Comparison effects of Ferula gummosa essential oil and Beta-pinene Alginate nanoparticles on human melanoma and breast cancer cells proliferation and apoptotic index in short term normobaric hyperoxic model.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and melanoma is the most dreadful type of skin cancer. Due to the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, the development of new herbal nano-medicines has been considered. METHODS: This study first investigated the chemical composition of Ferula gummosa essential oil using GC-MS analysis; ß-pinene, with 61.57%, was the major compound. Next, alginate nanoparticles containing ß-pinene and the essential oil with particle sizes of 174 ± 7 and 137 ± 6 nm were prepared. Meanwhile, their zeta potentials were 12.4 ± 0.7 and 28.1 ± 1 mV. Besides, the successful loading of ß-pinene and the essential oil in nanoparticles was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. After that, their effects on viability and apoptotic index of human melanoma and breast cancer cells were investigated in normoxia and normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) conditions. RESULTS: The best efficacy on A-375 and MDA-MB-231 cells was achieved by alginate nanoparticles containing the EO at hyperoxic and normoxia conditions; IC50 76 and 104 µg/mL. Besides, it affected apoptosis-involved genes; as Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was higher than 1, conditions for induction of apoptosis were obtained. Higher sensitivity was observed in the A-375 cell line treated with Alg-EO in the NBO model. CONCLUSIONS: Alginate nanoparticles containing F. gummosa EO could be considered for further investigation in anticancer studies. Also, it may be expected that NBO can be a new strategy for delaying cancer progression and improving nanotherapy efficacy.

Evaluation of the topical gel and oral administration of Punica Granatum Var Pleniflora on oral mucositis induced by 5-Fluorouracil in golden hamsters.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis (OM), an acute inflammation of the oral cavity, is a common complication in patients undergoing invasive myeloblastic chemotherapy or radiation therapy. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most effective therapeutic drugs, but one of the common side effects of 5-FU administration is OM. Unfortunately, no suitable treatment has been found, so far to control its side effects. Studies showed that herbal medicine like Punica granatum var pleniflora (PGP) has medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and can be an alternative for the treatment of fungal infection. Accordingly, we decided to investigate the therapeutic effect of PGP in the treatment of OM caused by 5-FU in golden hamsters. METHODS: Sixty male golden hamsters were divided into six main group. Chemotherapy with 5-FU at dose of 60 mg/kg was performed at a ten-day duration. Then, cheek pouches of the hamsters were scratched with an 18-gauge sterile needle to induce oral mucositis in animals. On the twelfth day, as a day of intensification of OM, treatment with PGP including topical gel with concentrations of 5% and 10% and oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract with doses of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg for three- and five-day therapeutic duration were separately started. Finally, samples of cheek pouches in hamsters were collected on 14th and 17th days and histopathologic score (HPS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were assayed. RESULTS: A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in histopathologic score was observed in G10%-, P125-treated groups in comparison to the Ctrl group. Our data showed that treatment with G10% is more potent than P125-treated group. In contrast, histopathologic score in G10%, P125, and P250 treated groups demonstrated almost similar values On the 17th day. However, the levels of MDA and MPO in the treatment groups were enhanced compared with control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that PGP can play protective role in the healing of tissue damage caused by chemotherapy with 5-FU due to the presence of its natural compounds and antioxidant properties.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Cinnamon and Clove essential oils nanogels: an in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oils are two medicinally important plant-derived substances with a wide range of biological properties. Besides, nanoemulsion-based gels have been widely used to increase topical drug delivery and effectiveness. METHODS: This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effect (paw edema test) and the anti-nociceptive effect (hot plate and formalin test) of nanoemulsion-based gels containing the essential oils in the animal model. Cinnamon and Clove essential oils nanoemulsions with droplet sizes of 28 ± 6 nm and 12 ± 3 nm were first prepared. By adding carboxymethylcellulose (3.5% w/v), the nanoemulsions were then gelified. Finally, the nanogels were characterized by ATR-FTIR analysis and were used as topical pre-treatment before induction of inflammation or pain in acute and chronic analgesic experimental studies. RESULTS: The paw edema and formalin findings showed that the nanogels formulations possess significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. CONCLUSION: The prepared nanogels could be considered as analgesic drugs for inhibiting the inflammation and pain of diseases.

Chitosan nanoparticles containing limonene and limonene-rich essential oils: potential phytotherapy agents for the treatment of melanoma and breast cancers.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma and breast cancers are two common cancers worldwide. Due to the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and the occurring resistance against them, the development of green drugs has been received more attention. METHODS: The anticancer effects of three essential oils from the Citrus family and their identified major constituents (limonene) were first investigated against melanoma and breast cancer cell lines (A-375 and MDA-MB-468). By preparing chitosan nanoparticles containing them, an attempt was then made to improve their effectiveness. RESULTS: Chitosan nanoparticles containing Citrus sinensis and Citrus limon essential oils with IC50s of 0.03 and 0.124 µg/mL on A-375 cells, and 23.65 and 40.32 µg/mL on MDA-MB-468 showed distinct anticancer efficacies. CONCLUSION: The prepared formulations could thus be considered as green anticancer agents in complementary medicine and therapies.