Black cumin seeds and seed oil have long been used in traditional foods and medicine in South Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries and are valuable flavor ingredients. An important ingredient of black cumin is the small molecule thymoquinone (TQ), which manifests low toxicity and potential therapeutic activity against a wide number of diseases including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, the antioxidant activities of black seed oil, TQ and a related molecule found in black cumin, thymohydroquinone (THQ), were measured using a direct electrochemical method to experimentally evaluate their superoxide scavenging action. TQ and the black seed oil showed good superoxide scavenging ability, while THQ did not. Density Functional Theory (DFT) computational methods were applied to arrive at a chemical mechanism describing these results, and confirmed the experimental Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) findings that superoxide oxidation to O2 by TQ is feasible, in contrast with THQ, which does not scavenge superoxide. Additionally, a thorough inquiry into the unusual cyclic voltammetry pattern exhibited by TQ was studied and was associated with formation of a 1:1 TQ-superoxide radical species, [TQ-O2]−•. DFT calculations reveal this radical species to be involved in the π-π mechanism describing TQ reactivity with superoxide. The crystal structures of TQ and THQ were analyzed, and the experimental data reveal the presence of stacking intermolecular interactions that can be associated with formation of the radical species, [TQ-O2]−•. All three of these methods were essential for us to arrive at a chemical mechanism that explains TQ antioxidant activity, that incorporates intermolecular features found in the crystal structure and which correlates with the measured superoxide scavenging activity.
TPS343 Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is among the leading causes of cancer mortality in males. Recent studies found 8-12% of advanced PC cases may be hereditary. Germline mutations have been reported in BRCA1/2, other DNA repair genes including ATM, CHEK2, PALB2 and DNA mismatch repair genes. Genetic testing can inform treatment decisions including drug targeting, such as PARP inhibitors for men with BRCA mutations, and checkpoint inhibitors for those with pathogenic mutations in mismatch repair genes2. Discovering a pathogenic mutation associated with increased cancer risk also prompts dissemination of this information to family, where subsequent testing can lead to risk stratification and impactful opportunities for cancer screening and prevention. It is critical that men with high risk and potentially lethal prostate cancer routinely be offered genetic testing as a component of their cancer care. Genetic counseling services are limited, and more efficient services are needed. Methods: We are investigating video education prior to genetic testing compared with in-person pretest counseling with a licensed genetic counselor (GC). ProGen is an ongoing randomized trial evaluating two distinct models of cancer genetics service delivery in 450 PC cases over a two-year period. The study is conducted in collaboration with Ambry Genetics utilizing a 67-gene cancer panel. The primary aim is analysis of the proportion and type of germline mutations identified. Secondary aims include testing uptake by arm, evaluation of distress, knowledge, satisfaction with testing services, family communication, and impact on cancer care. Results are communicated by telephone with a GC. Inclusion criteria are: potentially lethal PC (metastatic, localized with Gleason score ≥8, rising/persistent PSA after local therapy), early diagnosis (≤ 55 years), prior malignancy, and/or family history potentially indicating a hereditary cancer risk. Enrollment is 74% completed at a single institution. (NCT03328091). 1 Pritchard CC, et al. Inherited DNA‐repair gene mutations in men with metastatic prostate cancer. NEJM. 2016;375:443 2 Mateo J, et al. DNA-Repair Defects and Olaparib in Metastatic Prostate Cancer. NEJM . 2015;373(18):1697-1708 Clinical trial information: NCT03328091.
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