Sanguinarine suppresses basal-like breast cancer growth through dihydrofolate reductase inhibition

Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) remains a great challenge because of its clinically aggressive nature and lack of effective targeted therapy. We analyzed the potential anti-neoplastic effects of sanguinarine, a natural benzophenanthridine alkaloid, against BLBC cells. Sanguinarine treatment resulted in a reduction of cell migration, in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability and in the induction of cell death by apoptosis in both human (MDA-MB-231 cells) and mouse (A17 cells) in vitro models of BLBC. In vivo experiments demonstrated that oral administration of sanguinarine reduced the development and growth of A17 transplantable tumors in FVB syngeneic mice. Western blotting analysis revealed that suppression of BLBC growth by sanguinarine was correlated with a concurrent upregulation of p27 and downregulation of cyclin D1 and with the inhibition of STAT3 activation. In addition, we identified sanguinarine as a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), able to impair enzyme activity even in methotrexate resistant MDA-MB-231 cells. These results provide evidence that sanguinarine is a promising anticancer drug for the treatment of BLBC.

Outbreak of epidemic dropsy in Ethiopia: the clinical and therapeutic observation

INTRODUCTION

Epidemic dropsy results from ingestion of argemone oil contaminated food staffs. The oil from Argemone Mexican seeds contains toxic alkaloids called sanguinarine and dehydrosangunarine. These cause wide spread capillary dilatation, proliferation and leakages. This leads to oedema, hypovolemia and hypotension.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the socio-demographic and clinical manifestations of the patients affected with epidemic dropsy in Tikur Anbessa specialized Hospital (TASH).

METHODS

A case series study was conducted in an outbreak with unusual cases which was later diagnosed to be epidemic dropsy. Clinical evaluation of suspects was done and optimal therapy given for the complications detected and information was filled in structured format by medical residents and medial chart records review was made for occurrence of new complications in the end of 9 months.

RESULTS

A total of 164 patients were seen at TASH from 26 households, in 8 sub-cities of Addis Ababa. A wide range of age group was affected with 70% from 16 to 40 years of age. There was no case among less than 5 years of age. Females were affected more than threefold as compared to males. All the patients manifested with bilateral leg swelling and pitting oedema. It was tender in 50 (30.4%) of them while 43 (26.2%) had erythema. Tachycardia was the next common manifestation occurring in 135 (82.3%), followed by cough in 123 (75%), anaemia in 59 (36%), headache in 58 (35.4%), shortness of breathing in 52 (31.2%), hair loss in 44 (26.8%) and respiratory distress in 35 (21.3%). Abdominal pain, hepatomegally, nausea and vomiting were also seen. There was abnormality in the chest X-ray of 31 (27.2%). Hair loss, tingling and burning extremities, difficulty of standing, hyperpigmentation, pruritic rash and eye symptoms were observed lately during follow up. Five of the patients died while in hospital care due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

CONCLUSIONS

The commonest clinical manifestation in our patients is bilateral leg swelling which is similar to other outbreaks of epidemic dropsy elsewhere. The mortality rate is also comparable with other series but all cases died by ARDS in our series which is unusual in other reports. As this is the first reported epidemics in Ethiopia the findings will create awareness of clinical features of epidemic dropsy among clinicians, and therefore, helps for diagnoses of similar problems in the future.

Laboratory investigation of epidemic dropsy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Food adulteration including adulteration of edible oils may cause serious health problems. One of the most common edible adulterants is argemone oil. An outbreak of epidemic dropsy occurred in Addis Ababa during May-June, 2008. One hundred and eighty two cases were recorded with twelve confirmed deaths. Dietary history of the cases revealed that vegetable oils were the usual cooking medium.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was hence to investigate the causes of this outbreak.

METHODS

Contaminant identification was done using standard chemical tests, complemented with TLC. Toxicity study was done using Swiss albino mice feed with contaminated and non contaminated standard diet for 30 days.

RESULTS

Laboratory investigation of the edible oils has indicated that 47 of the 280 edible oils analyzed were adulterated with argemone oil. About 81% of the edible oil samples collected from Lideta sub-city were adulterated with argemone oil. Toxicological investigation of the adulterated oils also indicated typical features of argemone alkaloid poisoning in mice.

CONCLUSION

Results of both laboratory analysis and toxicological studies confirmed consumption of edible oils adulterated with argemone oil as the cause of epidemic dropsy in Addis Ababa.

Outbreak investigation of epidemic dropsy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

BACKGROUND

A 17 year old female patient who presented to a tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa with bilateral painful leg swelling of two months and shortness of breath, associated with cough and haemoptysis of one week duration was reported to the Ministry of Health and the Addis Ababa Health Bureau. The condition was later detected in 18 individuals from 4 households indicating occurrence of an outbreak of unknown cause in Addis Ababa which lasted during May-July 2008.

OBJECTIVE

An outbreak investigation was initiated to identify the cause and prevent further spread, morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

Using semi-structured questionnaire, quantitative assessment involving individual cases and affected households was conducted to detect aetiology and risk factors. Unaffected households as well as unaffected members of affected households were also included for comparison purpose. Record review of patients visiting hospitals was also done. Data were collected through house to house visits, and using interview of cases admitted to hospital. Samples of cooking oil were collected for laboratory testing. Data analysis was done using SPSS.

RESULTS

A total of 182 patients, 50 (27.5%) males and 132 (72.5%) females, were identified till the outbreak was controlled fully. Age varied from 6-90 years. Death was confirmed in 12 cases, 8 of whom were female. The majority of the patients came from the adjoining Lideta (39.0%) and Kolfe Keranyo (31.9%) subcities. History of illness ranged from less than a week to 12 weeks before presentation. Out of the 106 household members of the 24 affected households identified during the first phase of the investigation, 83 were affected. Most family members who infrequently take meals at home, and children aged 3 years and below were spared. The 21 visited affected households from Kolfe keranyo, Lideta and Bole subcities bought cooking oil produced by a firm in Lideta subcity and all had bought their last supplies in March and April 2008. Samples of cooking food oil taken from this firm and from the affected households were found to have alkaloids of Argemone Mexicana. The number of new cases dropped to zero within 6 weeks after the source was closed.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of bilateral leg swelling in more than one family member of affected households, that bought cooking oil from the same source, sparing the toddlers, and those who infrequently take meals at home, further strengthened by laboratory confirmation of presence of argemone alkaloids in the cooking oil samples taken from the affected households and the common sources led to the diagnosis of the outbreak to be epidemic dropsy.

Epidemic dropsy: case report and the morphologic features in a patient who died at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital

Epidemic dropsy results from the consumption of edible oils adulterated with argemone mexicana oil. In a 2008 epidemic in Addis Ababa five patients died and in one of these a partial autopsy has been performed. The clinical impression of acute respiratory distress syndrome has been confirmed by the demonstration of massive diffuse alveolar damage. These features are consistent with findings reported in similar epidemics.

The staining potential of various currently marketed mouthrinses

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this clinical trial were to determine the tooth staining potential as measured by the Macpherson Modification of the Lobene Stain Index, and degree of taste alteration of four currently marketed mouthrinses when used over a 12-week period.

METHODS

This investigation consisted of a 12-week, observer-blind, single-center, randomized comparison of five parallel groups of subjects. One-hundred and seventy-one subjects granting their informed consent completed the trial. Subjects were randomized to one of four currently marketed mouthrinses Crest PRO-HEALTH Rinse (CPH), Cēpacol (C), Scope (S), Viadent ADVANCED CARE (V), or brushing alone (BA) with a currently marketed fluoride toothpaste. Upon randomization, subjects received a baseline stain score and then a prophylaxis to remove all extrinsic stain. Clinical assessments were repeated after six weeks and three months of product use, and subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire after the first use, at day 4, day 14, at six weeks, and 12 weeks to assess potential taste alteration.

RESULTS

CPH and C demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) more extrinsic stain after six weeks of use, and CPH, C (p < 0.001), and S (p = 0.01) after 12 weeks of use versus brushing alone with fluoride toothpaste. V was not significantly different from brushing alone at either time point. After six weeks of using the product as directed, up to 53% of subjects using CPH experienced taste interference for up to three hours post-rinse.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrated that regular use of CPH and C mouthrinses resulted in extrinsic stain accumulation after six weeks, with increased accumulation after 12 weeks versus brushing alone.

PKC blockade differentially affects aversive but not appetitive gustatory memories

After consumption of a new taste, there are mainly two possible outcomes for the establishment of a taste memory, either it will be aversive or safe depending on the consequences of taste consumption. It has been proposed that both types of learning share a common initial taste memory trace, which will lead to two different memory traces, safe or aversive. To study the role of PKC activity in aversive or safe taste memory formation, we administered chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor, into the insular cortex or parietal cortex 20 min before conditioned taste aversion or attenuation of neophobia training. The results suggest that PKC activity is needed in the insular cortex for the establishment of aversive taste memory, but not for safe taste memory.