Male fertility versus sterility, cytotype, and DNA quantitative variation in seed production in diploid and tetraploid sea lavenders (Limonium sp., Plumbaginaceae) reveal diversity in reproduction modes.
(19/28)
Combination and monotherapy of Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice using plant extracts and herbicides.
(20/28)
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Leishmaniasis is a growing health problem in many parts of the world. Efforts to find new chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis remain a priority. This study was carried out to determine the effect of combination and monotherapies using plant extracts and herbicides on Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice. METHODS: The herbicides and saponin extract were purchased from Sigma. Roots of Plumbago capensis were collected from Karura forest, Nairobi, Kenya. Plant extractions were done in KEMRI at Center for Traditional Medicines and Drugs Research. RESULTS: Lesion sizes after infection of BALB/c mice were similar in all the experimental groups till the onset of therapeutic treatments (p >0.05). At 15 days post-treatment, significant differences (p < 0.05) were discerned in the lesion sizes of the BALB/c mice in all the mono- and combined-treated groups. However, the combined therapies caused total elimination of the parasites from the lesions and significantly reduced parasite burden in liver and spleen compared to the untreated controls at the end of the experiment. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that combination therapy using alternative administration of saponin, acriflavine, trifluralin and plumbagin is effective in treating L. major infection in mice. In this regard, an investigation into the efficacy of these combined therapies against other Leishmania strains should be explored further. Furthermore, studies with these combination therapies should be done on non-human primates such as the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops). (+info)
Plumbagin, a medicinal plant (Plumbago zeylanica)-derived 1,4-naphthoquinone, inhibits growth and metastasis of human prostate cancer PC-3M-luciferase cells in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model.
(21/28)
Plumbagin from Plumbago Zeylanica L induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines through NF- kappaB inactivation.
(22/28)
OBJECTIVE: To detect effects of plumbagin on proliferation and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines A549, H292 and H460 were treated with various concentrations of plumbagin. Cell proliferation rates was determined using both cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and clonogenic assays. Apoptosis was detected by annexin V/propidium iodide double-labeled flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. Activity of NF-kappaB was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and luciferase reporter assay. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of both NF-kappaB regulated apoptotic-related gene and activation of p65 and IkappaBkappa. RESULTS: Plumbagin dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of the lung cancer cells. The IC50 values of plumbagin in A549, H292, and H460 cells were 10.3 mumol/L, 7.3 mumol/L, and 6.1 mumol/L for 12 hours, respectively. The compound concentration-dependently induced apoptosis of the three cell lines. Treatment with plumbagin increased the intracellular level of ROS, and inhibited the activation of NK-kappaB. In addition to inhibition of NF-kappaB/p65 nuclear translocation, the compound also suppressed the degradation of IkappaBkappa. ROS scavenger NAC highly reversed the effect of plumbagin on apoptosis and inactivation of NK-kappaB in H460 cell line. Treatment with plumbagin also increased the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3, downregulated the expression of Bcl-2, upregulated the expression of Bax, Bak, and CytC. CONCLUSIONS: Plumbagin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells through an NF-kappaB-regulated mitochondrial-mediated pathway, involving activation of ROS. (+info)
Genotoxicity and interference with cell cycle activities by an ethanolic extract from Thai Plumbago indica roots in human lymphocytes in vitro.
(23/28)
In Thai traditional medicine, Plumbago indica or Jetamul-Pleung-Dang in Thai is known to have health benefit especially for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. However, the mechanisms of its action are still uncertain. One of which might be genotoxic effects. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxicity of an ethanolic extract of Plumbago indica root (EEPIR) by sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay in human lymphocytes. Results have shown that all treatments with EEPIR (12.5-100 mug/ml) could induce cell cycle delay as shown by significant increase in the number of metaphase cells in the first cell cycle but neither in the second nor the third cell cycle. Only at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mug/ml were SCE levels significantly increased above that of the control (p<0.05) . EEPIR at a concentration of 500 mug/ml induced cell death as few mitotic cells were shown. Accordingly, EEPIR (25-100 mug/ml) is genotoxic in human lymphocytes and cytotoxic at concentrations of >/= 500 mug/ml in vitro. Therefore, these activities of the EEPIR could serve its potential therapeutic effects, especially as an anticancer agent. Further study of EEPIR in vivo is now needed to support this in vitro evidence. (+info)
Application and analysis of the folin ciocalteu method for the determination of the total phenolic content from Limonium brasiliense L.
(24/28)