RESUMEN
Pothomorphe umbellata, a native Brazilian plant, is popularly known to be effective in the treatment of skin lesions. This benefit is attributed to 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC), a compound extracted from P. umbellata. Since melanomas show prominent resistance to apoptosis and exhibit extreme chemoresistance to multiple forms of therapy, novel compounds addressing induction of cell death are worth investigating. Here, we evaluated effects on cell cycle progression and possible cytotoxic activity of 4-NC in melanoma cell lines as well as human dermal fibroblasts. Inhibitory effects on cell invasion and MMP activity were also investigated. 4-NC showed cytotoxic activity for all melanoma cell lines tested (IC50=20-40 microM, 24h for tumoral cell lines; IC50=50 microM for fibroblast cell line) associated with its capacity to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, this is the first time that 4-NC is described as an inhibitor of cell invasiveness, due mainly to a G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of MMP-2 activity in melanoma cell lines.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Catecoles/farmacología , Melanoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Piperaceae/química , Neoplasias Cutáneas/tratamiento farmacológico , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Fibroblastos/efectos de los fármacos , Fibroblastos/patología , Humanos , Metaloproteinasa 2 de la Matriz/metabolismo , Inhibidores de la Metaloproteinasa de la Matriz , Melanoma/secundario , Invasividad Neoplásica/patología , Invasividad Neoplásica/prevención & control , Extractos Vegetales/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Neoplasias Cutáneas/patologíaRESUMEN
A simple and inexpensive assay for detection of H2S producing bacteria in drinking water was evaluated in Paraguay. Using an improved preparation procedure, results were basically temperature independent in the range of 22-37 degrees C and correlated well with the presence of total coliform bacteria (96%, 28 degrees C). The assay was not suitable for control of surface water and dug well water due to the frequent presence of non-faecal coliforms. However, it was very suitable for routine control of high quality water systems, like treated community water systems or deep-tube well water, where complete absence of coliforms is required. The H2S-test is very inexpensive and does not require a laboratory technician or special equipment. Its use permits a cost-effective routine control of high quality community water systems in developing countries. In addition, this test turned out to be an effective educational tool for heightening the awareness of people towards dangers of unclean drinking water.