Effect of a standardized extract of red orange juice on proliferation of human prostate cells in vitro

A standardized extract of red orange juice (ROE) was shown to inhibit proliferation of fibroblast and epithelial prostate cells. These data suggest that the antiproliferative properties of ROE cannot be ascribed to cytotoxic effect and highlight its potential usefulness in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

Botanical derivatives for the prostate

The prostate, after the age of 45 years, may undergo benign hyperplasia (BPH). Its etiology has not yet been completely explained, but different factors play a major role in its occurrence, among them, the sexual hormones (with a fundamental role of 5 alpha reductase). The 5-alpha reductase activity and inflammatory aspects in the prostate tissue can be effectively controlled with the use of highly standardized plant extracts (Pygeum africanum, Serenoa repens, etc.), which yield excellent results in the prophylaxis and treatment of the symptoms linked to prostate hypertrophy. The prostate tissue is not affected only by benign diseases but may also be subject to neoplastic transformation. From an epidemiological point of view, a vegetable derivative, lycopene, was linked with a lower occurrence of prostate carcinoma. A recent clinical study demonstrated that lycopene might not only prevent prostate cancer but also have therapeutic effects.     

Effects of E/Z isomers of lycopene on experimental prostatic hyperplasia in mice

AimLycopene is a member of the carotenoid family and has strong anti-oxidant properties. Lycopene occurs in tomato-based food products primarily as an all-E isomer (80–97%),but its Z-isomers accounts for 79 to 88% of total lycopene in benign or malignant prostate tissues, while the specific biological functions of Z-isomers are still not clarified at present. This study was to examine the bioactive potency of Z-isomers on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in mice and to make a comparison of effective inhibition between Z-isomers and all-E isomer.MethodMice were divided into the Saline group, Vehicle control group and testosterone propionate induced BPH mice group (BPH model group, vehicle BPH model group, lycopene treated (5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg), Z-isomers (57%) treated, Z-isomers (86%) treated, finasteride treated). The drugs were orally administered once a day consecutively for 30 days. The inhibitory effects on BPH of all-E lycopene and Z-isomers were evaluated by prostatic index, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum and histopathology examination.ResultsCompared with the BPH model group, E/Z isomers exhibited significant differences in prostatic index, PAP, estradiol, testosterone and DHT levels in serum and similar histological aspects observed in the mice of the control group. The present research also shows that Z-isomers may be more potent inhibitors than all-E isomers in BPH treatment.     

Steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of condensed tannins from woody plants

In humans, steroid 5α-reductase is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We tested the steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of the 70% acetone extract of woody plants. The tannin polymer prepared from the 70% acetone extract showed the highest steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, the steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of tannins was not affected by the addition of superoxide dismutase or catalase. It was concluded that the steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of condensed tannin was caused by binding to the steroid 5α-reductase, rather than from the peroxide/superoxide produced by tannins. The tannins, prepared from tree barks, with potential for steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory activity might be advantageous in therapy for steroid 5α-reductase diseases such as BPH or prostate cancer. Part of this report was presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Sapporo, August 2004     

Effect of an integral suspension of Lepidium latifolium on prostate hyperplasia in rats

This paper studies the effect of an integral suspension of Lepidium latifolium on experimental induced prostate hyperplasia, in rats. Oral treatment with 0.86 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 6 months, significantly reduced prostate size and volume in castrated rats where the hyperplasia were induced by steroid treatment.     

A HPTLC densitometric determination of luteolin in Thymus vulgaris and its extracts

Luteolin content in Thymus vulgaris and its extracts have been compared. Luteolin was separated on a thin- layer of silica gel with three-step gradient elution and determined by HPTLC-photodensitometry. The proposed method is simple and sensitive and can be used for the routine assay of luteolin in phytomedicines containing thyme extracts.     

Stereospecificity of hydroxyl group at C-20 in antiproliferative action of ginsenoside Rh2 on prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is the fifth most common neoplasm worldwide, and the second most common cancer among men. Ginsenosides, the main component of ginseng, have been known for their medicinal effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ginsenosides (ginsenoside 20(R)-Rh2 and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh2) on prostate cancer cells in vitro. Only ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh2 showed proliferation inhibition on androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer cells. These results implied that the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group at C-20 may play an important role in antitumor activities.     

A HPTLC densitometric method for the determination of aloeverose in Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel is a familiar ingredient in a range of widely available and advertisement healthcare and cosmetic products. As to date there are no documented reports on the standardization of A. vera gel and the following study is an attempt in this direction. A. vera gel was evaluated for its aloeverose content for the first time. Aloeverose, was separated on a thin-layer of silica gel by isocratic gradient elution technique was determined by using HPTLC-photodensitometry. The proposed method is simple and sensitive and can be used for the routine assay of aloeverose in phytomedicines containing A. vera gel.     

Steroids with inhibitory activity against the prostate cancer cells and chemical diversity of marine alga Tydemania expeditionis

A new diketosteroid, (E)-stigmasta-24(28)-en-3,6-dione (1), along with three known steroids (2-4) was isolated from marine alga Tydemania expeditionis collected in China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods. Comparison of the chemical constituents revealed significant diversity among different locations. The biological activities of 1, 3 and 4 were evaluated on the prostate cancer cell lines and androgen receptor. Compound 1 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against the prostate cancer cells DU145, PC3 and LNCaP with IC(50) values of 31.27±1.50, 40.59±3.10 and 19.80±3.84 μM, respectively. Compound 3 showed more potent activities with IC(50) values of 12.38±2.47, 2.14±0.33 and 1.38±0.07 μM, respectively. However, compound 4 showed only weak inhibitory activities on LNCaP cells and was inactive on DU145 and PC3 cells. A competitive binding assay showed that compound 1 exhibited significant affinity to the androgen receptor with an IC(50) value of 7.19±0.45 μM, while 3 and 4 were inactive. The fact that the inhibitory properties of 1 and 3 against the prostate cancer cells were inconsistent with their affinities to the androgen receptor suggested that there might be other mechanism of action involved in the cytotoxic activity.     

Antiproliferative activity of Saponaria vaccaria constituents and related compounds

Total methanolic extracts of Saponaria vaccaria seed derived from several varieties, as well as various purified components obtained through successive chromatographic separations of total extracts were evaluated for their growth inhibitory activity in WiDr (colon), MDA-MB-231 (breast), NCI-417 (lung) and PC-3 (prostate) human cancer cells as well as the non-tumorigenic fibroblast BJ (CRL-2522) cell line using MTT colorimetric assay. Purified bisdesmosidic saponins segetoside H and I were further examined using microscopy and apoptosis assays. Bisdesmosidic saponins exhibited dose-dependent growth inhibitory and selective apoptosis-inducing activity. Growth inhibitory effects were particularly strong in a breast (MDA-MB-231) and a prostate (PC-3) cancer cell line. Total extracts exhibited a different preference being most active against a colon cancer cell line (WiDr). In a comparison of varieties, all of the total seed extracts exhibited similar dose-dependent activities, but with some variation in potency. Monodesmosidic saponins vaccarosides A and B, phenolic vaccarin, and cyclopeptide segetalin A, co-occurring seed substituents, did not exhibit activity. The non-tumorigenic fibroblast cell line BJ (CRL 2522) was growth inhibited but did not undergo apoptosis when treated with bisdesmosidic saponins at low micromolar concentrations. Saponin-rich extracts from Kochia scoparia seed and Chenopodium quinoa were also evaluated alongside Saponaria saponins but did not exhibit activity. Closely related Quillaja saponins exhibited activity but were less potent.     

Cytotoxic ellagitannins from Reaumuria vermiculata

Three ellagitannins and one disulfated flavonol were isolated from the aerial parts of Reaumuria vermiculata L. Besides that, 16 known compounds were characterized as well. The structures of all compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR and ESI HR-FTMS. The in vivo antioxidant activity using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method, of the extract, its column fractions and two of the isolated ellagitannins was accomplished. In addition, a possible cytotoxicity of the extract and two of the new ellagitannins on HaCaT human keratinocytes and the activity of both compounds against the prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) were also assessed, whereby a potent cytotoxicity with IC(50) less than 1μg/ml was determined for both compounds. Besides, the extract exhibited a potential cytotoxic effect against four different solid tumor cell lines, namely liver (Huh-7), colorectal (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7) and prostate (PC-3). The IC(50)s were found to be substantially low (ranged from 1.3±0.15 to 2.4±0.22μg/ml) with relatively low resistance possibility reaching to 0% in the case of Huh-7 cell.     

Effects of the commercial extract of aronia on oxidative stress in blood platelets isolated from breast cancer patients after the surgery and various phases of the chemotherapy

Since the extract from berries of Aronia melanocarpa presents antioxidative properties in plasma and in blood platelets, not only from healthy group, but also from patients with benign breast diseases and in patients with invasive breast cancer before surgery, the aim of our present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress by measuring the level of various biomarkers of this process such as the generation of superoxide anion radicals (O(2)(-·)), the amount of carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine in proteins or the amount of glutathione in blood platelets isolated from breast cancer patients after the surgery and after various phases of the chemotherapy in the presence of A. melanocarpa extract (Aronox) in vitro. We demonstrated in platelet proteins from patients with invasive breast cancer (after the surgery and after various phases of the chemotherapy) higher level of carbonyl groups than in control healthy group. The level of 3-nitrotyrosine in platelet proteins from patients with invasive breast cancer was also significantly higher than in healthy subject group. We observed an increase of other biomarkers of oxidative stress such as O(2)(-·) and a decrease of GSH in platelets from patients with breast cancer (after the surgery and after various phases of the chemotherapy) compared to the healthy group. In model system in vitro our results showed that the commercial extract from berries of A. melanocarpa due to antioxidant action, significantly reduced the oxidative/nitrative stress in platelets from patients with invasive breast cancer caused by the surgery and various phases of the chemotherapy.     

Sesamin synergistically potentiates the anticancer effects of γ-tocotrienol in mammary cancer cell lines

γ-Tocotrienol and sesamin are phytochemicals that display potent anticancer activity. Since sesamin inhibits the metabolic degradation of tocotrienols, studies were conducted to determine if combined treatment with sesamin potentiates the antiproliferative effects of γ-tocotrienol on neoplastic mouse (+ SA) and human (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) mammary cancer cells. Results showed that treatment with γ-tocotrienol or sesamin alone induced a significant dose-responsive growth inhibition, whereas combination treatment with these agents synergistically inhibited the growth of + SA, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 mammary cancer cells, while similar treatment doses were found to have little or no effect on normal (mouse CL-S1 and human MCF-10A) mammary epithelial cell growth or viability. However, sesamin synergistic enhancement of γ-tocotrienol-induced anticancer effects was not found to be mediated from a reduction in γ-tocotrienol metabolism. Rather, combined treatment with subeffective doses of γ-tocotrienol and sesamin was found to induce G1 cell cycle arrest, and a corresponding decrease in cyclin D1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, phospho-Rb, and E2F1 levels, and increase in p27 and p16 levels. Additional studies showed that the antiproliferative effect of combination treatment did not initiate apoptosis or result in a decrease in mammary cancer cell viability. Taken together, these findings indicate that the synergistic antiproliferative action of combined γ-tocotrienol and sesamin treatment in mouse and human mammary cancer cells is cytostatic, not cytotoxic, and results from G1 cell cycle arrest.     

Triterpenes and steroids from the leaves of Aglaia exima (Meliaceae)

A study on the leaves of Aglaia exima led to the isolation of one new and seven known compounds: six triterpenoids and two steroids. Their structures were elucidated and analyzed mainly by using spectroscopic methods; 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, UV spectrometry and X-ray. All the triterpenoids and steroids were measured in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against eight cancer cell lines; lung (A549), prostate (DU-145), skin (SK-MEL-5), pancreatic (BxPC-3), liver (Hep G2), colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7) and (MDA-MB-231). The new cycloartane triterpenoid, 24(E)-cycloart-24-ene-26-ol-3-one 1, showed potent cytotoxic activity against colon (HT-29) cancer cell line (IC₅₀ 11.5 μM).     

Effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil on male rat fertility

This study was undertaken to study the effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) in male rat fertility. SKEO was administered orally at doses of 75, 150, and 225 mg/kg/day for 45 days through drinking water. Treated and control rats were mated with female on day 45 of treatment. SKEO significantly improved all the parameters evaluated such as potency, fecundity, fertility index, and litter size. Moreover, concentrations of FSH and testosterone were significantly increased in SKEO-treated groups. Also the weights of testes, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate weights were increased by SKEO (225 mg/kg). Histopathological analysis showed that in male rats treated with SKEO (150, 225 mg/kg) the number of spermatogonium, spermatid cords, Leydig cells, and spermatozoids was increased. Also in these groups, the Sertoli cells were hypertrophic.     

尼古丁与肺癌的关系研究进展

指出了尼古丁是烟草烟雾中的7000多种化合物之一,是吸烟成瘾的主要化学成分。尼古丁及其代谢产物通过促进肿瘤细胞增殖、侵润、上皮细胞间质样转化和血管生成从而促进肿瘤的生长与转移。尼古丁可以与烟碱乙酰胆碱受体和β受体偶联激活下游并行信号转导途径,促进肿瘤形成的进展并对肿瘤治疗产生抗性,降低化疗和放疗等传统癌症治疗方法的疗效。研究表明:尼古丁在促进肿瘤发生、进展和抗癌症治疗等过程中扮演着重要的角色。     

Effects of burning season and frequency on saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) flowering and fruiting

Medicinal use of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) fruits in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy has driven a recent sharp increase in fruit harvesting. At the same time, saw palmetto often is considered a keystone species, serving as habitat or a food source for several hundred mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species. Due to harvesting pressure on this ecologically important, non-cultivated species, land management practices that produce environmentally sustainable harvests are needed. As part of research focusing on use of controlled burning as a management tool, we investigated effects of burning season and frequency on saw palmetto flowering and fruiting in 32 pine flatwoods sites in central and southwest Florida from 1997 to 1999. The study was conducted as two repeated measures experiments, each involving 16 sites. Each experiment included two among-subjects factors – burning season and past burning frequency – and one within-subjects factor – year – with four replications of each treatment combination. For both experiments, growing season (i.e., April–July) burns had high flowering levels the first year after burning (mean proportion of saw palmettos flowering = 0.49, n = 16 sites), but decreased the second year after burning (mean proportion flowering = 0.15, n = 16 sites), while winter (i.e., November–February) burns had intermediate levels of flowering during both the first and second years after burning (mean proportions flowering = 0.21 and 0.28 for first and second years after burning, n = 16 sites). Although most flowering occurred during April and May, flowering occurred 2–5 months after winter burns, but did not occur until 9–12 months after growing season burns. During the 1997–1998 experiment, fruit infection by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides caused a fruiting failure in all sites. During the 1998–1999 experiment, fruit yields were higher in growing season burns only in infrequently burned (i.e., burned less often than every 5 years) sites, and only in 1998 (mean fruit yields = 325 kg/ha and 0.25 kg/ha for growing season, infrequently burned sites and winter, infrequently burned sites; n = 4 sites in each group). Frequently burned (i.e., burned every 2–3 years) sites generally had low fruit yields (mean fruit yields = 163 kg/ha and 242 kg/ha for frequently burned sites in 1998 and 1999; n = 8 sites). Although controlled burning can be an effective management tool in producing economically sustainable saw palmetto fruit harvests, land managers also must consider ecological needs of other plant and animal species when planning environmentally sustainable burning regimes.     

Chemistry and ecotoxicity of heat-treated pine wood extractives

Pine (Pinus pinaster) wood was heat-treated in an autoclave for 2?C12?h at 190?C210°C. Hemicelluloses were the first compounds affected by the treatment. In general, the sugar decrease was higher for arabinose and galactose followed by xylose and mannose. Lignin started to degrade for small mass losses but at a slower rate than hemicelluloses, and cellulose only degraded significantly for severe treatments. Almost all of the original extractives disappeared, and new compounds arose such as anhydrosugars and phenolic compounds. The compounds that might leach from heat-treated wood were mainly those identified in the water and ethanol extracts, all of which were not harmful at the existing concentrations, thereby reinforcing the wood heat treatment as an environmental benign process.