Bornyl acetate extracted from Sharen () inhibits proliferation, invasion and induces apoptosis by suppressing phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antitumor effects of bornyl acetate (BA) isolated from Sharen (Fructus Amomi) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

SW480 and HT29 cells were treated with increasing doses of BA in order to determine its antitumor effects in vitro. Cell viability, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis as well as migration and invasion were assessed using various assays. In addition, the in vivo antitumor effects of BA were assessed using a xenograft mouse model. We then assessed the mechanism of action of BA by conducting pathway activator-mediated rescue experiments and assessed the protein levels by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

BA showed anti-CRC tumor activities in vitro by suppressing cell proliferation and colony formation, inducing apoptosis, blocking cell cycle, and inhibiting migration and invasion. These effects were mediated via suppression of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway. In the tumor xenograft experiment, BA was found to repress tumor growth in vivo with low toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that BA exerts antitumor effects by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway, with low toxicity. Thus, BA might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for CRC.

A device for applying postsurgical pressure to the lateral face

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to improve the effect of pressure applied on the lateral face after operations, particularly after parotid surgery for prevention of complications, especially the formation of salivary fistula.

STUDY DESIGN

A pressure instrument (face pad) was designed to fit all types of facial morphology. The blood flow velocity of the superficial temporal artery was measured by means of a Doppler detector in 30 healthy volunteers under 2 different conditions, with and without the face pad. Values for 2 parameters, peak velocity and average peak velocity, were determined for the purpose of selecting an appropriate pressure. Each of 47 patients who had undergone regional parotidectomy received pressure with the face pad for 3 days; the results were compared with those in a control group of 44 patients who had undergone similar operations but received traditional packing dressings.

RESULTS

The peak velocities of the superficial temporal artery with and without the face pad were not significantly different (t = 1.541, P = .132) when a pressure value of 4 to 5 N was applied. However, the average peak velocity of the superficial temporal artery increased significantly (t = 3.678, P = .001) with the face pad. The 47 patients with the face pad had no postoperative parotid fistula; in contrast, salivary fistula developed in 5 of the 44 control cases, for an overall fistula rate of 11.36%. A significant difference existed between the 2 groups (P = .023).

CONCLUSIONS

The face pad worked quantitatively and was stable and comfortable. A pressure of 4 to 5 N on the lateral face did not influence the blood flow of the superficial temporal artery. The higher peak velocity was correlated with regional stenosis of the temporal vein caused by pressure. Evidently, the face pad can reduce postoperative complications after parotidectomy; moreover, it makes pressure dressing easy and shortens the in-hospital days of the patient as well.

Use of a parotid fascia flap to prevent postoperative fistula

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of a fascia flap technique designed to improve the post-operative results of regional excision in cases of benign tumor in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland and to reduce formation of postoperative fistula.

STUDY DESIGN

During surgery in each of 32 patients with benign tumor in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, a fascia flap was raised from beneath the ear lobe, placed in its original position, and firmly sutured after regional resection of the tumor. The results were compared with those in a control group of 30 patients, whose operations were the same as those of the experimental group except for the fact that the fascia overlying the tumor was excised with the tumor in the controls.

RESULTS

The wounds of the 32 patients repaired with the fascia flap healed well without any complication. Among the 30 patients in the control group, fistula occurred in 4 patients (13.3%). The difference was significant when the 2 groups were compared (chi2 test: P = .049 , P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of a parotid fascia flap in partial parotidectomy for benign tumors in the superficial lobe holds promise for the prevention of postoperative fistula formation.