Introduction Owing to their great quantity of hydrolyzable anthocyanins and tannins, the peel and seeds of pomegranate are edible and possess potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This work aims to trace the pomegranate seed and peel ethanolic extracts’ anticancer activity against liver cancer cell line, namely HepG2 and related histopathological, immunohistochemical, genetic and oxidative stress profile. Methods In vitro study for both seed and peel extract showed the prevalence of phenols, polyphenols and acids, those have anti-proliferative potential against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of seed significantly reduced that of peel. Toxicity of test extracts was concentration dependent and accompanied with cell cycle arrest and cell death at theG0/G1 and S phases but not at the G2/M phase. Cell arrest was supplemented with raised ROS, MDA and decreased SOD, GSH and Catalase. Results and discussion Apoptosis-related genes showed significant up-expression of pro-apoptotic gene ( P53 ), Cy-C , Bax , and casp-3 and down expression of anti-apoptotic gene ( Bcl-2 ). Also, Casp-3 and P53 proteins were substantially expressed under the effect of test extracts. Histopathological study demonstrated that the untreated cells (control group) were regular cells with nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromatic nuclei, while seed and peel extracts-treated cells showed necrosis, mixed euchromatin and heterochromatin, intra-nuclear eosinophilic structures, burst cell membranes, and the shrunken apoptotic cells with nuclear membranes and irregular cells. Finally, PCNA gene detected by immunohistochemistry was down regulated significantly under the effect of seed extract treatment than in case of cell medication with peel extract.

Introduction: Although widespread, BCC is still relatively poorly understood in regards to pathogenesis and prognosis, particularly the lesions formed on anatomical sites away from sun exposure. With the aim of deepening our understanding of the pathogenesis and clinico-pathological correlations of BCCs, we conducted this study. Methods: Tissue blocks and data of 52 Egyptian patients diagnosed with BCC were retrieved for clinical information and inclusion criteria, then re-examined histologically; p16 immunostaining was carried out and evaluated for analysis and comparison between the two groups, i.e., sun-exposed and sun-protected. Results: Sex, age, clinical suspicion, tumor size, recurrence status, and histologic variants did not show a significant difference between the sun-protected and sun-exposed groups; however, the mean ages recorded were 67.2 vs. 62.7 for the sun-protected and sun-exposed groups, respectively. A total of 52% of BCCs were positive for p16. The sun-protected lesions showed p16 positivity in 61% of cases, whereas 49% of the sun-exposed lesions were positive with no significant difference. There was a significant difference in p16 expression between the recurrent and non-recurrent lesions. Conclusions: A significant difference was seen in the case of cancer recurrence, where all the recurrent BCCs in this study demonstrated negative p16 immunostaining of the primary lesions; however, the positively stained cases in total were 52% of BCCs. The mean patient age of the sun-protected group was much higher than in previous peer studies. We assume that the biological, prognostic, and clinical aspects of p16 protein expression in BCCs are still far from being clearly understood. Further studies are highly recommended, with more focus on its role in the pathogenesis and the prognostic factors.

Background Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver injury (ALI) and acute liver failure (ALF) in the developed world. We aimed at studying the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in accelerating healing of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Results This prospective study included 50 male albino rats divided into 2 groups: hepatotoxic group and non-hepatotoxic group. Hepatotoxicity was induced in experimental rats by acetaminophen and then stem cells were transplanted into the rats and their effects on the liver cells were assessed. After injection of BM MSCs, the cells reached the targeted tissues. They were established in the central veins and blood sinusoids in the liver tissue. The hepatotoxic liver showed degeneration and loss of normal hepatic architecture as well as necrotic areas and congestion mainly in the portal tract vessels, dilation of blood sinusoids, and infiltration by inflammatory cells around the central veins. In addition, there were abnormal nuclei either irregular in shape or showing loss of open face compared to the normal control group. The liver tissue in BM MSC-treated group showed restoration of normal architecture of the liver tissue. Conclusion Administration of MSCs has hepato-therapeutic effect on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The mechanism of this hepatoprotective effect may be through anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immunomodulatory actions of MSCs.

Article informationBackground: The liver has an essential role in the metabolism and detoxification of various metabolites and drugs so it is liable to injury. Long-term use of dexamethasone may cause hepatic injury and insulin resistance. Garlic contains a variety of effective compounds that exhibit antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antithrombotic, antibiotic, anticancer, as well as hypotensive activities.Objective: To study the effect of garlic water extract on hepatic toxicity and insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone in adult male albino rats. Materials and Methods:Twenty-four adult male albino rats of a local strain were divided into three equal groups, group 1 [control group], group 2 [dexamethasone-treated group], and group 3 [dexamethasone and garlictreated group]. After two weeks from the onset of the experiment serum was isolated from blood samples for assessment of Alanine Transaminase [ALT], Aspartate Transaminase [AST], serum albumin, Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], total bilirubin, fasting blood glucose [FBG], and Fasting insulin level. Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR] was then calculated. Samples of the liver were taken for histopathological studies.Results: There was a significant elevation in ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin and a significant reduction in serum albumin in the dexamethasone-treated group when compared with the control group. ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin significantly improved in the dexamethasone and garlic extracttreated group. Also, there was a significant elevation in FBS, insulin level, and HOMA-IR in the dexamethasone-treated group when compared with the control group. These parameters were significantly decreased in the dexamethasone and garlic extract-treated group when compared with the dexamethasone-only treated group. Conclusion:Garlic water extract showed a potential protective effect against dexamethasone-induced liver injury and insulin resistance.

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