Ali Özmen

In vitro anti-leukemic activity of the ethno-pharmacological plant Scutellaria orientalis ssp. carica endemic to western Turkey.

AIM OF THIS STUDY Within the genus Scutellaria various species are used in different folk medicines throughout Asia. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses S. baicalensis (Labiatae) to treat various inflammatory conditions. The root shows strong anticancer properties in vitro and was suggested for clinical trials against multiple myeloma. Further, S. barbata was successfully tested against metastatic breast cancer in a phase I/II trial. Therefore, we investigated the anti-cancer properties of S. orientalis L. ssp. carica Edmondson, an endemic subspecies from the traditional medicinal plant S. orientalis L. in Turkey, which is used to promote wound healing and to stop haemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Freeze-dried plant material was extracted with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol and the bioactivity of these extracts was analysed by proliferation assay, cell death determination, and by investigating protein expression profiles specific for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. RESULTS The strongest anti-leukemic activity was shown by the methanol extract, which contained apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, luteolin and wogonin, with an IpC50 of 43 microg/ml (corresponding to 1.3mg/ml of dried plant material) which correlated with cyclin D1- and Cdc25A suppression and p21 induction. At 132 microg/ml (=4 mg/ml of the drug) this extract caused genotoxic stress indicated by substantial phosphorylation of the core histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX) followed by activation of caspase 3 and signature-type cleavage of PARP resulting in a 55% apoptosis rate after 48 hours of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Here, we report for the first time that S. orientalis L. ssp. carica Edmondson exhibited potent anti-leukaemic properties likely through the anti-proliferative effect of baicalein and the genotoxic property of wogonin.

Antimitotic and antibacterial effects of the Primula veris L. flower extracts

Abstract Primula is a plant genus which comprises about 400 species. It has been found in a number of pharmacological studies that primrose extracts are rich in saponins. Phenolic glycosides and saponins are characteristic compounds for the genus Primula. In this study several flower extracts from Primula veris L. has been tested for antibacterial activity and decoction from the flowers has been tested for antimitotic activity. Antibacterial activity was determined by the well diffusion method and Allium cepa L. has been used for evaluating cytotoxicity. Decoction of flowers was toxic on root number and root length in A. cepa L. and reduced the mitotic index significantly. All of the tested P. veris L. extracts showed inhibitory effect against both Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms at varying degrees. The most effective fraction was found to be the ethanolic.

Antimitotic and antibacterial effects of the Nigella sativa L. Seed

Abstract A large number of medicinal plants have therapeutic potentials. Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae), known commonly as “black cumin”, is a herbaceous plant that grows in Mediterranean countries. Recently, many biological activities of Nigella sativa L. seeds have been reported, including: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial. In this study several seed extracts from Nigella sativa L. have been tested for antimitotic and antibacterial activity. Allium cepa L. has been used for evaluating cytotoxicity. Each extract was toxic on root number and length and reduced the mitotic index. All extracts shows antimitotic activities but ether extract has found the most effective on reducing mitose in root meristem cells. Ether extract has also found effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

Antimitotic effects of the biopesticide oxymatrine

Abstract Biopesticides offer a more sustainable solution to pest control than synthetic alternatives. Naturally plant products, called secondary metabolites include thousands of alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics and minor secondary chemicals. Sophora flavescens Aiton (Leguminosae) is an ancient Chinese herb that grows wild in China. About two dozen alkaloids have been identified in Ku Shen, with matrine and oxymatrine being the major compounds. Ku Shen extracts have been formulated as pesticides either alone or in mixtures with conventional synthetic pesticides. In this study we have analyzed the probable cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of oxymatrine on plant test system for determining the safety of use as biopesticide. This alkaloid has reduced the mitotic index in Allium root meristem in higher concentrations but hasn’t show distinct genotoxic effects. In conclusion oxymatrine can be proposed as safe at this end point for using as biopesticide while the plant physiological system can ruled out certain effects.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro anti-neoplastic activity of gypsogenin derivatives.

Gypsogenin (L(1); 3-hydroxy-23-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid), a natural saponin, was isolated from the boiling water extract of Gypsophila arrostii roots. In addition, the derivatives gypsogenin thiosemicarbazone (L(2); 23-[(aminocarbonothioyl)hydrazono]-3-hydroxolean-12-en-28-oic acid) and gypsogenin thiosemicarbazone glyoxime (L(3)H2; (3β)-3-hydroxy-23-[({[(1Z,2E)-N-hydroxy-2-(hydroxyimino)ethanimidoyl]amino}carbonothioyl)hydrazono] olean-12-en-28-oic acid) as well as the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes of L(3)H2 were prepared. The structures were established on NMR analysis ((1)H, (13)C NMR, HMBC, HMQC, and NOESY), FT-IR and completed by analysis of LC/MS. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects of the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the gypsogenin derivatives were assayed in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL 60) cells. These complexes were found to be potent anticancer agents with concentrations that inhibited 50% of proliferation (IpC50) between 5μM and 40μM. Cell death was distinguished by HO/PI double staining. The Co(II) complex of L(3)H2 has shown approximately %50 apoptotic effect at 10μM concentration. Paclitaxel has been used as positive control.

Cytogenetic effects of kernel extracts from Melia azedarach L.

Abstract Cytogenetic effects of kernel extracts, which contain azadirachtin as the active insect antifeedant and growth regulator, were evaluated in the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. The test concentrations were determined in accord with the recommended dosages in agricultural applications. Each test concentration of the kernel extract significantly reduced the mitotic index (MI) and induced chromosomal aberrations and mitotic aberrations. The kernel extracts induced breaks, bridges, stickiness, pole deviation and micronuclei in aberrant cells. Furthermore, the effect was directly related to the concentration of the neem extract. These observations showes that the kernel extracts prepared from this plant are harmful for crops and for non-target organism.

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro anti-neoplastic activity of novel vic-dioximes bearing thiosemicarbazone side groups and their mononuclear complexes

Two novel vicinal dioxime ligands containing thiosemicarbazone units, (2E)-2-[4-(diethylamino)benzylidene]-N-[(1Z,2E)-N-hydroxy-2-(hydroxyimino)ethanimidoyl]hydrazine carbothioamide (L(1)H2) and (2E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]-N-[(1Z,2E)-N-hydroxy-2-(hydroxyimino)ethanimidoyl]hydrazinecarbothioamide (L(2)H2), were synthesized. Using the HL-60 human leukemia cell line, the in vitro anti-neoplastic activity of these thiosemicarbazone-oxime derivatives was evaluated. Mononuclear nickel(II), copper(II), and cobalt(II) complexes with a metal:ligand ratio of 1:2 for both the L(1)H2 and L(2)H2 ligands were also synthesized. To characterize these compounds, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry (MS), magnetic susceptibility measurements, (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMQC), and elemental analysis were performed. For L(1)H2, L(2)H2, and each of their derivatives, antiproliferative effects against HL-60 cells were exhibited and the associated IpC50 values ranged from 5μM to 20μM. Furthermore, L(1)H2 and its derivatives inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells more effectively than L(2)H2, and 5μM [Cu(L(1)H)2] exhibited the strongest antiproliferative activity.

Chemical Composition of Scrophularia lucida and the Effects on Tumor Invasiveness in Vitro

A detannified methanolic extract of Scrophularia lucida L. attenuated the formation of cancer cell-induced circular chemorepellent induced defects (CCIDs) in the lymph endothelial cell barrier, which resemble entry ports for the intravasating tumor into the vasculature as a prerequisite for lymph node metastasis. Therefore, the composition of this extract was studied in an activity-guided approach. Since no data on the secondary metabolites of this plant were available, first phytochemical data were collected in the course of the fractionation of the extract. The study resulted in the identification of 14 substances, among them very rare iridoids, such as scrovalentinoside or koelzioside, and several flavonoids (e.g., nepitrin and homoplantaginin). One of the latter group, 2″-O-acetyl-homoplantaginin, is a new natural compound. In the most active fraction, the flavonoid hispidulin was identified as major component and the assay of the pure compound confirmed a contribution of hispidulin to the CCID-inhibitory effects of S. lucida. The activity of the two major iridoids in this assay was less compared to hispidulin.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of N′-[(Z)-(3-Methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene)(phenyl)methyl]benzohydrazide and Its Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Complexes

Reaction of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazol-5-one and benzoyl hydrazide in refluxing ethanol gave N ′-[(Z)-(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene)(phenyl)methyl]benzohydrazide (HL1), which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structure study. X-ray diffraction analyses of the crystals revealed a nonplanar molecule, existing in the keto-amine form, with intermolecular hydrogen bonding forming a seven-membered ring system. The reaction of HL1 with Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) halides gave the corresponding complexes, which were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic measurements, and infrared and electronic spectral studies. The compounds were screened for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells and antimicrobial activity against some bacteria and yeasts. Results showed that the compounds are potent against HL-60 cells with the IC50 value ≤5 μM, while some of the compounds were active against few studied Gram-positive bacteria.

APIGENIN AND LUTEOLIN ATTENUATE THE BREACHING OF MDA-MB231 BREAST CANCER SPHEROIDS THROUGH THE LYMPH ENDOTHELIAL BARRIER IN VITRO

Flavonoids, present in fruits, vegetables and traditional medicinal plants, show anticancer effects in experimental systems and are reportedly non-toxic. This is a favorable property for long term strategies for the attenuation of lymph node metastasis, which may effectively improve the prognostic states in breast cancer. Hence, we studied two flavonoids, apigenin and luteolin exhibiting strong bio-activity in various test systems in cancer research and are readily available on the market. This study has further advanced the mechanistic understanding of breast cancer intravasation through the lymphatic barrier. Apigenin and luteolin were tested in a three-dimensional (3-D) assay consisting of MDA-MB231 breast cancer spheroids and immortalized lymph endothelial cell (LEC) monolayers. The 3-D model faithfully resembles the intravasation of breast cancer emboli through the lymphatic vasculature. Western blot analysis, intracellular Ca2+ determination, EROD assay and siRNA transfection revealed insights into mechanisms of intravasation as well as the anti-intravasative outcome of flavonoid action. Both flavonoids suppressed pro-intravasative trigger factors in MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells, specifically MMP1 expression and CYP1A1 activity. A pro-intravasative contribution of FAK expression in LECs was established as FAK supported the retraction of the LEC monolayer upon contact with cancer cells thereby enabling them to cross the endothelial barrier. As mechanistic basis, MMP1 caused the phosphorylation (activation) of FAK at Tyr397 in LECs. Apigenin and luteolin prevented MMP1-induced FAK activation, but not constitutive FAK phosphorylation. Luteolin, unlike apigenin, inhibited MMP1-induced Ca2+ release. Free intracellular Ca2+ is a central signal amplifier triggering LEC retraction through activation of the mobility protein MLC2, thereby enhancing intravasation. FAK activity and Ca2+ levels did not correlate. This implicates that the pro-intravasative contribution of FAK and of Ca2+ release in LECs was independent of each other and explains the better anti-intravasative effects of luteolin in vitro. In specific formulations, flavonoid concentrations causing significant anti-intravasative effects, can certainly be achieved in vivo. As the therapeutic strategy has to be based on permanent flavonoid treatment both the beneficial and adverse effects have to be investigated in future studies.