The α -Tomatine Exhibits Antiproliferative Activity, Rupture of Cell Membranes and Induces the Expression of APC Gene in the Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cell Line (Ht-29)

Abstract The α-tomatine is a steroidal glycoalkaloid found in immature tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) that has important biological functions including the inhibition of cancer cell growth and preventing metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of α-tomatine on cytotoxicity, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and mRNA expression of APC, CCNA2, β-catenin, CASP9, BAK, BAX and BCL-XL in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. HT29 cells were treated with three concentrations of α-tomatine (0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL), although only the 1 µg/mL concentration of α-tomatine was used to evaluate genetic expression patterns by real time-PCR. Results showed that α-tomatine was cytotoxic only at the 10 µg/mL concentration. Cell proliferation was significantly inhibited after the first 24 hours of treatment only with concentrations of 10 µg/mL. In contrast, there were no significant differences in apoptosis for any treatment. In the gene expression studies, only APC expression was significantly altered by α-tomatine treatment. In conclusion, α-tomatine has antiproliferative activity in the first 24h of treatment, does not induce apoptosis in this cell line and causes disruption of cell membranes, thereby increasing the expression of APC gene related to cell cycle.

Transplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in refractory crohn's disease: systematic review / Transplante de células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do tecido adiposo na doença de crohn refratária: revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Background: Crohn's disease is a pathological condition that has different options of treatment, but there are patients who need other therapeutic approach, such as the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Aim: Systematic literature review to determine the different ways of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells administration in humans with luminal refractory and perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease. Methods: It was conducted a search for articles (from 2008 to 2018) on PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using the keywords Crohn's disease, fistulizing Crohn's disease, luminal Crohn's disease and transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells or mesenchymal stem cells or stromal cells. Thirteen publications were selected for analysis. Results: Only one study referred to the luminal Crohn´s disease. The number of cells administered was variable, occurring mainly through subcutaneous adipose tissue by liposuction. It could be highlighted the autologous transplant with exclusive infusion of mesenchymal stem cells. The procedures involved in pre-transplant were mainly curettage, setons placement and stitching with absorbable suture, and conducting tests and drug treatment for luminal Crohn´s disease. During transplant, the injection of mesenchymal stem cells across the fistula path during the transplant was mainly on the intestinal tract wall. Conclusion: Although the use of mesenchymal stem cells is promising, the transplant on the luminal region should be more investigated. The injection of mesenchymal stem cells, exclusively, is more explored when compared to treatment with other products. The preparation of the fistulizing tract and the location of cell transplantation involve standardized health care in most studies.

RESUMO Racional: Há diferentes opções de tratamento para a doença de Crohn, porém, em alguns casos, há a necessidade de outras abordagens terapêuticas, como o uso de células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do tecido adiposo. Objetivo: Revisar sistematicamente a literatura para determinar as diferentes formas de administração das células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do tecido adiposo em seres humanos com doença de Crohn refratária luminal e fistulizante perianal. Método: Buscaram-se artigos publicados entre 2008 e 2018 nas bases de dados PubMed e ScienceDirect, pelos descritores: Crohn's disease, fistulizing Crohns disease, luminal Crohns disease e transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells ou mesenchymal stem cell ou stromal cells. Treze artigos foram selecionados. Resultados: Somente um trabalho se referiu à doença luminal. A quantidade de células administradas foi variável, obtendo-se principalmente do tecido adiposo subcutâneo por lipoaspiração. Destacou-se o transplante autólogo com a infusão exclusiva de células-tronco mesenquimais. Os procedimentos realizados no pré-transplante foram principalmente o de curetagem, colocação de setons e suturas com fio absorvível, e de exames e tratamento medicamentoso para a doença luminal. No transplante, ocorreu a injeção das células por todo o trajeto fistuloso, principalmente nas paredes do trato. Conclusão: Embora o uso de células-tronco mesenquimais seja promissor, o transplante na região luminal deve ser mais investigado. A injeção exclusiva de células-tronco mesenquimais é mais explorada quando comparada ao tratamento conjunto com outros produtos. A forma de preparo do trato fistuloso e o local de transplante envolvem cuidados médicos padronizados na maioria dos estudos.

Assessment of genetic integrity, splenic phagocytosis and cell death potential of (Z)-4-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid and its effect when combined with commercial chemotherapeutics

Abstract The increased incidence of cancer and its high treatment costs have encouraged the search for new compounds to be used in adjuvant therapies for this disease. This study discloses the synthesis of (Z)-4-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid (IR-01) and evaluates not only the action of this compound on genetic integrity, increase in splenic phagocytosis and induction of cell death but also its effects in combination with the commercial chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin, cisplatin and cyclophosphamide. IR-01 was designed and synthesized based on two multifunctionalyzed structural fragments: 4-aminoantipyrine, an active dipyrone metabolite, described as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent; and the pharmacophore fragment 1,4-dioxo-2-butenyl, a cytotoxic agent. The results indicated that IR-01 is an effective chemoprotector because it can prevent clastogenic and/or aneugenic damage, has good potential to prevent genomic damage, can increase splenic phagocytosis and lymphocyte frequency and induces cell death. However, its use as an adjuvant in combination with chemotherapy is discouraged since IR-01 interferes in the effectiveness of the tested chemotherapeutic agents. This is a pioneer study as it demonstrates the chemopreventive effects of IR-01, which may be associated with the higher antioxidant activity of the precursor structure of 4-aminoantipyrine over the effects of the 1,4-dioxo-2-butenyl fragment.

In vivo chemotherapeutic insight of a novel isocoumarin (3-hexyl-5,7-dimethoxy-isochromen-1-one): Genotoxicity, cell death induction, leukometry and phagocytic evaluation

Abstract Chemotherapy is one of the major approaches for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, the development of new chemotherapy drugs is an important aspect of medicinal chemistry. Chemotherapeutic agents include isocoumarins, which are privileged structures with potential antitumoral activity. Herein, a new 3-substituted isocoumarin was synthesized from 2-iodo-3,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid and oct-1-yne in a cross-coupling Sonogashira reaction followed by a copper iodide-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization as key step using MeOH/Et3N as the solvent system. The present study also evaluated the leukometry, phagocytic activity, genotoxic potential and cell death induction of three different doses (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) of this newly synthesized isocoumarin, alone and in combination with the commercial chemotherapeutic agents cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) and cisplatin (6 mg/kg) in male Swiss mice. The results suggest that the isocoumarin has genotoxicity and causes cell death. Noteworthy, this new compound can increase splenic phagocytosis and lymphocyte frequency, which are related to immunomodulatory activity. When combined with either cyclophosphamide or cisplatin, chemopreventive activity led to a reduction in the effects of both chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, the new isocoumarin is not a candidate for chemotherapeutic adjuvant in treatments using cyclophosphamide or cisplatin. Nevertheless, the compound itself is an important prototype for the development of new antitumor drugs.

Chlorophyllin in the intra-uterine development of mice exposed or not to cyclophosphamide / Clorofilina no desenvolvimento intra-uterino de camundongos expostos ou não à ciclofosfamida

Chlorophyllin, a sodium-copper salt synthesized from chlorophyll, has already proved to have anticlastogenic, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity, however few are the studies in the teratogenicity area. The present study evaluated the effects of chlorophyllin in intra- uterine development of mice exposed or not to cyclophosphamide. Pregnant females were divided into 8 groups of 15 animals each, G01 - PBS (0.1 mL 10.0-1 g) orally; G02 ­ cyclophosphamide (20.0 mg kg-1) i.p.; G03, G04 and G05 - chlorophyllin at concentrations of (5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg kg-1) orally; G06, G07 and G08 (5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg kg -1) orally, of chlorophyllin, respectively, and (20.0 mg kg-1) i.p. of cyclophosphamide. In the 18th day the females were submitted to laparotomy and females and fetuses analyzed. The results showed that the chlorophyllin was not effective in protecting the reproductive parameters as well as teratogenicity. Finally, it was observed that the presence of chlorophyllin increased the frequency of some malformations when combined with cyclophosphamide. However, it was not teratogenic and not embryo lethal in this experimental design.

Clorofilina é um sal de cobre e sódio sintetizado a partir da clorofila. Provou-se ter atividade anticlastogênica, antimutagênica e anticarcinogênica. No entanto, poucos são os estudos sobre esta substância na área de teratologia. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho avaliou os efeitos da clorofilina no desenvolvimento intrauterino de camundongos expostos ou não à ciclofosfamida. Para tal, fêmeas prenhez foram divididas em oito grupos experimentais contendo 15 animais cada: G01 - PBS (0,1 mL 10.0-1 g) via oral; G02 - ciclofosfamida (20,0 mg kg-1), intraperitoneal; G03, G04 e G05 - clorofilina em concentrações de (5,0; 10,0 e 15,0 mg kg-1) via oral; G06, G07 e G08 (5,0, 10,0 e 15,0 mg kg-1) via oral, de clorofilina, respectivamente, e 20,0 mg kg-1, via intraperitoneal, de ciclofosfamida. No 18º dia de gestação, os animais foram submetidos à laparotomia e os fetos, analisados para parâmetros teratogênicos. Os resultados mostraram que a clorofilina não foi eficaz para proteger os parâmetros reprodutivos, bem como a teratogenicidade. Finalmente, foi observado que a clorofilina quando combinada com a ciclofosfamida aumentou a frequência de algumas malformações. No entanto, a clorofilina não se apresentou teratogênica e nem letal para este desenho experimental.

Maternal exposure to Cochlospermum regium: a toxicological evaluation

Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg., Bixaceae, is a Brazilian plant widely used as a folk medicine in the southwestern of the Brazil to treat inflammation and infection diseases. However, the effects of C. regium hydroethanolic extract on pregnant rats have not been assessed. To evaluate the effects of the C. regium on pregnant rats during the organogenic period, the hydroethanolic extract was administered via gavage at a dose of 11.5 mg/kg/day to rats from 6th to 15th day of pregnancy. No clinical signs of maternal toxicity were observed. The placenta's and fetuses' weight were similar in control and treated animals. The term fetuses dis not present malformations or anomalies although the number of live fetuses and birth rate were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the C. regium hydroethanolic extract is nontoxicant to the pregnant rat although it would be likely to interfere in the progress of the embryofetal development.

Chemopreventive activity of phenylalanine against damage mutagenic prompted by the acute administration of cyclophosphamide in pregnant and non-pregnant mice using the micronucleus test / Atividade quimiopreventiva da fenilalanina contra danos mutagênicos pela administração aguda de ciclofosfamida em ratas grávidas e não grávidas, utilizando o teste do micronúcleo

This study aimed to evaluate the quimiopreventive ability of phenylalanine. We used pregnant and non-pregnant female mice divided into the following groups: G1-PBS, (0.1 mL/kg b.w); G2, cyclophosphamide (35 mg/kg p.c.-i.p.); G3 and G4, phenylalanine (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w respectively-v.o.) and G5 and G6, association between the two doses of phenylalanine and cyclophosphamide, respectively. The peripheral blood samples were taken at T0, before the administration of any drug test and / or vehicles, also at T24 and T48 where the collections were made 24 and 48 h after administration of cyclophosphamide, respectively. A general analysis has found that, for the group of non-pregnant female, the antimutagenic evaluation showed reduction percentages of damage of 57.24 percent and 31.64 percent for G5 and G6, respectively, at T24, and 29.32 percent and 24.13 percent for G5 and G6, respectively, at T48. Antimutagenic pregnant animals in the 24 h quimiopreventive efficiency shown only for the lower dose (G5) and the percentages of reduction were 43.25 percent in G5 and G6 at 18.47 percent. At T48 the harm-reduction percentages were 44.67 percent and 37.76 percent for G5 and G6, respectively.

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar a capacidade quimiopreventiva da fenilalanina. Utilizou-se um lote de fêmeas prenhes e não prenhes divididas nos seguintes grupos experimentais: G1, PBS (0,1 mL/kg p.c.); G2, ciclofosfamida (35 mg/kg p.c.-i.p.); G3, fenilalanina (150 mg/kg p.c.-v.o.) e G4, fenilalanina (300 mg/kg p.c.-v.o.) e G5 (150 mg/kg p.c. de fenilalanina e 35 mg/kg de ciclofosfamida); G6, (300 mg/kg p.c. de fenilalanina e 35 mg/kg de ciclofosfamida). As coletas de sangue periférico foram realizadas em T0, antes da administração de qualquer substância teste e/ou veículos, e igualmente em T24 e T48, onde as coletas foram realizadas respectivamente 24 e 48 h após a administração da ciclofosfamida. Em uma análise geral verificou-se que, para o grupo de fêmeas não prenhes, a avaliação da antimutagenicidade demonstrou porcentagens de redução de danos de 57,24 por cento e 31,64 por cento para G5 e G6, respectivamente, em T24, e 29,32 por cento e 24,13 por cento para G5 e G6, respectivamente, em T48. Nos animais prenhes a antimutagenicidade de 24 h demonstrou eficiência quimiopreventiva apenas para a menor dose (G5) e as porcentagens de redução de danos foram de 43,25 por cento em G5 e 18,47 por cento em G6. No momento T48 as porcentagens de redução de danos foram de 44,67 por cento e 37,76 por cento para G5 e G6, respectivamente.

Avaliação da mutagenicidade e antimutagenicidade de um biopolímero extraído do microorganismo Agrobacterium radiobacter em camundongos Swiss / Assessment of mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of a biopolymer extracted from the microorganism Agrobacterium radiobacter in mice

A presente pesquisa avaliou a ação mutagênica e antimutagênica de um biopolímero de glucose extraído da Agrobacterium radiobacter (Biopolímero de Agrobacterium radiobacter). O experimento foi realizado com camundongos Swiss machos divididos em oito grupos. O tratamento com o biopolímero foi realizado por gavage em dose única concomitante a uma dose de solução tampão fosfato nos grupos de avaliação da mutagenicidade, ou ao agente indutor de danos no DNA, ciclofosfamida, na concentração de 50 mg/kg (peso corpóreo - p.c.), nos grupos de avaliação da antimutagenicidade. Utilizou-se o teste de micronúcleo em sangue periférico e a coleta de sangue foi realizada 24 e 48 h após a aplicação das substâncias-teste. A análise estatística demonstrou que o biopolímero não possui atividade mutagênica e que é efetivo em prevenir danos no DNA. As porcentagens de redução de danos nos grupos de antimutagenicidade foram de 83,9 por cento, 89,1 por cento e 103,1 por cento em 24 h e 101,24 por cento, 98,14 por cento e 120,64 por cento em 48 h para as doses de 75, 150 e 300mg/kg (p.c.), respectivamente. A alta porcentagem de redução de danos associada à ausência de efeitos mutagênicos indica, além da atividade quimioprotetora, a possibilidade do biopolímero ser um alimento funcional candidato à utilização como co-adjuvante na quimioterapia para prevenir efeitos colaterais.

This study evaluated the mutagenic and ant mutagenic action of a biopolymer of glucose extracted from Agrobacterium radiobacter (Biopolymer of Agrobacterium radiobacter). The experiment was conducted with Swiss male mice divided into eight groups. Treatment with the biopolymer was performed in a single dose by gavage at a dose of concomitant phosphate buffer groups in the evaluation of mutagenicity, or the agent of inducing DNA damage, cyclophosphamide, the concentration of 50 mg/kg (body weight --b.w.), in groups of assessment ant mutagenic. We used the micronucleus test in peripheral blood. The blood sample was held 24 and 48 h after application of the test substances. Statistical analysis showed that the biopolymer has no mutagenic activity and it is effective in preventing damage to DNA. The percentages of damage reduction in groups of ant mutagenic were 83.9 percent, 89.1 percent and 103.1 percent in 24 h and 101.24 percent, 98.14 percent and 120.64 percent at doses of 48 to 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg (b.w.) respectively. The high percentage of damage reduction associated with the absence of mutagenic effects indicates the possibility of biopolymer chemoprotection action. It can also be considered a functional food candidate to be used as co-adjuvant chemotherapy to prevent side effects.

Efeitos do agaricus blazei na clastogenicidade induzida pela radiaçåo ultravioleta em cultura de células CHO-K1 / Effects of agaricus blazei on clastogenicity induced by ultraviolet radiation in culture of CHO-K1 cells

O Agaricus blazei Murril ss. Heinemann (ABM), cogumelo comestível nativo do Brasil, tem sido utilizado na medicina popular no tratamento de inúmeras doenças, incluindo o câncer. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do extrato ABM (0,4 por cento) na clastogenicidade induzida pela exposição à radiação ultravioleta (UV), em células CHO-k1, pelo teste de aberração cromossômica. As células foram tratadas em diferentes condições (tratamento contínuo, pré-tratamento e pós-tratamento), associadas à indução de danos no DNA pela UV. A análise dos dados demonstrou que a UV e o ABM apresentaram atividade clastogênica. Nos protocolos de pré e pós-tratamento não foram evidenciados efeitos anticlastogênicos. No entanto, o protocolo de tratamento contínuo demonstrou efeito protetor com redução de danos de 86,1 por cento. Os resultados não permitem inferir com clareza o tipo de mecanismo de ação do extrato de ABM, o qual poderia agir tanto por desmutagênese, quanto por bioantimutagênese. no entanto, é evidente o seu efeito na diminuição de danos causados por radiação não-ionizante, apesar de, em concentração muito elevada, apresentar atividade clastogênica.