Anti-gastric cancer activity and mechanism of natural compound "Heilaohulignan C" isolated from Kadsura coccinea.

In this research, we analyzed the antitumor activity of one new compound Heilaohulignan C (B-6) on the human gastric carcinoma cells. MTT, cell migration, Calcein AM/Propidium Iodide (PI), and flow cytometry in BGC-823 cell line (gastric tumor). Western blot was utilized to distinguish the protein level. Xenografts nude mice were used for in vivo anticancer analysis. H&E staining and laboratory investigation was accomplished for toxicity study. MTT test demonstrated the cytotoxicity of BGC-823 cells, Calcein AM/Propidium Iodide (PI) examine indicated increment dead cells proportion with a high dose of B-6, Flow cytometry (FACS) measure showed that B-6 influenced gastric cancer cells by initiating apoptosis. Western blot analysis confirmed that (B-6) decrease the level of Bcl-2 and increase the level of p53, Bax, and cleaved Caspase-3, this confirms that the B-6 doing the apoptosis through caspase and cytochrome C apoptotic pathways. Also, B-6 particularly decline the tumor volume and tumor size in the xenograft mice. H&E staining additionally supports that B-6 does not have any toxic impact on the normal tissues. This research supports that B-6 have pharmacological activity against gastric cancer, by p53 and mitochondrial dependent apoptotic pathway, and have no toxicity on normal tissues.

Development of a nanodrug-delivery system camouflaged by erythrocyte membranes for the chemo/phototherapy of cancer.

Aim: Development of a new drug-delivery system using a compound derived from Pronephrium penangianum (J5) for the treatment of cervical cancer. Materials & methods: The delivery system was developed using Prussian blue nanoparticles, camouflaged by red blood cell membrane and with folic acid surface modifications. Results: Our results showed the successful development of a nanodrug-delivery system, which increases the half-life and immune evasion ability of the drug. The mechanism of this system was through suppressing B-cell lymphoma 2 and increasing B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein and the cleaved caspase level. An in vivo study also confirmed good antitumor activity without any side effects to normal tissue. Conclusion: This drug-delivery system provides a good alternative for the treatment of cervical cancer using J5.

Safety evaluation of disposable baby diapers using principles of quantitative risk assessment.

Baby diapers are complex products consisting of multiple layers of materials, most of which are not in direct contact with the skin. The safety profile of a diaper is determined by the biological properties of individual components and the extent to which the baby is exposed to each component during use. Rigorous evaluation of the toxicological profile and realistic exposure conditions of each material is important to ensure the overall safety of the diaper under normal and foreseeable use conditions. Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) principles may be applied to the safety assessment of diapers and similar products. Exposure to component materials is determined by (1) considering the conditions of product use, (2) the degree to which individual layers of the product are in contact with the skin during use, and (3) the extent to which some components may be extracted by urine and delivered to skin. This assessment of potential exposure is then combined with data from standard safety assessments of components to determine the margin of safety (MOS). This study examined the application of QRA to the safety evaluation of baby diapers, including risk assessments for some diaper ingredient chemicals for which establishment of acceptable and safe exposure levels were demonstrated.