Hemolytic, anticancer and antigiardial activity of Palythoa caribaeorum venom

Background Cnidarian venoms and extracts have shown a broad variety of biological activities including cytotoxic, antibacterial and antitumoral effects. Most of these studied extracts were obtained from sea anemones or jellyfish. The present study aimed to determine the toxic activity and assess the antitumor and antiparasitic potential of Palythoa caribaeorum venom by evaluating its in vitro toxicity on several models including human tumor cell lines and against the parasite Giardia intestinalis. Methods The presence of cytolysins and vasoconstrictor activity of P. caribaeorum venom were determined by hemolysis, PLA2 and isolated rat aortic ring assays, respectively. The cytotoxic effect was tested on HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (human mammary adenocarcinoma), K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia), U251 (human glyoblastoma), PC-3 (human prostatic adenocarcinoma) and SKLU-1 (human lung adenocarcinoma). An in vivo toxicity assay was performed with crickets and the antiparasitic assay was performed against G. intestinalis at 24 h of incubation. Results P. caribaeorum venom produced hemolytic and PLA2 activity and showed specific cytotoxicity against U251 and SKLU-1 cell lines, with approximately 50% growing inhibition. The venom was toxic to insects and showed activity against G. intestinalis in a dose-dependent manner by possibly altering its membrane osmotic equilibrium. Conclusion These results suggest that P. caribaeorum venom contains compounds with potential therapeutic value against microorganisms and cancer.

Hemolytic, anticancer and antigiardial activity of Palythoa caribaeorum venom

Cnidarian venoms and extracts have shown a broad variety of biological activities including cytotoxic, antibacterial and antitumoral effects. Most of these studied extracts were obtained from sea anemones or jellyfish. The present study aimed to determine the toxic activity and assess the antitumor and antiparasitic potential of Palythoa caribaeorum venom by evaluating its in vitro toxicity on several models including human tumor cell lines and against the parasite Giardia intestinalis. Methods: The presence of cytolysins and vasoconstrictor activity of P. caribaeorum venom were determined by hemolysis, PLA2 and isolated rat aortic ring assays, respectively. The cytotoxic effect was tested on HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (human mammary adenocarcinoma), K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia), U251 (human glyoblastoma), PC-3 (human prostatic adenocarcinoma) and SKLU-1 (human lung adenocarcinoma). An in vivo toxicity assay was performed with crickets and the antiparasitic assay was performed against G. intestinalis at 24 h of incubation. Results: P. caribaeorum venom produced hemolytic and PLA2 activity and showed specific cytotoxicity against U251 and SKLU-1 cell lines, with approximately 50% growing inhibition. The venom was toxic to insects and showed activity against G. intestinalis in a dose-dependent manner by possibly altering its membrane osmotic equilibrium. Conclusion: These results suggest that P. caribaeorum venom contains compounds with potential therapeutic value against microorganisms and cancer.(AU)

Podem as bactérias ácido lácticas probióticas apresentarem efeito antitumoral em modelo animal de câncer de cólon? Uma revisão da literatura / Can probiotic acid lactic bacteria submit antitumor effect in animal model of colon cancer? A review of the literature

O Câncer de cólon é um dos tipos mais comuns de câncer no mundo e a segunda principal causa de morte relacionada a esta doença em países desenvolvidos. Até 75% dos casos estão associados com a alimentação, indicando que uma pessoa pode reduzir o seu risco simplesmente através de modificação na dieta. Estudos em animais demonstram que várias cepas de bactérias ácido lácticas protegem contra o câncer de cólon em roedores, embora os dados em humanos sejam limitados e conflitantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a eficácia das bactérias ácido lácticas no tratamento e redução do câncer de cólon em modelo animal. Foram realizadas buscas sistemáticas em bases de dados eletrônicas alcançando 1079 artigos relacionados, entretanto apenas 6 artigos foram eleitos de acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade para análise. Todos os artigos avaliados apresentaram resultados satisfatórios quanto à inibição do câncer de cólon em ratos e camundongos ao utilizarem cepas predominantemente do gênero Lactobacillus. Este estudo pode responder a hipótese de que as bactérias ácido lácticas apresentam efeito preventivo e antitumoral contra o câncer de cólon.(AU)

Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and the second leading cause of death related to the disease in developed countries. Up to 75% of cases are associated with eating, indicating that a person can reduce their risk simply through dietary modification. Studies in animals show that various strains of lactic acid bacteria protect against colon cancer in rodents although data in humans are limited and conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of acid lactic bacteria in the treatment and reduction of colon cancer in animal models. Systematic searches were conducted in electronic databases reaching 1079 related articles, only six articles were elected according instead of to the eligibility criteria for analysis. All reviewed articles showed satisfactory results on the inhibition of colon cancer in rats and mice when using predominantly Lactobacillus strains. This study can answer hypothesis that acid lactic bacteria has antitumor effect against colon cancer.(AU)

Efecto antitumoral in vitro del aceite esencial de Piper aduncum L. (matico) y su toxicidad oral en ratones / Piper aduncum L. (matico) essential oil in vitro antitumoral effect and oral toxicity in mice

Introducción: Piper aduncum (matico) es una especie utilizada por sus propiedades medicinales en desórdenes gastrointestinales y genitourinarios. Objetivos: Evaluar el efecto antitumoral del aceite esencial de Piper aduncum (matico) in vitro en siete líneas celulares tumorales humanas y determinar la toxicidad oral en ratones. Diseño: Experimental. Institución: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Material biológico: Líneas celulares tumorales humanas H460, DU-145, ME-180, K562, HT-29, MCF 7, M14, K562; fibroblastos normales de ratón 3T3 y ratones albinos machos Balb/C53. Intervenciones: Las líneas celulares fueron expuestas a cuatro concentraciones del aceite esencial de P. aduncum y 5-fluorouracilo (5-FU). Para la toxicidad oral se utilizó ratones albinos machos Balb C/53 de 40 días post destete, a cinco dosis de tratamiento, evaluándose el número de muertes en cada dosis. Principales medidas de los resultados: Porcentaje de inhibición del crecimiento celular (IC50), dosis letal 50 (DL50). Resultados: El aceite esencial mostró IC50 mayor a 250 ug/mL para las líneas celulares M-14 (r = -0,99; p < 0,01), DU-145 (r = 0,99; p < 0,01), ME-180 (r = -0,99; p < 0,01). Para líneas celulares tumorales H460 (r = -0,99; p < 0,01), MCF-7 (r = -0,99; p < 0,01), K562 (r = -0,99; p < 0,01), HT-29 (r = -0,99; p < 0,01), los niveles de IC50 estuvieron entre 20 ug/mL y 250 ug/mL. DL50 > 2 000 mg/kg. Conclusiones: El aceite esencial de P. aduncum no presentó efecto antitumoral in vitro para las siete líneas celulares tumorales humanas y no fue tóxico.

Introduction: Piper aduncum (matìco) is a medicinal plant used for gastrointestinal and genitourinary disorders. Objectives: To determine the in vitro antitumoral effect of Piper aduncum (matico) essential oil on seven human tumoral cell lines and its oral toxicity in mice. Design: Experimental. Setting: Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Biologic material: Human tumoral cell lines HT-29, H-460, MCF-7, M-14, ME-180, DU-145, K-562; and 3T3 fibroblasts and male 40 days post weaning Balb C/53 mice. Interventions: The cell lines HT-29, H-460, MCF-7, M-14, ME-180, DU-145, K-562, and 3T3 were exposed to four different concentrations of Piper aduncum essential oil, and to different 5-fluorouracil concentrations used as a positive control. Cell lines growth inhibition (IC50) was determined using linear regression analysis and DL50 by the number of deaths with each dose. Main outcome measures: Antitumor effect. Results: Piper aduncum essential oil showed cytotoxic activity at IC50 levels > 250 ug/mL on cell lines M-14 (r = -0.99; p < 0.01), DU-145 (r = -0.99; p < 0.01), ME-180 (r = -0.99; p < 0.01). IC50 was between 20 ug/mL and 250 ug/mL on cell lines H-460 (r = -0.99; p < 0.01), MCF-7, (r = -0.99; p < 0.01), K562 (r = -0.99; p < 0.01), HT-29 (r = -0.99; p < 0.01). DL50 was > 2 000 mg/kg. Conclusions: P. aduncum essential oil did not show antitumoral effect on seven human tumoral cell lines and it was non toxic.

Crotalus durissus terrificus venom as a source of antitumoral agents

The basic knowledge on neoplasms is increasing quickly; however, few advances have been achieved in clinical therapy against tumors. For this reason, the development of alternative drugs is relevant in the attempt to improve prognosis and to increase patients' survival. Snake venoms are natural sources of bioactive substances with therapeutic potential. The objective of this work was to identify and characterize the antitumoral effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CV) and its polypeptide, crotoxin, on benign and malignant tumors, respectively, pituitary adenoma and glioblastoma. The results demonstrated that CV possess a powerful antitumoral effect on benign (pituitary adenoma) and malignant (glioblastoma multiforme) tumors with IC50 values of 0.96 ± 0.11 µg/mL and 2.15 ± 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. This antitumoral effect is cell-cycle-specific and dependent on extracellular calcium, an important factor for crotoxin phospholipase A2 activity. The CV antitumoral effect can be ascribed, at least partially, to the polypeptide crotoxin that also induced brain tumor cell death. In spite of the known CV nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity, acute treatment with its antitumoral dose established in vitro was not found to be toxic to the analyzed animals. These results indicate the biotechnological potential of CV as a source of pharmaceutical templates for cancer therapy.

Antitumoral effects of annonaceous acetogenins / 中国药理学通报

A large number of natural acetogenins have been isolated from se veral genera of the plant family Annonaceae. Many of these compounds have very p otent and diverse biological effects such as cytotoxic, antitumour, anti-malari al, pesticidal and anti-feedant activities. This paper reviews research finding s about the effects of annonaceous acetogenins on antitumor, MDR, mechanism of ac tion, structural-activity relationships etc.