Investigation of the Anticancer Effect of S-Allyl-L Cysteine on the C6 Rat Glioma Cell Line in vitro in 2D- and 3D-Cell Culture Models.

AIM: To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of S-allyl cysteine (SAC) on C6 glioblastoma cells using two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) cell culture systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups of rat glioma cell line C6 were prepared: 2D-Control, 2D-SAC, 3D-CMC-Control, and 3D-CMC-SAC. The control cells were incubated under standard culture conditions, the SAC cells were incubated in a culture medium supplemented with the IC50 dose (50 ?M for both the 2D-SAC C6 and 3D-CMC-SAC groups) of SAC for 24 and 48 h. All experimental cells were stained with antibodies recognizing NOTCH1 and JAGGED1, and the mRNA expression levels of NOTCH1 and JAGGED1 were evaluated by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Increasing doses of SAC were administered for 24 h to the C6 glioma cell line. The concentration of 50 ?M was selected as the most suitable dose for administration. The gene expression profiles differed between these two cell culture types. We found that the expression levels of NOTCH1 receptor mRNA were lower in cells exposed to 50-?M SAC for 24 h than those of control cells in both 2D and 3D cell cultures. The immunoreactivities of both the biomarkers JAGGED1 and NOTCH1 in the glioma cells decreased significantly in the SAC group. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that SAC is a potential drug candidate for human use, as indicated by its nontoxic nature. In addition, SAC was found to exert an anticancer effect, which is associated with the modulation of JAGGED1 and NOTCH1 signaling pathways in glioma cancer cells.

Comparison of the Effects of Contractubex Gel and Benzothiazole After Topical Application in an Experimental Model of Epidural Fibrosis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative epidural adhesion is a frequent cause of failed back surgery syndrome, manifesting with back and leg pain or neurologic deficits. Development of preventive measures for epidural adhesion after laminectomy is critical to improve outcomes of lumbar surgery. We hypothesized that positive effects of topical application of Contractubex (CTX) gel and benzothiazole (BT) individually and in combination could aid in preventing epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to 2 control and 5 experimental groups (n = 8 for each group). The control(-) group received no surgery, whereas the control(+) group underwent laminectomy without any drug administration. In experimental groups, study agents applied to dura mater after laminectomy were 100mgCTX, 2.5%BT, 5%BT; 100mgCTXplus2.5%BT, and 100mgCTXplus5%BT. Laminectomy was performed at the L3 level for all rats. The extent of epidural fibrosis was assessed 4 weeks later macroscopically and histopathologically. Hepatic and renal toxicity of study drugs was assessed histopathologically. RESULTS: Topical CTX and BT individually and in combination reduced epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats. Although a meaningful decrease of epidural fibrosis with individual application of CTX and BT (2.5% or 5%) was obtained (P < 0.05), the effect of their combination was more pronounced without meaningful hepatic and renal toxicity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined use of topical CTX and BT could be a potential therapy for epidural fibrosis. Further research with this agents for the prevention of epidural fibrosis is warranted.