Dioclea violacea lectin inhibits tumorigenesis and tumor angiogenesis in vivo.

Dioclea violacea seed mannose-binding lectin (DvL) has attracted considerable attention because of its interesting biological activities, including antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated the cytotoxic effect of DvL on tumor and normal cells using the mitochondrial activity reduction (MTT) assay, the carcinogenic and anti-carcinogenic activity by the epithelial tumor test (ETT) in Drosophila melanogaster, and the anti-angiogenic effect by the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Data demonstrated that DvL promoted strong selective cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines, especially A549 and S180 cells, whereas normal cell lines were weakly affected. Furthermore, DvL did not promote carcinogenesis in D. melanogaster at any concentration tested, but modulated DXR-induced carcinogenesis at the highest concentrations tested. In the CAM and immunohistochemical assays, DvL inhibited sarcoma 180-induced angiogenesis and promoted the reduction of VEGF and TGF-ß levels at all concentrations tested. Therefore, our results demonstrated that DvL is a potent anticancer, anti-angiogenic, and selective cytotoxic agent for tumor cells, suggesting its potential application as a prototype molecule for the development of new drugs with chemoprotective and/or antitumor effects.

Tellimagrandin-I and camptothin a exhibit chemopreventive effects in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains and human lymphocytes.

Tellimagrandin-I (TL) and camptothin A (CA) are ellagitannins widely found in diverse plant species. Numerous studies demonstrated their significant biological activities, which include antitumor, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. Despite this protective profile, the effects of TL and CA on DNA have not been comprehensively investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the mutagenic and antimutagenic effects attributed to TL and CA exposure on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains using the Ames test. In addition, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were examined on human lymphocytes, employing both trypan blue exclusion and CometChip assay. The antigenotoxic effect was determined following TL and CA exposure in the presence of co-treatment with doxorubicin (DXR). Our results from the Ames test indicated that TL or CA did not display marked mutagenic activity. However, TL or CA demonstrated an ability to protect DNA against the damaging effects of the mutagens 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide, thereby exhibiting antimutagenic properties. In relation to human lymphocytes, TL or CA did not induce significant cytotoxic or genotoxic actions on these cells. Further, these ellagitannins exhibited an ability to protect DNA from damage induced by DOX during co-treatment, indicating their potential beneficial usefulness as antigenotoxic agents. In conclusion, the protective effects of TL or CA against mutagens, coupled with their absence of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on human lymphocytes, emphasize their potential therapeutic value in chemopreventive strategies.

Pedunculagin and tellimagrandin-I stimulate inflammation and angiogenesis and upregulate vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in vivo.

Pedunculagin (PD) and tellimagrandin-I (TL), isolated from Myrciaria cauliflora seeds and Eucaliptus microcorys leaves, respectively, have attracted great attention owing to their relevant biological activities, such as antitumor, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. This study investigated the angiogenic potential of PD and TL using a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Using the CAM assay, our results showed that both PD and TL promoted a significant increase in the number and caliber of blood vessels, the thickness of the CAM, and the presence of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. Moreover, an increase of tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor was observed in the CAM treated with PD and TL, indicating the induction of angiogenic factors. Thus, the remarkable profile of PD and TL in inducing angiogenesis opens up new perspectives for their potential utilization in different therapeutic approaches involving neovascularization.

Clinical efficacy of stem-cell therapy on diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review aims to compare the efficacy and safety of traditional and stem cell (SC) therapies for type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: The PubMed, SciELO, BVS, and Medline databases were searched, and 38 original articles were selected, which included 647 control cases and 654 treatments with three-, six- and twelve-month follow-ups of T1DM and T2DM patients. The efficacy of stem cell therapy was validated by comparing laboratory parameters such as fasting blood glucose and C-peptide levels before and after treatment. The REML model was chosen for random effects, and the inverse of variance was used for fixed effects. The statistical analysis was carried out using Bioestat 5.0 and STATA 16.0 software. RESULTS: All SC treatments significantly reduced the need for insulin following six and twelve months of treatment, whereas there was no significant decrease after three months. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were significantly reduced in all follow-ups with SC. In addition, SC treatment caused a significant increase in C-peptide levels. Bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell therapy produced better results than the conventional drug treatment for diabetes mellitus (semagglutide). CONCLUSION: The results with SC were significantly better, regardless of the follow-up period. Studies have proven cell therapy to be beneficial, safe, and effective.

Pedunculagin isolated from Plinia cauliflora seeds exhibits genotoxic, antigenotoxic and cytotoxic effects in bacteria and human lymphocytes.

Pedunculagin (PD), an ellagitannin found in different plant species, possesses several pharmaceutical properties, including antitumor, antioxidant, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of PD alone on DNA remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic activities of PD isolated from Plinia cauliflora seeds using in silico and in vitro assays. To elucidate the biological activities of PD, in silico tools indicative of antioxidant, antineoplastic, and chemopreventive activities of PD were used. Subsequently, the mutagenic/antimutagenic effects of PD were later assessed using bacteria with the Ames test, and the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic effects utilizing human lymphocytes as evidenced by trypan blue exclusion test and CometChip assay. In silico analysis indicated potential antioxidant, chemopreventive, free radical scavenger, and cytostatic activities of PD. In the Ames test, PD was found to be not mutagenic; however, this plant component protected DNA against damage-mediated by mutagens 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide. Regarding human lymphocytes, PD alone was cytotoxic and genotoxic; however, it also reduced DNA damage induced by doxorubicin at co- and post-treatment. In conclusion, PD showed genotoxic, antigenotoxic and cytotoxic effects in human lymphocytes and antimutagenic effects in bacteria.

Novel sulfonamide-chalcone hybrid stimulates inflammation, angiogenesis and upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vivo.

Chalcones and sulfonamides are well-known chemical groups associated with several biological activities such as antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. Over the past few decades, a series of sulfonamide-chalcone hybrids have been synthesized and assessed to develop compounds with interesting biological properties for application in disease therapy. In the present study, a new sulfonamide-chalcone hybrid µ - (2,5-dichloro-N-{4-[(3E)-4-(3-nitrophenyl) buta-1,3-dien-2-yl] phenyl} benzene sulfonamide), or simply CL185, was synthesized, and its angiogenic activity was assessed using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay at different concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 µg/µL). To further investigate the role of CL185 in the angiogenic process, we evaluated the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in all treated CAMs. The results showed that all concentrations of CL185 significantly increased tissue vascularization (p < 0.05) as well as the parameters associated with angiogenesis, in which inflammation was the most marked phenomenon observed. In all CAMs treated with CL185, VEGF levels were significantly higher than those in the negative control (p < 0.05), and at the highest concentration, VEGF levels were even higher than in the positive control (p < 0.05). The pronounced angiogenic activity displayed by CL185 may be related to the increase in VEGF levels that were stimulated by inflammatory processes observed in our study. Therefore, CL185 presents a favorable profile for the development of drugs that can be used in pro-angiogenic and tissue repair therapies.

Anti-angiogenic activity of azathioprine.

Azathioprine (AZA) is the main drug used in immunomodulatory therapy in post-transplant patients or with autoimmune diseases. However, no study has evaluated the AZA angiogenic response. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of AZA on the angiogenic process through macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Our results showed potent anti-angiogenic activity of AZA at the higher concentrations tested in the CAM assay. The histological analysis of CAM confirmed this effect, since AZA induced a significant reduction in all parameters evaluated. In addition, immunohistochemical evaluation of CAM revealed that AZA decreased TGF-ß and VEGF levels, important cytokines involved in the angiogenic process. Therefore, the AZA anti-angiogenic effect identified in our study provides new information for the possible application of this drug in anticancer treatment.

Prednisone is genotoxic in mice and Drosophila melanogaster.

Prednisone (PD) is one of the most commonly used corticosteroids in immunosuppressive therapy for patients with autoimmune diseases and transplants. Chronic use of corticosteroids is associated with several side effects and an increase in neoplasia. Since genotoxic effects are associated with an increased risk of cancer development, this study evaluated the genotoxic and cytotoxic activities of PD using the SMART/wing assay in Drosophila melanogaster and the micronucleus test and comet assay in mouse bone marrow cells. Further, the toxic effects of PD on mouse organ tissues were assessed using histopathological analyses. In the SMART/wing assay, PD showed a significant genotoxic activity at all concentrations tested (0.375, 0.75, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/mL) compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). The micronucleus test and comet assay also showed an elevated genotoxicity of PD at all treatment conditions (24, 48, and 120 h with doses ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg) compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). The histopathological analyses did not show toxicity of PD in mouse cells and tissues. Therefore, our results demonstrate that PD is a potent genotoxic immunosuppressant in mice and D. melanogaster cells. Somatic recombination was the primary contributor (46%-82%) to the induced genotoxicity observed in the SMART test.

Acústicas bioquímicas semi-automatizadas por processamento de imagem Dipstick com base em arduino / Biochemical semi-automated acoustics by Dipstick image processing based on arduino

Apesar da ampla disponibilidade de dispositivos para leitura de tiras reativas para análise de urina, falhas potenciais persistem na rotina baseada na interpretação humana. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar o desempenho de um dispositivo baseado em Arduino para a leitura semi-automática de parâmetros de fitas reativas. O parâmetro glicose de um modelo de tira reativa comercial foi analisado pelo sistema, que prevê a concentração do analito submetendo a cor observada na tira a um modelo de regressão, ajustado a um banco de dados de padrões de cores. O sistema foi avaliado através da leitura de 80 tiras com 16 amostras de concentrações aleatórias de glicose. O menor coeficiente de variação após cinco leituras replicadas foi de 4,5% e o mais alto foi de 16,6% (MSE = 68,7 mg / dL; r = 0,979). O dispositivo apresentou resultados satisfatórios mais baixos custos. Para torná-lo útil na rotina laboratorial, seriam necessárias novas experiências com outros parâmetros e outras classes de tiras reativas para análise de urina.

Although many devices are available to read urinalysis reactive strips, potential failure, based on human interpretation, persists in routine tasks. Current study develops and evaluates the performance of an Arduino-based device for the semi-automated reading of reactive strip parameters. The glucose parameter of a commercial reactive strip model was analyzed by the system, which predicts analyte concentration by submitting the color observed in the strip to a regression model, adjusted to a database of color patterns. The system was assessed by reading of 80 strips with 16 samples of random glucose concentrations. The lowest coefficient of variation after five replicated readings was 4.5% and the highest was 16.6% (MSE=68.7 mg/dL; r=0.979). The device featured satisfactory results plus low costs. To make it useful in the laboratory routine, further experiments with other parameters and other classes of urinalysis reactive strips would be necessary.

Antitumor effectiveness and mechanism of action of Ru(II)/amino acid/diphosphine complexes in the peritoneal carcinomatosis progression.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is considered as a potentially lethal clinical condition, and the therapeutic options are limited. The antitumor effectiveness of the [Ru(l-Met)(bipy)(dppb)]PF6(1) and the [Ru(l-Trp)(bipy)(dppb)]PF6(2) complexes were evaluated in the peritoneal carcinomatosis model, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing Swiss mice. This is the first study that evaluated the effect of Ru(II)/amino acid complexes for antitumor activity in vivo. Complexes 1 and 2 (2 and 6 mg kg-1) showed tumor growth inhibition ranging from moderate to high. The mean survival time of animal groups treated with complexes 1 and 2 was higher than in the negative and vehicle control groups. The induction of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice led to alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, and not the treatment with complexes 1 and 2. The treatment of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice with complexes 1 and 2 increased the number of Annexin V positive cells and cleaved caspase-3 levels and induced changes in the cell morphology and in the cell cycle phases by induction of sub-G1 and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. In addition, these complexes reduce angiogenesis induced by Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. The treatment with the LAT1 inhibitor decreased the sensitivity of the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells to complexes 1 and 2 in vitro-which suggests that the LAT1 could be related to the mechanism of action of amino acid/ruthenium(II) complexes, consequently decreasing the glucose uptake. Therefore, these complexes could be used to reduce tumor growth and increase mean survival time with less toxicity than cisplatin. Besides, these complexes induce apoptosis by combination of different mechanism of action.

cis-[RuCl(BzCN)(bipy)(dppe)]PF6 induces anti-angiogenesis and apoptosis by a mechanism of caspase-dependent involving DNA damage, PARP activation, and Tp53 induction in Ehrlich tumor cells.

Antimetastatic activities, low toxicity to normal cells and high selectivity for tumor cells make of the ruthenium complexes promising candidates in the search for develop new chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxic, genotoxic and to elucidate the signaling pathway involved in the death cell process induced by cis-[RuCl(BzCN)(bipy)(dppb)]PF6(1) and cis-[RuCl(BzCN)(bipy)(dppe)]PF6(2) in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in vitro. Moreover, we report for the first time the anti-angiogenic potential on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from healthy controls with an age range of 20-30 years and used to calculate the selectivity index (SI). The complex 2 (IC50 = 8.5 ± 0.4/SI = 6.3) showed high cytotoxic and selectivity index against EAC cells than complex 1 (IC50 = 14.9 ± 0.2/SI = 0.2) using the MTT assay. Complex 2 induced DNA damage on Ehrlich tumor cells at concentrations and time periods evalueted. In consequence, it was observed an increase of Tp53 gene expression, G0/G1-arrest cells, and increased levels of cleaved PARP protein. Beside that, the treatment of EAC with complex 2 led to an increase in Annexin V-positive cells and apoptosis induction by Caspase-7. Additionally, the complex 2 inhibited the angiogenesis caused by Ehrlich tumor cells in CAM model. This complex is active and selective for Ehrlich tumor cells, inducing DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and cell death by caspase-dependent apoptosis involving PARP activation (PARP1), and Tp53 induction.

Cytotoxic and Chemopreventive Effects of Gemin D Against Different Mutagens Using In Vitro and In Vivo Assays.

BACKGROUND: Gemin D (GD) is an ellagitannin found in several plant species rich in phenolic compounds. Its many beneficial properties include antioxidant and antitumoral. OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, antigenotoxicity, and anticytotoxicity of GD by in vitro and in vivo assays. METHOD: The Ames mutagenicity assay in Salmonella typhimurium, Micronucleus and Comet tests in mice were used to evaluate the biological activities mentioned above. To assess the GD's protective effects against DNA damage induced by different mutagens we performed co-, pre- and/or post-treatment in these assays. RESULTS: There was no genotoxic effect of GD via Ames and Micronucleus tests, but in the Comet assay the highest dose induced DNA damage. This same highest dose presented a significant cytotoxicity in mice. In the antigenotoxicity, GD protected DNA against the action of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide by Ames test, and also against the harmful action of cyclophosphamide in pre- and co-treatment by Micronucleus and Comet tests, but it did not protect DNA in post-treatment. Regarding to anticytotoxicity, GD provoked an anticytotoxic effect only during pre-treatment. CONCLUSION: Therefore, GD showed relevant antigenotoxic, anticytotoxic and cytotoxic effects, which indicate that it may be a probable candidate for chemoprevention or for the development of new cancer therapies.

Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Antiretroviral Combinations in Mice Bone Marrow.

Commonly used guidelines for the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (highly active antiretroviral therapy, HAART) include drug combinations such as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) + lamivudine (3TC) and combivir [zidovudine (AZT) + 3TC] + efavirenz (EFV). These combinations may enhance the genotoxic effects induced by such drugs individually, since the therapy requires lifelong adherence and the drugs have unknown effects during treatment. Thus, the evaluation of the benefits and risks of HAART is of great importance. In order to assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of three concentrations of each of the antiretroviral combinations TDF + 3TC (800 + 400, 1600 + 800, and 3200 + 1600 mg/kg body weight, BW) and combivir + EFV (200 + 100 + 400, 400 + 200 + 800, and 800 + 400 + 1600 mg/kg BW) after two exposure periods (24 h and 48 h), in the present study the in vivo comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) and the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test were used. Neither TDF + 3TC nor combivir + EFV induced DNA damage at any concentrations tested after 24 h or 48 h using the comet assay. After 24 h, both combinations increased the micronucleus frequency at all concentrations tested. After 48 h, combivir + EFV increased the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MNPCE) frequency at the two highest concentrations tested. Polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE)/normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) ratio was high for both combinations, suggesting that they can be mitogenic. Since genotoxicity may be related to carcinogenesis, it is necessary to conduct further studies to verify the long-term mutagenic effects of these drugs.