2 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2Assessment of Anticancer Effects of Aloe Vera on 3D Liver Tumor Spheroids in a Microfluidic Platform(Wiley, 2025) Tevlek, Atakan; Kibar, Gunes; Cetin, BarbarosThe search for effective anticancer therapies has increasingly focused on natural compounds like Aloe vera, renowned for its therapeutic properties. This study investigates the anticancer properties of Aloe vera on 3D liver tumor spheroids via a PDMS-based microfluidic device, providing a more physiologically realistic model compared to traditional 2D cultures. HepG2 cells were cultivated to generate 3D spheroids on-chip, thereafter subjected to different concentrations of Aloe vera and the chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin to evaluate cytotoxic effects. The microfluidic system, validated by COMSOL simulations, facilitated continuous perfusion and real-time assessment of cell viability over a duration of 10 days. The results indicated that Aloe vera markedly diminished cell viability by triggering apoptosis at concentrations over 12.5 mg/mL. IC50 values were determined at 72 h: 25 +/- 0.10 mg/mL for Aloe vera and 5.47 +/- 0.03 mu g/mL for Doxorubicin in 2D cultures, but in 3D cultures, the IC50 values were 31.25 +/- 0.14 mg/mL for Aloe vera and 8.33 +/- 0.05 mu g/mL for Doxorubicin. This study underscores the promise of Aloe vera as a natural anticancer agent and illustrates the efficacy of microfluidic platforms for enhanced drug screening and customized medicine applications.Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 6Dead Cell Discrimination With Red Emissive Carbon Quantum Dots From the Medicinal and Edible Herb Echinophora Tenuifolia(Springer/Plenum Publishers, 2025) Ozdemir, Naciye; Tan, Gamze; Tevlek, Atakan; Arslan, Gulsin; Zengin, Gokhan; Sargin, IdrisAccurately determining the viability of cells is crucial for in vitro cell research. Fluorescence-based live/dead cell staining is a highly desirable method to assess cell viability and survival in in vitro studies. We describe a green synthesis method to create red-emissive CQDs from the medicinal and edible herb Echinophora tenuifolia using microwave irradiation. We observed that the biocompatibility and photostability of the CQDs are superior. The antioxidant capacity of the CQDs and the plant extract were also investigated using different chemical methods (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, PBD, and MCA). The antioxidant capacity of the CQDs was similar to that of the extract of E. tenuifolia. Cytotoxicity studies indicate that while the CQDs are not toxic to L929, they exhibit significant toxicity towards HepG2 cells. The CQDs exhibited a strong negative zeta potential (-44.0 mV), which contributed to their selective interaction with dead cells while being repelled by viable cells with intact membrane potentials. The optimal concentration for effective, non-toxic imaging was determined to be 25 mu g/mL, as lower concentrations did not produce detectable fluorescence. Differential staining experiments confirmed that CQDs selectively stained dead cells, with red fluorescence observed under the Texas Red filter. Moreover, CQDs exhibited favorable fluorescence intensity and stability, which may offer advantages for long-term and reliable bioimaging applications. In vitro studies on HepG2 and L929 cell lines revealed that the red-emissive CQDs from E. tenuifolia can be potentially used in bioimaging.
