Extracts from felina 32 hemp inflorescences in cancer: an in vitro study.

Cannabis sativa L. is a plant traditionally cultivated as a source of fibers and nutrients. Recently, the interest toward its medical uses is growing, owing to the highlighted therapeutic potential of its numerous phytoconstituents, including anticancer properties [1]. In this context, our work aimed at evaluating the antiproliferative properties of C. sativa var. Felina 32 inflorescences, collected in June and September, in relation to non-psychoactive cannabinoid and caryophyllane sesquiterpene content. Inflorescences were subjected to Bligh-Dyer extraction, to obtain two terpenoid-rich organic fractions, namely JOF (June Organic Fraction) and SOF (September Organic Fraction). Extracts were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine the major non-psychoactive cannabinoids and caryophyllane sesquiterpenes. The cytotoxicity of JOF, SOF and the major compounds detected at GC/MS, alone or in combination, was evaluated in different cancer cell lines. The endocannabinoid system involvement in the antiproliferative effects of the samples was assessed using CB1 and CB2 receptor inhibitors. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis were performed to confirm the mechanistic hypothesis. Results highlighted cannabidiol, cannabichromene, β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide and α-humulene as the major compounds, with higher amount in SOF compared to JOF. The extracts and the pure compounds inhibited cancer cell proliferation, with higher potency towards MDA-MB-468 cells. Interestingly, the pure compound combinations induced cytotoxic effects similar to those of the extracts. After treatment with CB1 and CB2 inhibitors, the cytotoxicity of JOF, SOF and cannabidiol was not reduced; conversely, a slight lowering of β-caryophyllene and cannabichromene cytotoxicity was highlighted, thus suggesting that CB2 receptor activation can partly contribute to their activity. This hypothesis was deepened by evaluating the effect of JOF, SOF and pure compounds on the CB2 protein expression. In conclusion, Felina 32 hemp inflorescences can be an interesting bioactive phytocomplex with antiproliferative properties, likely due to the synergistic interactions between nonpsycoactive terpenoids and caryophyllane sesquiterpenes

PLA and PBAT-Based Electrospun Fibers Functionalized with Antibacterial Bio-Based Polymers

Antimicrobial fibers based on biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA),and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are prepared byelectrospinning. For this purpose, a biodegradable/bio-based polyitaconatecontaining azoles groups (PTTI) is incorporated at 10 wt.% into theelectrospinning formulations. The resulting fibers functionalized with azolemoieties are uniform and free of beads. Then, the accessible azole groups aresubjected toN-alkylation, treatment that provides cationic azolium groupswith antibacterial activity at the surface of fibers. The positive charge density,roughness, and wettability of the cationic fibers are evaluated and comparedwith flat films. It is confirmed that these parameters exert an important effecton the antimicrobial properties, as well as the length of the alkylating agentand the hydrophobicity of the matrix. The quaternized PLA/PTTI fibers exhibitthe highest efficiency against the tested bacteria, yielding a 4-Log reductionagainstS. aureusand 1.7-Log against MRSA. Then, biocompatibility andbioactivity of the fibers are evaluated in terms of adhesion, morphology andviability of fibroblasts. The results show no cytotoxic effect of the samples,however, a cytostatic effect is appreciated, which is ascribed to the strongelectrostatic interactions between the positive charge at the fiber surface andthe negative charge of the cell membranesThis work was funded by the MICINN (PID2019-104600RB-I00), the Agen-cia Estatal de Investigación (AEI, Spain) and Fondo Europeo de DesarrolloRegional (FEDER, EU) and by CSIC (LINKA20364). A.C. acknowledges MI-CIU for his FPU fellowship FPU18/01776. The negativ exponents were cor-rected on January 16, 202

Progress in edge plasma turbulence modelling hierarchy of models from 2D transport application to 3D fluid simulations in realistic tokamak geometry

International audienceThis contribution presents the recent effort at CEA and French federation for Fusion to simulate edge plasma transport with the new code SOLEDGE3X. The latter can be used both as a 2D transport code or as a 3D turbulence code. It makes possible simulating edge plasma up to the first wall including the complex wall geometry. It also includes neutral recycling and impurity sputtering, seeding and transport. In order to improve turbulence description in transport simulation, a reduced model for turbulence intensity prediction has been derived and implemented, based on "kepsilon" like models from the neutral fluid community. Applications to a JET L-mode detached plasma and to a WEST plasma are used as illustration of the code abilitie

INTERPRETATIVE MODELING OF IMPURITY TRANSPORT AND TUNGSTEN SOURCES IN WEST BOUNDARY PLASMA

International audienceThe contamination of core plasma by high-Z impurities, especially tungsten (W), is the main reason of very high level of radiated power in WEST experiments. Intrinsic light impurities, mainly oxygen and carbon, play a dominant role in the sputtering of W on plasma facing components. In this contribution, we present a detailed analysis of WEST experiments supported by numerical modeling performed with the transport code SOLEDGE-EIRENE providing a clear picture of light impurities transport and poloidal distribution. Moreover, making use of SOLEDGE-ERO2.0 simulations, possible strategies to reduce core contamination due to W penetration are presented.