Soňa Jantová

Effect of berberine on proliferation, biosynthesis of macromolecules, cell cycle and induction of intercalation with DNA, dsDNA damage and apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

Our primary aim was to study berberine, a potential anti‐cancer drug, for its cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity in‐vitro using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by the growth inhibition assay. We investigated the effect of berberine on the biosynthesis of macro‐molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins), cell cycle effects and induction of dsDNA damage and apoptosis in berberine‐treated EAC cells. Our results showed that berberine acts cytotoxically on EAC cells. The cytotoxicity was directly concentration and time dependent. The highest cytotoxic concentrations (100 and 50 μg mL−1) induced intercalation of berberine with DNA, formation of dsDNA breaks, inhibition of DNA synthesis and death of EAC cells. A concentration of 10 μg mL−1 induced clear apoptotic cell death, which was followed by inhibition of protein synthesis.

Photoinduced Superoxide Radical Anion and Singlet Oxygen Generation in the Presence of Novel Selenadiazoloquinolones (An EPR Study)

Novel 7‐substituted 6‐oxo‐6,9‐dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4‐h]quinoline (SeQ(1–6)) and 8‐substituted 9‐oxo‐6,9‐dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4‐f ]quinoline derivatives (SeQN(1–5)) with R7, R8 = H, COOC2H5, COOCH3, COOH, COCH3 or CN were synthesized and their spectral characteristics were obtained by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Ultraviolet A photoexcitation of the selenadiazoloquinolones in dimethylsulfoxide or acetonitrile resulted in the formation of paramagnetic species coupled with molecular oxygen activation generating the superoxide radical anion or singlet oxygen, evidenced by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The cytotoxic/photocytotoxic impact of selenadiazoloquinolones on murine and human cancer cell lines was demonstrated using the derivative SeQ5 (with R7 = COCH3).

Photochemical and phototoxic properties of ethyl 1,4-dihydro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate, a new quinoline derivative

The present study demonstrates photoinduced generation of superoxide radical anion and singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation of ethyl 1,4-dihydro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate (DNQC), and its cytotoxic/phototoxic effects on murine leukemia L1210 cells. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated by EPR spectroscopy using in situ spin trapping technique and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-piperidine (TMP) for singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) detection. The EPR spectra monitored upon photoexcitation of aerated solutions of DNQC in dimethylsulfoxide evidenced the efficient activation of molecular oxygen via Types I and II mechanisms. The cytotoxic/phototoxic effects of DNQC, analysis of cell cycle, induction of apoptosis/necrosis, DNA damage and molecular mechanism of apoptotic death of L1210 cells in dark and in the presence of UVA irradiation were compared. DNQC induced a different cytotoxic/phototoxic effect, which was concentration- and time-dependent. The four highest tested concentrations of non-photoactivated and photoactivated DNQC induced immediate cytotoxic/phototoxic effect after 24h cultivation of L1210 cells. This effect decreased with the time of treatment. The irradiation increased the sensitivity of leukemia cell line on DNQC, but the cell sensitivity decreased with time of processing. Quinolone derivative DNQC significantly induced direct DNA strand breaks in L1210 cells, which were increased with the irradiation of cells. The DNA damage generated by DNQC alone/with combination of UVA irradiation induced cell arrest in G(0)/G(1) and G(2)/M phases, decrease in the number of L1210 cells in Sphase and apoptotic cell death of certain part of cell population after 24 h of influence. DNQC alone/with combination of UVA irradiation induced apoptosis in L1210 cells through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

Detection of the Effective DNA Protection by Quinazolines Using a DNA‐Based Electrochemical Biosensor

Abstract A DNA biosensor can serve as a powerfull tool during simple in vitro tests of chemical toxicity. In this paper, damage to dsDNA attached to the surface of a screen‐printed carbon electrode by acridine orange (AO) in 5×10−3 M phosphate buffer solution and an effective DNA protection by selected quinazolines are described. Damage to DNA was detected using voltammetric signals of the dsDNA guanine moieties. Using the Co(III) complex with 1,10‐phenanthroline, [Co(phen)3]3+, as an electrochemical DNA marker, the portion of original dsDNA that survives an incubation of the biosensor in the medium of AO and quinazolines was evaluated. The quinazoline derivatives under study were found to be very effective DNA protectors, particularly at low concentration level. The results were confirmed by microbiological tests with green seaweed, Euglena gracilis, as well as by conventional electrophoretic experiments. On the occasion of the eightieth birthday of Professor Petr Zuman.

Comparative study of a new composite biomaterial fluor-hydroxyapatite on fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3 by direct test

The number of biomaterials used in biomedical applications has rapidly increased in the past two decades. Fluorapatite (FA) is one of the inorganic constituents of bone or teeth used for hard tissue repairs and replacements. Fluor-hydroxyapatite (FHA) is a new synthetically prepared composite that in its structure contains the same molecular concentration of OH− groups and F− ions. The aim of this experimental investigation was to use the embryonal mouse fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3 for comparative study of basal cytotoxicity of fluoridated biomaterials FHA and FA discs. Hydroxyapatite (HA) disc, high-density polyethylene as negative control and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing organotin stabilizer as positive control were used as standard biomaterials. The appropriateness of the use of NIH-3T3 cells and their sensitivity for tested biomaterials were evaluated on the basis of five cytotoxic end points: cell proliferation, cell morphology, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released, protein and DNA cell content. The basal cytotoxicity of FHA, FA and HA discs was measured by direct contact method. FHA composite, FA and HA demonstrated in cell line NIH-3T3 nearly similar basal cytotoxicity increasing with the time of treatment. After 72 h of biomaterials treatment, about 25% inhibition of cell number, unchanged morphology of dividing cells, 6.31–0.16% increase of released LDH, about 10% inhibition of cell protein content and about 20% inhibition of DNA content was found. On the other hand, from the growth rates it resulted that NIH-3T3 cells, affected by tested biomaterials, divided about 20% slowlier than the control (untreated cells). Using the linear regression analysis we found out that deviations in measurements of cytotoxicity by four methods were as follows: less than 10% for cell number, protein and DNA content methods and 12.4% for released LDH method. Based on a good correlation of the cytotoxicity of biomaterials obtained from all end points we could conclude that fibroblast NIH-3T3 cell line was appropriate for measuring the basal cytoxicity of tested biomaterials.

Salvia officinalis L. extract and its new food antioxidant formulations induce apoptosis through mitochondrial/ caspase pathway in leukemia L1210 cells

ABSTRACT Salvia officinalis, L. (Lamiaceae) is one of the most widespread herbal species used in the area of human health and in the foodprocessing industry. Salvia and its extracts are known to be a rich source of antioxidants. As shown previously, the crude ethanolic extract of salvia (SE) exerts lower anti-oxidative properties in lard compared to the new salvia food formulations No. 1 (SF1; 32% of SE + 68% of the emulsifier Dimodan S-T) and No. 2 (SF2; 32% of SE + 68% of the emulsifier Topcithin 50). The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the effects of the SE and its food formulations SF1 and SF2 on the toxicity and/or proliferation of L1210 leukemia cells. We found that SE and both SF1 and SF2 demonstrated different concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxic/antiproliferative cellular effects already within the first 24 h of the treatment. However, SE was nearly 10 times more effective than the new salvia food formulations SF1 and SF2. We investigated partially also the molecular mechanisms lying behind the action of SE, SF1 and SF2 induced apoptosis in our cell model. We found an apparent involvement of the mitochondrial/caspase-dependent pathway in the described processes. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed before salvia extract and its new antioxidant formulations can be included among the potential food antioxidants with protective properties against cancer.

Potential applications of fluorhydroxyapatite as biomaterials in medicine

The present work was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity and cytotoxicity of fluorhydroxyapatite ceramics. The bioactivity was evaluated by in vitro testing in simulated body fluid (SBF), in which ion concentrations are almost identical with inorganic ion concentrations of human blood plasma. Pellets of FA, HA and FHA were immersed in SBF for 48 hours, 1 week and 4 weeks at 36.5°C. Changes of the surface microstructure of the samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 48 hours and one week immersion in SBF did not result in any substantial progress in bioactivity. After 4 weeks in SBF a new biologically active layer was created on the surface of the biomaterials. In addition, the embryonal mouse fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3 was used for a comparative study of basal cytotoxicity of FHA, HA and FA discs. The sensitivity of these cells for tested biomaterials was evaluated on the basis of two cytotoxic end points: cell proliferation and cell morphology. The basal cytotoxicity of FHA, FA and HA discs was measured by a direct contact method. After 24, 48 and 72 hours, the cell growth was evaluated by direct counting of non-affected cells and cells treated by biomaterials. After 72 hours of biomaterials treatment, about 25% inhibition of cell number and unchanged morphology was found.

Carvacrol and rosemary oil at higher concentrations induce apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

ABSTRACT Natural essential oils are volatile herbal complex compounds which manifest cytotoxic effects on living cells depending on their type and concentration but usually they are not genotoxic. Our previous studies showed that carvacrol (CA) and rosemary essential oil (RO) induced growth inhibition of both human cell lines HepG2 and BHNF-1, with hepatoma HepG2 cells being more sensitive to either compound tested. Cytotoxic concentrations of CA and RO induced the formation of DNA strand breaks. Further ex vivo studies showed that extracts prepared from hepatocytes of CA- and RO-supplemented rats did not increase incision repair activity compared to extracts from liver cells of control animals. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the effect of cytotoxic concentrations of CA and RO on the cell cycle and the ability of both natural volatiles to induce DNA fragmentation and apoptotic death of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. These effects were measured after 24 h incubation of HepG2 cells with CA and RO using three independent methods - flow cytometry, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (electrophoresis) and micronucleus assay. Evaluation of morphological changes and formation of micronuclei in HepG2 cells showed no increase in the number of micronuclei in cells treated by CA and RO compared to control cells. On the other hand, CA and RO induced morphological changes typical for apoptosis in concentration-dependent manner. The presence of necrosis was negligible. Both natural compounds caused shrinking of cytoplasmic membrane and formation of apoptotic bodies. In addition, the highest concentrations of CA and RO induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (formation of DNA ladder) in HepG2 cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed the accumulation of cells in the G1 phase, which was accompanied by a reduction in the number of cells in the S phase after 24 h exposure to the substances tested. The cell division was thus slowed down or stopped and this process resulted in cell death

UVA-induced effects of 2,6-disubstituted 4-anilinoquinazolines on cancer cell lines

Five 2,6-substituted 4-anilinoquinazolines were evaluated for their ability to generate superoxide radical anion and singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation and to induce cytotoxic/phototoxic effects on cancer cell lines L1210, HeLa and HT-29. The formation of radical intermediates, especially reactive oxygen species, upon UVA photoexcitation of the studied derivatives was monitored by indirect techniques of EPR spectroscopy. For all 4-anilinoquinazolines the photoinduced generation of superoxide radical anion was evidenced using spin trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, and the presence of (1)O2 was detected by the oxidation of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine to the paramagnetic species 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl. The confirmed photoinduced activation of molecular oxygen via both Type I and Type II photooxidation mechanisms indicates potential phototoxic responses in cells. Biological results showed that derivatives I-V initiated different cytotoxic/phototoxic effects dependent on their concentration, time of treatment and the character of the cell line. UVA irradiation increased the cytotoxic activity of all tested 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives. The highest cytotoxicity/phototoxicity on all tested cancer cells was induced by N,2-diphenyl-quinazolin-4-amine (derivative III). This most effective derivative emerged as the potent photosensitizer, which possesses a significant antiproliferative activity and DNA damage in L1210 cells increased by UVA irradiation. In addition derivative III induced programmed cell death in leukemia cells through mitochondrial/caspase 9/caspase 3-dependent pathway.

COMPARISON OF MURINE FIBROBLAST CELL RESPONSE TO FLUOR-HYDROXYAPATITE COMPOSITE, FLUORAPATITE AND HYDROXYAPATITE BY ELUATE ASSAY

Fluorapatite (FA) is one of the inorganic constituents of bone or teeth used for hard tissue repairs and replacements. Fluor-hydroxyapatite (FHA) is a new synthetic composite that contains the same molecular concentration of OH(-) groups and F(-) ions. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the cellular responses of murine fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells in vitro to solid solutions of FHA and FA and to compare them with the effect of hydroxyapatite (HA). We studied 24, 48 and 72 h effects of biomaterials on cell morphology, proliferation and cell cycle of NIH-3T3 cells by eluate assay. Furthermore, we examined the ability of FHA, FA and HA to induce cell death and DNA damage. Our cytotoxic/antiproliferative studies indicated that any of tested biomaterials did not cause the total inhibition of cell division. Biomaterials induced different antiproliferative effects increasing in the order HA < FHA < FA which were time- and concentration-dependent. None of the tested biomaterials induced necrotic/apoptotic death of NIH-3T3 cells. On the other hand, after 72 h we found that FHA and FA induced G0/G1 arrest of NIH-3T3 cells, while HA did not affect any cell cycle phases. Comet assay showed that while HA demonstrated weaker genotoxicity, DNA damage induced by FHA and FA caused G0/G1 arrest of NIH-3T3 cells. Fluoridation of hydroxyapatite and different FHA and FA structure caused different cell response of NIH-3T3 cells to biomaterials.