Evaluation of Pistacia lentiscus seed oil and phenolic compounds for in vitro antiproliferative effects against BHK21 cells.

CONTEXT: Within the global context of increasing cancer diseases, natural products are important in devising new drugs and providing unique ideas in cancer therapy. In Tunisian folk medicine, Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) fixed oil is used for cancer treatment. OBJECTIVE: This investigation studied, for the first time, the antiproliferative effect of Pistacia lentiscus fixed oil and its phenolic extract on BHK21 cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oil was extracted from fruits harvested in northwest Tunisia and the phenolic fraction was obtained by mixing with methanol. The anti-proliferative activity of the two tested substances on BHK 21 cells were investigated in vitro using trypan blue assays. Cells were treated with different concentrations of P. lentiscus oil (0.009, 0.018, 0.036, and 0.09 g/mL) and the phenolic extract (0.007, 0.014, 0.03, and 0.07 g/mL) for 24, 48, and 72 h. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of Pistacia lentiscus fixed oil increases with the increase in dose. The IC50 value was estimated at 0.029 g/mL. The percentage of cell viability was 42.46 ± 3.4% at a dose of 0.09 g/mL and was significantly lower than that of the untreated control (96.24 ± 2.5%, p<0.01). The phenolic extract demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on BHK21 cell growth. After 48 h of incubation, the IC50 value was estimated at 0.15 g/mL. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the potential of Pistacia lentiscus fixed oil in treating cancer, as it is used in traditional medicine.

[The laryngopyocele]. / La pyolaryngocele.

BACKGROUND: The laryngopyocele is a laryngocele complication. AIM: We report two cases that were treated in Habib Thameur Hospital ENT service. CASES: There were an 81 old woman and a 31 old man who consult for an infectious syndrome with a lateral neck masses. The diagnosis was obtained by clinical and endoscopic examination and was confirmed by CT. The man was operated. On antibiotics were precribed for both. They had a well recovery.

[Plasmocytic lymphoma/multiple myeloma. Association or transformation?]. / Lymphome plasmocytaire/myelome multiple. Association ou transformation?

Extramedullary plsmocytoma (plasmocytic lymphoma) is very rare, it seems to have an indolent course and the progression to a multiple myeloma is very rare (about 30 cases are reported in the literature). We report the case of 68-old-woman who presented in 1997 with an axillary left node. Physical examination, biologic and radiologic tests were normal. The histologic examination (of this mass) revealed a primary extramedullary plasmocytoma. She was treated with the combination of chemiotherapy and radiotherapy. 18 months later, at the follow up, the patient developed an Ig A lambda multiple myeloma. She was treated by chemiotherapy with favorable course.

[Bronchiectasis in rheumatoid arthritis. High resolution computed pulmonary tomography]. / Dilatation des bronches au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde: apport du scanner haute resolution.

To evaluate the prevalence of bronchiectasis in rhumatoid arthritis (RA) we have study thirty patients (24 women and 6 men), with a mean age of 45,2 years. All patients have a RA with a follow up of 5,84 years, positive rhumatoid factor were found in 22 cases. All patients have had high resolution computed pulmonary tomography, study of clinical, radiological and spirometry parameters. Bronchiectasis was found in 5 cases (16,6%) and is the most frequent abnormality found. These bronchiectasis are associated to an interstitial syndrome (2 cases) and pleural node (1 case). We don't find any significant difference in rhumatoid factor, extra-articular involvements, respiratory manifestations, smoke use or spirometry parameters between the sub group with or without bronchiectasis.