UWCScholar :: Browsing by Author "Monsees, Thomas K"

Browsing by Author "Monsees, Thomas K"

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The beneficial role of anchomanes difformis in stz-induced reproductive dysfunction in male wistar rats
(Dove Medical Press, 2020) Monsees, Thomas K; Alabi, Toyin Dorcas; de Villiers, Charon
Progression of diabetes mellitus has increasingly led to several diabetic complications. Diabetes is one of the major factors implicated in male reproductive system damage. Recent approaches such as the use of medicinal plants have been explored in the management of diabetes and associated complications. Anchomanes difformis (common name: children’s umbrella) has been shown to possess anti-diabetic ability in animal model. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the potency of Achomanes difformis in ameliorating diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction. Methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats with 10% fructose administration for 2 weeks and an intraperitoneal injection of 40mg/kgBW of streptozotocin. Aqueous extract (200mg and 400mg/kgBW) of Anchomanes difformis leaves was administered daily for 6 weeks.
Effect of basella alba and hibiscus macranthus on tm4 sertoli cell functions
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Opuwari, Chinyerum; Monsees, Thomas K; Dept. of Medical BioSciences
Basella alba (BA) and Hibiscus macranthus (HM) are used by traditional healers in Cameroon to treat male sexual fertility problems. Previous studies showed that in vivo administration of the leaf extracts of both plants caused a significant increase in rat seminal vesicle weight and spermatozoa numbers was accompanied by a significant increase in serum testosterone. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of BA and HM extracts on Sertoli cell functions. TM4 cell line was used in this study as it exhibited properties similar to the Sertoli cells (Mather, 1982). Sertoli cell play a key role in spermatogenesis by regulating and supporting germ cell development. Therefore, any alterations in Sertoli cell physiology or structure may lead to impaired spermatogenesis, germ cell loss and male infertility. Developing germ cells in the seminiferous tubule require a constant supply of lactate and pyruvate (Jutte et al, 1981; 1982) and toxicant induced alterations in these nutrients have been shown to induce germ cell necrosis (Monsees et al., 2000). TM4 Sertoli cells were cultured in DMEM/Ham F-12 (M) for one day and exposed to 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 μg/ml of BA and HM extracts, respectively, for four further days. The extracts were dissolved in 0.5 % DMSO in M, while 0.5 % and 2% DMSO in M were used as negative or positive controls, respectively, and 100mM ethanol as positive control where indicated. Results obtained from the Sertoli cells exposed to BA extracts, showed that the plant extract had no significant effect on the cell viability but induced a significant concentration-dependent increase in lactate (19-67%) and pyruvate levels (39-102%) and a concentration-dependent decrease in the protein content (9-42%). The H&E histological study confirmed that the BA extract had no cytotoxic effect, as there were no changes in the morphology of the cell. Likewise, apoptotic study using DAPI showed no alteration in the nucleus when compared to the negative control. The HM plant extract significantly enhanced mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (7fold) in the Sertoli cells but caused only slight alterations in the lactate and pyruvate levels. There was no effect seen in the protein content of the Sertoli cells. H&E and DAPI staining revealed that there were neither changes in the morphology of the cells nor any alteration regarding the mitotic and apoptotic indices. Thus, the HM extract did not have a cytotoxic effect on the cells. This study demonstrated that the Basella alba methanol extract may enhance spermatogenesis as it stimulated the source of energy required for the development of germ cells without exerting a cytotoxic effect. The Hibiscus macranthus extract stimulated mitochondrial dehydrogenase activities and may thus trigger changes in Sertoli cell physiology. In summary, both plant extracts enhanced certain Sertoli cell functions and thus might explain the positive in vivo effects of the combined plant extracts on rat spermatogenesis observed by Moundipa et al. (1999).
The effect of Libyan date palm pollen and flax seed on general and specific properties of testicular and breast cancer cells
(University of the Western cape, 2016) Alshibani, Yasmein Omran; Monsees, Thomas K
There is increasing concern worldwide by researchers with regards to the assessing of safety and therapeutic consumption of the plants used in traditional medicine. Date palm pollen (DPP) and flax seed have been used traditionally to improve fertility in Libya. DPP extracts have shown several reproductive beneficial effects. In vivo, studies have revealed the ability of DPP to increase sperm concentrations, ameliorate the testicular toxicity induced by cadmium and lead, raise testosterone, as well as LH and FSH hormone levels. Flax seed phytochemical analysis showed lots of valuable components such as lignans and α linolenic acid to which were attributed its positive health effects like antitumor, antioxidant and protective effects against coronary heart diseases. Moreover, flax lignans have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic potential. This study was aimed at testing the effects of Libyan DPP and flax seed on the Sertoli (TM4) cell line and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF - 7) cell line. Different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/ml) of ethanolic extracts of DPP and flax seed, respectively, were used to assess the morphology of TM4 and MCF - 7 cells after 24 and 72 hours exposure. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity as a marker of cell viability was measured by MTT assay after 24 and 72 hours exposure. Apoptotic effects were assessed by flow cytometeric APO percentage assay. TM4 cell production of Inhibin - B hormone and GGT enzyme activity under the effects of DPP or flax seed was determined by use of ELISA kits. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay were used to detect the effect of DPP or flax seed on TM4 cell monolayer integrity. Finally the plants potential phytoestrogenic activity was determined by use of E - SCREEN assay in MCF – 7 breast cancer cells. Higher concentrations of DPP significantly increased the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase enzyme of TM4 cells after 24 hours associated with increasing cell number as detected in a microphotograph. Flax seed concentrations less than 100 μg/ml reduced TM4 cell viability but there were no morphological changes visible after 24 hours. MCF - 7 cells viability was reduced after 24 and 72 hours treatment with DPP and flax seed. DPP concentrations beyond 1 μg/ml significantly raised the TEER of TM4 monolayer over 72 hours while flax seed treatments caused a significant increase only after 72 hours of exposure. TM4 cells GGT activity increased significantly after exposure to higher concentrations of DPP and all flax seed concentrations. Significant stimulatory effects of all the concentrations of DPP or flax seed on TM4 inhibin - B hormone productions have been detected. Apoptotic studies showed no significant changes. E - SCREEN assay resulted in significant reduction in MCF - 7 proliferation rate under the effect of low concentrations of DPP or flax seed. Higher concentrations of the plant extracts, however, stated to increase MCF – 7 cell proliferation, this exerts weak estrogenic activities. In conclusion, the main finding of this study is that DPP and flax seed showed stimulatory effects on TM4 cells proliferation. The resistivity of TM4 cells monolayer which reflect the integrity of blood – testis barrier (BTB) was also significantly increased as well as inhibin - B production and GGT enzyme activity. In addition DPP and flax seed respectively showed inhibitory effects on MCF - 7 cells viability. This study indicated that DPP or flax seed may enhance spermatogenesis through their stimulatory action on Sertoli cells. Moreover, both plants could reduce breast cancer cells viability. However, further investigations are required to elucidate the exact mechanisms behind these obtained findings.
The effect of rooibos and green tea flavnoids on the physiology of TM3 Leydig cells
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Webber, Tarryn Jean; Monsees, Thomas K
Camellia sinensis (C.sinesis) and Aspalathus linearis (A.linearis) are popular beverages consumed in many countries. Consumption of these plants may protect against cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, various cancers and osteoporosis. Previous in vivo studies demonstrated the beneficial effect of C.sinesis and A.linearis on various sperm parameters. However, in vitro studies demonstrated that these plants may possess anti-androgenic properties that finally result in a reduction of testosterone production in TM3 Leydig cells. C.sinesis and A.linearis contain an array of phenolic compounds of which the major antioxidant activity is attributed to epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and aspalathin, respectively. Leydig cells are situated in the male reproductive testes, adjacent to the seminiferous tubules. The principal function of these cells is to produce testosterone which is vital for male sexual differentiation, gamete production and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of EGCG and aspalathin on TM3 Leydig cell physiology.
An in vitro investigation of the effects of camellia sinensis and aspalathus linearis on benign (RPWE 1) and malignant (LNCaP) prostate cell lines
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Msiska, Thomson; Monsees, Thomas K
The prostate is prone to three pathological processes that include inflammation, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and tumors. According to the center for Disease and Control 1999-2012 report, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Scientific evidence suggests that up to 30% of men in the general population aged from 50 years and above, irrespective of geographic origin, have foci of prostate neoplastic growth. Unbalanced ROS production and a dysregulated antioxidant defence system have been implicated in prostate cancer development. The transformation of a normal cell into cancer takes a very long period. This observation provides the advantage of using nutraceuticals to prevent, arrest or reverse the cellular and molecular processes of carcinogenesis. Based on scientifically observed positive health roles of green tea (Cameli sinensis) and rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on major diseases like atherosclerosis, hepatitis and certain types of cancer, this thesis evaluated the effects of these two teas on benign (RPWE 1) and malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells. This was done through the quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using a fluorescence dye 5,6 CM-H2DCFDA, total prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels using a PSA ELISA kit, cell viability using the MTT assay, apoptosis using Tali annexin V stain and cell imaging studies using a Zeiss axiovert 200M inverted fluorescence microscope. Statistical analysis was done using graphpad prism. The findings of this study show that aqueous extracts of green and black tea, fermented and unfermented rooibos and their active compounds epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and aspalatin, respectively, are cytotoxic in malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells but exert protective effects in benign (RPWE 1) prostate cells. This thesis implicates the pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant properties of the plant extracts, respectively, for the above mentioned effects. In this regard, tea and rooibos promoted ROS production in malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells, which subsequently promoted cell death of the malignant cells through apoptosis and necrosis. Further to this, tea and rooibos used in this thesis, protected normal prostate cells from the adverse effects of ROS. In this regard, fluorescence microscope photographs showed RPWE 1 cells with low DCF fluorescence compared to the malignant prostate cells. Low magnification light microscope photographs showed RPWE 1 cells with flat polygonal shapes and increased adherence both at low and high concentrations of tea and rooibos. On the contrary, high concentrations of tea and rooibos on malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells induced stress, which made the cells attain irregular shapes and as the stress levels increased, cells became detached and appeared dead. Flow cytometry confirmed the presence of apoptotic and necrotic cell in malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells. In this thesis, EGCG and aspalathin were responsible for the high rates of apoptosis observed whereas green tea and unfermented rooibos induced the highest rate of necrosis. Further to this, tea and rooibos and the main active compounds EGCG and aspalathin, respectively, significantly promoted the reduction of total serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) in malignant prostate cells. In normal prostate cells, these plant extracts maintained the total serum PSA at its basal physiological level. In this thesis, to the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time the cell-specific effects of fermented rooibos, unfermented rooibos and their main active component aspalathin, on prostate cancer cells. We showed that rooibos and aspalathin exert pro-oxidant effects on malignant LNCaP cells and anti-oxidant effects on benign RPWE 1 cells. In conclusion, tea (C. sinensis) and rooibos (A. linearis) and their respective main active compounds, epigallocatechin gallate and aspalathin, are cytotoxic to malignant prostate cells whereas in normal prostate cells, they have protective effects against ROS induced stress. The pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant effects are responsible for the aforementioned effects respectively. The decrease in total serum PSA demonstrate the strong therapeutic effects that tea and rooibos have on malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells.

Browsing by Author "Monsees, Thomas K"

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