Search

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between the chemical composition of juices obtained from fruits of autochthonous wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) grown in Montenegro and their cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Design/methodology/approach: To explore the potential value of wild pomegranate fruits, in vitro biological assays were carried out with juices whose composition was analyzed in detail for sugars, organic acids, vitamin C and phenolic compounds. The effect of juices on survival was determined in human lung A549, cervical HeLa and breast MCF-7 carcinoma cells by MTT assay. As a control, the cytotoxicity against normal fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) was monitored. Findings: Among cancer cell lines, considering the IC50 related to total phenolics, the lowest value – 13 µg/mL was found for the A549. The strongest effect on lung cells was assumed due to the favorable contribution of ellagitannins to total phenolics in juice as well as the given combination of anthocyanins and their synergistic action. For HeLa cells, the lowest IC50 value was obtained at 88 µg/mL, and the cytotoxicity could be matched with the effects of anthocyanins and catechin. For MCF-7 cells, the lowest IC50 was 504 µg/mL, and the elevated levels of vitamin C and ellagic acid derivatives should have a noticeable effect on these cells. Originality/value: This study provides an important contribution to the knowledge on the effect of phytochemicals from wild pomegranate juice on lung, cervical and breast cancer cells, in vitro. The present observations suggest that the juice of wild pomegranate has the potential in the fight against cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain compounds with better biological activity and lower toxicity, numerous modifications have been made to the cisplatin and carboplatin molecules. The aim of the study was to examine the in vitro antiproliferative activity of two new carboplatin analogues and their effect on both the cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis. Carboplatin and analogues were tested on four human cell lines: myelogenous leukemia K562, colon adenocarcinoma HT-29, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 and lung fibroblasts MRC-5. Cell lines were exposed to commercial and synthesized carboplatin and two carboplatin analogues. Their growth inhibition was measured by the MTT test after 24 h incubation. The cell cycle modulation and induction of apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry on MCF-7 cell line. After 24 h exposure, both carboplatin analogs induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity in all tested cell lines. The most sensitive was MCF-7 cell line. Tested substances showed moderate cytotoxicity against healthy MRC-5 cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed that both analogues modulated the cell cycle, increasing cell population in sub-G1 phase. The same response in the form of the apoptosis induction was also obtained with the Annexin-V test. Apoptosis induction was confirmed with double-fluorescence staining method. Two new carboplatin analogues strongly inhibit the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, inducing apoptosis and changes in cell cycle distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the polyphenol content, antioxidative potential and antiproliferative activity of Swiss chard from Montenegro, grown under different irrigation and fertilization regimes. Design/methodology/approach: Swiss chard was grown in the open field (Lješkopolje, Montenegro) where it was subjected to different fertilization and irrigation regimes. Chard samples were analyzed for previously identified polyphenols and for antioxidant parameters. Additionally, in order to complete the biological activities, chard extracts were tested for antiproliferative activity against MFC-7 and HT-29 tumor cell lines. Findings: The polyphenols identified in Swiss chard were flavonoids: vitexin-2?-O-xyloside, vitexin-6?-O-acetyl-2?-O-xyloside, vitexin-6?-O-malonyl-2?-O-xyloside and isorhamnetin-3,7-diglucoside. In the antioxidant tests, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), chard extract had values of 7.00 and 8.50 (mean values) µmol Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) equ/d.w., respectively. The tested chard extracts inhibited cell proliferation at different concentrations (3.125–50.0 µg/mL) against the MCF-7 cell line, after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The antiproliferative activity, expressed in terms of IC50, was 32.97 and 86.45 µg/mL after 24 h of incubation and 20.76 and 23.33 µg/mL after 48 h of incubation, for treated and untreated chard extracts, respectively. Originality/value: These data suggest Montenegrin Swiss chard grown under different irrigation and fertilization treatments can be considered as a functional food and should be included in an everyday diet. The collected data could help in the growth improvement of chard with functional food properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this review is to discuss cannabinoids from a preclinical and clinical oncological perspective and provide the audience with a concise, retrospective overview of the most significant findings concerning the potential use of cannabinoids in cancer treatment. Methods: A literature survey of medical and scientific databases was conducted with a focus on the biological and medical potential of cannabinoids in cancer treatment. Results: Cannabis sativa is a plant rich in more than 100 types of cannabinoids. Besides exogenous plant cannabinoids, mammalian endocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid analogues have been identified. Cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) have been isolated and characterized from mammalian cells. Through cannabinoid receptor and non-receptor signaling pathways, cannabinoids show specific cytotoxicity against tumor cells, while protecting healthy tissue from apoptosis. The dual antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of cannabinoids and associated signaling pathways have been investigated on a large panel of cancer cell lines. Cannabinoids also display potent anticancer activity against tumor xenografts, including tumors that express high resistance to standard chemotherapeutics. Few studies have investigated the possible synergistic effects of cannabinoids with standard oncology therapies, and are based on the preclinically confirmed concept of 'cannabinoid sensitizers.' Also, clinical trials aimed to confirm the antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids have only been evaluated on a small number of subjects, with no consensus conclusions regarding their effectiveness. Conclusions: A large number of cannabinoid compounds have been discovered, developed, and used to study the effects of cannabinoids on cancers in model systems. However, few clinical trials have been conducted on the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of cancers in humans. Further studies require extensive monitoring of the effects of cannabinoids alone or in combination with standard anticancer strategies. With such knowledge, cannabinoids could become a therapy of choice in contemporary oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is inadequate published data referring to bioactivity of lemon balm tea and its Kombucha. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate antimicrobial, antiproliferative, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic potential of lemon balm tea and its Kombucha with consuming acidity. Antimicrobial activity was determined by agar-well diffusion method. Cell growth effects were determined in HeLa, MCF7, and HT-29 human tumor cell lines. Genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects were determined using chromosome aberration assay in Chinese hamster cell line CHO-K1. Differences between control and treated groups were evaluated using analysis of variance, at significance level of p < 0.05. Kombucha from lemon balm tea ( Melissa officinalis L.) exibited antimicrobial activity against prokaryotic microorganisms independently of their cell wall structure (both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria), while there was no observed activity against eukaryots (yeasts and moulds). There was absence of genotoxic effects while antigenotoxic effects of lemon balm Kombucha and tea were confirmed on MMC-damaged CHO-K1 cells. For the explanation of cell growth effects that were not concentration dependent, concept of hormesis was used. Antiproliferative activity was lower compared with traditional Kombucha and Satureja montana L. Kombucha, with lemon balm tea showing higher activity than its Kombucha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]