Induction of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis by an essential oil from Tanacetum gracile

Norbornene and Related Structures as Scaffolds in the Search for New Cancer Treatments

The norbornene scaffold has arisen as a promising structure in medicinal chemistry due to its possible therapeutic application in cancer treatment. The development of norbornene-based derivatives as potential chemotherapeutic agents is attracting significant attention. Here, we report an unprecedented review on the recent advances of investigations into the antitumoral efficacy of different compounds, including the abovementioned bicyclic scaffold in their structure, in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or forming metal complexes. The impact that structural modifications to these bicyclic compounds have on the antitumoral properties and the mechanisms by which these norbornene derivatives act are discussed in this review. In addition, the use of norbornene, and its related compounds, encapsulation in nanosystems for its use in cancer therapies is here detailed.

Synthesis and characterisation of chitosan-encapsulated genistein: its anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activities

Aims: The study was carried out to synthesise and characterise the chitosan-encapsulated genistein (CHI-En/Gen) and determine its anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic properties.Methods: The cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activity of CHI-En/Gen was performed using MTT and chorioallantoic membrane assay. The molecular action was determined using flow cytometry and gene expression.Results: The synthesised CHI-En/Gen was in submicron size, spherical in shape and with entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of 76.8% (w/w) and 32.6% (w/w), respectively. The CHI-En/Gen notably inhibited the growth and proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) while did not affect the viability of human dermal fibroblast as normal cell. The flow cytometry and the caspase-3 gene expression analyses revealed the apoptotic cells death in the HT-29 cells. Moreover, the encapsulated genistein showed anti-angiogenic activity.Conclusion: The CHI-En/Gen appeared as a promising carrier for the colon delivery of genistein to be used in complementary health approaches for the cancer prevention.

α-Pinene Induces Apoptotic Cell Death via Caspase Activation in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND The plant-derived terpenoid, alpha-pinene is a bicyclic monoterpene potentially useful for the treatment of various diseases which also includes cancer and its types. The present investigation is about finding the anticancer activity of the alpha-pinene extracted from the leaves of Boswellia dalzielii over the PA-1 cancer cells of the human ovary. MATERIAL AND METHODS The cytotoxic activity of the alpha-pinene was evaluated using MTT and LDH assays which indicated that alpha-pinene could induce cytotoxicity in cancer-causing cells in the ovary. The consequences of alpha-pinene on the cell sequence regulation were determined by the staining technique using propidium iodide (PI) followed with flow cytometry. RESULTS The cell cycle distribution analysis showed that alpha-pinene inhibit the cycle progression from G₂ to M phase. In addition, apoptosis analysis is done through the double staining investigation using Annexin V-FITC/PI to analyze the controlled growth of alpha-pinene which is associated with the apoptosis. Caspase-3 a crucial enzyme involved in apoptosis was markedly increased in the a-pinene treated PA-1 cells. The apoptosis results reveal, that the cancer cells at the human ovary with alpha-pinene induces the significant populations of apoptotic cells. CONCLUSIONS Overall, alpha-pinene may exert anticancer effects in PA-1 cells by promoting cytotoxicity, suppression of cell sequence progression along with the programmed cell death.

Assessment of chemical and genetic variability in Tanacetum gracile accessions collected from cold desert of Western Himalaya

Genetic diversity is essential for survival and adaptation of high altitude plants such as those of Tanacetum genus, which are constantly exposed to environmental stress. We collected flowering shoots of ten accessions of Tanacetum gracile Hook.f. & Thomson (Asteraceae) (Tg 1-Tg 10), from different regions of cold desert of Western Himalaya. Chemical profile of the constituents, as inferred from GC-MS, exhibited considerable variability. Percentage yield of essential oil ranged from 0.2 to 0.75% (dry-weight basis) amongst different accessions. Tg 1 and Tg 6 were found to produce high yields of camphor (46%) and lavandulol (41%), respectively. Alpha-phellendrene, alpha-bisabool, p-cymene and chamazulene were the main oil components in other accessions. Genetic variability among the accessions was studied using RAPD markers as well as by sequencing and analyzing nuclear 18S rDNA, and plastid rbcL and matK loci. The polymorphic information content (PIC) of RAPD markers ranged from 0.18 to 0.5 and the analysis clustered the accessions into two major clades. The present study emphasized the importance of survey, collection, and conservation of naturally existing chemotypes of medicinal and aromatic plants, considering their potential use in aroma and pharmaceutical industry.

Secretion metabolites of probiotic yeast, Pichia kudriavzevii AS-12, induces apoptosis pathways in human colorectal cancer cell lines

There is a common agreement on the important role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in the etiology of cancer. Benign probiotic yeast strains are able to ameliorate intestinal microbiota and regulate the host metabolism, physiology, and immune system through anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anticancer effects. We hypothesized that Pichia kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites possess anticancer activity on human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29, Caco-2) via inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis. This study aimed to assess the anticancer effect of P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites and the underlying mechanisms. The cytotoxicity evaluations were performed via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining; and FACS-flow cytometry tests. Also, the effects of P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites on the expression level of 6 important genes (BAD, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Fas-R) involved in the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways were studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites showed significant (P < .0001) cytotoxic effects on HT-29 cells (57.5%) and Caco-2 (32.5%) compared to KDR/293 normal cells (25%). Moreover, the cytotoxic effects of examined yeast supernatant on HT-29 cells were comparable with 5-fluorouracil, as a positive control (57.5% versus 62.2% respectively). Flow cytometric results showed that the induction of apoptosis is the main mechanism of the anticancer effects. Also, according to the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results, the expression level of proapoptotic genes (BAD, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, and Fas-R) in treated HT-29 and Caco-2 cells was higher than untreated and normal cells, whereas the antiapoptotic gene (Bcl-2) was downregulated. P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites exert its anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Isolation, Chemical Fingerprinting and Simultaneous Quantification of Four Compounds from Tanacetum gracile Using a Validated HPLC-ESI-QTOF-Mass Spectrometry Method

The present study was conducted to carry out the phytochemical investigation of Tanacetum gracile Hook. f. & Thomson and to develop a method for the simultaneous quantification of the isolated compounds in the extracts ofT. gracile growing in different locations. Cluster analysis rectangular similarity matrix was performed to understand the chemical fingerprinting variations in the extracts. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) was used to quantify four bioactive compounds, and separation of the compounds was achieved on a reverse-phase C8 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile: 0.1% formic acid in water with a gradient elution by maintaining the flow rate of 300 μL/min. The QTOF-MS was operated using the electro-spray ionization technique with the positive ion polarity mode. The calibration curves of four marker compounds were linear over the concentration range of 3.12-100 ng/µL (R(2)> 0.996). A specific, accurate and precise HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS method was optimized for the determination of kaempferol, ketoplenolide, tetramethoxyflavone and artemetin both individually and simultaneously. Quantification of these chemical markers in different extracts was carried out using this validated method. Kaempferol was isolated for the first time from T. gracile.

Himalayan Aromatic Medicinal Plants: A Review of their Ethnopharmacology, Volatile Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities

Aromatic plants have played key roles in the lives of tribal peoples living in the Himalaya by providing products for both food and medicine. This review presents a summary of aromatic medicinal plants from the Indian Himalaya, Nepal, and Bhutan, focusing on plant species for which volatile compositions have been described. The review summarizes 116 aromatic plant species distributed over 26 families.

Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera) Toxicity and Biological Activities of the Essential Oils of Tanacetum macrophyllum (Waldst. & Kit.) Schultz Bip

Insecticides of the natural origin are an important alternative to the synthetic insecticides that are being employed for the preserving stored products. The volatiles obtained from T. cinerariifolium (=Pyrethrum cinerariifolium) is being used for many types of insecticidal applications; however there is a very little information on the insecticidal activity of the essential oils of other Tanacetum species. The main purpose of the present study is to determine the chemical composition of T. macrophyllum (Waldst. & Kit.) Schultz Bip. essential oils and evaluate their insecticidal activity against S. granarius as well as its other beneficial biological activities. Highest contact toxicity was observed in the leaf oil of (88.93%) against S. granarius. The flower oil showed considerable fumigant toxicity against L. minor at 10 mg/mL application concentration (61.86 %) when compared with other samples at the same concentration. The highest DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity (47.7%) and phosphomolybdenum reducing activity was observed also for the flower oil of T. macrophyllum at 10 mg/mL concentration. The essential oils were analyzed by GC, GC/MS. The flower and leaf oils were characterized with γ-eudesmol 21.5%, (E)-sesquilavandulol 20.3%, copaborneol 8.5% and copaborneol 14.1%, 1,8-cineole 11%, bornyl acetate 9.6%, borneol 6.3% respectively. AHC analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the essential oil composition of the T. macrophyllum essential oil from the present research and previous reports pointed out that two different chemotypes could be proposed with current findings which are p-methyl benzyl alcohol/ cadinene and eudesmane chemotypes.

Tanacetum polycephalum (L.) Schultz-Bip. induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in MCF7 cells

Tanacetumpolycephalum (L.) Schultz-Bip (Mokhaleseh) has been traditionally used in the treatment of headaches, migraines, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate its anticancer properties and possible mechanism of action using MCF7 as an invitro model. T.polycephalum leaves were extracted using hexane, chloroform and methanol solvents and the cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Detection of the early apoptotic cells was investigated using acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. An Annexin-V-FITC assay was carried out to observe the phosphatidylserine externalization as a marker for apoptotic cells. High content screening was applied to analyze the cell membrane permeability, nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cytochrome c release. Apoptosis was confirmed by using caspase-8, caspase-9 and DNA laddering assays. In addition, Bax/Bcl-2 expressions and cell cycle arrest also have been investigated. MTT assay revealed significant cytotoxicity of T.Polycephalum hexane extract (TPHE) on MCF7 cells with the IC₅₀ value of 6.42 ± 0.35 µg/mL. Significant increase in chromatin condensation was also observed via fluorescence analysis. Treatment of MCF7 cells with TPHE encouraged apoptosis through reduction of MMP by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax, triggering the cytochrome c leakage from mitochondria to the cytosol. The treated MCF7 cells significantly arrested at G₁ phase. The chromatographic analysis elicited that the major active compound in this extract is 8β-hydroxy-4β,15-dihydrozaluzanin C. Taken together, the results presented in this study demonstrated that the hexane extract of T.Polycephalum inhibits the proliferation of MCF7 cells, resulting in the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which was explained to be through the mitochondrial pathway.

Achillea millefolium L. essential oil inhibits LPS-induced oxidative stress and nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Achillea millefolium L. is a member of the Asteraceae family and has been used in folk medicine in many countries. In this study, 19 compounds in A. millefolium essential oil (AM-EO) have been identified; the major components are artemisia ketone (14.92%), camphor (11.64%), linalyl acetate (11.51%) and 1,8-cineole (10.15%). AM-EO can suppress the inflammatory responses of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, including decreased levels of cellular nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion production, lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) concentration. This antioxidant activity is not a result of increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, but rather occurs as a result of the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, thus reducing the inflammatory response. Therefore, AM-EO can be utilized in many applications, including the treatment of inflammatory diseases in the future.

Pinus densiflora leaf essential oil induces apoptosis via ROS generation and activation of caspases in YD-8 human oral cancer cells

The leaf of Pinus (P.) densiflora, a pine tree widely distributed in Asian countries, has been used as a traditional medicine. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of essential oil, extracted by steam distillation, from the leaf of P. densiflora in YD-8 human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Treatment of YD-8 cells with P. densiflora leaf essential oil (PLEO) at 60 μg/ml for 8 h strongly inhibited proliferation and survival and induced apoptosis. Notably, treatment with PLEO led to generation of ROS, activation of caspase-9, PARP cleavage, down-regulation of Bcl-2, and phosphorylation of ERK-1/2 and JNK-1/2 in YD-8 cells. Treatment with PLEO, however, did not affect the expression of Bax, XIAP and GRP78. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition studies demonstrated that treatment with vitamin E (an anti-oxidant) or z-VAD-fmk (a pan-caspase inhibitor), but not with PD98059 (an ERK-1/2 inhibitor) or SP600125 (a JNK-1/2 inhibitor), strongly suppressed PLEO-induced apoptosis in YD-8 cells and reduction of their survival. Vitamin E treatment further blocked activation of caspase-9 and Bcl-2 down-regulation induced by PLEO. Thus, these results demonstrate firstly that PLEO has anti-proliferative, anti-survival and pro-apoptotic effects on YD-8 cells and the effects are largely due to the ROS-dependent activation of caspases.