Introduction: Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive compound from Nigella sativa is known for its various medicinal properties. Due to the low solubility of TQ, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) has been used as a delivery system to improve its efficacy. Nevertheless, the effect of TQ-NLC when administered intravenously is unclear. This study investigated the acute toxicity profile of intravenous administration of TQ-NLC in an in vivo model. Methods: Twelve female Sprague dawley rats were assigned randomly into two groups (n=6); a control and a treatment group that received normal saline and 25 mg/kg TQ-NLC, respectively, via intravenous injection. The rats were observed for 14 days for any alterations to their usual physical conditions such as behaviour and mortality, body weight, food intake, organ-to-body weight ratio, and haematological, biochemical and histopathological profile. Results: There were no significant changes (p>0.05) in the body weight, food intake, organ-to-body weight ratio, and haematological, bio- chemical and histopathological profile between TQ-NLC treatment and the control group. However, inflammation was observed at the site of injection on the rat’s tail. Conclusion: Intravenous administration of TQ-NLC (25 mg/kg) did not exert acute toxic effect in female Sprague dawley rats. The data can be used as a basis to further develop TQ- NLC as a potential therapeutic drug.
Cancer metastasis is a multistep process, which results in cancer cells disseminating to other organs. The crucial metastasis step involves cancer invasion which occurs via actin-protrusion by invasive malignant cells, termed as invadopodia. In solid tumours, invadopodia formation increases as a result of hypoxia which is found to be resis- tant against chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Phytochemicals have been potentially identified as a prime source of effective conventional drugs for metastasis treatments, which target cancer cell invasion, particularly molecular components of the invadopodia formation. The Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) is an essential target in terms of treatment for hypoxic tumour, as well as helping to identify the mode of action for the drugs, particularly phy- tochemical compounds. The aim of this review is to highlight the current development with regards to the ability of phytochemicals in targeting cancer metastasis, as well as phytochemical compounds which are able to inhibit HIF-1α and invadopodia formation. The use of phytochemicals for targeting hypoxic cancer cells may open new prospects for reducing cancer metastasis.
Introduction: Breast cancer is ranked first among other cancers in women. Ineffectiveness of current treatments and adverse effects such as multiple organ failure and nephrotoxicity are the common problems faced in cancer therapy. Therefore, alternatives to treat breast cancer metastasis with fewer toxic effects are actively sought-after. Dillenia suffruticosa (DS) commonly known as ‘Simpoh air’ has been a traditional remedy for cancer growth. Therefore, this study investigated the metastasis inhibiting properties of DS root dichloromethane extract (DCMDS) in tumour bearing female BALB/c mice and sub-acute multiple dose oral toxicity upon treatment with this extract. Methods: Forty-eight tumour bearing mice were given either oral treatment of DCMDS (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) or doxorubicin (2 mg/kg) for 28 days and the degree of metastasis was analysed in each group. Thirty other female BALB/c mice were treated with DCMDS (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and the general behaviours, biochemical, haematological and histo- pathological changes were observed. Data were analysed with One-way ANOVA and Dunnet’s test where p