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Nafeh G, Abi Akl M, Samarani J, Bahous R, Al Kari G, Younes M, Sarkis R, Rizk S. Urtica dioica Leaf Infusion Enhances the Sensitivity of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells to Cisplatin Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:780. [PMID: 37375728 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Urtica dioica (UD) has been widely used in traditional medicine due to its therapeutic benefits, including its anticancer effects. Natural compounds have a promising potential when used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs. The present study explores the anticancer and anti-proliferative properties of UD tea in combination with cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro. To elucidate the effect of this combination, a cell viability assay, Annexin V/PI dual staining, cell death ELISA, and Western blots were performed. The results showed that the combination of UD and cisplatin significantly decreased the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared to each treatment alone. This was accompanied by an increase in two major hallmarks of apoptosis, the flipping of phosphatidylserine to the outer membrane leaflet and DNA fragmentation, as revealed by Annexin V/PI staining and cell death ELISA, respectively. DNA damage was also validated by the upregulation of the cleaved PARP protein as revealed by Western blot analysis. Finally, the increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio further supported the apoptotic mechanism of death induced by this combination. Thus, a leaf infusion of Urtica dioica enhanced the sensitivity of an aggressive breast cancer cell line to cisplatin via the activation of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Nafeh
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Maria Abi Akl
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Jad Samarani
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Rawane Bahous
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Georges Al Kari
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Maria Younes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Rita Sarkis
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
- Laboratory of Regenerative Hematopoiesis, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) & Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Rizk
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
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Gag O, Dinu Ș, Manea H, Marcovici I, Pînzaru I, Popovici R, Crăiniceanu Z, Gyori Z, Iovănescu G, Chiriac S. UVA/UVB Irradiation Exerts a Distinct Phototoxic Effect on Human Keratinocytes Compared to Human Malignant Melanoma Cells. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051144. [PMID: 37240789 DOI: 10.3390/life13051144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is responsible for the development of many skin diseases, including malignant melanoma (MM). This study assessed the phototoxic effects of UVA, and UVB radiations on healthy and pathologic skin cells by evaluating the behavior of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and MM cells (A375) at 24 h post-irradiation. The main results showed that UVA 10 J/cm2 exerted no cytotoxicity on HaCaT and A375 cells, while UVB 0.5 J/cm2 significantly reduced cell viability and confluence, induced cell shrinkage and rounding, generated nuclear and F-actin condensation, and induced apoptosis by modulating the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2. The association of UVA 10 J/cm2 with UVB 0.5 J/cm2 (UVA/UVB) induced the highest cytotoxicity in both cell lines (viability < 40%). However, the morphological changes were different-HaCaT cells showed signs of necrosis, while in A375 nuclear polarization and expulsion from the cells were observed, features that indicate enucleation. By unraveling the impact of different UVR treatments on the behavior of normal and cancer skin cells and describing enucleation as a novel process involved in the cytotoxicity of UVA/UVB irradiation, these findings bridge the gap between the current and the future status of research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otilia Gag
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ștefania Dinu
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Horațiu Manea
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iasmina Marcovici
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iulia Pînzaru
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ramona Popovici
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Zorin Crăiniceanu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Zsolt Gyori
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Iovănescu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Sorin Chiriac
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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El Samarji M, Younes M, El Khoury M, Haykal T, Elias N, Gasilova N, Menin L, Houri A, Machaka-Houri N, Rizk S. The Antioxidant and Proapoptotic Effects of Sternbergia clusiana Bulb Ethanolic Extract on Triple-Negative and Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:529. [PMID: 36771614 PMCID: PMC9920827 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sternbergia clusiana belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is recognized for the valuable biological activity of its major bioactive compounds. The aim of the current is to evaluate the anticancer effects of the ethanolic bulb extract of Sternbergia clusiana (ScBEE) on breast cancer cells in vitro and to further reveal the underlying cellular mechanism. METHODS An MTS cell viability assay was performed on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, along with cell cycle analysis, cell death ELISA, Western blot analysis and an ROS production assay to decipher the mechanism of death. LC-MS/MS was also performed to identify the chemical composition of this ethanolic extract. RESULTS The results show a selective antiproliferative effect on both cell lines with no effect on normal mesenchymal stem cells. Further analysis suggested the activation of the apoptotic pathway as reflected by the increase in cellular and DNA fragmentation and alterations in apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2 and c-PARP. ScBEE was also found to exhibit antioxidant effect, as shown by a decrease in ROS production. The underlying mechanism of action was explained by the presence of several bioactive compounds identified by LC-MS/MS, including alkaloids, terpenoids and phenols, which are elaborated in the manuscript. CONCLUSION This study highlights the antioxidant and anticancerous properties of S.clusiana for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El Samarji
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Maria Younes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Marianne El Khoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Tony Haykal
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Nazira Elias
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Natalia Gasilova
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laure Menin
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ahmad Houri
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Nisrine Machaka-Houri
- Department of Life and Earth Science, Faculty of Sciences, Saint Joseph University, Ras Maska 1104-2020, Lebanon
| | - Sandra Rizk
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
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Haykal T, Younes M, El Khoury M, Ammoury C, Tannous S, Hodroj MH, Sarkis R, Gasilova N, Menin L, Rizk S. The pro-apoptotic properties of a phytonutrient rich infusion of A. cherimola leaf extract on AML cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 140:111592. [PMID: 34088572 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Annonaceae family has broad uses in herbal medicine for treatment of several diseases, whether through seeds' or leaves' extracts. The present study investigates the antiproliferative and antitumor activity of Annona cherimola aqueous leaf (AAL) extract/infusion in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines in vitro. High-resolution LC-MS was first used to analyze the composition of the aqueous extract. Cell proliferation assay, Annexin V staining, cell cycle analysis, dual Annexin V/PI staining, cell death quantification by ELISA, ROS level detection and Western Blotting were then performed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of AAL extract. The results obtained revealed a potent antioxidant activity of AAL extract. Moreover, the extract exhibited dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative effects on AML cell lines by decreasing cell viability with an IC50 of 5.03% (v/v) at 24 h of treatment of KG-1 cells. This decrease in viability was accompanied with a significant increase in apoptotic cell death with cell cycle arrest and flipping of the phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. The respective overexpression and downregulation of proapoptotic proteins like cleaved caspase-8, cleaved PARP-1 and Bax and antiapoptotic proteins like Bcl-2 further validated the apoptotic pathway induced by AAL on AML cells. Finally, LC-MS revealed the presence of several compounds like fatty acids, terpenes, phenolics, cinnamic acids and flavonoids that could contribute to the antioxidant and anti-cancer effects of this herbal infusion. In addition to the generally known nutritional effects of the Annona cherimola fruit and leaves, the presented data validates the antioxidant and anti-cancerous effects of the leaf infusion on AML cell lines, proposing its potential therapeutic use against acute myeloid leukemia with future in vivo and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Haykal
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Maria Younes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Marianne El Khoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Carl Ammoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Stephanie Tannous
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Mohammad H Hodroj
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Rita Sarkis
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon; Laboratory of Regenerative Hematopoiesis, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) & Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Natalia Gasilova
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Laure Menin
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Sandra Rizk
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
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Younes M, Ammoury C, Haykal T, Nasr L, Sarkis R, Rizk S. The selective anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of A. cherimola on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:343. [PMID: 33187495 PMCID: PMC7664056 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03120-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Herbal medicines have been a major target for numerous studies through the past years as an alternative treatment for cancer, mainly due to their minimal effects on normal healthy cells. Annona cherimola, popularly known as Cherimoya, is an edible natural fruit rich in phytochemical components and known to possess various biological activities. Previous studies have reported the anti-cancerous effect of A. cherimola ethanolic leaf extract (AELE) on leukemia. This study aims at studying the potential anti-cancer activity of this extract in vitro in two different breast cancer cell lines, namely MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, in addition to investigating its toxicity on normal mesenchymal stem cells. Methods The anti-proliferative effect of AELE was evaluated via cell viability assay. Propidium iodide staining, Cell Death Detection ELISA and flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V binding were used to assess cell cycle progression, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis induction, respectively. Protein expression was determined via Western Blot analysis to decipher the underlying apoptotic molecular mechanism induced upon AELE treatment. Results The anti-proliferative effect of the extract was found to be selective on the triple-negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) in a time- and dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 390.2 μg/mL at 48 h, with no cytotoxic effects on normal murine mesenchymal stem cells. The pro-apoptotic effect was confirmed by the increase in cellular and DNA fragmentation, flipping of the phosphatidylserine moiety to the outer leaflet, and the increase in Annexin V binding. The underlying molecular mechanism revealed the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway, as shown by alterations in mitochondrial permeability and the upregulation of cytochrome c expression. Conclusion All the data presented in our study suggest that AELE exhibits a selective anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect on the chemo-resistant MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, providing evidence for the anti-tumor effects of A. cherimola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Younes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Carl Ammoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Tony Haykal
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Leah Nasr
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Rita Sarkis
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.,Laboratory of Regenerative Hematopoiesis, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) & Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Rizk
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
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Khalil C, Chahine JB, Chahla B, Hobeika T, Khnayzer RS. Characterization and cytotoxicity assessment of nargile smoke using dynamic exposure. Inhal Toxicol 2019; 31:343-356. [DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2019.1683104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Khalil
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Institute of Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Joe Braham Chahine
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Brenda Chahla
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Tamara Hobeika
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Rony S. Khnayzer
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Chouran, Beirut, Lebanon
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Khalil C, Al Hageh C, Korfali S, Khnayzer RS. Municipal leachates health risks: Chemical and cytotoxicity assessment from regulated and unregulated municipal dumpsites in Lebanon. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 208:1-13. [PMID: 29857206 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.05.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The proper management of municipal waste is critical for resource recovery, sustainability and health. Lebanon main approach for managing its municipal waste consisted of landfill disposal with minimal recycling capacity. This approach contributed to exceeding the holding capacity of existing landfills leading eventually to their closures. The closure of a major landfill (Naameh landfill) servicing Beirut and Mount Lebanon areas led to municipal wastes piling in the streets and forests for more than a year in 2016. The main problem identified in the municipal wastes consisted of untreated leachates (from regulated and unregulated dumpsites) going straight into the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore leachate samples were collected and subjected to chemical characterization followed by biological assessment. The chemical characterization and profiling of the Lebanese leachates were compared to results reported in Lebanon, Europe and United States as well as to the toxicity reference values (TRV). The biological assessment was conducted in vitro using human derived immortalized cell cultures. This strategy revealed significant alarming cellular organelles and DNA damages using in vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTS and comet assay). The significant damages observed at the cellular level prompted further animal model investigations using BALB/c mice. The animal data pointed to significant upregulation of liver activity enzymes coupled with significant damage expression in liver spleen and bone marrow DNA. The presented research clearly indicated that there is an urgent need for development of national waste strategies for proper treatment and disposal of municipal waste leachates in Lebanon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Khalil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon.
| | - Cynthia Al Hageh
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Samira Korfali
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Rony S Khnayzer
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
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