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Kyun-Hwa Song

Korea University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

About the Lab

Professor Kyun-Hwa Song's research lab focuses on the anticancer mechanisms of natural phytochemicals, particularly flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, in various human cancer cell lines. The lab investigates how these bioactive compounds induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation and migration, and modulate key cellular pathways such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and cell cycle regulation. A central theme is the identification of natural compounds that can overcome drug resistance in cancers like prostate, colorectal, ovarian, and choriocarcinoma, offering potential for safer, targeted therapies. The research also explores the molecular regulation of cathepsins in reproductive biology, highlighting a broader interest in proteolytic enzymes in disease and development.

natural compoundsanticancer mechanismsphytochemicalsapoptosisdrug resistance

Research Overview

Papers
403
Total Citations
11,122
Papers (5y)
155
Primary Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
155total
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
2,330total
20212022202320242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Review|282 citations·2020
Effects of mycotoxin-contaminated feed on farm animals
Changwon Yang, Gwonhwa Song, Whasun Lim
SJR Q1Journal of Hazardous Materials
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
2
Review|207 citations·2020
A review of the toxicity in fish exposed to antibiotics
Changwon Yang, Gwonhwa Song, Whasun Lim
SJR Q1Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology
PollutionEnvironmental Science
3
Review|202 citations·2020
Mediation of oxidative stress toxicity induced by pyrethroid pesticides in fish
Changwon Yang, Whasun Lim, Gwonhwa Song
SJR Q1Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
4
Article|166 citations·2016
Naringenin‐Induced Apoptotic Cell Death in Prostate Cancer Cells Is Mediated via the PI3K/AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Whasun Lim, Sunwoo Park, Fuller W. Bazer, Gwonhwa Song
SJR Q2Journal of Cellular Biochemistry

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Although, various drugs targeting the androgen receptor are normally used, the patients frequently undergo recurrence of the disease. To overcome these limitations, natural compounds have been researched for evidence that they suppress progression and metastasis of various cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated effects of naringenin, a natural anti-oxidant flavonoid der

Cancer ResearchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
5
Article|140 citations·2017
Chrysin induces death of prostate cancer cells by inducing ROS and ER stress
Soomin Ryu, Whasun Lim, Fuller W. Bazer, Gwonhwa Song
SJR Q1Journal of Cellular Physiology

Chrysin is a natural flavone found in numerous plant extracts, honey, and propolis that has multiple biological activities including anti‐cancer effects. Understanding of biological mechanisms mediated in response to chrysin in cancerous cells may provide novel insight into chemotherapeutic approaches with reduced side effects in cancers. In the present study, we investigated functional roles of chrysin in progression of prostate cancer cells using DU145 and PC‐3 cell lines. The results showed t

PharmacologyMedicine
6
Article|128 citations·2018
Quercetin inhibits proliferation of endometriosis regulating cyclin D1 and its target microRNAs in vitro and in vivo
Sung Soo Park, Whasun Lim, Fuller W. Bazer, Kwang‐Youn Whang, Gwonhwa Song
SJR Q1The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Reproductive MedicineMedicine
7
Article|125 citations·2020
Stigmasterol Causes Ovarian Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Hyocheol Bae, Gwonhwa Song, Whasun Lim
SJR Q1PharmaceuticsOA

BACKGROUND: Phytosterols have physiological effects and are used as medicines or food supplements. Stigmasterol has shown anticancer effects against various cancers such as hepatoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gall bladder carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma and skin, gastric, breast, prostate, and cervical cancer. However, there are no reports on stigmasterol's effects on ovarian cancer. METHODS: We investigated the effects of stigmasterol on proapoptotic signals, mitochondrial function, reactive ox

SurgeryMedicine
8
Article|121 citations·2021
Apigenin enhances apoptosis induction by 5-fluorouracil through regulation of thymidylate synthase in colorectal cancer cells
Changwon Yang, Jisoo Song, Sunjae Hwang, Jungil Choi, Gwonhwa Song, Whasun Lim
SJR Q1Redox BiologyOA

Although effective drugs have been developed, including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) shows low therapeutic sensitivity resulting from the development of 5-FU resistance. Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a target protein of 5-FU, and elevated TS lowers the 5-FU sensitivity of CRC cells. Here, we tested the efficacy of several candidate phytochemicals against human CRC-derived HCT116 cells expressing wild-type tumor suppressor protein P53 and HT29 cells expressing mutant P53

OncologyMedicine
9
Review|98 citations·2019
A mechanism for the effect of endocrine disrupting chemicals on placentation
Changwon Yang, Gwonhwa Song, Whasun Lim
SJR Q1Chemosphere
Health, Toxicology and MutagenesisEnvironmental Science
10
Article|97 citations·2005
Cathepsins in the Ovine Uterus: Regulation by Pregnancy, Progesterone, and Interferon Tau
Gwonhwa Song, Thomas E. Spencer, Fuller W. Bazer
SJR Q1EndocrinologyOA

Cathepsins (CTS) are peptidases that have biological roles in degrading extracellular matrix, catabolism of intracellular proteins, and processing of prohormones. Expression of CTSB, CTSD, CTSH, CTSK, CTSL, CTSS, and CTSZ genes was detected in the endometria of cyclic and early pregnant ewes with distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns. In the d 18 and 20 conceptus, expression of CTSB, CTSD, CTSL, and CTSZ mRNA was detected in the trophectoderm. Of particular note, CTSL mRNA was the mo

Agronomy and Crop ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
11
Article|89 citations·2016
Chrysophanol Induces Apoptosis of Choriocarcinoma Through Regulation of ROS and the AKT and ERK1/2 Pathways
Whasun Lim, Changwon Yang, Fuller W. Bazer, Gwonhwa Song
SJR Q1Journal of Cellular Physiology

Chrysophanol is an anthraquinone compound, mainly isolated from rhubarb, with anti-cancer effects on some types of cancer cells. However, effects of chrysophanol on human choriocarcinoma cells are not known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine effects of chrysophanol on choriocarcinoma cells (JAR and JEG-3) and identify signal transduction cascades activated by chrysophanol. Results of present study, showed that chrysophanol decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis of J

ImmunologyImmunology and Microbiology
12
Article|87 citations·2010
Cathepsin B, Cathepsin L, and Cystatin C in the Porcine Uterus and Placenta: Potential Roles in Endometrial/Placental Remodeling and in Fluid-Phase Transport of Proteins Secreted by Uterine Epithelia Across Placental Areolae1
Gwonhwa Song, Daniel W. Bailey, Kathrin A. Dunlap, Robert C. Burghardt, Thomas E. Spencer, Fuller W. Bazer, Greg A. Johnson
SJR Q1Biology of Reproduction

Cathepsins (CTSB and CTSL1) and their inhibitor, cystatin C (CST3), remodel uterine endometrium and placenta for transport of gases, micronutrients, and macromolecules essential for development and growth of the conceptus (embryo/fetus and placental membranes). We examined the temporal/spatial control of expression for CTSB, CTSL1, and CST3 mRNAs in endometria and placentae of pigs using three developmental models: 1) pigs were hysterectomized during the estrous cycle or pregnancy; 2) cyclic pig

ImmunologyImmunology and Microbiology
13
Article|84 citations·2019
Ochratoxin A exerts neurotoxicity in human astrocytes through mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and intracellular calcium overload
Sunwoo Park, Whasun Lim, Seungkwon You, Gwonhwa Song
SJR Q2Toxicology Letters
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
14
Article|82 citations·2007
Pregnancy and interferon tau regulate RSAD2 and IFIH1 expression in the ovine uterus
Gwonhwa Song, Fuller W. Bazer, Thomas E. Spencer
SJR Q1ReproductionOA

Radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2) encodes a cytoplasmic antiviral protein induced by interferons (IFN). Interferon-induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1) is a RNA helicase involved in innate immune defense against viruses, growth suppression, and apoptosis. Interferon tau (IFNT), a Type I IFN produced by the peri-implantation ruminant conceptus, acts on the uterine endometrium to signal pregnancy recognition and promote receptivity to implantation. Transcriptional profi

OncologyMedicine
15
Article|80 citations·2019
Neurotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on human astrocytes in vitro and on glial cell development in zebrafish in vivo
Sung Soo Park, Jin‐Young Lee, Seungkwon You, Gwonhwa Song, Whasun Lim
SJR Q1Journal of Hazardous Materials
NeurologyNeuroscience

Research Areas

Molecular BiologyImmunologyCell BiologyReproductive MedicineCancer ResearchPlant Science

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