Chemical composition, antiproliferative and antioxidant attributes of ethanolic extract of resinous sediment from Etlingera elatior (Jack. ) inflorescence

The ethanolic extract of resinous sediment (EERS) of Etlingera elatior young inflorescence was examined for its anticancer effect and potential antioxidant activity. The anticancer effect of the EERS was evaluated on four human cancer cell lines, HCT 116, HT-29, Hela, and MCF-7, using the MTT assay. GC-MS analysis showed that the main components found in the EERS were nonyl cyclopropane (4.44%), 1-tetradecane (3.66%), cyclotetradecane (2.41%), cyclododecane (1.92%), and 1-decene (1.72%). The antioxidant activity was determined through different methods. High amounts of TPC and TFC in the EERS were found. Moderate antioxidant capacity of the EERS was detected by DPPH and ABTS assays, with EC50 values of 44.19 and 56.61 µg/mL and a high FRAP value of 281.79 nmol Fe+2 equivalent/mg extract. In the MTT assay, the EERS showed potent anticancer activity, with IC50 values of 19.82, 37.001, 50.49, and 53.29 µg/mL against HT-29, HCT 116, Hela, and MCF-7 tumour cell lines, respectively. Moreover, the results were comparable to or less potent than the standard reference drug, 5-fluorouracil. The results showed that the EERS of Etlingera elatior inflorescence contained a high amount of polyphenols and flavonoids, which may to the selective antiproliferative effects towards colon cancer in vitro

Cardiovascular adverse events associated with oral antineoplastic therapy / Eventos adversos cardiovasculares asociados a la terapia antineoplásica oral / Eventos adversos cardiovasculares associados à terapia antineoplásica oral

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify in the literature the cardiovascular adverse events resulting from oral antineoplastic therapy. Method: Integrative review of the literature through the SCOPUS, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) databases. The antineoplastic, cardiotoxicity, cardiovascular system and adverse reaction descriptors were used in Portuguese, English and Spanish. We selected 23 articles published between 1985 and 2015. Results: Twenty studies were related to cardiac events and eleven to peripheral vascular events. The most frequent adverse cardiac events were reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, myocardial infarction, changes in the electrocardiogram, heart failure and angina, whereas peripheral vascular events were hypertension and thromboembolism. Conclusion: Oral antineoplastic therapy is associated with different adverse events, including cardiac and peripheral vascular events.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar en la literatura los eventos adversos cardiovasculares derivados de la terapia antineoplásica oral. Método: Revisión integrativa de literatura en las bases de datos SCOPUS, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) y Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). Se utilizaron descriptores antineoplásicos, cardiotoxicidad, el sistema cardiovascular y reacción adversa en Portugués, Inglés y Español. Se seleccionaron 23 artículos publicados entre 1985 y 2015. Resultados: Veinte estudios estaban relacionados con los eventos cardiacos y once con los eventos vasculares periféricos. Los eventos adversos cardiacos más frecuentes fueron la disminución de la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, infarto de miocardio, cambios en el electrocardiograma, insuficiencia cardíaca y angina, mientras que los vasculares periféricos fueron hipertensión arterial y tromboembolismo. Conclusión: La terapia antineoplásica oral está asociada a diferentes eventos adversos, entre ellos los cardíacos y los vasculares periféricos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar na literatura os eventos adversos cardiovasculares decorrentes da terapia antineoplásica oral. Método: Revisão integrativa de literatura nas bases de dados SCOPUS, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) e Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). Utilizaram-se os descritores antineoplásicos, cardiotoxicidade, sistema cardiovascular e reação adversa, em português, inglês e espanhol. Foram selecionados 23 artigos publicados entre 1985 e 2015. Resultados: Vinte estudos estavam relacionados aos eventos cardíacos e onze aos eventos vasculares periféricos. Os eventos adversos cardíacos mais frequentes foram diminuição da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, infarto do miocárdio, alterações no eletrocardiograma, insuficiência cardíaca e angina, enquanto que os vasculares periféricos foram hipertensão arterial e tromboembolismo. Conclusão: A terapia antineoplásica oral está associada a diferentes eventos adversos, dentre eles os cardíacos e os vasculares periféricos.

Long-term administration of vitamin A and the process of spermatogenesis

The effect of retinoids on spermatogenesis in adult male gerbils [Gerbillus cheesemani] was studied using light and electron microscopy. Treatment with either 13-cis-retinoic acid or retinol acetate was given for 6 weeks and their effects were compared with controls. It was found that 13-cis-retinoic acid induced almost complete cessation of spermatogenesis and produced alterations in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. No differences were seen in the testis of animals treated with retinol acetate compared with controls using light microscopy but it appeared to produce noticeable ultrastructural changes in Leydig cells. The changes observed were reversed 12 weeks after stopping treatment. Caution should be exercised regarding the use of dietary retinoids in the prevention of cancer