Advisor(s)

Magdiel Martínez

Amayla Budet

Jeffrey Marrero

Subjects

Biology

Abstract

Astrocytomas, from cell line 1321N1,are cancerous astrocytes. These are a type of glial cell in the brain which is responsible for maintaining synaptic contact and the signaling capacities among neurons. They also represent a fundamental element in controlling blood flow and defining brain micro structure. Due to the fact that this variant is cancerous, a condition commonly described as an abnormal cell cycle and uncontrolled reproduction of cells, they have the ability to metastasize.

In the metastatic process of cancer cells the initial phase is know as tumor invasion. This stage consists mainly of the cells migrating away from the tumor and towards blood and lymph vessels in order to move across and to different parts of the body (Clark, 2015). Further more, cancerous cells also spread in a more local manner by migrating among connecting or nearby tissue.

Bryophyllum pinnatum, a crassulacean more commonly know as Kalanchoe pinnata or life plant, has shown antitumor promoting activity on the Epstein-Barr virus due to the highly cytotoxic activities carried out by it’s flavonoids and bufadienolides. One of these is Diagremontianin, a highly cytotoxic component in all crassulacean plants (Supratam, 2001). Other members of the Kalanchoe family, such as Kalanchoe tubiflora, have antiproliferative capabilities that make it a viable for cancer treatments.

After conducting assays of cytotoxicity and wound healing it was determined that at extremely low concentrations K. pinnata acts as an inhibitor on the cell migration of astrocytomas. Knowing this, future experiments may be directed to continue the study of K.pinnata and perhaps utilizing it as a a treatment to prevent or halt the metastatic process of cancerous cells.

Comments

Recipient of the Excellent Poster Presentation Award

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The Effect of Kalanchoe Pinnata in Astrocitome Metastasis

Astrocytomas, from cell line 1321N1,are cancerous astrocytes. These are a type of glial cell in the brain which is responsible for maintaining synaptic contact and the signaling capacities among neurons. They also represent a fundamental element in controlling blood flow and defining brain micro structure. Due to the fact that this variant is cancerous, a condition commonly described as an abnormal cell cycle and uncontrolled reproduction of cells, they have the ability to metastasize.

In the metastatic process of cancer cells the initial phase is know as tumor invasion. This stage consists mainly of the cells migrating away from the tumor and towards blood and lymph vessels in order to move across and to different parts of the body (Clark, 2015). Further more, cancerous cells also spread in a more local manner by migrating among connecting or nearby tissue.

Bryophyllum pinnatum, a crassulacean more commonly know as Kalanchoe pinnata or life plant, has shown antitumor promoting activity on the Epstein-Barr virus due to the highly cytotoxic activities carried out by it’s flavonoids and bufadienolides. One of these is Diagremontianin, a highly cytotoxic component in all crassulacean plants (Supratam, 2001). Other members of the Kalanchoe family, such as Kalanchoe tubiflora, have antiproliferative capabilities that make it a viable for cancer treatments.

After conducting assays of cytotoxicity and wound healing it was determined that at extremely low concentrations K. pinnata acts as an inhibitor on the cell migration of astrocytomas. Knowing this, future experiments may be directed to continue the study of K.pinnata and perhaps utilizing it as a a treatment to prevent or halt the metastatic process of cancerous cells.

 

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