Apoptosis-inducing Plant-based Phenolic Compounds are Effective on Leukemia Cell Lines.

Numerous natural compounds have been identified that are able to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. These compounds have various chemical properties and are found in medicinal plants, vegetables, and fruits that are commonly consumed by humans. Phenols represent important compounds, which have been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, and some of the involved mechanisms have also been determined. The most important and abundant phenolic compounds are tannins, caffeic acid, capsaicin, gallic acid, resveratrol, and curcumin. Induction of apoptosis with the least or no toxicity to natural tissues is one of the useful effects of many plant-based bioactive compounds. Phenols, with anticancer potency at different degrees, serve to induce apoptosis through different pathways, including both extrinsic (Fas) and intrinsic (calcium release, ROS increase, DNA degradation, and mitochondrial membrane impairment). In this review, we report these compounds and their apoptosis-inducing mechanisms. Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a precise and systematic mechanism that is aimed at removing damaged or abnormal cells and is very useful to control, treat, and prevent cancer. Apoptotic cells are characterized by specific morphological features and molecular expression. In addition to physiological stimuli, there are many external factors that can be useful for inducing apoptosis. Also, these compounds can affect the regulatory proteins of the apoptotic pathways, such as the apoptotic proteins (Bid and BAX) and antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2). Taking these compounds and their molecular mechanisms into account can help use them in combination with chemical drugs and develop new drugs.

Effect of White Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract on Skin Wound Healing Process in Rats.

BACKGROUND: White tea (Camellia sinensis) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and a protective effect against wrinkles, sunburn and UV damages on the skin. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of white tea extract on the healing process of skin wounds in rats. METHODS: This study was done in the Research Center of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran in 2019. Excisional skin wounds were created on five groups of healthy male Wistar rats (200-250 g, n=21) including control group, Eucerin-treated group, white tea 5% ointment (Eucerin) treated group, gel-treated group, white tea 5% gel treated group. Treatment was begun on day 1 and repeated every day at the same time until day 15. Pathologic samples were taken on days 4, 7 and 15 for histopathological examinations. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze data by SPSS. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS: Wound closure rate of control group was more than other groups on day 4 (P<0.05). On day 7, reepithelisation and granulation tissue of control group were more than white tea 5% ointment-treated and its inflammation was less than others (P<0.05). Neo-vascularization of white tea 5% ointment-treated group was more than control group on days 4 and 15 (P<0.05). On day 4, intact mast cells of control group were more than white tea treated groups (P<0.05). Degranulated mast cells of white tea 5% gel treated group was significantly (P<0.05) more than control group on days 4 and 15. CONCLUSION: Five percent white tea extract could not help the skin wound healing process.