Potent Anti-Cancer Effect of 3′-Hydroxypterostilbene in Human Colon Xenograft Tumors

Here we report that 3′-hydroxypterostilbene (HPSB), a natural pterostilbene analogue, was more potent than pterostilbene against the growth of human cancer cells (COLO 205, HCT-116, and HT-29) with measured IC₅₀ values of 9.0, 40.2, and 70.9 µM, respectively. We found that HPSB effectively inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. Autophagy occurred at an early stage and was observed through the formation of acidic vesicular organelles and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II production. At the molecular levels, the results from western blot analysis showed that HPSB significantly down-regulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalings including decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Significant therapeutic effects were demonstrated in vivo by treating nude mice bearing COLO 205 tumor xenografts with HPSB (10 mg/kg i.p.). These inhibitory effects were accompanied by mechanistic down-regulation of the protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cyclin D1, as well as by the induction of apoptosis in colon tumors. Our findings suggest that HPSB could serve as a novel promising agent for colon cancer treatment.     

Annual changes in the brain neurosecretory profile of the Indian freshwater Leech,Poecilobdella viridis (Blanchard) in relation to reproduction

Annual changes in the brain neurosecretory profile of Poecilobdella viridis in relation to reproductive activity have been investigated. The changes in A cell neurosecretory activities were found to be in strong correlative correspondence with the reproductive programme. Heavy accumulation of neurosecretory material was observed in A cells perikarya during the reproductive period i.e. from March to June, 1975, with enlarged nuclei and during reproductive quiescence i.e. from August, 1974 to January 1975, the neurosecretory activity was low.     

Implication of a hormonal principle in thermal acclimation of the indian freshwater leech,poecilobdella viridis (blanchard): Influence of brain homogenate on oxygen consumption

The effect of brain homogenate of warm and cold acclimated leeches on the respiration of normal Poecilobdella viridis has been investigated. Homogenate of brain from warm acclimated leeches significantly (p < 0.05) decreased oxygen consumption rates over those of normal homogenate injections. Oxygen uptake values were significantly (p < 0.0 1) enhanced following the administration of brain homogenate of cold acclimated leeches. Hence, existence of two separate oxygen consumption controlling factors, possibly hormones, in the brain of P. viridis during thermal acclimation, is inferred.     

Laboratory studies on the direct effect of temperature on the freshwater vector snail,Indoplanorbis exustus (Deshyes)

The present study includes the effect of temperature on the survival of young and adult snails, embryonic development, embryonic growth and egg laying of Indoplanorbis exustus. In Indoplanorbis exustus the bottom lethal temperature was 7.0°C and 7.5°C for young and adults respectively. while the upper lethal temperature was 34.0°C and 32.0°C for young and adult snails respectively. Between the temperatures 12.5°C and 36.5°C the embryonic development was accelerated and the incubation period was shortened. The growth of embryos was found to be faster at 25.0°C. The optimum temperature for egg laying was observed at 25.0°C.     

Calcium regulation in the freshwater snail indoplanorbis exustus during shell repair

A piece of shell was removed from Indoplanorbis exustus without injuring the mantle. Calcium was estimated from hepatopancreas, foot, mantle and shell at different intervals. It was observed that the calcium content of the shell was directly proportional to that in the mantle. The calcium content in the hepatopancreas showed an increase within 6 hours of injury and then decreased upto 144 hours. The foot showed an increase in calcium in the first 6 hours and reached a maximum after 96 hours after injury. The calcium, in the mantle also increased within 6 hours after injury, which increase exceeded that from the foot.     

Electrophoretic separation of protein pattern in different tissues of four marine penaeid prawns in relation to sex

The protein patterns of gill, midgut gland and abdominal muscle tissues of four different marine penaeid prawn species: Metapenaeus affinis, Metapenaeus monoceros, Parapenaeopsis hardwickii and Parapenaeopsis stylifera were investigated qualitatively by polyacrylamid gel disc electrophoresis in relation to sex. All tissues showed their own peculiar pattern of protein fractions. The possible significance of these differences is discussed.This investigation was supported by I.C.A.R., New Delhi, through a project on Reprod. Endocr. Edible prawns     

An unusual abnormality in the development of an eye of a marine penaeid prawn,Parapenaeopsis stylifera (H. Milne Edwards). (Crustacea,Decapoda, Penaeidae)

A male prawn, Parapenaeopsis stylifera, collected in a haul, was found to be having an undeveloped right eye. The eyestalk was absent and eye pigment was located directly on the reduced basal segment. The observation is briefly discussed on a neurobiological basis.     

Thermal acclimation induced compensation in biochemical constituents of the Indian freshwater leech,Poecilobdella viridis (Blanchard)

Poecilobdella viridis was used to study the variations in the biochemical parameters: body protein, glycogen and water, following warm (32.0° ± 0.5°C) and cold (10.0° ± 0.5°C) acclimation for 5, 10, 15 and 30 days. The percentage of glycogen decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during both warm and cold acclimation whereas the protein percentage increased significantly (p < 0.05). The percentage of water was significantly (p < 0.05). reduced during both acclimation processes. Ecophysiological significance of these alterations to leeches, in counteracting the ambient thermal fluxes, has been briefly discussed.     

Inhibition of hypertonic-saline stimulated neurosecretory changes in the freshwater bivalve Indonaia caeruleus (Prashad) by chlorpromazine and reserpine.

In the present paper, the effects of reserpine (RSP) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the neurosecretory cells of a saline treated freshwater bivalve, Indonaia caeruleus have been tracked. After saline (0.1 ml of 1.5% NaCl per animal) treatment A and B cells of cerebral and visceral ganglia showed significant increase in cell area, nuclear diameter and decrease in the NSM, while administration of RSP (0.50 mg per animal) and CPZ (0.25 mg per animal), following the saline injection completely inhibited these changes. Physiological implications of these changes are discussed in the light of neurosecretory dynamics.