Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Hevea brasiliensis latex C-serum DCS sub-fraction as anticancer agents

Antioxidant and photoprotective role of latex C-serum from Hevea brasiliensis during 15-week UVB irradiation in male hairless SKH-1 mice

It is known that UVB radiation induces several adverse skin alterations starting from simple photoaging to skin cancer. In addition, it was demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found to be related to cancer development and progression. The aim of study was to examine whether male hairless (SKH-1) mice (Mus musculus) that were subchronically exposed to UVB radiation presented with actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma lesions, and that treatment with latex C-serum cream significantly prevented abnormal skin development. Data demonstrated for the first time the photoprotective activity of latex C-serum extracted from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis var. subconcolor Ducke. Latex C-serum prevented the progression of AK to squamous cell carcinoma in SKH-1 mice, indicating that mice topically treated with latex C-serum presented only AK lesions and treatment with the highest concentration (10%) significantly reduced epidermal thickness, suggesting diminished cell proliferation. Latex C-serum protected the skin of mice against oxidative stress damage, increasing catalase (CAT) activity, regenerating glutathione (GSH) levels, lowering thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) production and regenerating the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the skin. Evidence that UV radiation in skin induced systemic alterations and erythrocytic analysis indicated that latex C-serum increased CAT activity and GSH levels. Taken together these data indicate that latex C-serum plays an important antioxidant and photoprotective role, preventing serious damage to the skin following exposure to UVB radiation.

Natural latex serum: characterization and biocompatibility assessment using Galleria mellonella as an alternative in vivo model

Natural latex serum (NLS) is one of the natural rubber latex fractions from Hevea brasiliensis tree, which is formed by centrifuged serum and is composed of proteins, acids, nucleotides, salts and carbohydrates. The proteins present in NLS have demonstrated several interesting biological properties, including angiogenic, healing, osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, in addition to inducing neovascularization, bone formation and osseointegration. Thus, we proposed to characterize NLS by physicochemical techniques and to investigate the biocompatibility by toxicological assays and safety test in Galleria mellonella. Infrared spectrum showed vibrational bands characteristic of amide I, II and III that are linked to the protein content, which was confirmed by the High Performance Liquid Chromatography profile and by the Electrophoresis analysis. This material did not exhibit hemolytic (rate <0.5%) and cytotoxic effects (viability >70%) and was able to enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts (>600%) after 3 days. The pronounced proliferative effect observed in fibroblast cells can be explained by the presence of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) like protein revealed by the Western blot test. Moreover, NLS did not provoke toxic effects (survival ∼ 80%) on the G. mellonella model, indicating that it is a biocompatible and safe material.