The Synergistic Combination of Cisplatin and Piperine Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cell Line.

BACKGROUND: Piperine is a natural compound obtained from the Piper nigrum that exhibits anti-proliferative and anti-cancer activity in cancer cell lines. We analyzed the cytotoxic effect of piperine combined with cisplatin compound in the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The present in vitro study was performed on MCF-7 cell line in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences between, Jahrom, Iran from 2016 to 2017. Cultured MCF-7 cells were seeded into four groups: a control group (untreated group), a group treated with cisplatin, a group treated with piperine and a group treated with cisplatin and piperine. Cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay method. Flow c-ytometric analysis was investigated for apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expression of the apoptotic regulators p53, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Piperine (20 and 30 µM) in combination with cisplatin (5, 10 and 15 µM) for 24 h synergistically inhibited cell viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells more than piperine and cisplatin used alone. Synergistic anti-breast cancer activities cisplatin (5 µM) and piperine (20 µM) were via inducing apoptosis. Piperine (20 µM) and cisplatin (5 µM) for 24 h induce apoptosis strongly through reduction of Bcl-2 and increase of caspase 3, p53, caspase 9, and Bax. CONCLUSION: Piperine in combination with cisplatin could trigger p53-mediated apoptosis more effective than cisplatin alone in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, reducing the toxic dose of cisplatin used in cancer chemotherapy.

Fertility and infertility implications in rheumatoid arthritis; state of the art.

BACKGROUND: A bulk of investigations imply that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) deliver fewer children in comparison to healthy women. PURPOSE: This review article attempts to clarify the involvement of infertility-related issues in both RA men and women. Moreover, the effect of RA disease on the fertility quality and quantity will be discussed. RESULTS: Declined fertility rate in RA women seems to stem from modified inflammatory settings, advanced maternal age, limited sexual activity, and adverse effects of drugs on ovarian function. Women with RA may have smaller families and seem to be slower to conceive relative to their peer women. The chance of gestation in RA women may drop due to suppressed sexual function through pain and fatigue. In addition, treatment of RA women with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may prevent ovulation and therefore hinder the conception. CONCLUSIONS: A complex interaction between RA disease and fertility related issues is present. Despite an increase rate of infertility in RA females or males, the mechanisms involved in this outcome is still unknown. Plausible causes of the decreased fertility rate in RA patients might be due to inflammatory cytokines, suppressed sexual activity, drug treatments, mother age, personal choice, or a combination of these elements.

In Vitro Effects of Curcumin on Transforming Growth Factor-ß-mediated Non-Smad Signaling Pathway, Oxidative Stress, and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Production with Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) induces pro-inflammatory cytokines expression including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and these cytokines are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Curcumin has anti-atherogenic effects and anti-inflammatory properties in the vascular wall, but the relative mechanisms are almost unknown. In the present study, we investigate the effect of curcumin on modulating the pro-inflammatory action of TGF-ß in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and its molecular mechanisms. Cultured VSMCs were seeded into several groups: a control group (untreated group), a group treated with TGF-ß, and several groups treated with TGF-ß plus inhibitors. The cells were pre-treated with diphenyleneiodonium chloride, DPI, (20 µM), curcumin (5, 10 and 20 µM) and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, NAC, (10 mM) and then TGF-ß (5 ng/mL) was added to the culture medium. The mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. For monitoring the Smad2 linker region phosphorylation (pSmad2L), the western-blotting technique was applied and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured by utilizing 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate-based assay. TGF-ß increased the mRNA expression of IL-6 (p=0.02 and p=0.001) and TNF-α (p =0.014 and p = 0.001) in a time-dependent manner, ROS production (p=0.03) and Smad2L phosphorylation (p=0.015). Pre-treatment with curcumin, DPI and NAC inhibited TGF-ß-induced IL-6 (p=0.04) and TNF-α (p=0.001) mRNA expression, Smad2L phosphorylation (p=0.02) and ROS production (0.03). Pharmacological inhibition by Curcumin blocks TGF-ß-induced ROS production, Smad2L phosphorylation, and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in human VSMCs.

Anti-inflammatory activity of emu oil-based nanofibrous scaffold through downregulation of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Background Inflammation is one of the most important responses of the body against infection or disease, and it protects tissues from injury; however, it causes redness, swelling, pain, fever and loss of function. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of emu oil (Eu) formulated nanofibrous scaffold in HFFF2 fibroblast cells. Materials and methods Eu was formulated successfully in nanofibers through the electrospinning method. Besides, the morphological and structural properties of Eu nanofibres were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MTT assay (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) was performed to evaluate the HFFF2 fibroblast cells' viability. Also, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory signaling pathway in treated HFFF2 cells with Eu nanofiber. Results Our study showed that the Eu nanofiber increased the viability of fibroblast HFFF2 cells (p < 0.05). Also, the expression of interleukin1 (IL1), IL6 and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) pro-inflammatory cytokines genes were significantly decreased in treated HFFF2 cells with Eu nanofiber (p < 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, Eu nanofiber scaffold potentially can reduce the inflammation process through downregulation of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines.