Proapoptotic and Antiproliferative Effects of Thymus caramanicus on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line (MCF-7) and Its Interaction with Anticancer Drug Vincristine

Thyme Extract Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Gut Dysfunction

Prolonged intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) disturbs the composition of gut microbiota, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases, notably obesity and increased intestinal permeability. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), an aromatic plant, is known for its several therapeutic properties. In this study, we explored the potential of thyme extract (TLE) to mitigate HFD-induced metabolic derangements and improve the gut environment. Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were administered 50 or 100 mg/kg TLE for eight weeks. Administration of 100 mg/kg TLE resulted in decreased weight gain and body fat percentage, alongside the regulation of serum biomarkers linked to obesity induced by a HFD. Moreover, TLE enhanced intestinal barrier function by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and ameliorated colon shortening. TLE also altered the levels of various metabolites. Especially, when compared with a HFD, it was confirmed that 2-hydroxypalmitic acid and 3-indoleacrylic acid returned to normal levels after TLE treatment. Additionally, we investigated the correlation between fecal metabolites and metabolic parameters; deoxycholic acid displayed a positive correlation with most parameters, except for colon length. In contrast, hypoxanthine was negatively correlated with most parameters. These results suggest a promising role for thyme in ameliorating obesity and related gut conditions associated with a HFD.

Cytotoxic effects of Phenformin on ovarian cancer cells: expression of HIF-1α and PDK1 in the hypoxic microenvironment

Today, many anticancer drugs are used clinically for ovarian cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. Phenformin is an antidiabetic drug of the biguanide class. It improves the antiproliferative activity in cancer cells. Hypoxia is an important component associated with ovarian cancer and its tumor microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of Phenformin in SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cells treated with different doses of Phenformin (0.5 mM, 1 mM, 2 mM, 5 mM) for 24 hours were subjected to WST-1 cell viability assay and Annexin V apoptosis assay. A dose-dependent decrease in cell viability with Phenformin treatment was observed. In addition, Phenformin activated percentage of apoptotic SKOV-3 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) treatment leads to increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) expression and Phenformin can recover hypoxic condition. HIF-1α protein expression was significantly correlated with cell viability assay and apoptosis assay. We also found that Phenformin inhibits expression of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. The ability to migrate to cancer cells was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner with Phenformin. This data demonstrates that Phenformin treatment can induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in ovarian cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. The findings reveal that HIF-1α is a new target for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Anti-tumor effects of Thymus Caramanicus Jalas extract in mice through oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer causes death in women. Thymus Caramanicus Jalas (TCJ) as a polyphenolic plant has an antiproliferative effect. Accordingly, this investigation studied the TCJ extract anti-tumor effects in a breast cancer model.

METHODS

Twenty-four female BALB/c mice were used in 4 groups including (1) breast cancer (control); (2), (3) and (4) breast cancer + 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg of TCJ extract (once daily for 20-days after breast tumor induction). The breast tumour was induced by 4T1 cell carcinoma injection. Then tumor size and weight were measured. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor κ-B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory markers and also Bcl-2, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome-c, apoptosis-inducing factor, and cleaved caspase-3 as biochemical apoptosis markers were evaluated in tumor tissue with western blotting analysis. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, hydrogen peroxidase (H2O2), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were exanimated.

KEY FINDINGS

Treatment with TCJ extract (500 mg/kg) decreased the tumor volume, tumor weight, GPx, SOD, and catalase enzyme activity versus the control group (P < 0.05). Also, TCJ (500 mg/kg) extract increased MDA, H2O2, inflammatory and apoptosis markers versus control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Current study showed that TCJ can induce anti-tumour effects via promoting inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in breast tumour tissue.

Anticancer activity of linalool: comparative investigation of ultrastructural changes and apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women ın the world. Many anticancer drugs are currently used clinically have been isolated from plant species or are based on such substances. Linalool is aromatic compounds from the monoterpene group. It is the main constituents of essential oils and show antiproliferative, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferativeand apoptotic, effects of linalool in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of linalool (100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 µM) at 24 h and 48 h. MTT assay for cell proliferation and Annexin V assay for apoptosis was done. The morphology of breast cancer cells was investigated by lıght mıcroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study show that linalool significantly induced apoptosis in all groups as dose and time-dependent (p < .05). Linalool has apoptotic and antiproliferative properties in a concentration and time-dependent manner in breast cancer cells. The cytotoxic effects of linalool on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells was found to be associated with apoptotic cell death. Linalool was more effective on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in smaller amounts.

Health-Promoting Effects of Thymus Phenolic-Rich Extracts: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antitumoral Properties

Thymus genus comprises numerous species that are particularly abundant in the West Mediterranean region. A growing body of evidence suggests that many of these species are a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acids and luteolin glycosides, able to render them potential applications in a range of industrial fields. This review collects the most relevant studies focused on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer of phenolic-rich extracts from Thymus plants, highlighting correlations made by the authors with respect to the main phenolic players in such activities.

Comparison of ultrastructural changes and the anticarcinogenic effects of thymol and carvacrol on ovarian cancer cells: which is more effective?

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide in women. Many anticancer drugs are currently used clinically have been isolated from plant species or are based on such substances. Thymol (5-methyl-2-isopropylphenol) and carvacrol are oxygenated aromatic compounds from the monoterpene group. They are the main constituents of thyme essential oil and show antiproliferative, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. The aim of this study is to compare the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of thymol and carvacrol on SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line. The cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of thymol and carvacrol (100, 200, 400, 600 µM) at 24 h and 48 h durations. The cell viability was investigated by MTT assay and analysis of apoptosis with annexin V assay was determined. The study show that thymol and carvacrol significantly induced apoptosis in all groups as dose and time-dependent (p < .05). The data in the present study demonstrated that thymol and carvacrol have apoptotic and antiproliferative properties in a concentration-dependent manner toward ovarian cancer cells. SKOV-3 cancer cell line was much more sensitive to the toxic effect of thymol than carvacrol.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Induction in Human Liver Cell Lines Exposed to Three Food Additives

BACKGROUND

Rapid lifestyle, especially among people living in urban areas, has led to increasing reliance on the processed food market. Unfortunately, harmful effects caused by the excessive use of food additives in such type of industry are often neglected.

OBJECTIVE

This proposal investigates in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of three food preservatives commonly consumed in daily meals; sodium sulphite, boric acid, and benzoic acid.

METHODS

The effect of the three preservatives on cell viability was tested on two different cell lines; normal liver cell line THLE2 and human hepatocellular carcinoma cancer cell line HepG2 using MTT assay. Cell cycle arrest was measured using flow cytometry by propidium iodide. Measurement of expression levels of two central genes, p53 and bcl-2 that play key roles in cell cycle and apoptosis was carried out in HepG2 cells using real time-PCR.

RESULTS

Although the effect was more significantly realized in the HepG2 cell line, the viability of both cell lines was decreased by all of the three tested compounds. Flow cytometric analysis of HepG2 cells treated with sodium sulphite, boric acid, and benzoic acid has revealed an increase in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. In Sodium sulphite and boric acid-treated cells, expression levels of p53 were up-regulated, while that of the Bcl2 was significantly down-regulated. On the other hand, Benzoic acid has shown an anti-apoptotic feature based on the increased expression levels of Bcl-2 in treated cells.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, all of the tested compounds have decreased the cell line viability and induced both cell cycle arrest and apoptotic events indicating their high potential of being cytotoxic and genotoxic materials.

Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Extracts from Thymus mastichina: A Thymus with a Distinct Salvianolic Acid Composition

Thymus mastichina, also called mastic thyme or Spanish marjoram, is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, where it is widely used in folk medicine especially for treating digestive and respiratory systems disorders, and as a condiment to season olives. This work describes for the first time the detailed phenolic composition of exhaustive hydroethanolic extracts and aqueous decoctions of Thymus mastichina. Unlike other species of the Thymus genera, Thymus mastichina extracts contain high amounts of salvianolic acid derivatives, with salvianolic acid A isomer being the main derivative. This isomer was identified in extracts from Thymus mastichina for the first time. Also, an undescribed salvianolic acid derivative in Thymus mastichina was identified and its structure was tentatively described. Extracts from Thymus mastichina showed significant scavenging activity of 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical cation, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide radicals. The anti-proliferative effect of both T. mastichina extracts were tested against Caco-2 and HepG2 cells; the hydroethanolic extract showed a high anti-proliferative activity against Caco-2 cells compared to HepG2 cells (at 24 h exposure, the concentration that inhibits 50% of proliferation, IC₅₀, was 71.18 ± 1.05 µg/mL and 264.60 ± 11.78 µg/mL for Caco-2 and HepG2, respectively). Thus, these results make this species a promising candidate for further investigation of its anti-tumoral potential. Therefore, Thymus mastichina can be potentially used as a functional food (used as a decoction or herbal tea) or as a source of bioactive ingredients with antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties.

Anil Kumar N, Sharopov F, Ramírez-Alarcón K, Ruiz-Ortega A, Abdulmajid Ayatollahi S, Valere Tsouh Fokou P, Kobarfard F, Amiruddin Zakaria Z, Iriti M, Taheri Y, Martorell M, Sureda A, N. Setzer W, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Capasso R, Adrian Ostrander E, -ur-Rahman A, Iqbal Choudhary M, C. Cho W, Sharifi-Rad J. Antidiabetic Potential of Medicinal Plants and Their Active Components

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major health problems in the world, the incidence and associated mortality are increasing. Inadequate regulation of the blood sugar imposes serious consequences for health. Conventional antidiabetic drugs are effective, however, also with unavoidable side effects. On the other hand, medicinal plants may act as an alternative source of antidiabetic agents. Examples of medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential are described, with focuses on preclinical and clinical studies. The beneficial potential of each plant matrix is given by the combined and concerted action of their profile of biologically active compounds.

In vitro activities of kappa-carrageenan isolated from red marine alga Hypnea musciformis: Antimicrobial, anticancer and neuroprotective potential

This study assessed the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and neuroprotective activities of the kappa(k)-carrageenan isolated from the red alga Hypnea musciformis (Hm-SP). The chemical spectrum of the k-carrageenan from Hm-SP was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Hm-SP revealed an antibacterial and antifungal action against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. Hm-SP did not promoted cytotoxic effects against Human breast cancer (MCF-7) and Human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell-lines. However, it was observed a significant reduction of the cellular proliferation capacity in these cancer cells in presence of the Hm-SP. Furthermore, Hm-SP showed neuroprotective activity in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity on SH-SY5Y cells by modulation of the mitochondria transmembrane potential and reducing Caspase 3 activity. In addition, Hm-SP demonstrates low antioxidant potential and did not induce significant cytotoxic effects or changes in the cell proliferation on Balb/c 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell-line. In summary, our data suggest that Hm-SP shows antimicrobial, anticancer and neuprotective activities.

Thymus vulgaris L. extract has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in the absence of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the biological effects of the T. vulgaris L. extract., such as antimicrobial activity on planktonic cultures and mono- and polymicrobial biofilms, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity and genotoxicity.

METHODS

Monomicrobial biofilms of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and polymicrobial biofilms composed by C. albicans with each bacterium were formed for 48h and exposed for 5min to the plant extract. Murine macrophages (RAW 264.7), human gingival fibroblasts (FMM-1), human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) and cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) were also exposed to the plant extract for 5min and the cell viability were analyzed by MTT, neutral red (NR) and crystal violet (CV) assays. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) produced by RAW 264.7 was quantified by ELISA, after 24h exposure to the plant extract, both in the absence and presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli. Genotoxicity of the plant extract was evaluated by micronucleus formation (MN) in 1000 cells. The results were analyzed by T-Test or ANOVA and Tukey's Test (P≤0.05).

RESULTS

All biofilms showed significant reductions in CFU/mL (colony-forming units per milliliter). Cell viability was above 50% for all cell lines. Anti-inflammatory effect on the synthesis of IL-1β and TNF-α was observed. The MN was similar or lower than the control group in all cells.

CONCLUSIONS

T. vulgaris L. extract was effective against all biofilms, promoted high cell viability, anti-inflammatory effect and presented no genotoxicity.