Anticancer activity of ethanolic extract of propolis on AGS cell line

Introduction: Propolis is a natural product derived from various plant resins collected by honeybees, and has been used as a folk medicine for centuries. Propolis has been reported to exhibit a broad spectrum of activities including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) obtained from Dinaran area (Iran) on AGS human gastric cancer cell line. Methods: The ethanolic extract of samples was obtained by ethanol 96 and pure extract was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and used for experiments. The cytotoxic effects of various concentrations of EEP on AGS cells were investigated by MTT assay test after 24, 48, and 72 hours and compared with control cells. Results: The EEP inhibited the growth and proliferation of AGS human gastric cancer cell line. The antiproliferative effects were revealed in a dose and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values were recorded as 60, 30, and 15 (&mu;g/ml) in treatment times of 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the native EEP has strong antiproliferative effects against cancerous AGS cells. Thus, propolis and related products may provide a novel approach to the chemoprevention and treatment of human gastric cancer.</p

Morphological changes of apoptosis and cytotoxic effects induced by Caffeic acid phenethyl ester in AGS human gastric cancer cell line

Introduction: Gastric cancer is the fourth prevalent cancer and the second reason for cancer-associated mortalities worldwide. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is one of the main medicinal components of propolis. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological apoptotic changes and cytotoxic effects of CAPE in human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS cell). Methods: AGS human gastric cancer cell line was cultured in Dulbecco&rsquo;s Modified Eagle&rsquo;s Medium (DMEM) medium in vitro. Cytotoxic effects and morphological changes induced by 72 h treatment with CAPE at different concentrations on AGS cells were investigated by MTT assay test and inverted microscope, respectively. Results: CAPE in a concentration dependent fashion reduced viability of AGS cells. IC50 was obtained approximately 10 &mu;M at 72 h treatment. Also, CAPE induced concentration-dependent morphological apoptotic changes and promoted complete apoptosis program in AGS human gastric cancer cell line. Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that CAPE stimulates apoptotic process and leads to cell death. Therefore, CAPE could be useful in developing chemotherapeutic agents for treating human gastric cancer.</p

Le « roman national » de l’expédition Lewis et Clark

This article deals with the most recent and innovative forms of the praise of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806), a journey of exploration that was to become, over the decades, a founding myth of the United States. Various domains and examples – such as the lines written at the foot of commemorative statues, paintings, comic strips or “docufictions” – are used to give weight to the arguments, but the common point to those representations remains the need to relate this event in a fictional mode and, according to the reading of History adopted, to use it to precise aims. A “true-to-life novel” is thus crafted from mere facts and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, composed of military men, backwoodsmen, a slave and a few Native squaws, remains a perfect illustration of the various ways in which one can relate and read an event that fits into a national gest