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Wang Z, Jiang X, Zhang L, Chen H. Protective effects of Althaea officinalis L. extract against N-diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in male Wistar rats through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, mitochondrial apoptosis and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:4756-4772. [PMID: 37576045 PMCID: PMC10420783 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth cause of death due to cancer and includes 90% of liver tumors. Therefore, in this study, it was tried to show that Althaea officinalis L. flower extract (ALOF) can protect hepatocytes against N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Totally, 70 Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10/group) of sham, DEN, treatment with silymarin (SIL; DEN + SIL), treatment with ALOF (DEN + 250 and 500 ALOF), and cotreatment with SIL and ALOF (DEN + SIL + 250 and 500 ALOF). At the end of the study, the serum levels of liver indices (albumin, total protein, bilirubin, C-reactive protein, ALT, AST, and ALP), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α), and oxidants parameters (glutathione peroxidase [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] activity along with nitric oxide [NO] levels) were evaluated. The level of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, p53, PI3K, mTOR, and AKT genes were measured. ALOF in cotreatment with SIL was able to regulate liver biochemical parameters, improve serum antioxidant indices, and decrease the level of proinflammatory cytokines significantly (p < .05). ALOF extract in both doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg in cotreatment with SIL caused a significant (p < .05) decrease in the p53-positive cells and a significant (p < .05) increase in Bcl-2-positive cells. Therefore, ALOF was able to modulate the proliferation of cancer cells and protect normal cells through the regulation of Bax/Bcl-2/p53 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. It seems that ALOF can be used as a prodrug or complementary treatment in the protection of hepatocytes in induced damages caused by carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenqian Wang
- Department of General Surgery905th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army NavyShanghaiP.R. China
| | - Xiao Jiang
- Department of General Surgery905th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army NavyShanghaiP.R. China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of General Surgery905th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army NavyShanghaiP.R. China
| | - Han Chen
- Department of General Surgery905th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army NavyShanghaiP.R. China
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Wang Y, Bai L, Zhang J, Li H, Yang W, Li M. Lepidium draba L. leaves extract ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity by modulation of ROS-dependent Keap1/Nrf2/HO1, Bax/Bcl2/p53/caspase-3, and inflammatory signaling pathways. J Food Biochem 2021; 45:e13987. [PMID: 34730245 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Lepidium draba L. extract on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced oxidative damages to testes in rats using sex hormones, antioxidant properties, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways. Six groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6/group) received distilled water (NC), CP (100 mg kg-1 day-1 /intraperitoneal), CP with L. draba extract [100 (LDCP 100), 200 (LDCP 200), and 400 (LDCP 400) mg/kg/day/orally] and also only L. draba extract [400 (LD400) mg/kg/day/orally] in 35 days. On day 36 of the study, sperm parameters, serum levels of sex hormones, antioxidant enzyme activity, nitric oxide levels, and inflammatory cytokines and also testicular tissue (ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels and expression of ROS-dependent pro/anti-apoptotic pathways) were evaluated. In L. draba-treated groups, especially doses of 200 and 400, in addition to improving sperm parameters and sex hormones (Increased levels of all three hormones luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone), serum antioxidant (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity increased and nitric oxide levels decreased), and anti-inflammatory properties (levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β decreased and MIF and TGF-β increased) also showed modification. By strengthening the anti-apoptotic pathway of Keap1/Nrf2/HO1 and inhibiting the apoptotic pathway of Bax/Bcl2/p53/caspase-3, L. draba maintains the structure and function of testicular tissue so that eventually p53-positive testicular cells are reduced and Bcl-2-positive cells increased. L. draba can help to maintain sexual potency and fertility in patients undergoing chemotherapy by controlling their apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Lepidium draba have considerable antioxidant properties and can help to maintain sexual potency and fertility in patients undergoing chemotherapy by controlling their apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways. The present results are useful to find a suitable supplement for improving the sexual performance of patients treated with chemotherapy drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technical Research Center for Personalized Medicine, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Liang Bai
- College of Medicine, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Huiting Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
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Wang Y, Bai L, Li H, Yang W, Li M. Protective effects of Lepidium draba L. leaves extract on testis histopathology, oxidative stress indicators, serum reproductive hormones and inflammatory signalling in oxymetholone-treated rat. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14239. [PMID: 34520070 DOI: 10.1111/and.14239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of Lepidium draba L. (L. draba) extract on oxymetholone (OM)-induced testicular injury in rat. Six groups of n = 5 adult male rats were used as; 1: control, 2: OM (5 mg/kg OM orally), 3, 4 and 5: L. draba extract (100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1 day-1 ) +OM (5 mg kg-1 day-1 OM) and 6:400 mg/kg/d L. draba extract for 30 days. Serum testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-1β), oxidative stress (OS) indicators [superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide (NO)], apoptotic related genes (Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3 (c3) and Bax) were investigated. OM significantly increased the serum levels of T, proinflammatory cytokines and pro-apoptotic genes expression. Also, it decreased LH and FSH, sperm viability, count and motility. L. draba extract especially could markedly normalise the serum levels of LH and FSH, and T, restore serum antioxidant enzymes and suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also, germ cells apoptosis was inhibited against via downregulating the p53, c3, Bax and upregulating Bcl-2. It concluded that L. draba extract could protect the function and structure of testis against OM-induced testicular toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technical Research Center for Personalized Medicine, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Liang Bai
- College of Medicine, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Huiting Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
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Akbaribazm M, Khazaei M. Low-dose bitter leaf improves sperm quality disrupted in immunosuppressed Wistar rats: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2021; 19:575-576. [PMID: 34401652 PMCID: PMC8350853 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i6.9379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a Letter to the Editor. Please download the PDF or view the article HTML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Akbaribazm
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mozafar Khazaei
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Ku SK, Lim JM, Cho HR, Bashir KMI, Kim YS, Choi JS. Tart Cherry (Fruit of Prunus cerasus) Concentrated Powder (TCcp) Ameliorates Glucocorticoid-Induced Muscular Atrophy in Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57050485. [PMID: 34066110 PMCID: PMC8151970 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57050485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The present study investigated the beneficial effects of tart cherry (fruit of Prunus cerasus) concentrated powder (TCcp) on glucocorticoid (GLU)-induced catabolic muscular atrophy in the skeletal muscle of mice. Furthermore, its potential mechanism was also studied. Materials and Methods: Changes in calf thickness, calf muscle weight, calf muscle strength, body weight, gastrocnemius muscle histology, immunohistochemistry, serum creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and antioxidant defense systems were measured. Malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, glutathione content, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in the gastrocnemius muscle, and muscle-specific mRNA expressions were evaluated. Results: After 24 days, GLU control mice showed muscular atrophy at all criteria of indexes. The muscular atrophy symptoms were significantly inhibited by oral treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of TCcp through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory modulated expression of genes involved in muscle protein degradation (myostatin, atrogin-1, SIRT1, and MuRF1) and synthesis (A1R, Akt1, TRPV4, and PI3K). Conclusions: This study shows that the TCcp (500 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) could improve muscular atrophies caused by various etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae-Kwang Ku
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 1, Hanuidae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38610, Korea;
| | - Jong-Min Lim
- Glucan Corporation, 25-15, Worasan-ro 950beon-gil, Munsan-eup, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52840, Korea; (J.-M.L.); (H.-R.C.)
| | - Hyung-Rae Cho
- Glucan Corporation, 25-15, Worasan-ro 950beon-gil, Munsan-eup, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52840, Korea; (J.-M.L.); (H.-R.C.)
| | - Khawaja Muhammad Imran Bashir
- German Engineering Research and Development Center for Life Science Technologies in Medicine and Environment, 31, Gwahaksandan 1-ro, 60 bean-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan 46742, Korea;
| | - Young Suk Kim
- Glucan Corporation, 25-15, Worasan-ro 950beon-gil, Munsan-eup, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52840, Korea; (J.-M.L.); (H.-R.C.)
- Correspondence: (Y.S.K.); (J.-S.C.); Tel.: +82-55-762-0275 (Y.S.K.); +82-51-999-5647 (J.-S.C.)
| | - Jae-Suk Choi
- Department of Food Biotechnology, College of Medical and Life Sciences, Silla University, 140, Baegyang-daero 700beon-gil, Sasang-gu, Busan 46958, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.S.K.); (J.-S.C.); Tel.: +82-55-762-0275 (Y.S.K.); +82-51-999-5647 (J.-S.C.)
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Shaldoum F, El-Kott AF, Ouda MMA, Abd-Ella EM. Immunomodulatory effects of bee pollen on doxorubicin-induced bone marrow/spleen immunosuppression in rat. J Food Biochem 2021; 45:e13747. [PMID: 33949702 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Bee Pollen (BP) on Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced bone marrow/spleen suppression in rats. 48 Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 8/group); control, DOX (5 mg/kg), BP (100 mg/kg), BP (200 mg/kg), BP (100 mg/kg) +DOX, and BP (200 mg/kg) +DOX groups. BP was administered orally for 42 days and 5 mg/kg of DOX was injected intravenously at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. Hematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Apoptosis-related genes were investigated using Real-Time PCR and western blot. DOX significantly decreased blood cells count, cytokines, and antioxidant enzyme. It also increased the expression of apoptotic genes in spleen and BM. The BP significantly improved hematopoietic function, antioxidant parameters, and serum levels of hematopoietic simulating-cytokines. Also, BP significantly reduced the expression of apoptotic genes. These results confirm the immunomodulatory activity of BP in DOX-induced biochemical, molecular and histological immunosuppression. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Chemotherapy drugs are being developed every day but are limited due to their side effects. The most important side effect of chemotherapy drugs is the suppression of hematopoiesis through its direct effect on bone marrow and hematopoietic cells. Today, many studies are done on natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic compounds to reduce the effects of chemotherapy drugs. Compounds that, along with chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of various tumors, maintain the hematopoietic pathway, synergize the antitumor effects of chemotherapy drugs, and also protect other organs of the body from free radical damage produced by chemotherapy drugs. One of these natural compounds is bee pollen, which has all the properties mentioned in chemotherapy supplements and can be used in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayez Shaldoum
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Attalla F El-Kott
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, College of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Marwa Mohamed Ahmed Ouda
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.,Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Eman M Abd-Ella
- Zoology Department, College of Science, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt.,Biology Department, College of Science and Art, Al-Baha University, Al-Mandaq, Saudi Arabia
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Properties of Solanum melongena green calyx against toxic effects of diabetes‐induced testopathy: a stereological and biochemical study. ADVANCES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13596-021-00568-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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8
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Keshtmand Z, Akbaribazm M, Bagheri Y, Oliaei R. The ameliorative effects of Lactobacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus casei probiotics on CCl4-induced testicular toxicity based on biochemical, histological and molecular analyses in rat. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13908. [PMID: 33225493 DOI: 10.1111/and.13908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are commonly present in foods and role as dietary adjuncts and alternatives to pharmacological products in many medical fields. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus casei probiotics on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced reproductive injury and sperm toxicity in rats. Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: sham, CCl4 (2 ml/kg), L. casei probiotic + 2 ml/kg CCl4 and L. coagulans probiotic + 2 ml/kg CCl4 . On the 36th day after the intervention, serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and total testosterone (T), as well as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, were measured. Testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the expressions of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2 and Bax), Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, histomorphometric indices such as tubular differentiation index (TDI), repopulation index (RI), spermiogenesis index (SPI) and sperm parameters were evaluated. L. casei and L. coagulans probiotics improved the levels of reproductive hormones and antioxidant capacity in rats. Both the probiotics, especially L. casei, increased the rate spermatogenesis which accompanied with significant increments in testicular TDI, RI and SPI. Furthermore, both probiotics down-regulated Bax and up-regulated Bcl-2, following by decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Our key findings indicated that L. casei and L. coagulans have protective effects against CCl4 -induced testicular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Keshtmand
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Akbaribazm
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Yasin Bagheri
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Oliaei
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Akbaribazm M, Khazaei MR, Khazaei F, Khazaei M. Doxorubicin and Trifolium pratense L. (Red clover) extract synergistically inhibits brain and lung metastases in 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:5557-5570. [PMID: 33133558 PMCID: PMC7590334 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trifolium pratense L. (Red clover-T. pratense) commonly consumed as a healthy beverage has been demonstrated to have various biological activities including antioxidant and anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimetastasis effects of doxorubicin (DOX) and T. pratense extract in 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. In this study, 56 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 8/group) to receive DOX and T. pratense extract in three different doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) for 35 days. On day 36 after starting treatments, serum cytokines (IL-8 and IL-6) were measured. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed for GATA-3 in the brain and lung, and for CK5/6 in tumor tissues. Metastasis-related gene (matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2] and sirtuin-1 [SIRT-1]) expressions were also measured by real-time PCR. Our results showed that cotreatment with DOX and T. pratense extract improved stereological parameters (i.e., reduction in the volume of metastatic tumors) in the lung and brain and decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and IL-6). DOX and T. pratense extract synergistically down-regulated MMP-2 and up-regulated SIRT-1 genes, decreased the number of CK5/6-positive cells in tumor tissues, and inhibited metastasis of GATA-3-positive cells into the lung and brain. The combination of T. pratense extract and DOX synergistically inhibited the metastasis of 4T1 xenograft cells in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Akbaribazm
- Student Research CommitteeKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mohammad Rasoul Khazaei
- Fertility and Infertility Research CenterHealth Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Fatemeh Khazaei
- Student Research CommitteeKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mozafar Khazaei
- Fertility and Infertility Research CenterHealth Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
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Akbaribazm M, Khazaei MR, Khazaei M. Trifolium pratense L. (red clover) extract and doxorubicin synergistically inhibits proliferation of 4T1 breast cancer in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice through modulation of apoptosis and increase antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related pathways. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:4276-4290. [PMID: 32884708 PMCID: PMC7455927 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are associated with drug-induced toxicities. The tropical edible red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is rich in polyphenolic compounds which confer the plant potential anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of T. pratense and doxorubicin (DOX) on the apoptosis and proliferation of 4T1 tumor cells in an allograft model of tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. Fifty-six female 4T1-tumor bearing- BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 8/group) to receive different doses and combinations of DOX and T. pratense extract for 35 days. On the 36th day, serum estradiol (E2), IL-12 and IFN-γ cytokines, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured. Tumor's ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the expressions of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) were also evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and p53 were performed. Our results showed that the co-treatment of DOX and T. pratense (100-400 mg/kg) inhibited the proliferation of 4T1 tumor cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. The co-treatment of DOX and T. pratense (especially at the dose of 400 mg/kg) decreased the serum level of E2 (as a stimulant for breast tumor growth) and increased the serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ along with significant increments in serum GPx and tumor FRAP activities. The co-administration of DOX and T. pratense also decreased the expression of Ki-67 proliferation marker and increased the number p53 positive (i.e., apoptotic) cells within tumors. This was accompanied with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic and down-regulation of antiapoptotic genes. The key findings indicated the synergistic effects of DOX and T. pratense against TNBC xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Akbaribazm
- Students Research CommitteeKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mohammad Rasoul Khazaei
- Fertility and Infertility Research CenterHealth Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mozafar Khazaei
- Fertility and Infertility Research CenterHealth Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
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