Antiproliferative activity of selected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents: role of iron complexes

In this work the complexation of five NSAIDs with iron [Fe[3+]] was studied and the role of these iron complexes in reducing the proliferation of cancer cells was investigated. The stoichiometry and the formation constants of the complexes formed with different NSAIDs were calculated using the conductivity method. The metal-drug ratio for all drugs was 1:2 and their formation constant values were between 10[9] to 10[14]. The antiproliferative activity of the NSAIDs in their free and complex form was assessed using MCF-7 cells. After 72 hours incubation with the free drugs, mefenamic acid and diclofenac sodium showed the strongest antiproliferative effects with IC[50] of 70.54 +/- 15.29 microM and 108.38 +/- 11.28 microM, respectively. Indomethacin, naproxen and meloxicam had moderate to no effect at the concentrations tested. A linear correlation, with r= 0.876, between the formation constants of NSAlDs-Fe[3+] complexes and their cytotoxic effects was observed after 6 hours incubation. The ability of each drug to bind to DNA was examined together with the influence of ferric ions on the binding process. Drug-iron complexes were shown to bind to DNA, though with slightly different ratio. The results suggest that the complexes possess intrinsic cytotoxic effect

Composition of the essential oils from salvia dominica L. and salvia hormium L. Grown in Jordan

In Jordan, Salvia dominica L. is widely distributed while Salvia hormium L. is scarcely found. The objective of this study was to determine the volatile oil composition of the fresh and dried aerial parts of these two species, collected during flowering time. The hydrodistilled volatile oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC/MS]. The volatile oil of fresh and dry S. dominica was composed mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes [79.0% and 68.1%, respectively]. The major components detected in the oils of fresh and dry S. dominica L. were linalool [31.4% and 18.3%, respectively] and alpha terpineol [25.4% and 15%, respectively]. Mono- and sesquiterpenoids were detected in the volatile oils of fresh and dry S. hormium in nearly equal amounts. Alpha cadinene [7.8% and 11.4%, respectively] was the predominant constituent in oils obtained from fresh and dry plants. Eugenol [7.3%] was found only in the volatile oil of fresh S. hormium

In vitro modulation of pancreatic min6 insulin secretion and proliferation and extrapancreatic glucose absorption by paronychia argentea, rheum ribes and teucrium polium extracts

The present study design investigated the effects of crude aqueous extracts [AE] of Paronychia argentea Lam., Rheum ribes L. and Teucrium polium L., traditionally utilized in diabetes treatment in Jordan, on the pancreatic beta-cell MIN6 proliferation and insulin secretion and extrapancreatic glucose diffusion. In an ascending order, R. ribes, T. polium and P. argentea concentrations induced a MIN6 monolayers expansion by respective 118-136%, 158-175% and 140-200% [P<0.001], thus exceeding GLP-1 [5 nM] pancreatic proliferative capacity. Like Lalanine [10 mM] insulinotropic efficacy and without exerting cytotoxicity, glucose stimulated insulin secretion was potentiated by AEs of R. ribes [373-736%, P<0.001] and T. polium [503-1190% P<0.001]. P. argentea AE was inactive at used doses. The potent plants' insulin secretory bioactivities were abolished in the depleted Ca[2+] conditions [P<0.001]. Comparable to guar gum [50 mg/ml] diffusional hindrance in a simple dialysis model, P. argentea inhibited overnight glucose movement in vitro [by 38.1 +/- 1.9% AUC reductions, P<0.001], while R. ribes and T. polium AEs proved inactive. This in vitro evaluation has revealed that all three plants augmented beta- cell expansion, P. argentea inhibited carbohydrate absorption and R. ribes and T. polium stimulated insulin secretion. These actions depend on their intact absorption in vivo. Future directives may assess the use of P. argentea, R. ribes and T. polium as new potential sources with functional properties for food or nutraceutical products or active leads into anti-diabetes pharmacotherapy

Trend of Low Serum Vitamin B[12] in Jordanian Adults from Two Ethnic Groups in Amman

To investigate the prevalence of vitamin B[12] deficiency in Jordanian adults from two ethnic groups in Amman. The plasma B[12] level was measured in 290 subjects [124 men, 166 women, aged 16-72] from two ethnic groups; Circassians and Arabs. These participants were recruited by simple random sampling from both communities from June 2004 to March 2005. The prevalence of vitamin B[12] deficiency [B[12] level lower than 200 pg/ ml] was 50.8 and 46.9% in Arab and Circassians, respectively. No significant differences in the plasma B[12] level were found between the different age groups in Arabs and Circassians and between the same age groups of the two populations. One notable exception was the subjects who are older than 60 years in Circassians. Their plasma B[12] levels were significantly lower than those in the other age groups in Circassians and the same age group in Arab [P<0.05]. There were differences in the plasma B[12] level according to gender; the plasma B[12] levels for men were lower than those obtained for women in both groups. This difference was significant [P<0.001] for Arab population. Compared to Circassian men, the plasma B[12] levels of Arab men were also significantly lower [P< 0.001]. The plasma B[12] level was significantly lower in smokers compared to non-smokers in both groups [P<0.005]. The current study demonstrates the high prevalence of suboptimal cobalamin levels in Jordanian subjects living in Amman, and it shows that there are no differences in the prevalence as related to the two ethnic groups studied

primer of an animal cell culture laboratory for efficacy, toxicity and transport screening

In the advent of the discovery of new molecules with potential therapeutic effect and the engineering of new drug delivery systems, the availability of in vitro test systems for efficacy, transport and toxicity screening are becoming of an increasing importance. In this report, we present the initiation of a cell culture system for the above mentioned purposes. The report describes some of the validated assays implemented and preliminary studies on toxicity and efficacy