Zolkapli Eshak

Anti-proliferative effect of Tinaspora crispa (L.) Hook. F. & Thompson and Gelam (Melaleuca sp.) honey on several cancer cell lines

Tinaspora crispa and Gelam (Melaleuca sp.) honey were identified as potential anti-proliferative agents due to presence of high antioxidant activity. In this research, human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cell lines were treated with both extracts and further diagnosed the viability using 3- (4,5 - dimethylthiazol-2-y) - 5 - (3-carboxymetaxyphenyl) 2- (4- sulphophenyl) - 2H - tetrazolium (MTS) assay. T.crispa and Gelam honey have showed anti-proliferative effects to selected cancer cell lines. The maximal effect of T. crispa and Gelam honey were demonstrated on HepG2 (IC50 = 9.13 µg/ml) and HCT116 (IC50 = 3.98 %, v/v) accordingly. In addition, we revealed that Gelam honey exhibited anti-proliferative effect on MCF-7. While the finest preparation of T.crispa crude extract revealed a potential result compared to previous studies. Total phenolic content may play the major role in demonstrating anti-proliferative effect, which was measured parallel as the main source of antioxidant activity.

Silver nanoparticles Clinacanthus Nutans leaves extract induced apoptosis towards oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate apoptotic activity of silver nanoparticle Clinacanthus nutans (AgNps-CN) towards HSC-4 cell lines (oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines). Methods: Methods involved were MTT assay (cytotoxic activity), morphological cells analysis, flow cytometry and cell cycle analysis and western blot. Results: MTT assay revealed IC50 concentration was 1.61 µg/mL, 3T3-L1 cell lines were used to determine whether AgNps-CN is cytotoxic to normal cells. At the highest concentration (3 µg/mL), no cytotoxic activity has been observed. Flow cytometry assay revealed AgNps-CN caused apoptosis effects towards HSC-4 cell lines with significant changes were observed at G1 phase when compared with untreated cells. Morphological cells analysis revealed that most of the cells exhibit apoptosis characteristics rather than necrosis. Protein study revealed that ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 increased mainly due to down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression. Conclusion: AgNps-CN have shown potential in inhibiting HSC-4 cell lines. IC50 was low compared to few studies involving biosynthesized of silver nanoparticles. Apoptosis effects were shown towards HSC-4 cell lines by the increased in Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio. Further study such as PCR or in vivo studies are required.

Regression of solid breast tumours in mice by Newcastle disease virus is associated with production of apoptosis related-cytokines

Background Different strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) worldwide proved to have tumouricidal activity in several types of cancer cells. However, the possible anti-cancer activity of Malaysian NDV AF2240 strain and its mechanism of action remains unknown. The ability of cytokine-related apoptosis-inducing NDV AF2240 to treat breast cancer was investigated in the current study. Methods A total of 90 mice were used and divided into 15 groups, each group comprising of 6 mice. Tumour, body weight and mortality of the mice were determined throughout the experiment, to observe the effect of NDV and NDV+Tamoxifen treatments on the mice. In addition, the toxic effect of the treatments was determined through liver function test. In order to elucidate the involvement of cytokine production induced by NDV, a total of six cytokines, i.e. IL-6, IFN-γ, MCP-1, IL-10, IL12p70 and TNF-α were measured using cytometric bead array assay (plasma) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (isolated splenocytes). Results The results demonstrated that 4T1 breast cancer cells in allotransplanted mice treated with AF2240 showed a noticeable inhibition in tumour growth and induce apoptotic-related cytokines. Conclusion NDV AF2240 suppression of breast tumour growth is associated with induction of apoptotic-related cytokines.

Strobilanthes crispus Juice Concentrations and Anticancer Effects on DNA Damage, Apoptosis and Gene Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing in many countries. Plant products can be used to protect against cancer due to natural anticancer and chemopreventive constituents. Strobilanthes crispus is one of plants with potential chemopreventive ability. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects of Strobilanthes crispus juice on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS MTT assays, flow cytometry, comet assays and the reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to determine the effects of juice on DNA damage and cancer cell numbers. RESULTS This juice induced apoptosis after exposure of the HepG2 cell line for 72 h. High percentages of apoptotic cell death and DNA damage were seen at the juice concentrations above 0.1%. It was found that the juice was not toxic for normal cells. In addition, juice exposure increased the expression level of c-myc gene and reduced the expression level of c-fos and c-erbB2 genes in HepG2 cells. The cytotoxic effects of juice on abnormal cells were in dose dependent. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that the Strobilanthes crispus juice may have chemopreventive effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.