Glutathione (GSH) content and other physicochemical parameters of thirteen white wines originated from Lebanon were studied in relation to their browning capacity; the impact of pH, total sulphur dioxide and total phenol content into the browning susceptibility of the wine was shown. The effect of GSH, added to the wine at different concentrations, on the total phenol content was studied at 55°C during 8 days of accelerated oxidation. GSH addition resulted in significantly higher total phenol content only on day 0 of the test. GSH was shown to be readily oxidised in these conditions: even on day 0, there was a considerable reduction (up to 73%) in GSH level. Moreover, after 8 days of oxidation, GSH concentration in all studied samples ranged from 4.79 to 5.11 mg L )1 ; these values were close to GSH value in control wine (without added GSH) on day 0. On the contrary, GSH appeared to contribute significantly to the wine stability, which might have been via the increase of reduced phenolic pool. GSH addition appeared to have an improving effect on the organoleptic qualities of the wine.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), including those of advanced prostate cancer, are a suggested reason for tumor resistance toward conventional tumor therapy. Therefore, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed for targeting CSCs. Despite the minimal understanding of their modes of action, natural products and herbal therapies have been commonly used in the prevention and treatment of many cancers. Berberis libanotica Ehrenb (BLE) is a plant rich in alkaloids which may possess anti-cancer activity and a high potential for eliminating CSCs. We tested the effect of BLE on prostate cancer cells and our data indicated that this extract induced significant reduction in cell viability and inhibited the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, PC3 and 22Rv1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. BLE extract induced a perturbation of the cell cycle, leading to a G0-G1 arrest. Furthermore, we noted 50% cell death, characterized by the production of high levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS). Inhibition of cellular migration and invasion was also achieved upon treatment with BLE extract, suggesting a role in inhibiting metastasis. Interestingly, BLE extract had a major effect on CSCs. Cells were grown in a 3D sphere-formation assay to enrich for a population of cancer stem/progenitor cells. Our results showed a significant reduction in sphere formation ability. Three rounds of treatment with BLE extract were sufficient to eradicate the self-renewal ability of highly resistant CSCs. In conclusion, our results suggest a high therapeutic potential of BLE extract in targeting prostate cancer and its CSCs.

Context: The genus Cyclamen L. (Primulaceae) is rich in saponins known to have interesting biological activities. Objective: To isolate saxifragifolin B and cyclamin, two triterpene saponins, from Cyclamen libanoticum Hildebr and Cyclamen persicum Mill, and to assess their cytotoxic, clastogenic/ aneugenic, and anticlastogenic effects, as well as antioxidant potential. Materials and methods: Saxifragifolin B and cyclamin were tested for their cytotoxicity against SK-BR-3, HT-29, HepG2/3A, NCI-H1299, BXPC-3, 22RV1, and normal DMEM cell lines using WST-1 assay. Their clastogenic/aneugenic activities and anticlastogenic effects against the anticancer drug mitomycin C were assessed by the in vitro micronucleus assay in CHO cells. Their antioxidant capacities were determined using Fe 2+ -chelating and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. Results: Both saponins were described for the first time in Cyclamen libanoticum. They showed strong cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines. Saxifragifolin B was found to be 56-and 37-times more active than mitomycin C against breast adenocarcinoma (SK-BR-3) and lung carcinoma (NCI-H1299), respectively. Also, saxifragifolin B did not induce micronuclei formation and prevented cells from mitomycin C clastogenic effect. Cyclamin induced a significant increase of micronucleated cells after metabolic activation with S9 mix, and did not possess any anticlastogenic activity. Both molecules exhibited low antioxidant activities as compared to reference compounds. Discussion and conclusions: This study showed the remarkable cytotoxic activity of saxifragifolin B, especially against breast adenocarcinoma and lung carcinoma and its chemoprotective activity against mitomycin C. Thus, saxifragifolin B could be suggested as a potential cytotoxic drug with a preventive effect against possible exposures to genotoxic agents.

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