Potential anticancer effect of red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus) extract

The objective of this study was to determine the anti cancer effects of red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus Linn) in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro study, microtitration cytotoxic assay was done using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenil tetrazolium bromide (MTT) kit assay. Results showed that aqueous extract of A gangeticus inhibited the proliferation of liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The IC(50) values were 93.8 mu g/ml and 98.8 mu g/ml for HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively. The inhibitory effect was also observed in colon cancer cell line (Caco-2), but a lower percentage compared to HepG2 and MCF-7. For normal cell line (Chang Liver), there was no inhibitory effect. In the in vivo study, hepatocarcinogenesis was monitored in rats according to Solt and Farber (1976) without partial hepatectomy. Assay of tumour marker enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), uridyl diphosphoglucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were carried out to determine the severity of hepatocarcinogenesis. The result found that supplementation of 5%, 7.5% and 10% of A. gangeticus aqueous extract to normal rats did not show any significant difference towards normal control (P <0.05). The exposure of the rats to chemical carcinogens diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) showed a significant increase in specific enzyme activity of GGT, GST, UDPGT and ALP compared to normal control (P <0.05). However, it was found that the supplementation of A. gangeticus aqueous extract in 5%, 7.5% and 10% to cancer-induced rats could inhibit the activity of all tumour marker enzymes especially at 10% (P <0.05). Supplementation of anti cancer drug glycyrrhizin at suggested dose (0.005%) did not show any suppressive effect towards cancer control (P <0.05). In conclusion, A. gangeticus showed anticancer potential in in vitro and in vivo studies.     

Seizure in Indonesian Glioma Patients: Associated Risk Factors and Impact on Survival

Objective: Seizure is commonly found in patients with glioma. This study aimed to find risk factors for seizures in Indonesian patients with glioma. We also sought to determine the association between seizure and survival in this patient population. Methods: Patients with glioma were enrolled from the Dr. Sardjito General Hospital and other hospitals in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. Detailed demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to detect IDH1 mutation. Tumor tissue samples were stained by hematoxylin-eosin and classified according to the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Expression of Ki-67 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Survival data were also collected. Results: In total, 107 patients were included in the analysis. Age, gender, history of smoking, tumor side, tumor grade, Ki-67 expression, and IDH1 mutation were not associated with seizure. Tumors involving the frontal lobe (p=0.037) and oligodendroglioma histology (p=0.031) were associated with the development of seizures in this study. However, multivariate analysis showed that only oligodendrogial histology was associated with seizure [p=0.032, odds ratio (OR) = 4.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.146-19.822]. Patients with seizures have significantly longer median overall survival than patients without seizures (69.3±25.01 vs. 10.6±6.14 months, respectively, p=0.04). Conclusion: This study showed that seizure in patients with glioma in Indonesia is associated with frontal lobe location and oligodendroglioma histology. Patients with seizures also have significantly longer overall survival.     

Intermittent respiratory obstruction secondary to a solitary fibrous tumour

There have been fourteen cases of solitary fibrous tumour reported as originating from the paranasal sinuses. Here we report a case of solitary fibrous tumour that involved the right nasal cavity with extension into the oropharynx causing stertor and intermittent respiratory obtruction. Histopathology examination revealed the tumuor cells expressed CD34 turnout marker.     

Epidermal cyst of submandibular gland

The differential diagnosis of a cystic lesion in the submandibular area can be difficult. We report a case of epidermal cyst of submandibular gland which is relatively rare compared to the commoner epidermoid cyst.     

Parotid duct mucocele

Parotid swelling is a common presentation in ENT clinic. Most of the cases involve pathology of the gland. There are not many reported cases about parotid duct pathology. We describe a case of a large parotid duct mucocele with a calculus. Excision of the mucocele and superficial parotidectomy was performed. The post-operative recovery was uneventful.     

Diagnosis and management of acromegaly: giant invasive adenoma

Acromegaly is a rare disorder caused by excessive growth hormone. Majority of acromegaly are due to pituitary adenoma. It is estimated that 5% of pituitary adenoma become invasive and may grow to gigantic sizes (>4 cm in diameter). We would like to describe a man with giant invasive adenoma. We describe the case of 52-year-old man with acromegaly. The patient was presented to medical care because of hemichorea. He also had visual field defect, uncontrolled diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Hormonal profile showed increment of GH 2-hour after a standard 75-g oral glucose load and of high IGF-1 level with low level of FSH and LH. The next was performed by pituitary imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a macroadenoma with diameter 2.3x3.5x6.6 cm3 that fills the sella tursica, and enlarges into suprasella, genu of corpus collosum, and invades third ventricle. This report describes a rare case of acromegalic patient with giant invasive adenoma. This could be a demonstrative case and lesson for diagnosis and manage acromegalic patient.     

Use of permeability surface area-product to differentiate intracranial tumours from abscess

Background and Purpose

Clinical and radiological findings of intracranial abscesses may mimic the findings of brain tumours and vice versa. However, the discrimination is of great clinical importance in planning treatment and in following prognosis and response to therapy. This study evaluates the Computed Tomography (CT) perfusion parameters, especially the permeability index, with the aim of evaluating the usefulness of dynamic CT perfusion imaging as an alternative tool to differentiate necrotic brain tumours and intracerebral abscesses.

Materials and Methods

A total of 21 patients underwent perfusion CT study and were divided into 2 groups: Group 1, patients with necrotic brain tumours (n=13); and Group 2, patients with cerebral abscesses (n=8). The mean perfusion parameters were obtained from the enhancing part of the lesion. The relative ratios were then calculated by using the results from mirrored regions within the contralateral hemisphere as reference.

Results

The results of this study showed that there was significant difference in the relative permeability surface values between necrotic brain tumours and cerebral abscesses (p=0.005). By applying the ROC curve, a value of 25.1 for rPS was found to be the best estimate to distinguish necrotic brain tumours from cerebral abscesses with a specificity of 88 % and sensitivity of 70 %.

Conclusion

CT perfusion, especially permeability surface, may allow for better differentiation of cerebral abscesses from brain tumours, making it a strong additional imaging modality in the early diagnosis of these two entities.     

Protective effect of Launaea procumbens (L.) on lungs against CCl

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Launaea procumbens (L.) is traditionally used in the treatment of various human ailments including pulmonary damages. The present study was arranged to evaluate the role of Launaea procumbens methanol extract (LME) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced oxidative pulmonary damages in rat. METHODS: 36 Sprague--Dawley male rats (170-180 g) were randomly divided into 06 groups. After a week of acclamization, group I was remained untreated while group II was given olive oil intraperitoneally (i.p.) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) orally, groups III, IV, V and VI were administered CCl4, 3 ml/kg body weight (30% in olive oil i.p.). Groups IV, V were treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg of LME whereas group VI was administered with 50 mg/kg body weight of rutin (RT) after 48 h of CCl4 treatment for four weeks. Antioxidant profile in lungs were evaluated by estimating the activities of antioxidant enzymes; catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), quinone reductase (QR) and reduced glutathione (GSH). CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) with conjugation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damages, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) counts and histopathology. RESULTS: Administration of CCl4 for 6 weeks significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH concentration while increased TBARS contents and DNA damages in lung samples. Co-treatment of LME and rutin restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH contents. Changes in TBARS concentration and DNA fragmentation were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased with the treatment of LME and rutin in lung. Changes induced with CCl4 in histopathology of lungs were significantly reduced with co-treatment of LME and rutin. CONCLUSION: Results of present study revealed that LME could protect the lung tissues against CCl4-induced oxidative stress possibly by improving the antioxidant defence system.     

Attenuation of CCl4-induced hepatic oxidative stress in rat by Launaea procumbens

Antioxidant effects of Launaea procumbens methanol extract (LPME) were evaluated against CCl₄-induced oxidative stress in liver of rat. 48 male rats were equally divided in to 8 groups (06 rats each). Group I (control) remained untreated, while Group II was given vehicles (olive oil and DMSO). Animals of Groups III, IV, V, VI and VII were injected intraperitoneally with CCl₄ (3 ml/kg b.w.; i.p., 20% CCl₄/olive oil) twice a week for four weeks. Group III received only CCl₄ while Group IV was given rutin (50 mg/kg b.w.). Group V, VI and VII were administered LPME at a dose of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg b.w., respectively. Animals of Group VIII received LPME (200 mg/kg b.w.) alone. Oxidative stress induced with CCl₄ in liver was evident by a significant increase in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and enzymatic activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, γ-GT activities in serum. Level of lipid peroxidation, nitrite, and hydrogen peroxide concentration, DNA injuries in liver samples was also increased with CCl₄. GSH concentration in liver was significantly decreased, as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes; CAT, POD, SOD, GSH-Px, GST, GSR, QR. Co-treatment of rats with LPME and rutin prevented all the changes observed with CCl₄. Hepatic lesions and telomerase activity induced with CCl₄ was also suppressed with LPME and rutin. It is suggested that LPME effectively prevented the CCl₄-induced oxidative injuries in liver, possibly through antioxidant and/or free radical scavenging effects of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the extract.