Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae) seed oil prevents benzo(a)pyrene-induced prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Despite enormous progress in modern medicine, prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major public health problem due to its high incidence and mortality. Although studies have shown in vitro antitumor effects of cucurbitacins from Cucumis sativus, the in vivo anticancer effect of the seed oil as a whole, has yet to be demonstrated. The present study evaluated the in vitro anticancer mechanisms of C. sativus (CS) seed oil and its possible chemopreventive potential on benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced PCa in Wistar rat. In vitro cell growth, clone formation, cell death mechanism, cell adhesion and migration as well as expression of integrins ß-1 and ß-4 were assessed. In vivo PCa was induced in 56 male rats versus 8 normal control rats, randomized in normal (NOR) and negative (BaP) control groups which, received distilled water; the positive control group (Caso) was treated with casodex (13.5 mg/kg BW). One group received the total seed extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg BW; while the remaining three groups were treated with CS seed oil at 42.5, 85, and 170 mg/kg BW. The endpoints were: morphologically (prostate tumor weight and volume), biochemically (total protein, prostate specific antigen (PSA), oxidative stress markers such as MDA, GSH, catalase, and SOD) and histologically. As results, CS seed oil significantly and concentration-dependently reduced the DU145 prostate cancer cell growth and clone formation (optimum = 100 µg/mL). It slightly increased the number of apoptotic cells and inhibited the migration and invasion of DU145 cells, while it decreased their adhesion to immobilized collagen and fibrinogen. The expression of integrin ß-1 and ß-4 was increased in presence of 100 µg/mL CS oil. In vivo, the BaP significantly elevated the incidence of PC tumors (75%), the total protein and PSA levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) and MDA levels compared to NOR. CS seeds oil significantly counteracted the effect of BaP by decreasing significantly the PC incidence (12.5%), and increasing the level of antioxidant (SOD, GSH, and catalase) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in serum. While in BaP group PCa adenocarninoma was the most representative neoplasm, rats treated with 85 and 170 mg/kg prevented it in the light of the casodex. It is conclude that CS may provide tumor suppressive effects in vitro and in vivo which makes it an interesting candidate to support the current treatment protocol.

Lannea acida A. Rich. (Anacardiaceae) Ethanol Extract Exhibits Estrogenic Effects and Prevents Bone Loss in an Ovariectomized Rat Model of Osteoporosis.

Phytoestrogens have been shown to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Lannea acida is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Cameroon to treat infertility, gynaecological complaints, and rheumatism. These uses prompted us to evaluate estrogenic activity of Lannea acida bark ethanolic extract and its antiosteoporotic potential in ovariectomized Wistar rats. In vitro, the E-screen assay was used to assess the ability of L. acida extract to induce MCF-7 cells proliferation. In vivo, a 3-day uterotrophic assay and a 12-week oral treatment in ovariectomized adult rats were carried out to evaluate the ability of L. acida extract to prevent bone mass loss. L. acida extract induced MCF-7 cell proliferation. In vivo, it significantly increased the uterine wet weight, uterine and vaginal epithelial heights, and mammary glands differentiation. At 200 mg/kg, a long-term treatment with the extract prevented body weight gain (p < 0.05) and loss of bone mass and/or density (p < 0.05) induced by ovariectomy. Also, a significant (p < 0.001) decrease of alkaline phosphatase activity was observed with 50 mg/kg. L. acida extract improved bone microarchitecture and could restore normal bone mineralization by increasing the inorganic phosphorus and calcium level in bone. These findings provide evidence that Lannea acida is a potential alternative for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.