ABSTRACT
Aim: Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. High mortality rates were reported among breast cancer patients which makes the development of new anticancer agents targeting breast cancer a priority. The synthesis of the compounds incorporating– N=N– group is an important field of research that may lead to the discovery of new anticancer drug. Materials and Methods: In this work, we report the synthesis of a compound has O and N centers with the incorporation of the arylazo group (4-BrC6H4–N=N–) into acetylacetone to synthesize 3-(4-Bromo phenylazo)-2,4-pentanedione. Physical characteristics of the newly synthesized compound were determined by measuring electronic absorption spectra, nuclear magnetic resonances, and the infrared absorption spectrum. The inhibitory effect of the compound against breast cancer cell lines was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Its effect on angiogenesis was evaluated by measuring vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in treated cells. The ability of the compound to induce apoptosis in cancer cells was tested by measuring caspase-3 activity, and its capacity to stimulate the immune system was evaluated by measuring the levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-10 cytokines in treated lymphocytes. Results: Significant antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cell lines was observed in treated cells. Low levels of VEGF and high caspase-3 activity were observed in treated cells. Levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 were increased after treating lymphocytes with this compound. Conclusion: 3-(4-Bromo phenylazo)-2,4-pentanedione is a promising anticancer agent that can inhibit breast cancer cells through apoptosis induction and angiogenesis inhibition. Further testing is needed to clearly determine the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer effect of this compound
ABSTRACT
Aims: Recent studies have shown independently inter-correlations between allergy, obesity, leptin hormone, and stress markers. However, these findings were unclear and contradictory. Thus the aim of the present study is to evaluate diurnal levels of salivary cortisol and DHEA in sample of Jordanian young men with history of olive pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in relation to serum levels of leptin. Methodology: 130 university male students aged (21.98±1.78) years, were divided into two groups (59 allergic and 71 non allergic). Fasting blood samples were collected and tested for blood glucose, lipid profile, serum leptin, and salivary stress hormones (cortisol and DHEA). Results: Allergic subjects showed significantly higher means of serum leptin (p<0.0001), LDL (p<0.0001), Total cholesterol (p=0.001), and BMI (p= 0.004). Also BMI and Body weight significantly correlated with serum leptin in all subjects of the study. Stronger correlation was observed in allergic subjects (r = 0.650; r = 0.589) compared with non allergic subjects (r = 0.349; r = 0.383) respectively. Simple linear regression analysis showed that morning salivary cortisol ( p=0.006) and midnight salivary DHEA ( p=0.015 ), were significantly correlated in allergic subjects with the serum leptin levels concentration. Conclusion: These results revealed an association between the morning salivary cortisol and elevated serum leptin levels in Jordanian young men with olive pollen induced allergic rhinitis.
ABSTRACT
Aims: to evaluate the potential apoptosis inducing effect of Ducrosia flabellifolia extracts against different cancer cell lines. Methodology: The antiproliferative activity of Ducrosia flabellifolia extracts was tested against three cell lines using MTT assay. The apoptosis induction ability of ethanol extract was determined using TUNEL colorimetric assay while agarose gel electrophoresis was used to detect DNA fragmentation. Morphological changes associated with apoptosis were observed using scanning electron microscopy. LC/MSMS analysis was used to determine the main flavonoids present in the plant extract. Results: Ducrosia flabellifolia ethanol extract showed selective antiproliferative activity against different cell lines. The highest activity was against MCF-7 cell line with IC50 value of 25.34 μg/mL, followed by Hep-2 cell line with IC50 value of 98.01 μg/mL. While the lowest activity was against Vero cell line with IC50 value of 98.01 μg/mL. The antiproliferative effect was exerted by inducing apoptosis as indicted by the presence of DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, and formation of apoptotic bodies in treated cancer cells. LC/MS-MS analysis revealed the presence of five flavonoids (quercetin, fisetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin) and their derivatives in the extract. Conclusion: The apoptosis inducing ability of Ducrosia flabellifolia ethanol extract validate the use of this plant in traditional medicine to treat cancer. The anticancer synergistic effect of Ducrosia flabellifolia compounds has broad implication for understanding the anticancer potential of plant natural products in vivo, where different compounds may act in concert to reduce tumor burden.