Roles of chlorophyllin in cell proliferation and the expression of apoptotic and cell cycle genes in HB4a non-tumor breast cells.

Chlorophyllin (Chl) has attracted interest in the scientific community due to its chemopreventive and antimutagenic properties. However, the molecular mechanisms of action of Chl remain unclear. This study assesses the effects on cell proliferation and the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, and the cell cycle in HB4a cells treated with Chl.

Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mechanism of action (via gene expression analysis) of the indole alkaloid aspidospermine (antiparasitic) extracted from Aspidosperma polyneuron in HepG2 cells.

Aspidospermine is an indole alkaloid with biological properties associated with combating parasites included in the genera Plasmodium, Leishmania and Trypanossoma. The present study evaluated the cytotoxicity (resazurin test), genotoxicity (comet assay) and mechanism of action (gene expression analysis via qRT-PCR) of this alkaloid in human HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that treatment with aspidospermine was both cytotoxic (starting at 75 μM) and genotoxic (starting at 50 μM).

Changes in gene expression in PBMCs profiles of PPARα target genes in obese and non-obese individuals during fasting.

Background: The prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically and the World Health Organization estimates that 700 million people will be obese worldwide by 2015. Approximately, 50% of the Brazilian population above 20 years of age is overweight, and 16% is obese.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the expression of PPARα target genes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and free fatty acids (FFA) in obese and non-obese individuals after 24 h of fasting.

Cytotoxic, biochemical and genotoxic effects of biodiesel produced by different routes on ZFL cell line.

Transesterification has proved to be the best option for obtaining biodiesel and, depending on the type of alcohol used in the reaction, the type of biodiesel may be methyl ester or ethyl ester. Leaking biodiesel can reach water bodies, contaminating aquatic organisms, particularly fish. The objective of this study was to determine whether the soluble fraction of biodiesel (Bd), produced by both the ethylic (BdEt) and methylic (BdMt) routes, can cause cytotoxic, biochemical and genotoxic alterations in the hepatocyte cell line of Danio rerio (ZFL).

Genistein at maximal physiologic serum levels induces G0/G1 arrest in MCF-7 and HB4a cells, but not apoptosis.

Several studies have demonstrated that a balanced diet can contribute to better human health. For this reason, soy-based food and pure isoflavones (pills) are one of the most consumed. The association of this consumption and lower risks of chronic diseases and cancer is well established for the Asian population and has been attracting the attention of people worldwide, especially women at menopause who seek to alleviate the symptoms associated with the lack of estrogen.

Evaluation of extracts from Coccoloba mollis using the Salmonella/microsome system and in vivo tests.

The common everyday use of medicinal plants is an ancient, and still very widespread practice, whereby the need for studies on their possible toxicity and mutagenic properties. The species Coccoloba mollis has been much used in phytotherapy, mainly in cases involving loss of memory and stress. In order to investigate its genotoxic and mutagenic potential, ethanolic extracts from the leaves and roots underwent Salmonella/microsome assaying (TA98 and TA100 strains, with and without exogenous metabolism - S9), besides comet and micronucleus tests in vivo.

In vitro evaluation of the genotoxic activity and apoptosis induction of the extracts of roots and leaves from the medicinal plant Coccoloba mollis (Polygonaceae).

Coccoloba mollis (Family Polygonaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used in cases of memory loss, stress, insomnia, anemia, impaired vision, and sexual impotence, but the scientific literature, to date, lacks studies on the biological effects of this species, particularly with regard to cytotoxicity and induction of DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro (in hepatic HTC cells) ethanolic extracts of the roots and leaves of C. mollis for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis.

The azo dyes Disperse Red 1 and Disperse Orange 1 increase the micronuclei frequencies in human lymphocytes and in HepG2 cells.

The use of azo dyes by different industries can cause direct and/or indirect effects on human and environmental health due to the discharge of industrial effluents that contain these toxic compounds. Several studies have demonstrated the genotoxic effects of various azo dyes, but information on the DNA damage caused by Disperse Red 1 and Disperse Orange 1 is unavailable, although these dyes are used in dyeing processes in many countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mutagenic activity of Disperse Red 1 and Disperse Orange 1 using the micronucleus (MN) assay in human lymphocytes and in HepG2 cells.