TWO NOVEL FLAVONE C-GLYCOSIDES ISOLATED FROM AFROCARPUS GRACILIOR: POM ANALYSES AND IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY AGANIST HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Objective: Cancer is considered as one of the top reasons of death and the number of cases increasing gradually. Cancer is severe clinical difficulty to the health caution system. This study explored two novel polyphenols of Afrocarpus gracilior Pilger growing in Egypt and evaluated their cytotoxic activity. Methods: Methanolic (80%) extract of the leaves of A. gracilior was subjected to column chromatography; the chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established by advanced spectral techniques: UV, 1H, 13C NMR, two dimensional NMR (2D NMR) and electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS). Compounds 1 and 2 were studied for their cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Furthermore the pharmacokinetics profiles of these molecules were accessed by employing Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) analyses. Results: Two novel C-flavonoid glycosides were isolated [1: Apigenin 8-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1```→4``)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside] and [2: 7-O methyl-luteolin 8-C-β-glucopyranosyl-(1```→4``)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside]. They exhibited significant cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 9.02 and 15.61 µg/ml, respectively) against Hep-G2 cells. The POM analyses revealed that the activity of these two compounds depends on the presence of glucosyl and alkyl groups at the internal and terminal atmosphere of the compounds. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that the leaves of A. gracilior contain a series of bioactive polyphenolic compounds with significant cytotoxic properties against hepatocellular carcinoma and may be used as alternative anticancer agents for doxorubicin. On the basis of POM calculations, it will be interesting to develop some alternative flavones because the deglucosylated derivatives have a better drug score than parent molecules. This preliminary study will be extended to other strains of cancer

Modélisation des Propriétés Mécaniques de Bétons Contenant des Déchets en Polyéthylène Haute Densité

The article deals with the linear modelling of the mechanical properties of concrete containing high-density polyethylene waste. The linear regression method was used for the analysis of these characteristics. The validity of the method was verified by processing two hundred and seventeen referenced test values. At the end of the analysis, it has been shown that the proposed linear model is perfectly pertinent.  In addition, it has been shown that these conclusions can be applied to concrete containing other types of plastic waste.L’article traite de la modélisation linéaire des propriétés mécaniques de bétons contenant des déchets en polyéthylène haute densité. La méthode des régressions linéaires a été utilisée pour l’analyse de ces caractéristiques. La validité de la méthode a été vérifiée en traitant  deux cent dix sept  valeurs d’essais référenciés.  A l’issu de l’analyse, il a été démontré que le modèle linéaire proposé est parfaitement pertinent. En outre, Il a été montré, que ces conclusions peuvent s’appliquer à des bétons contenant d’autres types de déchets plastiques

Effects of Flaxseed and Its Components on Mammary Gland MiRNome: Identification of Potential Biomarkers to Prevent Breast Cancer Development

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. We previously showed that early-life exposure to flaxseed (FS) or its components, FS oil (FSO) and secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), affects the mammary gland (MG) and is associated with the reduction of breast cancer risk during adulthood. However, the underlying mechanisms are not understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FS, FSO, and SDG on the MG miRNA signature at a late stage of development. Female C57BL/6 mice, 4–5 weeks of age, were randomized into four groups to receive: (i) basal AIN-93G, (ii) 10% FS, (iii) 3.67% FSO, or (iv) 0.15% SDG. After 21 days, the mice were sacrificed and MG miRNAs were profiled. Diet-specific MG miRNA signatures were identified. Deregulated miRNAs were associated with breast cancer and targeted genes involved in MG development, growth, and cancer. The study allowed for the identification of potential biomarkers or novel therapeutic targets to prevent and/or reduce the risk of breast cancer

Effects of <i>Bifidobacterium bifidum</i> in Mice Infected with <i>Citrobacter rodentium</i>

In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that selected Bifidobacterium bifidum strains sustain intestinal homeostasis. This study aimed to examine whether the administration of B. bifidum MIMBb75 (BB75) attenuates Citrobacter rodentium infection, a murine model for enteric infection and inflammatory bowel disease in humans. C57Bl6/J mice were randomized to receive BB75 daily starting before or after C. rodentium infection. BB75 load and infection kinetics were monitored. On day 10 post-infection (p.i.), histological parameters of the large intestine were assessed. Barrier integrity was evaluated by pathogen translocation to secondary organs and in vivo permeability test. Fecal C. rodentium load peaked at 1010 CFU/g at day 10 p.i., with clearance at day 24 p.i., regardless of probiotic treatment. BB75 administration resulted in 107 cells/g of feces with no effect of timing of administration. BB75 treatment did not attenuate C. rodentium-induced crypt hyperplasia nor inflammation. C. rodentium and BB75 can co-exist in the gut with no mutual displacement. However, BB75 cannot counteract C. rodentium pathology. Our findings provide insight for the understanding of probiotics behavior and their clinical relevance in intestinal inflammation

Effect of lime on some physical parameters of a natural expansive clay from Algeria

International audienc

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Time-Dependently Reduce Cell Viability and Oncogenic MicroRNA-21 Expression in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7)

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), and its metabolites, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), independently reduce the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro, but the mechanisms, which may involve microRNA (miRNA), are still unclear. The expression of the oncomiR, miR-21, is reduced by DHA treatment, but the effects of ALA on miR-21, alone or combined with EPA and DHA under physiologically relevant concentrations, have not been investigated. The effects of ALA alone and +/−EPA and DHA at the blood molar ratios seen in either humans (1.0:1.0:2.5, ALA:EPA:DHA) or mice (1.0:0.4:3.1, ALA:EPA:DHA) post flaxseed oil consumption (containing ALA) were assessed in vitro in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cell viability and the expression of miR-21 and its molecular target, phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN, gene and protein), at different time points, were examined. At 1, 3, 48 and 96 h ALA alone and 24 h animal ratio treatments significantly reduced MCF-7 cell viability, while 1 and 3 h ALA alone and human and animal ratio treatments all significantly reduced miR-21 expression, and 24 h animal ratio treatment reduced miR-21 expression; these effects were not associated with changes in PTEN gene or protein expressions. We showed for the first time that ALA alone or combined with EPA and DHA at levels seen in human and animal blood post-ALA consumption can significantly reduce cell viability and modulate miR-21 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with the animal ratio containing higher DHA having a greater effect. The time dependency of miR-21 effects suggests the significance of considering time as a variable in miRNA studies, particularly of miR-21