Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Growth Inhibitory Effect of Cyrtopodion scabrum Extract on Colon Cancer; An in vivo Study.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and/or alternative medicine to increase the efficacy and decrease the side effects of current cancer treatment is highly required. In this in-vivo study, we aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activity and probable side effects of a natural treatment, Cyrtopodion scabrum extract (CsE), in a model of tumor bearing mice. METHODS: We established 28 female CT26-tumor bearing balb/c-mice model. We divided them randomly into four groups (n=7): Negative control received distilled water (DW) and the three treatment groups were administered with 5-FU and two different doses (300 and 600 mg/kg) of the gecko aqueous extract, respectively. The changes in the tumor volumes and weights during and after treatment, along with the blood cell counts; spleen and thymus indices were assessed in the treatment groups. We have also measured the serum TNF-α, VEGF, AST, ALT and GSH, as well as the physical activities of the experimental mice. RESULTS: We found that the means of tumor weights and volumes in both CsE and 5-FU treated groups were significantly lower than the untreated group (p<0.05). Serum TNF-α and VEGF levels in both CsE treated groups were remarkably lower than 5-FU and untreated groups (p<0.05). The 5-FU treatment caused a remarkably decrease in serum GSH, RBC count, WBC count, thymus index, and spleen index , while CsE treatment maintained these quantities, with no significant changes, compared to the control group. AST and ALT were not significantly changed in none of the treated groups compared to control. CONCLUSION: Altogether, data suggest C. scabrum, as an effective and safe anti-cancer natural source, which could be used as an alternative/complementary medicine for the treatment of patients who suffer from colon cancer.

Vitronectin and Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Gene Expression Levels Are Increased in Patients with Coronary Artery In-Stent Restenosis.

Neointimal hyperplasia is known as a main factor contributing to in-stent restenosis (ISR). Monocytes may play a central role in vessel restenosis process after stent implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU) and vitronectin (Vtn) gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples isolated from whole blood of 66 patients undergoing coronary artery angiography (22 controls, stenosis < 0.05%; 22 with stent no-restenosis and stenosis < 70%; and 22 with ISR and stenosis > 70%). The Vtn and PLAU gene expression levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique. The age- and gender-independent increases in the expression levels of Vtn (17-fold; p < 0.001) and PLAU (27-fold; p < 0.0001) genes were found in the patients with ISR as compared with the control group. The results suggested that the Vtn and PLAU genes may be involved in the coronary artery ISR.