PMID: 

Oncol Rep. 2019 Aug 27. Epub 2019 Aug 27. PMID: 31485631

Abstract Title: 

Tanshinone IIA inhibits glucose metabolism leading to apoptosis in cervical cancer.

Abstract: 

Cancer requires aerobic glycolysis to supply the energy required for proliferation. Existing evidence has revealed that blocking glycolysis results in apoptosis of cancer cells. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a diterpenoid naphthoquinone found in traditional Chinese medicine, Danshen (Salvia sp.). Tan IIA exhibits potential anticancer activity. However, its effect on cell viability of human cervical cancer cells and its mechanism are unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Tan IIA on proliferation and glucose metabolism in cervical cancer cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry and glucose uptake, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate content were measured to assess glucose metabolism. The expression of apoptosis‑associated proteins was detected by western blotting and the antitumor activity of Tan IIA in vivo was evaluated in cervical carcinoma‑bearing mice. The results revealed Tan IIA treatment resulted in a considerable reduction in the viability of SiHa cells. Tan IIA decreased the expression of HPV oncogenes E6 and E7, induced apoptosis and also decreased glycolysis by suppressing the activity of the intracellular AKT/mTOR and HIF‑1α. In vivo, treatment with Tan IIA resulted in a 72.7% reduction in tumor volume. The present study highlights the potential therapeutic value of Tan IIA, which functions by inducing apoptosis and may be associated with inhibition of glycolysis.

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PMID: 

Eur J Pharmacol. 2019 Sep 20 ;863:172667. Epub 2019 Sep 20. PMID: 31545985

Abstract Title: 

ER-mediated anti-tumor effects of shikonin on breast cancer.

Abstract: 

Estrogen receptor (ER) is expressed in most Breast cancer (BC) patients. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), which is a membrane-bound estrogen receptor, is associated with the tumor development and progression in BC. Shikonin (SK) is a natural compound that is known to have anti-tumor effects. This study aims to assess the effects of shikonin on the cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis of BC and whether the effects are related to ER/GPER signaling pathway. The results demonstrated that shikonin inhibited the cellular proliferation of MCF-7 BC cells via G/Garrest and apoptosis in concentration-dependent manner. The anti-proliferative effect of SK on SK-BR-3 BC cells was associated with apoptosis. Both ERα and GPER were expressed in MCF-7 cells, while ERα were negative and GPER were positive in SK-BR-3 cells. Furthermore, shikonin downregulated the expression of ERα and GPER, and this effect was not affected by the estrogen environment. In addition, shikonin downregulated the EGFR and p-ERK expression in MCF-7 and SK-BR-3, which was also not affected by the estrogen environment. EGFR and p-ERK were still suppressed by co-treatment with the selective GPER against G1 or antagonist G15. In conclusion, these results suggest that shikonin shows anti-tumor effects on MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells. The effects seem to be associated with EGFR/p-ERK downregulation via ERα and GPER inhibition.

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PMID: 

Med Sci Monit. 2019 Aug 12 ;25:6007-6014. Epub 2019 Aug 12. PMID: 31402794

Abstract Title: 

Wogonin Increases Cisplatin Sensitivity in Ovarian Cancer Cells Through Inhibition of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)/Akt Pathway.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), one of flavonoids isolated from the Scutellaria baicalensis, has been regarded as an anticancer candidate because of its maximal efficacy in cancer cells. This study aimed to explore the possible mechanism that wogonin uses to enhance the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The growth inhibition rates of ovarian cancer cells SKOV3/DDP and C13* were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The apoptosis was assessed under a fluorescence microscope following staining with Hoechst. We further analyzed the expression of Bcl-2, cleaved caspases-3, cleaved-PARP, and phospho-Akt by western blotting. RESULTS In the present study, we found that wogonin reduced proliferation of ovarian cancer cells SKOV3, SKOV3/DDP, OV2008, and C13* in dose- and time-dependent manners and it sensitized cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, treatment with wogonin also increased cisplatin-resistant SKOV3/DDP and C13* cells to low dose cisplatin-induced cell apoptosis. Additionally, such treatment resulted in a significant decrease in phosphorylated Akt. CONCLUSIONS Wogonin could significantly increase the sensitivity of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin by downregulating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

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PMID: 

Int J Prev Med. 2018 ;9:98. Epub 2018 Nov 5. PMID: 30533209

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Geranium Aromatherapy Massage on Premenstrual Syndrome: A Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

Introduction: This study evaluated the effects of geranium aromatherapy massage on premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods: A total of 120 female students with diagnosed PMS were randomly divided into three groups as control group, aromatherapy massage group, and massage group. Essential oil of geranium 2% in almond oil and sweet almond oil were used in aromatherapy massage group and massage group, respectively. Aromatherapy massage protocol was run for 8 weeks.Results: The study revealed that aromatherapy massage decreased the PMS physical and mental symptoms and massage therapy decreased the PMS physical and mental symptoms too (

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PMID: 

Int J Dent. 2018 ;2018:2714350. Epub 2018 Nov 28. PMID: 30622566

Abstract Title: 

Antibacterial Activity and Cytotoxic Effect of(Geranium) againstand.

Abstract: 

Objective: To evaluate theantibacterial and cytotoxic properties of the methanolic extract of(geranium) against(ATCC 25175) and(ATCC 10556).Methods: Three extracts ofwere prepared using the leaf, stem, and root. Nine independent assays were prepared for each type of extract with chlorhexidine at 0.12% as the positive control. The agar diffusion method was performed to determine the antibacterial properties of each extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the microdilution method, and the cytotoxicity was analyzed by means of the MTT reduction test using a MDCK cell line.Results: The root extract had the highest antibacterial effect with a mean result of (27.68± 0.97) mm and (30.80 ± 0.55) mm againstand, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the leaf and root extracts was 250 mg/mL forand 125 mg/mL for. Cytotoxicity assays showed that both extracts had a low cytotoxicity at high concentrations. The cellular viability was highest for the root extract at 95.3% followed by the stem extract at 80.8% and finally the leaf extract with 75.4%.Conclusions: These findings show the antibacterial properties of the methanolic extracts ofagainstand. These extracts were not cytotoxic at high concentrations.

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PMID: 

J Assoc Physicians India. 2019 Aug ;67(8):52-56. PMID: 31562717

Abstract Title: 

Development of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Young Obese Tribal Subjects of Tripura: Link between Low 25 (OH) Vitamin-D Levels and Immune Modulators.

Abstract: 

Background: There have been many studies conducted so far on Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) with its many aspects including its association with 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels and its rather complex interplay with pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-1a (IL-1a), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-17a (IL-17a) and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). This study was designed to show the development of NAFLD in the young tribal population of Tripura and the link between 25(OH) Vitamin D and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1a, IL-6,IL-17a and TNF-ɑ) and -inflammatory cytokines such as IL – 4 and IL – 10 and the development of NAFLD while at the same time throws light on the prevalence of 25(OH) Vitamin D deficiencies and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the study group.Methods: The study is an analytical cross-sectional study with final population of 94 cases between 18 to 40 years of age fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and an equal number of subjects from same tribal community age and sex matched taken as control population.Results: There was a significant relationship between level of 25(OH) Vitamin D and fatty liver (OR: 9.46, 95% CI: 4.82 – 18.59; p

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PMID: 

Nat Prod Res. 2019 Jun ;33(11):1629-1632. Epub 2018 Jan 7. PMID: 29308661

Abstract Title: 

Analysis and evaluation of the antimicrobial and anticancer activities of the essential oil isolated fromfrom Hamedan, Iran.

Abstract: 

In this study, biological properties of the essential oil isolated from seeds of() were evaluated. GC-MS analysis revealed Trans-Anethole (80.63%), L-Fenchone (11.57%), Estragole (3.67%) and Limonene (2.68%) were the major compounds of the essential oil. Antibacterial activity of the essential oil against nine Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains was studied using disc diffusion and micro-well dilution assays. Essential oil exhibited the antibacterial activity against three Gram-negative strains of,, and. The preliminary study on toxicity of seed oil was performed using Brine Shrimp lethality test (BSLT). Results indicated the high toxicity effect of essential oil (LC50 = 10 μg/mL).anticancer activity of seed oil was investigated against human breast cancer (MDA-Mb) and cervical epithelioid carcinoma (Hela) cell lines by MTT assay. Results showed the seed oil behave as a very potent anticancer agent with IC50 of lower than 10 μg/mL in both cases.

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PMID: 

Drug Chem Toxicol. 2018 Oct ;41(4):399-407. Epub 2018 May 9. PMID: 29742941

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective effects of Foeniculum vulgare seeds extract on lead-induced neurotoxicity in mice brain.

Abstract: 

The present study investigates the neuroprotective effects of Foeniculum vulgare seeds in a lead (Pb)-induced brain neurotoxicity mice model. The dried seeds extract of Foeniculum vulgare was prepared with different concentrations of organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, n-hexane). The in vitro antioxidant activity of Foeniculum vulgare seed extracts was assessed through DPPH assay and the chemical composition of the extracts was determined by high-resolutionH NMR spectroscopy. The age-matched male Balb/c mice (divided into 9 groups) were administered with 0.1% Pb and 75% and 100% ethanol extracts of Foeniculum vulgare seeds at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day and 20 mg/kg/day. The maximum antioxidant activity was found for 75% ethanol extract, followed by 100% ethanol extract. Gene expression levels of oxidative stress markers (SOD1 and Prdx6) and the three isoforms of APP (APP common, 770 and 695), in the cortex and hippocampus of the treated and the control groups were measured. Significant increase in APP 770 expression level while a substantial decrease was observed for SOD1, Prdx6 and APP 695 expression in Pb-treated groups. Interestingly, the deranged expression levels were significantly normalized by the treatment with ethanolextracts of Foeniculum vulgare seeds (specifically at dose of 200 mg/kg/day). Furthermore, the Pb-induced morphological deterioration of cortical neurons was significantly improved by the ethanol extracts of Foeniculum vulgare seeds. In conclusion, the present findings highlight the promising therapeutic potential of Foeniculum vulgare to minimize neuronal toxicity by normalizing the expression levels of APP isoforms and oxidative stress markers.

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PMID: 

Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets. 2019 Jun 12. Epub 2019 Jun 12. PMID: 31195951

Abstract Title: 

Antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Foeniculum vulgare in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is associated with high blood glucose levels due to insulin shortcoming (insulinopenia) or defective in insulin action. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Foeniculum vulgare in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.METHODS: The effects of the leaves aqueous extract (LAE) of Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare) at a dose of 10 mg/kg on blood glucose levels were evaluated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Histopathological changes were also evaluated in liver in STZ-induced rats.RESULTS: Single oral administration of F. vulgare LAE reduced blood glucose levels 6 h after administration in STZ diabetic rats (p

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PMID: 

J Food Biochem. 2019 Sep ;43(9):e12983. Epub 2019 Jul 21. PMID: 31489666

Abstract Title: 

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) promotes functional recovery and ameliorates oxidative stress following a lesion to the sciatic nerve in mouse model.

Abstract: 

Peripheral nerve injury is one of the major health concerns of the present era which can lead to the long-lasting disability and even demise. Currently, no effective and side effect free remedy exists and exploration of effective therapeutic strategies to regain functional outcome is a need of hour. In the present study, we used BALB/c mice (N = 14 age, 10-12 weeks&weight 32-34 g) that were divided into two groups: Normal chow (n = 7) and Fennel chow (n = 7) group. Here, we have explored the role of crude Foeniculum vulgare mill seeds in promoting functional recovery following a mechanical insult to the sciatic nerve by an oral administration of a crude dose of 500 mg/kg BW. The recovery of both sensory and motor functions was significantly (p > .05) accelerated in the treatment group, assessed by behavioral analyses alongside total antioxidant capacity increase. Conclusively, F. vulgare can be a potential therapeutic candidate for accelerating functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The outcomes of study have vital practical application both for scientists and consumers. The therapeutic role of phytochemicals on functional recovery has not been explored yet. This study will help figure out plant based regimen as booster for brain health and intervention against traumatic nerve injuries. Moreover,it may also attract the food and pharmaceutical industries to formulate cost effective therapeutic products. Likewise, it can prove instrumental for scientists for advance research on this aspect with more mechanistic targets.

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