Tímea Varjas

The effect of fenugreek on the gene expression of arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes

The main bioactive compounds of Trigonella foenum graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds are protodioscin, trigoneoside, diosgenin and yamogenin, which have anticarcinogenic potency through inhibition of cell proliferation and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Chemopreventive Effect of Panax ginseng

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been used in Chinese medicine for two thousand years. The root of ginseng contains several saponins (ginsenosides) which are biologically active compounds. Individual ginsenosides suppress tumor cell growth, induce cell differentiation, regulate apoptosis and inhibit metastasis formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate its chemo‐preventive effects in an animal test model, through its regulatory effects on apoptosis and the cell cycle.

Mixtures of Uncaria and Tabebuia extracts are potentially chemopreventive in CBA/Ca mice: a long‐term experiment

A long‐term experimental animal model was developed by our research group for the evaluation of potential chemopreventive effects. The inhibitory effects of agents on carcinogen (7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced molecular epidemiological biomarkers, in this case the expression of key onco/suppressor genes were investigated.

Expression of Circulating miR-155, miR-21, miR-221, miR-30a, miR-34a and miR-29a: Comparison of Colonic and Rectal Cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer is an increasing cause of death. Circulating microRNAs (miRs) could be great diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of colorectal cancer, but further continuation of their utility is needed for their comprehensive application. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients with colonic cancer, 16 with rectal cancer and 12 healthy volunteers as controls, were involved in this study. Expression of miR-155, miR-21, miR-221, miR-30a, miR-34a and miR-29a were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from sera of patients. Results: Expression of miR-155, miR-21 and miR-221 was significantly higher in rectal cancer than in colonic cancer. There was no difference found between those with TNM1 cancer and controls for both cancer types. miR-155, miR-34a and miR-29a were down-regulated in all patients with cancer compared to controls. We did not find any statistically significant up-regulation of miR-221 in patients with colonic cancer compared to controls. In contrast, in patients with rectal cancer, miR-221 expression was higher than in controls. Advanced stage was also linked to higher miR-221 expression compared to early stage. Slight, but statistically significant increase was observed in miR-30a expression in patients with colon cancer compared to control individuals. Conclusion: Our results partly support previous findings. Here we report on differences in the expression of circulating microRNA between colonic and rectal tumours for the first time.