hypericum and Necrosis

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

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which mainly affects young adults. To overcome wide spectrum troublesome symptoms of multiple sclerosis which affects the quality of life both in patients and their families, new drugs and remedies have been examined and offered. The preclinical beneficial effects of different medicines have mostly been examined in an animal model of multiple sclerosis called experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study we have tested a traditionally used natural (herbal-marine) product called MS(14) in EAE mice. EAE mice were fed with MS(14) containing diet (30%) on the immunization day and monitored for 20 days. The results show that while clinical scores and therefore severity of the disease was progressive in normal-fed EAE mice, the disease was slowed down in MS(14)-fed EAE mice. Moreover, while there were moderate to severe neuropathological changes in normal fed mice, milder changes were seen in MS(14) fed mice.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animal Feed; Animals; Apium; Biological Products; Brain; Demyelinating Diseases; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Female; Hypericum; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Iran; Mice; Necrosis; Penaeidae

A 22-year-old man presented with fever and ulceration of the oral mucosa. The patient had pharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. For the 3 weeks prior to presentation, he had been taking approximately 1000 mg/day of flowering herbs (Hypericum perforatum L, known as St. John's wort) for treatment of depression. A complete blood count on the first day of hospitalization showed agranulocytosis and normocytic anemia. His condition worsened, and he developed progressive dysphagia. A bone marrow biopsy on day 3 revealed bone marrow necrosis. After the diagnosis was established (day 3 of hospitalization), treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 48 U/day, intravenous immunoglobulin 400 mg/kg, and amphotericin B 100 mg/day was initiated. The patient did not respond, and died within one week of the diagnosis. This cases suggests that Hypericum species may lead to severe hematologic toxicity, with conditions involving bone marrow necrosis.

Topics: Adult; Bone Marrow; Depression; Humans; Hypericum; Male; Necrosis; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts