Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Activities of Methanolic Extracts from Ligustrum vulgare L. as an Individual Treatment and in Combination with Palladium Complex

The aim of this study is to examine the growth inhibitory effects of methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of L. vulgare on HCT-116 cells over different time periods and their synergistic effect with a Pd(apox) complex. The antiproliferative activity of plant extracts alone or in combination with the Pd(apox) complex was determined using MTT cell viability assay, where the IC50 value was used as a parameter of cytotoxicity. Results show that antiproliferative effects of L. vulgare extracts increase with extension of exposure time, with decreasing IC50 values, except for 72 h where the IC50 values for methanolic leaf extract were lower than for the fruit extract. The Pd(apox) complex alone had a weak antiproliferative effect, but combination with L. vulgare extracts caused stronger effects with lower IC50 values than with L. vulgare extracts alone. The type of cell death was explored by fluorescence microscopy using the acridin orange/ethidium bromide method. Treatments with plant extracts caused typical apoptotic morphological changes in HCT-116 cells and co-treatments with Pd(apox) complex caused higher levels of apoptotic cells than treatment with plant extracts alone. The results indicate that L. vulgare is a considerable source of natural bioactive substances with antiproliferative activity on HCT-116 cells and which have a substantial synergistic effect with the Pd(apox) complex

Alteration of oxidative stress parameters in red blood cells of rats after chronic in vivo treatment with cisplatin and selenium

In this study we evaluated the possible protective effects of selenium (Se) on hematological and oxidative stress parameters in rats chronically treated with cisplatin (cisPt). Four groups of Wistar albino rats were examined: a control, untreated rats (I), rats treated with Se (II), rats treated with cisPt (III), and rats treated with Se and cisPt (IV). All animals were treated for 5 days successively and killed 24 h after the last treatment. Hematological and oxidative stress parameters were followed in whole blood and red blood cells (RBC). Results showed that the chronic application of Se was followed by a higher number of reticulocytes and platelets, increased lipid peroxidation and GSH content in the RBC. Cisplatin treatment induced depletion of RBC and platelet numbers and an elevation of the superoxide anion, nitrites and glutathione levels. Se and cisPt co-treatment was followed by an elevation of the hematological parameters and the recovery of the glutathione status when compared to the control and cisPt-treated rats

Effects of acute treatment of vitamin C on redox and antioxidative metabolism in plasma and red blood cells of rats

Ascorbic acid (Vit C) is a reducing agent that efficiently quenches potentially damaging free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of high acute dose of Vit C on redox and antioxidative status in blood of rats. Our study included two groups of Wistar albino rats: I - untreated group (control); II - group treated with Vit C (500 mg/kg bw, i.p.). In all cases animals were sacrificed after three days of treatment and blood samples were taken at the day of sacrifice. Concentration of Heinz bodies (HB) was determined in whole blood, while the concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), as well as, parameters of antioxidative defense system were followed in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Our results showed that Vit C treatment induced higher levels of peroxynitrites and lipid peroxidation in plasma. In RBC, Vit C induced higher level of HB, GSSG/2 GSH ratio and glutathione peroxidase activity, while decreased glutathione reductase activity. In conclusion, acute high doses of Vit C act as prooxidant and induced oxidative stress that resulted in lipid peroxidation in plasma and hemoglobin oxidation in RBC. .Projekat ministarstva br. 143035

Effects of acute treatment of vitamin C on redox and antioxidative metabolism in plasma and red blood cells of rats

Ascorbic acid (Vit C) is a reducing agent that efficiently quenches potentially damaging free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of high acute dose of Vit C on redox and antioxidative status in blood of rats. Our study included two groups of Wistar albino rats: I - untreated group (control); II - group treated with Vit C (500 mg/kg bw, i.p.). In all cases animals were sacrificed after three days of treatment and blood samples were taken at the day of sacrifice. Concentration of Heinz bodies (HB) was determined in whole blood, while the concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), as well as, parameters of antioxidative defense system were followed in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Our results showed that Vit C treatment induced higher levels of peroxynitrites and lipid peroxidation in plasma. In RBC, Vit C induced higher level of HB, GSSG/2 GSH ratio and glutathione peroxidase activity, while decreased glutathione reductase activity. In conclusion, acute high doses of Vit C act as prooxidant and induced oxidative stress that resulted in lipid peroxidation in plasma and hemoglobin oxidation in RBC. .Projekat ministarstva br. 143035