Enriqueta Monreal-Cuevas

Bio: Enriqueta Monreal-Cuevas is an academic researcher from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pachycereus marginatus & Sativum. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 9 publications receiving 72 citations.

Antitumor and immunomodulating potential of Coriandrum sativum , Piper nigrum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Abstract: Phytochemicals are known to modulate immune function, and possess antitumor and antimicrobial properties. In the pres ent study, in vitro antitumor and immunomodulating activities of aqueous and methanol extracts of Coriandrum sativum (leaf and seed), Piper nigrum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum seeds were evaluated. We observed that aqueous extract of C. sativum (leaf), P. nigrum, and C. zeylanicum caused significant (P<0.05) 24, 39 and 61 percent L5178Y-R lymphoma cells toxicity at 31.2, 31.2 and 7.8 μg/ml (MICs) respectively, whereas the methanol extract of C. sativum (seed and leaf), P. nigrum, and C. zeylanicum caused 40, 31, 26 and 39 percent cytotoxicity at 7.8, 62.5, 15.6 and 7.8 μg/ml (MICs), respectively. In addition, C. sativum leaf aqueous extract stimulated significant (P<0.0 1) 14 to 45 percent splenic cells lymphoproliferation at 7.8 to 125 μg/ml respectively, whereas P. nigrum caused significant (P<0.01) 79 percent proliferati on at 125 μg/ml; similarly, C. zeylanicum aqueous extract significantly (P<0.01) induced 20 and 37 percent thymic cells lymphoproliferation at 62.5 and 125 μg/ml respectively, whereas the methanol extracts of C. sativum leaf extract caused significant (P<0.01) 43 to 59 percent lymphoproliferation at the concentrations t ested. Furthermore, all spice aqueous extracts tested were observed to significan tly (P<0.01) reduce up to 100% nitric oxide production by LPS-stimulated macrophages.

In Vivo Antitumor Activity of Metal Silver and Silver Nanoparticles in the L5178Y-R Murine Lymphoma Model

Abstract: Aims: To evaluate the antitumor potential of metal silver and polyvinilpyrrolidone nanoparticle-encapsulated silver on L5178Y-R murine lymphoma cell growth and survival of tumor-bearing mice. Study Design: In vitro and in vivo (pre-clinical) study. Place and Duration of Study: Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Inmunologia, San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L., Mexico, from January 2009 to December 2011. Methodology: Concentration-response cell viability assay was performed in vitro and mice survival studies were done using a L5178Y-R tumor-bearing mouse model. The PROBIT regression analysis was performed to determine the in vitro LC50. In vivo survival distributions were calculated by Kaplan-Meier and Cutler-Ederer analysis, and Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 3(4): 1308-1316, 2013 1309 survival curves comparisons and hypothesis testing was done using the log-rank method. Results: Metal silver induced up to 100% L5178Y-R cells cytotoxicity, with an LC50 of 1.8 X 10 M, whereas silver nanoparticles caused up to 78% cytotoxicity, with an LC50 of 14.4 X 10 M. In addition, Intramuscular administration of metal silver and silver nanoparticles administered at the time of tumor injection significantly (P = .05) increased mice survival, where 70% and 60% of mice survived at day 35 respectively, as compared with such treatments administered 7 days after tumor induction (55% and 25% survival respectively); vincristine treatment caused 50% mice survival and tumor-bearing control mice had 20% survival. These results open further approaches on treating several types of cancer using free and nanoparticle-encapsulated silver-based therapies.

Antitumor properties of Gymnosperma glutinosum leaf extracts.

Abstract: The present study was undertaken to validate the antitumor potential of Gymnosperma glutinosum from regional people's account, using the in vitro and in vivo L5178Y-R lymphoma murine model. Non-polar G. glutinosum crude extracts were tested on L5178Y-R cells. We found significant (p < 0.05) cytotoxic activity (up to 40%) of the hexane extract, which was further fractioned; fraction 1 (F1) was then observed to produce up to 51% apoptosis-mediated L5178Y-R cytotoxicity in vitro at concentrations lower than 0.98 microg/ml, and possess significant in vivo antitumor activity. This study may support further evaluation of active F1 in clinical trials.

In vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Nopalea cochenillifera Pad Extracts

Abstract: Effectiveness of botanical treatments has been recognized by many, but scientific validation on the beneficial use of plants is scarce. Nopalea pads are probably native to Mexico or Central America and are used for human consumption and for medicinal purposes. In this study, in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of fresh and dried Nopalea cochenillifera (NC) were investigated. MICs of fresh NC hexanic, chloroformic and ethanolic fractions against C. albicans were 250, 250 and 3.9 mg mL-1 respectively; MICs of fresh NC against Salmonella enterica var. thyphimurium were 15.6, 62.5 and 3.9 mg mL-1 respectively; and MICs of fresh NC against Escherichia coli were 500, NA (no activity) and 3.9 mg mL-1 respectively. In addition, MICs of dried NC hexanic, chloroformic and ethanolic fractions against C. albicans were 31.2, 31.2 and 3.9 mg mL-1 respectively; MICs of dried NC against Salmonella enterica var. thyphimurium were 15.6, NA and 3.9 mg mL-1 respectively; and MICs of dried NC against Escherichia coli were NA, 62.5 μg mL-1 and NA respectively. The relevance of using fresh versus dried Nopalea cochenillifera pad extracts against in vitro microbial growth is discussed.

Antimicrobial effect of amphotericin B electronically- activated water against Candida albicans

Abstract: The activation of water by physical means stimulates a new scientific approach to microbiology, in particular, antimicrobial methods. However, many of these methods are unproven or have not been properly tested. Since the 1980s, a promising procedure known as biophysical-information therapy or bioresonance therapy (BRT) has emerged as an alternative method against microbial diseases, but it has not yet been properly evaluated. It was demonstrated that by transferring amphotericin B (125 µg·ml-1)information to water samples by an electronic amplifier (BRT device), the growth of cultured Candida albicans was significantly (P<0.05) inhibited (46% growth inhibition), compared with those cultures treated with sham electro-activated water samples (0% growth inhibition), and a positive control of amphotericin B (125 µg·ml-1; 80% growth inhibition). Evidence for a measurable biological effect by electro-activated water samples that somehow acquires, or at least mimics, the antifungal property of amphotericin B has been demonstrated in the present study. More studies, however, are necessary to elucidate the mechanism by which such electro-activated water resembles the activity of an antimicrobial agent. Key words: Antimicrobial effect, activated water, bioresonance, amphotericin B, growth inhibition, Candida albicans.

Strategic role of selected noble metal nanoparticles in medicine

Abstract: Noble metals and their compounds have been used as therapeutic agents from the ancient time in medicine for the treatment of various infections. Recently, much progress has been made in the field of nanobiotechnology towards the development of different kinds of nanomaterials with a wide range of applications. Among the metal nanoparticles, noble metal nanoparticles have demonstrated potential biomedical applications. Due to the small size, nanoparticles can easily interact with biomolecules both at surface and inside cells, yielding better signals and target specificity for diagnostics and therapeutics. Noble metal nanoparticles inspired the researchers due to their remarkable role in detection and treatment of dreadful diseases. In this review, we have attempted to focus on the biomedical applications of noble metal nanoparticles particularly, silver, gold, and platinum in diagnosis and treatment of dreaded diseases such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), and Parkinson disease. In addition, the role of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) such as novel antimicrobials, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) such as efficient drug carrier, uses of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) in bone allograft, dentistry, etc. have been critically reviewed. Moreover, the toxicity due to the use of metal nanoparticles and some unsolved challenges in the field have been discussed with their possible solutions.

Effects of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles on lung cancer cells in vitro and grown as xenograft tumors in vivo.

Abstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have now been recognized as promising therapeutic molecules and are extending their use in cancer diagnosis and therapy. This study demonstrates for the first time the antitumor activity of green-synthesized AgNPs against lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxicity effect was explored on human lung cancer H1299 cells in vitro by MTT and trypan blue assays. Apoptosis was measured by morphological assessment, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity was determined by a luciferase reporter gene assay. The expressions of phosphorylated stat3, bcl-2, survivin, and caspase-3 were examined by Western blot analysis. AgNPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity and stimulation of apoptosis in H1299 cells. The effects on H1299 cells correlated well with the inhibition of NF-κB activity, a decrease in bcl-2, and an increase in caspase-3 and survivin expression. AgNPs significantly suppressed the H1299 tumor growth in a xenograft severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model. The results demonstrate the anticancer activities of AgNPs, suggesting that they may act as potential beneficial molecules in lung cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy, especially for early-stage intervention.