Supercritical fluid reactive deposition was used for the deposition of highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles with controllable metal content and particle size distribution on beta-cyclodextrin. The average particle size and size distribution were steered by the precursor reduction conditions, resulting in particle preparations <20, <100, and >100 nm as characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These particle preparations of different size distributions were used to address the question as to whether metallic platinum particles are able to invade cells of the gastrointestinal tract as exemplified for the human colon carcinoma cell line HT29 and thus affect the cellular redox status and DNA integrity. Combined focused ion beam and SEM demonstrated that platinum nanoparticles were taken up into HT29 cells in their particulate form. The chemical composition of the particles within the cells was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The potential influence of platinum nanoparticles on cellular redoxsystems was determined in the DCF assay, on the translocation of Nrf-2 and by monitoring the intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels. The impact on DNA integrity was investigated by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) including the formation of sites sensitive to formamidopyrimidine-DNA-glycosylase. Platinum nanoparticles were found to decrease the cellular GSH level and to impair DNA integrity with a maximal effect at 1 ng/cm(2). These effects were correlated with the particle size in an inverse manner and were enhanced with increasing incubation time but appeared not to be based on the formation of reactive oxygen species.

The use of nanostructured silica (SiO2) particles is no longer restricted to biomedical and (bio-) technological fields but rather finding applications in products of the food industry. Thus, our studies on the toxicological relevance of SiO2 nanoparticles focused on cytotoxic effects, the modulation of the cellular redox status and the impact on DNA integrity in human colon carcinoma cells (HT29). The results indicate that these SiO2 nanoparticles stimulate the proliferation of HT29 cells, depending on the incubation time and the particle size. The cytotoxicity of the investigated SiO2 nanoparticles was found to depend on the concentration, size and on the FCS content of the culture medium. Furthermore, SiO2 seem to interfere with glutathione biosynthesis. The results indicate further that effects of SiO2 NPs are not mediated by oxidative stress but by interference with the MAPK/ERK1/2 as well as the Nrf2/ARE signalling pathways. Additionally, investigations regarding DNA integrity revealed no substantial (oxidative) DNA damage.

The anthocyanidin delphinidin (DEL) has recently been shown to inhibit human topoisomerase I and II, without stabilizing the covalent DNA/topoisomerase intermediate [Habermeyer, M., Fritz, J., Barthelmes, H. U., Christensen, M. O., Larsen, M. K., Boege, F., and Marko, D. (2005) Anthocyanidins modulate the activity of human DNA topoisomerases I and II and affect cellular DNA integrity. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 18, 1395-404]. In the present study, we demonstrated that DEL affects the catalytic activity of topoisomerase IIalpha in a redox-independent manner. Furthermore, this potent inhibitory effect is not limited to a cell-free system, but is also of relevance within intact cells. DEL at micromolar concentrations was found to significantly decrease the level of topoisomerase IIalpha/DNA intermediates stabilized by the topoisomerase II poison doxorubicin in the human colon carcinoma cell line (HT29). In addition, DEL diminished the DNA-damaging properties of topoisomerase II poisons in HT29 cells without affecting the level of sites sensitive to formamidopyrimidine-DNA-glycosylase. However, the preventive effect on DNA damage exhibited an apparent maximum at a concentration of 10 microM DEL, followed by a recurrence of DNA damage at higher DEL concentrations. Furthermore, the incubation of HT29 cells with 10 microM DEL resulted in a decrease of etoposide (ETO)-induced DNA strand breaks. However, the level of ETO-stabilized covalent topoisomerase/DNA intermediates did not affect DEL, indicating an additional mechanism of action. An impact of DEL on genes involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and the onset of apoptosis has to be considered. In conclusion, the natural food constituent DEL represents, depending on the concentration range, a protective factor against the DNA-damaging effects of topoisomerase II poisons in vitro. Further studies are needed to clarify whether in vivo a high DEL intake might compromise the therapeutic outcome of these anticancer agents.

In the present study, delphinidin was found to suppress the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) within human tumour cells (human colon carcinoma cell line (HT29), human vulva carcinoma cell line (A431)), albeit less effective than the flavonol quercetin. The higher potency of quercetin was also observed downstream on the level of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. In addition, delphinidin, quercetin and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) were found to suppress the phosphorylation of the ErbB2 receptor, with delphinidin exhibiting the strongest inhibitory properties. Their potency to suppress the ErbB2 receptor phosphorylation can be summarised as delphinidin > EGCG > quercetin. The effectiveness of delphinidin against the EGFR and the ErbB2 receptor was comparable, indicating a broader spectrum of activity against receptor tyrosine kinases. At low micromolar concentrations delphinidin showed some preference towards the ErbB2 receptor. In summary, quercetin and delphinidin appear to differ in their activity profile towards the ErbB receptor family members. Whereas quercetin was most effective against the EGFR, delphinidin exhibited some preference towards the ErbB2 receptor.

Asarone isomers are naturally occurring in Acorus calamus Linné, Guatteria gaumeri Greenman, and Aniba hostmanniana Nees. These secondary plant metabolites belong to the class of phenylpropenes (phenylpropanoids or alkenylbenzenes). They are further chemically classified into the propenylic trans-and cis-isomers α-asarone and β-asarone and the allylic γ-asarone.Flavoring, as well as potentially pharmacologically useful properties, enables the application of asarone isomers in fragrances, food, and traditional phytomedicine not only since their isolation in the 1950s. However, efficacy and safety in humans are still not known. Preclinical evidence has not been systematically studied, and several pharmacological effects have been reported for extracts of Acorus calamus and propenylic asarone isomers. Toxicological data are rare and not critically evaluated altogether in the 21st century yet. Therefore, within this review, available toxicological data of asarone isomers were assessed in detail. This assessment revealed that cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and mutagenicity as well as carcinogenicity were described for propenylic asarone isomers with varying levels of reliability. The toxicodynamic profile of γ-asarone is unknown except for mutagenicity.Based on the estimated daily exposure and reported adverse effects, officials restricted or published recommendations for the use of β-asarone and preparations of Acorus calamus. In contrast, α-asarone and γ-asarone were not directly addressed due to a limited data situation.

Influencing the redox balance of pancreatic beta cells could be a promising strategy for the treatment of diabetes. Nuclear factor erythroid 2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is present in beta cells and regulates numerous genes involved in antioxidant defense. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important for beta cell signaling but induce oxidative stress when present in excess, this study elucidates the influence of Nrf2-activating compounds on different kinds of ROS and correlates changes in redox balance to effects on mitochondrial function, insulin release, and cell viability. Acute glucose stimulation (15 mmol/L) of murine islet cells of C57Bl/6N mice affects ROS and redox status of the cells differently. Those ROS monitored by dihydroethidium, which detects superoxide radical anions, decrease. By contrast, oxidant status, monitored by dichlorodihydrofluorescein, as well as intracellular H2O2, increases. Glucolipotoxicity completely prevents these fast, glucose-mediated alterations and inhibits glucose-induced NAD(P)H production, mitochondrial hyperpolarization, and ATP synthesis. Oltipraz (10 μmol/L) or dimethyl fumarate (DMF, 50 μmol/L) leads to nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, restores mitochondrial activity and glucose-dependent ROS turnover, and antagonizes glucolipotoxicity-induced inhibition of insulin release and apoptosis. Importantly, these beneficial effects only occur when beta cells are challenged and damaged by high lipid and carbohydrate supply. At physiological conditions, insulin release is markedly reduced in response to both Nrf2 activators. This is not associated with severe impairment of glucose-induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization or a rise in apoptosis but coincides with altered ROS handling. In conclusion, Nrf2 activators protect beta cells against glucolipotoxicity by preserving mitochondrial function and redox balance. As our data show that this maintains glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, targeting Nrf2 might be suited to ameliorate progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus. By contrast, nonstressed beta cells do not benefit from Nrf2 activation, thus underlining the importance of physiological shifts in ROS homeostasis for the regulation of beta cell function.

The ellagitannins castalagin and vescalagin, and the C-glycosides grandinin and roburin E as well as ellagic acid were found to potently inhibit the growth of human colon carcinoma cells (HT29) in vitro. In a cell-free system these compounds were identified as potent inhibitors of the protein tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with IC 50 values in the low nanomolar range. To address the question of whether the interference with the activity of the isolated EGFR also plays a role within intact cells, effects on the phosphorylation status of the EGFR, as a measure for its activity, were determined in HT29 cells. As exemplified for castalagin and grandinin, both the nonglycosylated and the glycosylated ellagitannins effectively suppressed EGFR phosphorylation, but only at concentrations > or =10 microM, thus, in a concentration range where growth inhibition was observed. These results indicate that the suppression of EGFR-mediated signaling might contribute to the growth inhibitory effects of these compounds present in oak-matured wines and spirits such as whiskey. In contrast, despite substantial growth inhibitory properties, ellagic acid did not significantly affect EGFR phosphorylation in HT29 cells up to 100 microM.

Evidence has been provided that diet and environmental factors directly influence epigenetic mechanisms associated with cancer development in humans. The inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and the disruption of the HDAC complex have been recognized as a potent strategy for cancer therapy and chemoprevention. In the present study, we investigated whether selected plant constituents affect HDAC activity or HDAC1 protein status in the human colon carcinoma cell line HT29. The polyphenols (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and genistein (GEN) as well as two oxidative methyleugenol (ME) metabolites were shown to inhibit HDAC activity in intact HT29 cells. Concomitantly, a significant decrease of the HDAC1 protein level was observed after incubation with EGCG and GEN, whereas the investigated ME metabolites did not affect HDAC1 protein status. In conclusion, dietary compounds were found to possess promising HDAC-inhibitory properties, contributing to epigenetic alterations in colon tumor cells, which should be taken into account in further risk/benefit assessments of polyphenols and alkenylbenzenes.