Anticancer Activity of Solvent Extracts of Hexogonia glabra against Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

Objective: In this study, we aimed to harness some solvent extracts of one wild mushroom Hexagonia glabra and test their anti-cancer activity against cervical human cell lines, namelyHeLa, SiHa, and CaSki. Methods: It includes cell morphological study by microscope, nuclear morphology by DAPI staining under fluorescence microscopy, apoptosis assay by fluorescence technique, anti-proliferation by MTT assay and expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes by Western blotting and cell cycle analysis was done. Results: The selected cervical cancer cells were treated separately with 150 µg/mL of three extracts, namely of ethanolic (EE), ethyl acetate (EAE), and water extract (WE) and exhibited features like round, shrink and dead. All extracts caused apoptosis in cell lines and EE had the highest effect in this regard. The percentages of apoptotic cells in HeLa, SiHa and CaSki, at the same concentration of EE were 79.23, 75.42, and 76.36% respectively. Cytotoxicity assay showed that all three extracts (50 – 250 μg/mL) were potent for inhibition of cell growth of three cell lines and again EE had the highest effect. The percentages of cell growth inhibition in HeLa, SiHa, and CaSki cells treated with EE at 24 h at 50 µg/mL were 45.79±4.11, 41.66±4.03, and 36.72±2.67, while they were 74.23±7.45, 62.31±5.97, and 54.23±5.04 at 150 µg/mL concentration. At 250 µg/mL concentration, the percentages of cell growth inhibition were 94.25 ±8.11, 90.02 ±8.67, and 85.43±6.21, respectively. The expression of apoptotic gene (Caspase 3, 9) and tumor guard gene (p53), as their proteins in Western blotting increased . However, anti-apoptotic BcL2 gene of all cell lines was decreased following treatment with extracts. In addition, the cell cycle analysis (CaSki cell) showed that treatment (EE) arrested at G2/M check point cell cycle. Conclusion: All extracts of this mushroom were active in arresting growth of three cell lines and EE had the highest effect, indicating that this mushroom can be a valuable source of anticancer agents.     

Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity of pine pollen extract in vitro

To determine the medicinal properties of pine pollen, the antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of the ethanol extract of pine pollen extract (PPE) were investigated. PPE displayed a strong free radical scavenger activity on 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. It was observed also that the antioxidant activity, measured by the ferric thiocyanate method, increased with the addition of PPE to the linoleic acid emulsion system. PPE was also found to inhibit significantly the amount of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls formed from liver homogenate. Like the antioxidant activity, the reducing power of PPE was excellent. Thereafter, the study investigated the effects of PPE in modulating the production of pro‐inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and the effect of PPE on interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation in the human synovial sarcoma cell line, SW982. PPE was found to inhibit the production of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor‐α, IL‐1 and IL‐6 in LPS‐activated macrophages. Treatment with PPE at 10 µg/mL significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited IL‐1β‐induced MMPs (MMP‐1 and ‐3) production in SW982 cells. IL‐1β‐induced JNK activation was inhibited by PPE (10 µg/mL), whereas p38 and ERK1/2 were not affected. These findings suggest that pine pollen is a potential antioxidant and beneficial for inflammatory conditions through down‐regulation of JNK and MMPs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

血浆置换救治儿童急性毒蕈中毒

目的探讨毒蕈中毒患儿进行血浆置换的效果。方法4例患儿（男3例,女1例）,年龄分别为2、6、6、8岁,食用野生蘑菇0．5—1h后出现恶心、呕吐、腹痛、腹泻等急性胃肠道症状。经常规治疗症状无明显缓解,且出现肝及心肌损害。（发病后2-3d）给予血浆置换及对症、支持治疗。密切观察病情。结果入住儿童重症监护中心2周后患儿病情均好转出院。结论及时进行血浆置换能提高毒蕈中毒的救治率。     

Improved cognitive performance after dietary supplementation with a Pinus radiata bark extract formulation

Dietary interventions may have the potential to counter age-related cognitive decline. Studies have demonstrated an improvement in age-related cognitive impairment in animals after supplementation with plant extracts containing flavonoids but there are few human studies. This double-blind, controlled study examined the effects on cognitive performance of a 5 week supplementation with Enzogenol Pinus radiata bark extract containing flavonoids, in 42 males aged 50-65 years, with a body mass index >25. Participants were supplemented for 5 weeks either with Enzogenol plus vitamin C, or with vitamin C only. A battery of computerized cognitive tests was administered, and cardiovascular and haematological parameters were assessed prior to and following supplementation. The speed of response for the spatial working memory and immediate recognition tasks improved after supplementation with Enzogenol plus vitamin C, whereas vitamin C alone showed no improvements. A trend in a reduction of systolic blood pressure was observed with Enzogenol plus vitamin C, but not with vitamin C alone. The blood safety parameters were unchanged. The findings suggest a beneficial effect of supplementation with Enzogenol on cognition in older individuals. Larger studies are needed to ascertain its potential as a preventive treatment for age-related cognitive decline.     

松黄蛋白组分的分离及抗原性的实验分析

目的：分析松黄蛋白抗原中致敏成分。方法：用硫酸铵沉淀、葡聚糖凝胶层析分离松黄蛋白质组分,以致敏大鼠腹腔肥大细胞组胺释放试验和被动皮肤过敏反应试验检测松黄蛋白组分的致敏活性。结果：松黄蛋白中含有３种抗原性不同的组分,组分Ⅱ是松黄主要抗原。结论：松黄蛋白中含有致敏组分,此蛋白组分具对热和酸碱不稳定的性质。     

Percutaneous stenting for malignant biliary stenosis

Summary Percutaneous stenting for malignant biliary stenosis is quite beneficial to patients with unresectable or recurrent disease, tremendously improving the quality of their lives. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was attempted in 92 patients with obstructive jaundice during the period between January 1986 and July 1989. Implantation of an endoprosthesis was performed in 14 cases (15.2%) and succeeded in 12 (85.7%). When a guide wire could not be passed distally across the stricture site, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) through the dilated PTBD fistula was carried out to enable its passage. PTCS is also valuable in the preoperative diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. The patients who are not candidates for surgery are suitable for this procedure. A Miller double-mushroom stent is used as the endoprosthesis in the majority of cases. One patient with recurrent hepatoma has lived at home with this stent for >3 years due to repeated transarterial embolization and chemotherapy and does not need to wash or change the stent.     

Metal Concentrations of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Turkey

In the present study, the contents of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Al, Ca, Mg, and K in Agaricus campestris, Agrocybe cylindracea, Collybia dryophila, Helvella leucopus, Russula delica, Tricholoma auratum, Amanita ovoidea, Melanoleuca excissa, Rhizopogon roseolus, Russula chloroides, Volvoriella gloiocephala, Lyophyllum decastes, Morcella angusticeps, Morchella esculenta and Morcella eximia collected from Isparta, Mugla, and Osmaniye provinces (Turkey) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after microwave digestion. The intake of heavy metals (Pb, Cd) and other metals (Fe, Cu, Zn) by consumption of 30 g dry weight of mushrooms daily poses no risk at all except in A. cylindracea and H. leucopus (for Cd) for the consumer.     

复方岗松洗液防治宫颈癌后装治疗放射性阴道损伤的效果观察

目的:探讨复方岗松洗液防治宫颈癌后装治疗放射性阴道损伤的效果。方法:选择我院肿瘤科2009年7月～2011年6月收治的100例宫颈癌患者按照入院顺序分为观察组和对照组。两组均给予相同的后装治疗和盆腔外照射治疗,对照组患者用0.02%的高锰酸钾溶液200ml行外阴、阴道冲洗,1次/d,观察组用10%的复方岗松洗液200 ml行外阴、阴道冲洗,1次/d。对于发生放射性阴道损伤者,两组全身治疗相同,局部治疗方面,均采用温水冲洗切口并用消毒棉球擦干。之后对照组采用0.1%的高锰酸钾溶液涂抹,2次/d;观察组采用50%的复方岗松洗液涂抹,2次/d。结果:观察组阴道损伤发生率低于对照组,治疗总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:复方岗松洗液应用于宫颈癌后装治疗患者,可降低放射性阴道损伤的发生,提高治疗效果,值得临床应用。     

Effect of Lactarius piperatus fruiting body maturity stage on antioxidant activity measured by several biochemical assays.

The effects of fruiting body maturity on antioxidant activity and antioxidants production of the wild mushroom, Lactarius piperatus, were evaluated. Several biochemical assays were used to screen the antioxidant properties: reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, inhibition of erythrocytes hemolysis mediated by peroxyl radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation using the beta-carotene linoleate model system. The amounts of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and lycopene present in the immature, mature and degraded fruiting bodies were also determined. The highest antioxidant contents and the lowest EC(50) values for antioxidant activity were obtained in the mature stage with immature spores.     

Aqueous-ethanolic extract of morel mushroom mycelium Morchella esculenta, protects cisplatin and gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in mice

Morchella esculenta (L) Pers. is an excellently edible and delicious morel mushroom found growing in the temperate forests. The mycelium of this mushroom is widely used as a flavouring agent. The current investigation was undertaken to explore the protective effect of the aqueous-ethanol extract of cultured mycelium of M. esculenta against cisplatin and gentamicin induced acute renal toxicity in Swiss albino mice. Cisplatin and gentamicin when administered induced a marked renal failure, characterized by a significant increase in serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Treatment with the extract at 250 and 500mg/kg body weight decreased the cisplatin and gentamicin induced increase in serum creatinine and urea levels. Treatment with the extract also restored the depleted antioxidant defense system. The decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the kidneys consequent to cisplatin and gentamicin administration was significantly elevated. The enhanced renal antioxidant defense system also prevented the tissue lipid peroxidation. The experimental results suggest that aqueous-ethanol extract of morel mushroom, M. esculenta mycelium protected cisplatin and gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity possibly by enhancing renal antioxidant system. The findings thus suggest the potential therapeutic use of morel mushroom mycelium as a novel nephroprotective agent.