hypericum and Carcinoma--Squamous-Cell

Hypericum perforatum L also known as St. John's wort is known to have many beneficial properties for the organism including its antioxidant and anticancer activities. It is also known to have shown antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Hypericum perforatum L on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat oral squamous cell carcinoma model.. The in vitro antioxidant properties of Hypericum perforatum L was determined and an extract was prepared. Thirty Wistar male rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (Control group, DMBA group, HP + DMBA group, HP group). The antioxidant defense mechanisms in tissue and blood samples were evaluated biochemically and immunohistochemically, the carcinomatous changes in connective tissue were investigated immunohistochemically and epithelial changes in the tissue samples were evaluated histopathologically.. The extract revealed inhibitory effects on some antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase). Immunohistochemical evaluations revealed no invasive changes in the connective tissue. Hypericum perforatum L demonstrated chemopreventive effects although it did not prevent carcinomatous changes altogether.. Hypericum perforatum L is a promising chemopreventive agent and further studies are needed in order to evaluate the full potential of this plant.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Hypericum; Male; Mouth Mucosa; Mouth Neoplasms; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Wistar

PDT (photodynamic therapy) has been used for the treatment of NMCC (non-melanoma cutaneous cancer) particularly, human SCC (squamous cell carcinoma). However, the nature of the photosensitizer, the activation light source and the mode of cell death induced post-PDT remains elusive. We tried to optimize PDT using the light-activated (320-400 nm) St John's Wort-derived compound, Hyp (hypericin). The work highlights the potential mode of cell death and the increased efficacy of the technique associated with multiple Hyp-PDT treatment. SCC cells were exposed to different concentrations of Hyp and activated with light at 1 J/cm2 for 1 or 2 days. Thereafter with the optimum dose of Hyp proliferation, ROS (reactive oxygen species), and apoptosis were analysed by XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] assay, FACS analysis and Fluorescent/Phase contrast microscopy was carried out for morphological studies. Hyp-PDT produces more ROS after 1 day compared with 2 days and the mode of cell death is a necrotic caspase-independent mechanism. We propose a novel 'double-hit/2-day' strategy to reduce the viability in SCC using Hyp-based PDT as an adjunctive treatment modality.

Topics: Anthracenes; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Hypericum; Necrosis; Perylene; Photochemotherapy; Reactive Oxygen Species; Skin Neoplasms