To determine the effects of curcumin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), lovastatin, and their combinations on inhibition of esophageal cancer
METHODS: Esophageal cancer TE-8 and SKGT-4 cell lines were subjected to cell viability methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and tumor cell invasion assays in vitro and tumor formation and growth in nude mouse xenografts with or without curcumin, EGCG and lovastatin treatment. Gene expression was detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in tumor cell lines, tumor xenografts [...]
read morePHARMACEUTICAL APPROACH OF HERBICEUTICAL FORMULA WITH ANTICANCER PROPERTIES
Concept 1 Tumour cells starve due to blocked anoerobic glucose utility by herbal active component(s): The glucose utility block augments the aerobic energy metabolism in host. The block leads the lactate dehydrogenase inhibition and suppressed cytosolic TCA cycle (2,3 dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) in coenzyme Q10. The blocked glycolysis also favours mitochondrial oxidative function through complex I-IV [...]
read moreIn vitro cytotoxic activity of Thai medicinal plants used traditionally to treat cancer
The SRB assay was used to test cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines and one normal cell line of 11 Thai medicinal plant species used by traditional doctors in treating cancer patients. The extraction procedures used were similar to those practised by Thai traditional doctors (ethanolic and water extracts). Extracts were tested against the [...]
read moreRecommendations on Herbs and Herbal Formula in Cancer Prevention
Herbs are naturally rich in bioactive herbiceuticals or plant products with food value to keep energy balance in the body and promise substantial therapeutic value in several diseases. Major herbs have specific active ingredient(s) with cancer therapeutic effects. Herbs are now part of nutrition supplements at nonprescription counters and their self-prescription has increased at large [...]
read moreEstrogenic effects of two derivatives of icariin on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
Estrogenic effects of two derivatives of icariin on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The aims of the present study were to determine the estrogenic activities of icariin (ICA) and its derivatives and their structure-estrogenic activity relationship. Therefore, icaritin (ICT) and desmethylicaritin (DICT) were derived from ICA. The estrogenic activities of ICA, ICT and DICT were [...]
read moreInduction of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell differentiation into monocytes by silibinin: involvement of protein kinase C
The effect of silibinin, an active component of Silybum marianum, on cellular differentiation was investigated in the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell culture system. Treatment of HL-60 cells with silibinin inhibited cellular proliferation and induced cellular differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Cytofluorometric analysis and morphologic studies indicated that silibinin induced differentiation of HL-60 cells predominantly [...]
read moreDifferential involvement of protein kinase C in human promyelocytic leukemia cell differentiation enhanced by artemisinin
Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide that exists in several medicinal plants, is a well-known anti-malarial agent. In this report, we investigated the effect of artemisinin on cellular differentiation in the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell culture system. Artemisinin markedly increased the degree of HL-60 leukemia cell differentiation when simultaneously combined with low doses of 1α,25-dihydoxyvitamin [...]
read moreEnhancement of cytotoxicity of artemisinins toward cancer cells by ferrous iron
Iron(II) heme-mediated activation of the peroxide bond of artemisinins is thought to generate the radical oxygen species responsible for their antimalarial activity. We analyzed the role of ferrous iron in the cytotoxicity of artemisinins toward tumor cells. Iron(II)–glycine sulfate (Ferrosanol) and transferrin increased the cytotoxicity of free artesunate, artesunate microencapsulated in maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin, and artemisinin toward [...]
read moreSILIBININ
Growth Inhibition and Regression of Lung Tumors by Silibinin: Modulation of Angiogenesis by Macrophage-Associated Cytokines and Nuclear Factor-κB and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 Potential antiangiogenic mechanism of silibinin in advanced lung tumor cells in A/J mice. Silibinin inhibits the production and secretion of cytokines and interleukins via inhibition of TAMs. Furthermore, silibinin [...]
read moreAstragalus
Astragalus membranaceous (huang qi) Antineoplastic properties/amelioration of chemotherapy side effects: There is in vitro evidence that astragalus can potentiate the efficacy and reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy via stimulation of the immune system. (1-3) Wei et al. reported that astragalus extract significantly increased in vitro cytokine secretion and gene expression in blood mononuclear cells [...]
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