The present study evaluated the effects of Androctonus amoreuxi scorpion venom, Cerastes cerastes snake venom and their mixture on prostate cancer cells (PC3). An MTT assay was used to determine the anti-proliferative effect of the venoms, while quantitative real time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-2). Furthermore, colorimetric assays were used to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes. Our results show that the venoms significantly reduced PC3 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, these venoms significantly decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. Additionally, C. cerastes venom significantly reduced Bax gene expression, while A. amoreuxi venom and a mixture of A. amoreuxi & C. cerastes venoms did not alter Bax expression. Consequently, these venoms significantly increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the oxidative stress biomarker MDA. Furthermore, these venoms also increased the activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Overall, the venoms have cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on PC3 cells.
Apoptosis ; Catalase ; Cell Survival ; Gene Expression ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione Reductase ; Hand ; Humans* ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scorpion Venoms ; Scorpions* ; Snake Venoms* ; Snakes* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Venoms ; Viper Venoms ; Viperidae*

Objective: To isolate and identify chemical constituents with antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects of the ethanolic extract of Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) leaves. Methods: The alcoholic extract was subjected to successive solvent fractionation. The antioxidant active fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions) were subjected to a combination of different chromatographic techniques guided by the antioxidant assay with DPPH. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and correlated with known compounds. The antioxidant activity was assessed quantitively using DPPH and β-carotene methods. The inhibitory potential against enzyme lipoxygenase was assessed on soybean lipoxygenase enzyme. Results: Ten flavonoids and four lignans were isolated. Flavonoid aglycones showed stronger antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects than their glycosides. Lignoid glycosides showed moderate to weak antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects. Conclusions: A total of 14 compounds were isolated and identified from Simmondsia chinensis; 12 of them were isolated for the first time. This is the first report that highlights deeply on the phenolic content of jojoba and their potential biological activities and shows the importance of this plant as a good source of phenolics in particular the flavonoid content.

PURPOSE: Combined anterior and posterior ring (APR) fixation is classically performed in Tile B2 and C1 injuries to achieve superior biomechanical stability. However, the posterior ring (PR) is the main weight bearing portion that is responsible for weight transmission from the upper parts of the body to the lower limbs through the sacrum and the linea terminalis. It is hypothesized that isolated PR fixation can achieve comparable radiological and clinical outcomes to APR fixation. Therefore, we conducted this study to compare the two fixation principles in managing Tile B2 and C1 injuries. METHODS: Our study included 20 patients with Tile B2 injuries and 20 patients with Tile C1 injuries. This study was a randomized control single-blinded study via computerized random numbers with a 1:1 allocation by using random block method. The study was performed at a level one trauma center. A total of 40 patients with Tile B2 and C1 injuries underwent combined APR or isolated PR fixation (Group A and B, respectively). Matta & Tornetta radiological principles and Majeed pelvic scoring system were used for the assessment of primary outcomes and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included operative time, amount of blood loss, intraoperative assessment of reduction, need of another operation, length of hospital stay, ability to weight bear postoperatively and pain control metrics. We used student t-test to compare the difference in means between two groups, and Chi-square test to compare proportions between two qualitative parameters. We set the confidence interval to 95% and the margin of error accepted to 5%. So, p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 18 months. The operative time (mean difference 0.575 h) and the intraoperative blood loss (mean difference 97.5 mL) were lower in Group B. Also, despite the higher frequency of rami displacement before union in the same group, there were no significant differences in terms of radiological outcome (excellent outcome with OR = 2.357), clinical outcome (excellent outcome with OR = 2.852) and postoperative complications assessment (OR = 1.556) at last follow-up. CONCLUSION The authors concluded that isolated PR fixation could favorably manage Tile B2 and C1 pelvic ring injuries with Nakatani zone II pubic rami fractures and intact inguinal ligament. Its final radiological and clinical outcomes and postoperative complications were comparable to combined APR fixation, but with less morbidity (shorter operation time, lower amount of blood, and no records of postoperative wound infection).
Humans ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Pelvic Bones/injuries* ; Bone Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures ; Treatment Outcome