Development and characterization of MCF7 mammary carcinoma xenografts in a non-immunocompromised rat model

Purpose: To investigate the development of mammary tumours in female Sprague-dawley rats through a simple subcutaneous injection of human adenocarcinoma breast cells (MCF7) in combination with basement membrane matrix (BME).Methods: Nine Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group A received no injection, group B was injected with MCF7 cells at a cell density of 7.2 x 106/ml, and group C was co-injected with MCF7 and BME at 7.2 x 106/ml and 3.158 mg/ml, respectively. Tumour growth was observed over a duration of 70 days. Hematological analysis was performed using differential blood cell counts. Histological evaluation was carried out using standard LM techniques and H&E staining.Results: At day 35, RBC concentration across all groups was 8.10 x 106/mm3, whereas by day 70 the range decreased to (7.64 – 7.87) x 106/mm3. White blood cells (WBCs) were within normal range up to day 35, but monocytes and lymphocytes displayed an increase in concentration for group C. Mammary tissues from the thoracic region showed evidence of MCF7 cellular proliferation in both groups B and C.Conclusion: This study reveals that BME enhances tumour growth. Further studies are required to investigate optimization strategies for the development of mammary tumours in alternative recipient animal.Keywords: Tumour induction, MCF7, Histopathology, Thoracic mammary gland, Mammary tumour, Basement membrane matri

Nutritional composition and cytoyoxicity studies of black monkey (Strychnos madagascariensis) ripe fruit

Strychnos madagascariensis also known as black monkey orange is found in tropical and subtropical Africa including South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland. The fruit is consumed traditionally as food in the northern coastal region of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and the Southern part of Zimbabwe. This study investigated the nutritional, anti-nutritional composition, and cytotoxicity of S. madagascariensis ripe fruit. Fruits were randomly selected, and the parameters of each experiment were measured in triplicates. The seed coat and fruit pulp were analysed for proximate, mineral and anti-nutrients (phytic and oxalic acid) composition using standard protocols. The cytotoxic effect of methanolic extracts from the fruit parts of S. madagascariensis was tested on human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines using the MTT [3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] cell proliferation assay. The fruit pulp’s moisture (6%), ash (11%), protein (5%), fat (1%), fibre (12%), and carbohydrate (12%) contents were significantly different (P<0.05) from the compositions of the fruit pulp (5% moisture, 5% ash, 4% protein, 33% fat, 8% fibre and 11% carbohydrate). The minerals analysed were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the fruit pulp compared to the seed coat (testa). The fruit's seed coat and fruit pulp's methanolic extracts did not show any significant toxicity in the HEK293 cell line. The seed coat's methanolic extract exhibited moderate toxicity in the HeLa cell line. The methanolic extracts from both fruit parts showed a dose-dependent effect in HEK293 and HeLa cell lines. The results of the cytotoxicity analysis revealed the safe nature of the fruit pulp while caution needs to be taken when consuming the seed coat. The seed coat contained 1.39±0.01% phytic acid, but oxalic acid and phytic acid were not detected in the fruit pulp. This study suggests that the fruit parts could serve as a source of potassium, magnesium, and nitrogen, but poor sources of protein, carbohydrates, and fat (pulp).http://ajfand.netBiochemistr

THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF SOME PLANT DERIVED TRITERPENES

Background: The increase in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria has necessitated the search for new antimicrobials from alternative sources such as traditional medicinal plants. Materials and Methods: The agar well diffusion method was employed to determine the susceptibilities of four plant derived triterpenes namely, 3β-hydroxylanosta-9, 24-dien-21-oic acid (RA5), and methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9, 24-dien-21oate (RA3), a mixture of oleanolic acid and betulinic acid (SF1) and a mixture of 3β-acetonyloleanolic acid and 3β-acetonylbetulinic acid (SF2), at a concentration of 10 mg/ml against seven Escherichia coli, one Bacillus cereus, five Enterococcus and nine Vibrio bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined through the micro-broth dilution assay. The checkerboard method was used to determine the antibiotictriterpene interactions while the cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase test was used to determine the membrane damaging potentials of the triterpenes in comparison to 3% Triton X-100. Results: The triterpenes RA3, RA5, SF1 and SF2 had activities against 86.4%, 54.6%, 22.7% and 9.09% of the test bacteria respectively. SF1 had the lowest MIC values ranging 0.625-10 mg/ml with lower MIC values being noted against Gram negative bacteria in comparison to Gram positive bacteria; this trend was also noted among the activities of RA3 and RA5 although they had higher MIC value ranges of 1.25-10 mg/ml and 5- 10 mg/ml respectively. MBC studies proved the triterpenes to be mostly bacteriostatic. The interaction studies with ciprofloxacin were mainly ranging between indifference and antagonism. RA3 alone showed minimal membrane damaging potential with the levels of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase released ranging from 1-36% in comparison to 3%Triton X-100 against E.coli (DSM-8695) and V. vulnificus (AL 042). Conclusion: The results hereby show the potential that the test triterpenes have as antibacterial agents, especially against the Gram negative bacteria namely E. coli and Vibrio bacteri

Effects of methanolic crude extracts Inula glomerata and Salacia kraussii on erectile dysfunction

Inula glomerata Oliv. & Hiern and Salacia kraussii (Harv.) Harv are medicinal plants used by traditional healers in remote areas of Mbazwana, Northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa for ameliorating male sexual disorders including erectile dysfunction (ED), low sperm count and early ejaculation. The study aimed at determining the ameliorative effect of the methanolic crude extracts of Inula glomerata (I. glomerata) and Salacia kraussii (S. kraussii) on butanol-induced erectile dysfunction in Sprague Dawley rats. The crude extract was prepared by maceration using methanol. Animal study was conducted whereby thirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into seven experimental groups: normal group, n-but (10 mg/kg), n-but+ Ig (50 and 250 mg/kg), n-but+ Sk (50 and 250 mg/kg) and n-but+ Cialis (5mg/kg). The experiment lasted for 28 days, after which various biochemical assays (acetylcholinesterase, ACE, arginase, testosterone, and uric acid) was done. The cytotoxicity of the crude extracts was also determined. The results revealed that n-butanol induced erectile dysfunction in the rats by decreasing mounting frequency, testosterone and nitric oxide level and simultaneously elevated the activities of arginase and acetylcholinesterase. The plants however, inhibited arginase and acetylcholinesterase when compared to the untreated. Furthermore, the plants’ extracts were able to increase the level of testosterone and nitric oxide. It can be inferred that both plants could be promising natural therapy for erectile dysfunction. Nonetheless, the plants’ extracts are toxic hence should be taken with caution.Research Committee of University of Zululand and National Research Foundation (NRF).https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajbrBiochemistryGenetic