Placenta accreta spectrum in early and late pregnancy from an imaging perspective. A scoping review.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders (with increasing order of the depth of invasion: accreta, increta, percreta) are quite challenging for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Pathological examination or imaging evaluation are not very dependable when considered as stand-alone diagnostic tools. On the other hand, timely diagnosis is of great importance, as maternal and fetal mortality drastically increases if patient goes through the third phase of delivery in a not well-suited facility. A multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis (incorporating clinical, imaging, and pathological evaluation) is mandatory, particularly in complicated cases. For imaging evaluation, the diagnostic modality of choice in most scenarios is ultrasound (US) exam; patients are referred for MRI when US is equivocal, inconclusive, or not visualizing placenta properly. Herewith, we review the reported US and MRI features of PAS disorders (mainly focusing on MRI), going over the normal placental imaging and imaging pitfalls in each section, and lastly, covering the imaging findings of PAS disorders in the first trimester and cesarean section pregnancy (CSP).

El espectro de placenta acreta en la etapa temprana y final del embarazo. Un repaso a través de la imagen / Placenta Accreta Spectrum in Early and Late Pregnancy from an Imaging Perspective, A Scoping Review

Los trastornos del espectro de placenta acreta (EPA) (en orden ascendente en función de la profundidad de la invasión: acreta, increta y percreta) plantean un desafío diagnóstico y de tratamiento. El examen patológico o la evaluación por técnicas de diagnóstico por imagen no son muy fiables si se consideran como herramientas diagnósticas independientes. Sin embargo, un diagnóstico temprano es de gran importancia, ya que la mortalidad materna y fetal aumentan de forma drástica si la paciente se encuentra en unas instalaciones inadecuadas en la tercera fase del parto. Es imperativo adoptar un enfoque multidisciplinario para el diagnóstico (que incorpore la evaluación clínica, por imagen e histopatológica), en particular en los casos con complicaciones. Para la evaluación mediante imagen, la modalidad diagnóstica de preferencia en la mayoría de los escenarios es la exploración mediante ecografía; las pacientes son derivadas para la resonancia magnética (RM) cuando los resultados de la ecografía son ambiguos, no concluyentes o no permiten una visualización adecuada de la placenta. Este artículo repasa las características ecográficas y de RM de los trastornos del EPA (centrándonos principalmente en la RM), examinamos las imágenes placentarias normales y los puntos débiles de las técnicas de diagnóstico por imagen en cada sección. Por último, comentamos los hallazgos de imagen de los trastornos del EPA en el primer trimestre. Por ultimo comentaremos los hallazgos de imagen de los trastornos del EPA en el primer trimestre y en la cicatriz de cesárea anterior.(AU)

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders (with increasing order of the depth of invasion: accreta, increta, percreta) are quite challenging for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Pathological examination or imaging evaluation are not very dependable when considered as stand-alone diagnostic tools. On the other hand, timely diagnosis is of great importance, as maternal and fetal mortality drastically increases if patient goes through the third phase of delivery in a not well-suited facility. A multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis (incorporating clinical, imaging, and pathological evaluation) is mandatory, particularly in complicated cases. For imaging evaluation, the diagnostic modality of choice in most scenarios is ultrasound (US) exam; patients are referred for MRI when US is equivocal, inconclusive, or not visualizing placenta properly. Herewith, we review the reported US and MRI features of PAS disorders (mainly focusing on MRI), going over the normal placental imaging and imaging pitfalls in each section, and lastly, covering the imaging findings of PAS disorders in the first trimester and cesarean section pregnancy (CSP).(AU)

Human follicular fluid and mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium improves in vitro development of vitrified-warmed mouse oocytes.

BACKGROUND: In vitro maturation (IVM) and oocyte cryopreservation are therapeutic options in assisted reproductive technology which is used to preserve fertility in patients with different causes of infertility. OBJECTIVE: To analyze in vitro development of vitrified-warmed oocytes in the presence of human follicular fluid (FF) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) as a rescue strategy in fertility preservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMSC-CM and FF media were used as two natural media. Not only osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation but also flow cytometry was carried out to confirm the nature of mesenchymal stem cells. A total of 327 vitrified-warmed oocytes were randomly assigned to three groups with different maturation media. After 24 h the maturation rate was evaluated. In vitro fertilization and also embryo development were also assessed. RESULTS: Oocytes matured in the BMSC-CM and FF groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group (76.6+/-2.9, 53.2±1.0 , and 40.8+/-6.1, respectively) (P % 0.05). Embryo cleavage rates in the BMSC-CM were dramatically higher than FF and control groups (85.6+/-2.2, 70.5+/-2.2, and 60.7+/-1.5, respectively). Blastocyst formation rates in the BMSC-CM group were statically different compared to FF and control groups (73.6+/-1.0, 58.5+/-1.0, and 45.8+/-4.2, respectively). CONCLUSION: BMSC-CM and FF media not only improve the maturation rate of vitrified warmed oocytes but also significantly increase embryo cleavage and blastocyst rates. DOI: 10.54680/fr23210110512.

In vitro maturation medium supplementation: utilization of repaglinide, L-carnitine, and mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium to improve developmental competence of oocytes derived from endometriosis mouse models.

Endometriosis (EMS) is one of the most prevalent causes for female infertility. Herein, we investigated the effect of the repaglinide (RG), L-carnitine (LC), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the quality, maturation, and fertilization rates, as well as embryonic quality and development of oocytes derived from normal and EMS mouse model. Immature oocytes were collected from two groups of normal and EMS-induced female NMRI mice at 6-8 weeks of age. Oocytes were cultured in IVM medium unsupplemented (control group), or supplemented with 1 M RG, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/mL LC, and 25 and 50% BMSC-CM. After 24 h of oocyte incubation, IVM rate and antioxidant status were assessed. Subsequently, the rates of fertilization, cleavage, blastulation, and embryonic development were assessed. Our results demonstrated that supplementation of IVM medium with LC and BMSC-CM, especially 50% BMSC-CM, significantly enhanced IVM and fertilization rates, and markedly improved blastocyst development and total blastocyst cell numbers in EMS-induced mice compared to the control group (53.28±0.24 vs 18.09±0.10%). Additionally, LC and BMSC-CM were able to significantly modulate EMS-induced nitro-oxidative stress by boosting total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and mitigating nitric oxide (NO) levels. Collectively, LC and BMSC-CM supplementation improved oocyte quality and IVM rates, pre-implantation developmental competence of oocytes after in vitro fertilization, and enhanced total blastocyst cell numbers probably by attenuating nitro-oxidative stress and accelerating nuclear maturation of oocytes. These outcomes may provide novel approaches to refining the IVM conditions that can advance the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in infertile couples.

In vitro maturation medium supplementation: utilization of repaglinide, L-carnitine, and mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium to improve developmental competence of oocytes derived from endometriosis mouse models

Endometriosis (EMS) is one of the most prevalent causes for female infertility. Herein, we investigated the effect of the repaglinide (RG), L-carnitine (LC), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the quality, maturation, and fertilization rates, as well as embryonic quality and development of oocytes derived from normal and EMS mouse model. Immature oocytes were collected from two groups of normal and EMS-induced female NMRI mice at 6-8 weeks of age. Oocytes were cultured in IVM medium unsupplemented (control group), or supplemented with 1 M RG, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/mL LC, and 25 and 50% BMSC-CM. After 24 h of oocyte incubation, IVM rate and antioxidant status were assessed. Subsequently, the rates of fertilization, cleavage, blastulation, and embryonic development were assessed. Our results demonstrated that supplementation of IVM medium with LC and BMSC-CM, especially 50% BMSC-CM, significantly enhanced IVM and fertilization rates, and markedly improved blastocyst development and total blastocyst cell numbers in EMS-induced mice compared to the control group (53.28±0.24 vs 18.09±0.10%). Additionally, LC and BMSC-CM were able to significantly modulate EMS-induced nitro-oxidative stress by boosting total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and mitigating nitric oxide (NO) levels. Collectively, LC and BMSC-CM supplementation improved oocyte quality and IVM rates, pre-implantation developmental competence of oocytes after in vitro fertilization, and enhanced total blastocyst cell numbers probably by attenuating nitro-oxidative stress and accelerating nuclear maturation of oocytes. These outcomes may provide novel approaches to refining the IVM conditions that can advance the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in infertile couples.

Follicular fluid supplemented with copper and zinc increase the maturation rate of mouse vitrified-warmed oocytes.

BACKGROUND: Immature oocyte cryopreservation is a therapeutic option in assisted reproductive technology. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of supplementing oocyte maturation medium with human follicular fluid (hFF), zinc and copper. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different maturation media supplemented with 10% follicular fluid, 4 µg/mL copper and 1 µg/mL zinc were used for vitrified-warmed oocytes of mouse. RESULTS: Maturation rate was the highest (63.3%) in the presence of zinc. Cleavage and blastocyst rates in groups with copper and zinc were significantly higher than the control group (39.9% and 46.4% vs. 28.8%), without any significant difference between Zn and Cu. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the high importance of using hFF as a natural medium, and also zinc and copper as two efficient trace elements in the maturation medium for vitrified-warmed oocytes.

Mesenchymal stem cell condition medium enhanced cell viability in morphine-treated cells.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) have recently been predicted to have a major therapeutic potential due to secretion of soluble factors and the release of cytokines and growth factors, which could mediate the cellular communication to induce cell differentiation/maturity. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of mBM condition medium on morphine-induced cell death in PC12, U87, AGS and MCF-7 cell lines. The condition media were harvested as mBM soup (mBM soup 24 and mBM soup 48h, respectively). To investigate the effect of mBM soup on cell lines, morphological changes were studied with an inverted microscope, the viability of cells was determined with trypan blue staining and MTT assay, the type of cell death was determined using Hoescht / PI staining, and NO secretion analysis. Viability assay showed that mBM soup (24 and 48 h) in time-dependent manner increased cell viability (pndings suggest that mBM soup can enhance the proliferation and growth of cell lines and can suppress cell death induced by morphine (Fig. 8, Ref. 59). Text in PDF www.elis.sk. Keywords: morphine, BM-MSC soup, cell viability, cell death, NO.

Low concentrations of morphine enhanced the neuroglia-like differentiation.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of morphine in chronic manner on neuroglial differentiation in PC12 cells. METHODS: PC12 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 culture medium including 0.02 % bovine serum albumin together with different concentrations of morphine for 12 days. Cytotoxicity was performed by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Cell death was performed by PI/Hoechst staining assay. Neuroglial differentiation was performed by Nestin, Tuj-1, MAP-2, S-100 and GFAP Immunocytochemistry assay. RESULTS: Data showed that morphine either at low or high concentration activated opioid  receptors, which  resulted in a decrease of cytotoxicity and cell death and induction of Nestin, Tuj-1, MAP-2, Neurofilament-M (NF-M), GFAP and S-100 protein expression as compared in treated cells  with the control (untreated cells) (p<005). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that low concentrations of morphine in chronic manner stimulate the neuroglial-like differentiation by activating protein expression and survival-promoting signaling in PC12 cells with opioid receptor-dependent mechanism (Fig. 8, Ref. 36). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Supplementation of Vitrification Medium with Vanadium: Evaluation of Histological Change and Follicle Growth.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of ovary is an effective option for treatment of infertility and much effort has been made to improve the ovarian cryopreservation. OBJECTIVE: The study was to investigate the effect of vanadium in the vitrification medium on histology, viability rate and follicle growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse ovaries were vitrified in the presence of 0, 10, 100 and 250 µM vanadium (assigned as Group V0, V1, V2 and V3). After thawing, the ovaries were fixed for histological studies, mechanically isolated follicles were cultured, and then viability and growth rate of follicles were assessed. RESULTS: Vanadium supplementation to the vitrification medium significantly increased the number of morphologically normal follicles. In vitro growth and viability rate of follicles was higher in the V2 than V0 group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vanadium can improve in vitro growth and viability rate of isolated follicles from the vitrified ovaries.

EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE ON SURVIVAL, IN VITRO GROWTH AND IN VITRO MATURATION OF FOLLICLE DERIVED FROM MOUSE POLYCYSTIC OVARY.

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of progesterone on survival, in vitro growth and in vitro maturation of follicles and the maturation of oocytes derived from mouse polycystic ovary. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To induce polycystic ovary (PCO) female NMRI mice 21 days old were injected daily with testosterone enanthate 1 mg/100g body weight dissolved in sesame oil for 4 weeks (PCO group), while non-PCO group were injected only with vehicle. Follicles were derived from both groups and cultured in MEM-α medium either with progesterone or without progesterone. Sizes of follicles were measured in days 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. After 12 days follicles were transferred to mature medium, follicles from two groups were cultured for 24 and 48 h and the in vitro maturation of oocytes was assessed. RESULTS: In PCO groups with progesterone, survival and in vitro growth of follicles, significantly increased as compared with PCO groups without progesterone (p<0.05). The in vitro maturation rate in PCO group with progesterone was significantly higher than in those not treated by progesterone (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that progesterone can improve survival, in vitro growth and in vitro maturation of follicles derived from mouse polycystic ovary.

The presence of zinc in the mouse ovary vitrification medium: histological evaluation and follicle growth.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of ovary is a relevant option for preserving fertility of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of zinc in the vitrification medium on histology and follicle growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse ovaries were vitrified in vitrification medium supplemented with 0, 100, 150 or 200 µg/dl zinc, identified as V0, V1, V2 and V3 groups, respectively. Histological evaluation of ovaries was carried out. The isolated pre-antral follicles were cultured. The size and growth of follicles were assessed. RESULTS: The percentage of morphologically normal follicles increased with increasing zinc concentration in the vitrification medium (P < 0.05). Follicle viability was higher in the V3 than V0 group at the beginning and end of culture (P < 0.05). The highest follicle diameter was obtained in the V3 group after 6 days of culture (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of the vitrification medium with zinc can improve follicle viability and growth.

Inhibitory effects of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell soup on staurospurine-induced cell death in MCF-7 and AGS.

BACKGROUND: Staurospurine induces apoptosis in cell line. Bone Marrow Mesenchymal stem cells Soup is a promising tool for cell proliferation via a variety of secreted factors. In this study, we examined the effects of BMSCs Soup on Staurospurine induced-cell death in MCF-7 and AGS cells. METHODS: There were three Groups: Group I: no incubation with BM Soup; Group II: incubated with 24 h BM Soup; Group III: incubation with 48 h BM Soup. There were two treatments in each group. The treatments were 1µM Staurospurine (Treatment 1) and 0.0 µM Staurospurine (Treatment 2). The cells were cultured in culture medium containing 0.2 % BSA. We obtained the cell viability, cell death and NO concentration. RESULTS: Our results showed that BM soup administration for 48 hours protectsed against 1µM staurosporine concentration induced cell death and reduced cell toxicity in MCF-7 and AGS cells. Cell viability and cell toxicity assay showed that BM soup in time dependent manner increased cell viability (p < 0.05) and cell death assay showed that cell death in time dependent manner was decreased(p < 0.05). Our data showed that BM soup with increasing NO concentration reduced staurospurine induced cell death and cell cytotoxicity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It's concluded that BMSCs soup suppressed staurospurine-induced cytotoxicity activity process in MCF-7 and AGS cells (Fig. 9, Ref. 79).

Hepatocellular and developmental influences of early postnatal indomethacin in mice.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of early postnatal indomethacin exposure on hepatocellular and developmental alterations in mice liver was investigated. METHODS: Pups received IP injections of 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg indomethacin on P0, then killed at P21 and P60. RESULTS: Indomethacin significantly suppressed body weight at P21, but liver weight significantly decreased only in 25 mg/kg. In contrast, liver weight and liver to body weight ratio significantly increased with increasing dose of indomethacin by P60. The restoration of liver weight was a result of proliferation, as a consequence of a significant increase in the number of uni and bi-nuclear hepatocytes per field in 25 mg/kg at P21 and no evidence of hepatocellular hypertrophy. Indomethacin had a dose-related decrease in number of hepatocytes as the result of hepatocellular hypertrophy confirmed with hepatocytes presenting large cellular and nuclear size in 50 and 100 mg/kg. Moreover, proliferation contributed to the increased liver size, since bi-nuclear hepatocytes and its ratio increased at P21 at first and then decreased by P60 with increasing in dose. CONCLUSION: Indomethacin has long term effect on liver development in a dose- and time- dependent manner. The hepatocytes during both the liver development and regeneration show significant differences in cell and nuclear number and size (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 48).

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on staurosporine-induced neural differentiation in mouse bone marrow­derived mesenchymal stem cells.

In this study, the role of hydrostatic pressure on staurosporine-induced neural differentiation in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were investigated. The cells were cultured in treatment medium containing 100 nM of staurosporine for 4 hours; then the cells were affected by hydrostatic pressure (0, 25,50, 100 mmHg). The percentage of cell viability by trypan blue staining and the percentage of cell death by Hoechst/PI differential staining were assessed. We obtained the total neurite length. Expression of ß-tubulin III and GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) proteins were also analyzed by immunocytochemistry. The percentage of cell viability in treatments decreased relative to the increase in hydrostatic pressure and time (p Keywords: bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell, hydrostatic pressure, immunocytochemistry, neural differentiation, neurite length, cell differentiation.

A survey of characteristics of self-immolation in the northern iran.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is an action deliberately initiated and performed by a person with complete awareness of its fatal outcome, prevalence of which is very rare in developed countries, but it is reported with more frequency in Middle East including Iran. AIM: This study was carried out to analyze the characteristics, mortality, and related factors of burned patients who attempted to suicide by self-immolation in Northern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the archived files of 101 cases that referred to the main burn care center located in northern Iran (Included: Mazadaran, Golestan cities) - cause of suicide attempting by self-immolation during 2 years 2010-2011, analyzed. A record sheet designed to extract data such as: Age, education, occupation, gender, residence, marital status, drug abuse, and extent of the burn injuries as a percent of burned total body surface area (TBSA). RESULTS: The incidence rate of suicide attempted cases were 1.98/100,000 person-years. The mean ages for cases were 31.8 (13.6). The mean age for males and females were 36.1 (14.8) and 30.1 (12.9) years, respectively. In, about 84% (84/101) of the patient's burned TBSA was more than 40% (41/101). Burn injuries were more frequent, larger, and included higher mortality in females than males. Kerosene was the most common used material to self-burning. The mortality rate was about 74% (74/101), which showed a high mortality rate in this study. Other social factors such as marital status, employment, and education level have a role as individually protective or risk factors for self-burning. CONCLUSION: Finding of the current study manifested high rate of suicide by self-immolation among young, married, and low educated women in Northern Iran. It implies a social problem, and need to an arrangement of a cultural program aimed to improving health, psychological habits and educational level.

Phosphoinositid signal pathway mediate neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by staurosporine.

OBJECTIVES: In previous studies, we showed that staurosporine uses intracellular calcium ions to affect cell death in PC12 cells. The bulk release of intracellular excessive Ca(2+) from intracellular sources into cytosol contributes to neuronal apoptotic events, which in turn results in neuronal cell death. However, the mechanisms of Ca(2+)-induced neuronal cell death or neurite elongation is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relation between phosphoinositid signal pathway, intracellular calcium, and reactive oxygen species on one hand, with staurosporine-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells on the other. RESULTS: The inhibition of phospholipase C or IP3 receptor antagonist or phosphoinositid signal transduction antagonist produced cell death and suppressed neurite outgrowth by staurosporine in PC12 cells. The inhibition of these enzymes and pathway results in an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) although subsequent hydroxyl radical (•OH) production began after inhibitors exposure. •OH production was significantly attenuated in inhibitor supplemented medium treatment, and it was dependent on the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. These data indicate that staurosporine activates phosphoinositid signal pathway while endoplasmic Ca(2+), and subsequent •OH production are critical events in staurosporine-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the fact that staurosporine mobilizes Ca2+, probably via activating the subcellular compartment, is responsible for staurosporine-induced (Ca2+]i increase during neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells (Fig. 7, Ref. 30).

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on mouse sperm.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the abnormalities in sperm after exposure to hydrostatic pressure. BACKGROUND: Hydrostatic pressure acting on the cells is one of the fundamental environmental mechanical forces. Disorders of relationship between the cells and this mechanical force, such as when pressure varies beyond physiological limits, can lead to disease or pathological states. Sperm exposed to different range of hydrostatic pressure within male reproductive system and after entering the female reproductive system. METHODS: Sexually mature male NMRI mice, 8-12 weeks-old were sperm donors. Sperms were separated from the caudal epididymis and maintained in Ham's F-10 culture medium supplemented with 10 % FBS and divided into control and treatments. Sperm suspensions in the treatments were placed within pressure chamber and were subjected to increased hydrostatic pressure of 25, 50 and 100 mmHg (treatment I, II and III) above atmospheric pressure for 2 and 4 h. Sperm viability, motility, morphology, DNA integrity and fertilizing ability were assessed and compared with control. RESULTS: Results showed that hydrostatic pressure dependent on ranges and time manner reduced sperm quality due to adverse effect on viability, motility , morphology, DNA integrity and fertilizing ability in all of treatments, especially after 4h (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data revealed hydrostatic pressure reduces sperm quality as a consequence of adverse effects on sperm parameters and may cause male infertility or subfertility (Tab. 5, Ref. 5).

Diospyros lotus L. fruit extract protects G6PD-deficient erythrocytes from hemolytic injury in vitro and in vivo: prevention of favism disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Diospyros lotus L. fruit extract against the hemolytic damage induced by Vicia faba beans extract in both G6PD enzyme-deficient human and rat erythrocyte in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the former model, venous blood samples were obtained from five subjects with known G6PD deficiency and erythrocyte hemolysis induced by Vicia faba L. bean extract was asessed spectrophotometrically in the presence and absence of Diospyros lotus L. fruits extract. In the in vivo model, G6PD-deficient rats (induced by intraperitoneal injection of dehydroepiandrosterone for 35 days) pre-treated with different doses of Diospyros lotus L. (500, 750, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg, p.o for 7 days) were challenged with Vicia faba beans extract and the protective effect of the fruit extract against hemolysis was evaluated as above. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown that Diospyros lotus L. fruits extract has antioxidant activity that may protect against hemolytic damage induced by Vicia faba bean extract in both G6PD-deficient human and rat erythrocytes. The study gives a scientific basis for the efficacy of the fruit extract as used in Iran. The fact that this was shown in human erythrocytes in vitro is significant and provides a rationale for further testing in vivo in G6PD-deficient human populations.

The Effect of Fig Tree Latex (Ficus carica) on Stomach Cancer Line.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic effect of herbal materials in inhibition of cancer cell growth was shown. This study investigates the effect of fig tree latex (Ficus carica) on stomach cancer line. METHODS: The in vitro effect of different doses of fig tree latex on stomach cancer cell line and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated after 72 hours. RESULTS: Fig tree latex could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell line without any cytotoxic effect on human normal cells. Five mg/ml was the optimum concentration in inhibition of cell line growth. CONCLUSION: Cancer cell line was more sensitive to Ficus carica latex than normal cells. This anticancer activity might be due to presence of its proteolytic enzymes.

Cytotoxicity of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Cucurbitapepo and Solanum nigrum on HepG2 and CT26 cancer cell lines.

Plants are used worldwide for the treatment of diseases, and novel drugs continue to be developed through research from plants. There are more than 20,000 species of plants used in traditional medicines, and these are all potential reservoirs for new drugs. Cucurbitapepo has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat cold and alleviate ache. Previous pharmacological tests have shown that it possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Also, Solanum nigrum has been used as a diuretic and an antipyretic agent and it has also been used to cure inflammation, edema, mastitis and hepatic cancer. In this investigation, cytotoxicity of specific concentrations of hydro-alcoholic extracts of C. pepo and S. nigrum was studied on normal [Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO) and rat fibroblast] and cancer (HepG2 and CT26) cell lines. The cytotoxic effects and IC(50) of the extracts on the selected cell lines were studied followed by colonogenic assay method. The results showed that IC(50) of S. nigrum extract was significantly lower than that of the C. pepo extract on all four cell lines (P < 0.05). On the other hand, IC(50) of S. nigrum extract was significantly higher than the extract of Taxus baccata and Cisplatin, herbal and chemical control positive anticancer compounds, respectively, on all four cell lines (P < 0.05). As a result, it is concluded that the extract of S. nigrum has almost similar cytotoxicity to the extract of T. baccata on cancer cells.