Comparative Cytotoxicity of Glycyrrhiza glabra Roots from Different Geographical Origins Against Immortal Human Keratinocyte (HaCaT), Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) and Liver Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as ‘liquorice’, is a well‐known medicinal plant. Roots of this plant have long been used as a sweetening and flavouring agent in food and pharmaceutical products, and also as a traditional remedy for cough, upper and lower respiratory ailments, kidney stones, hepatitis C, skin disorder, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal ulcers and stomach ache. Previous pharmacological and clinical studies have revealed its antitussive, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective properties. While glycyrrhizin, a sweet‐tasting triterpene saponin, is the principal bioactive compound, several bioactive flavonoids and isoflavonoids are also present in the roots of this plant. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts of nine samples of the roots of G. glabra, collected from various geographical origins, was assessed against immortal human keratinocyte (HaCaT), lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines using the in vitro 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide cell toxicity/viability assay. Considerable variations in levels of cytotoxicity were observed among various samples of G. glabra. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A copper chelate selectively triggers apoptosis in myeloid-derived suppressor cells in a drug-resistant tumor model and enhances antitumor immune response

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), one of the major orchestrators of immunosuppressive network are present in the tumor microenvironment suppress antitumor immunity by subverting Th1 response in tumor site and considered as a great obstacle for advancement of different cancer immunotherapeutic protocols. Till date, various pharmacological approaches have been explored to modulate the suppressive functions of MDSCs in vivo. The present study describes our endeavor to explore a possibility of eradicating MDSCs by the application of a copper chelate, namely copper N-(2-hydroxy acetophenone) glycinate (CuNG), previously found to be a potential immunomodulator that can elicit antitumorogenic Th1 response in doxorubicin-resistant EAC (EAC/Dox) bearing mice. Herein, we demonstrated that CuNG treatment could reduce Gr-1+CD11b+ MDSC accumulation in ascitic fluid and spleen of EAC/Dox tumor model. Furthermore, we found that CuNG mediated reduction in MDSCs is associated with induction of Th1 response and reduction in Treg cells. Moreover, we observed that CuNG could deplete MDSCs by inducing Fas-FasL mediated apoptotic cell death where death receptor Fas expression is enhanced in MDSCs and FasL is provided by activated T cells. However, MDSC expansion from bone marrow cells and their differentiation was not affected by CuNG. Altogether, these findings suggest that the immunomodulatory property of CuNG is attributed to, at least in part, by its selective cytotoxic action on MDSCs. So, this preclinical study unveils a new mechanism of regulating MDSC levels in drug-resistant cancer model and holds promise of translating the findings into clinical settings.     

Piceatannol inhibits phorbol ester-induced expression of COX-2 and iNOS in HR-1 hairless mouse skin by blocking the activation of NF-κB and AP-1

Objectives

The present study was aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity of piceatannol (trans-3,4,3′,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene) in mouse skin in vivo.

Methods

Female HR-1 hairless mice were topically treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) with or without piceatannol pretreatment. Epidermal protein expression was assessed by Western blot analysis. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The DNA binding of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) was examined by the electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay. The catalytic activity of IκBα kinase-β (IKKβ) was measured by in vitro kinase assay.

Results

Pretreatment with piceatannol attenuated TPA-induced expression of COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mouse skin. Piceatannol diminished nuclear translocation and the DNA binding of NF-κB through the blockade of phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IκBα. Piceatannol attenuated the catalytic activity of IKKβ and inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in TPA-treated mouse skin. In addition, piceatannol decreased TPA-induced expression of c-Fos and the DNA binding of AP-1.

Conclusion

Piceatannol inhibits TPA-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression by blocking the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 via suppression of the IKKβ activity and phosphorylation of MAP kinases, which provides a mechanistic basis of its anti-inflammatory effects in mouse skin.     

Silk fibroin film from non-mulberry tropical tasar silkworms: A novel substrate for in vitro fibroblast culture

The silk protein fibroin, isolated from the cocoon of the domesticated mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori, is used extensively in biomaterial design and in cell and tissue culture. We report here for the first time the potential application of fibroin obtained from the cocoon of non-mulberry tropical silkworm, Antheraea mylitta, as a substrate for in vitro cell culture. The mechanical strength of A. mylitta silk fibers indicates a stronger thread composition. The contact angle of A. mylitta fibroin films suggests that it has lower hydrophilicity and lower solubility in organic solvents compared to B. mori fibroin films. Retention of a secondary structure of fibroin in both A. mylitta and B. mori films is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The adherence, growth and proliferation patterns of feline fibroblast cells on A. mylitta fibroin films suggest that this kind of film has a greater ability to support cell growth than B. mori fibroin films and is comparable to that of control. This study demonstrates that, as well as being non-toxic to dermal fibroblast cells, non-mulberry fibroin might be a useful alternative substrate to the more common B. mori fibroin for a variety of biomedical applications.     

Detection of beet yellows virus by RT-PCR and immunocapture RT-PCR in Tetragonia expansa and Beta vulgaris

Two sensitive methods, RT-PCR with phenol-extracted RNA or Triton X-100-released RNA and immunocapture RT-PCR (IR-RT-PCR) were used for the detection of Beet yellows virus (BYV) in young and old leaves of Tetragonia expansa and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and in sugar beet roots. Four oligonucleotide primer pairs proved suitable for the detection of BYV. The release of BYV RNA with Triton X-100 was shown to be a very effective and easy as compared to isolation of total RNA by phenol extraction with the same or higher sensitivity of subsequent PCR. Using the Triton X-100 release of RNA and IC-RT-PCR the sensitivity of detection was so high that pg amounts of BYV RNA occurring in dilutions up to 10(-6) of saps from young Tetragonia and sugar beet leaves could be detected.