Theriogenology
Sharareh Ahmadi; Adel Saberivand; Cyrus Jalili; Reza Asadpour; Monire Khordadmehr; Maryam Saberivand
Volume 14, Issue 9 , September 2023, , Pages 507-513
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and deadly breast cancer sub-type with limited therapeutic options. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) exhibiting extensive anti-cancer activity is reported to be effective against TNBC; however, its anti-tumor effect mechanisms have not been fully ...
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Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and deadly breast cancer sub-type with limited therapeutic options. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) exhibiting extensive anti-cancer activity is reported to be effective against TNBC; however, its anti-tumor effect mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-cancer activity of hydroalcoholic extract of dandelion (HADE) on 4T1 cells, and the mechanism of HADE-induced cell death. The effect of HADE on cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays. Apoptotic cell death was monitored by flow cytometry. The DNA fragmentation was evaluated by Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Nitric oxide (NO) level was detected using Griess assay. The effects of HADE on Atg-7, Beclin-1, Bcl2, Bax and p53 genes were investigated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that HADE inhibited cell growth and proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The HADE induced 4T1 breast cancer cell death via apoptosis and autophagy. The DNA fragmentation was improved as the concentration of HADE increased. The NO secretion was declined with increasing concentration of HADE. Gene expression analysis confirmed HADE-induced apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells. The Bax, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, p53, Beclin-1 and Atg-7 over-expression as well as Bcl-2 down-regulation were also evident in treated cancer cells.
Theriogenology
Lubna Hamid Tahtamouni; Rema Ahmad Al-Khateeb; Reem Nasser Abdellatif; Zainab Ali Al-Mazaydeh; Salem Refaat Yasin; Samer Al-Gharabli; Ali Zuhair Elkarmi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 89-97
Abstract
Taraxacum officinale has been used in Jordan folk medicine to treat male infertility. A recent study has proved a contradictory effect of the whole plant aqueous extract. The aim of the current study was to determine if the leaves of T. officinale have similar anti-fertility activities, and whether this ...
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Taraxacum officinale has been used in Jordan folk medicine to treat male infertility. A recent study has proved a contradictory effect of the whole plant aqueous extract. The aim of the current study was to determine if the leaves of T. officinale have similar anti-fertility activities, and whether this effect is mediated through the regulation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Fifty adult male rats were divided into five groups. Two groups were gavaged with 1/10 of LD50 of T. officinale whole plant (1.06 g kg-1 body weight) or leaves (2.30 g kg-1 body weight) aqueous extract; while two groups were gavaged with 1/20 of LD50 of T. officinale whole plant (2.13 g kg-1) or leaves (4.60 g kg-1) extract. The control group received distilled water. Oral administration of T. officinale (whole plant and leaves aqueous extract) caused a significant decrease in testis and seminal vesicle weight, a reduction in serum testosterone concentration, impaired sperm parameters, and a decrease in pregnancy parameters. Testicular histology of treated rats showed structural changes such as hypoplasia of germ cells, reduction in the thickness of germinal epithelium, arrest of spermatogenesis at spermatid stage (late maturation arrest) and reduction in the number of Leydig cells. Gene expression levels of two SSCs markers (GFRα1 and CSF1) responsible for self-renewal were relatively counter-balanced. In conclusion, T. officinale whole plant and leaves aqueous extracts changed the gene expression of two SSCs markers leading to the imbalance between spermatogonia self-renewal and differentiation causing late maturation arrest.