Immunomodulatory effects of hexane insoluble fraction of Ficus septica Burm. F. in doxorubicin-treated rats

Molecular design, synthesis and anticancer activity of new thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazoles based on 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone)

A series of 11-substituted 9-hydroxy-3,5,10,11-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[6,7]thiochromeno[2,3-d][1,3]thiazole-2,5,10-triones 3.1-3.13 were synthesized via hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of 5-ene-4-thioxo-2-thiazolidinones and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone). The structure of newly synthesized compounds was established by means of spectral data and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The synthesized compounds were tested on a panel of cell lines representing different types of cancer as well as normal and pseudonormal cells and peripheral human blood lymphocytes. Compound 3.10 was found to be the most active derivative, exhibiting a cytotoxic effect similar to doxorubicin's one (IC₅₀ ranged from 0.6 to 5.98 μM), but less toxic to normal and pseudonormal cells. All synthesized compounds were able to interact with DNA, although their anticancer activity did not correlate with the potency of interaction with DNA. The status of p53 in colorectal cancer cells correlated with the activity of the synthesized derivatives 3.1, 3.7, and 3.10. Compound 3.10 did not have an acute toxic effect on the body of С57BL/6 mice, unlike the well-known anticancer drug doxorubicin, which was used as a positive control. The injection of 3.10 (20 mg/kg) to mice had no effect on the counts of leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets and hemoglobin level in their blood, in contrast to doxorubicin, which caused anemia and leukopenia, indicating bio-tolerance of 3.10in vivo.

Extract of Ficus septica modulates apoptosis and migration in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

According to the alarming statistical analysis of global cancer, there are over 19 million new diagnoses and more than 10 million deaths each year. One such cancer is the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which requires new therapeutic strategies. Ficus septica extract has been used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases. In this study, we examined the anti-proliferative effects of an extract of F. septica bark (FSB) in OSCC cells. Our results showed that FSB caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the viability of SCC2095 OSCC cells, as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, and was less sensitive to fibroblasts. In addition, FSB induced apoptosis by activating caspases, accompanied by the modulation of Akt/mTOR/NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Moreover, FSB increased reactive oxygen species generation in a concentration-dependent manner in SCC2095 cells. Furthermore, FSB inhibited cell migration and modulated the levels of the cell adhesion molecules including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Snail in SCC2095 cells. Pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from FSB, showed antitumor effects in SCC2095 cells, implying that this compound might play an important role in FSB-induced OSCC cell death. Taken together, FSB is a potential anti-tumor agent against OSCC cells.

Quercetin Alleviates the Immunotoxic Impact Mediated by Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Doxorubicin Exposure in Rats

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent against hematogenous and solid tumors with undesirable side effects including immunosuppression. Quercetin (QUR), a natural flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables, has a potent antioxidant activity. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of QUR on DOX-induced hematological and immunological dysfunctions in a rodent model. Randomly grouped rats were treated as follows: control, QUR alone (50 mg/kg for 15 days per os), DOX alone (2.5 mg/kg I/P, three times a week, for two weeks), and co-treated rats with QUR for 15 days prior to and concomitantly with DOX (for two weeks), at the doses intended for groups two and three. DOX alone significantly disrupted the erythrogram and leukogram variables. Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, and IgE) levels and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in spleen were declined. The DNA damage traits in spleen were elevated with an upregulation of the expression of the apoptotic markers (p53 and Caspase-3 genes) and the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α genes), while the expression of CAT gene was downregulated. These biochemical changes were accompanied by morphological changes in the spleen of DOX-treated rats. Co-treatment with QUR abated most of the DOX-mediated alterations in hematological variables, serum immunoglobulins, and spleen antioxidant status, pro-inflammatory and apoptotic responses, and histopathological alterations. In essence, these data suggest that QUR alleviated DOX-induced toxicities on the bone marrow, spleen, and antibody-producing cells. Supplementation of chemotherapy patients with QUR could circumvent the DOX-induced inflammation and immunotoxicity, and thus prevent chemotherapy failure.

Immune-modulating Effect of Korean Red Ginseng by Balancing the Ratio of Peripheral T Lymphocytes in Bile Duct or Pancreatic Cancer Patients With Adjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIM

We aimed to clarify the clinical effect of Korean Red ginseng administered with adjuvant chemotherapy on the immune function of patients with bile duct or pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at a single tertiary center. Twenty-six consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for bile duct or pancreatic cancer followed by 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin or gemcitabine chemotherapy were included. They were randomized 1:1 to the ginseng and control groups. Immune and inflammatory markers were assayed in peripheral blood samples during and after chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Intergroup differences in immune-related parameters before and during chemotherapy were not significant. After chemotherapy, the percentage of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the ginseng group than in the control group (42.01% vs. 33.69%, p=0.048). The ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T lymphocytes was also higher in the ginseng group (2.03 vs. 1.28, p=0.027). Neutropenia and liver dysfunction prevalence did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The ginseng group, which received Korean Red ginseng daily during adjuvant chemotherapy, showed higher levels of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio after chemotherapy.

Ethanolic Extract of Herb Pugun Tanoh (Picria fel-terrae Lour.) Modulates TCD4+ and TCD8+ Cell Profile of Doxorubicin-Induced Immuno-Suppressed Rats

AIM:

To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of ethanolic extract of herb pugun tanoh on TCD4 and TCD8 cells in Doxorubicin-induced rats.

METHODS:

Fifteen male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups consisting of six rats each as follows: Group 1, DOX-treated rats (4.67 mg/kg BW body weight on day 1 and 4) and were administered normal saline 0.9% orally once daily for 7 consecutive days, Group 2, receiving Ethanolic Extract of Herb Pugun Tanoh (Picria fel-terrae Lour.) of dose 150 mg/kg BW orally, Group 3, receiving dose Ethanolic Extract of Herb Pugun Tanoh (Picria fel-terrae Lour.) 300 mg/kg BW orally. The rats of group 2-3 were intramuscularly administered with doxorubicin at a dose of 4.67 mg/kg BW at the days 1-4 to suppress immune functions.

RESULTS:

Treatment of 300 mg/kg BW of Ethanolic Extract of Herb Pugun Tanoh (Picria fel-terrae Lour.) succeeded in reducing side effect doxorubicin based on increasing the TCD4⁺ and TCD8⁺ blood level.

CONCLUSION:

Ethanolic Extract of Herb Pugun Tanoh (Picria fel-terrae Lour.) could increase the level of TCD4⁺ and TCD8⁺ in rats which induced by doxorubicin.

Cytotoxic Effect and Constituent Profile of Alkaloid Fractions from Ethanolic Extract of Ficus septica Burm. f. Leaves on T47D Breast Cancer Cells

The study aimed to investigate the profile of alkaloids in two ethyl acetate soluble fractions, namely fractions A and B from an ethanolic extract of Ficus septica leaves and cytotoxic effect on T47D breast cancer cells. Preparation of both fractions involved maceration of leaves with 70% (v/v) ethanol, filtration with Al2O3, precipitation with 0.1 N HCl, Mayer reagent, and 0.1 N NaOH, and also partition with ethyl acetate. Qualitative thin layer chromatography (TLC) was conducted to determine the profile of alkaloids in the two fractions, using alkaloid specific reagents such as Dragendorff, sodium nitrite, and Van Urk-Salkowski. Cytotoxic effects of both fractions on T47D cells were evaluated using MTT assay with a concentration series of 1.56; 3.12; 6.25; 12.5; 25 and 50 μg/mL. The TLC test showed that fractions A and B contained alkaloids with Rx values of 0.74 and 0.80 for fraction A and 0.74, 0.84, 0.92 for fraction B with regard to yohimbine using the mobile phase of n-buthanol:glacial acetic acid:distilled water (3:1:1 v/v/v). Moreover, an indole alkaloid was detected with Rx values of 0.80 and 0.84, respectively. Fractions A and B exhibited high cytotoxic effects on T47D cells with IC50 values of 2.57 and 2.73 μg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, overall the results of this study showed that fractions of Ficus septica contain alkaloids including indole alkaloid or its derivatives and possess a cytotoxic effect on T47D cells. This research supports the idea that alkaloids in F. septica have anticancer activity.

The role of chemotherapy and operation on lymphocytes accumulation in peripheral blood obtained from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

The "Cancer Immunoediting" concept has provided critical insights suggesting dual functions of immune system during the cancer initiation and development. However, the dynamics and roles of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, CD19(+) B cells, and CD56(+) NK cells in the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma during treatment remain unclear. A total of 43 patients with OSCC were divided into different groups according to different clinical factors (TNM staging, pathological patterns, age and genders) for assessment of relations with CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells, CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells, CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells and CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells and different chemotherapy and radical operation. The expression of CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells were significantly increased in advanced tumor stage, large tumor size and positive lymph nodes metastasis, compared to that in early groups. The accumulation of CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells were significantly increased in OSCC patients received 2 cycles CT and radical operation. Moreover, the accumulation of CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells were significantly decreased in OSCC patients received 2 cycles CT and radical operation. The distribution of circulating CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells was related with radical operation in patients with OSCC. This study indicate that CD4(+) T cells have opposing roles in OSCC progression and outcomes, which provides new insights relevant for the development of effective cancer immunotherapeutic approaches. 2 cycles TP regime chemotherapy and radical therapy may contribute to increase the effects of anti-tumor immunity on patients with OSCC.

Variation of blood T lymphocyte subgroups in patients with non- small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

To study variation in T lymphocyte subgoups and its clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Levels of CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , CD4+/CD8+, NK and Treg cells in peripheral blood of NSCLC cases and healthy adults were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio and NK cells in NSCLCs were decreased significantly in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01), and decreased with increase in the clinical stage of NSCLC, while CD8+ cells demonstrated no significant change (P > 0.05). Treg cells were significantly more frequent than in the control group (P < 0.01), and increased with the clinical stage of NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

The cellular immune function of the NSCLC patients is lowered. It is important to detect change of T lymphocyte subgroups by flow cytometry for the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment of NSCLC patients.