Khamsah Suryati Mohd

Hepcidin TH1-5 Induces Apoptosis and Activate Caspase-9 in MCF-7 Cells.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. In continuation of our investigation into the cytotoxicity of the antimicrobial peptide, hepcidin TH1-5, on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), we further affirm the apoptosis induction effect of the cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide in the present study. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide (annexin V-FITC/PI) apoptosis assay was carried out after treatment of the cells. In the determination of caspase activity and pathway of apoptosis, luminescence assay was also performed where caspase-3/7, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were evaluated at time 12, 24 and 48 hours. Results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining showed that 44.33%, 34.33%, 9.67% of the cell were in the early apoptosis, late apoptosis and necrotic stages respectively after 72 hours of treatment. Based on the data from the luminescence test, hepcidin TH1-5 activates caspases-3/7 and -9 which suggests that the apoptosis induced may be due to the peptide treatment. Hepcidin TH1-5 may have induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via the activation of caspase-9 of the intrinsic pathway. These results support our previous findings of the cytotoxicity of hepcidin TH1-5 and indicated that the peptide may be a potential agent for breast cancer therapy.

In vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition and increased glucose uptake of Morinda citrifolia fruit and scopoletin

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder and management of blood glucose level is an important strategy in the control of the disease and complications associated with it. Therefore, components that cause uptake of glucose from the bloodstream and inhibitors of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes can be useful in treatment of diabetes and medicinal plants are often used to achieve this aim. Morinda citrifolia fruit (MCF) is used in various countries for treatment of diabetes and the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of MCF extract and its biomarker scopoletin on glucose uptake in HepG2 cells as well as its inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The safe doses for MCF extract and scopoletin were at 1 mg/ml and 0.2 μM, respectively as assessed by MTT assays and these were used for the assays. The extract had glucose uptake of 59.5% which was comparable to the standard metformin whereas the value for scopoletin was 30.6%. The extract had mild inhibitory activity on α-amylase and α-glucosidase with percentage of inhibition at 43.5% and 57%. The biomarker scopoletin showed lower activities at 23.9% and 35.7% for α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. Hence, these three activities may possibly be the mechanisms for MCF to exert its antidiabetic activity.