In-vitro Wound Healing Properties of Commiphora swynnertonii Resinous Extracts

Wound healing is a complex multicellular process involving many cell types which include; inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The process involves an orderly sequence of events with four overlapping phases namely; haemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation and remodeling phases. The process can be facilitated by the use of wound healing agents including herbal remedies from plants. In this study the main objective was to evaluate the in vitro wound healing activity of the resin obtained from Commiphora swynnertonii (C.swynnertonii). First the NIH -3T3 cells viability were evaluated using (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. Then the wound scratch assay model was used to evaluate cellular proliferation, closure of the wound and release of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes. Results indicate differences in mean cell viability between different concentrations within 24 hours of incubation. The highest viability was recorded at the concentration of 1% (v/v). The in-vitro wound scratch assay showed positive NIH - 3T3 cells proliferation on the wound area and cells migration when compared with control group (without treatment) at 0 and 24 hours. In addition, C. swynnertonii was able to stimulate secretion of MMP-2 release from NIH - 3T3 cells. MMP-2 is an important enzyme for extracellular matrix remodeling during wound healing suggesting that C. swynnertonii promotes wound healing by stimulating cell proliferation and production of MMP-2 in a mechanism that is currently not known.

Effects of platelet-rich plasma on in vitro proliferation and migration of fibroblasts from human chronic refractory wound granulation tissue

Objective: To observe the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on in vitro proliferation and migration of fibroblasts from human chronic refractory wound granulation tissue.Methods: Fibroblasts were separated from human chronic refractory wound granulation tissue and then were identified. The obtained fibroblasts were divided into fetal bovine serum (FBS) group, hydrogel group and PRP group, and the three groups were cultured with culture mediums containing FBS, hydrogel and PRP respectively, in order to observe the growth of fibroblasts. The wound scratch assay was used to observe the migration of fibroblasts.Results: PRP group had more fibroblasts than FBS group and hydrogel group since Day 5 of culture, and exhibited greater fibroblast scratch migration area than FBS group on 48 h and 72 h of wound scratch assay (all p < .05).Conclusions: Compared with FBS, human fibroblasts cultured by PRP can more effectively promote the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts.

Berbamine Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion and Induces Cell Apoptosis of A549 Cells Via Regulating C-Maf, PI3K/Akt and MDM2-P53 Pathways

Background To investigate the influences of berbamine (BBM) on the cell viability, proliferation, and migration of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo, and explore the possible mechanisms.MethodsAfter the A549 cells were treated with BBM, the cell viability and proliferation of the cancer cells were detected by MTT assay, EdU assay, and colony formation assay. Migration and invasion of cancer cells were illustrated through wound scratch assay and transwell assay. Apoptosis of cancer cells was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and elisa assay. Beside, the expression of PI3K/Akt signal pathway-related proteins and c-Maf were detected employing western blotting assay. Xenografted model of NSCLC was used to detect the effect of BBM on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.ResultsMTT assay showed that BBM inhibited the viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and time-dependent manner. The results from the colony formation assay and EdU assay revealed that BBM (10 µM) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells (P＜0.001). And BBM (10 µM) significantly inhibited the migration and invasion in the wound scratch assay and transwell assay (P＜0.05). Trypan blue assay and elisa assay indicated that BBM (20 µM) significantly induced apoptosis of A549 cells. The nude mice assay manifested the tumor volume was significantly shrank by BBM (20 mg/kg) (P＜0.05). Western blotting assay showed that the PI3K/Akt and MDM2-p53 signaling pathways were inhibited by BBM, and the expression of c-Maf was downregulated by BBM. ConclusionsBBM could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis, and induce apoptosis of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo, these effects may be achieved by reducing the expression of c-Maf and regulating the PI3K/Akt and MDM2-p53 pathways.

Mycophenolate mofetil reduces epidural fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad2/3 axis to repress the proliferation, migration and differentiation of fibroblasts

Background Excessive fibroblasts proliferation is believed as a major reason in the process of epidural fibrosis, which is known as a troublesome complication of lumbar laminectomy clinically. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a kind of immunosuppressant, previous studies had shown that it has the function of preventing fibrosis, but the role and mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we determined the repressed effect of MMF on fibroblasts proliferation, migration and differentiation in surgical-induced epidural fibrosis and the underlying mechanism. Methods In vitro, the impacts of MMF on cell viability were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and the fibroblasts proliferation rates were determined by using EdU incorporation, cell cycle assays and western blot. Additionally, the impacts of MMF on fibroblasts migration and differentiation were analyzed by cell wound scratch assay, transwell assay, immunofluorescence analysis and western blot. In vivo, we built epidural fibrosis models in rats and locally applied MMF. Histological and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine the effect of MMF on reducing epidural fibrosis and fibroblasts functions. Results CCK-8 assay demonstrated that MMF repressed fibroblasts proliferation in a time- and a dose-dependent manner. EdU incorporation assay and cell cycle analysis proved the inhibition effect of MMF on the proliferation of fibroblasts. Cell wound scratch assay, transwell assay and immunofluorescence proved the inhibition effect of MMF on the migration and differentiation of fibroblasts. Western blotting analysis proved that MMF inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. The expression of proliferation proteins, migration proteins and differentiation proteins were downregulated. In addition, histological and immunohistochemical stain showed that MMF reduces epidural fibrosis by repressing the proliferation, migration and differentiation of fibroblasts. Conclusion MMF could inhibit the proliferation, migration and differentiation of fibroblasts, it reduced surgical-induced epidural fibrosis as well. TGF-β1/Smad2/3 axis may be the latent mechanism in MMF reduced epidural fibrosis. It might provide a new notion for mitigating surgery-induced epidural fibrosis.

Cellular-Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition Factor Upregulates Aquaporin 3 Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Background Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and Cellular-mesenchymal to epithelial transition factor (c-Met) are both overexpressed in human breast cancer and highly related to proliferation and migration. However, it is still unclear whether c-Met is associated with AQP3. The study objective was to explore the relationship between c-Met and AQP3 in human breast cancer. Methods We used immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of AQP3 and c-Met in breast cancer tissue specimens and analysed whether there was any correlation between the two molecules. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect AQP3 expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells after human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) treatment and/or transfection with c-Met silencing small interfering (si)RNA. Additionally, cell migration was examined with a wound scratch assay. Results Based on the immunohistochemical results combined with the clinicopathological data of 59 breast cancer patients, c-Met exhibited a significant correlation with AQP3 in breast cancer tissue. Studies have shown that hHGF can increase c-Met phosphorylation, and we discovered that the hHGF-induced increase in AQP3 expression was dose dependent. However, after reducing c-Met expression with c-Met-specific siRNA, AQP3 expression decreased accordingly. Additionally, the wound scratch assay showed that AQP3-specific siRNA or c-Met-specific siRNA significantly inhibited breast cancer cell migration, which was promoted by hHGF. Conclusions Our study indicated that AQP3 expression was regulated by c-Met in human breast cancer. These discoveries may help us comprehend the mechanisms underlying breast cancer development and invasion and offer another possibility for targeted treatment of breast cancer.

The Cytotoxic Properties of Some Tricyclic 1,3-Dithiolium Flavonoids

Background: Due to the emergence of multidrug resistant microorganisms, new classes of antibiotics are needed. In this paper, we present the cytotoxic effects of five tricyclic flavonoids, one of which was previously identified as a potent antimicrobial agent. Methods: All five derivatives were tested against human HOS and MCF7 cancer cell lines using a wound scratch assay. The cytotoxic properties of previously reported flavonoid 4a were also evaluated using the standard MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) and live/dead assays, using NHDF, HOS and MCF7 cell lines. Results: All five derivatives were found to inhibit to some degree the proliferation of cancer cells. 4a was also found to be less toxic towards regular versus cancerous human cells. Moreover, the minimum bactericidal concentration of 4a against Staphylococcus aureus was found to be non-toxic for any of the tested human cell lines. Conclusions: Derivative 4a has the potential of being used as a therapeutic agent against certain microorganisms. Further structure optimization is required for use against tumors.

The Aqueous Soluble Polyphenolic Fraction ofPsidium guajavaLeaves Exhibits Potent Anti-Angiogenesis and Anti-Migration Actions on DU145 Cells

The aqueous extract ofPsidium guajavabudding leaves (PE) bears an extremely high content of polyphenolic and isoflavonoids. Whether it could be used as an anti-tumor chemopreventive in view of anti-angiogenesis and anti-migration, we performed the assay methods including the MTT assay to examine the cell viability; the ELISA assay to test the expressions of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8; the western blot analysis to detect TIMP-2; the gelatinolytic zymography to follow the expression of MMPs; the wound scratch assay to examine the migration capability; and the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay to detect the suppressive angiogenesis. Results indicated that the IC50 of PE for DU145 cells was ∼0.57 mg ml−1. In addition, PE effectively inhibited the expressions of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines, and MMP-2 and MMP-9, and simultaneously activated TIMP-2 and suppressed the cell migration and the angiogenesis. Conclusively, PE potentially possesses a strong anti-DU145 effect. Thus, clinically it owns the potential to be used as an effective adjuvant anti-cancer chemopreventive.

Water Extract of Ashwagandha Leaves Limits Proliferation and Migration, and Induces Differentiation in Glioma Cells

Root extracts ofWithania somnifera(Ashwagandha) are commonly used as a remedy for a variety of ailments and a general tonic for overall health and longevity in the Indian traditional medicine system, Ayurveda. We undertook a study to investigate the anti-proliferative and differentiation-inducing activities in the water extract of Ashwagandha leaves (ASH-WEX) by examining in glioma cells. Preliminary detection for phytochemicals was performed by thin-layer chromatography. Cytotoxicity was determined using trypan blue and MTT assays. Expression level of an hsp70 family protein (mortalin), glial cell differentiation marker [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)] and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Anti-migratory assay was also done using wound-scratch assay. Expression levels of mortalin, GFAP and NCAM showed changes, subsequent to the treatment with ASH-WEX. The data support the existence of anti-proliferative, differentiation-inducing and anti-migratory/anti-metastasis activities in ASH-WEX that could be used as potentially safe and complimentary therapy for glioma.