Coronavirus-related health literacy level of Turkish adults: psychometric properties of the scale.

An adequate level of health literacy enables people to adopt protective behaviors to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Validated instruments are desired to assess such reactions. This study aims to determine the level of health literacy and validity and reliability of the Coronavirus-Related Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-COVID-Q22) adapted to Turkish. The present study was carried out with 452 participants in Turkey using an online survey. The scale was translated from English to Turkish using the back-translation technique. The cultural adaptation was outlined in the context of establishing the validity and reliability of the instruments. A coronavirus-related health literacy measure was validated (HLS-COVID-Q22) for the Turkish population through exploratory factorial analysis, followed by a confirmatory factorial analysis. The coronavirus-related health literacy level of the participants was found to be 2.92 (±â€…0.51). Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was found to be 0.95. A four-factor solution was confirmed with eigenvalues > 1.0, suggesting a four-factor solution and explaining 68.84% of the total variance. It was determined that the χ2/df and root mean square residual, root mean square error of approximation and comparative fit index values in the last model had a good fit and that the normed fit index, goodness-of-fit index and adjusted goodness-of-fit index values were acceptable. The coronavirus-related health literacy level of Turkish adults was moderate. HLS-COVID-Q22 was a reliable and valid instrument for measuring coronavirus-related health literacy in the Turkish population. Promoting population-based health literacy and making decisions on accurate and reliable information are important in coping with the epidemic.

Frequency and distribution of BRCA1/BRCA2 large genomic rearrangements in Turkish population with breast cancer.

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are mainly responsible for breast and/or ovarian cancer patients. Most of the mutations in these genes are single nucleotide changes or deletions/insertions of small numbers of bases, while a minority of mutations in these genes are large genomic rearrangements (LGRs). The frequency of LGRs in the Turkish population is not clearly known. Also insufficient awareness of the importance of LGRs in breast and/or ovarian cancer development can lead to some disruptions in patient management. So, we aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of the LGRs in the BRCA1/2 genes in the Turkish population. We investigated rearrangements of BRCA genes using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis in 1540 patients with a personal and/or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer or who had familial known large deletion/duplication and applied for segregation. The estimated overall frequency of LGRs in our group was 3,4% (52/1540) with 91% in BRCA1 gene and 9% in BRCA2 gene. 13 different rearrangements were detected (10 BRCA1, 3 BRCA2). To the best our knowledge, BRCA1 exon 1-16 duplication and BRCA2 exon 6 deletion have not been previously reported before. Our study results supported that the detection of rearrangements in BRCA genes is of great importance and it should be planned routinely in patients whose mutations cannot be detected by sequence analysis in screening programs.

Coronavirus-related health literacy levels among school administrators and influencing factors.

Our study aimed to determine the level of coronavirus-related health literacy among school administrators and the factors that influence this. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 402 school administrators serving in primary, secondary and high schools in Ankara. The data were collected between September 2021 and February 2022 using the descriptive characteristics questionnaire and the Coronavirus-Related Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-COVID-Q22). It was seen that 64.4% of the participants were male, 34.6% were 40 years old or younger and 35.6% were working in primary schools; 77.6% of the participants had a sufficient, 16.2% had a problematic and 6.2% had an inadequate level of coronavirus-related health literacy. Age, gender, chronic disease status, type of school they work in, level of knowledge about coronavirus, level of confusion due to knowledge about coronavirus, willingness to be vaccinated, believing that vaccines are safe/effective/compatible with their religious beliefs were found to affect coronavirus-related health literacy (p < 0.05). Gender, age, information satisfaction on coronavirus, confusion due to information on coronavirus and 'Overall, I believe that vaccinations are effective' explained 24.9% of HLS-COVID-Q22 variance (Adjusted R2 = 0.249, F = 13.080, p < 0.001). This study found the coronavirus-related health literacy level among school administrators to be sufficient. It found that their level of health literacy was affected by gender, age, chronic disease status, type of school they worked at, level of knowledge about coronavirus, level of confusion due to information about coronavirus, desire to be vaccinated and their thoughts about vaccines.

The effect of structured health promotion education given to adolescents on health literacy and health-promoting behaviors.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of structured health promotion education given to adolescents on health literacy and health promotion level. DESIGN AND METHODS: The research was designed according to the pretest-posttest control group model and conducted using the quasi-experimental method. The population of the study consisted of students studying in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades of a secondary school. A total of 191 students were assigned to the intervention group and the control group. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale, and the School Age Health Literacy Scale. Structured Health Promotion Education consisting of six modules was given to the intervention group. The control group did not receive any intervention. RESULTS: Of the students, 33.9% were in the 8th grade, 76.6% were born in Turkey, 31.6% had a father and mother who were secondary school graduates, 72.5% were from moderate-income families, and 83% had no chronic health problems. The groups' health literacy and adolescent health-promoting behaviors pretest mean scores before the intervention were homogeneous (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups' health literacy and adolescent health-promoting behaviors posttest mean scores after the intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While structured health promotion education was found to increase health literacy and health-promoting behaviors, nutrition, stress management, life satisfaction, and health responsibility behaviors in adolescents, it did not affect social support and exercise behaviors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses should provide training to increase students' health literacy and health-promoting behaviors.

The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Persons with Schizophrenia: A Mixed Method Pilot Study.

This study was planned to examine the effects of laughter therapy on the perceived stress and quality of life level of persons with schizophrenia and their views on laughter therapy. This study is a mixed-methods pilot study conducted using a quasi-experimental design based on the pretest-posttest model. Of the participants 68% (n = 17) were male, 92% (n = 23) were single, 56% (14) were high school graduates, 60% (n = 15) were unemployed, 60% (n = 15) lived with their parents, 88% (22) had been receiving treatment for schizophrenia for more than 10 years. The difference between the pretest and post-test means was not found to be significant in participants' perceived stress (p > 0.05), and the difference between the pretest and post-test means of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale's Interpersonal Relations, Instrumental Role, and Intrapsychicv (mental findings) subscales was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The main themes of laughter therapy among persons with schizophrenia in the focus group interviews were found to be optimism, coping, health, sociability, motivation, awareness, and functionality. Laughter therapy was found to increase the quality of life of persons with schizophrenia, not affect perceived stress, and positively affect optimism, coping, health, sociability, motivation, awareness, and functionality levels. The researchers recommend using laughter therapy to improve the quality of life of people with schizophrenia during their rehabilitation.

The effect of laughter yoga on loneliness, psychological resilience, and quality of life in older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

This study aims to examine how laughter yoga affects the loneliness, psychological resilience, and quality of life of older adults living in a nursing home. The sample of this intervention study, made using a control group with a pretest/posttest design, consists of 65 older adults living in Turkey. The data were collected in September 2022 using the Personal Information Form, the Loneliness Scale for the Elderly, the Brief Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly. The intervention group (n=32) took part in laughter yoga twice a week for four weeks. No intervention was made with the control group (n=33). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups' mean post-test scores for loneliness, psychological resilience, and quality of life (p < 0.05) after the laughter yoga sessions. The eight-session laughter yoga program was found to reduce loneliness and increase resilience and quality of life in older adults.

Effect of Laughter Yoga on Sleep and Quality of Life in Individuals With Fecal Ostomies: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of laughter yoga on the quality of life and sleep quality in individuals with fecal ostomies. DESIGN: This was randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 55 individuals with an ostomy who received care at Ankara University's I˙bni Sina Hospital Stoma Therapy Unit in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected over a 2-month period (January and February 2020). METHODS: Participants were allocated into an intervention group (n = 27) who received a yoga therapy intervention and a control group (n = 28) who received no intervention via simple randomization. Demographic and pertinent clinical variables were obtained during a baseline visit in both groups, along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Stoma-Quality of Life (Stoma-QOL) instruments. The intervention group received laughter yoga weekly over a period of 8 weeks. RESULTS: Mean scores on the PSQI and the Stoma-QOL at baseline were compared. Participants in the intervention had a significant decline in mean PSQI scores (6.85 vs 5.48, P = .044) indicating improvement in sleep quality following the intervention. Analysis revealed no significant difference in mean Stoma-QOL scores (P = .077). Control group participants had no significant difference in either mean PSQI or Stoma-QOL scores following data collection at the end of 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Laughter yoga had a positive effect on the sleep quality in individuals with fecal ostomies. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effect of the number of laughter yoga sessions on the sleep quality and quality of life in individuals with ostomies.

Appraising the characteristics of particulate matter from leather tanning micro-environments, their respirational risks, and dysfunctions amid exposed working cohorts.

Leather tanneries are known for chemical laden work environments and pulmonic complaints among workers. This study presents an analysis of tannery micro-environments emphasizing on size-based variation in composition of particulate matter and consequent respiratory dysfunctions. Qualitative (FTIR, SEM-EDX) and quantitative assessment (elemental composition, carbon forms) of PM10 and 2.5 has been employed. For lung function evaluation of workforce, spirometry with ATS proprieties was used. The peak concentrations of both PM10 and 2.5 have been found at PU, FU, and B&S. The LTCR for only Cr is high for both PM2.5 and PM10. HQ was high for Al, Cr, and Mn for both PM sizes. The maximum organic and secondary organic carbon in PM10 was found at FU and in PM2.5 at PU. The varied PM composition included carbohydrate (B&S, WMO), ether (S&S, P&S) and hydroxyl (B&S, S&S, P&S), proteins, polyenes, vinyl groups (S&S, P&S, FU), alcohols (PU and FU), and aldehyde present at PU. These results were armored by high organic and total carbon concentrations for the same sites. Therefore, PM are classified into biogenic (carbonaceous: microbial and animal remains) from PU and WMO, incidental (industrial, mixt physico-chemical character) from PU, FU, WMO, B&S and P&S, and geogenic (crustal mineral dust) from RHT, B&S, PU, and P&S. Furthermore, increase in metal concentrations in PM10 (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, V, As, Be, Ba, and Cd) and PM2.5 (As, Pb) while TC, OC, and SOC in PM2.5 caused depreciation overall lung function. The exposure to biogenic and incidental PM nature are key cause of pulmonic dysfunction.

Comprehensive chemical characterization of PM2.5 in the large East Mediterranean-Middle East city of Beirut, Lebanon.

The chemical composition of PM2.5 at two sites in Lebanon, a country in the East Mediterranean - Middle East region, is investigated in the spring and summer seasons. The average PM2.5 concentrations were of (29 ± 16) µg/m3 for Beirut urban site and (32 ± 14) µg/m3 for Beirut suburban site. This study showed that the geographic location of the East Mediterranean region, such as its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and the dust storm intrusion are a significant contributor to the high PM levels from natural sources, which cannot be mitigated, rendering the PM2.5 WHO annual Air Quality guideline unattainable due to high natural background, which also applies to the entire Middle East region. Turkey and Eastern Europe are the dominant origin of air masses throughout our sampling days, suggesting the long-range transport as an important potential contributor to the high observed concentrations of V, Ni, and sulfate in this region most probably in other East Mediterranean countries than Lebanon too. Main local sources determined through the chemical speciation including organics are road transport, resuspension of dust and diesel private generators. A health risk assessment of airborne metals was performed and the carcinogenic risk for all the metals exceeded by 42 (adults) and 14 (children) times the acceptable risk level (10-6) at both sites. Vanadium was the predominant carcinogenic metal, emphasizing the need to replace energy production with cleaner energy on a regional level and highlighting the severe impact of air pollution on the health of inhabitants in this region's main cities.

Spiritual Well-being, Diabetes Burden, Self-management, and Glycemic Control Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Turkey: A Descriptive and Correlational Study.

Spiritual well-being is considered a significant factor in helping to manage chronic diseases and cope with the disease process. This descriptive-correlational study aimed to investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being, diabetes burden, self-management, and among 300 outpatients with type 2 diabetes in Turkey. A significant relationship was found between the diabetes burden and self-management levels and the spiritual well-being of patients with diabetes (p < 0.005). Multiple linear regression analyses found that a high diabetes burden (ß = -0.106) decreased well-being, and high self-management increased well-being (ß = 0.415). Additionally, the results revealed that marital status, household members, performing daily life activities alone, hospitalization due to complications, diabetes burden, self-management, glycemic control, and blood lipid parameters explained 29% of the total variance in the spiritual well-being level. Accordingly, the present study recommended that health professionals should consider spiritual well-being to support disease management with a holistic approach to diabetes patients.

Clinical and molecular genetic findings of Crisponi/cold-induced sweating syndrome (CS/CISS) spectrum in patients from Turkey.

Crisponi/cold-induced sweating syndrome (CS/CISS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by episodic hyperthermia, arthrogryposis, impaired feeding ability, and respiratory distress. The classic CS/CISS is mainly associated with CRLF1 and, rarely, CLCF1. PERCHING syndrome, previously known as CS/CISS type-3 associated with biallelic pathogenic variants in KLHL7, is notable for its few overlapping manifestations. This study presents genotype-phenotype relationships in CS/CISS-like spectrum associated with CRLF1 and KLHL7. Clinical findings of 19 patients from 14 families and four patients from three families were found in association with six different CRLF1 and three different KLHL7 variants, respectively. c.167T>C and c.713delC of the CRLF1 gene and the c.642G>C of the KLHL7 were novel. The c.708_709delCCinsT allele of CRLF1 was identified in 10 families from the Mardin province of Turkey, underlining that an ancestral haplotype has become widespread. CRLF1-associated phenotypes revealed novel manifestations such as prenatal oligohydramnios, benign external hydrocephalus, previously unreported dysmorphic features emerging with advancing age, severe palmoplantar keratoderma and facial erythema, hypopigmented macules and streaks, and recurrent cardiac arrests. KLHL7 variants presented with glabellar nevus flammeus, blepharophimosis, microcephaly, thin corpus callosum, and cleft palate. Abnormalities of sweating, observed in one patient reported herein, is known to be very rare among KLHL7-related phenotypes.

The effect of online laughter therapy on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness among nursing students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students experienced mental symptoms when they switched to distance education due to the pandemic. AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of online laughter therapy sessions on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness levels in first-year nursing students. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 61 healthy nursing students were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 32) and control groups (n = 29). The intervention group received online laughter therapy twice weekly for four weeks. The control group received no intervention. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale at the study initiation and week four in both groups. RESULTS: There was no difference between the mean scores of the groups in the pre-test (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of depression after online laughter therapy sessions (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between anxiety, stress, and loneliness levels (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Online laughter therapy sessions significantly reduced depression but had no effect on anxiety, stress, and loneliness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online laughter therapy can be organized to reduce depression levels.

The Adaptation of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale (SU-SMS) Into Turkish: A Validity and Reliability Study.

BACKGROUND: Substance users are among the most highly stigmatized individuals by both the public and health care providers. However, no multidimensional scale for measuring substance use stigma for substance use disorders (SUDs) currently exists in Turkey. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale (SU-SMS). METHOD: The study was conducted at the AMATEM (Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center Clinic). The sample group of this methodological study consisted of 156 participants with SUDs who met the inclusion criteria. "Social-demographics Questionnaire," "The Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale," and "Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale" were used for data collection. In the validity-reliability analysis of the scale, language and content validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, criterion-concurrent validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, item-total score correlation, split-half reliability analysis, and test-retest reliability methods were used. RESULTS: Using exploratory factor analysis, it was found that the SU-SMS has five factors. Its five-factor structure was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. Its Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .828, and factor loading was between .402 and .971. Analyses indicated that each of the factors of the Turkish version of the scale had high internal consistency. The test-retest correlation value was .752, p = .000. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the Turkish version of the SU-SMS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing substance use-related stigma in individuals with SUDs.

The impact of internship on attitude towards nursing profession and peer caring behaviours: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The attitude towards the nursing is reflected in a person's behaviour within the nursing profession. Peers can help develop and refine emotional support skills through interpersonal relationships, thus also promoting mutual caring skills. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of an internship on nursing students' attitudes towards nursing profession and peer caring behaviours. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in nursing departments at two universities in Turkey. Totally, 293 nursing students (156 from the first university and 137 from the second university) were included in the study. The questionnaire, the Attitude Towards Nursing Profession Scale, and the Peer Caring Behaviour Scale were used to collect the data. In the first university nursing education, internship is implemented. Peer caring behaviours and their attitude towards nursing were evaluated before and after the internship. RESULTS: After the internship, the mean scores obtained from the Peer Caring Behaviour Scale and physical and emotional assistance sub-dimensions in the first school students increased significantly compared with the second school (P < .05), but no significant difference was found in terms of attitude towards the nursing profession (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes that nursing internship positively affects peer caring behaviours. An internship can be added to the nursing education curriculum.

Effect of laughter yoga on mental symptoms and salivary cortisol levels in first-year nursing students: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: University students are faced with several stress factors affecting their mental health. Therefore, the first year at university is a period that calls for careful attention and research. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of laughter yoga on mental symptoms and cortisol levels in nursing students. METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled study employing a pre-/post-test design with a control group. A total of 75 healthy university students were assigned to the intervention group and control group. The Brief Symptom Inventory was applied to both groups before Session 1 and after Session 8. Saliva samples were taken from the students to measure their cortisol levels before and after each session. RESULTS: Evaluation of the mean scores obtained from the Brief Symptom Inventory before and after the intervention showed a significant decrease in the scores between groups (P < 0.05). In three out of the eight sessions, there was a significant decrease in the intervention group compared with the control group regarding the mean values of pre-test and post-test salivary cortisol levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Laughter yoga can provide an effective means to help first-year nursing students cope with stress and reduce mental symptoms.

Internet addiction and psychosocial problems among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to investigate the prevalence of internet addiction and psychosocial problems and associated factors among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. The population was composed of 9th and 10th grade students. The sample consisted of 1572 participants. Data were collected from parents of the students through a questionnaire, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist, and the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychosocial problems was 20.7%. A few (4.8%) of adolescents had limited internet addiction symptoms. The psychosocial problems risk was significantly higher in adolescents whose fathers did not work, whose family income was less than expense, and whose daily internet use time was more than 3 h and more (p < 0.05). The risk of problematic internet use was significantly higher in males, whose mother's education level was high school and lower, whose family income was less than expense, and whose duration of internet use was 5 years and more (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between internet addiction and psychosocial problem mean scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the adolescents were internet users and one in five adolescents was at risk of psychosocial problems. Internet addiction and psychosocial problems were associated with several sociodemographic factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study emphasizes the need for the prevention of excessive internet use and psychosocial problems during COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents. Nurses should organize online trainings for internet addiction and psychosocial problems for adolescents and their parents during the quarantine process.

Preclinical study of the medicinal plants for the treatment of malignant melanoma.

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and originates from pigment-containing cells called melanocytes. The incidence of melanoma has been increasing worldwide. In the current study, the cytotoxic and photo-cytotoxic activities of different medicinal plants from Lamiaceae (Salvia cedronella, Salvia chionantha, and Salvia adenophylla), Asteraceae (Klasea kurdica, Klasea bornmuelleri, and Achillea millefolium), Apiaceae (Cuminum cyminum, and Anethum graveolens), and Polygonaceae (Rumex crispus) families were studied against HT 144 (Human malignant melanoma) cancer cell lines. The activities were performed by employing the MTT assay. Moreover, the apoptotic effects of the plant extracts were investigated by flow cytometry with annexin V/PI dual staining technique. The production of intracellular ROS by DCFH-DA technique and the effects of TNF-α secretion on apoptosis were also investigated. All plant extracts exhibited cytotoxic, and photo-cytotoxic effects against HT 144 cancer cells. Salvia species and Klasea species induced apoptosis via intracellular ROS generation secreted by TNF-α. On the other hand, A. millefolium, C. cyminum, A. graveolens, and R. crispus extracts induced apoptosis due to the intracellular generation of ROS, but, via the different pathway. In conclusion, this study indicates that the tested medicinal plant extracts have the potential in the treatment of melanoma.

A new exposure route to trace elements in indoor particulate matter.

Concentrations and emission rates of sixteen trace elements in emitted PM during heating soybean oil using three types of pans, including Teflon, granitium, and cast-iron, were investigated. Statistically significant decreases in Mn and Co emission rates were observed when the oil was heated in the cast-iron pan compared to Teflon and granitium pans. Among the released trace elements, Ni, Ba, Zn, and Cr had more contribution to the emission rate. The concentrations of Fe in the emitted PM1 were found to be higher when cast-iron pan (8.49 ± 3.35 µg/m3 ) was utilized compared to Teflon (8.05 ± 2.27 µg/m3 ) and granitium (7.45 ± 1.38 µg/m3 ). However, these increases were statistically insignificant. The results of our study support the hypothesis that the trace elements translocate from cooking pans into the heated oil and subsequently to the particulate phase. This translocation creates a new inhalation exposure route to trace elements in indoor environments.

Health Literacy and Health Promotion Behaviors of Adolescents in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the health literacy and health promotion behaviors of adolescents. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used cross sectional and correlational design. The population of the study consisted of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from three different secondary schools selected from high, middle, and low income levels. The sample consisted of 2498 students. RESULTS: The mean score of the health literacy scale of the students was 30.26. The mean score of the adolescent health promotion scale was 143.75. The mean scores of health literacy and adolescent health promotion scores of the students in high income level, sixth grade, and have parents with a baccalaureate or graduate degree were significantly higher (p < 0.005). A moderate positive correlation was found between the school age health literacy scale and the adolescent health promotion scale (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' health literacy, and their health promotion behaviors were at moderate level. By integrating a basic health knowledge and healthy lifestyle behaviors course into the student curriculum, health literacy of the students could be increased. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The determination of health literacy and health promotion behaviors in adolescents by nurses in the schools will be a guide for the promotion of enhanced adolescent health.

The anticancer activity of visnagin, isolated from Ammi visnaga L., against the human malignant melanoma cell lines, HT 144.

Melanoma is a cancer of melanocyte cells and has the highest global incidence. There is a need to develop new drugs for the treatment of this deadly cancer, which is resistant to currently used treatment modalities. We investigated the anticancer activity of visnagin, a natural furanochromone derivative, isolated from Ammi visnaga L., against malignant melanoma (HT 144) cell lines. The singlet oxygen production capacity of visnagin was determined by the RNO bleaching method while cytotoxic activity by the MTT assay. Further, HT 144 cells treated with visnagin were also exposed to visible light (λ ≥ 400 nm) for 25 min to examine the illumination cytotoxic activity. The apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry with annexin V/PI dual staining technique. The effect of TNF-α secretion on apoptosis was also investigated. In standard MTT assay, visnagin (100 µg/mL) exhibited 80.93% inhibitory activity against HT 144 cancer cell lines, while in illuminated MTT assay at same concentration it showed lesser inhibitory activity (63.19%). Visnagin was induced apoptosis due to the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and showed an apoptotic effect against HT 144 cell lines by 25.88%. However, it has no effect on TNF-α secretion. Our study indicates that visnagin can inhibit the proliferation of malignant melanoma, apparently by inducing the intracellular oxidative stress.