Unveil the Anticancer Potential of Limomene Based Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Deep eutectic solvents have been recently reported as an interesting alternative to improve the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs, hence called therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES). The main objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of limonene (LIM) based THEDES as new possible systems for cancer treatment. LIM is known to have antitumor activity, however it is highly toxic and cell viability is often compromised, thus this compound is not selective towards cancer cells. Different THEDES based on LIM were developed to unravel the anticancer potential of such systems. THEDES were prepared by gently mixing saturated fatty acids menthol or ibuprofen (IBU) with LIM. Successful THEDES were obtained for Menthol:LIM (1:1), CA:LIM (1:1), IBU:LIM (1:4) and IBU:LIM(1:8). The results indicate that all the THEDES present antiproliferative properties, but IBU:LIM (1:4) was the only formulation able to inhibit HT29 proliferation without comprising cell viability. Therefore, IBU:LIM (1:4) was the formulation selected for further assessment of anticancer properties. The results suggest that the mechanism of action of LIM:IBU (1:4) is different from isolated IBU and LIM, which suggest the synergetic effect of DES. In this work, we unravel a methodology to tune the selectivity of LIM towards HT29 cell line without compromising cell viability of healthy cells. We demonstrate furthermore that coupling LIM with IBU leads also to an enhancement of the anti-inflammatory activity of IBU, which may be important in anti-cancer therapies.

Camphor Tree Seed Kernel Oil Reduces Body Fat Deposition and Improves Blood Lipids in Rats.

The total and positional fatty acid composition in camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) seed kernel oil (CKO) were analyzed, and for the first time, the effect of CKO on body fat deposition and blood lipids in rats was studied. The major fatty acids in CKO were determined to be decanoic acid (C10:0, 51.49%) and dodecanoic acid (C12:0, 40.08%), and uniformly distributed at Sn-1, 3, and Sn-2 positions in triglyceride (TG). Rats were randomly divided into control, CKO, lard, and soybean oil groups. At the end of the experiment, levels of blood lipids and the fats of abdomen in the rats were measured. The main organ were weighted and used for the histological examination. The results showed that body weight and fat deposition in CKO group were significantly lower than the lard and soybean groups. Moderate consumption of CKO was found to improve the levels of blood TG and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.

[Anti-Candida activity of aroma candy and its protective activity against murine oral candidiasis].

A daily eatable candy that has possible protective activity against oral candidiasis was experimentally produced. The candy was made from reduced-maltose as main constituent and from several natural products, such as oligonol (depolymerized polyphenols derived from lychee), cinnamon (cassia), citral, and capric acid, which are known to have anti-Candida activity in vitro and in vivo. The candy effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of C. albicans, even when it was diluted 1,000 times with culture media. We assessed the protective activity of the candy against murine candidiasis. When 50µl of candy dissolved and diluted 4 times with water was administered 3 times into the oral cavity of Candida infected mice, the score of lesions on the Candida-infected tongues improved on day 2. These findings suggest that this candy has potential as food that provides protective activity against oral candidiasis.

[Inhibition of Candida mycelia growth by a medium chain fatty acids, capric acid in vitro and its therapeutic efficacy in murine oral candidiasis].

We assessed anti-C. albicans activities of the 4 fatty acids : caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid and lauric acid in vitro. All four inhibited not only the mycelial but also the yeast-form growth of Candida albicans. In particular, capric acid and caprylic acid inhibited Candida mycelia growth at very low concentrations. The effects of treatment of these two fatty acids on oral candidiasis were examined using a murine model. When 50 µl of capric acid (more than 48.8 µM) was administered three times into the oral cavity of Candida-infected mice, symptom scores of tongues of the mice were significantly improved. Histological studies of the capric acid-treated animals indicated that the fatty acid suppressed mycelial growth of the fungus on the tongue surface. These results suggest that all four fatty acids, and especially capric acid, have potential as substances supporting anti-Candida treatment.

Comparison of native and capric acid-enriched mustard oil effects on oxidative stress and antioxidant protection in rats.

The present study evaluated the effect of mustard oil enriched in capric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, on antioxidant enzyme activities in liver and brain and on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, brain and plasma in rats; the effect of adding cholesterol to the diet was also investigated. Charles Foster male albino rats weighing 80-100 g were fed one of four diets for 30 d (six rats per group). In the absence of added dietary cholesterol, the addition of capric acid to the diet resulted in lower plasma total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and TAG concentrations, higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations, higher antioxidant enzyme activities in liver and brain and lower MDA concentrations in liver, brain and plasma. Adding cholesterol to the diet increased plasma total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and TAG concentrations, decreased HDL-cholesterol concentration, decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and increased tissue and plasma MDA concentrations. Including capric acid in the diet of rats receiving cholesterol at least partly prevented the effects of the increased cholesterol. It is concluded that compared with native mustard oil, capric acid-enriched mustard oil improves blood lipids, enhances antioxidant protection and reduces lipid peroxidation.

Innovations in antineoplastic therapy.

Cancer is a complex group of diseases. Many of the current treatment modalities available provide limited effectiveness and significant side effects. This circumstance creates a challenge for health care providers. There is great need for the development of innovative therapies that increase efficacy and decrease morbidity. In general, chemotherapeutic agents are unable to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. As a result of therapy, patients may develop significant myelosuppression. Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy need to be observed for signs of hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities. Patients should be advised that periodic blood tests are indicated to monitor for anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. If myelosuppression develops, measures to prevent complications such as bleeding and infection are indicated. Strategies to combat fatigue should also be discussed. Understanding of the biology of cancer has increased significantly in recent years. As knowledge of the science grows, new therapies are developed and clinical trials are initiated to investigate feasibility and efficacy of agents. Many of these trials involve agents that target specific biologic processes of cancer. While the complexities of cancer treatment are prolonging the life expectancy of patients who have the disease, patients are presenting with increasing numbers and types of morbidities. Nurses need to be aware of the rationale for treatment, mechanism of action of the agents administered, and expected toxicities of therapies. With this knowledge, symptoms can be identified earlier, life-threatening sequela can possibly be averted, and patients and families can be educated about what to expect and how to make knowledgeable decisions about treatment options. Enhancing patients' knowledge base may also increase their adherence to challenging therapies.

[Comparative evaluation of the action of oxythiamine and its derivatives on animals with Erhlich's ascitic cancer]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka deistviia oksitiamina i nekotorykh ego proizvodnykh na zhivotnykh s astsitnym rakom Erlikha.

It is found that hydroxythiamine ester with sebacic acid surpassed hydroxythiamine in its antitumour effect on Ehrlich ascites tumour in albino mice. A linear correlation is observed between the values of activity coefficients of hydroxythiamine and its esters with dicarboxylic acids and some morphometric data.