Study on wound healing activity of Punica granatum peel

The methanolic extract of dried pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels showed the presence of a high content of phenolic compounds (44.0%) along with other constituents. This extract was formulated as a 10% (wt/wt) water-soluble gel and was studied for its wound healing property against an excision wound on the skin of Wistar rats. The activity was compared with that of a commercial topical antibacterial applicant. The wound healing activity was assessed by measuring the percent contraction in skin and estimation of collagen content in terms of hydroxyproline content. Healed skin was also subjected to histopathological studies to examine the microscopic changes. The animals treated with 2.5% gel showed moderate healing (55.8% and 40.8% healing compared with negative and positive controls, respectively), whereas the group treated with 5.0% gel showed good healing (59.5% and 44.5% healing compared with negative and positive controls, respectively). The amount of hydroxyproline increased by twofold in the group treated with 5.0% gel. Histopathological studies also supported the wound healing on application of the gels. The group of rats that received 5.0% gel showed complete healing after 10 days, whereas in rats treated with 2.5% gel, healing was observed on day 12, in contrast to the positive control animals receiving the blank gel, which took 16-18 days for complete healing. The results of this study may be extended to different types of wounds so that the formulation could be exploited to develop it as a topical dermatological formulation. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the extract showed the presence of gallic acid and catechin as major components.     

Seasonal and cultivar variations in antioxidant and sensory quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit

Fruits of diverse pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars were analyzed for soluble phenolics content, antioxidant activity, soluble solid concentration, acidity and internal red color intensity. Analysis was carried out at various dates throughout the harvest season, corresponding to different climatic conditions during fruit ripening. Values obtained varied with cultivar and ripening date. In three cultivars of different sensory properties and harvest season, comparison between late- and early-ripening fruit revealed that arils of fruit ripening later in the season contained more soluble phenolics (1.21–1.71 compared to 0.22–0.88 pyrogallol equivalents, g L^?1) and exhibited a higher antioxidant activity, as measured by the ferric reducing ability (FRAP) assay (1.22–2.37 compared to 0.86–1.95 vitamin C equivalents, g L^?1). The red color intensity of the arils inversely related (R² = 0.89–0.94) to the sum of heat units accumulated during fruit ripening. Multiple linear regression analysis on fruit characteristics in 11 diverse cultivars indicated that juice antioxidative capacity linearly correlated with soluble phenolics content (R² = 0.98), but not with the red color intensity of the arils (R² = 0.38). Also, no significant correlation was established between aril color and either juice pH or total soluble phenolics content. The results imply that pomegranate fruit antioxidant and sensory quality traits can be enhanced by the choice of cultivar and controlled-climate cultivation management.     

Effect of dried pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel powder (DPPP) on textural,organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of biscuits

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel is rich source of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, hence could be used in the development of functional food formulations. Attempt was made to see the effect of dried pomegranate peel powder (DPPP) and emulsifiers on the rheological, nutritional and quality characteristics of biscuits. Incorporation of DPPP from 0 to 10% increased farinograph water absorption, decreased dough stability, increased amylograph pasting temperature and peak viscosity of wheat flour; increased hardness and decreased cohesiveness of biscuit dough; decreased spread ratio and increased breaking strength of biscuits. Sensory evaluation showed that biscuits incorporated with 7.5% DPPP were acceptable. Among emulsifiers, sodium stearoyl lactylate significantly improved the quality characteristics of 7.5% DPPP incorporated biscuits. Addition of 7.5% DPPP increased the protein, dietary fibre, minerals, anti-oxidant activity and β-carotene contents of biscuits. The studies indicated the possibility of utilizing DPPP to improve the nutritional characteristics of biscuits.     

三羟异黄酮对人乳腺癌细胞增殖和细胞周期的影响

目的 观察三羟异黄酮对体外培养的人乳腺癌细胞MDA—MB—435S细胞存活率、细胞周期和凋亡的影响。方法 用噻唑蓝(MTT)法观察三羟异黄酮对MDA—MB—435S细胞生长的影响；流式细胞仪观察三羟异黄酮处理人乳腺癌细胞后细胞周期改变的剂量效应和时间效应；吖啶橙／溴乙锭染色法在荧光显微镜下观察三羟异黄酮对MDA—MB—435S细胞的凋亡作用。结果 随剂量增大和作用时间延长，三羟异黄酮对细胞增殖的抑制作用逐渐增强。同时可以阻滞细胞周期于G2—M期，而且随剂量的增大，作用时间的延长，阻滞作用也增强。经吖啶橙染色法于荧光显微镜下可见，随三羟异黄酮剂量增大，细胞凋亡也逐渐明显。结论 三羟异黄酮可抑制人乳腺癌细胞的增殖，其作用机制可能包括诱导细胞凋亡和G2—M期阻滞。     

甲基硒酸对乳腺癌细胞体外凋亡和细胞周期的影响

目的:观察甲基硒酸(MSA)对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7凋亡和细胞周期的影响。方法:以不同浓度的MSA作用乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7,在不同时间内,观察不同浓度MSA对乳腺癌细胞凋亡率和细胞周期的影响。流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率和细胞周期。结果:①MSA可诱导乳腺癌细胞体外凋亡,随着药物浓度及作用时间的增加,乳腺癌细胞凋亡率逐渐增加。②MSA可改变乳腺癌的细胞周期,将乳腺癌细胞周期阻断在G1期,并且减少S期细胞的比例。结论:MSA可诱导乳腺癌细胞体外凋亡、调控乳腺癌细胞周期。MSA有望成为预防和治疗乳腺癌的一种新方法。     

抗氧化剂对大鼠肝星形细胞增殖和凋亡影响的实验研究

目的　了解膳食维生素E和硒对大鼠肝纤维化恢复期肝星形细胞 (HSC)增殖和凋亡的影响。方法　采用腹腔内注射 5 0 %CCl4 制备大鼠肝纤维化模型 ,在饲料中添加适量维生素E(2 5 0mg kg饲料 )和Se(0 . 2mg kg饲料 )进行营养干预 ,在最后一次注射后 3、7、14、2 8天 (恢复期 )各处死 3只大鼠取其肝组织 ,用HE和Siriusred染色结合图象分析检测肝纤维化指标 ,用α SMA免疫组化方法检测激活的HSC细胞 ,用原位凋亡 (TUNEL)技术和α SMA免疫组化双标染色检测HSC凋亡。结果　在恢复期各时间点 ,病理对照组和抗氧化干预组激活的HSC数量呈逐步下降趋势 ,同时 ,从恢复期第 7d开始 ,HSC凋亡细胞数以及肝组织内的胶原量亦同步下降 ;在同一时间点 ,干预组激活的HSC数量低于病理对照组 ,而HSC凋亡数和凋亡率均高于病理对照组。结论　饲料中添加适量维生素E和硒能减轻肝纤维化的程度 ,并可能使恢复期HSC凋亡增加 ,激活HSC数量减少。     

三羟异黄酮拮抗表皮生长因子促乳腺癌细胞增殖

目的通过体外细胞，观察三羟异黄酮(genistein)和表皮生长因子(EGF)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖的影响。方法用不同剂量genistein、不同剂量EGF、固定剂量genistein和EGF的混合液，作用于体外培养的雌激素受体阳性(ER^ )人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7，作用不同时间后，用噻唑蓝(MTT)法测定细胞生长情况。结果genistein剂量超过25μmol／L以后对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7细胞增殖均有抑制作用，而且随剂量增大和作用时间延长其抑制作用逐渐增强，其中50μmol／L为最适宜浓度，EGF剂量超过4．15nmol／L以后对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7细胞增有明显的促进作用，而且随剂量增大和作用时间延长其作用逐渐增强，其中8．30nmol／LEGF联合作用于MCF-7细胞，则可显示出两者有交互作用，EGF对细胞的促增殖作用可以被genistein的作用逆转。结论genistein可抑制EGF诱导的人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7细胞的增殖。     

稳定转染抑癌基因PTEN对乳腺癌细胞BT549生长增殖的影响

目的 研究稳定转染抑癌基因PTEN对人乳腺癌细胞BT549生长增殖的影响.方法 以脂质体转染法体外转染pcDNA3-PTEN质粒至乳腺癌细胞BT549,G418筛选阳性克隆细胞并扩增培养,鉴定转染成功后检测细胞生长曲线.结果 (1)稳定转染PTEN的PTEN-BT549细胞有PTEN蛋白表达,而转染空载质粒pcDNA3的pcDNA3-BT549细胞和未转染质粒的BT549细胞没有PTEN蛋白表达.(2)稳定表达PTEN的PTEN-BT549细胞增殖能力较BT549、pcDNA3-BT549细胞明显降低(P＜0.05).结论 抑癌基因PTEN能明显抑制人乳腺癌细胞BT549生长增殖.     

White button mushroom phytochemicals inhibit aromatase activity and breast cancer cell proliferation.

Estrogen is a major factor in the development of breast cancer. In situ estrogen production by aromatase/estrogen synthetase in breast cancer plays a dominant role in tumor proliferation. Because natural compounds such as flavones and isoflavones have been shown to be inhibitors of aromatase, it is thought that vegetables that contain these phytochemicals can inhibit aromatase activity and suppress breast cancer cell proliferation. Heat-stable extracts were prepared from vegetables and screened for their ability to inhibit aromatase activity in a human placental microsome assay. The white button mushroom (species Agaricus bisporus) suppressed aromatase activity dose dependently. Enzyme kinetics demonstrated mixed inhibition, suggesting the presence of multiple inhibitors or more than one inhibitory mechanism. "In cell" aromatase activity and cell proliferation were measured using MCF-7aro, an aromatase-transfected breast cancer cell line. Phytochemicals in the mushroom aqueous extract inhibited aromatase activity and proliferation of MCF-7aro cells. These results suggest that diets high in mushrooms may modulate the aromatase activity and function in chemoprevention in postmenopausal women by reducing the in situ production of estrogen.     

Effects of retinoic acid isomers on apoptosis and enzymatic antioxidant system in human breast cancer cells

Retinoic acids (RAs) modulate growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in normal, pre-malignant & malignant cells. In the present study, the effects of RA isomers (all-trans RA, 13-cis RA, and 9-cis RA) on the cell signal transduction of human breast cancer cells have been studied. The relationship between RAs and an enzymatic antioxidant system was also determined. Estrogen-receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were treated with different doses of each RA isomers, all-trans RA, 13-cis RA, or 9-cis RA. Treatment of RA isomers inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells as a result of increased caspase activity in cytoplasm and cytochrome C released from mitochondria. All-trans RA was the most effective RA isomer in both cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. However, no significant effect of RA isomers was observed on the cell growth or apoptosis in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased effectively after treatment of RA in MCF-7 cells, whereas SOD activity was rarely affected. Thus, the present data suggest that all-trans RA is the most potential inducer of apoptosis and modulator of antioxidant enzymes among RA isomers in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.     

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors and Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) can be considered a multipurpose medicinal and dietary plant due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Pomegranate can be used to prevent or treat metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. Although previously published reviews addressed the effects of pomegranate on different diseases, there is no systematic review that exclusively focuses on clinical trials related to all MetS-related risk factors. In view of this limitation, the objective of this up-to-date, comprehensive, and systematic review is to critically evaluate the potential of pomegranate (P. granatum) on various MetS risk factors on the basis of clinical studies. PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, COCHRANE, and Clinical Trials.gov databases were searched on 15 October 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed, and the bias risk evaluation was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We identified 5683 studies in the databases. After removing the duplicates, 3418 studies remained. Of these, 147 studies met the eligibility criteria, and finally, only 20 were included in the qualitative analysis. The included studies suggest that pomegranate can be beneficial to reduce body weight, blood pressure, glycemia, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, it can augment high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and improve insulin resistance. Although relevant effects were observed, additional well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine the correct formulations and doses to be used to prevent or treat MetS components.     

Mixtures of four organochlorines enhance human breast cancer cell proliferation

In view of the large differences between the concentrations of estrogenic chemicals needed to elicit effects in in vitro assays and their levels in human tissues, it is hard to explain possible health risks in terms of exposure to individual compounds. Human populations, however, are exposed to mixtures of estrogenic and estrogen-like agents and it is necessary to consider the impact of combined effects. We assessed the combined effects of 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (o,p'-DDT), 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) on the induction of cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells. All four compounds are persistent organochlorines that can be found in human tissues. We performed extensive concentration-response analyses with the single agents to predict the effects of two mixtures of all four compounds with different mixture ratios. We calculated the predictions by using the pharmacologically well-founded models of concentration addition and independent action and then tested them experimentally. o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, beta-HCH, and p,p'-DDT acted together to produce proliferative effects in MCF-7 cells. The combined effect of the four agents could be predicted on the basis of data about single agent concentration-response relationships. Regression analysis demonstrated that there were combination effects even when each mixture component was present at levels at or below its individual no-observed-effect-concentration. We assessed combination effects in two ways: First, evaluations in relation to the proliferative responses induced by single mixture components revealed that the combination effects were stronger than the effects of the most potent constituent. Thus, according to this method of evaluation, the combined effects may be termed synergistic. Second, comparisons with the expected effects, as predicted by concentration addition and independent action, showed excellent agreement between prediction and observation. With this approach, the combined effect of all four compounds can be termed additive.     

Wine antioxidant polyphenols inhibit the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines

The effect of different wine antioxidant polyphenols (catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and resveratrol) on the growth of three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC3, and DU145) was investigated. A dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell growth by polyphenols was found at nanomolar concentrations. The proliferation of LNCaP and PC3 cells was preferentially inhibited by flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, and quercetin), whereas resveratrol was the most potent inhibitor of DU145 cell growth. Possible mechanisms of action were investigated: 1) The competition of polyphenols for androgen binding in LNCaP cells revealed significant interaction only in the case of high concentrations of quercetin, at least at five orders of magnitude higher than the concentrations needed for cell growth inhibition. All other phenols showed low interactions. 2) Oxygen species production after mitogen stimulation and H2O2 sensitivity of these cell lines did not correlate with the observed antiproliferative effects, ruling out such a mode of action. 3) NO production revealed two different patterns: LNCaP and DU145 cells produced high concentrations of NO, whereas PC3 cells produced low concentrations. Phorbol ester stimulation of cells did not reveal any additional effect in LNCaP and DU145 cells, whereas it enhanced the secretion of NO in PC3 cells. Polyphenols decreased NO secretion. This effect correlates with their antiproliferative action and the inhibition of inducible NO synthase. It is therefore proposed that the antiproliferative effect of polyphenols is mediated through the modulation of NO production. In conclusion, our data show a direct inhibitory effect of low concentrations of antioxidant wine phenols on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines mediated by the production of NO, further suggesting potential beneficial effects of wine and other phenol-containing foods or drinks for the control of prostate cancer cell growth.     

Rhodiola crenulata induces death and inhibits growth of breast cancer cell lines

Diverse compounds from many different chemical classes are currently targeted in preclinical analyses for their ability to act as both chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. Phenolic phytochemicals from Rhodiola crenulata has such potential. This Rhodiola species is a perennial plant that grows in the Tundra, Siberia, and high-elevation regions of Tibet. The phenolic secondary metabolites isolated from R. crenulata were recently analyzed in a preclinical setting for their ability to treat lymphosarcomas and superficial bladder cancers. However, the effects of R. crenulata have yet to be examined for its implications in breast cancer prevention or for its chemotherapeutic abilities. Therefore this study investigated the effects of R. crenulata on breast cancer both in vivo and in vitro. Experiments using aggressive human-derived MDA-MB-231 and mouse-derived V14 breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that phenolic-enriched R. crenulata extract was capable of inhibiting the proliferation, motility, and invasion of these cells. In addition, the extracts induced autophagic-like vesicles in all cell lines, eventually leading to death of the tumor cell lines but not the immortal or normal human mammary epithelial cells. Finally, an in vivo experiment showed that phenolic-enriched dietary R. crenulata is effective in preventing the initiation of tumors and slowing down the tumor growth in mice bearing tumor grafts, thereby further demonstrating its possible potential for treatment of breast cancer progression and metastasis.     

幽门螺杆菌感染对胃癌细胞株增殖及凋亡影响的研究

目的探讨幽门螺杆菌感染对胃癌细胞株SGC7901增殖和凋亡的影响和机制。方法体外培养的SGC7901细胞与1×10^8、5×10^7、1×10^7、5×10^6cfu／ml浓度梯度的HPNCTC11637标准菌株共孵育,分别在24、48、72h时观察细胞形态学变化,MTT检测细胞增殖抑制率,流式细胞和TUNEL分析细胞凋亡,RT-PCR检测survivin在mRNA的表达情况,Western blot检测细胞survivin在蛋白水平的表达。结果1×10^8、5×10^7、1×10^7、5×10^6cfu／ml浓度梯度的HP菌对SGC7901细胞作用72h的细胞增殖抑制率分别为54．5％、58．9％、67．6％、72．9％。流式细胞仪和TUNEL法检测不同浓度梯度的HP菌处理72h后细胞凋亡率分别为42．51％、45．67％、48．57％、54．61％与49．51％、51．26％、59．41％、62．46。幽门螺杆菌可以明显降低survivin的mRNA和蛋白水平的表达。这些作用均随幽门螺杆菌浓度和作用时间的延长而增强。结论幽门螺杆菌感染可能通过降低survivin的表达,在体外抑制SGC7901细胞增殖,并促进其凋亡。并且,这种作用呈时间剂量效应。     

类胡萝卜素对人乳腺癌细胞增殖及bcl-2基因表达的影响

目的 观察类胡萝卜素对人乳腺癌MCF－7细胞存活率、细胞周期和凋亡,以及对凋亡相关基因bcl－2的影响。方法 用MTT检测类胡萝卜素对MCF－7细胞作用的时间效应和剂量效应;流式细胞仪观察类胡萝卜素处理人乳腺癌细胞后细胞周期以及细胞凋亡的改变。用RT－PCR检测凋亡相关基因bcl－2的变化。结果 6种结构不同的类胡萝卜素对MCF－7乳腺癌细胞展现出不同的增殖抑制效果,60μmol／L的β－胡萝卡素和番茄红素在第4天的抑制率分别为88．4％和87．8％,而玉米黄素、角黄素、虾青素和玉米黄素双棕榈酸酯的抑制作用较弱。类胡萝卜素并不诱导87．8％,而玉米黄素、角黄素、虾青素和玉米黄毒素双棕榈酸酯的抑制作用较弱。类胡萝卜素并不诱导MCF－7细胞凋亡,番茄红素可阻滞细胞周期于G1／M,玉米黄素双棕榈酸酯可阻滞细胞周期于G0／G1期,而其他类胡萝卡素并不影响细胞周期。类胡萝卜素可不同程度地下调凋亡相关基因bcl－2mRNA的表达,bcl－2基因的下调与类胡萝卜素的抑制作用呈较明显的相关性。结论 类胡萝卜素可直接抑制人乳腺癌细胞MCF－7的增殖,不同结构的类胡萝卜素可能具有不同的抑制机制。     

丹参酮ⅡA对人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3增殖与凋亡的影响

目的:探讨丹参酮ⅡA(TanⅡA)对人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3的生长抑制和诱导凋亡作用及其可能机制。方法:培养人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3,经TanⅡA作用后,通过四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)比色法测定丹参酮ⅡA对人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3的增殖抑制作用;流式细胞术检测细胞周期;RT-PCR检测Survivin与Smac/DIABLO mRNA表达水平;免疫荧光细胞化学检测Survivin蛋白及Smac/DIABLO蛋白的表达。结果:1.0～10.0μg/ml TanⅡA对人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3具有生长抑制作用,并具有时间-剂量依赖性。实验组较对照组G1/G2期细胞数量增多,而S期细胞数量减少(P<0.05)。随着TanⅡA干预浓度的增加和作用时间的延长,Survivin mRNA的表达受到明显抑制(P<0.05),而Smac/DIABLO mRNA的表达明显上调(P<0.05)。Survivin蛋白及Smac/DIABLO蛋白均表达于SKOV3细胞,其表达多定位于细胞质中,偶见于细胞核。结论:TanⅡA对人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3具有生长抑制和诱导凋亡作用,其作用机制可能是通过抑制人卵巢癌细胞SKOV3 Survivin和促进Smac/DIABLO的表达而实现的。     

Lycopene differentially induces quiescence and apoptosis in androgen-responsive and -independent prostate cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lycopene has been credited with a number of health benefits including a decrease in prostate cancer risk. Our study investigates the molecular mechanism underlying anti-cancer activity of lycopene-based products in androgen-responsive (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC3) cells. METHODS: The effect of lycopene-based agents on prostate cancer growth and survival were examined using proliferation assays, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA content. Biochemical effects of lycopene treatment were investigated by immunoblotting for changes in the absolute levels and phosphorylation states of cell cycle regulatory and signalling proteins. RESULTS: LNCaP and PC3 cells treated with the lycopene-based agents undergo mitotic arrest, accumulating in G0/G1 phase. Immunoblot screening indicated that lycopene's antiproliferative effects are likely achieved through a block in G1/S transition mediated by decreased levels of cyclins D1 and E and cyclin dependent kinase 4 and suppressed Retinoblastoma phosphorylation. These responses correlated with decreased insulin-like growth factor-I receptor expression and activation, increased insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 expression and decreased AKT activation. Exposure to lycopene at doses as low as 10 nM for 48 h induced a profound apoptotic response in LNCaP cells. In contrast PC3 cells were resistant to apoptosis at doses up to 1 microM. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene exposure can suppress phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent proliferative and survival signalling in androgen-responsive LNCaP and androgen-independent PC3 cells suggesting that the molecular mechanisms for the cytostatic and cytotoxic actions of lycopene involve induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. This study supports further examination of lycopene as a potential agent for both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.