Gorkem Dulger

Purpose: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) is associated with increased lens epithelial cell apoptosis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms at the protein level remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate apoptotic, nitric oxide, and endothelial signaling-related protein expression (Caspase-3, −8, −9, eNOS, and VEGF-B) in anterior lens capsule epithelial cells of PXS patients and age-matched controls. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, anterior lens capsule specimens were obtained from 55 patients with PXS and 30 age-matched cataract controls during phacoemulsification surgery. PXS severity was graded (Grades 1–3) based on slit-lamp biomicroscopic findings. Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, eNOS, and VEGF-B protein levels were measured by ELISA. Marker levels were compared between PXS and control groups and further analyzed according to disease grade (Grades 1–3) within the PXS group. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups in age, gender distribution, cataract type, visual acuity, or intraocular pressure. Caspase-3, Caspase-9, VEGF-B, and eNOS levels were significantly higher in the PXS group compared to controls ( P < 0.001). Caspase-8 levels did not differ significantly between groups ( P = 0.711). In grade-based analysis, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, and VEGF-B levels increased progressively from Grade 1 to Grade 3 (all P ≤ 0.003). In contrast, eNOS showed a decreasing profile across grades, with a significant reduction in Grade 3 versus Grade 1 ( P = 0.01). Conclusion: PXS is associated with significant alterations in apoptosis-related, nitric oxide-related, and endothelial signaling proteins in lens epithelial cells, with a distinct grade-dependent molecular pattern. These findings identify Caspase-3, Caspase-9, VEGF-B, and eNOS as potential severity-associated biomarkers and therapeutic targets in PXS pathogenesis.

Clinopodium vulgare L. subsp. vulgare (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals with potential therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate the anticancer and antimicrobial activities of aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts of C. vulgare L. subsp. vulgare. Antiproliferative effects were investigated on PC-3 prostate cancer cells using the WST-1 assay, while morphological alterations were assessed by inverted microscopy. The mechanisms of apoptosis have been elucidated by measuring caspase-3, -8, and -9 protein levels using the ELISA method. In addition, antimicrobial activity was determined against a broad panel of bacterial and yeast strains using the disk diffusion method. All extracts significantly inhibited PC-3 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Among the tested extracts, the ethanolic extract exhibited the lowest IC50 values and the highest antiproliferative activity. Morphological analysis of PC-3 cells treated with 200 µg/mL extracts revealed characteristic apoptotic features, whereas HUVEC cells showed comparatively milder morphological alterations, indicating selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. Caspase-3, -8, and -9 levels were significantly elevated in treated PC-3 cells, suggesting activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 8.2 to 15.8 mm, and the ethanolic extract showing the strongest antibacterial and antifungal effects. Overall, the findings indicate that C. vulgare L. subsp. vulgare extracts, particularly the ethanolic fraction, possess multifunctional bioactive properties characterized by selective antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and moderate antimicrobial activities, supporting their potential as a natural source of therapeutic agents.

Prostate cancer remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality rates in men due to resistance to conventional treatments. Natural products such as Terminalia catappa have emerged as promising candidates with their antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities. Ethanolic extract of T. catappa leaves were tested against PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Antiproliferative activity was investigated using the WST-1 assay. Caspase-3, -8, -9, Bcl-2, p53, and survivin expression were investigated by ELISA and Western blot methods. The antibacterial activity of the extract was tested by the well diffusion method. T. catappa extract inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation in a concentration and duration dependent profile, with IC50 values of 49.54 µg/mL (24 h) and 30.41 µg/mL (48 h) in PC-3 cells and 61.53 µg/mL (24 h) and 43.64 µg/mL (48 h) in LNCaP cells. Microscopic analysis revealed apoptotic effects, while HUVECs maintained their viability and morphology. Caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities were significantly increased, indicating activation of apoptotic pathways. Western blotting revealed a strong increase in p53 and a decrease in Bcl-2 and survivin. Additionally, the extract was found to exhibit stronger antibacterial activity against Gram-positive strains. These findings highlight the dual anticancer and antibacterial potential of the T. catappa ethanol extract.

Amaç: Usnea longissima Ach. antibiyotik özellikleri nedeniyle geleneksel olarak bitkisel tedavide kullanılmıştır. Ancak, olası antikanser etkileri halen araştırılmaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: HCT116 kolon kanseri ve HUVEC hücre hatları, 25-800 µg/mL konsantrasyonlarda U. longissima Ach. etanolik özütü ile muamele edildi ve hücre canlılığı WST-1 testi ile analiz edildi. İnsan Kaspaz-3, -8 ve -9 ELISA kitleri, özütün HCT116 hücrelerindeki apoptotik etkilerini araştırmak için kullanıldı. Migrasyon etkileri, HCT116 hücrelerinde yara iyileştirme testi ile değerlendirildi. Biyofilm inhibisyonu mikroplate yöntemi ile değerlendirildi ve anti-quorum sensing (QS) etkisi kuyu difüzyon yöntemi ile belirlendi. Bulgular: U. longissima Ach. etanolik özütü, 800 µg/mL'de HCT116 kolon kanseri hücrelerinde hücre canlılığı seviyesini %14'e düşürdü. HUVEC hücrelerinde, hücre canlılığındaki anlamlı olmayan azalma, U. longissima Ach.'nın sağlıklı hücreler üzerinde minimal sitotoksik etkiye sahip olduğunu gösterdi. HCT116 hücrelerinde Kaspaz-3 ve Kaspaz-9 ekspresyon seviyeleri kontrol grubuna kıyasla yaklaşık 5 kat arttı ve bu da özütün içsel apoptotik yanıtı indüklediğini gösterdi. Ek olarak, özüt HCT116 hücre migrasyon seviyesini önemli ölçüde engelledi. U. longissima Ach. etanol özütü anti-QS etkisine (opak bölge 10-12 mm) ek olarak, mikrobiyota da yoğun olan Escherichia coli bakterisinin biyofilm oluşumunu %80-93 oranında azalttı. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, U. longissima Ach. etanol ekstresinin kolon kanseri hücreleri üzerindeki önemli antikanser ve antibiyofilm etkilerinin, in vivo düzeyde yapılan detaylı çalışmalarla doğrulanmasının ardından konvansiyonel kemoterapötiklere tamamlayıcı olarak umut verici olabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidant and antioxidant capacities, anti-quorum detection (QS) and antibiofilm activities of ethanol extracts obtained from Prunella vulgaris, Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys and Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis. Materials and Methods: Antibiofilm activities were evaluated using the microplate method against a biofilm-forming Escherichia coli reporter strain. Anti-QS activities were evaluated qualitatively using the well diffusion method with Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 as a biosensor. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured using commercial kits. Results: All three plant extracts showed strong biofilm inhibition. T. chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys showed the highest antibiofilm activity with 94.07% inhibition at 12.5 µg/mL. In the anti-QS screening, T. longicaulis subsp. longicaulis extract showed the largest violacein inhibition zone (21.67±3.51 mm) at 75 mg/mL. This extract also exhibited the most favorable oxidative profile with the highest TAS and lowest OSI values among the tested samples. Conclusion: Ethanol extracts of the tested medicinal plants, especially T. longicaulis subsp. longicaulis, have significant antibiofilm, anti-QS and antioxidant activities. The findings indicate the potential of the extracts as natural agent sources to control the virulence properties of pathogens.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the ethanol extract of Ajuga reptans L. (Lamiaceae) on cell proliferation, apoptotic response, expression levels of Caspase-3, NF-κB and eNOS proteins on HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: A. reptans was extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with ethanol, and the obtained extract was applied to HCT116 and HUVEC cells (as healthy controls) in increasing concentrations (0–800 µg/mL). Cell viability was analysed by the WST-1 assay at 24 h and 48 h. Morphological changes were observed via inverted microscopy. ELISA was performed to quantify Caspase-3, NF-κB, and eNOS protein levels. Results: A. reptans ethanol extract showed concentration and duration-dependent cytotoxic effects on HCT116 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 206.9 µg/mL (24 h) and 147.5 µg/mL (48 h). Minimal cytotoxicity was observed in HUVEC cells. Microscopy confirmed morphological signs of apoptosis in HCT116 cells. ELISA results demonstrated increased Caspase-3 and decreased NF-κB and eNOS levels, indicating induction of apoptosis and suppression of pro-survival pathways. Conclusions: The ethanol extract of Ajuga reptans selectively inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by apoptotic induction and modulation of NF-κB and eNOS signaling, suggesting its potential as a plant-based adjunctive agent in colorectal cancer therapy.

In this study, the ethanolic crude extracts obtained from the macrofungus Suillus collinitus (Fr.) O. Kuntze (Suillaceae, Bolatales) were investigated for their antifungal activities against dermatophytes such as the isolates Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum by the agar well diffusion method as well as tube dilution method. The ethanol extracts have a strong effect with mean values zone of inhibition at different concentrations and a wide zone of inhibition was determined at 1500 mg/mL (20.8 mm) for M. gypseum, (18.2 mm) for T. rubrum and (16.8 mm) for E. floccosum. MIC of M. gyspseum at 50 µg/mL, MIC of T. rubrum at 60 µg/mL and E. floccosum at 70 µg/mL were observed, respectively. Terbinafine as the comparison antifungal agent gave MIC values between 10 µg/mL for E. floccosum and T. rubrum and 20 µg/mL for M. gypseum. These findings against dermatophytes support our observations regarding the use of this macrofungus among the public. Besides, the findings of this screening study are a preliminary step to further pharmaceutical researches on the relevant macrofungus in the future.