Kimchi markedly induces apoptosis in HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cells

This study investigated kimchi‐induced apoptosis in HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cells. Three types of kimchi samples were prepared: standardized kimchi brined with general commercial Baechu cabbage by a standardized recipe (SK), Amtak Baechu kimchi brined with Amtak Baechu cabbage by a standardized recipe (AmK), and anticancer kimchi brined with organically cultivated Baechu cabbage by a functional recipe (AK). MTT assay, qRT‐PCR, and Western blotting analysis were performed. The results indicate that AmK and AK, especially AK significantly upregulated mRNA expression of apoptosis‐related genes Bim, Bax, Bak, caspase‐8, ‐9, ‐3, and p53 but suppressed Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2 expression. In addition, AK treatment significantly upregulated protein expression levels of caspase‐3 but strikingly reduced the protein expression level of Bcl‐2 (p