Cancer chemo-preventive role of grape seed oil and cisplatin as a combination adjuvant therapy in the treatment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma: A biological in-vitro study

OBJECTIVES

Grape seed oil (GSO) has recently gained popularity due to its anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of combining cisplatin (CP) and GSO in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) treatment.

METHODS

In this study, human tongue carcinoma cell line (HNO-97) was treated with CP and GSO alone or in combination. The effects of CP and GSO on cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest were studied using the MTT assay and flowcytometry, respectively. The apoptotic markers, including p53 and caspase 8, were assessed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), caspase 3 using immunohistochemistry, and the angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The IC50 drug concentrations were found to be 16.4 ug/mL of GSO and 2.18 ug/mL of CP. When compared to the untreated control group, the percentage of S phase cells and apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the GSO, CP, and GSO/CP combination therapy groups. Furthermore, p53, caspase 8, caspase 3 expression were significantly upregulated in the GSO-and CP-treated groups, with evident upregulation with GSO/CP combination therapy. However, VEGF levels were significantly lower in the GSO-, CP-, and combined GSO/CP-treated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

GSO has both an apoptotic and antiangiogenic effect in the treatment of TSCC, suggesting a new strategy for phytochemical-based combination therapy.

The functional evaluation of waste yuzu (Citrus junos) seeds

We have succeeded in extracting a large amount of expensive limonoids and the high total antioxidant capability yuzu seed oil from waste yuzu seed by simple methods. Yuzu seeds contain higher amounts of fat-soluble limonoid aglycone (330.6 mg g(-1) of dry seed), water-soluble limonoid glycoside (452.0 mg g(-1) of dry seed), and oil (40 mg g(-1) of green seed) than other citrus fruits. The antioxidant activities of yuzu seed aglycone, glycoside, and seed oil were evaluated in vitro. The potential antioxidant activity in oil solution, diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity, and hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activity effects of the seed extracts were also investigated. The antioxidant activity of yuzu seed oil was two times that of grapefruit seed oil, which has high activity. Yuzu glycoside produced the same high antioxidant activity as Luo Han Guo glycoside.

Extraction yields and anti-oxidant activity of proanthocyanidins from different parts of grape pomace: effect of mechanical treatments

INTRODUCTION

White grape pomace is not subject to maceration, keeping nearly all polyphenols of grapes, so they represent important sources of bioactive compounds such as proanthocyanidins. Preparation of plant polyphenol extracts is usually performed using raw material powder. However, the fine particles make the further extraction procedure steps more difficult.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of mechanical treatments on extraction yields and anti-oxidant activity from different parts of white grape pomace.

METHODS

Skins, stems and seeds were isolated from the pomace of white winemaking process. Sequential solvent extraction of polyphenols, first using 80% methanol in water followed by 75% acetone in water, was carried out on both entire and milled (< 1 mm) grape solids; extraction on seed polyphenols was also performed in its squashed form. The phenolic content of each extract was verified by spectrometric and HPLC methods and its anti-oxidant activity was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl test.

RESULTS

More total polyphenols can be extracted from each milled tissue than from its entire form. Seeds present the highest total phenol, oligomeric and polymeric proanthocyanidin content, and similar extraction yield was found between milled and squashed tissues. The HPLC analysis showed no difference in extraction yield of low-molecular-weight proanthocyanidins between milled and entire stems. Anti-oxidant activity showed a positive correlation with total phenol content, galloyled oligomers and polymeric proanthocyanidins.

CONCLUSION

The use of entire stems and squashed seeds for solvent extraction of polyphenols makes manipulation simpler and more cost-efficient, providing similar extraction yields to using their powdery forms.