Rosa canina Extracts Have Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Effects on Caco-2 Human Colon Cancer

Cytotoxic effect of Rosa canina extract on human colon cancer cells through repression of telomerase expression

Rosa canina is a member of the genus Rosa that has long been used for medical objectives. Several studies have reported cytotoxic effects of different Rosa species, but there has been only limited investigation of the cytotoxic effect of R. canina. The purpose of the current study was to examine the potential effect of R. canina extract on cell viability, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of telomerase in human colon cancer (WiDr) cells. The cytotoxic effect of the extract was determined using MTT assay. The mechanism involved in the cytotoxic effect of the extract was then evaluated in terms of apoptosis and the cell cycle using flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was investigated using the fluorometric method, and expression levels of telomerase were studied using RT-PCR. R. canina extract exhibited a selective cytotoxic effect on WiDr cells compared with normal colon cells. The extract induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase and apoptosis via reduced MMP in WiDr cells. R. canina extract significantly repressed telomerase expressions at treatment times of 48 and 72 h in WiDr cells. Our results suggest that R. canina may have considerable potential for development as a novel natural product-based anticancer agent.

Evaluation of radical scavenging activity, intestinal cell viability and antifungal activity of Brazilian propolis by-product

Propolis is a natural adhesive resinous compound produced by honeybees to protect hives from bacteria and fungi, being extremely expensive for food industry. During propolis production, a resinous by-product is formed. This resinous waste is currently undervalued and underexploited. Accordingly, in this study the proximate physical and chemical quality, as well as the antioxidant activity, radical scavenging activity and cell viability of this by-product were evaluated and compared with propolis in order to boost new applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. The results revealed that the by-product meets the physical and chemical quality standards expected and showed that the propolis waste contains similar amounts of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) to propolis. Also, a good scavenging activity against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, respectively) determined by the assays of superoxide anion radical (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxyl radical (ROO) were determined. Linear positive correlations were established between the TPC of both samples and the antioxidant activity evaluated by three different methods (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays). The extracts were also screened for cell viability assays in two different intestinal cell lines (HT29-MTX and Caco-2), showing a viability concentration-dependent. Similarly, the Artemia salina assay, used to assess toxicity, demonstrated the concentration influence on results. Finally, the antifungal activity against ATCC species of Candida was demonstrated. These results suggest that propolis by-product can be used as a new rich source of bioactive compounds for different areas, such as food or pharmaceutical.

Effect of brewing conditions on antioxidant properties of rosehip tea beverage: study by response surface methodology

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of brewing conditions (infusion time and temperature) on the antioxidant properties of rosehip tea beverage. The ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content (TPC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of rosehip tea beverage were analysed. A two-factor and three-level central composite design was applied to evaluate the effects of the variables on the responses. The best quadratic models were obtained for all responses. The generated models were validated under the optimal conditions. At the optimal conditions, the rosehip tea beverage had 3.15 mg 100 mL-1 of ascorbic acid, 61.44 mg 100 mL-1 of TPC, and 2591 µmol of FRAP. The best brewing conditions for the rosehip tea beverage were found to be an infusion time of 6-8 min at temperatures of 84-86 °C.

Evaluation of genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity of standardized rose hip extract

Rose hip is the fruit of the rose plant, which is widely used in food, cosmetics and as a traditional medicine. Therefore, rose hip is considered safe and has a sufficient history of consumption as food. However, few studies have reported on the safety of rose hip extracts in toxicological analyses. Thus, to evaluate the safety of rosehip polyphenol MJ (RHPMJ), an aqueous ethanol extract standardized with the trans-tiliroside content, we performed genotoxicity and 90-day repeated oral dose toxicity studies in compliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Good Laboratory Practice. RHPMJ did not induce gene mutations in reverse mutation tests of Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA strains and did not induce chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster lung (CHL/IU) cells. Moreover, micronucleus tests using rat bone marrow showed RHPMJ had no micronucleus-inducing potential. Finally, 90-day repeated oral dose toxicity studies (100–1000 mg/kg) in male and female rats showed no treatment-related toxicity in rats. These data indicate that the RHPMJ had no genotoxicity and a no-observed-adverse-effect level greater than 1000 mg/kg in rats.

Therapeutic Applications of Rose Hips from Different Rosa Species

Rosa species, rose hips, are widespread wild plants that have been traditionally used as medicinal compounds for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The therapeutic potential of these plants is based on its antioxidant effects caused by or associated with its phytochemical composition, which includes ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and healthy fatty acids among others. Over the last few years, medicinal interest in rose hips has increased as a consequence of recent research that has studied its potential application as a treatment for several diseases including skin disorders, hepatotoxicity, renal disturbances, diarrhoea, inflammatory disorders, arthritis, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, obesity and cancer. In this review, the role of different species of Rosa in the prevention of treatment of various disorders related to oxidative stress, is examined, focusing on new therapeutic approaches from a molecular point of view.

Chemical composition of rosehips from different Rosa species: an alternative source of antioxidants for the food industry

It is important to explore new sources of natural additives because the demand for these compounds by consumers is increasing. These products also provide health benefits and help in food preservation. An unexplored source of nutrients and antioxidant compounds is rosehip, the fleshy fruit of roses. This work compares the antioxidant compound (vitamin C, neutral phenols and acidic phenols) content of four Rosa species rosehips: R. pouzinii, R. corymbifera, R. glauca and R. canina from different geographical zones. Results show quantitative variability in ascorbic acids and neutral phenols content, and quantitative and qualitative differences in acidic phenol content, depending on species. Vitamin C concentration was highly variable depending on species, R. canina being the one with the highest concentration and R. pouzinii the one with the lowest content. Variability was found in total neutral polyphenols concentration and a correlation between freshness of the rosehips and concentration of neutral polyphenols was also found. Significant differences were found in the acidic phenols content among the studied species. Generally antioxidant activity was higher in the vitamin C fraction.

Colorectal Carcinoma: A General Overview and Future Perspectives in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Most cases of CRC are detected in Western countries, with its incidence increasing year by year. The probability of suffering from colorectal cancer is about 4%–5% and the risk for developing CRC is associated with personal features or habits such as age, chronic disease history and lifestyle. In this context, the gut microbiota has a relevant role, and dysbiosis situations can induce colonic carcinogenesis through a chronic inflammation mechanism. Some of the bacteria responsible for this multiphase process include Fusobacterium spp, Bacteroides fragilis and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. CRC is caused by mutations that target oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and genes related to DNA repair mechanisms. Depending on the origin of the mutation, colorectal carcinomas can be classified as sporadic (70%); inherited (5%) and familial (25%). The pathogenic mechanisms leading to this situation can be included in three types, namely chromosomal instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI) and CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). Within these types of CRC, common mutations, chromosomal changes and translocations have been reported to affect important pathways (WNT, MAPK/PI3K, TGF-β, TP53), and mutations; in particular, genes such as c-MYC, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, PTEN, SMAD2 and SMAD4 can be used as predictive markers for patient outcome. In addition to gene mutations, alterations in ncRNAs, such as lncRNA or miRNA, can also contribute to different steps of the carcinogenesis process and have a predictive value when used as biomarkers. In consequence, different panels of genes and mRNA are being developed to improve prognosis and treatment selection. The choice of first-line treatment in CRC follows a multimodal approach based on tumour-related characteristics and usually comprises surgical resection followed by chemotherapy combined with monoclonal antibodies or proteins against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth receptor (EGFR). Besides traditional chemotherapy, alternative therapies (such as agarose tumour macrobeads, anti-inflammatory drugs, probiotics, and gold-based drugs) are currently being studied to increase treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects.