11 --- Effects of Caspase Inhibitors on the CHL-Induced Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells --- p.90 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- In Vivo Studies of the Anticancer Effect of Chlorophyllin / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.104 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.106 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Transplantation of MCF-7 Cells into the Nude Mice and Treatment --- p.106 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Western Blot Analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.108 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- In Vivo Antitumor Activity of CHL --- p.108 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- In Vivo Effects of CHL on Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 Expressions in MCF-7 Solid Tumor --- p.111 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.113 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- General Discussion --- p.115 / References --- p.126