Optimal duration of a first-line palliative chemotherapy in disseminated colorectal cancer - a review of the literature from a developing country perspective

In Vitro Selective Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Effects of Ethanolic Extracts from Cambodian and Philippine Plants Used in Folk Medicine for Diarrhea Treatment

Bacterial diarrhea remains a global health problem, especially in developing tropical countries. Moreover, dysbiosis caused by diarrheagenic bacteria and inappropriate antimicrobial treatment has been associated with intestinal carcinogenesis. Despite the rich tradition of the use of herbs for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Cambodian and Philippine folk medicine, many of them have not yet been systematically studied for their in vitro selective inhibitory effects on intestinal bacteria and cells. In the present study, in vitro inhibitory activities of 35 ethanolic extracts derived from 32 Cambodian and Philippine medicinal plants were determined by broth microdilution method against 12 pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, cytotoxicity against intestinal cancer cells (Caco-2 and HT-29) using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide cytotoxicity assay and safety to six beneficial intestinal bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) and intestinal normal cells (FHs 74 Int) were determined for the antimicrobially active extracts. Selectivity indices (SIs) were calculated among the averages of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50), and 80% inhibitory concentrations of proliferation (IC80) for each type of the tested agents. The extracts of Artocarpus blancoi (Elmer) Merr. (Moraceae), Ancistrocladus tectorius (Lour.) Merr. (Ancistrocladaceae), and Pentacme siamensis (Miq.) Kurz (Dipterocarpaceae) produced significant growth-inhibitory effects (MICs = 32-512 μg/ml) against intestinal pathogenic bacteria at the concentrations nontoxic to normal intestinal cells (IC80 values >512 μg/ml; SIs = 0.11-0.2). Moreover, the extract of P. siamensis (Miq.) Kurz was relatively safe to beneficial bacteria (MICs ≥512 μg/ml; SI = 0.1), and together with A. blancoi (Elmer) Merr., they selectively inhibited intestinal cancer cells (IC50 values ≥51.98 ± 19.79 μg/ml; SIs = 0.3 and 0.6). Finally, a strong selective antiproliferative effect on cancer cells (IC50 values 37.89 ± 2.68 to 130.89 ± 13.99 μg/ml; SIs = 0.5) was exerted by Ehretia microphylla Lam. (Boraginaceae), Lagerstroemia cochinchinensis Pierre ex Gagnep. (Lythraceae), and Melastoma saigonense (Kuntze) Merr. (Melastomataceae) (leaves with flower buds). The results suggest that the above-mentioned species are promising materials for the development of new selective antibacterial and antiproliferative agents for the treatment of infectious diarrhea and associated intestinal cancer diseases. However, further research is needed regarding the isolation and identification of their active constituents.

Carbon nanotube/polyurethane modified hollow fiber-pencil graphite electrode for in situ concentration and electrochemical quantification of anticancer drugs Capecitabine and Erlotinib

A sensitive electrochemical sensor has been designed for in situ preconcentration and determination of anticancer drugs Capecitabine (CPT) and Erlotinib hydrochloride (ETHC) based on a pencil graphite electrode modified with multivalued carbon nanotube-polyurethane (MWCNT-PUFIX) nanocomposite that was supported with a piece of polypropylene hollow fiber (HF-PGE). The electrochemical behavior of CPT and ETHC on the MWCNT-PUFIX/HF-PGE modified electrode was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques and the obtained results confirmed its efficiency for sensing of CPT and ETHC. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. After optimization of some effective parameters on the method efficiency including pH, nanocomposite amount, the type of organic solvent, scan rate and the effect of some additives, the mentioned sensor presented suitable results for determination of CPT and ETHC with the linear ranges from 7.70 to 142.00 μM and 0.11 to 23.50 μM and detection limits of 0.11 and 0.02 μM, respectively. Also, the fabricated sensor has shown good performance in analysis of CPT and ETHC in biological samples.

Salidroside could enhance the cytotoxic effect of L‑OHP on colorectal cancer cells

Evidence has suggested that salidroside inhibits the proliferation and invasion of renal clear cell, lung, breast, and colon cancer. However, effect of salidroside on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells against oxaliplatin (L-OHP) resistance remains unclear. In the present study, the CRC HT-29 cell line and L-OHP resistance HT-29/L-OHP cell line were used to evaluate the effect, and mechanism of salidroside on L-OHP resistance. The results demonstrated that the activity of HT-29 cells was lower compared with that of HT-29/L-OHP cells following L-OHP intervention, and was accompanied with varied expression levels of drug resistant proteins. The combination of salidroside and L-OHP weakened cell activity significantly compared single utilization. Compared with the control group, salidroside intervention resulted in a higher percentage of HT-29/L-OHP cells in the G₀/G₁ stage, and reduced percentage in the G₂/M stage, but no significant variation in the S stage. The HT-29/L-OHP cells exhibited increased apoptosis rates and caspase-3 activity, but decreased metastatic, and invasive abilities following salidroside intervention. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis detected variations in the expression levels of associated genes in HT-29/L-OHP cells following salidroside intervention. In all, the results of the present study revealed that salidroside is able to decrease the activity and invasive capacity of HT-29/L-OHP cells, and treatment with salidroside is associated with increased apoptosis of cancer cells through the regulation of certain genes.