In vitro cytotoxicity investigations of chloroform extract of Anisomeles malabarica on vero and lung cancer [A-549] cell lines

The main objective of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic potential of chloroform extract of medicinal plant Anisomeles malabarica. Successive solvent extraction of Anisomeles malabarica in chloroform was done. The extracts were tested against normal cell lines (Vero) human lung cancer cell lines (A-549) using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide test (MTT) assay. The results of the present investigation revealed that the chloroform extract of Anisomeles malabarica shown anti-lung cancer activity. The evaluation of the toxicity of medicinal plants and their herbal preparations is essential to determine the applicability of the samples as pharmacological drugs. Further studies are necessary for more extensive pharmacological and toxicological evaluations.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Bioactivity of Phenazine-1-carboxylic Acylhydrazone Derivatives

A phenazine-1-carboxylic acid intermediate was synthesized from the reaction of aniline and 2-bromo-3-nitro-benzoic acid. It was then esterified and reacted with hydrazine hydrate to afford phenazine-1-carboxylic hydrazine. Finally, 10 new hydrazone compounds 3a–3j were obtained by the condensation reaction of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid hydrazide and the respective aldehyde-containing compound. The structures were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, MS and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The antitumor activity of the target compounds in vitro (HeLa and A549) was determined by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide. The results showed that compound (E)-N′-(2-hydroxy-4-(2-(piperidine-1-yl) ethoxy) benzyl) phenazine-1-carbonyl hydrazide 3d exhibited good cytotoxic activity.

Assessment of Human Gingival Fibroblast Proliferation after Laser Stimulation In Vitro Using Different Laser Types and Wavelengths (1064, 980, 635, 450, and 405 nm)—Preliminary Report

Purpose: to assess the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) on human gingival fibroblast proliferation. Methods: The study was conducted using the primary cell cultures of human fibroblasts collected from systemically healthy donors. Three different laser types, Nd:YAG (1064 nm), infrared diode laser (980 nm), and prototype led laser emitting 405, 450, and 635 nm were used to irradiate the fibroblasts. Due to the patented structure of that laser, it was possible to irradiate fibroblasts with a beam combining two or three wavelengths. The energy density was 3 J/cm2, 25 J/cm2, 64 J/cm2. The viability and proliferation of cells were determined using the (Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Blue) (MTT) test conducted 24, 48, and 72 h after laser irradiation. Results: The highest percentage of mitochondrial activity (MA = 122.1%) was observed in the group irradiated with the 635 nm laser, with an energy density of 64 J/cm2 after 48 h. The lowest percentage of MA (94.0%) was observed in the group simultaneously irradiated with three wavelengths (405 + 450 + 635 nm). The use of the 405 nm laser at 25 J/cm2 gave similar results to the 635 nm laser. Conclusions: The application of the 635 nm and 405 nm irradiation caused a statistically significant increase in the proliferation of gingival fibroblasts.

microRNA-204-5p participates in atherosclerosis via targeting MMP-9

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and mechanism of microRNA-204-5p (miR-204-5p) in atherosclerosis (AS)-related abnormal human vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs) function. Firstly, we analyzed the expression of miR-204-5p and found that the miR-204-5p expression level was clearly downregulated in atherosclerotic plaque tissues and blood samples compared to the normal controls. Then, matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) was predicted to be the potential target of miR-204-5p by TargetScan and this prediction was confirmed by luciferase assays. Besides, we observed that miR-204-5p could negatively regulate the expression of MMP-9 in hVSMCs. Subsequently, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of hVSMCs. Down-expression of miR-204-5p led to the promotion of proliferation and migration accompanied with the suppression of apoptosis in hVSMCs, and these effects were reversed by MMP-9-siRNA. In addition, overexpressed miR-204-5p could inhibit hVSMC proliferation and migration and promote the apoptosis of hVSMCs. However, the effects were also abrogated by overexpressed MMP-9. Together, our findings showed that miR-204-5p plays an important role in the growth and migration of hVSMCs by targeting MMP-9, which might be a novel biomarker and promising therapeutic target for AS.

Screening of some Cameroonian Medicinal Plants against Bacterial and Yeasts involved in Gastrointestinal Disorders

The present study was designated to evaluated the antimicrobial activities of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Carcia arereh, Nelsonia canescens, Ficus thonningu, Bryophillum pinnatum, Cyclosorus striatus, Euphorbia cordifolia, Euphorbia hirta, Erygium foetidum and Mimosa pudica. The selected plants species are used as traditional folk medicine in Cameroon for the treatment of various diseases. Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against 16 microbial species. Preliminary phytochemical screening of plant sample was also carried out. Alkaloids and anthraquinones were the most frequent secondary metabolite in the tested plant extracts. The MIC values obtained ranging from 32 to >1024

Variable Resistance of RMS to Interferon γ Signaling

Aims. Chimeric T cells directed to the γ-subunit of the fetal acetylcholine receptor (fAChR) produce large amounts of interferon-γ (IFNγ) on coculture with fAChR-expressing rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells prior to RMS cell death. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether IFNγ blocks proliferation and survival of RMS cells and modulates expression of genes with relevance for cytotoxicity of chimeric T cells. Methods. Expression levels of IFNγ receptor (IFNGR), AChR, MHCI, MHCII, and CIITA (class II transactivator) by RMS were checked by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Proliferation and cell survival were investigated by annexin V and propidium iodide staining and MTT (thiazolyl-blue-tetrazolium-bromide) assay. Key phosphorylation and binding sites of IFNGRs were checked by DNA sequencing. Results. IFNγ treatment blocked proliferation in 3 of 6 RMS cell lines, but reduced survival in only one. IFNGR was expressed at levels comparable to controls and binding sites for JAK and STAT1 were intact. Induction of several target genes (e.g., AChR, MHCI, and MHCII) by IFNγ was detected on the RNA level but not protein level. Conclusions. IFNγ does not significantly contribute to the killing of RMS cells by fAChR directed chimeric T cells. Signalling downstream of the IFNR receptor, including the posttranscriptional level, is impaired in most RMS cell lines.

Feselol Enhances the Cytotoxicity and DNA Damage Induced by Cisplatin in 5637 Cells

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), which is the most common type of bladder cancer, shows resistance to chemotherapeutic agents due to the overexpression of drug efflux pumps. In this study, the effects of feselol, a sesquiterpene coumarin extracted from Ferula badrakema, on cisplatin cytotoxicity were investigated in 5637 cells, a TCC subline. Cell viability and DNA lesion were evaluated by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide and comet assays, respectively. Feselol had no significant cytotoxic effect in 5637 cells but at 32 μg/mL it increased the cytotoxicity of 1 μg/mL cisplatin by 37% after 24 h. Furthermore, the comet assay revealed that DNA damage induced by cisplatin in 5637 cells is enhanced by 31% when used in combination with feselol. Therefore, feselol might be considered as an effective reversal agent for future in vivo and clinical studies

Structural Properties, Cytotoxicity, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Silver(I) Complexes with tris(p-tolyl)Phosphine and 5-Chloro-2-Mercaptobenzothiazole

The synthesis and characterization of the silver(I) chloride complex of formula{[AgCI(CMBZT)(TPTP)2]⋅(MeOH)}(1) (CMBZT = 5-chloro-2-mercaptobenzothiazole, TPTP = tris(p-tolyl)phosphine) is described. Also the structure of the hydrate derivative{[AgCI(TPTP)3]⋅(0.5⋅H2O)}(2) of the corresponding known anhydrous silver complex (Zartilas et al., 2009), and the polymorph3of the known[AgI(TPTP)3]complex (Zartilas et al., 2009) were determined and compared with the known ones. In addition, the structure of the known one silver(I) cluster{[AgI(TPTP)]4}(4) (Meijboom et al., 2009) was re-determined at 120(2) K and possible Ag-Ag interactions were analyzed. The compounds1–4were characterized by X-ray crystallography at r.t (1) and 120 K (2–4). All these complexes and{[(Et3NH)+]2⋅[Ag6(μ3-Hmna)4(μ3-mna)2]2−⋅(DMSO)2⋅(H2O)}(5) (Hmna = 2-mercaptonicotinic acid) were evaluated for cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity. Thein vitrotesting of cytotoxic activity of1–5against leiomyosarcoma cancer cells (LMS), were evaluated with Trypan Blue and Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide or 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The flow cytometry assay for complex1and showed that at 15 μMof1, 62.38% of LMS cells undergo apoptosis, while 7% of LMS cells undergo cell necrosis. The antitumor activity of3is comparable with that of its reported polymorph (Zartilas et al., 2009). The anti-inflammatory, activity of complexes1–3and5was also studied. The activity towards cell viability was2>3>5>1>4, while the order of the inhibitory activity in cell growth proliferation follows the order,2>3>1>4>5. The anti-inflammatory activity on the other hand is1>2>5>⋯>3.