Search Results (3)

Genistein, an isoflavone found in soybeans, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study explored the molecular mechanisms behind genistein’s anticancer effects in prostate cancer DU145 cells. In this study, genistein decreased cell viability, increased annexin V-PE(+) cells, and enhanced the sub-G₀/G₁ peak by flow cytometric analysis. Increased reactive oxygen species increased mitochondrial depolarization indicating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibition of ATP formation were also observed in genistein-treated DU145 cells. Genistein upregulated p53 at the mRNA and protein levels and increased caspase-3/7 activity along with the cleavage of Bax, procaspase-3, and PARP. With the increasing genistein concentrations, the percentage of cells in the sub-G₀/G₁ peak and G₂/M phase increased, which was inhibited by treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD together with 100 μM genistein, which had little toxicity to normal prostate epithelial HPrEC cells. Genistein treatment simultaneously inhibited the activation of STAT3 and other closely related oncogenic kinases such as AKT and ERK and p38 and decreased VEGF expression. Taken together, these results suggest that genistein inhibits the growth of DU145 cells and induces apoptosis by inhibiting STAT3, AKT, ERK, and p38 which provides a molecular basis for the anticancer activity of genistein and suggests its potential as a valuable therapeutic candidate for prostate cancer. Full article

Gas hydrate inhibitors, especially those used in offshore environments, are chemicals. These chemicals are synthetic in nature and pose both technical and environmental risks. This study emphasizes the influence of a Plant Extract (PE) on the phase behavior and equilibrium of structure I (SI) gas hydrate and its inhibition efficiency. The PE was screened using a mini flow loop. From the pressure-temperature phase diagram, the various weight percentages of the PE were able to disrupt the thermodynamic equilibrium conditions of the water and gas molecules to lower temperatures and increase pressures, which caused a shift in the equilibrium curve to an unstable hydrate formation zone. The pressure versus time plot as well as the inhibition efficiency plots for the PE and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) were evaluated. Overall, the inhibition efficiency of the PE was higher than that of MEG for 1 wt% (60.53%) and 2 wt% (55.26%) but had the same efficiency at 3 wt% (73.68%). The PE at 1 wt% had the greatest inhibition effect and adjudged the optimum weight percent with a well-regulated phase equilibrium curve. This shows that PE is a better gas hydrate inhibitor than MEG, which is toxic to both human and aquatic life; therefore, it is recommended for field trials. Full article

The aim of the study is to determine the fractional share of organic pollutants in washing samples collected after pressure filter washings. The evaluation of the physicochemical and toxicological quality of raw washings, fractions <200 kDa, <30 kDa, and <300 Da, has been presented. Separation of selected fractions was carried out with the participation of a multistage pressure membrane system using ultra- and nanofiltration. The physicochemical analysis was conducted based on the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration, dissolved organic carbon, and total carbon. The toxicological classification of isolated fractions was also prepared using the percentage of toxicity effects obtained in commercial bioassays—Microtox^® and Artoxkit M. The concentration of TOC in the analyzed samples of the raw washings was ranged from 2.50–11.00 mgC/L. The presented study showed a significant share of the organic pollutants fraction with a molar weight below 300 Da in the examined washings (the TOC was from 0.71 to 1.48 mgC/L). No correlation was observed between the concentration of TOC and the percentage of toxic effect. Screening toxicity tests can be a signal of swimming pool water quality, but they need to be extended with additional test organisms or observations of more morphological parameters of these organisms. Full article