Search

Gold nanoparticles are the most promising candidate in cancer treatment due to their physiochemical properties, and increased use in photothermal therapy (PTT). In the present study, spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were, synthesized using citrate reduction method. The particles were then characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy and, transmission electron microscope. A hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was incubated with sorafenib and/or, non-irradiated or laser-irradiated AuNPs for 48 hrs. The cytotoxic effect of different treatment modalities was determined, using MTT assay. Furthermore, apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide, as, well as estimating the level of caspases. Results showed that AuNPs and sorafenib reduced HepG2 cell viability, and, the cytotoxicity was associated with increased release of LDH in the culture medium. The recorded cytotoxicity was, attributed to enhanced apoptosis as revealed by increased cellular caspases (3, 8 and 9), that was further confirmed by, flow cytometry. The most notable cytotoxic effect was recorded when combining sorafenib with laser-irradiated AuNPs., In conclusion, a synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed between sorafenib and laser-irradiated AuNPs against the, growth of HepG2, suggesting the potential substitution of large toxic doses of sorafenib by lower doses in combination, with photothermal therapy.

Context: The antitumor activity of aloin, the active anthraquinone of Aloe juice, against different murine and human tumors has been reported. Objective: In the present study, the impact of repeated aloin treatment at its maximum tolerated dose on serum levels of lipid profile, some elements, iron status and kidney function, compared with doxorubicin (a cardiotoxic anthracycline and inhibitor of erythropoiesis), was assessed. Materials and methods: Rats were treated with a single dose of doxorubicin (30 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal) or aloin (50 mg/kg body weight, intramuscular) twice weekly over 2 weeks. Results: Acute doxorubicin treatment elevated serum levels of triacylglycerols (59.90%), total cholesterol (42.29%), cholesteryl esters (54.75%), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (230.16%), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (56.42%), urea (287.53%), and creatinine (85.38%), whereas serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, sodium, and calcium levels were reduced (44.61, 9.61, and 9.76%, respectively), as compared with controls. In contrast, aloin treatment showed insignificant changes in all the aforementioned parameters. Both doxorubicin and aloin induced erythropoiesis impairment demonstrated by a reduction in blood hemoglobin concentration. While aloin treatment elevated serum iron level (30.28%), doxorubicin treatment reduced serum levels of iron (51.47%) and percent transferrin saturation (55.21%), and in contrast, increased serum total iron binding capacity (34.85%). The chelating affinities of iron-aloin and -doxorubicin complexes, which contain bidentate iron-binding moieties, have been shown in the infrared spectra. Discussion and conclusion: The non-cardiotoxic effect of aloin treatment was due to its non-atherogenic and iron-chelating activities, which might also contribute in part to its anti-proliferative activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable attention has been paid to the introduction of novel naturally occurring plant-derived radiosensitizer compounds in order to augment the radiation efficacy and improve the treatment outcome of different tumors. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the antitumor, antiangiogeneic, and synergistic radiosensitizing effects of apigenin, a dietary flavonoid, and/or cryptotanshinone, a terpenoid isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, against the growth of solid Ehrlich carcinoma in female mice. Apigenin (50 mg/kg body weight) and/or cryptotanshinone (40 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected into non-irradiated or γ-irradiated (6.5 Gy whole-body γ-irradiation) solid Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice for 30 consecutive days. Investigations included molecular targets involved in proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor invasiveness. Treatment with apigenin and/or cryptotanshinone significantly suppressed the growth of solid Ehrlich carcinoma tumors and demonstrated a synergistic radiosensitizing efficacy together with γ-irradiation. These effects were achieved through downregulating the expression of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic regulators, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, vascular endothelial growth factor C, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activities, which play a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis, and enhancing apoptosis via inducing cleaved caspase-3 and granzyme B levels. Histological findings of solid Ehrlich carcinoma tumors verified the recorded data. In conclusion, a synergistic radiosensitizing efficacy for apigenin and cryptotanshinone was demonstrated against Ehrlich carcinoma in the current in vivo murine model, representing therefore a potential therapeutic strategy for increasing the radiation response of solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]