OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the quercetin (Que) effects on growth of MCF-7 human cancer breast cell line and its cellular death mechanism. BACKGROUND: Quercetin has been found to be very effi cacious against many different types of cancer cells. However, the study is not suffi ciently powered to demonastrate anticancer mechanisms. METHODS: MCF-7cells were treated by 50 μM/ ml of Que for 48 hours. MCF-7 cells were also pretreated with 10 Μm ZVAD (apoptosis inhibitor) or 3 mM Nec-1 (necroptosis inhibitor) for evaluation of cell death induced by apoptosis or necroptosis. RESULTS: MTT and clonogenicity assays revealed that the Que induced a signifi cant increase in cell viability and proliferation in presence of Nec-1 in comparison to the presence of ZVAD (p < 0.05). Que also increased apoptosis as revealed by DAPI staining and morphology evaluations. Following Que treatment Bcl-2 expression was signifi cantly decreased while Bax expression was signifi cantly increased. Que in presence of Nec-1 decreased expression of Bax gene, reduced apoptotic index, increased cell viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells in comparison to absence of Nec-1. MCF-7 cells showed a signifi cantly increased expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3 in response to Que plus ZVAD in comparison to absence of ZVAD. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that the high Que toxicity for breast cancer cells depends on multiple cell death pathways, which involve mainly necroptosis (Fig. 6, Ref. 21). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

This study is devoted to preparation of novel solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for the encapsulation of curcumin which is produced by micro-emulsion and ultrasonication using stearic acid and tripalmitin as solid lipids, tween80 and span80 as surfactants. The relation between particle size and entrapment efficiency of the produced SLNs was operated by central composite design (CCD) under response likes surface method (RSM). The variables including the ratio of lipids (X), the ratio of surfactants (X), drug/lipid ratio (X), time of sonication (X) and time of homogenization (X). Particle size and entrapment efficiency of the loaded curcumin was justified according to the minimum particle size and maximum entrapment efficiency. The curcumin loaded SLNs presented fairly spherical shape with the mean diameter and entrapment efficiency of 112.0±2.6nm and 98.7±0.3%, respectively. The optimized SLNs were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The drug release profile of the optimal formulated material was examined in aqueous media and almost 30% of the curcumin loaded in SLNs was gradually released during 48h, which reveals efficient prolonged release of the drug.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, while no drugs have been approved for its treatment. The pieces of evidence indicate that propolis as a novel anti-inflammatory agent might be a promising candidate to treat NAFLD. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of propolis on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 54 patients with NAFLD. Patients were randomly assigned to receive propolis tablets at a dose of 250 mg twice daily for 4 months or placebo. The improvement in hepatic steatosis and fibrosis was evaluated using two-dimensional shear wave elastography. Improvement in the hepatic steatosis was significantly higher in the propolis group than the placebo group, even after adjustment for baseline value and changes in weight, energy intake, and physical activity (odds ratio [OR]: 5.67; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.41-22.8; p = .014). A significant reduction was observed on the liver stiffness in the propolis group (−0.65 ± 0.56 kPa; p = .001), whereas it increased in the placebo group (0.27 ± 0.59 kPa; p = .037). Also, the intake of propolis significantly decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels compared with the placebo group (−0.371; 95%CI: −0.582 to −0.16 mg/L; p = .01). Changes in serum levels of fasting blood sugar, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase,

: Background and objectives: Previous studies have shown anti-tumor activity of quercetin (QT). However, the low bioavailability of QT has restricted its use. This study aimed to assess the toxic effect of QT encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles (QT-SLNs) on the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: MCF-7 and MCF-10A (non-tumorigenic cell line) cell lines treated with 25 µmol/mL of QT or QT-SLNs for 48 h. Cell viability, colony formation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were evaluated to determine the toxic effects of the QT-SLNs. Results: The QT-SLNs with appropriate characteristics (particle size of 85.5 nm, a zeta potential of −22.5 and encapsulation efficiency of 97.6%) were prepared. The QT-SLNs showed sustained QT release until 48 h. Cytotoxicity assessments indicated that QT-SLNs inhibited MCF-7 cells growth with a low IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) value, compared to the free QT. QT-SLNs induced a significant decrease in the viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells, compared to the free QT. QT-SLN significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and MDA contents and significantly decreased antioxidant enzyme activity in the MCF-7 cells. Following QT-SLNs treatment, the expression of the Bcl-2 protein significantly decreased, whereas Bx expression showed a significant increase in comparison with free QT-treated cells. Furthermore, The QT-SLNs significantly increased apoptotic and necrotic indexes in MCF-7 cells. Viability, proliferation, oxidative stress and apoptosis of MCF-10A cells were not affected by QT or QT-SLNs. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, SLN significantly enhanced the toxic effect of QT against human breast cancer cells.

No abstract