METHODS: C. sinensis peels were subjected to extraction with 100%, 70% and 50% of methanol, ethanol, and acetone, respectively, as well as hot water extraction. Antioxidant activities of the peel extracts were examined via the 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the extracts were measured via the Folin-Ciocalteau method and the aluminium chloride colorimetric method, respectively. Phenolic acid and organic acid composition of the peel extracts were further determined via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while flavonoid content was identified via ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).
RESULTS: DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. sinensis peel extracts varied from 8.35 to 18.20 mg TE/g, FRAP ranged from 95.00 to 296.61 mmol Fe(II)/g, while ORAC value ranged from 0.31 to 0.92 mol TE/g. Significant level of association between the assays was observed especially between TPC and FRAP (R-square = 0.95, P
METHODS: In this study, CD24 population from the MCF-7 spheroid was sorted and subjected to spheroid formation test, stem cell markers immunofluorescence, invasion and migration test as well as microRNA expression profiling.
RESULTS: Sorted MCF-7 CD24 cells from primary spheroids were able to reform its 3D spheroid shape after 7 days in non-adherent culture conditions. In contrast to the primary spheroids, the expression of SOX-2, CD44, CD49f and Nanog were dim in MCF-7 CD24+ cells. Remarkably, MCF-7 CD24 cells were found to show high expression of ALDH1 protein which may have resulted in these cells exhibiting higher resistance against doxorubicin and cisplatin when compared to that of the parental cells. Moreover, microRNA profiling has shown that the absence of cancer stem cell properties were consistent with the downregulation of major cancer stem cells related pathways including Hedgehog, Wnt and MAPK signalling pathways. However, the upregulated pathways such as adherans junctions, focal adhesion and tight junction suggest that CD24+ cells were probably at an epithelial-like state of cell transition.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, neglected CD24+ cells in MCF-7 spheroid did not exhibit typical breast CSCs properties. The presence of miRNAs and their analysed pathways suggested that these cells could be a distinct intermediate cell state in breast CSCs.
RESULTS: Fermented mung bean was recorded to have the highest level of free amino acids, soluble phenolic acids (especially protocatechuic acid) and antioxidant activities among all the tested products. Both fermented mung bean and soybean possessed cytotoxicity activities against breast cancer MCF-7 cells by arresting the G0/G1 phase followed by apoptosis. Moreover, fermented mung bean and soybean also induced splenocyte proliferation and enhanced the levels of serum interleukin-2 and interferon-γ.
CONCLUSION: Augmented amounts of free amino acids and phenolic acids content after fermentation enhanced the antioxidants, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation effects of mung bean and soybean. More specifically, fermented mung bean showed the best effects among all the tested products. This study revealed the potential of fermented mung bean and soybean as functional foods for maintenance of good health.