The inhibitory effect of Cannabis Sativa L. and Morus nigra L. against lipid peroxidation in goat liver and brain homogenates

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect ofCannabis sativa and Morus nigra against lipid peroxidation in goat brain and liver homogenates. The formation of free radicals, highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is a normal metabolic process for cellular signaling and countering the antigens. However, they may cause serious damage if they produced at amplified tolls. In addition, metabolic disorders also serve as sources of these reactive species. Although the issue can be addressed through supplements and other phytochemicals. In this study, two plant species were evaluated for their biological potential by employing a spectrum of antioxidant assays. The antioxidant activity was performed by lipid peroxidation assay. The water extract prepared from leaves of Cannabis sativa and Morus nigra showed significant (P<0.05) inhibition as compared to control i.e., 522.6±0.06 and 659.97±0.03 µg/mL against iron-induced lipid peroxidation in goat brain homogenate while the inhibitions were 273.54±0.04 and 309.18±0.05 µg/mL against nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation of the brain. The iron and nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation was also significantly inhibited by leaf extracts of Cannabis sativa and Morus nigra in liver homogenates such as 230.63±0.52 and 326.91±0.01 µg/mL (iron-induced) while 300.47±0.07 and 300.47±0.07 µg/mL (nitroprusside induced), respectively. The extracts of Cannabis sativa extract showed promising activity (96.04±0.060%) against DPPH radicals while Morus nigra showed a moderate activity (34.11±0.120%). The results suggest that different accessions ofCannabis sativa and Morus nigra are a potential source of antioxidants and have a therapeutic effect against disease induced by oxidative stress and hence can be used for novel drug discovery and development.

Inhibitory Effect of MicroRNA-376b-Overexpressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) on Malignant Characteristics of Glioma Cells Through Targeting Forkhead Box Protein P2 (FOXP2)

This study investigated the impact of microRNA (miR)-376b derived from BMSCs on glioma progression. BMSCs were transfected with miR-376b mimic, miR-376b inhibitor or NC and then cocultured with glioma cells followed by measuring cell behaviors by MTT assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry, FOXP2 and miR-376b expression by Western blot and RT-qPCR. After confirming the inhibitory and mimicking activity of transfection, we found that overexpression of miR-376b in BMSCs decreased glioma cell invasion, migration and proliferation but promoted cell apoptosis within 24 h and 48 h after transfection along with reduced number of cells in S-phase. Mechanically, miR-376b targeted miR-376b and up-regulation of miR-376b caused down-regulation of FOXP2 (p < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-376b in BMSCs decelerated glioma cell cycle and inhibitedmalignant behaviors of glioma cells by targeting FOXP2 expression. These evidence unveils the potential role of FOXP2 as a biomarker for the treatment of gliomas.

Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Promotes Morphological Senescence of Prostate Cancer Cells and Inhibits Metastasis Associated 1 Gene Level

This study assessed the mechanism of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) in prostate cancer (PC) and its effect on MTA-1 gene and PC cell senescence. PC-3 cells were assigned into QL group (prostate cancer group: normal culture) and GS group (BMSCs group: treated with BMSCs) followed by analysis of MTA-1 level, cell senescence, apoptosis and invasion. MTA-1 level in QL group (0.83±0.07) was significantly higher than GS group (0.14±0.02) (P < 0.05), indicating that BMSCs had an inhibitory effect on MTA-1 expression. Similar change of MTA-l mRNA was also found with higher level in QL group than GS group (P < 0.05). Cell senescence was found in QS group but not QL group, indicating that BMSCs promote cell senescence. Compared with GS group, QL group has a higher cell number in G0/G1 (67.13±6.45%) and S (19.59±3.35%) than GS group (G0/G1:50.51±2.19% and S: 11.42±1.61%) but lower G2/M (QL: 15.97±3.59% versus GS: 32.25±3.24%). QL group had significantly lower cell apoptosis rate at 35 h (5.21±1.2%) and 45 h (3.97±0.95%) than GS group at 35 h (17.85±1.23%), 45 h (10.21±1.26%) with elevated number of invasions. In conclusion, BMSCs promote PC-3 cell senescence and apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of MTA-1 and reduce cell invasion ability.

Glycyrrhizin Attenuates c-Src-Mediated Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis in Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Upregulating miR-146b-5p

Background: Bronchial asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, whose pathogenesis involves a variety of factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of traditional Chinese medicine Glycyrrhizin (Gly) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and apoptosis of bronchial epithelial cells and its action mechanism. Methods: Gly (20 µM) was used to treat bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells stimulated with LPS. The expression of SRC and miR-146b-5p in BEAS-2B cells was modified by the respective transfections with pcDNA-SRC, miR-146b-5p mimic and miR-146b-5p inhibitor. STRING and Starbase online databases were used to predict the relationship between Gly, miR-146b-5p and SRC. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify the binding of miR-146b-5p to SRC. The viability, inflammatory response and apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells were examined by CCK-8, ELISA and Tunel assays respectively. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3), SRC and miR-146b-5p were detected by qRT-PCR or western blotting. Results: Gly inhibited LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis in BEAS-2B cells. The interaction between Gly and SRC was predicted by STRING. SRC expression was high in BEAS-2B cells stimulated with LPS and could be negatively regulated by Gly. Overexpression of SRC effectively alleviated the inhibitory effect of Gly on LPS-induced damages in BEAS-2B cells. In addition, results of luciferase reporter assays verified SRC as a direct target gene of miR-146b-5p. The expression level of miR-146b-5p was downregulated by LPS stimulation in BEAS-2B cells. Gly decreased the expression of SRC in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. These results could all be reversed by miR-146b-5p knockdown. Conclusion: Gly decreases the expression of SRC by upregulating the level of miR-146b-5p, thus alleviating the inflammation and apoptosis of bronchial epithelial cells treated with LPS. Our results provide a new theoretical basis for applying Gly to the clinical management of asthma.

Study of the antibacterial capacity of extracts of Solanum incanum L., (Solanaceae) traditionally used for the management of avian cholera in rural areas of Burkina Faso

Nowadays, thanks to the rise of microbial resistance, the lack of health care personnel and especially the high cost of synthetic molecules, phytotherapy could be a panacea in many developing countries. For this reason, the present work which aims to evaluate the phenolic compounds and to study the antibacterial capacity of extracts of roots, stems, leaves and fruits of Solanum incanum L., (Solanaceae) traditionally used for the treatment of pasteurellosis or avian cholera in Burkina Faso, was undertaken. For this purpose, we collected plant material in the commune of Dedougou. After extraction with acetone and water, colorimetric tests were carried out on the different extracts and revealed mostly the presence of tannins and coumarins. The Hydroacetone macerated extract was found to be very interesting for biological activities compared to the macerated extracts and the aqueous decoctions. Inhibition of bacterial growth on different bacterial strains was also shown for all the extracts, especially with Hydroacetone extract. These results could be mainly explained by the inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds. The Hydroacetone extract was also found to be especially very relevant for the prevention and treatment of microbial diseases from poultry.

Explorative in vitro evaluation of the inhibitory effect of Vitellaria paradoxa seed oil extract on Staphylococcal conjunctivitis

More exploration on medicinal plants and other natural products in the present era of increase in poverty level and multi-drug resistance has become crucial. The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitory activities of Vitellaria paradoxa seed oil extract on isolated staphylococcal conjunctivitis. Cultured sample of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a patient’s eye discharge in the Teaching Hospital Laboratory of the Imo State University, Nigeria having been diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis at the eye Clinic. After the incubation period, the diameter of zones of inhibition both horizontal and vertical were measured. Concentrations (100, 50 and 25mg/ml) of the ethanolic seed oil extract of V. paradoxa were assayed for the antibacterial activity - Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) using the agar well diffusion method. Ethanolic seed oil extract of V. paradoxa at concentration of 100mg /ml exhibited the highest zone of inhibition at 37.4mm for 24hrs followed by 50mg /ml and lowest using 25mg/ml (5.0mm) indicating a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on Staphylococcal conjunctivitis. S. aureus isolated from conjunctivitis swab was susceptible to ethanolic seed oil extract of V. paradoxa at 100mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 25mg/ml concentrations, suggesting ethanolic extract of V. paradoxa oil as possessing antimicrobial property. Further exploration for its use as an ocular anti-bacterial agent is recommended.