Antiproliferative effect of Pterogyne nitens on melanoma cells

As part of our program of bioprospecting for novel antitumor drug prototypes, twenty extracts and fractions obtained from Pterogyne nitens Tul. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) were screened for antiproliferative activity against B16F10 murine melanoma cells, by the MTT colorimetric assay. The strongest activity was found in EtOAc fractions from the flowers (IC50 = 0.35 µg/mL), fruits (IC50 = 0.34 µg/mL), leaves (IC50 = 0.33 µg/mL) and stems (IC50 = 0.29 µg/mL). Analysis by TLC and HPLC-DAD showed the presence of guanidine alkaloids, flavones and flavonols in the bioactive samples. Additionally, a phytochemical study of the EtOAc fraction of the stems afforded quercetin (1) and isoquercitrin (2), two flavonols with antiproliferative activity previously described in the literature. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that P. nitens inhibits the growth of melanoma cells in vitro. Further investigations will be needed to assess the usefulness of the samples under study for the treatment of neoplasms and to characterize other bioactive compounds. Keywords: antiproliferative; Pterogyne nitens; Caesalpinioideae; melanoma; flavonoids; Fabaceae.

Effects of β-glucan polysaccharide revealed by the dominant lethal assay and micronucleus assays, and reproductive performance of male mice exposed to cyclophosphamide

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genetic Instability Persists in Non-Neoplastic Urothelial Cells from Patients with a History of Urothelial Cell Carcinoma

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

(S)-Goniothalamin induces DNA damage, apoptosis, and decrease in BIRC5 messenger RNA levels in NCI-H460 cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

AKT and AMPK Activation after High-Fat and High-Glucose In Vitro Treatment of Prostate Epithelial Cells

Considering the increasing consumption of saturated fat and glucose in diets worldwide and its possible association to carcinogenesis, this investigation analysed the proliferation profile of nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells after exposure to elevated levels of fat and glucose. PNT1A cells were cultured with palmitate (100 or 200 mu M) and/or glucose (450mg/dl) for 24 or 48 h. Treated cells were evaluated for viability test and cell proliferation (MTS assay). AKT and AMPK phosphorylation status were analysed by Western blotting. After 24 h of high-fat alone or associated with high-glucose treatment, there was an increase in AMPK and AKT activation associated to unchanged MTS-cell proliferation. Following 48 h of high-fat but not high-glucose alone, cells decreased AMPK activation and maintained elevated AKT levels. These data were associated to increased cell proliferation after further high-fat treatment. After longer high-fat exposure, MTS revealed that cells remained proliferating. High-glucose alone or associated to high-fat treatment was not able to increase cell proliferation and AKT activation. A high-fat medium containing 100 mu M of palmitate stimulates proliferation in PNT1A cells by decreasing the activation of AMPK and increasing activation of AKT after longer exposure time. These findings improve the knowledge about the negative effect of high levels of this saturated fatty acid on proliferative disorders of prostate.

Benzophenone guttiferone A from Garcinia achachairu Rusby (Clusiaceae) Presents Genotoxic Effects in Different Cells of Mice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

No Relationship between the Amount of DNA Damage and the Level of hMLH1 and RASSF1A Gene Expression in Bladder Cancer Cells Treated with Cisplatin and Gemcitabine

Tumor response to antineoplastic drugs is not always predictable. This is also true for bladder carcinoma, a highly recurrent neoplasia. Currently, the combination of cisplatin and gemcitabine is well accepted as a standard protocol for treating bladder carcinoma. However, in some cases, this treatment protocol causes harmful side effects. Therefore, we investigated the roles of the genes TP53, RASSF1A (a tumor suppressor gene) and hMLH1 (a gene involved in the mismatch repair pathway) in cell susceptibility to cisplatin/gemcitabine treatment. Two bladder transitional carcinoma cell (TCC) lines, RT4 (wild-type TP53) and 5637 (mutated TP53), were used in this study. First, we evaluated whether the genotoxic potential of cisplatin/gemcitabine was dependent on TP53 status. Then, we evaluated whether the two antineoplastic drugs modulated RASSF1A and hMLH1 expression in the two cell lines. Increased DNA damage was observed in both cell lines after treatment with cisplatin or gemcitabine and with the two drugs simultaneously, as depicted by the comet assay. A lack of RASSF1A expression and hypermethylation of its promoter were observed before and after treatment in both cell lines. On the other hand, hMLH1 downregulation, unrelated to methylation status, was observed in RT4 cells after treatment with cisplatin or with cisplatin and gemcitabine simultaneously (wild-type TP53); in 5637 cells, hMLH1 was upregulated only after treatment with gemcitabine. In conclusion, the three treatment protocols were genotoxic, independent of TP53 status. However, cisplatin was the most effective, causing the highest level of DNA damage in both wild-type and mutated TP53 cells. Gemcitabine was the least genotoxic agent in both cell lines. Furthermore, no relationship was observed between the amount of DNA damage and the level of hMLH1 and RASSF1A expression. Therefore, other alternative pathways might be involved in cisplatin and gemcitabine genotoxicity in these two bladder cancer cell lines.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells stimulated by bFGF up-regulated protein expression in comparison with periodontal fibroblasts in vitro

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of Laser Irradiation on Pulp Cells Exposed to Bleaching Agents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Infrared LED irradiation photobiomodulation of oxidative stress in human dental pulp cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Modulation of cell proliferation, survival and gene expression by RAGE and TLR signaling in cells of the innate and adaptive immune response: role of p38 MAPK and NF-KB

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Low toxic effects of a whitening strip to cultured pulp cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of Adhesive Restorations on Diffusion of H2O2 Released from a Bleaching Agent and Its Toxic Effects on Pulp Cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Protective Effect of Alpha-Tocopherol Isomer from Vitamin E against the H2O2 Induced Toxicity on Dental Pulp Cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Phototherapy up-regulates dentin matrix proteins expression and synthesis by stem cells from human-exfoliated deciduous teeth

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)