Protective effect of yacon leaves extract (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob) through antifibrosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant mechanisms toward diabetic nephropathy.

Background and purpose: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic kidney failure, which may lead to fatality. Mesangial cell proliferation, renal inflammation, stress oxidative, and fibrosis are involved in DN progression. Yacon leaves (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob.) contains large amounts of phenolic compounds and it has the ability to inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Considering the potential of yacon leaves extract (YLE), it may be used for DN treatment. This research aimed to elucidate YLE's potential as anti-DN through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrosis mechanisms. Experimental approach: Mesangial cells were induced by glucose 20 mM for 5 days and treated with YLE concentrations as much as 5, 10, and 50 µg/mL. TGF-ß1, TNF-α, and MDA levels were measured using the ELISA method. SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD4, and SMAD7 gene expressions were analyzed using the qRT-PCR method. Findings/Results: YLE at 5, 10, and 50 µg/mL could reduce the levels of TGF-ß1, TNF-α, and MDA compared with the DN cells model. YLE could reduce gene expressions of SMAD2, SMAD3, and SMAD4 and increase SMAD7 expression. Conclusion and implications: YLE potentially mitigated diabetic nephropathy through antifibrosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant capacities.

Decreased Inhibition of Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cell Lines (T47D and MCF7) from Treatment with Conditioned Medium Derived from Hypoxia-Treated Wharton's Jelly MSCs Compared with Normoxia-Treated MSCs.

Background : Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an appealing source of adult stem cells for cell therapy due to the high rate of proliferation, self-renewal capability, and applicable therapy. Wharton's jelly (WJ), the main component of the umbilical cord extracellular matrix, comprises multipotent stem cells with a high proliferation rate and self-renewal capability and has anti-cancer properties. MSCs have been reported to secrete a variety of cytokines that have a cytotoxic effect in various cancers. Oxygen tension affects MSCs proliferation, cytokines level but no in surface markers expression, MSCs' differentiation. We explored the cytotoxic effect and inducing apoptosis of Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) secretions from normoxic WJMSCs (WJMSCs-norCM) (CM: conditioned medium) and hypoxic WJMSCs (WJMSCs-hypoCM) in breast cancer cell lines (T47D and MCF7). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxic activity was determined using the MTS assay. RT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of apoptosis-inducing genes, specifically P53, BAX, and CASP9, and the antiapoptotic gene BCL-2. Results: WJMSCs-norCM and WJMSCs-hypoCM were potent inhibitors of the proliferation in both cell lines. WJMSCs-norCM had more anticancer activity in T47D and MCF7. The IC50 value of WJMSCs-norCM on MCF7 was 42.34%, and on T47D was 42.36%. WJMSCs-norCM significantly induced the gene expression of apoptotic P53, BAX, and CASP9 and insignificantly decreased the antiapoptotic gene BCL-2 in both MCF7 and T47D cells. WJMSCs-CM has anticancer activity by inducing P53, BAX, and CASP9 apoptotic genes. Conclusion: WJMSCs-norCM has more anticancer activity than WJMSCs-hypoCM.