Nos Articles

Antimetastatic Effects of Thymoquinone in Colorectal Cancer: Targeting Cell Adhesion, Migration, and Invasion in SW480 and SW620 Models
Mouna Selmi, Abir Salek, Mahassen Barboura, Aida Lahmar, Mouna Maatouk, Fairouz Sioud, Jihed Boubaker, Leila Chekir-Ghedira

Thymoquinone (TQ), the major bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa, Asian and African medicinal plant, has attracted growing interest for its anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the antimetastatic potential of TQ in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell lines SW480 and SW620, representing primary and metastatic stages, respectively. The treatment with several concentration of TQ has significantly reduced cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin, collagen I and IV), without affecting adhesion to poly-l-lysine, proving disruption of integrin-mediated attachment. Furthermore, wound healing and transwell migration assays demonstrated that TQ has significantly inhibited CRC cell motility and migratory capacity in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of TQ in colorectal cancer by targeting tumor cell dissemination. Thus TQ may represent a promising candidate for the development of novel antim

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Anthraquinones from Rhamnus alaternus L.: A Phytocosmetic Ingredient with Photoprotective and Antimelanogenesis properties
Dr. Ines Bouhlel Chatti, Dr. Yosr Krichen, Dr. Mabrouk Horchani, Dr. Mouna Maatouk, Prof. Amine Trabelsi, Prof. Mohamed Ali Lassoued, Prof. Hichem Ben Jannet, Prof. Leila Chekir Ghédira

The purpose of the present work was to develop a phytocosmetic sunscreen emulsion with antioxidant activity and an anti-melanogenic effect, containing an anthraquinone-enriched extract of Rhamnus alaternus (A.E.). Our findings demonstrated that A.E. decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and malondialdehyde induced by UVA in human keratinocytes and melanocytes. Furthermore, the calculated SPF value in vitro of the cream containing A.E. was 14.26±0.152. Later, it was shown that A.E. extract had an inhibitory effect on the amount of melanin. This extract could also reduce B16F10 intracellular tyrosinase activity. Besides, docking studies were carried out to provide a logical justification for the anti-tyrosinase potential. The findings showed that, A.E. may provide protection against UVA-induced oxidative stress and could be thought of as a viable treatment for hyperpigmentation disorders.

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Enhancement of the In Vitro Antitumor Effects of Berberine Chloride When Encapsulated within Small Extracellular Vesicles
Abir Salek , Mouna Selmi , Mahassen Barboura, M Carmen Martinez , Leila Chekir-Ghedira, Ramaroson Andriantsitohaina

Berberine hydrochloride (BRB) is an isoquinoline alkaloid with promising anticancer efficacies. However, application of BRB had been hampered by its poor aqueous solubility, low gastrointestinal absorption, and rapid metabolism. The present study takes advantage of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) to increase both stability and efficacy of BRB. sEVs from immature dendritic cells were produced and loaded with BRB. Proliferation, migration and Matrigel assay were performed, cycle arrest and nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated in human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). sEVs loaded with BRB formed a stable and homogenous population with a drug entrapment efficiency near to 42%. BRB loaded into sEVs was more potent than free BRB for MDA-MB-231 and endothelial proliferation, migration, and capillary-like formation in HUVECs. The mechanisms involved a blockade of cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, increased S phase and decreased of G2

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Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Genotoxique and Antigenotoxic Potentials of Phlomis Bovei De Noé Aerial Parts
Nabil Zaabat, Anne-Emmanuelle Hay, Serge Michalet, Inès Skandrani, Leila Chekir-Ghedira, Marie-Geneviève Dijoux Franca, Salah Akkal,

In the present work, chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Phlomis bovei de Noé an endemic species from Algeria, led to the isolation and identification of seven known compounds including five flavones glycosides: Chrysoeriol 7-O-(3’’-(E et Z)-p-coumaroyl)-β-glucoside (1), terniflorin (apigenin-7-O-(6’’-E-p-coumaroyl)glucoside) (3), apigenin-7-O-(6’’-(5’’’-methoxy-coumaryl) glucoside (4), apigenin 7-O-(3″-p-coumaryl)glucoside (5), hispidulin-7-O-glucuronide (6) and two cinnamic acid derivatives: p-coumaric acid methyl ester (E et Z) (2), chlorogenic acid (7). Compound 4 is described for the first time in the species bovei de Noé, the genus Phlomis and the Lamiaceae family. Structures elucidation was performed by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses, mass spectrometry and by comparison with literature data. Some pure compounds and extracts have been evaluated for their antioxidant activities through different methods: DPPH and ABTS assays as well as CUPRAC assay. Genotoxic and a

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A New Highlight of Ephedra alata Decne Properties as Potential Adjuvant in Combination with Cisplatin to Induce Cell Death of 4T1 Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Vivo.Fairouz Sioud , Souheila Amor, Imène ben Toumia, Aida Lahmar, Virginie Aires Leila Chekir-Ghedira and Dominique Delmas.

Despite major advances in the last 10 years, whether in terms of prevention or treatment, the 5 year survival rate remains relatively low for a large number of cancers. These therapeutic failures can be the consequence of several factors associated with the cellular modifications or with the host by itself, especially for some anticancer drugs such as cisplatin, which induces a nephrotoxicity. In the strategy of research for active molecules capable both of exerting a protective action against the deleterious effects of cisplatin and exerting a chemosensitizing action with regard to cancer cells, we tested the potential effects of Ephedra alata Decne extract (E.A.) rich in polyphenolic compounds towards a 4T1 breast cancer model in vitro and in vivo. We showed that E.A. extract inhibited cell viability of 4T1 breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner, which involved intrinsic pathways. Very interestingly, we observed a synergic antiproliferative and pro-ap

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Heat treatment and protective potentials of luteolin-7-O-glucoside against cis platin genotoxic and cytotoxic effects.
Mouna Maatouk, Besma Abed, Ines Bouhlele, Mounira Krifa, Rihab Khlifi, Irina Iaonnou, Kamel Ghedira, Leila Chekir-Ghedira

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that has pronounced adverse effects. Using flavonoids is currently eliciting considerable interest. During extraction and conditioning, they usually undergo several physical treatments such as heat treatment, although it is not known whether thermal treatment might influence the pharmacological effects of flavonoids such as luteolin-7-O-glucoside (L7G). This study was undertaken to explore the protective role of native and heated L7G against DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. Balb/c mice were administered L7G before a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 24 h after treatment with drugs. The geno-protective role of native and heated L7G was evaluated by comet assay. In addition to monitoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes, levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were assessed in the liver, kidney, brain, and spleen tissues. The results of the present study de

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