Baeckea frutescens L. Promotes wound healing by upregulating expression of TGF-ß, IL-1 ß, VEGF and MMP-2.

Baeckea frutescens L. has been traditionally used for treating snakebites and is known to possess antifebrile and hemostatic properties. These properties are closely related to wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate the wound healing properties of B. frutescens leaves extract (BFLE) in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro study focused on proliferation, migration, and expression of TGF-ß, IL-1ß, VEGF, and MMP-2 genes and proteins. The in vivo study included excisional wound healing, histology, and tensile strength studies. The ethanolic extract of B. frutescens (BFLE) was tested for its effects on proliferation and migration using keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (BJ) cells. Gene and protein expression related to wound healing were analyzed using real-time PCR and Western blot assays. The wound healing properties of BFLE were evaluated in vivo using Wistar albino rats, focusing on excisional wound healing, histology, and tensile strength studies. The BFLE displayed significant proliferative and migratory effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts cells, while upregulating the expression of TGF-ß, IL-1ß, VEGF, and MMP-2 genes and proteins. BFLE also exhibited significant wound healing effects on Wistar albino rats' excisional wounds and improved the overall tensile strength. The results suggest that BFLE has strong wound healing properties, as demonstrated by its ability to increase keratinocytes and fibroblasts proliferation and migration, upregulate genes and proteins involved in the wound healing process, and improve wound healing rates and tensile strength. The findings of this study provide important insights into the potential use of B. frutescens as a natural wound healing agent.

Cytochromes P450: Role in Carcinogenesis and Relevance to Cancers.

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality globally. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play a pivotal role in the biotransformation of both endogenous and exogenous compounds. Various lines of evidence from epidemiological, animal, and clinical studies point to the instrumental role of CYPs in cancer initiation, metastasis, and prevention. Substantial research has found that CYPs are involved in activating different carcinogenic chemicals in the environment, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and tobacco-related nitrosamines. Electrophilic intermediates produced from these chemicals can covalently bind to DNA, inducing mutation and cellular transformation that collectively result in cancer development. While bioactivation of procarcinogens and promutagens by CYPs has long been established, the role of CYP-derived endobiotics in carcinogenesis has only emerged in recent years. Eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid via CYP oxidative pathways have been implicated in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. The purpose of this review is to update the current state of knowledge about the molecular cancer mechanism involving CYPs with a focus on the biochemical and biotransformation mechanisms in the various CYP-mediated carcinogenesis and the role of CYP-derived reactive metabolites, from both external and endogenous sources, in cancer growth and tumor formation.

Special Thai Oolong Tea: Chemical Profile and In Vitro Antidiabetic Activities.

Special Thai oolong tea is oolong tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) steamed with selected Thai botanical drugs. Oolong tea steamed with ginger (Zingiber officinale), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and celery (Anathallis graveolens L.) is called eternity tea (EN), whereas peaceful rest (PR) tea is made of oolong tea leaves steamed with Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), Turkey berry (Solanum torvum), and wild betel leaf bush leaves (Piper sarmentosum). Oolong tea is known for its numerous biological activities including antidiabetic properties. However, the effect of the additional botanical drugs on the biological activities of special oolong teas has not yet been explored. From the results, the PR extract exhibited the best activity in the in vitro assays relevant to antidiabetic properties such as chemical antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-adipogenesis, enzyme inhibition, and glucose uptake and consumption. The UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS profiles of PR and EN extracts indicated chemical profiles different from oolong tea. For instance, gingerdiol and gingerol were detected in EN, whereas piperettine I was detected in PR. Therefore, it was inferred that among the three tea extracts, the additional compounds in PR contributed to good activities compared to oolong and EN. It is also important to highlight that the PR extract inhibited glucose uptake and consumption by adipocytes and skeletal muscles at concentrations of 500 and 100 µg/ml, respectively, as well as metformin activity (p < 0.05). Findings from this study support the antidiabetic potential of PR tea.

Combined extract of Moringa oleifera and Centella asiatica modulates oxidative stress and senescence in hydrogen peroxide-induced human dermal fibroblasts.

Moringa oleifera Lam. and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. leaves have been previously reported to exhibit antioxidant activity. The objective of the present study is to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the combined extracts of M. oleifera and C. asiatica (TGT-PRIMAAGE) and its effect on hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2)-induced oxidative stress in human dermal fibroblasts. TGTPRIMAAGE acted on the mechanism of hydrogen transfer as it showed scavenging activity in the DPPH assay. This is due to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids in TGT-PRIMAAGE. TGT-PRIMAAGE effectively reduced cellular generation of reactive oxygen species induced by H O2. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were also increased in cells treated with TGT-PRIMAAGE. 2 Treatment with TGT-PRIMAAGE showed significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the number of senescent cells. Significant reduction (P < 0.05) of malondialdehyde was also seen in cells treated with TGT-PRIMAAGE. The p53 protein level was reduced in TGT-PRIMAAGEtreated cells, which indicates its potential in protecting the cells from oxidative stress induced by H2O2.