Modulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte, natural killer cell, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity byVernonia cinereaL. and vernolide-A in BALB/c mice via enhanced production of cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ

Chemoprotective and immunomodulatory potential of Lactobacillus reuteri against cadmium chloride-induced breast cancer in mice

INTRODUCTION

The current study aimed to investigate the role of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Breast cancer was induced by using Cadmium Chloride (Cd) (2 mg/kg) in group II. Tamoxifen was administered to group III. Group IV was treated with Lactobacillus reuteri. Group V was treated with Cd for one month and divided into three subgroups including VA, VB, and VC which were treated with tamoxifen, Lactobacillus reuteri, and tamoxifen + Lactobacillus reuteri, respectively.

RESULTS

Significantly higher levels of TNF-α (40.9 ± 4.2 pg/mL), IL-6 (28.0 ± 1.5 pg/mL), IL-10 (60.2 ± 2.0 pg/mL), IFN-γ (60.2 ± 2.0 pg/mL), ALAT (167.2 ± 6.2 U/l), ASAT (451.6 ± 13.9 U/l), and MDA (553.8 ± 19.6 U/l) was observed in Cd group. In comparison, significantly lower levels of TNF-α (18.0 ± 1.1 pg/mL), IL-6 (9.4 ± 0.4 pg/mL), IL-10 (20.8 ± 1.1 pg/mL), IFN-γ (20.8 ± 1.1 pg/mL), ALAT (85.2 ± 3.6 U/l), ASAT (185 ± 6.9 U/l), and MDA (246.0 ± 7.5 U/l) were observed in group Cd + Tam + LR. Liver histopathology of the Cd group showed hemorrhage and ductal aberrations. However, mild inflammation and healthier branched ducts were observed in treatment groups. Furthermore, the renal control group showed normal glomerular tufts, chronic inflammation from the Cd group, and relatively healthier glomerulus with mild inflammation in treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Hence, the preventive and anticancerous role of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri is endorsed by the findings of the current study.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.: An Updated Review

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. is a perennial herbaceous plant found mainly in tropical areas, particularly in Southeast Asia, South America, and India. Various parts of V. cinerea have traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat several diseases, such as malaria, fever, and liver diseases. V. cinerea has so far yielded about 92 secondary metabolites. The majority of these are sesquiterpene lactones, but triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, and other compounds are present as well. V. cinerea crude extracts reportedly exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and renoprotective activities. This study aims to provide the latest up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activity of V. cinerea. Information on V. cinerea was thoroughly reviewed. The literature published between 1950 and 2024 was compiled through online bibliographic databases, including SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, Wiley, and the MDPI online library. The keywords used for the literature search included Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. and the synonyms Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., Conyza cinerea L., and various others.

Understanding cancer and its treatment in Thai traditional medicine: An ethnopharmacological-anthropological investigation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Thai traditional medicine (TTM) is widely practiced in Thailand and continues to gain importance in cancer management, but little is known about the TTM practitioners' emic concepts and practice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

With this study we firstly aim to document the practice of cancer treatment and prevention by TTM practitioners and, secondly, to evaluate how such traditional concepts and practices are correlated with biomedical ones. This in turn can form the basis for developing novel strategies for designing pharmacological experiments and longer term strategies to develop TTM practice.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with 33 TTM practitioners were performed in five provinces in different regions of Thailand. The following information were recorded; basic information of informants, descriptions of cancer (mareng in Thai), causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Plants used in the treatment and prevention of mareng were also collected.

RESULTS

Using an in depth ethnographic approach four representative case studies to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of mareng, its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are reported here. Five characteristics of mareng - waste accumulation (khong sia), chronic illnesses (krasai), inflammation (kan aksep), bad blood (luead) and lymph (namlueang), and the imbalance of four basic elements (dhātu si) - have been identified. Explanatory models of cancer in TTM were linked with biomedical concepts and relevant pharmacological actions. Traditional uses and available scientific evidence of medicinal plants mentioned in the case studies for the treatment or prevention of mareng are presented and discussed.

CONCLUSION

Here for the first time five main characteristics of cancer based on Thai traditional medical concepts are analysed. Our findings are relevant not only for the planning of clinical studies or pharmacological experiment in the search for novel compounds for cancer treatment and prevention, but also for the integration of Thai traditional medicine in cancer care.

Effects of Vernonia cinerea on reproductive performance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The present study investigated the effects of Vernonia cinerea (VC) on the reproductive function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: group 1, normal control rats; group 2, diabetic untreated rats; group 3, diabetic rats treated with VC (10 mg/kg); and group 4, diabetic rats treated with VC (40 mg/kg). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). All animals were treated for 30 consecutive days. Body weight, blood glucose, food intake, epididymal sperm parameters, testicular microstructure and serum testosterone levels were evaluated. VC treatment significantly restored the sperm motility and testosterone concentration, and decreased the testicular histopathological changes in DM rats. Moreover, high-dose VC exhibited an antidibetic activity and significantly improved the sperm count. In conclusion, we found, for the first time, that administration of VC significantly restored the testicular function and testosterone concentration in diabetic male rats.

Sesquiterpene lactone! a promising antioxidant, anticancer and moderate antinociceptive agent from Artemisia macrocephala jacquem

Background

Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) make a diverse and huge group of bio-active constituents that have been isolated from several plant families. However, the greatest numbers are present in Asteraceae family having more than 3000 different reported structures. Recently several researchers have reported that STLs have significant antioxidant and anticancer potentials.

Methods

To investigate the antioxidant, anticancer and antinociceptive potentials of STLs, gravity column chromatography technique was used for isolation from the biologically rich chloroform fraction of Artemisia macrocephala Jacquem. The antioxidant activity of the isolated STLs was determined by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, anticancer activity was determined on 3 T3, HeLa and MCF-7 cells by MTT assay while the antinociceptive activity was determined through acetic acid induced writhings, tail immersion method and formalin induced nociception method.

Results

The results showed that the STLs of Artemisia macrocephala possesses promising antioxidant activity and also it decreased the viability of 3 T3, HeLa and MCF-7 cells and mild to moderate antinociceptive activity.

Conclusion

Sesquiterpenes lactones (STLs) are widely present in numerous genera of the family Asteraceae (compositae). They are described as the active constituents used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present study reveals the significant potentials of STL and may be used as an alternative for the management of cancer. Anyhow, the isolated compound is having no prominent antinociceptive potentials.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1517-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The enriched fraction of Vernonia cinerea L. induces apoptosis and inhibits multi-drug resistance transporters in human epithelial cancer cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Vernonia cinerea Less. (VC) of the family Asteraceaes is considered as the sacred plant; 'Dasapushpam' which is ethnopharmacologically significant to the people of Kerala in India. In fact, VC has been used in the traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda) for the treatment of various ailments including cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cytotoxicity of the ethanolic extract of VC (VC-ET), petroleum ether fraction (VC-PET), dichloromethane fraction (VC-DCM), n-butyl alcohol fraction (VC-BT), and rest fraction (VC-R) was evaluated in cervical carcinoma (HeLa), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), breast cancer (MCF-7), and colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The apoptotic effects of VC-DCM were assessed in cancer cells using Annexin V assay. The effects of VC-DCM on multi-drug resistance (MDR) transporters in HeLa, A549, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cells were evaluated using flow cytometry based functional assays. Similarly, drug uptake in cancer cells and sensitization of cancer cells towards chemotherapeutic drugs in the presence of VC-DCM were studied using Daunorubicin (DNR) accumulation assay and SRB assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Cytotoxicity assay revealed that the enriched fraction of VC (VC-DCM) possessed dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in human epithelial cancer cells (HeLa, A549, MCF-7, and Caco-2). Further, treatment of cancer cells (HeLa, A549, MCF-7, and Caco-2) with VC-DCM led to a significant increase in both early and late apoptosis, indicating the induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, VC-DCM significantly inhibited functional activity of MDR transporters (ABC-B1 and ABC-G2), enhanced DNR-uptake in cancer cells, and sensitized cancer cells towards chemotherapeutic drug-mediated cytotoxicity, thus indicating the ability of VC-DCM to reverse MDR in cancer and enhance the cytotoxic effects of anticancer drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

A methodological investigation on the anti-cancer properties of Vernonia cinerea Less. (VC) revealed that an enriched fraction of VC (VC-DCM) possessed cytotoxic effects, triggered apoptosis, inhibited MDR transporters, enhanced drug uptake, and sensitized cancer cells towards anticancer drug-mediated cytotoxicity in human epithelial cancer cells. Thus, VC appears to be promising for an effective treatment of various drug-resistant human epithelial cancers.

IFN-γ mediates graft-versus-breast cancer effects via enhancing cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity

Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of graft-versus-tumor (GVT) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on the incidence of leukemia relapse and the overall survival rate of patients with leukemia; however, detailed mechanisms underlying the effects GVT exhibits on solid tumors following allogeneic HSCT are yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immune mechanism underlying the effect of interferon (IFN)-γ on GVT following allogeneic HSCT in breast cancer therapy. An in situ breast cancer mouse model was established by injecting 5×10⁴ 4T1 cells into the mammary fat pads of BALB/c mice. The 4T1 cells were transfected with the firefly luciferase reporter gene in order to monitor the tumor progression in real time. An allogeneic HSCT model was then established by transplanting bone marrow mononuclear cells from C57BL/6 mice to the BALB/c mice. To investigate the influence of T lymphocyte proliferation following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, the levels of CD3⁺CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells were determined. In addition, IFN-γ and granzyme B expression levels in splenic lymphocytes were analyzed using flow cytometry. Allogeneic HSCT was found to significantly promote the proliferation and cytotoxicity of CTLs and suppress the growth of breast cancer. Furthermore, the secretory levels of IFN-γ and granzyme B by T cells were elevated following allogeneic HSCT. These results indicated that alloreactive T cells increased the secretion of IFN-γ, which promoted the alloresponse of donor CTLs. In addition, the CTLs produced granzyme B, which exerted a tumor suppressive effect.

Sesquiterpene lactones: adverse health effects and toxicity mechanisms

Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) present a wide range of biological activities, mostly based on their alkylating capabilities, which underlie their therapeutic potential. These compounds are the active constituents of a variety of plants, frequently used as herbal remedies. STLs such as artemisinin and its derivatives are in use as first-line antimalarials while others, such as parthenolide, have recently reached cancer clinical trials. However, the toxicological profile of these compounds must be thoroughly characterized, since the same properties that make STL useful medicines can also cause severe toxicity. STL-containing plants have long been known to induce a contact dermatitis in exposed farm workers, and also to cause several toxic syndromes in farm animals. More recently, concerns are been raised regarding the genotoxic potential of these compounds and the embryotoxicity of artemisinins. A growing number of STLs are being reported to be mutagenic in different in vitro and in vivo assays. As yet no systematic studies have been published, but the genotoxicity of STLs seems to depend not so much on direct DNA alkylation as on oxidative DNA damage and other partially elucidated mechanisms. As the medicinal use of these compounds increases, further studies of their toxic potential are needed, especially those focusing on the structural determinants of genotoxicity and embryotoxicity.

A review of the medicinal potentials of plants of the genus Vernonia (Asteraceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Vernonia genus has about one thousand species and members of the genus are widely used as food and medicine. The aim of this review is to analyze published data on the ethnomedicinal, ethnoveterinary and zoopharmacognostic uses of plants of the Vernonia genus. This will help to identify the state of ethnopharmacological knowledge in regard to this genus and to propose future research priorities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The major scientific databases including SciFinder, Sciencedirect, Medline and Google Scholar were queried for information on Vernonia genus using various keyword combinations. The International Plant Name Index was also used to verify the names of species and authors.

RESULTS

A total of 109 Vernonia species were reported in the literature to have medicinal properties. One hundred and five (105) plants were linked to the treatment or management of 44 human diseases or health conditions. Plants of the genus also feature in ethnoveterinary and zoopharmacognostic practices. A total of 12 vernonia species were identified to be used in ethnoveterinary medicine while 2 species are used in self medication practices by chimpanzees and gorillas. In vitro and in vivo research studies reporting the validation of the medicinal properties of some species were also reviewed. One hundred and three bioactive compounds isolated from various Vernonia species were also identified. Vernonia amygdalina was identified as the most frequently used member of the Vernonia genus. The Vernolides, a class of sesquiterpene lactone were identified as the most studied compounds from the genus and show interesting bioactivity in antiplasmodial, antileishmanial, antischistosomial, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory assays.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of results from a combination of in vitro and in vivo efficacy and toxicity studies reported, Vernonia amygdalina holds the most promise for development into a nutraceutical against diabetes and malaria while Vernonia cinerea has potential against cancer and inflammatory conditions. Vernolide A is so far the most promising single agent from a Vernonia species that has potential for development into an anticancer agent. The other Vernonia species and isolated compounds require further studies to ascertain their medicinal potentials.

Leptin and zinc relation: In regulation of food intake and immunity

Leptin is synthesized and released by the adipose tissue. Leptin, which carries the information about energy reserves of the body to the brain, controls food intake by acting on neuropeptide Y (NPY), which exercises a food-intake-increasing effect through relevant receptors in the hypothalamus. Zinc deficiency is claimed to result in anorexia, weight loss, poor food efficiency, and growth impairment. The fact that obese individuals have low zinc and high leptin levels suggests that there is a relation between zinc and nutrition, and consequently also between zinc and leptin. Leptin deficiency increases the predisposition to infections and this increase is associated with the impairments in the production of cytokines. Zinc has a key role in the sustenance of immune resistance against infections. Dietary zinc deficiency negatively affects CD(+) 4 cells, Th functions, and consequently, cell-mediated immunity by causing a decrease in the production of IL-2, IF-γ, and TNF-α, which are Th1 products. The relation between zinc and the concerned cytokines in particular, and the fact that leptin has a part in the immune responses mediated by these cytokines demonstrate that an interaction among cellular immunity, leptin and zinc is inevitable. An overall evaluation of the information presented above suggests that there are complex relations among food intake, leptin and zinc on one hand and among cellular immunity, leptin and zinc on the other. The aim of the present review was to draw attention to the possible relation between zinc and leptin in dietary regulation and cellular immunity.

HPLC Analysis and Cytotoxic Activity of Vernonia Cinerea

The extracts of five Cambodian medicinal plants ( Aganosma marginata, Dracaena cambodiana, Harrisonia perforata, Hymenodictyon excelsum and Vernonia cinerea) were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells and HepG2 hepatoma cells, using the MTT assay. Among these five plants, Vernonia cinerea displayed potent cytotoxicity. One main sesquiterpene lactone, 8α-tigloyloxy-hirsutinolide-13- O-acetate was isolated from the whole plant of V. cinerea. This compound was active against both cancer cell lines (IC50 = 3.50 μM for HT29 and IC50 = 4.27 μM for HepG2). To quantify this compound in the plant, an analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated.