Cell cycle inhibitory activity of Piper longum against A549 cell line and its protective effect against metal-induced toxicity in rats.

Anticancer potential of Piper longum fruit against human cancer cell lines (DU-145 prostate, A549 lung, THP-1 leukemia, IGR-OVI-1 ovary and MCF-7 breast) as well as its in vitro and in vivo biochemical efficacy in AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity were evaluated in the rats. Dried samples were extracted with several solvents using soxhlet apparatus. Flavonoid content in chloroform, benzene, ethyl alcohol and aqueous extracts of fruit was 19, 14, 12 and 11 μg quercetin equivalent/mg of sample, respectively. Hexane extracts exhibited 90-92% cytotoxicity against most of the test cell lines (A549, THP-1, IGR-OVI-1 and MCF-7), while benzene extract displayed 84-87% cytotoxicity against MCF-7, IGR-OV-1 and THP-1 cell lines. Among extracts, hexane, benzene and acetone extracts demonstrated considerable cytotoxicity (91-95%) against A549 (lung cancer) cell line in Sulforhodamine B dye (SRB) assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed that hexane, benzene and acetone extracts produced 41, 63 and 43% sub-G1 DNA fraction, demonstrating cell cycle inhibitory potential of these extracts against A549 cell line. Chloroform, ethyl alcohol and aqueous extracts displayed 71, 64 and 65% membrane protective activity, respectively in lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. P. longum fruit extracts also ameliorated AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity, as indicated by alterations observed in serum enzymes ALP, SGOT and SGPT activity, as well as creatinine and bilirubin contents. In conclusion, study established the cytotoxic and hepatoprotective activity in P. longum extracts.

HER-2 targeted immunonanoparticles for breast cancer chemotherapy.

The success of anti-cancer drug targeting is depends on the ability of the therapeutics to reach their desirable cellular and intracellular sites and minimizing action at the nonspecific sites. In the present study, anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2, ErbB2) antibody anchored nanoparticles were prepared and evaluated for the assessment of targeting potential in breast cancer cell. In an attempt for comparison of carrier system for site-selective delivery, docetaxel loaded PLGA nanoparticles, PLGA-PEG nanoparticles and PLGA-PEG immunonanoparticles capable of targeting breast cancer were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The drug-loaded nanoparticles were characterized for their size and size distribution, surface charge, drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release. Our results demonstrate that docetaxel loaded PLGA-PEG immunonanoparticles strongly enhances the site specific uptake and high cytotoxic effect at targeted sites, as compared with PLGA, PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. In conclusion polymeric immunonanoparticles could be a promising carrier for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancers.