Compounds In Cell Cultures Research Articles

Biochemical changes and enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds in cell culture of Perilla frutescens (L.) by nano-chemical elicitation

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt is a renowned medicinal plant with pharmaceutically valuable phenolic acids and flavonoids. The present study was aimed to study the eliciting effect of silver and copper nanoparticles (AgNPs and CuNPs, 50 and 100 mg/L), and methyl jasmonate (MeJa, 50 and 100 μM) on the biochemical traits, the accumulation of phenolic compounds and antioxidative capacity of P. frutescens cell suspension culture. Suspension cells were obtained from friable calli derived from nodal explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium containing 1 mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L BAP. The 21 days old cell suspension culture established from nodal explant derived callus supplemented with 100 mg/L MeJa resulted in the highest activity of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase enzymes, and CuNPs 100 mg/L treated cells indicated the maximum content of total phenol, total anthocyanin, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and H2O2. Also, the highest content of ferulic acid (1.41 ± 0.03, mg/g DW), rosmarinic acid (19.29 ± 0.12, mg/g DW), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (16.81 ± 0.18, U/mg protein) were observed with 100 mg/L CuNPs, exhibiting a total increase of 1.58-fold, 2.12-fold, and 1.51-fold, respectively, higher than untreated cells. On the other hand, AgNPs 100 mg/L treated cells indicated the most amounts of caffeic acid (0.57 ± 0.03, mg/g DW) and rutin (1.13 ± 0.07, mg/g DW), as well as the highest scavenging potential of free radicals. Overall, the results of the present study can be applied for the large-scale production of valuable phenolic acids and flavonoids from P. frutescens through CuNPs and AgNPs 100 mg/L elicited cell suspension cultures.

The antiviral activity of a small molecule drug targeting the NSP1-ribosome complex against Omicron, especially in elderly patients.

With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains, especially the epidemic of Omicron, it continues to evolve to strengthen immune evasion. Omicron BQ. 1 and XBB pose a serious threat to the current COVID-19 vaccine (including bivalent mRNA vaccine for mutant strains) and COVID-19-positive survivors, and all current therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are ineffective against them. Older people, those with multimorbidity, and those with specific underlying health conditions remain at increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death after the initial vaccine booster. However, small-molecule drugs for conserved targets remain effective and urgently needed. The non-structural protein of SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 1(Nsp1) can bind to the host 40S ribosomal subunit and activate the nuclease to hydrolyze the host RNA, while the viral RNA is unaffected, thus hijacking the host system. First, the present study analyzed mutations in the Nsp1 protein and then constructed a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree. A virtual drug screening method based on the Nsp1 structure (Protein Data Bank ID: 7K5I) was constructed, 7495 compounds from three databases were collected for molecular docking and virtual screening, and the binding free energy was calculated by the MM/GBSA method. Our study shows that Nsp1 is relatively conserved and can be used as a comparatively fixed drug target and that therapies against Nsp1 will target all of these variants. Golvatinib, Gliquidone, and Dihydroergotamine were superior to other compounds in the crystal structure of binding conformation and free energy. All effectively interfered with Nsp1 binding to 40S protein, confirming the potential inhibitory effect of these three compounds on SARS-CoV-2. In particular, Golwatinib provides a candidate for treatment and prophylaxis in elderly patients with Omicjon, suggesting further evaluation of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of these compounds in cell culture. Further studies are needed to determine the utility of this finding through prospective clinical trials and identify other meaningful drug combinations.

Iron-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles-triggered elicitation of important phenolic compounds in cell cultures of Fagonia indica.

The callus cultures of Fagonia indica could prove as factories for the production of important phytochemicals when triggered through different types of stress. In this study, we initiated callus cultures from healthy stem explants in the presence of iron-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Fe-ZnO-NPs). We performed experiments with the callus cultures of F. indica to determine the impact of Fe-ZnO-NPs in concentrations (15.62–250 µg/mL) on biomass accumulation, production of important phenolic and flavonoids, and antioxidative potential. Our results showed that maximum callus biomass [Fresh weight (FW) = 13.6 g and Dry weight (DW) = 0.58 ± 0.01] was produced on day 40 when the media was supplemented with 250 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. Similarly, maximum total phenolic content (268.36 μg GAE/g of DW) was observed in 40 days old callus added with 125 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. Maximum total flavonoid content (78.56 μg QE/g of DW) was recorded in 20 days old callus grown in 62.5 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs containing media. Maximum total antioxidant capacity (390.74 µg AAE/g of DW) was recorded in 40 days old callus with 125 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs treated cultures, respectively. Similarly, the highest free radical scavenging activity (93.02%) was observed in callus derived from media having 15.62 µg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. The antioxidant potential was observed to have positive correlation with TPC (r = 0.44). HPLC analysis showed that Fe-ZnO-NPs produced compounds (e.g., Epigallocatechin gallate) that were either absent or in lesser quantities in the control group. These results showed that Fe-ZnO-NPs elicitors could increase the biomass and activate secondary metabolism in F. indica cells.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11240-021-02123-1.

Establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures of Granny Smith apple fruit and antityrosinase activity of their extracts

The purpose of the present study was to induce callus and suspension cell cultures from the fruit of Granny Smith apple to measure some of the phenolic compounds in cell culture and evaluate the skin anti-aging effect through measuring the anti-tyrosinase activity. For callus induction MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators, 2,4-D + BA and 2,4-D + Kin were used. MS medium with 2 mg/l 2,4-D + 1 mg/l BA produced maximum callus formation of 100% plus an average fresh weight and dry weight of 2.754 gr and 0.37 g, respectively. In addition, this combination of growth regulators induced callus in the shortest time (6.6 days). It was also found that the best callus quality, friable and white-yellowish, was achieved on MS medium containing 2,4-D + BA. The cell suspension cultures from callus with 2,4-D + BA were established properly and the maximum of fresh and dry biomass growth (4.53 and 0.65 g L−1) was obtained in 20 days of culture. Also, cell viability and distribution as singular or aggregated masses were evaluated using fluorescent microscopy after staining with the FDA. HPLC-based quantification of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, and quercetin was carried out on cell culture extracts. The result showed methanolic extract contained 1.42 µg/mg chlorogenic acid, 0.46 µg/mg catechin, 0.12 µg/mg caffeic acid and 0.95 µg/mg quercetin. The anti-tyrosinase activity of cell culture extract was measured and the highest inhibitory activity was related to 100 mg/mL extract (55%). IC50 was 1.21 mg/mL compared to that of Kojic acid as a positive control that was 0.0177 mg/mL.

Chemical Screening Pipeline for Identification of Specific Plant Autophagy Modulators.

Autophagy is a major catabolic process in eukaryotes with a key role in homeostasis, programmed cell death, and aging. In plants, autophagy is also known to regulate agronomically important traits such as stress resistance, longevity, vegetative biomass, and seed yield. Despite its significance, there is still a shortage of reliable tools modulating plant autophagy. Here, we describe the first robust pipeline for identification of specific plant autophagy-modulating compounds. Our screening protocol comprises four phases: (1) high-throughput screening of chemical compounds in cell cultures of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum); (2) confirmation of the identified hits in planta using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana); (3) further characterization of the effect using conventional molecular biology methods; and (4) verification of chemical specificity on autophagy in planta. The methods detailed here streamline the identification of specific plant autophagy modulators and aid in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of plant autophagy.

Improvement of bioactive compound accumulation in cell cultures of Orostachys cartilaginous A. Bor. through elicitation with salicylic acid and effect of cell extract on bioactive activity

Orostachys cartilaginous A. Bor. has various pharmacological effects, which is mainly distributed in Changbai Mountain area of China, however, the resource of O. cartilaginous is difficult to satisfy the market demand. Plant cell culture can be an alternative approach for alleviating the resource shortage but a problem that relative low yield of bioactive compounds in cell cultures should be solved. Therefore, this study used salicylic acid (SA) as an elicitor to treat 25-day-old bioreactor cultured O. cartilaginous cells and the effects of concentrations and durations of SA treatment on bioactive compound accumulation were investigated to select a suitable strategy of SA elicitation. Results showed that SA concentrations from 25 μM to 150 μM obviously enhanced the bioactive compound accumulation without a decrease of cell biomass. At 100 μM SA, the total polysaccharide (218.5 mg/g DW), phenolic (27.2 mg/g DW), and flavonoid (35.4 mg/g DW) contents reached their maximum levels. Bioactive compound accumulation increased with prolonged SA treatment duration from 0 h to 48, reached the maximum at 48 h, and decreased afterwards. During the SA elicitation, the bursts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) in cells were detected at the early stage, and peaks of H2O2 and NO contents occurred at 4 h and 6 h, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum contents of flavonoid monomers, including quercetin, kaempferide, epicatechin gallate, quercetin-3-O-glucose, and kaempferol-3-rutinoside were determined at 48 h, thereby speculating that H2O2 and NO might the upstream signaling molecules involved in SA-induced flavonoid synthesis in O. cartilaginous cells. In addition, the O. cartilaginous cell extract (OCE) inhibited growth of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the anti-bacterial activity against B. subtilis was significantly higher than that against P. aeruginosa. Meanwhile, tyrosinase activity was inhibited by the OCE, reaching 61.7% of the inhibitory rate at 1.4 mg/mL OCE, which demonstrated that OCE possessed an anti-melanin ability. This study concluded that 25-day-old bioreactor cultured O. cartilaginous cells can be treated with 100 μM SA for 48 h for the maximum production of polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids; the O. cartilaginous cell cultures could be used as a potential material in the production of anti-bacterial and anti-melanin related products.

A Dogma in Doubt: Hydrolysis of Equatorial Ligands of PtIV Complexes under Physiological Conditions.

Due to their high kinetic inertness and consequently reduced side reactions with biomolecules, PtIV complexes are considered to define the future of anticancer platinum drugs. The aqueous stability of a series of biscarboxylato PtIV complexes was studied under physiologically relevant conditions. Unexpectedly and in contrast to the current chemical understanding, especially oxaliplatin and satraplatin complexes underwent fast hydrolysis in equatorial position (even in cell culture medium and serum). Notably, the resulting hydrolysis products strongly differ in their reduction kinetics, a crucial parameter for the activation of PtIV drugs, which also changes the anticancer potential of the compounds in cell culture. The discovery that intact PtIV complexes can hydrolyze at equatorial position contradicts the dogma on the general kinetic inertness of PtIV compounds and needs to be considered in the screening and design for novel platinum‐based anticancer drugs.

Identification of small molecule inhibitors of the Chikungunya virus nsP1 RNA capping enzyme

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus. Alphaviruses are positive strand RNA viruses that require a 5′ cap structure to direct translation of the viral polyprotein and prevent degradation of the viral RNA genome by host cell nucleases. Formation of the 5′ RNA cap is orchestrated by the viral protein nsP1, which binds GTP and provides the N-7 methyltransferase and guanylyltransferase activities that are necessary for cap formation. Viruses with aberrant nsP1 activity are unable to replicate effectively suggesting that nsP1 is a promising target for antiviral drug discovery. Given the absence of commercially available antiviral therapies for CHIKV, it is imperative to identify compounds that could be developed as potential therapeutics. This study details a high-throughput screen of 3051 compounds from libraries containing FDA-approved drugs, natural products, and known bioactives against CHIKV nsP1 using a fluorescence polarization-based GTP competition assay. Several small molecule hits from this screen were able to compete with GTP for the CHIKV nsP1 GTP binding site at low molar concentrations. Compounds were also evaluated with an orthogonal assay that measured the ability of nsP1 to perform the guanylation step of the capping reaction in the presence of inhibitor. In addition, live virus assays with CHIKV and closely related alphavirus, Sindbis virus, were used in conjunction with cell toxicity assays to determine the antiviral activity of compounds in cell culture. The naturally derived compound lobaric acid was found to inhibit CHIKV nsP1 GTP binding and guanylation as well as attenuate viral growth in vitro at both 24 hpi and 48 hpi in hamster BHK21 and human Huh 7 cell lines. These data indicate that development of lobaric acid and further exploration of CHIKV nsP1 as a drug target may aid in the progress of anti-alphaviral drug development strategies.

A new parameter of growth inhibition for cell proliferation assays.

Cell proliferation assays are performed by four decades to test the anti-proliferative activity of natural products and synthetic compounds in cell cultures. In cancer research, they are widely employed to evaluate drug efficacy in in vitro tumor models, such as established cell lines, primary cultures, and recently developed three-dimensional tumor organoids. In this manuscript, we demonstrated that current employed parameters used by researchers to quantify in vitro growth inhibition, IC50 and GI50 , lead to a misinterpretation of results based on the exponential, and not linear, proliferation of the cells in culture. Therefore, we introduce a new parameter for the analysis of growth inhibition in cell proliferation assays, termed relative population doubling capacity, that can be employed to properly quantify the anti-proliferative activity of tested compounds and to compare drug efficacy between distinct cell models.

The fate of the herbicide propanil in plants of the littoral zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China

The anti-seasonal hydrology with 30m water fluctuations in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) of China attracts growing environmental and ecological concerns. We investigated the biotransformation of the herbicide propanil in plants dominating in the littoral zone of the TGR by applying the 14C-ring-labeled herbicide into non-aseptic hydroponic plant systems (Cynodon dactylon, Nelumbo nucifera and Bidens pilosa), aseptic plants (Lemna minor and Lemna gibba) and cell suspension cultures (C. dactylon and L. minor). (1) Propanil absorbed in plants of the hydroponic systems was (12.46±1.63)% of applied radioactivity (AR) (C. dactylon), (52.36±6.38)% (N. nucifera) and (76.55±6.07)% (B. pilosa), respectively. The 14C-residues in the plant extractable fractions and the corresponding media were confirmed by radio-Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), radio-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry (GC–EIMS) as propanil, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) and N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-β-d-glucopyranosylamine (Glu-DCA). (2) About 8% of AR was taken up by both aseptic plants, from which 7.0% of AR was extracted and identified also as propanil, DCA and Glu-DCA. (3) Concerning cell suspension cultures, (39.22±9.39)% of AR was absorbed by C. dactylon after 72hr, whereas the accumulated 14C-propanil by L. minor cell suspension culture amounted to (65.04±1.72)% after 7days. The identified compounds in cell cultures are consistent with those in the tested plants. Most of the pesticide residues in the intact plants were un-extractable, which are recognized as the end of the detoxification process. We therefore consider these plants as suitable for the phytoremediation of the herbicide propanil in the TGR region.

A Comparison of the Anorectic Effect and Safety of the Alpha2-Adrenoceptor Ligands Guanfacine and Yohimbine in Rats with Diet-Induced Obesity.

The search for drugs with anorectic activity, acting within the adrenergic system has attracted the interest of researchers. Partial α2-adrenoceptor agonists might offer the potential for effective and safe treatment of obesity. We compared the effectiveness and safety of α2-adrenoceptor ligands in reducing body mass. We also analyzed if antagonist and partial agonists of α2-adrenoceptor––yohimbine and guanfacine––act similarly, and determined which course of action is connected with anorectic activity. We tested intrinsic activity and effect on the lipolysis of these compounds in cell cultures, evaluated their effect on meal size, body weight in Wistar rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity, and determined their effect on blood pressure, heart rate, lipid profile, spontaneous locomotor activity, core temperature and glucose, as well as glycerol and cortisol levels. Both guanfacine and yohimbine showed anorectic activity. Guanfacine was much more effective than yohimbine. Both significantly reduced the amount of intraperitoneal adipose tissue and had a beneficial effect on lipid profiles. Decreased response of α2A-adrenoceptors and partial stimulation of α2B-receptors seem to be responsible for the anorectic action of guanfacine. The stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors by guanfacine is responsible for cardiovascular side effects but may also be linked with improved anorexic effect. α1-adrenoceptor blockade is connected with the side effects of yohimbine, but it is also associated with the improvement of lipid profiles. Guanfacine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypertension and conduct disorder, but as it reduces body weight, it is worth examining its effectiveness and safety in models of obesity.

Suramin inhibits chikungunya virus replication through multiple mechanisms

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes severe and often persistent arthritis. In recent years, millions of people have been infected with this virus for which registered antivirals are still lacking. Using our recently established in vitro assay, we discovered that the approved anti-parasitic drug suramin inhibits CHIKV RNA synthesis (IC50 of ∼5μM). The compound inhibited replication of various CHIKV isolates in cell culture with an EC50 of ∼80μM (CC50>5mM) and was also active against Sindbis virus and Semliki Forest virus. In vitro studies hinted that suramin interferes with (re)initiation of RNA synthesis, whereas time-of-addition studies suggested it to also interfere with a post-attachment early step in infection, possibly entry. CHIKV (nsP4) mutants resistant against favipiravir or ribavirin, which target the viral RNA polymerase, did not exhibit cross-resistance to suramin, suggesting a different mode of action. The assessment of the activity of a variety of suramin-related compounds in cell culture and the in vitro assay for RNA synthesis provided more insight into the moieties required for antiviral activity. The antiviral effect of suramin-containing liposomes was also analyzed. Its approved status makes it worthwhile to explore the use of suramin to prevent and/or treat CHIKV infections.

Evaluation of Anti-HIV-1 Mutagenic Nucleoside Analogues

Because of their high mutation rates, RNA viruses and retroviruses replicate close to the threshold of viability. Their existence as quasi-species has pioneered the concept of "lethal mutagenesis" that prompted us to synthesize pyrimidine nucleoside analogues with antiviral activity in cell culture consistent with an accumulation of deleterious mutations in the HIV-1 genome. However, testing all potentially mutagenic compounds in cell-based assays is tedious and costly. Here, we describe two simple in vitro biophysical/biochemical assays that allow prediction of the mutagenic potential of deoxyribonucleoside analogues. The first assay compares the thermal stabilities of matched and mismatched base pairs in DNA duplexes containing or not the nucleoside analogues as follows. A promising candidate should display a small destabilization of the matched base pair compared with the natural nucleoside and the smallest gap possible between the stabilities of the matched and mismatched base pairs. From this assay, we predicted that two of our compounds, 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxycytidine, should be mutagenic. The second in vitro reverse transcription assay assesses DNA synthesis opposite nucleoside analogues inserted into a template strand and subsequent extension of the newly synthesized base pairs. Once again, only 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxycytidine are predicted to be efficient mutagens. The predictive potential of our fast and easy first line screens was confirmed by detailed analysis of the mutation spectrum induced by the compounds in cell culture because only compounds 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxycytidine were found to increase the mutation frequency by 3.1- and 3.4-fold, respectively.

Elicitation Phenolic Compounds in Cell Culture of Vitis vinifera L. by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora

Abstract The in vitro cell cultures of Vitis vinifera L. cv. St. Laurent were treated with two elicitors - synthetic methyl jasmonate and natural, prepared from grapevine plant infected with the Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, the agent causing the Esca disease of grapevine. Efficiency of phenolic compounds production after elicitation of cell culture was analysed immediately after treatment (15 min, 30 min, 60 min) and later (after 24, 48, and 72 hours). The cell growth and content of phenolic compounds (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, syringaldehyde, rutin, vanillic acid, and trans-resveratrol were analysed in cultivated cells as well as in cultivation medium. Pch-treatment increased production of total polyphenols the most significantly 15 min after the elicitation and in optimal time was 2.86 times higher than in nonelicited culture and 1.44 times higher than in MeJa induced cell culture.

Induction of lignans and phenolic compounds in cell culture of Linum album by culture filtrate of Fusarium graminearum

Cell suspension cultures of Linum album Kotschy ex Boiss. have been reported to produce anticancer podophyllotoxin and its related lignans. In the present study, we investigated the effect of culture filtrate of Fusarium graminearumon growth, and lignan and phenolic compounds in L. album cell culture. After 7 days of pre-culture, the cells were treated with 1% (v/v) of the culture filtrate. Cell growth was reduced, while phodophyllotoxin and lariciresinol production was stimulated reaching a maximum 0.0187 mg/g fresh weight (FW) and 0.0136 mg/g FW 5 days after the treatment, respectively. Also, our results provide evidence that the culture filtrate of F. graminearum can be effective on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and phenolic compounds.

Development of New Deoxycytidine Kinase Inhibitors and Noninvasive in Vivo Evaluation Using Positron Emission Tomography

Combined inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase and deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) in multiple cancer cell lines depletes deoxycytidine triphosphate pools leading to DNA replication stress, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Evidence implicating dCK in cancer cell proliferation and survival stimulated our interest in developing small molecule dCK inhibitors. Following a high throughput screen of a diverse chemical library, a structure-activity relationship study was carried out. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using (18)F-L-1-(2'-deoxy-2'-FluoroArabinofuranosyl) Cytosine ((18)F-L-FAC), a dCK-specific substrate, was used to rapidly rank lead compounds based on their ability to inhibit dCK activity in vivo. Evaluation of a subset of the most potent compounds in cell culture (IC50 = ∼1-12 nM) using the (18)F-L-FAC PET pharmacodynamic assay identified compounds demonstrating superior in vivo efficacy.

Hydrochloric acid alters the effect of l-glutamic acid on cell viability in human neuroblastoma cell cultures

l-Glutamic acid (l-glutamate) is used to induce excitotoxicity and test neuroprotective compounds in cell cultures. However, because l-glutamate powder is nearly insoluble in water, many manufacturers recommend reconstituting l-glutamate in hydrochloric acid (HCl) prior to successive dilutions. Nevertheless, HCl, even at low concentrations, may alter the pH of the cell culture medium and interfere with cell activity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the reconstitution of l-glutamate powder in HCl alters its capacity to induce neurotoxicity in different human neuroblastoma cell lines.SH-SY5Y, IMR-32 and SK-N-BE(2) cells were exposed to various concentrations of l-glutamate, which was either reconstituted in HCl (1M) or post re-equilibrated to the pH of the culture medium (7.5). After 24 and 48h of incubation, changes in the cell viability of treated versus untreated cells were evaluated. The effect of an identical amount of HCl present in the l-glutamate dilutions on neuroblastoma cell survival was also investigated.Our data showed that the neurotoxicity of glutamate reconstituted in HCl was comparable to that of HCl alone. Moreover, the pH variations induced by glutamate or HCl in the culture medium were similar. When the pH of the glutamate stock solution was re-equilibrated, l-glutamate induced variation in cell viability to a lower extent and after a longer incubation time.This study demonstrated that HCl used to reconstitute l-glutamate powder might alter the effect of glutamate itself in neuroblastoma cell cultures. Thus, this information might be useful to scientists who use l-glutamate to induce excitotoxicity or to test neuroprotective agents.

Bioavailability of anti‐carcinogenic hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones in mice

Previously we have showed that hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones (OH‐PMFs), such as 5‐hydroxy‐6,7,8,3′,4′‐pentamethoxyflavone (5HPMF) and 5‐hydroxy‐6,7,8,4′‐tetramethoxyflavone (5HTMF) are potent anti‐cancer dietary compounds in cell culture. Bioavailability is one of the key factors that can dictate the in vivo efficacy of dietary bioactive compounds. Herein, we studied the bioavailability of 5HPMF and 5HTMF in CF‐1 mice. We developed a highly sensitive HPLC method for the detection of OH‐PMFs in biological samples. The method was fully validated in terms of linearity, accuracy and precision. The limit of detection (LOD) in serum was determined as being 0.71 and 1.97 ng/mL (ppb) for 5HPMF and 5HTMF, respectively, demonstrating an over 150‐fold increase in sensitivity in comparison with previously published method. At 60 min after oral gavage (100 mg/kg), 5HPMF, mostly in free form, reached its peak level of 5.3 μM, while 5HTMF showed similar trend but with the peak level 8.28‐fold lower than that of 5HPMF. In urine, both 5HPMF and 5HTMF existed mainly as sulfate‐ and glucuronic acid‐conjugates, and urine level of total 5HPMF was 9.06‐fold higher than that of 5HTMF. These results demonstrated that 5HTMF had much lower bioavailability, which may due to its poor solubility in GI tract.

Highly Sensitive Carbon Nanotube-Based Sensing for Lactate and Glucose Monitoring in Cell Culture

Monitoring of metabolic compounds in cell cultures can provide real-time information of cell line status. This is particularly important in those lines not fully known, as the case of embryonic and mesenchymal cells. On the other hand, such approach can pave the way to fully automated systems for growing cell cultures, when integrated in Petri dishes. To date, the main efforts emphasize the monitoring of few process variables, like pH, pO(2), electronic impedance, and temperature in bioreactors. Among different presented strategies to develop biosensors, carbon nanotubes exhibit great properties, particularly suitable for high-sensitive detection. In this work, nanostructured electrodes by using multiwalled carbon nanotubes are presented for the detection of lactate and glucose. Some results from simulations are illustrated in order to foresee the behavior of carbon nanotubes depending on their orientation, when they are randomly dispersed onto the electrode surface. A comparison between nonnanostructured and nanostructured electrodes is considered, showing that direct electron-transfer between the protein and the electrode is not possible without nanostructuration. Such developed biosensors are characterized in terms of sensitivity and detection limit, and are compared to previously published results. Lactate production is monitored in a cell culture by using the developed biosensor, and glucose detection is also performed to validate lactate behavior.

Methyl jasmonate induced accumulation of biologically active phenolic compounds in cell cultures of <i>Emex spinosa</i> (L.) Campd.

BACKGROUND: Cell suspension cultures were established from the aerial parts of Emex spinosa cultivated on MS medium. METHODS: The changes in cells weight and phenolics content (anthraquinones and flavonoids) were followed between day zero and 12. The effect of methyl jasmonate on their production was studied. RESULTS: The linear increase in fresh weights was found to be parallel to both anthraquinones and flavonoids production. Cell suspension cultures treated with 100ml methyl jasmonate showed a significant increase in level of both anthraquinones and flavonoids. The enhancements of phenolics were: 7 fold in chrysophanol, 10 fold in physcion, 15 fold in aloe-emodin, 9 fold in aloe-emodin-8-O-glucoside, 6 fold in emodin-8-O-glucoside, 17 fold in kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and 11 fold in quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that the methyl jasmonate affected positively production of phenolic compounds in cell cultures of E. spinosa.