Antiproliferative activity of Origanum compactum extract on lung cancer and hepatoma cells

Natural products have been shown to present interesting biological and pharmacological activities and are used as cancer preventive and therapeutic agents. Plants have historically been used in treating cancer and are recognized for their ability to produce secondary metabolites.Origanum compactum Benth. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known Moroccan plant with cancer-related ethnobotanical use. Previously, we demonstrated that ethyl acetate extract of O. compactum had antiproliferative potential on human breast tumor MCF-7 cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the antiproliferative effect of this extract was similar for diverse human cancer cell lines such as A549 lung cancer and SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells. Furthermore, this study essentially focused on the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide on A549 and SMMC-7721 cells. The characterization of the mechanisms involved in this effect was determined by lactate dehydrogenase test, apoptosis assays and protein expression analyses.Our present work has shown that this extract remarkably inhibited proliferation of A549 (IC50: 198 ± 12 μg/ml) and SMMC-7721 (IC50: 266 ± 14 μg/ml) cells. The characterization of antiproliferative activity demonstrated that this extract was an apoptosis inducer in both cell lines tested. The results of protein expression analyses have shown in A549 cells that this extract activated caspase signaling triggered by the modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. These results suggest that these natural extract-induced effects may have novel therapeutic applications for the treatment of various cancer types

Therapeutic Characteristics, Chemotherapy-Related Toxicities and Survivorship in Colorectal Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a major health problem around the globe. In Morocco, the disease ranks third after breast and lung cancers. This study is the first in Morocco to investigate epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features while exhaustively describing toxic side-effects to chemotherapy of CRC and studying the 3-years survivorship.METHODS: This is a descriptive and analytical retrospective study of about 290 patients with CRC enrolled during the period of January-December 2013. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate clinicopathological data with chemotherapy toxicity and survivorship in patients, by Chi2 test. Overall Survival (OS) rate has been calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using Log-rank test.RESULTS: Fifty-five percent had a tumor localized in rectum, and 42,8% in colon. Mean age of these patients at diagnosis was 56,16 ±14,6. incidence rate of adverse events (grade I to IV) was 85,6%. Diarrhea was the predominant toxicity (4.6%) occurring at a high grade (grade III-IV). The 3-years OS rate of patients with CRC was 71%. OS decreased by age, and patients with age subgroup between 40 to 59 years had a better OS than the other age subgroups (60 to 79 years and >80 years) with a p-value of 0.0001. Occurence of toxicity (all grades and types) was linked to a higher survival rates compared to the group who had no toxicity noticed (p-value of 0.001).CONCLUSION: Our study shows that patients who had a polychemotherapy had a better OS than those who had monotherapy (p-value of 0.002).&nbsp

The In Vivo Antidiabetic Activity of Nigella sativa Is Mediated through Activation of the AMPK Pathway and Increased Muscle Glut4 Content

The antidiabetic effect of N. sativa seed ethanol extract (NSE) was assessed in Meriones shawi after development of diabetes. Meriones shawi were divided randomly into four groups: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with NSE (2 g eq plant/kg) or with metformin (300 mg/kg) positive control, both administered by daily intragastric gavage for 4 weeks. Glycaemia and body weight were evaluated weekly. At study's end, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was performed to estimate insulin sensitivity. Upon sacrifice, plasma lipid profile, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels were assessed. ACC phosphorylation and Glut4 protein content were determined in liver and skeletal muscle. NSE animals showed a progressive normalization of glycaemia, albeit slower than that of metformin controls. Moreover, NSE increased insulinemia and HDL-cholesterol, compared to diabetic controls. Leptin and adiponectin were unchanged. NSE treatment decreased OGTT and tended to decrease liver and muscle triglyceride content. NSE stimulated muscle and liver ACC phosphorylation and increased muscle Glut4. These results confirm NSE's previously reported hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activity. More significantly, our data demonstrate that in vivo treatment with NSE exerts an insulin-sensitizing action by enhancing ACC phosphorylation, a major component of the insulin-independent AMPK signaling pathway, and by enhancing muscle Glut4 expression

Mise au point et validation d’une méthode conductimétrique pour la recherche des traces d’acide peracétique dans les eaux du dernier rinçage des équipements pharmaceutiques

The evaluation of the efficacy of the cleaning ofthe pharmaceutical equipments is estimated with several analytical techniques of control of the absence of residue of disinfectant and drugs in the waters of the last rinsing. The purpose of this study is to develop a conductivity metric method for search of the peracetic acid in the last rinse waters of the pharmaceutical manufacturing equipments.The calibration curve was established by measuring the specific conductivity of various solutions at 0, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 ppm of peracetic acid prepared by successive dilution from a stock solution which was previously determined the exact title. The method has been validated according to ICH conditions and the conductivity results were compared to those of the results of the reagent band.The conductivity metric method is linear in a concentration range between 0 to 10ppm (r = 0,985), accurate (CV=5,88%) and exact (the percentage of recovery was equal to 102,5 %).This conductivity metric method presents the advantage to be fast, simple and cheap. It can be recommended in the routine controls in the waters of last rinse to ensure efficiency and the compliance of the cleaning process and eventually may replace method of colour reagent band.L’évaluation de l’efficacité du nettoyage des équipements pharmaceutiques est estimée par plusieurs techniques analytiques de contrôle de l’absence de résidu de désinfectants et des médicaments dans les eaux du dernier rinçage. Le but de ce travail est de mettre au point et valider une technique plus sensible à savoir la conductimétrie pour la recherche de l’acide peracétique dans les dernières eaux de rinçage des équipements pharmaceutiques de fabrication. La droite d’étalonnage a été établie en mesurant la conductivité de différentes solutions filles à 0, 2, 3, 4, 5 et 10 ppm de l’acide peracétique préparé par dilution successive à partir d’une solution mère dont nous avons préalablement déterminé le titre exact. La méthode a été validée selon les conditions ICH et  SFSTP et  les résultats de la conductivité ont été comparés à ceux des résultats des bandelettes réactives habituellement utilisées. La méthode conductimétrique est linéaire dans un intervalle de concentration compris entre 0 et 10ppm (r = 0,985), fidèle (CV=5,88%) et exacte (le  pourcentage de  recouvrement moyen était égal à 102,5%). Cette méthode conductimétrique présente l’avantage d’être rapide, simple et peu onéreuse. Elle peut être préconisée aux contrôles de routine afin de garantir l’efficacité et la conformité du procédé de nettoyage et éventuellement peut remplacer la méthode colorimétrique des bandelettes réactives

Acute toxicity and antibacterial activity of Corrigiola telephiifolia root Extracts (Caryophyllaceae)

National audienc

Fatal pesticides poisoning in Morocco (2000–2005)

Introduction: Acute poisoning by pesticides become more and more frequent, it's an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological profile of fatal pesticide poisoning deaths in Morocco between 2000 and 2005. Materials and methods: A retrospective study, covering the period from January 2000 to December 2005 was based on database of Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology in the National Institute of Health in Morocco included all positives results in pesticides analysis. Cases were analyzed according to the following criteria: gender, age, origine, poisoning type and class of pesticide. Results: In the period of study, from total of 3104 analysis performed in the laboratory, 130 cases (4.2%) were related with fatal pesticides poisoning deaths which were classified as a suicide in 23.1% cases, as an uncertain in 75% and accidental in 1.5%. 51% of cases were related to males and 48% to females. The most represented city was Rabat with 55 cases (42.3%). Insecticides (organophosphorus, organochlorine and carbamates) were the most frequent cause of fatal pesticides poisoning (75.2%), followed by aluminum phosphide (21.5%), one case of pyrethroid and one case of coumarinic anticoagulant were found. Conclusion: In spite of the effort made in the rules of pesticides in Morocco, the government must develop a strong system which can attribute to prevent this poisoning

Mise au point et validation d’une méthode conductimétrique pour la recherche des traces d’acide peracétique dans les eaux du dernier rinçage des équipements pharmaceutiques

The evaluation of the efficacy of the cleaning ofthe pharmaceutical equipments is estimated with several analytical techniques of control of the absence of residue of disinfectant and drugs in the waters of the last rinsing. The purpose of this study is to develop a conductivity metric method for search of the peracetic acid in the last rinse waters of the pharmaceutical manufacturing equipments.The calibration curve was established by measuring the specific conductivity of various solutions at 0, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 ppm of peracetic acid prepared by successive dilution from a stock solution which was previously determined the exact title. The method has been validated according to ICH conditions and the conductivity results were compared to those of the results of the reagent band.The conductivity metric method is linear in a concentration range between 0 to 10ppm (r = 0,985), accurate (CV=5,88%) and exact (the percentage of recovery was equal to 102,5 %).This conductivity metric method presents the advantage to be fast, simple and cheap. It can be recommended in the routine controls in the waters of last rinse to ensure efficiency and the compliance of the cleaning process and eventually may replace method of colour reagent band.L’évaluation de l’efficacité du nettoyage des équipements pharmaceutiques est estimée par plusieurs techniques analytiques de contrôle de l’absence de résidu de désinfectants et des médicaments dans les eaux du dernier rinçage. Le but de ce travail est de mettre au point et valider une technique plus sensible à savoir la conductimétrie pour la recherche de l’acide peracétique dans les dernières eaux de rinçage des équipements pharmaceutiques de fabrication. La droite d’étalonnage a été établie en mesurant la conductivité de différentes solutions filles à 0, 2, 3, 4, 5 et 10 ppm de l’acide peracétique préparé par dilution successive à partir d’une solution mère dont nous avons préalablement déterminé le titre exact. La méthode a été validée selon les conditions ICH et  SFSTP et  les résultats de la conductivité ont été comparés à ceux des résultats des bandelettes réactives habituellement utilisées. La méthode conductimétrique est linéaire dans un intervalle de concentration compris entre 0 et 10ppm (r = 0,985), fidèle (CV=5,88%) et exacte (le  pourcentage de  recouvrement moyen était égal à 102,5%). Cette méthode conductimétrique présente l’avantage d’être rapide, simple et peu onéreuse. Elle peut être préconisée aux contrôles de routine afin de garantir l’efficacité et la conformité du procédé de nettoyage et éventuellement peut remplacer la méthode colorimétrique des bandelettes réactives

Using in vitro tensile strength test to monitoring quality and effectiveness of suture in the oral environment

Sutures are medical devices used in surgery. They serve as tissues stabilizers in contact with or near to the surgical site without compromising the healing process. They must keep their physical properties for the necessary time, in particular tensile strength. In view of the wide variety of references offered by all specialtys combined, which supply sutures with all materials described, whose use is indicated for all surgical procedures. The objective of this work is to evaluate the tensile strength of absorbable and non-absorbable sutures for a period of 10 to 28 days under conditions simulated by the oral route. 5 sutures materials were tested with a metric diameter of 1.5 and 4.The tensile strength test was used according to the protocol of the European Pharmacopoeia (Eur.Ph.9.5). 5 fragments of each material were measured before and after their immersion in Artificial Saliva (AS). In AS, the Polypropylene suture significantly maintained (p = 5%) its tensile strength compared to that of Polyamide. For absorbable sutures, a loss of more than 70% of their initial strength was marked on the 7th day of immersion. In view of the results obtained, during oral surgical operations, the material of choice is in favor of Propylene

Metformin-induced regulation of the intestinal D-glucose transporters.

International audienceMetformin is an orally administered drug that lowers blood glucose and improves insulin sensitivity in patients with non insulin-dependent diabetes. Although the antihyperglycemic effect of metformin has been extensively studied, its cellular mechanism(s) of action (including the effect on enterocyte) remains to be defined. This study was designed to examine the effect of metformin on glucose transporters in enterocyte. Na(+)-dependent glucose transporter-1 (SGLT-1) activity was followed as glucose-induced short-circuit current (Isc) in Ussing chambers. The effect of metformin (10 micromol/L, 3 min) on transmural glucose transport was studied in isolated rat jejunal loops. Its impact on abundance of transporters SGLT-1 and GLUT2 in jejunal brush border membranes (BBM) and its effect on the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha2 subunit was studied by western blot. Acute effect of metformin was also measured in vivo by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Metformin markedly inhibited glucose-induced Isc (approximately 77%) after mucosal addition. In addition, metformin reduced the glucose-induced abundance of SGLT-1 in BBM and increased those of GLUT2, concomitantly increasing the phosphorylation of intracellular AMPKalpha2. This effect of metformin was also observed using non-metabolizable sugar alpha3-O-methyl glucose. Transmural glucose transport measured in vitro was increased by 22% under metformin. Finally, oral metformin markedly increased glucose tolerance in OGTT. In conclusion, metformin slightly increases intestinal glucose absorption by inducing a re-distribution of glucose transporters in BBM through AMPK control in enterocyte. In addition to its action to other splanchnic tissues, this could constitute a peripheral signal contributing to the beneficial effect of metformin on glucose tolerance