Ramazan Süleyman Göktürk

Glycyrrhiza flavescens subsp. antalyensis exerts antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells via altering TNF-α and IFN-α levels

Glycyrrhiza species possess preventive and therapeutic potentials against various cancers. In the present study, we have evaluated regulation of apoptotic cell death by aqueous extracts of leaf and flower of an endemic Glycyrrhiza species; Glycyrrhiza flavescens subsp. antalyensis, in mouse melanoma cell lines. Both leaf and flower extracts induced apoptosis in terms of induction of caspase-3 activity, TNF-α and IFN-γ release. Concentrations of both TNF-α and IFN-γ in extract-treated groups were significantly and dose dependently exalted as compared to their relative controls. The effects of extracts on caspase-3, TNF-α and IFN-γ processes mediate the plausible mechanism of apoptosis induction of G. flavescens subsp. antalyensis.

Phytochemical analysis of the essential oils of 10 endemic Cephalaria species from Turkey

The volatile composition of 10 endemic Cephalaria (Dipsacaceae) species (Cephalaria gazipashensis, Cephalaria lycica, Cephalaria paphlagonica, Cephalaria elmaliensis, Cephalaria stellipilis, Cephalaria scoparia, Cephalaria isaurica, Cephalaria cilicica, Cephalaria elazigensis var. purpurea and Cephalaria davisiana) was investigated. The essential oil mixtures were obtained by steam distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. Twenty-eight components were identified by GC-FID and GC-MS techniques. While total volatile percentages ranged from 68.99% to 84.57%, the total essential oil yields ranged between 38.15% and 64.05%. Geraniol, α-cedrene and p-cymene were determined as the main components. Geraniol was detected as a major component in C. cilicica (14.64%), and α-cedrene was detected as a major component with 26.03% for C. lycica, 16.93% for C. scoparia, 13.01% for C. davisiana and 10.94% for C. paphlagonica. Cephalaria scoparia, C. davisiana and C. gazipashensis have considerable amount of p-cymene as 12.86%, 12.70% and 11.16%, respectively. This was the first essential oil report concerning the Cephalaria genus.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ebenus boissieri Barbey on human lung cancer cell line A549

Background: Fabaceae family members are known to possess preventive and therapeutic potentials against various types of cancers. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts and roots of an endemic Ebenus species; Ebenus boissieri Barbey in human lung cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: After treatment with hydroalcoholic extracts cytotoxic activities of both extracts were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, whereas caspase-3 activity, tumor necrosis factor-a lpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) releasewere measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: According to in vitro assay results, the increase in all caspases activity suggested that extracts induce cells to undergo apoptosis. Especially, induction in caspase-3 activity was the most remarkable result of this study. Both aerial part and root extracts induced apoptosis by increasing caspase-3 activity, TNF-α and IFN-γ release. When compared to their relative controls, the concentrations of both TNF-α and IFN-γ in extract-treated groups were significantly and dose dependently exalted. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extracts of E. boissieri can be considered as a source of new anti-apoptotic and therefore anti-carcinogenic agent.

Cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of Ebenus boissieri Barbey on breast cancer cells.

We aimed to determine the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of the roots and aerial parts of Ebenus boissieri (EB) on breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells and the non-cancerous human embryonic kidney cell line, 293T. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, trypan blue exclusion, and Live/Dead Viability/Cytotoxicity assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by measuring the activity of caspase-2, 3, 6, 8, and 9. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-g release was assayed by ELISA, and protein expression of caspase-3, TNF-a, and IFN-g was determined by western blot. The results of this study revealed that MDA-MB231 cell viability was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the aerial and root extract of EB at 72 h with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 41.1 ± 2.76 and 65 ± 1.09 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, neither the aerial nor the root extracts of this plant inhibited the proliferation of 293T cells at doses up to 1000 μg/mL. There was a time-dependent increase in caspase activity, especially caspase-3 and caspase-9. The levels of TNF-aand IFN-g significantly increased in MDA-MB231 cells treated with aerial extract. In conclusion, the extracts of EB induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells by altering the levels of caspases, TNF-a, and IFN-g. The components and precise modes of action of EB have not yet been determined. However, potential antitumor and immunomodulatory activity was observed along with selectivity against cancer cells in vitro, suggesting that hydroalcoholic extracts of this plant are worthy of additional study.

Caspase-mediated apoptotic effects of Ebenus boissieri barbey extracts on human cervical cancer cell line hela

Background: Ebenus boissieri Barbey is an Antalya, Turkey-endemic plant belonging to Fabaceae family. The aerial parts and the roots of E. boissieri Barbey were used in this study. Objective: In the present study, we have examined the apoptotic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of E. boissieri Barbey in human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. Materials and Methods: To determine the cytotoxic effect, cells were treated with various concentrations of extracts for 24, 48, and 72 h incubation periods. Cytotoxic effects were examined by Cell Titer 96 aqueous nonradioactive cell proliferation assay and the results were corrected by live/dead viability/cytotoxicity assay and trypan blue exclusion assay. Apoptotic effects were studied with multicaspase kit. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: According to the results, E. boissieri Barbey extract caused significant increase in caspase levels. Thus, we suggest that the extract induces cells to undergo apoptosis. Especially, there was a sharp induction in caspase-3 activity. Levels of both TNF-α and IFN-γ in extract-treated groups were significantly and dose dependently exalted as compared to their relative controls. Conclusion: The effects of the extract on caspase-3, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels mediate the plausible mechanism of apoptosis induction in HeLa. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating any pharmacological properties of E. Boissieri on HeLa cells. Abbreviations used: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); Interferon gamma (IFN-γ); 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3- carboxymethoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-sulfonyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS); Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS); Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS); para-Nitroanilin pNA; Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA); Sodium Dodesyl sulphate –Polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE); Tris-Buffered Saline (TBS); Hydocloric acid (HCl); Standart Error of Mean (SEM); National Cancer Institute (NCI); half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)

Cephalaria anamurensis (Caprifoliaceae), a new species from south Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract A new species, Cephalaria anamurensis (Caprifoliaceae) is described and illustrated from south Anatolia, Turkey. The species grows on steppe and stony places in Anamur (C4 Mersin province) in south Anatolia. Diagnostic morphological characters from closely similar taxa are discussed. The geographical distribution of the new species and two closely related species in Turkey are mapped.