Anti-invasion and anti-metastasis effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) hydroalcoholic extract on glioblastoma multiforme cell line model

OBJECTIVE: Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the malignant brain tumors and despite recent advancements in cancer treatment remains largely incurable. Cancer invasion has a cascade of interrelated and sequential steps, including cell adhesion, extracellular matrix degradation, and cell movement. Hence, inhibition of the invasion-associated steps could be a potential strategy for prolonging the life of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-invasion and anti-metastasis effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) hydro-alcoholic extract on glioblastoma multiforme cell line (U87MG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hydro-alcoholic extract was prepared, and the cell line was treated with 1000, 500, 250, 125, and 62.5 µg / ml of extract for 24, 48, and 72 hr. Cell viability was evaluated. The effect of extract (IC50 concentration) on cancer cell invasion potential was tested. The expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, uPA, uPAR, p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK were analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed by Tukey’s test one-way analysis of variance and differences were considered significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: After treatment with extract, the cells viability was decrease in a concentration- and time-dependent. IC50 concentration of dandelion extract significantly decreased the cell migration by 32% (p<0.05), cell invasion potential by 77% (p<0.05) and cell adhesion by 51% (p<0.05). Also, the expression levels of proteolytic enzymes associated with matrix and base membrane degradation (MMP-2, MMP-9, and uPA) were decreased and the levels of their endogenous inhibitors (TIMP1 and TIMP2) were increased. Moreover, the p38MAPK and SAPK/JNK signaling pathway, which stimulates proteolytic enzymes and matrix degradation, was inhibited by extract treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Dandelion extract reduced the viability and invasion potential of the glioblastoma cells by regulating proteolytic enzymes and matrix dynamics through the p38MAPK and SAPK/JNK pathway

CXCL12-CXCR4 axis: its role and the drug inhibitors on each type of cancers

Objective: Chemokine 12, C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12), and its receptor C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 4 (CXCR4), both play essential and critical roles in the development of different types of cancers. Almost, in all of the cancers, overexpression of these two chemokines is a key to diagnose of cancers and lead them to progress, an increment in proliferation, the invasive feature of different cell lines, metastasis, and a noticeable decrement in apoptosis. Although the impact of this axis on cancer development is known and investigated, there was no review article about this molecular pathway and the drug effects on this cascade is not written. In this regard, we probed the researches about this intracellular process and the drugs that are useful for suppressing it on one-by-one cancer. Materials and Methods: We reviewed this study with scientific keywords in ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Our research process was to review every study that has looked at this process in every cancer, as well as the drugs selected to treat cancer from 14 years ago onwards. Results: Our researches showed that there are some inhibitors that are introduced in order to block the pathway in many cancers. In addition, the data related to the effect of this pathway on some types of cancers are not enough. Conclusions: Summing up, the present study clears a route to suppress the invasion of cancers and bold the tips that have not been worked on yet

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of autophagy cell death in the human prostate cancer cell lines by Trifolium Pratens L. hydroalcoholic extract

Objective: Prostate cancer is one of the most lethal forms of human cancer and paclitaxel is currently part of standard treatment for it. Combination therapy can enhance the anti-cancer activity of chemotherapy agents. Trifolium pratense L. has been suggested for cancer treatment in traditional medicine. In this study the effect of T. pratense hydroalcoholic extract on two prostate cell lines and normal fibroblast cells was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, cells were treated with T. pratense extract and viability was evaluated using trypan blue staining, MTT assay, and lactate dehydrogenase activity measurement. Apoptosis and autophagy cell death were detected and quantified by fluorescent dyes staining. Nitric oxide production was measured using Griess reaction. Changes in expression level of some apoptotic and autophagic- related genes were investigated using Real-time PCR. The combination effect of extract and paclitaxel was evaluated by calculating the combination index and dose reduction index values. Results: After treatment with T. pratense extract, the cell viability was significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner (p0.05). Apoptosis and autophagy cell death were significantly increased (p<0.05). Also, T. pratense extract significantly decreased NO production (p<0.05) by cancer cells. Combination of paclitaxel and T. pratense extract had a synergistic cytotoxic effect. Conclusions: T. pratense showed an anti-cancer property via induction of apoptosis and autophagy cell death in prostate cancer cell lines

Novel approaches to reduce temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma multiforme: a review of the literature

Temozolomide (TMZ), an oral alkylating agent, is currently used as a part of standard treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is considered one of the most lethal forms of human cancers, and despite recent improvement in cancer therapy, it remains an incurable disease, with a rare long-term survival of the patients due to the rapid emergence of cell clones resistant to treatment. Like other chemotherapeutic agents, resistance to TMZ is the major therapeutic obstacle to effective therapy; thereby, the development of new therapeutic strategies is required to overcome this problem. In the present review, an overview of the recent works on the reduction of TMZ resistance is presented

An overview of therapeutic potentials of Rosa canina: a traditionally valuable herb

Rosa canina L. (Rosacea family) is an ornamental plant with erect prickly shrub and fragrant pink or white flowers, grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape designs projects. It is native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. Its fruits are extensively used worldwide in food preparation. It is traditionally proposed as a dietary supplement and herbal remedy for the prevention and treatment of different human diseases. This review aimed to investigate the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of R. canina in traditional medicine and scientific papers. Results from numerous studies indicated that this plant owned many biological potencies, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, pain reduction, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, neuroprotective, genoprotective, anti-obesity, skin-whitening, and anti-biotic resistance reversal activity as well as exerting a positive influence on the osteoarthritis, anxiety, depression, recognition memory, urinary and reproductive systems disorders, and neutrophil respiratory burst. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of action for these properties is not fully recognized. Due to the lack of toxicity and side effects, this plant has been considered as a valuable complementary drug for various diseases. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the reported promising experimental effects in clinical use

An overview of therapeutic potentials of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion): a traditionally valuable herb with a reach historical background

Taraxacum officinale or dandelion (Asteraceae or Compositae family), is an edible plant spread worldwide. It has been believed that dandelion originated in Greece, or perhaps the Northern Himalayas, and spread across temperate areas to Europe and Asia Minor. Dandelion is widely used worldwide in food products. It is traditionally proposed as a dietary supplement and herbal remedy for the prevention, management, and treatment of various human diseases. This review intended to investigate the pharmacological and therapeutic features of dandelion in traditional medicine and scientific documents. Results from several studies indicated that this plant owned numerous biological potencies, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunostimulatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, geno-protective, diuretic and kidney-protective, hepato-protective, neuro-protective, anti-depressant, lung-protective, pancreas-protective, and differentiation-inducing actions as well as exerting a positive influence on dyslipidemia, hematological profile, stomach motility, fatigue, and bifidobacteria. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of action for these features is not fully understood. All the studies done on dandelion involved experimental animal studies as well as some human studies and cell cultures, and no clinical data are available for the claimed benefits in the prevention and treatment/management of diseases. Available published data about animal and human studies, both in vitro and in vivo showed great potentials for the use of dandelion as therapy in most diseases. For such a ubiquitous herb, well-designed human studies are surprisingly rare. Due to the lack of toxicity and side effects, this plant has been considered as a worthwhile complementary drug. Further clinical trials are required to validate the reported promising experimental effects in clinical use. Here we reviewed the studies that validated the efficacy of dandelion claimed by traditional healers

A three dimensional in vivo model of breast cancer using a thermosensitive chitosan‐based hydrogel and 4 T1 cell line in Balb/c

The two-dimensional (2D) models of breast cancer still exhibit a limited success. Whereas, three-dimensional (3D) models provide more similar conditions to the tumor for growth of cancer cells. In this regard, a 3D in vivo model of breast cancer using 4 T1 cells and chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogel were designed. Chitosan/β-glycerol phosphate hydrogel (Ch/β-GP) was prepared with a final ratio of 2% and 10%. The hydrogel properties were examined by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, MTT assay, pH, scanning electron microscopy, and biodegradability assay. 3D model of breast cancer was induced by injection of 1 × 106 4 T1 cells in 100 μl hydrogel and 2D model by injection of 1 × 106 4 T1 cells in 100 μl phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) subcutaneously. After 3 weeks, induced tumors were evaluated by size and weight determination, ultrasound, hematoxylin- and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining and evaluating of cancer stem cells with CD44 and CD24 markers. The results showed that hydrogel with physiological pH had no cytotoxicity. In 3D model, tumor size and weight increased significantly (p ≤.001) in comparison with 2D model. Histological and ultrasound analysis showed that 3D tumor model was more similar to breast cancer. Expression of CD44 and CD24 markers in the 3D model was more than 2D model (p ≤.001). This 3D in vivo model of breast cancer mimicked native tumor and showed malignant tissue properties. Therefore, the use of such models can be effective in various cancer studies, especially in the field of cancer stem cell