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Title: | In-vitro studies on the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. fruit extract on stressed cancer cell lines |
Authors: | Buhagiar, Denise Ann |
Keywords: | Prickly pears Opuntia ficus-indica Cancer cells Cancer -- Treatment Heat shock proteins |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Citation: | Buhagiar, D. A. (2011). In-vitro studies on the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. fruit extract on stressed cancer cell lines (Master's dissertation). |
Abstract: | The prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., is a plant of high economic importance and has attracted a lot of research on its composition, therapeutic properties and industrial uses. TEX-OE is a patented fruit extract derived from the fruit skin. It is commercialised in a variety of neutraceutical and veterinary products for human and animal use, marketed under trade names such as Preservation and Pro-Tex. TEX-OE has been found to reduce mortalities in cases of decompression, bacterial infection, respiratory problems, cryopreservation and chemotherapy. It has also been attributed for the increase of blood heat shock proteins (Hsps) 27 and 72 both in viva and in vitro. The relationship between TEX-OE and Hsps is not yet fully understood. In this study, the stress reducing potential of the TEX-OE extract was investigated on cancer cell lines: human myelogenous leukaemia K562 and HL-60, and human prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3. Two stressors, heat and chemical shock, were investigated at different concentrations of TEX-OE, with suitable controls. The effect was quantified in terms of change in the number of cells by the standard methylthiazolotetrazolium bromide (MTT) Assay, and in terms of change in the level of heat shock proteins by the Hsp70 ELISA method. It was found that high concentrations of TEX-OE (200 ppm and 400 ppm) produce a cytoproliferative effect when exposed to stressed HL-60, PC-3 and K562 cells. No clear relationship could be observed between cell growth and concentration of TEX OE; addition of TEX-OE before or after stress; length of incubation period with TEX-OE; and intensity of the stress stimulus. The proliferation, however was attributed more to the effects of TEX-OE than to the effect of the stressor. Stressed K562 also showed a percentage increase in Hsp70 when treated with TEX-OE. |
Description: | M.SC.BIOLOGY |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64486 |
Appears in Collections: | Dissertations - FacSci - 1965-2014 Dissertations - FacSciBio - 1966-2014 |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Buhagiar_Denise_Ann.pdf Restricted Access | 14.15 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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