Propolis changes the anticancer activity of temozolomide in U87MG human glioblastoma cell line

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a honey bee product which contains many active compounds, such as CAPE or chrysin, and has many beneficial activities. Recently, its anti-tumor properties have been discussed. We have tested whether the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) interferes with temozolomide (TMZ) to inhibit U87MG cell line growth. METHODS: The U87MG glioblastoma cell line was exposed to TMZ (10-100 μM), EEP (10-100 μg/ml) or a mixture of TMZ and EEP during 24, 48 or 72 hours. The cell division was examined by the H(3)-thymidine incorporation, while the western blot method was used for detection of p65 subunit of NF-κB and ELISA test to measure the concentration of its p50 subunit in the nucleus. RESULTS: We have found that both, TMZ and EEP administrated alone, had a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the U87MG cell line growth, which was manifested by gradual reduction of cell viability and alterations in proliferation rate. The anti-tumor effect of TMZ (20 μM) was enhanced by EEP, which was especially well observed after a short time of exposition, where simultaneous usage of TMZ and EEP resulted in a higher degree of growth inhibition than each biological factor used separately. In addition, cells treated with TMZ presented no changes in NF-κB activity in prolonged time of treatment and EEP only slightly reduced the nuclear translocation of this transcription factor. In turn, the combined incubation with TMZ and EEP led to an approximately double reduction of NF-κB nuclear localization. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that EEP presents cytotoxic properties and may cooperate with TMZ synergistically enhancing its growth inhibiting activity against glioblastoma U87MG cell line. This phenomenon may be at least partially mediated by a reduced activity of NF-κB

Antioxidant Properties of Maqui Berry Extract (<i>Aristotelia chilensis</i> (Mol.) Stuntz) and Its Potential Photoprotective Role on Human Skin Fibroblasts

Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) is characterized by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maqui berry extracts on human skin fibroblasts (NHSFs) exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVB). The photoprotective properties of the extracts were investigated via the determination of the total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH), and the chemical composition was assessed. The chemical purity of the extracts was studied via the evaluation of the toxic elements level. The water extract (MWE 57.75 ± 0.44 mg GAE/g) had the highest mean polyphenol content. The water (MWE) and ethanol (MEE70) extracts had the highest inhibitory activities against DPPH radical formation (283.63 ± 7.29 and 284.60 ± 4.31 mg Tx/L, respectively). The analyzed extracts were found to be safe in terms of toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead). The tested extracts of maqui berry did not cause a cytotoxic effect on NHSF cells after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. When the NHSF cells were exposed to UVB radiation in the presence of maqui extracts, their viability was increased or maintained. The maqui berry extracts had a slightly protective effect against skin damage caused by UVB radiation. These were preliminary studies that require further research to determine which maqui compounds correspond with the photoprotective activity

Dietary Habits, Selenium, Copper, Zinc and Total Antioxidant Status in Serum in Relation to Cognitive Functions of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the neurodegenerative process and can impair cognitive functions. In the prevention of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease (AD), an adequate consumption of dietary antioxidants may be a major factor. The objective of the study was to estimate selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of patients with AD in relation to their cognitive functions and dietary habits. A total of 110 patients (aged 54&ndash;93 years) with early or moderate AD, as well as 60 healthy people (aged 52&ndash;83 years) were studied. The severity of the disease was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale. Food-frequency questionnaires were implemented to collect the dietary data. The concentrations of Se, Cu and Zn in the sera were determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry method. TAS was estimated spectrophotometrically using ready-made kits (Randox). Significantly lower concentrations of Se, Zn and TAS, and higher Cu:Zn ratio in the serum of patients with AD, compared to healthy people, were observed. A low correlation between the MMSE score and TAS in the serum of AD patients and significantly higher MMSE values in patients with TAS above the reference range were also noted. In patients with serum Cu concentration above the norm, significantly lower MMSE values were found. Selected dietary habits such as the frequency of consumption of various food products had a significant impact on the concentration of the assessed parameters in the serum of people with AD

Dietary Habits, Selenium, Copper, Zinc and Total Antioxidant Status in Serum in Relation to Cognitive Functions of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the neurodegenerative process and can impair cognitive functions. In the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an adequate consumption of dietary antioxidants may be a major factor. The objective of the study was to estimate selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of patients with AD in relation to their cognitive functions and dietary habits. A total of 110 patients (aged 54–93 years) with early or moderate AD, as well as 60 healthy people (aged 52–83 years) were studied. The severity of the disease was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale. Food-frequency questionnaires were implemented to collect the dietary data. The concentrations of Se, Cu and Zn in the sera were determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry method. TAS was estimated spectrophotometrically using ready-made kits (Randox). Significantly lower concentrations of Se, Zn and TAS, and higher Cu:Zn ratio in the serum of patients with AD, compared to healthy people, were observed. A low correlation between the MMSE score and TAS in the serum of AD patients and significantly higher MMSE values in patients with TAS above the reference range were also noted. In patients with serum Cu concentration above the norm, significantly lower MMSE values were found. Selected dietary habits such as the frequency of consumption of various food products had a significant impact on the concentration of the assessed parameters in the serum of people with AD

CIRSIUM OLERACEUM L. SCOP. INHIBITS CELL VIABILITY AND DECREASES SECRETION OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES (MMP2 AND MMP9) IN GLIOBLASTOMA CELL LINE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of Cirsium oleraceum L. Scop. methanol extract (CoM) on likely glioblastoma (U87MG) and normal human astroglia (SVGp12) cell lines. CoM in concentrations 25; 50; 100; 250 and 500 µg/ml inducting significant dose- and time-dependent reductions of U87MG, as well as SVGp12 cells viability, in particular after 72 h of incubation. Activation of caspase-3 in U87MG cells suggests the pro-apoptotic activity of CoM. Moreover, CoM decreased secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) and moderate decreased migration of U87MG cells in scratch test. These results suggest that Cirsium oleraceum L. Scop. methanol extract has anti-glioma effect in vitro through activation of caspase-3 and inhibition of metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in U87MG cells. Despite this, cytotoxic effect of CoM in normal human astroglia cells may limit its potential application in the adjuvant therapy of glioblastoma

The effect of TMZ, honeys and combination of honey and TMZ on U87MG cell viability.

<p>U87MG cells were incubated with the indicated concentration (2.5%) of honeys, alone or in combination with TMZ (20 µM) for 24, 48 and 72 h. Results are expressed as percentage viability in treated cell cultures compared to control. Asterisks denote statistically significant differences obtained from the <i>Student's t-test</i>: *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control; #<i>p</i><0.05 vs. TMZ; ▴<i>p</i><0.05 honeys alone vs. combination with TMZ.</p

Release and production of MMP9 (A) and MMP2 (B) in cultured U87MG treated with honey.

<p>Medium concentrated 35-fold; A-7 µg of protein; B-1 µg of protein. The results are presented as percentage of control. Significant changes obtained from the <i>Student's t-test</i> are indicated at the columns with: *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control. This pictures is a representative gel of three independent experiments.</p

DNA fragmentation in U87MG cells incubated with honey.

<p>The percentage of sub-G₁ phase cells after 24 h treatment with 5% different types of honey. Significant changes obtained from the <i>Student's t-test</i> are indicated: *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control. The results are mean ±SD from two independent experiment.</p

Diastase activity, TPC and content of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in honey samples.

<p>^*TPC - total phenolic content, ^#SD – standard deviation.</p

The effect of honeys on morphology of U87MG cell line after 48 h treatment.

<p>The effect of honeys on morphology of U87MG cell line after 48 h treatment.</p