A mixture of honey bee products ameliorates the genotoxic side effects of cyclophosphamide

Synergistic Enhancement of Chemotherapy-Induced Cell Death and Antitumor Efficacy against Tumoral T-Cell Lymphoblasts by IMMUNEPOTENT CRP

T-cell malignancies, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL), present significant challenges to treatment due to their aggressive nature and chemoresistance. Chemotherapies remain a mainstay for their management, but the aggressiveness of these cancers and their associated toxicities pose limitations. Immunepotent CRP (ICRP), a bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract, has shown promise in inducing cytotoxicity against various cancer types, including hematological cancers. In this study, we investigated the combined effect of ICRP with a panel of chemotherapies on cell line models of T-ALL and T-LBL (CEM and L5178Y-R cells, respectively) and its impact on immune system cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, splenic and bone marrow cells). Our findings demonstrate that combining ICRP with chemotherapies enhances cytotoxicity against tumoral T-cell lymphoblasts. ICRP + Cyclophosphamide (CTX) cytotoxicity is induced through a caspase-, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-, and calcium-dependent mechanism involving the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in ROS production, and caspase activation. Low doses of ICRP in combination with CTX spare non-tumoral immune cells, overcome the bone marrow-induced resistance to CTX cell death, and improves the CTX antitumor effect in vivo in syngeneic Balb/c mice challenged with L5178Y-R. This led to a reduction in tumor volume and a decrease in Ki-67 proliferation marker expression and the granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio. These results set the basis for further research into the clinical application of ICRP in combination with chemotherapeutic regimens for improving outcomes in T-cell malignancies.

Genotoxicity, DNA damage and sperm defects induced by vinblastine

BACKGROUND

The treatment with chemotherapy may develop secondary tumors as a result of chemo genotoxicity. Sperm defects is another complication associated with chemo treatment. In this study the genotoxicity of vinblastine (VB) was estimated in both somatic and germ cells.

MATERIALS

85 mice were taken. Four single doses of VB at 3, 4.5, 6 and 10 mg/kg and three successive doses at 3, 4.5 and 6 mg/kg were taken for estimation of chromosomal aberrations (CAs). Four single doses of VB were involved in estimating the DNA fragmentation, and comet assay. For sperm abnormalities mice were injected with three successive doses of VB at 3, 4.5, and 6 mg/kg.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a significant frequency of DNA fragmentation in spleen cells and in the percentage of CAs in bone marrow. Numerical and structural aberrations were recorded with a pronounced number of polyploidy metaphases which reached (11.60%) after treatment with 6 mg/kg for three successive days vs zero for control. VB also induced a significant percentage of CAs in spermatocytes in the form of univalent. Sperm defects in the form of coiled tail, absence of acrosome and shapeless head and a significant DNA damage in the testes were recorded. The frequency of sperm abnormalities reached 11.06 ± 0.14 after treatment with highest tested dose (6 mg/kg) vs 3.04 ± 0.19 for control.

CONCLUSION

VB is genotoxic in somatic and germ cells. Sperm defects induced by VB are of serious concern to future generations and may affect the fertility of cancer survivors.

Royal Jelly: Beneficial Properties and Synergistic Effects with Chemotherapeutic Drugs with Particular Emphasis in Anticancer Strategies

Cancer is one of the major causes of death globally. Currently, various methods are used to treat cancer, including radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy, all of which have serious adverse effects. A healthy lifestyle, especially a nutritional diet, plays a critical role in the treatment and prevention of many disorders, including cancer. The above notion, plus the trend in going back to nature, encourages consumers and the food industry to invest more in food products and to find potential candidates that can maintain human health. One of these agents, and a very notable food agent, is royal jelly (RJ), known to be produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular salivary glands of young nurse honeybees. RJ contains bioactive substances, such as carbohydrates, protein, lipids, peptides, mineral salts and polyphenols which contribute to the appreciated biological and pharmacological activities. Antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antibacterial impacts are among the well-recognized benefits. The combination of RJ or its constituents with anticancer drugs has synergistic effects on cancer disorders, enhancing the drug’s effectiveness or reducing its side effects. The purpose of the present review is to emphasize the possible interactions between chemotherapy and RJ, or its components, in treating cancer illnesses.

Protective role of Codiaeum variegatum against genotoxicity induced by carmustine in somatic and germ cells of male mice

Background

Carmustine (Cr) is an important chemotherapeutic drug, widely used in the treatment of brain tumors. Herein, the protective role of Codiaeum variegatum leaves ethyl acetate fraction was determined against genotoxicity of Cr. The technique HPLC-qTOF-MS/MS was used to identify the constituents in C. variegatum.

Materials

90 male mice were used to evaluate micronuclei (MPCEs) in bone marrow, chromosomal aberration (CAs) in bone marrow and mouse spermatocytes, sperm abnormalities, and gene expression (qRT-PCR). The following groups were included, I: Negative control (ethanol 30%), II: Positive control (i.p injected once with 30 mg/kg Cr), III: Control orally treated with C. variegatum at 500 mg/kg, four days. IV-VI: treated with 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of the plant (4 days) plus a single dose of Cr.

Results

In bone marrow, Cr induced significant increase in MPCEs and CAs by 3 and 7-folds respectively over the control. Cr also induced a significant percentage of CAs in spermatocytes in meiosis in the form of univalent (X–Y and autosomal univalent) and also a significant percentage of morphological sperm abnormalities was recorded. A large number of coiled tail abnormalities were detected indicating the effect of Cr in sperm motility. Cr induced an overexpression of p53 gene. C. variegatum mitigated all deleterious genotoxic effects of Cr. Chemical analysis showed that flavones (35.21%) and phenolic acids (17.62%) constitute the main components.

Conclusions

The results indicated that Cr is genotoxic in both somatic and germ cells. The active components in C. variegatum together participate in the obtained protective role.

The effect of Anzer honey on X-ray induced genotoxicity in human lymphocytes: An in vitro study

Anzer honey is well known in Turkey and used for its medicinal properties, especially for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, ulcers and cancer. In this study, we investigated whether Anzer honey, which is shown to have antioxidant, anti-tumoral, and anti-inflammatory properties, has a protective effect against X-ray induced genotoxic damage by cytogenetic methods. Peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from 20 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups and cultivated by conventional methods. Study group lymphocytes were treated with 10% diluted honey while those in the control group were not. Both groups were exposed to a high dose (2 Gy) X-ray at the 48th hour of culture. Conventional cytogenetic staining and Giemsa banding methods were applied to evaluate chromosomal breakage and ring formation. Micronucleus frequencies were determined by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Paired sample t test was used to compare groups. Anzer honey, which was analyzed melissopalynologically, was used. Micronucleus frequency was significantly decreased in the study group (CI = 348.75 ± 31, median 326, min. 98, max. 704) compared to the control group (CI = 489.10 ± 27, median 500, min. 216, max. 645) (p = .001). Chromosomal breakage was also significantly decreased in the study group (CI = 118.70 ± 16, median 109, min. 12, max. 316) compared to the control group (CI = 233.60 ± 25, median 225, min. 65, max. 492) (p < .0001). This is the first study indicating that genotoxic damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy volunteers induced by X-radiation may be prevented or alleviated by adding Anzer honey in vitro. These results encourage further research about the protective effects of honey.

Anti-Tumor Effects of Queen Bee Acid (10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid) Alone and in Combination with Cyclophosphamide and Its Cellular Mechanisms against Ehrlich Solid Tumor in Mice

Queen bee acid or 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) is one of the main and unique lipid components (fatty acids) in royal jelly. Previous studies have demonstrated that 10-HDA has various pharmacological and biological activities. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of 10-HDA alone and combined with cyclophosphamide (CP), as an alkylating agent which widely used for the treatment of neoplastic cancers, against the Ehrlich solid tumors (EST) in mice. Methods: A total of 72 female Swiss albino mice were divided into eight groups. EST mice were treated with 10-HDA (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) alone and combined with CP (25 mg/kg) orally once a day for 2 weeks. Tumor growth inhibition, body weight, the serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen tumor (CAE), liver and kidney enzymes, tumor lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO), antioxidant enzymes (e.g. glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase enzyme (CAT)), tumor necrosis factor alpha level (TNF-α), and the apoptosis-regulatory genes expression were assessed in tested mice. Results: the findings exhibited that treatment of EST-suffering mice with 10-HDA at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg especially in combination with CP significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the tumor volume and inhibition rate, tumor markers (AFP and CEA), serum level of liver and kidney, LPO and NO, TNF-α level, as well as the expression level of Bcl-2 in comparison with the mice in the C2 group; while 10-HDA at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg especially in combination with CP significantly (p < 0.001) improved the level of antioxidant enzymes of GPx, CAT, and SOD and the expression level of caspase-3 and Bax genes. Conclusions: According to the results of the present investigations, 10-HDA at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg especially in combination with CP showed promising antitumor effects against EST in mice and can be recommended as a new or alternative anticancer agent against tumor; nevertheless, further investigations, particularly in clinical setting, are required to confirm these results.

Ameliorative effect of alpha lipoic acid and royal jelly against the side effects of cyclophosphamide in liver of albino rats

Background

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic anticancer drug used for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. The present study aimed to examine biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural effects of CP on rat liver and determine the hepatoprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) or royal jelly (RJ) against CP.

Results

The present study revealed that CP-induced significant increase in hepatic marker enzymes (ALT and AST), and elevation in malonaldehyde (MDA) was concomitant with a significant decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD). It caused histopathological changes in the liver of rat including vacuolation, infiltration, degeneration, and necrosis. Ultrastructurally, the hepatocytes appeared degenerated with multiple small- and medium-sized lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Kupffer cell showed a shrunken nucleus. Administration of LA and RJ resulted in an obvious improvement in the altered level of ALT, AST, MDA, and SOD activities when compared with the CP-treated group in addition to marked amelioration in histopathology and ultrastructure of the liver.

Conclusions

LA is markedly effective than RJ in protecting rats against CP-induced biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural changes. This protection may be due to its antioxidant properties and scavenging abilities against active free radicals.

Genotoxicity and sperm defects induced by 5-FU in male mice and the possible protective role of Pentas lanceolata-iridoids

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used antineoplastic drug. In this work, a comprehensive study was performed to detect the extent of chromosomal damage and morphological sperm defects induced by 5-FU in male mice and the possible protective role of the iridoids-rich fraction of Pentas lanceolata leaves (IFPL). Six main groups were examined in micronucleus and chromosomal assays: I- control negative, II- control positive (i.p. treated with single dose of 75 mg/kg 5-FU), III- control plant (orally administrated IFPL, 300 mg/kg, 5 consecutive days), and IV-VI- treated with IFPL (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, 5 consecutive days) plus 5-FU (i.p. treated at the last day). Samples were taken 24 h post treatment. The study of morphological sperm anomalies, single and repeated treatments were examined and samples were taken after 35 days from the 1^st treatment. In bone marrow, 5-FU induced a significant increase in the micro-nucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, chromosome anomalies (CAs) and also cytotoxic effects. A significant percentage of CAs was recorded in spermatocytes after 5-FU treatment reached 22.80 ± 1.32 vs 4.20 ± 0.37 for control (mainly X-Y univalent, 90%). IFPL was recorded to be non-mutagenic in all tests examined. In addition, it alleviated the previous defects in a dose-dependent manner. A significant and dramatic increase in the percentage of morphological sperm defects was recorded after single and repeated treatments with 5-FU reached 13.24 ± 0.24, 30.42 ± 0.32 respectively vs 2.56 ± 0.14 for control. Amorphous head-sperm and sperm with coiled tail were the most pronounced types of abnormalities. Significant protection was detected with the highest tested dose of IFPL. In conclusion: 5-FU demonstrated to be a genotoxic agent. Its genotoxicity in germ cells is serious and may lead to reproductive toxicity, infertility or heritable defects. The results also demonstrated the biosafety of IFPL and its possible protective role in combined treatment with 5-FU.

Genotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride and the protective role of essential oil of Salvia officinalis L. in mice using chromosomal aberration, micronuclei formation, and comet assay

The present work was conducted to evaluate the genotoxic effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in mouse bone marrow and male germ cells. The safety and the modulating activity of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) essential oil (SEO) against the possible genotoxic effect of CCl₄ were also evaluated. A combination of in vivo mutagenic endpoints was included: micronucleus (MN), apoptosis using dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, comet assay, chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and sperm abnormalities. Histological examination of testis tissues was also studied. The extracted SEO was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for identifying its chemical constituents. Safety/genotoxicity of SEO was determined after two consecutive weeks (5 days/week) from oral treatment with different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mL/kg). For assessing genotoxicity of CCl₄, both acute (once) and subacute i.p. treatment for 2 weeks (3 days/week) with the concentrations 1.2 mL/kg (for acute) and 0.8 mL/kg (for subacute) were performed. For evaluating the protective role of SEO, simultaneous treatment with SEO plus CCl₄ was examined. In sperm abnormalities, mice were treated with the subject materials for five successive days and the samples were collected after 35 days from the beginning of treatment. Based on GC-MS findings, 22 components were identified in the chromatogram of SEO. The results demonstrated that the three concentrations of SEO were safe and non-genotoxic in all the tested endpoints. Negative results were also observed in bone marrow after acute and subacute treatment with CCl_4. In contrast, CCl₄ induced testicular DNA damage as evidenced by a significant increase of CAs in primary spermatocytes, sperm abnormalities, and histological distortion of testis. A remarkable reduction in these cells was observed in groups treated with SEO plus CCl₄ especially with the two higher concentrations of SEO. In conclusion, SEO is safe and non-genotoxic under the tested conditions and can modulate genetic damage and histological alteration induced by CCl₄ in the testes.

Natural Predominance of Abscisic Acid in Pongammia pinnata ("Karanj") Honey Contributed to its Strong Antimutagenicity

Various samples of raw (unprocessed) floral honey collected from different geographical locations of India were assayed for its antimutagenicity against ethyl methanesulfonate in E. coli MG1655 cells through rifampicin resistance assay. A monofloral honey ("Pongammia pinnata", local name "Karanj") displayed maximum antimutagenicity (78.0 ± 1.7; P ≤ 0.05). Solid phase extraction (using Amberlite XAD-2 resin) followed by HPLC resulted into different peaks displaying varying antimutagenicity. Peak at retention time (R_t) 27.9 min (henceforth called P₂₈) displayed maximum antimutagenicity and was further characterized to be abscisic acid (ABA) using ESI-MS and NMR. Its antimutagenicity was reconfirmed through human lymphoblast cell line (TK6) mutation assay using thymidine kinase (tk^+/-) cell line. Although ABA from this honey displayed strong antimutagenicity, it lacked any in vitro antioxidant capacity indicating noninvolvement of any radical scavenging in the observed antimutagenicity.

Honey and Cancer: Current Status and Future Directions

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and poses a challenge to treatment. With overwhelming evidence of the role played by diet and lifestyle in cancer risk and prevention, there is a growing interest into the search for chemopreventative or chemotherapeutic agents derived from natural products. Honey is an important source of bioactive compounds derived from plants and recent years have seen an increased interest in its anticancer properties. This review examines the role of honey in targeting key hallmarks of carcinogenesis, including uncontrolled proliferation, apoptosis evasion, angiogenesis, growth factor signalling, invasion, and inflammation. The evidence for honey as an adjunct to conventional cancer therapy is also presented. The review also highlights gaps in the current understanding and concludes that, before translation of evidence from cell culture and animal studies into the clinical setting, further studies are warranted to examine the effects of honey at a molecular level, as well as on cells in the tumour environment.