scholarly journals Crocetin Extracted from Saffron Shows Antitumor Effects in Models of Human Glioblastoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Colapietro ◽  
Andrea Mancini ◽  
Flora Vitale ◽  
Stefano Martellucci ◽  
Adriano Angelucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Repair ◽  
Fatty Acid Synthase ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Comparable Efficacy ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Radio Therapy ◽  
U87 Cells

Over recent years, many authors discussed the effects of different natural compounds on glioblastoma (GBM). Due to its capacity to impair survival and progression of different cancer types, saffron extract (SE), named crocetin (CCT), is particularly noteworthy. In this work, we elucidated the antitumor properties of crocetin in glioma in vivo and in vitro models for the first time. The in vitro results showed that the four tumor cell lines observed in this study (U251, U87, U138, and U373), which were treated with increasing doses of crocetin, showed antiproliferative and pro-differentiative effects as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the number of viable cells, deep changes in cell morphology, and the modulation of mesenchymal and neuronal markers. Indeed, crocetin decreased the expression of Cluster of Differentiation CD44, CD90, CXCR4, and OCT3/4 mesenchymal markers, but increased the expression of βIII-Tubulin and neurofilaments (NFH) neuronal linage-related markers. Epigenetic mechanisms may modulate these changes, since Histone Deacetylase, HDAC1 and HDAC3 were downmodulated in U251 and U87 cells, whereas HDAC1 expression was downmodulated in U138 and U373 cells. Western blotting analyses of Fatty Acid Synthase, FASN, and CD44 resulted in effective inhibition of these markers after CCT treatment, which was associated with important activation of the apoptosis program and reduced glioma cell movement and wound repair. The in vivo studies aligned with the results obtained in vitro. Indeed, crocetin was demonstrated to inhibit the growth of U251 and U87 cells that were subcutaneously injected into animal models. In particular, the Tumor To Progression or TTP values and Kaplan–Meier curves indicated that crocetin had more major effects than radiotherapy alone, but similar effects to temozolomide (TMZ). An intra-brain cell inoculation of a small number of luciferase-transfected U251 cells provided a model that was able to recapitulate recurrence after surgical tumor removal. The results obtained from the orthotopic intra-brain model indicated that CCT treatment increased the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates, inducing a delay in appearance of a detectable bioluminescent lesion. CCT showed greater efficacy than Radio Therapy (RT) but comparable efficacy to temozolomide in xenograft models. Therefore, we aimed to continue the study of crocetin’s effects in glioma disease, focusing our attention on the radiosensitizing properties of the natural compound and highlighting the ways in which this was realized.

222. A new role for activin in endometrial restoration after menses

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
T. J. Kaitu'u-Lino ◽  
D. J. Phillips ◽  
N. B. Morison ◽  
L. A. Salamonsen
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Wound Repair ◽  
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Activin A ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Skin Wound Healing ◽  
Complete Repair

10% of Australian women suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). To stop endometrial bleeding after menstruation, the endometrium must repair adequately. We propose that endometrial restoration after menstruation has characteristics of wound healing and that inadequate endometrial repair may result in AUB. In vivo studies support a contribution of activins to skin wound healing: in mice overexpressing activins' natural inhibitor, follistatin, wound healing is significantly delayed (1). We hypothesised that activin would enhance endometrial repair and examined its contribution using an in vitro wound healing model and our well characterised in vivo mouse model of endometrial breakdown and repair (2). For the in vitro model, confluent human endometrial epithelial cells (ECC-1 cell line) were wounded and treated with carrier protein (control, 0.1% BSA), activin A (50ng/mL) or EGF (positive control: 50ng/mL). Wound areas were quantitated daily for 6 days. For the in vivo study, serum follistatin levels were measured by ELISA in follistatin overexpressing mice (FS) (2) and wild-type (WT) littermates. Mice were induced to undergo endometrial breakdown and repair (mimicking menstruation in women). Activin βA was immunolocalised during endometrial repair, and extent of repair assessed using our morphological scoring system (2). ECC-1 wound repair was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by activin A treatment v. control from days 2–6 of culture. In WT mice, activin βA localised to areas of endometrial repair. Serum follistatin was significantly elevated in FS mice v. controls (33.3 ± 3.8 v 7.07 ± 1.8 ng/mL, P < 0.01). In FS mice (n = 8) only 50% of uterine sections showed complete repair after endometrial breakdown, significantly less than those from WT animals (n = 15, P < 0.05) where 85% of sections demonstrated complete repair. These results demonstrate for the first time that activin A functions to promote endometrial restoration following menses and that this can be delayed under physiological conditions: such studies indicate potential treatments for AUB. (1) Wankell et al. (2001) EMBO J 20:5361–5372 (2) Kaitu'u-Lino et al. (2007) Endocrinology 148:5105–5111

scholarly journals Angiostatin regulates the expression of antiangiogenic and proapoptotic pathways via targeted inhibition of mitochondrial proteins

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1987-1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong-Young Lee ◽  
Stefan Muschal ◽  
Elke A. Pravda ◽  
Judah Folkman ◽  
Amir Abdollahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antiangiogenic Therapy ◽  
Krebs Cycle ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Proteolytic Fragment ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Angiostatin, a proteolytic fragment of plasminogen, is a potent endogenous antiangiogenic agent. The molecular mechanisms governing angiostatin's antiangiogenic and antitumor effects are not well understood. Here, we report the identification of mitochondrial compartment as the ultimate target of angiostatin. After internalization of angiostatin into the cell, at least 2 proteins within the mitochondria bind this molecule: malate dehydrogenase, a member of Krebs cycle, and adenosine triphosphate synthase. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed differential regulation of key prosurvival and angiogenesis-related proteins in angiostatin-treated tumors and tumor-endothelium. Angiostatin induced apoptosis via down-regulation of mitochondrial BCL-2. Angiostatin treatment led to down-regulation of c-Myc and elevated levels of another key antiangiogenic protein, thrombospondin-1, reinforcing its antitumor and antiangiogenic effects. Further evidence is provided for reduced recruitment and infiltration of bone marrow–derived macrophages in angiostatin-treated tumors. The observed effects of angiostatin were restricted to the tumor site and were not observed in other major organs of the mice, indicating unique tumor specific bioavailability. Together, our data suggest mitochondria as a novel target for antiangiogenic therapy and provide mechanistic insights to the antiangiogenic and antitumor effects of angiostatin.

scholarly journals Preparation and evaluation of chitosan based thermoreversible gels for intraperitoneal delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhavesh P. Depani ◽  
Anuja A. Naik ◽  
Hema A. Nair
Keyword(s):  
Antineoplastic Agent ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Comparable Efficacy ◽  
Prolonged Release ◽  
Fibroblast Cells ◽  
Glycerol Phosphate ◽  
Drug Free

Abstract Sterile thermoreversibly gelling systems based on chitosan- glycerol phosphate were developed for intraperitoneal delivery of the antineoplastic agent 5-FU. The formulation was evaluated for gelling characteristics and in vitro drug release. Drug free gels were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity in L-929 mouse fibroblast cells. Drug loaded gels were subjected to acute toxicity studies in Swiss albino mice via intraperitoneal route and efficacy studies via intratumoral injections in subcutaneous colon carcinoma bearing BALB/c mice. The formulations gelled reversibly in 8 min at 37 °C and provided prolonged release of the drug. Drug free systems showed dose dependent cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells, while in vivo studies revealed a 2.8-fold increase in LD50 of 5-FU administered intraperitoneally as the developed system. Tumor volume measurements showed comparable efficacy of 5-FU administered as gel and commercial injection with a greatly improved safety profile of the former as adjudged from mortality and body weight measurements.

scholarly journals Quercetin as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Lymphoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Saiedeh Razi Soofiyani ◽  
Kamran Hosseini ◽  
Haleh Forouhandeh ◽  
Tohid Ghasemnejad ◽  
Vahideh Tarhriz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Antitumor Effects

Lymphoma is a name for malignant diseases of the lymphatic system including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although several approaches are used for the treatment of these diseases, some of them are not successful and have serious adverse effects. Therefore, other effective treatment methods might be interesting. Studies have indicated that plant ingredients play a key role in treating several diseases. Some plants have already shown a potential therapeutic effect on many malignant diseases. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in different plants and could be useful in the treatment of different malignant diseases. Quercetin has its antimalignant effects through targeting main survival pathways activated in tumor cells. In vitro/in vivo experimental studies have demonstrated that quercetin possesses a cytotoxic effect on lymphoid cancer cells. Regardless of the optimum results that have been obtained from both in vitro/in vivo studies, few clinical studies have analyzed the antitumor effects of quercetin in lymphoid cancers. Thus, it seems that more clinical studies should introduce quercetin as a therapeutic, alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Here, in this study, we reviewed the anticancer effects of quercetin and highlighted the potential therapeutic effects of quercetin in various types of lymphoma.

Studies of pemetrexed and gemcitabine, alone and in combinations, in human lung cancer models

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 17114-17114 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Chan ◽  
V. J. Chen ◽  
Z. Zhang ◽  
B. Helfrich ◽  
F. R. Hirsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Human Lung Cancer ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Nude Rats ◽  
Combination Regimens

17114 Background: Gemcitabine (GEM) is a deoxycytidine analog that inhibits DNA synthesis. Pemetrexed (ALIMTA, PEM) is a novel antifolate inhibiting multiple enzymes targets, including thymidylate synthase (TS). This study aimed at evaluating the antitumor effects of these antimetabolites against NSCLC and SCLC tumor models. Methods: In vitro growth inhibition (IC50) studies were done by 6-days MTT assays against a panel of 20 NSCLC and 17 SCLC cell lines. In vivo studies used only NSCLC H2122 tumor line, implanted either subcutaneously in athymic nude mice or orthotopically in athymic nude rats. Drugs were given via the ip route at the designated schedules. Results: Against NSCLC and SCLC cell lines, the averaged IC50s of GEM were 0.015 ± 0.008 μM and 0.055 ± 0.04 μM respectively. The corresponding averaged IC50s for PEM were 0.65 ± 0.2 μM and 0.091±0.018 μM respectively. When H2122 tumors reached 50–100mg, mice were treated with 10 daily doses of PEM at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, or three doses of GEM every 4 days at 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg. PEM delayed tumor growth by 12 to 18 days, and GEM delayed by 10 to 14 days, relative to vehicle control. Results of three combination regimens with GEM (30 mg/kg) and PEM (100 mg/kg) were: (1) GEM → PEM gave intermediate activities between the two single agents, but was toxic to animals; (2) PEM and GEM given concurrently were more active than single agents alone and delayed tumor growth by 12 days with some toxic side effects; (3) PEM → GEM was better than the single agents alone, and delayed tumor growth by ∼14 days without toxicity. Athymic nude rats bearing orthotopic H2122 tumors given PEM daily at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 21 days had significantly prolonged survival, but not in a dose-dependent manner. PEM at 50 mg/kg was more effective than doses at 100 or 200 mg/kg. GEM was toxic to nude rats due to poor plasma deamination of GEM. Conclusions: In vitro, PEM was more potent against SCLC than NSCLC cell lines, but GEM had similar activities against all lung lines tested. Studies of H2122 xenografts in rodent supported PEM → GEM as the preferred sequence for the combined administration of these two drugs. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals EXTH-18. ENGINEERED EXOSOMES AS GENE DELIVERY TOOLS FOR THE TREATMENT OF GLIOBLASTOMA

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii90-ii90
Author(s):  
Malcolm McDonald ◽  
Anwar Hossain ◽  
Eric Momin ◽  
Irtiza Hasan ◽  
Sanjay Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Entry ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
In Vitro Proliferation ◽  
Stem Cell Lines ◽  
Improvement In Survival ◽  
U87 Cells ◽  
Delivery Efficiency ◽  
Significant Opportunity

Abstract Although we previously showed that exosomes are capable of delivering anti-glioma microRNAs (miRs) to brain tumors (Lang et al. 2018), our studies revealed significant opportunity to 1) improve packaging and delivery efficiency of exosomes and 2) expand the repertoire of anti-glioma miRs. We hypothesized that incorporation of viral proteins into exosomes would enhance miR packaging and cell entry. To test this hypothesis, we engineered exosomes that express retroviral Gag and VSVg proteins (eExos). Specifically, HEK293T cells were transfected with Gag, VSVg, and with Cre-recombinase containing plasmid (pCre) to generate eExos-pCre. After 48hrs eExos-pCre were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation. Western analyses verified Gag and VSVg in eExos-pCre, and PCR documented pCre in these exosomes. Next, U87 cells harboring a dsRed-eGFP-loxP reporter-gene were treated with eExos-pCre or control exosomes. Flow cytometry demonstrated that eExos-pCre resulted in 82% conversion of red cells to green, compared with controls (2% conversion), verifying the effectiveness of eExos to deliver plasmids containing anti-glioma agents. To identify effective anti-glioma miRs, we conducted a high-throughput screen of 539 miRs against 7 glioma stem cell lines (GSCs) and identified miR-124-2, miR-135-a-2, and Let7i as the most potent anti-glioma miRs. We then studied the ability of eExos to package and deliver plasmids of these miRs either singly (eExos-miR-124, eExos-miR-135, eExos-miRLet7i) or as a tri-cistronic plasmid (eExos-miR-124-135-Let7i). Although eExos-miR-124, eExos-miR-135, and eExos-miRLet7i significantly decreased in vitro proliferation in all three GSCs (p&lt; 0.01), eExos-miR-124-135-Let7i were most effective (p&lt; 0.001). In in vivo studies, mice harboring GSC231 gliomas were injected with each of the eExos-miRs. Most significant improvement in survival was seen with eExos-miR-124-135-Let7i (median 75 versus 32.5 days for controls, p&lt; 0.001). We conclude that eExos are a novel delivery strategy for human gliomas and that a tri-cistronic plasmid of miR-124-135-Let7i is highly effective against GBM and worthy of clinical translation.

scholarly journals The Review of in Vitro and in Vivo Studies over the Glycyrrhizic Acid as Natural Remedy Option for Treatment of Allergic Asthma

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saloomeh Fouladi ◽  
Mohsen Masjedi ◽  
Mazdak Ganjalikhani Hakemi ◽  
Nahid Eskandari
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Asthma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Glycyrrhizic Acid ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Allergic asthma is the most common type of allergy which have become increasingly prevalent in all around the world. Airway eosinophilic inflammation is a major feature of allergic asthma. Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) is one of the regular herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as it has many effects on the immune system such as anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory activity; antiviral and antitumor effects. This review focuses on the "licorice” components, mainly glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and derivatives structure that evaluate its effects on the allergic asthma. We performed searching articles in Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus data bank from 1990 to 2017. The search syntax were: "glycyrrhizin" OR " glycyrrhizic acid" OR " glycyrrhizinic acid" OR" glycyrrhiza glabra" OR " liquorice root" OR "G. glabra" OR "glycyrrhizic Acid" AND "allergic asthma" OR "bronchial asthma" OR "asthma, bronchial" OR "airway hyper-responsiveness" OR "airway inflammation".   Several molecular mechanisms and inflammatory mediators may possibly be responsible for efficacy of glycyrrhizin. Some in vitro studies indicated to the fact that possible mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects could be through reduction of pro-inflammatory mediator's synthesis that motivates eosinophil, basophils and mast cells to release cytokines for the differentiation of T helper cells into Th2 cells to secrete interleukins. Furthermore, some transcription factors such as NF-κB, STAT6 and HDAC2 go between modulations of anti-asthmatic effects. The last but not the least it can be said that glycyrrhizin is potentially a good herbal drug with the lower most adverse effects for asthma treatment.

scholarly journals Pathophysiology of Lung Disease and Wound Repair in Cystic Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-188
Author(s):  
Massimo Conese ◽  
Sante Di Gioia
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Wound Repair ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Molecular Events

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive, life-threatening condition affecting many organs and tissues, the lung disease being the chief cause of morbidity and mortality. Mutations affecting the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene determine the expression of a dysfunctional protein that, in turn, triggers a pathophysiological cascade, leading to airway epithelium injury and remodeling. In vitro and in vivo studies point to a dysregulated regeneration and wound repair in CF airways, to be traced back to epithelial CFTR lack/dysfunction. Subsequent altered ion/fluid fluxes and/or signaling result in reduced cell migration and proliferation. Furthermore, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition appears to be partially triggered in CF, contributing to wound closure alteration. Finally, we pose our attention to diverse approaches to tackle this defect, discussing the therapeutic role of protease inhibitors, CFTR modulators and mesenchymal stem cells. Although the pathophysiology of wound repair in CF has been disclosed in some mechanisms, further studies are warranted to understand the cellular and molecular events in more details and to better address therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals microRNA-1915-3p Promotes Cell Metastasis and Progression by Targeting Bcl2L11 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Huang ◽  
Sufen Li ◽  
Xianhua Chen ◽  
Lin Sun ◽  
Gangxi Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Poor Overall Survival ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Hcc Cells

Abstract BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that miR-1915-3p plays vital regulatory roles in metastasis and progression of several types of cancer. However, the roles and underlying mechanism of miR-1915-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unclear. MethodsWe carried out a bioinformatic meta-analysis to investigate a possible role of miR-1915-3p as prognostic biomarkers. In vitro cellular models of HCC were used for functional studies exploring the role of miR-1915-3p in HCC development and progression. Finally, in vivo studies were performed to demonstrate that miR-1915-3p is a viable therapeutic target.ResultsThis study showed that miR-1915-3p was significantly increased in HCC tissue samples and cell lines, and high miR-1915-3p expression was associated with a poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) time of HCC patients. Overexpression or ablation of miR-1915-3p expression resulted in accelerated or inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion respectively in HCC cells. In addition, miR-1915-3p induced downregulation of proapoptotic factors, including caspase3, caspase8, BAD, Bcl2L11, and P53. It also induced upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2, protecting HCC cells from apoptosis. A biological analysis indicated that miR-1915-3p could be directly targeted to Bcl2L11 to regulate the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells. Furthermore, in vivo studies confirmed that treatment with miR-1915-3p retarded the growth of tumor in nude mice. Conclusionour study provided the evidence for the regulatory role of miR-1915-3p in HCC, which was causally linked to targeting of Bcl2L11. Medications that abrogate excessively expressed miR-1915-3p may offer novel targets for the management of HCC.

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