Targeted Delivery of Pennyroyal via Methotrexate Functionalized PEGylated Nanostructured Lipid Carriers into Breast Cancer Cells; A Multiple Pathways Apoptosis Activator

Purpose

Pennyroyal is a species of the Lamiaceae family with potent anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. Combining this antioxidant with chemotherapeutic agents enhances the effectiveness of these agents by inducing more apoptosis in cancerous cells.

Methods

Here, methotrexate (MTX) combined with pennyroyal oil based on PEGylated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) was assessed. These nanoparticles were physiochemically characterized, and their anti-cancer effects and targeting efficiency were investigated on the folate receptor-positive human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and negative human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549).

Results

Results showed a mean size of 97.4 ± 12.1 nm for non-targeted PEGylated NLCs and 220.4 ± 11.4 nm for targeted PEGylated NLCs, with an almost small size distribution assessed by TEM imaging. Furthermore, in vitro molecular anti-cancer activity investigations showed that pennyroyal-NLCs and pennyroyal-NLCs/MTX activate the apoptosis and autophagy pathway by changing their related mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, in vitro cellular studies showed that these changes in the level of gene expression could lead to a rise in apoptosis rate from 15.6 ± 8.1 to 25.0 ± 3.2 (P<0.05) for the MCF-7 cells treated with pennyroyal-NLCs and pennyroyal-NLCs/MTX, respectively. Autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) cellular evaluation indicated that treating the cells with pennyroyal-NLCs and pennyroyal-NLCs/MTX could significantly increase their intensity in these cells.

Conclusion

Our results present a new NLCs-based approach to enhance the delivery of pennyroyal and MTX to cancerous breast tissues.

Effects of Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) Supplementation on production performance, egg quality traits, and biochemical parameters of blood and egg in laying hens at later stages of the production period

BACKGROUND

According to the promising outcomes acquired in recent studies that focused on using natural feed additives in animal nutrition, poultry nutritionists have also been interested in investigating these medicinal herbs' effects on poultry performance and egg characteristics. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), a natural source of antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, etc. compounds, is recommended as a potential alternative for antibiotics, with similar benefits and no adverse effects on animal health or their products. Considerable effects have been reported on laying hens' performance and their eggs' internal and external traits by pennyroyal inclusion in their diets.

OBJECTIVES

Due to the different results reported by pennyroyal inclusion in laying hens' diets in recent limited studies, this study was designed to reinvestigate the impacts of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) supplementation (PS) on productive performance, egg quality traits, and biochemical compounds in blood and egg yolk in aged laying hens. The findings of this experiment may help for a better understanding of PS impacts on desired parameters, along with improving aged laying hens' performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 144 Leghorn (Hyline-W36 strain) laying hens (53 weeks old) were used to investigate the effects of PS on performance, egg quality, and biochemical parameters of blood and egg yolk in old laying hens. The animals were distributed into three treatment groups; including a control diet (without PS), 0.5%, and 1% PS diets with six replicates and eight birds per replicate.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the egg production rate (except for week eight) and egg mass were significantly reduced by PS in the laying hens' diet during the first four weeks and the total period of the experiment (P<0.05). However, the feed conversion ratio increased by PS (P<0.05). Based on the egg quality trait evaluations (week 4), the yolk percentage, yolk height, and yolk index reduced, while shell-breaking strength represented a significant increase in PS groups (P<0.05). However, shell thickness and albumen percentage reduced and increased by 1% PS, respectively (P<0.05). At week eight, the Haugh unit reduced while the albumen pH increased by PS (P<0.05). The findings revealed a decline in the egg density in 1% PS groups (P<0.05). In the case of serum biochemical parameters, alanine aminotransferase increased, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels reduced in the PS groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the triglyceride levels of both serum and egg yolk (accompanied by the very low-density lipoprotein level of serum) decreased by PS (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, PS reduced serum and egg yolk triglyceride levels, accompanied by serum MDA, along with reducing production performance.

Reduction of inflammation and colon injury by a Pennyroyal phenolic extract in experimental inflammatory bowel disease in mice

PURPOSE

Little is known about the pharmacological effects of the phenolic compounds of Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). This Mediterranean aromatic plant, used as a gastronomic spice and as food preservative by the food industry has been studied mainly due to its essential oil antibacterial properties, composed primarily by monoterpenes. With this work, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a phenolic extract of pennyroyal in the impairment of inflammatory processes in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and in the potential inhibition of progression to colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

To that purpose, we evaluated the effect of pennyroyal extract administration in a model of TNBS-induced colitis in mice and further determined its effect on human colon carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion.

RESULTS

The phenolic extract of pennyroyal exhibited antioxidant properties in in vitro assays and administration of the extract in a rat model of carrageenan-induced paw oedema led to significant anti-inflammatory effects. Further results evidenced a beneficial effect of the phenolic extract in the attenuation of experimental colitis and a potential antiproliferative effect on cultured colon cancer cells, effects not previously described, to our knowledge. A reduction in several markers of colon inflammation was observed following administration of the extract to colitis-induced mice, including functional and histological indicators. A successful inhibition of cancer cell invasion and proliferation was also observed in in vitro studies with HT-29 cells. Furthermore, the extract also led to a reduced expression of iNOS/COX-2 in the colon of colitis-induced mice, both being crucial mediators of intestinal inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking into consideration the central role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of CRC and the recognised connection between inflammatory events and cancer, these results enlighten the relevance of the phenolic constituents of pennyroyal as important pharmacological sources in the investigation of new treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.