Induction of Apoptosis and Cytotoxic Activities of Iranian Orthodox Black Tea Extract (BTE) Using in vitro Models

Effect of Ferula persica plant methanol extract on the level of Cox-2 in induced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in rat tongue

Background: More than 90% of oral cancers are cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Standard treatment of cancer includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each of these treatments, however, brings about certain problems and side effects. Today herbal medicine, has become a more preferable option in dealing with health problems or preventing them because this type of medicine has better compatibility with the body and does not cause undesirable side effects. In this study , the effect of Ferula persica plant methanol extraction on Cox-2 levels in SCC induced rat tongue is conducted in vivo.

Methods: In this lab research, 75 rats from SD race in the age – range of 2/5 – 3 months were selected and put in five groups. In order to induce tongue carcinoma, 4– Nitroquinoline 1 (4 NQO) powder was used 3 times a week for each rat. Furthermore, Ferula persica extract was given to each of the groups in order to examine Cox-2 changes in the blood.

Results: Comparison of Cox-2 average in various groups resulted in the observation that there was significant difference between the Cox-2 levels in the groups which had only received carcinogen and the other groups. In this group, Cox-2 level was less and in the group that had received Ferula extract (500 mg) along with carcinogen , Cox-2 level was found to be more than other groups.

Conclusion: Ferula persica extract does not have reducing effect on serum Cox-2.

Apoptosis Cell Death Effect of Scrophularia Variegata on Breast Cancer Cells via Mitochondrial Intrinsic Pathway

PURPOSE

Scrophularia variegata M. Beib. (Scrophulariaceae) is an Iranian medicinal plant which is used for various inflammatory disorders in traditional medicine. In this study we evaluated the anti-cancer and cytotoxic effects of the Scrophularia variegata (S. variegata) ethanolic extract on the human breast cancer cell line.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity effect of the extract on MCF-7 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, Caspase activity, DNA ladder and Cell death were evaluated by ELISA, gel electrophoresis and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively.

RESULTS

The S. variegata extract showed significant effect cytotoxicity on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. Treatment with the extract induced apoptosis on the breast cancer cells by cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. The results indicated that cytotoxicity activity was associated with an increase of apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation as well as an increase of the amount of caspase 3 and caspase 9. In addition, the phytochemical assay showed that the extract had antioxidant capacity and also flavonoids, phenolic compounds and phenyl propanoids were presented in the extract.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that S. variegata extract induced apoptosis via mitochondrial intrinsic pathway on breast cancer by cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and an increase of caspase 3 and caspase 9. However future studies are needed.