Our results show that a decrease in DPPIV serum activity, but not CD26 expression, is present in an early stage of rheumatoid arthritis.

The cytotoxicity of seven Teucrium species, a long time ago used as a food spices, for beverages and teas preparing, as well as therapeutics for digestive and respiratory diseases, were examined against human cervix adenocarcinoma HeLa, human melanoma Fem-x, human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 and human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-361 cells. MTT assay was used for determination of target cell survival. The most prominent cytotoxic effect was observed against K562 cells, especially by T. scordioides, T. montanum and T. botrys. All Teucrium extracts showed good cytotoxic activity on HeLa cells, but very low cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB-361 cells. In addition, the cytotoxic activities of T. scordioides and T. montanum extract were tested on healthy resting and phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PHA-stimulated PBMC). T. scordioides and T. montanum extracts at concentration of 200 µg/ml reduced the resting PBMC and PHA-stimulated PBMC survival up to 10% and 20%, while the reduction of K562 cell survival at the same concentration of extracts was 94% and 97%, respectively. These results point to selectivity in their antitumor actions. Teucrium species can be regarded as promising candidates for natural plant sources of effective biological compounds as a supplements in the food industry, as well as for therapeutic use.

No abstract

In this paper, the previously synthesized Cu(II) complex ([CuL1(N3) (CH3OH)]BF4) with N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxo-2-(2-(1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)- hydrazinyl)ethan-1-aminium chloride, has been characterized and its biological activity has been studied in detail. The Cu(II) complex consists of ligand coordinated in a deprotonated, formally neutral zwitter-ionic form, via NNO atoms, one azido ligand and one methanol molecule. The Cu(II) complex was selected due to results of the cytotoxic activity, the brine shrimp test and DPPH radical scavenging activity, which were previously performed. The effects of Cu(II) complex on cell cycle phase distribution of cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells were investigated in order to examine the mechanisms of its anticancer activity. The measurement of intracellular ROS levels in HeLa and HaCaT cell lines were evaluated in order to explore their possible generation and the role in cytotoxic activity. The possible anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic properties of Cu(II) complex were evaluated. DNA binding experiments, including fluorescence displacement study and DNA cleavage experiments, were performed in order to obtain information on the type of DNA-metal complex interactions.

No abstract