Cytotoxic effect of Rosa canina extract on human colon cancer cells through repression of telomerase expression / 药物分析学报

Rosa canina is a member of the genus Rosa that has long been used for medical objectives. Several studies have reported cytotoxic effects of different Rosa species, but there has been only limited investigation of the cytotoxic effect of R. canina. The purpose of the current study was to examine the potential effect of R. canina extract on cell viability, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of telomerase in human colon cancer (WiDr) cells. The cytotoxic effect of the extract was determined using MTT assay. The mechanism involved in the cytotoxic effect of the extract was then evaluated in terms of apoptosis and the cell cycle using flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was investigated using the fluorometric method, and expression levels of telomerase were studied using RT-PCR. R. canina extract exhibited a selective cytotoxic effect on WiDr cells compared with normal colon cells. The extract induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase and apoptosis via reduced MMP in WiDr cells. R. canina extract significantly repressed telomerase expressions at treatment times of 48 and 72 h in WiDr cells. Our results suggest that R. canina may have considerable potential for development as a novel natural product-based anticancer agent.

Primula vulgaris extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cervix cancer cells / 药物分析学报

Primula vulgaris belongs to the genus Primula, members of which are frequently used in folk medicine. Various studies have investigated the cytotoxic effect of different Primula species, but there have been limited studies on the cytotoxic effect of P. vulgaris. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects, and possible mechanisms involved, of P. vulgaris flower extract on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. The cytotoxic effect of the extract on HeLa cells was revealed using the MTT assay. Mechanisms involved in the extract's cytotoxic effect were then investigated in terms of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the cell cycle, using fluorometric methods. P. vulgaris flower extract exhibited selective cytotoxic effects against HeLa cells by arresting their cell cycle at the S phase, and inducing the number of apoptotic cells compared to normal fibroblast cells by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. This is the first study to reveal the antiproliferative effect of P. vulgaris flower extract. Further studies are now needed to identify the cytotoxic molecules in the extract and their mechanisms.

Medical ozone therapy reduces oxidative stress and testicular damage in an experimental model of testicular torsion in rats

ABSTRACT Objective: Testicular torsion (TT) refers to rotation of the testis and twisting of the spermatic cord. TT results in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury involving increased oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, and can even lead to infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ozone therapy on testicular damage due to I/R injury in an experimental torsion model. Materials and Methods: 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; shamoperated, torsion/detorsion (T/D), and T/D+ozone. Ozone (1mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 120 minutes before detorsion and for the following 24h. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of 24h. Johnsen score, ischemia modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were determined. Results: Levels of IMA, TOS, OSI, and histopathological scores increased in the serum/tissue of the rats in the experimental T/D group. Serum IMA, TOS, and OSI levels and tissue histopathological scores were lower in the rats treated with ozone compared with the T/D group. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that ozone therapy may exhibit beneficial effects on both biochemical and histopathological findings. Clinical trials are now necessary to confirm this.

SCUBE1: a promising biomarker in renal cell cancer

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the efficacy of signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) as a novel biomarker of renal tumors. Materials and Methods 48 individuals were included in the study. The patient group (Group-1) consisted of 23 subjects diagnosed with renal tumor, and the control group (Group-2) of 25 healthy individuals. Patients diagnosed with renal tumor received surgical treatment consisting of radical or partial nephrectomy. Blood specimens were collected following overnight fasting. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1), soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) levels were measured from plasma samples. Patients in groups 1 and 2 were compared in terms of these biochemical parameters. Results The 23-member renal tumor group was made up of 17 (73.91%) male and 6 (26.08%) female patients with a mean age of 58.5±15.7 years (range 25 to 80). The 24-member healthy control group was made up of 16 (64%) male and 9 (36%) female subjects with a mean age of 52.4±9.12 years (range 40 to 67). Analysis revealed significant elevation in SCUBE-1 levels in the renal tumor group (p=0.005). No significant differences were detected between the groups with regard to CA IX or suPAR measurements (p=0.062 vs. p=0.176). Conclusions SCUBE-1 appears to represent a promising biomarker in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with renal tumor.