Aybike Sarıoğlu Bozkurt

Background/Objectives: Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Although cisplatin is a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent, its clinical effectiveness is limited by drug resistance and systemic toxicity. Capsaicin (CAP), a bioactive phytochemical derived from chili peppers, has demonstrated anticancer activity in several tumor types and has been investigated as a potential adjunct to conventional chemotherapy. Methods: An experimental study was conducted using A549 NSCLC cells and a xenograft mouse model. Cells were treated with CAP (50–300 µM), cisplatin (1 µg/mL), or their combination. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot analysis. In vivo, tumor growth inhibition, histopathological alterations, and immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and cleaved caspase-3 were assessed. Results: Low CAP concentrations (50–100 µM) slightly increased proliferation, whereas concentrations ≥ 150 µM significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis. Cisplatin monotherapy markedly suppressed proliferation and activated apoptosis. Bliss independence analysis demonstrated concentration-dependent synergy between CAP and cisplatin, with maximal synergy scores reaching 28.1 at 100 µM CAP. Combination treatment at CAP concentrations ≥ 150 µM produced the strongest antiproliferative effect in vitro and the highest tumor growth inhibition in vivo (88%). CAP did not further enhance cisplatin-induced apoptosis but significantly reinforced proliferation suppression with reduced Ki-67 expression. Conclusions: CAP exhibits biphasic dose-dependent effects in NSCLC and enhances cisplatin antitumor efficacy predominantly through proliferation suppression, supporting its further evaluation as an adjunctive phytochemical in cisplatin-based NSCLC therapy.

Cancer remains a major global health issue, with resistance to conventional therapies driving the need for novel treatment strategies. This study investigated the synergistic effects of capsaicin (CAP), a natural bioactive compound, and Leflunomide (LEF), an immunosuppressive drug, in a murine lung cancer cell line. Capsaicin activates TRPV1 receptors, increasing intracellular calcium levels, while Leflunomide inhibits Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH), disrupting pyrimidine biosynthesis. Although neither agent exhibited significant cytotoxicity at low doses when applied individually, their combination resulted in a synergistic induction of cell death. These findings suggest that the combination of capsaicin and Leflunomide effectively limits cancer cell adaptation through metabolic and oxidative stress pathways, offering a promising anticancer mechanism. The results highlight the potential of this combination therapy for aggressive tumors such as lung cancer, emphasizing the need for further preclinical and clinical investigations.

The queen is the only individual that carries a colony of bees and has the ability to reproduce. In this study, the level of stress proteins (Hsp70) was determined in mated and virgin queens reared under the same conditions in colonies of honey bee breeds and ecotypes in Turkey. When the effects of mating were examined, it was found that the stress protein content of mated queens was significantly lower than that of non-mated queens (p<0.05). It was also found that Hsp70 stress protein levels were lower in Thrace, Yığılca and Goekçeada ecotypes, which are the sub-ecotypes of the Anatolian bee, compared to other ecotypes and races. As a result, the Thrace, Goekçeada and Yığılca ecotypes, which are the ecotypes of the Anatolian bee, were found to have better adaptive abilities than the others.

Honey bees play an important role in the pollination of flowering plants. When honey bee colonies are deficient in pollen, one of their main nutrients, protein supplements are required. In this study, the effects of diets with six different protein sources on the physiological characteristics of worker bees (vitellogenin (Vg), abdominal lipid content (ALC), hypopharyngeal gland (HPG)) and consumption were investigated. The protein sources of the diets (diet I, …, diet VI) included pollen, spirulina dust (Arthrospira platensis Gomont), fresh egg yolk, lyophilized lactose-free skimmed milk powder, active fresh yeast, and ApiProtein. It was identified that consumption by worker bees was highest in the diet group supplemented with spirulina (diet II). Although there was no statistical difference regarding the Vg content in the hemolymph, numerically, the highest content was found in diet group IV (lyophilized lactose-free skimmed milk powder) (4.73 ± 0.03 ng/mL). ALC and HPG were highest in the group fed diet II. These results suggest that offering honey bees diets with certain protein sources can support their physiological traits.

Honey bee colonies are often subjected to diseases, nutrition quality, temperature and other stresses depending on environmental and climatic conditions. As a result of malnutrition, the level of Vg protein decreases, leading to overwintering losses. The Vg values must be high for a successful wintering, especially before wintering. If good nutrition is not reached, the long winter period may cause an increase in colony losses. Supplementary feeding is essential for colony sustainability when floral resources are insufficient, as in recent years with the emerging climate changes. Furthermore, quality food sources or nutrients are significant for maintaining honey bee health and longevity. This study examined the changes in HSP 70 and Vg proteins in 6 groups of 48 colonies fed with five different nutrients. The fatty acids that are present in the highest amount in Cistus creticus (Pink rock-rose), Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy) and mixed pollen samples were linoleic, palmitic and cis-9-oleic acids. The highest values in proline, lysine and glutamic acid were determined in C. creticus pollen. Regarding the P. somniferum pollen, the highest values were observed in lysine, proline, glutamic and aspartic acids. The highest values in lysine, proline, leucine and aspartic acid were noticed in mixed pollen. The effect of different feeding on Vg protein in nurse and forager bee samples was higher in the mixed pollen group in the fall period. In nurse bees, the mixed pollen group was followed by Cistus creticus pollen > Papaver somniferum pollen > sugar syrup > commercial bee cake > control group, respectively (p < 0.05). In forager bees, the order was mixed pollen, P. somniferum pollen, C. creticus pollen, commercial bee cake, sugar syrup and control. In the early spring period, the Vg levels were high in the mixed pollen group in the nurse bees and the commercial bee cake group in the forager bees. In the fall period, the HSP 70 value of the forager and nurse bees was the lowest in the C. creticus group (p < 0.05). In early spring, the active period of flora, a statistical difference was found between the treatment groups.

Arıcılıktaki araştırmalar birçok bilim dalının ışığında yapılmakta olup biyoteknoloji bunlardan biridir. İklimde yaşanan değişimler, arıların beslenme ve besin kaynaklarını etkilerken, son yıllarda hastalık ve zararlıların giderek artması ve kimyasal ilaçlara karşı gerek arının gerekse de parazit ve patojenlerin direnç geliştirmeleri sebebiyle hastalık etmenlerine bu kimyasalların çare olamaması arıcılıkta biyoteknolojik çalışmalara yönelimi hızlandırmıştır. Hastalıklara dirençli / verimli arı ırklarının ve mevcut katkı maddelerinin geliştirilmesiyle birlikte, yeni yem kaynakları oluşturulmasına yönelik biyoteknolojik araştırmalar yapılmaktadır. Özellikle dünyadaki gelişmelere uyum sağlamak sürdürülebilir arıcılık faaliyetleri açısından da oldukça önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmada bal arısı ve arıcılık sektöründe yapılmış bazı biyoteknolojik araştırmalar incelenerek bu alandaki gelişmelerin ortaya konulması ve yakın gelecekte yapılacak çalışmalara ışık tutulması amaçlanmıştır.