Antilymphoproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots

Extracts of plants have been widely evaluated for possible antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic properties. The antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in traditional medicine, was evaluated in several cells. It inhibited T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A-stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It also inhibited purified protein derivative antigen-stimulated PBMC proliferation and human mixed lymphocyte culture. In addition, B. diffusa extract inhibited the growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin, such as mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7), human macrophage cells (U937), human monocytic cells (THP-1), mouse fibroblast cells (L929), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), mouse liver cells (BNLCL.2), African green monkey kidney cells (COS-1), mouse lymphoma cells (EL-4), human erythroleukemic cells (K562), and human T cells (Jurkat). The present study has demonstrated the antiproliferative potential of ethanolic extract of B. diffusa in vitro.     

Rapid identification of dysregulated genes in cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases using cDNA technology

One important application of DNA microarray technology is the simultaneous analysis of gene expression of different mRNAs. Comparison of mRNA patterns of diseased and healthy tissue may help to understand the pathogenesis of a given disorder. In cancer tissue, identified dysregulated genes may serve as new molecular markers for diagnosis or prognosis or may ideally serve as new targets for therapy. Using membrane cDNA array technology, we analyzed gene expression in human melanomas, one of the most aggressive types of cancer with a high metastatic potential and with markedly increased incidence worldwide. To account for the heterogeneity of tumors, we compared total RNA from cutaneous melanoma metastases of 10 different patients with primary human melanocytes. An abundance of genes was dysregulated (up-/downregulated), which involved for example the apoptosis gene growth factor receptor-bound protein 10, Bcl2-associated X membrane protein, Bcl2 antagonist of cell death, glutathione S-transferase theta(1) and glutathione reductase. Ultimately, the identification of melanoma-associated genes may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for identifying and targeting malignant melanoma.     

Radiation-related cytological changes in oral malignant cells

Carcinoma of the oral cavity constitutes approximately 40% of overall malignant tumours in India, with an incidence of about 56,000 cases per year. Radiation responses in oral cancer cells by cytology have not been extensively studied. 102 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity treated by fractionated radiotherapy were studied. Serial scrape smears were taken from each tumour before and after irradiation. The abnormal nuclear counts per 1000 malignant cells were 1.6 and 14.1(p<0.001) for micronucleation, 0.9 and 5.5 (p<0.001) for nuclear budding, 7.6 and 28.1(p<0.001) for binucleation and 2.4 and 11.7(p<0.001) for multinucleation respectively. The study showed a significant rise in radiation induced cytological responses. In addition, radiation changes observed included abnormal and incomplete divisions of a nucleus, fibroblast like appearance cells, and enlargement of nuclear size as well as cytoplasmic granulation. These changes may have an important role to play in understanding the mechanism of cell killing after radiotherapy.     

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of tuberculous mastitis

Fine needle aspiration cytology has become the first choice in diagnostic procedures in the management of a variety of breast diseases. The technique can be successfully used to diagnose granuloma in breast aspirates and to demonstrate the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Tuberculosis is rampant in developing countries and patients are prescribed antituberculous therapy on the basis of finding granuloma in breast aspirates without a culture report. In our practice, this principle has been followed with excellent results. In our experience, this technique was reliable and reproducible in diagnosing tuberculous mastitis. We report on the cytomorphological findings of this uncommon but important disorder.