Protective Effects of Origanum onites Essential Oil in the Methotrexate-Induced Rat Model: Role on Apoptosis and Hepatoxicity
RECORDS OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
Authors: Aykac, Asli; Becer, Eda; Ozbeyli, Dilek; Sener, Goksel; Baser, Kemal Husnu Can
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective cytotoxic agent which is used to treat malignancies and inflammatory diseases. Origanum onites (O. onites) is found throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region and has been used in traditional medicine. The essential oils (EOs) of O. onites rich in highly bioactive phytochemicals such as carvacrol (CVR) and has antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer and proapoptotic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of CVR and O. onites-EO treatment in MTX-induced hepatorenal toxic rats' liver and kidney tissues. The bcl-2/bax ratio, glutathione (GSH) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of liver and kidney tissues were evaluated in the MTX-induced rat model. Results showed that the administration of CVR or O. onites-EO significantly increased bcl-2/bax expression and GSH levels as well as reduced MDA level and MPO activity in the kidney and liver tissues of MTX-induced rat model. In conclusion, our results suggest that O. onites-EO and CVR have protective effect in MTX-induced hepatorenal toxic rats' liver and kidney tissues by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Kimchi markedly induces apoptosis in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells
JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY
Authors: Yu, Ting; Park, Eui-Seong; Song, Gil-Hoon; Zhao, Xin; Yi, Ruo-Kun; Park, Kun-Young
Abstract
This study investigated kimchi-induced apoptosis in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. Three types of kimchi samples were prepared: standardized kimchi brined with general commercial Baechu cabbage by a standardized recipe (SK), Amtak Baechu kimchi brined with Amtak Baechu cabbage by a standardized recipe (AmK), and anticancer kimchi brined with organically cultivated Baechu cabbage by a functional recipe (AK). MTT assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting analysis were performed. The results indicate that AmK and AK, especially AK significantly upregulated mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Bim, Bax, Bak, caspase-8, -9, -3, and p53 but suppressed Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 expression. In addition, AK treatment significantly upregulated protein expression levels of caspase-3 but strikingly reduced the protein expression level of Bcl-2 (p < .05), followed by AmK treatment. Our data suggest that AK and AmK can markedly suppress the proliferation of HT-29 cells via activation of apoptosis. Practical applications Colon cancer is the fourth cancer with the highest incidence in the world. Cell apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death and plays an important role in the cancer cells study. Kimchi is a traditional fermented food in Korea, with a relatively high daily consumption. Our present study used three kinds of kimchi which prepared with different main ingredients and recipes. The results suggest that organically cultivated Baechu cabbage and functional recipe in kimchi preparation play an important role in the anticancer efficacy of kimchi, which has been shown to promote induction of apoptosis in HT-29 cells.