Anticancer activity of Yashada Bhasma (bioactive nanoparticles of zinc): A human pancreatic cancer cell line study

Background:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Efforts to improve cancer treatment through nanotechnology are at the developmental stage, and it will be gracious if the drug with anticancer property itself is a nanoparticle. Bhasma is organomineral complexes which are bioactive nanoparticles. YashadaBhasma (incinerated processed zinc) is widely used in Ayurveda for various diseases, and there are evidence that ZnO nanoparticles are promising antitumor agent. However, no studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of YashadaBhasma in pancreatic cancer.

Materials and Methods:

Two types of test drugs, ParadaMaritaYashadaBhasma (PMY) and VanaspatiJaritaMaritaYashadaBhasma (JMY), were prepared as per the guidelines of pharmaceutics of Ayurveda. Particle size analyses of YashadaBhasma and Zeta potential study was carried out initially. Further human pancreatic cancer cell line (MIA PaCa-2) study was done using in vitro sulforhodamine B assay, keeping adriamycinas control. After 48 h of incubation, antiproliferative effects were assessed.

Results:

JMY and adriamycin showed dose-dependent growth inhibition of cancer cells. Both YashadaBhasma samples showed a cytostatic effect at this concentration.

Conclusion:

The study leads to new avenues for cancer treatment by developing such unique and highly effective bioactive nano-sized therapeutic agent.

Extracellular calcium sensing receptor in human pancreatic cells

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The extracellular calcium sensing receptor (CaR) plays a key role in the calcium homeostatic system and is therefore widely expressed in tissues involved in calcium metabolism. However, the CaR has also been identified in other tissues where its role is less clear. We have investigated the presence of the CaR in the human pancreas.

METHODS

Messenger RNA for the CaR was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the protein was localised by immunostaining. CaR function was assayed in Capan-1 cells by measuring intracellular calcium and [(3)H] thymidine incorporation.

RESULTS

The receptor was highly expressed in human pancreatic ducts. It was also expressed in exocrine acinar cells, in islets of Langerhans, and in intrapancreatic nerves and blood vessels. The CaR was expressed in both normal and neoplastic human tissue samples but was detected in only one of five ductal adenocarcinoma cells lines examined. Experiments on the CaR expressing adenocarcinoma cell line Capan-1 showed that the CaR was functional and was linked to mobilisation of intracellular calcium. Stimulation of the CaR reduced Capan-1 cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the CaR may play multiple functional roles in the human pancreas. In particular, the CaR on the duct luminal membrane may monitor and regulate the Ca(2+) concentration in pancreatic juice by triggering ductal electrolyte and fluid secretion. This could help to prevent precipitation of calcium salts in the duct lumen. The CaR may also help to regulate the proliferation of pancreatic ductal cells.