Effect of Cisplatin/Curcumin-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles on Oral Carcinoma Cells

This work aimed to investigate the effect of cisplatin (CDDP)/curcumin (Cur)-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles (PCL-NPs) on an oral epidermal carcinoma cell line. PCL-NPs were fabricated using nanoprecipitation method employing poly(vinyl alcohol) and polysorbate 80 as stabilizers. Two anticancer compounds, CDDP and Cur, were incorporated into the PCL-NPs by entrapment technique. The physical characteristics of the NPs were evaluated. The presence of the drugs on the NPs was ascertained using Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transformed infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and the drug content was quantified by indirect method using ultraviolet spectroscopy and inductive coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The cytotoxic effect was demonstrated using MTT assay and the synergistic effect of both drugs was calculated by the combination index method using CompuSyn® software. The findings revealed that the PCL-NPs were less than 300 nm with narrow size distribution. The appropriate drug concentration for drug loading was 0.12 mg/mL of Cur and 0.02 mg/mL of CDDP, providing approximately 70% and 80% loading efficacy, respectively. The improved anticancer effect was observed in the cells treated with mixture of the drugs and the NPs loaded with dual drugs. Above all, CDDP/Cur-loaded PCL-NPs were successfully prepared. The delivery system exhibited good anticancer effect against oral cancer cells which may be attributed to the synergism effect of CDDP and Cur loaded on the NPs.

UNUSUALLY LIPID PRODUCTION BY THE MARINE-DERIVED FUNGI Penicillium restrictum

Using marine-derived fungi as a source of lipid production holds promise as an alternative to industrial lipid production for health and nutrition in the future. In the present study, this strain showed a high production of lipid, about plus 80% of the total lipids in the host-derived medium. Gas chromatography analysis of fungal lipids revealed the presence of saturated (mainly palmitic acid C16: 0 and stearic acid C18: 0) and unsaturated fatty acid (mainly linoleic acid C18: 2, oleic acid C18: 1). These findings suggest this marine-derived fungus is a promising source for lipid production in various industrial applications. In particular, a fraction containing glycolipids of the crude extract exhibited potential cytotoxic activity on human oral epidermal carcinoma cell lines. This result is very interesting to further isolate and determine the molecular structure of bioactive glycolipids.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of substituted aromatic curcuminoids against human oral epidermal carcinoma-KB cell line

Introduction: The survival rate of oral cancer, like other types of cancers, has not been improved regardless of the early diagnosis and the introduction of advanced therapies. Treatment for oral cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, the effectiveness has been limited due to recurrence and undesirable side effects. Metabolites from plant sources have been shown to be relatively less toxic and thus are considered as potential anti-cancer agents. Interestingly, curcumin isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. possesses broad-spectrum bioactivities. We focused on the synthesis of curcumin-based analogs bearing -OH/-OCH3/-F groups on the phenyl rings in our continuous efforts to search for curcumin-based anti-cancer agents. The synthesized compounds were subsequently evaluated for the cytotoxic activities against KB cancer cell line (an epidermal carcinoma of the mouth). Methods: The desired curcuminoids were synthesized via aldol reactions between benzaldehyde derivatives and pentane-2,4-dione using n-butylamine as a catalyst. Structures were distinguished by NMR and MS spectra. The cytotoxic activity against KB was determined through the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50, mM). Results: Six curcumin analogs (1-6) were successfully synthesized in a yield of 48-76%. The 3- hydroxy/fluoro curcumin analogs (3, IC50 = 15.61 0.13 mM; 6, IC50 = 22.65 1.76 mM) exhibited better anti-cancer activities when compared to curcumin (1, IC50 = 33.35 2.66 mM), whereas the para-fluoro substitution patterns displayed lower inhibitory activities (4, 5) against KB cancer cell line. Conclusions: The synthetic yields are dependent on the position and nature of substituents in aromatic rings. The presence of electron-donating groups gives products (1-3) in lower yields when compared to those (4-6) prepared from fluorinated benzaldehydes as starting materials. The curcuminoids bearing -OH groups at para-positions in aromatic rings (1, 2) can be responsible for better inhibition of cell growth, whereas the fluoro-substituted compounds (4, 5) make a negative contribution to inhibitory activity. Furthermore, the contributions -OH/-F groups at meta-position in aromatic rings of (3, 6) on the cytotoxicity against KB are remarkable and firstly reported in our findings.

Epidermal Carcinoma of the Conchal Bowl: Creation of a Multidisciplinary Pathway Approach

Background Malignant neoplasms of the auricle make up 6% of all skin cancers. Management of cutaneous neoplasms of the conchal bowl presents a unique challenge in visualizing and defining margins that may extend into the external auditory canal (EAC). Objectives The objective of this study was to create a multidisciplinary pathway for cutaneous carcinoma of the conchal bowl extending into the EAC. Methods We present a series of patients that were referred to dermatology or otolaryngology, with cutaneous neoplasms arising in the conchal bowl. A consensus approach from otolaryngology and dermatology, for evaluation and treatment, was created based on evaluation of these cases, and review of the otolaryngology and dermatology literature, in collaboration between the two specialties. Results Initial evaluation should be done by both dermatology and otolaryngology, with otomicroscopic evaluation of the canal. Imaging is recommended for lesions that approach the EAC, for bony and soft tissue spread. Excision of the tumor with Mohs micrographic surgery to achieve clearance in the conchal bowl should be performed initially. If extension into the external auditory meatus is present, otolaryngology would proceed with en bloc resection. Repair is dictated by the defect, with both specialties involved in follow-up. Conclusions In collaboration between dermatology and otolaryngology, and following review of the literature, a pathway was created to manage skin cancer of the conchal bowl. This resulted in a stepwise approach for evaluation and management, ensuring that patients have a streamlined pathway for the treatment of these lesions.

Live-cell fluorescence imaging: assessment of thioflavin T uptake in human epidermal carcinoma cells

Live-cell imaging shows that thioflavin-T is recognized by Pgp as its transport substrate due to its either exclusion- or LY335979-induced accumulation in MDR cells.