Methyleugenol and oxidative metabolites induce DNA damage and interact with human topoisomerases.

Methyleugenol is a substituted alkenylbenzene found in several herbs and spices. It is classified by the European Union's Scientific Committee on Food as a genotoxic carcinogen. We addressed the biological mechanism of the genotoxic properties of methyleugenol and its oxidative metabolites.

Influence of triterpenoids present in apple peel on inflammatory gene expression associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Various ursanic, oleanic and lupanic pentacyclic triterpenoids found in apple peel were studied for anti-inflammatory effects in vitro using T84 colon carcinoma cells. After pretreatment with single triterpenoids, cells were stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-1β). Regulation of mRNA expression was analysed for three specific inflammation-associated marker genes (TNF-α, IL-8, IP-10) using qRT-PCR.