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Background Radiotherapy is one of the cancer treatment methods. Although radioresistance and normal tissue toxicity limit the radiation therapy in certain anatomical locations, using some substances can be useful to increase radiosensitivity on cancer cells without cytotoxicity effect on normal cells. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the radiosensitizing effect of tolmetin in radiotherapy treatment on human colon cancer cell line HT-29. Methods In this study, human colon cancer cells HT-29 in different groups were irradiated with 4 Gy x-ray, and tolmetin was administered in different concentrations (75, 100, and 150 μM). Then, the groups were compared with each other and with the control group by Micronucleus Assay (MN) and Nuclear Division Index (NDI). NDI investigated the cytotoxicity, and MN indicated the genotoxicity. Results In the group receiving radiation, micronuclei increased significantly compared to the control group. In the group receiving tolmetin with a concentration of 75 and 100 μM, the number of micronuclei also increased compared to the control group. In all groups treated with tolmetin that also received radiation, a significant increase in micronuclei was observed, which was more noticeable at concentrations of 100 and 150 μM. At the same time, tolmetin at the studied concentrations did not change the NDI index. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that tolmetin has a radiosensitizing effect on HT-29 colon cancer cells, which depends on the tolmetin concentration. In addition, tolmetin has no cytotoxic effect on this cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Despite the anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties of licorice extract and lavender essential oil, some factors, such as low bioavailability and biodegradable, limit their therapeutic use. Using nanoparticles is a method to overcome these restrictions. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effects of nanoemulsion containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil on cancer cells; we also evaluated its antimicrobial properties in vitro. Methods & Materials In this experimental study, nanoemulsions, containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil were developed by the spontaneous emulsion method. The anti-proliferative effect of nanoemulsion was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric method on two cell lines HepG2 and SK-MEL-3. To measure the antimicrobial effect of 4 standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method was used. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kashan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.KAUMS.MEDNT.REC.1396.106). Results The results of MTT test on HepG2 cells indicated that the concentrations of 630, 1250, and 2500 μg/mL nanoemulsions caused toxicity to the cell and led to the death of >50% of the cells (IC50=401μg/ mL; P<0.05). Evaluating SK-MEL3 cells revealed that except for 75 μg of nanoemulsion, other concentrations induced death in >50% of the cells (IC50 = 82 μg/mL; P<0.05). In addition, nanoemulsions, with antimicrobial properties, were studied in 4 strains of bacteria; the highest antimicrobial properties were observed in Staphylococcus epidermidis. Conclusion Nanoemulsion containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil presents antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects on the two cell lines studied. The current study results indicated that the nano emulsification of lavender essential oil and licorice extract can enhance their biological impact; thus, they can be used as a drug formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]