<p>U radu je ispitan uticaj odabranih modifikovanih steroida na proliferaciju ćelija humanih malignih tumora i zdravih ćelija, a zatim njihov uticaj na modifikaciju ćelijskog ciklusa, indukovanje apoptoze i genetskih o&scaron;tećenja u tumorskim ćelijama najsenzitivnijim na ova jedinjenja (MDA-MB-231 ćelijska linija humanog adenokarcinoma dojke, ER-). Ispitana je<em> in vitro </em>citotoksičnost odabranih&nbsp; steroidnih derivata prema ćelijskim linijama MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, PC3, HeLa, HT-29, MRC-5, K562 i A549, i proučavan ćelijski mehanizam koji je u osnovi uočenog antiproliferativnog efekta svakog od ispitivanih derivata. Sva ispitivana jedinjenja indukuju apoptozu MDA-MB-231&nbsp; ćelija, na različite načine i sa različitim potencijalom. Genotoksikolo&scaron;ka studija upotpunjuje rezultate proučavanja efekta ispitivanih steroidnih jedinjenja na biolo&scaron;ke sisteme, ukazujući na izostanak genotoksičnosti ovih jedinjenja i njihov biomedicinski potencijal.</p> / <p>In this work the effect of selected modified steroids on proliferation of human&nbsp; malignant tumor and healthy cells, as well as their impact on the modification of cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and genetic defects in tumor cells most sensitive&nbsp; to these compounds (MDA-MB-231 cell line of human breast adenocarcinoma, ER-) were examined. We examined the<em> in vitro </em>cytotoxicity of selected steroidal derivatives towards MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, PC-3, HeLa, HT-29, MRC-5, K562 and A549 cell lines, and studied the cellular mechanism that is underlying the antiproliferative activity expressed by these steroidal derivatives. All tested compounds induced apoptosis of&nbsp; MDA-MB-231 cells, in different ways and with different potential. Genotoxicological study complements the results of the study of the effect of tested steroidal compounds on biological systems, pointing out the lack of genotoxicity of these compounds and therefore their biomedical potential.</p>

<p>Zahvaljujući amfifilnoj strukturi i mogućnosti građenja konjugata, žučne kiseline - endogeno sintetisani produkti katabolizma holesterola su prepoznate kao potencijalni nosači lekova i promoteri transporta kroz biolo&scaron;ke membrane. Otkriće da aktivacijom specifičnih nuklearnih receptora reguli&scaron;u ekspresiju gena uključenih u plejadu signalnih puteva uključenih u metabolizam, proliferaciju i diferencijaciju ćelija i onkogenezu, pro&scaron;irilo je ulogu žučnih kiselina u odnosu na inicijalno opisanu ulogu intestinalnih emulgatora. Žučne kiseline se danas ne smatraju samo pasivnim nosačima lekova i promoterima transporta kroz biolo&scaron;ke membrane već i molekulima sa farmakodinamskom funkcijom, koji reguli&scaron;u različite aspekte integrativnog ćelijskog metabolizma. Doksorubicin je jedan od najče&scaron;će kori&scaron;ćenih antineoplastičkih agenasa i sastavna je komponenta mnogih hemoterapijskih protokola u lečenju solidnih i hematolo&scaron;kih maligniteta. Međutim, hepatotoksični i kardiotoksični efekti značajno ograničavaju upotrebu ovog, inače veoma korisnog antitumorskog agensa. Pojava odložene dozno-zavisne kardiotoksičnosti predstavlja značajan zdravstveni problem onkolo&scaron;kih pacijenata sa uspe&scaron;no lečenim malignitetom, naročito pacijenata lečenih u pedijatrijskom uzrastu. Budući da je razvoj novih lekova veoma dug i skup proces sa neizvesnim ishodom, pobolj&scaron;anje farmakodinamskih i farmakokinetskih svojstava već postojećih antitumorskih agenasa sa dokazanom efikasno&scaron;ću, uz smanjenje toksičnih efekata, predstavlja racionalan istraživački pristup u savremenoj medicini. Osnovni cilj ovog rada je ispitivanje uticaja žučnih kiselina ursodeoksiholne, henodeoksiholne i 12-okso-henodeoksiholne kiseline (12-monoketoholne kiseline) na citotoksičnu aktivnost doksorubicina prema MCF-7 ćelijskoj liniji humanog adenokarcinoma dojke i ispitivanje molekularnih mehanizama odgovornih za farmakodinamske efekte. Takođe su navedene žučne kiseline ispitane kao promoteri transporta koji utiči na prodor i kumulaciju doksorubicina u malignim ćelijama. U ovom radu je ispitan uticaj koadministracije navedenih žučnih kiselina sa doksorubicinom na odložene toksodinamske efekte (hepatotoksičnost i kardiotoksičnost) kod pacova, ali i efekti pretretmana žučnim kiselinama na koncentracije doksorubicina u krvi, bilijarnu ekskreciju leka kao i kumulaciju u jetri i miokardu eksperimentalnih životinja. Žučne kiseline su u netoksičnim koncentracijama potencirale in vitro citotoksične efekte doksorubicina na MCF-7 ćelijskoj liniji pri čemu je henodeoksiholna ispoljila sinergistički efekt, dok su ursodeoksiholna u 12-monoketoholna ispoljile aditivni citotoksični efekt sa doksorubicinom. Ispitivanjem molekularnih mehanizama citotoksičnih efekata utvrđeno je da su žučne kiseline u različitom stepenu potencirale apoptozu ćelija mitohondrijalnim putem uticajem na ekspresiju pro- i antiapoptotskih proteina na transkripcionom nivou i povećale stres endoplazmatskog retikuluma, ali i dovele do alteracija ekspresije gena koji kodiraju sintezu antioksidativnih enzima, transmembranskih efluks proteina i enzima uključenih u metaboličku inaktivaciju leka. Žučne kiseline u netoksičnim koncentracijama su takođe značajno povećale prodor i kumulaciju doksorubicina u MCF-7 ćelijskoj liniji. U in vivo sistemu, koadministracija žučnih kiselina nije rezultovala u pobolj&scaron;anju odloženih toksodinamskih efekata visokih doza doksorubicina na biohemijskom i molekularnom nivou. Međutim, nakon pretretmana žučnim kiselinama, vrednosti koncetracija doksorubicina u serumu su bile povi&scaron;ene nakon pretretmana urso- i henodeoksiholnom kiselinom i snižene nakon pretretmana 12-monoketoholnom kiselinom uz povećanje bilijarne sekrecije doksorubicina. Pored promena u farmakokinetskom profilu doksorubicina, pretretman žučnim kiselinama je blago redukovao prodor i kumulaciju doksorubicina u hepatocite i kardiomiocite. Na osnovu rezultata ove studije može se zaključiti da primena ispitivanih žučnih kiselina sa doksorubicinom povećava prodor i pobolj&scaron;ava farmakodinamski profil doksorubicina in vitro, na ćelijskom modelu humanog adenokarcinoma dojke. Pobolj&scaron;anje selektivnog preuzimanja i prodora doksorubicina u maligne ćelije koje nije praćeno povećanom kumulacijom u normalnim tkivima, kao i pobolj&scaron;anje antitumorskog dejstva doksorubicina sa mogućim smanjenjem doze uz smanjenje pojave dozno-zavisnih neželjenih dejstava doksorubicina čini žučne kiseline molekulima kandidatima za dalja ispitivanja u cilju razvoja novih, pobolj&scaron;anih antitumorskih terapijskih strategija.</p> / <p>Due to the amphiphilic structure and the significant conjugation potential, bile acids - endogenously synthesized products of cholesterol catabolism have been recognized as potential drug carriers and promoters of transport through biological membranes. The discovery that by activating specific nuclear receptors bile acids regulate the expression of genes involved in various signaling pathways including metabolism, cell proliferation and differentiation as well as carcinogenesis, expanded initially ascribed role of intestinal emulsifiers to the various fields. Bile acids are now considered not to act only as passive carriers of drugs and promoters of transport through biological membranes, but also as the molecules with pharmacodynamic activity, regulating various aspects of integrative cellular metabolism. Doxorubicin is one of the most commonly prescribed antineoplastic agents as an integral component of many chemotherapy protocols in the treatment of both solid and hematologic malignancies. However, hepatotoxic and cardiotoxic effects significantly limit the use of this, otherwise, very useful anti-tumor agent. The development of dose-dependent cardiotoxic side effects represents particular health issue in successfully treated oncological patients, especially among survivors of pediatric malignancies. Since the development of new drugs is very long and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, improving the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of the existing agents with proven efficacy, while reducing toxic side effects, represents a rational approach to research in modern medicine. The main objective of this work is to examine the role of bile acids: ursodeoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic and 12-oxo-chenodeoxycholic acid (12-monoketocholic acid) on the cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin in the MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, and to get insight on molecular mechanisms responsible for underlying pharmacodynamic effects. The capacity of bile acids to promote the transport and accumulation of doxorubicin in malignant cells was also evaluated. In addition, the effect of co-administration of the bile acids with doxorubicin on delayed toxodynamic effects (hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity) in rats, as well as the effects of bile acid pretreatment on the doxorubicin serum concentration and pharmacokinetic profile, biliary excretion of the drug as well as accumulation in the liver and myocardial cells of experimental animals were examined. Bile acids applied in non-toxic concentrations potentiated in vitro cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin in MCF-7 cell line. Chenodeoxycholic acid exhibited a synergistic effect, whereas ursodeoxycholic and 12-monoketocholic acid exhibited an additive cytotoxic effect with doxorubicin. By examining the underlying molecular mechanisms of cytotoxic effects, bile acids have been found to potentiate apoptosis of cells by mitochondrial-dependent pathway by modifying the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins at the transcriptional level and to increase endoplasmic reticulum stress, but also have altered the expression of genes encoding the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, transmembrane efflux proteins and enzymes involved in metabolic inactivation of the drug. Non-toxic concentrations of bile acids also significantly increased the penetration and accumulation of doxorubicin in MCF-7 cell line. In the in vivo system, the co-administration of bile acid did not improved delayed toxodynamic effects of high dose of doxorubicin both at the biochemical and molecular levels. However, pretreatment with bile acids resulted in alterations of serum doxorubicin concentrations. Chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid elevated whereas 12-monoketocholic acid decreased serum doxorubicin concentrations. In addition to changing pharmacokinetic profile of doxorubicin on bile acid species-dependent manner, all bile acids have also increased excretion of drug by the biliary route, and slightly reduced penetration and accumulation of doxorubicin in hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. Based on the results of this study, the administration of the examined bile acids with doxorubicin increases the penetration and improves the pharmacodynamic profile of doxorubicin in vitro on the cell model of human breast adenocarcinoma. The improvement of selective uptake and penetration of doxorubicin into malignant cells that is not accompanied by increased accumulation in normal tissues, as well as the improvement in the anti-tumor effects of doxorubicin with a possibility to reduce the dose and thereby the occurrence of dose-dependent undesirable effects of doxorubicin, render bile acids as the potential candidate molecules in developing novel antitumor therapeutic strategies.</p>

<p>Žučne kiseline deluju kao signalni molekuli u organizmu i uključene su u regulaciju brojnih metaboličkih, inflamatornih i imunomodulatornih procesa. Ova endogena jedinjenja ostvaruju svoje efekte najvećim delom putem nuklearnih receptora. Farnezoid X receptor (FXR) je glavni regulator homeostaze žučnih kiselina, a pokazano je da je značajno uključen i u procese inflamacije i kancerogeneze, prevashodno u jetri i intestinalnom traktu. Aktivacija FXR receptora predstavlja značajnu farmakolo&scaron;ku strategiju za terapiju holestatskih bolesti jetre, inflamatorne bolesti creva i karcinoma kolona. Definisana je uloga žučnih kiselina u signalnim putevima koji reguli&scaron;u ćelijski ciklus i doprinose razvoju ili regresiji maligniteta, ali je malo poznat uticaj ovih jedinjenja na epigenetske mehanizme regulacije ključnih ćelijskih procesa. Imajući u vidu da su efekti žučnih kiselina determinisani njihovom polarno&scaron;ću, cilj istraživanja je bio da se ispita uticaj sintetski dobijenog keto derivata holne kiseline, 12-monoketoholne kiseline (MKH), u komparaciji sa prirodnim žučnim kiselinama, hidrofobnom henodeoksiholnom kiselinom (HDH) i hidrofilnom ursodeoksiholnom kiselinom (UDH), na ćelijske procese apoptoze, oksidativnog stresa i inflamacije, koji su od značaja za hemoprevenciju i terapiju karcinoma kolona, u in vitro i in vivo sistemima. Cilj istraživanja je takođe obuhvatao i ispitivanje uloge odabranih žučnih kiselina u epigenetskoj regulaciji ovih procesa u ćelijama karcinoma kolona. Na in vivo modelu intrahepatične holestaze kod eksperimentalnih životinja, pokazano je da UDH i MKH ispoljavaju antiapoptotski, antioksidativni i antiinflamatorni efekat u jetri i intestinumu. Utvrđeno je da UDH i MKH sprečavaju mitohondrijalni put aktivacije apoptoze u jetri, dok UDH ispoljava antiapoptotski efekat i u intestinumu eksperimentalnih životinja sa holestazom. Ove dve žučne kiseline su u značajnoj meri modulirale ekspresiju gena uključenih u antioksidativnu za&scaron;titu, kao i aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima, u jetri i intestinumu eksperimentalnih životinja sa holestazom, ka nivoima ekspresije i aktivnosti kod zdravih, netretiranih životinja. Dok su UDH i MKH u dozi od 4 mg/kg ispoljile antiinflamatorno dejstvo u jetri i intestinumu smanjenjem ekspresije gena za proinflamatorni transkripcioni faktor NF-&kappa;B, primena HDH i MKH u dozi od 20 mg/kg je imala suprotan efekat. Na modelu HT-29 ćelijske linije adenokarcinoma kolona, utvrđeno je da polusintetska žučna kiselina MKH ispoljava značajno manju citotoksičnost u odnosu na HDH i ne&scaron;to veću citotoksičnost u odnosu na UDH. Epigenetski lek vorinostat je ispoljio sinergističko citotoksično dejstvo sa sve tri ispitivane žučne kiseline. Vorinostat je ostvario proapoptotski i antiproliferativni efekat u HT-29 ćelijama, koji je bio najizraženiji u kombinaciji sa MKH, s obzirom da je do&scaron;lo do značajnog povećanja odnosa ekspresije BAX i BCL2 gena i smanjenja ekspresije gena za marker proliferacije ciklin D1. Vorinostat je, takođe, značajno smanjio antioksidativni kapacitet HT-29 ćelija smanjenjem ekspresije NRF2 gena i sledstvenim smanjenjem ekspresije gena za antioksidativne enzime. HDH je dodatno smanjila, a MKH pobolj&scaron;ala antioksidativni kapacitet HT-29 ćelija modulacijom ekspresije NRF2 gena. U in vitro i in vivo sistemu u okviru ove doktorske disertacije je pokazano da, pored HDH kao poznatog endogenog agoniste FXR receptora, MKH takođe povećava ekspresiju gena za FXR i njegovog ciljnog gena za transkripcioni korepresor SHP, &scaron;to ukazuje da ova polusintetska žučna kiselina može da aktivira FXR. Osim toga, utvrđeno je da žučne kiseline ispoljavaju različite efekte prema ekspresiji gena za histon deacetilaze HDAC1 i HDAC2 u jetri i intestinumu eksperimentalnih životinja, kao i u HT-29 ćelijama karcinoma kolona, a jedino je UDH značajno smanjila ekspresiju gena za oba ispitivana enzima uključena u epigenetsku regulaciju ćelijskih procesa, i u isptivanim tkivima i HT-29 ćelijama. Rezultati na&scaron;eg rada ukazuju da bi se UDH i MKH mogle koristiti u hemoprevenciji karcinoma kolona u niskim dozama, s obzirom na utvrđene efekte u modulaciji ekspresije gena uključenih u procese apoptoze, oksidativnog stresa i inflamacije. Takođe, s obzirom na ostvaren sinergistički efekat žučnih kiselina sa epigenetskim antitumorskim agensom vorinostatom, otvara se mogućnost kombinovane farmakolo&scaron;ke strategije u terapiji solidnih tumora, koji u najvećem procentu pokazuju rezistenciju prema samom vorinostatu.</p> / <p>Bile acids act as signaling molecules in the organism and they are involved in the regulation of numerous metabolic, inflammatory and immunomodulatory processes. These endogenous compounds exert their effects mostly by binding and activation of nuclear receptors. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is the main regulator of bile acid homeostasis, and has been shown to be significantly involved in processes of inflammation and carcinogenesis, primarily in the liver and intestinal tract. Activation of FXR receptor represents a significant pharmacological strategy for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon carcinoma. The role of bile acids in signaling pathways regulating the cell cycle and contributing to the development or regression of malignancies is well determined, but the effects of these compounds on epigenetic mechanisms of key cellular processes regulation is yet to be elucidated. Given that the effects of bile acids are mostly determined by their polarity, the aim of our study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo effects of semi-synthetic keto derivative of cholic acid, 12-monoketocholic acid (MKC), in comparison to natural bile acids, hydrophobic chenodeoxycholic acid (CDC) and hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDC), on processes of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, which are significant for both&nbsp; chemoprevention and therapy of colon cancer. Besides, the aim of our study was to examine the role of selected bile acids in the epigenetic regulation of these processes in colon cancer cells. In in vivo model of intrahepatic cholestasis in experimental animals, it has been demonstrated that UDC and MKC exhibit antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory effects in the liver and intestine. It was shown that UDC and MKC prevent the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis activation in the liver, while UDC exhibits an antiapoptotic effect in the intestine of experimental animals with cholestasis as well. These two bile acids significantly modulated the expression of genes involved in antioxidant protection, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes, in the liver and intestine of experimental animals with cholestasis, towards levels of expression and activity in healthy, untreated animals. While UDC and MKC at a low dose of 4 mg/kg exhibited an antiinflammatory effect in the liver and intestine by reducing the expression of the gene encoding the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-&kappa;B, the application of CDC and MKC at a high dose of 20 mg/kg exerted the opposite effect. In HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cell line, it has been demonstrated that semi-synthetic bile acid MKC exhibits significantly lower cytotoxicity than CDC and slightly higher cytotoxicity than UDC. The epigenetic drug vorinostat has exhibited a synergistic cytotoxic effect with all three investigated bile acids. Vorinostat exerted proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects in HT-29 cells, which were most pronounced in combination with MKC, as there was a significant increase in the ratio of BAX and BCL2 genes expression and a decrease of the proliferation marker cyclin D1 gene expression. Vorinostat also significantly reduced the antioxidant capacity of HT-29 cells by reducing the expression of NRF2 gene and consequently decreasing the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes. CDC further reduced, while MKC improved the antioxidant capacity of HT-29 cells by modulating the expression of NRF2 gene. In both in vitro and in vivo systems, it was demonstrated that, in addition to CDC as a known endogenous FXR agonist, MKC also increased the expression of the gene encoding FXR, and FXR target gene encoding transcriptional co-repressor SHP as well, indicating that this semi-synthetic bile acid can also activate FXR. Besides, bile acids have been shown to exert distinct effects on the expression of the histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2 gene in the liver and intestine of experimental animals, and in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Only UDC significantly reduced the expression of the genes for both studied enzymes involved in the epigenetic regulation of cell processes, in both tissues and HT-29 cells. The results of our work indicate that UDC and MKC could be used in chemoprevention of colon cancer at low doses, considering determined effects in the modulation of expression of the genes involved in processes of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation. Furthermore, synergistic effects of bile acids with the epigenetic antitumor agent vorinostat open up the possibility of a combined pharmacological strategy in the treatment of solid tumors, which are at the high percentage resistant to the effects of vorinostat alone.</p>

Advanced fluorescence techniques were used to explore tree distinct topics concerning biological membrane and their interactions. Following thesis is according to the topic divided into three parts: 1) Ionic effects were studied employing time dependent fluorescence shift experiments and molecular dynamic simulations. Combination of these two approaches are suitable to reveal characteristic like mobility and hydration of particular bilayer segment, lipid packing or ion binding sites. Halide anions were reported to adsorb to the cationic lipid bilayer specifically, altering membrane mobility and organization. Changes in observed parameters follows Hofmeister order. Their effect is mediated either by direct ionic interaction (soft, polarizable ions) as well as via alteration of water structure (hard, non-polarizable ions) in proximity of ion molecule. Further, divalent calcium was shown to bind strongly to neutral and negatively charged lipid bilayers. Several types of binding sites depending on calcium concentration were identified. 2) Two complementary lipopeptides, CPK and CPE, incorporated into distinct lipid bilayers serve as a minimal model inducing membrane fusion. Effectiveness of fusion event might be influenced by lipopeptide-membrane and lipopeptide-lipopeptide interaction. To reveal...

<p>Žučne kiseline (ŽK) su strukturno raznoliki molekuli, koji pored uloge koju ostvaruju putem žuči, deluju i kao signalni molekuli i ostvaruju kako endokrina tako i parakrina dejstva. Činjenica da je do sada u terapijske svrhe primenjivana samo ursodeoksiholna kiselina (UDK), posledica je brojnih ograničenja u mogućnosti primene ostalih prirodnih ŽK, i ističe potrebu za otkrivanjem novih sintetskih ŽK i liganda. Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitivanje sintetske 12-monoketoholne kiseline (MK) i prirodne UDK u modelu holestaze i aloksanom izazvanog dijabetesa. Ispitivanja su vr&scaron;ena na pacovima soja Wistar. Analizirana je telesna masa, glikemija, pokazatelji jetrene funkcije (AST; ALT, &gamma;-GT, ukupni i direktni bilirubin), a iz homogenate jetre određen je intenzitet lipidne peroksidacije i aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima (CAT, GSH-Px, GSH-R, GSH-ST). Isečci tkiva jetre su histolo&scaron;ki obrađeni i bojeni hematoksilin-eozin metodom i histohemijskim metodama (retikulin, Mallory, Periodic Acid Schiff- Alcian Blue (PAS/AB)). Imunohistohemijski je ispitana proliferacija hepatocita (Ki-67), markeri apoptoze (p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-X, Bax) i ekspresija nuklearnog farnesoid X receptora (FXR). Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da ispitivane ŽK pomažu očuvanje telesne mase u holestazi i dijabetesu, i značajno snižavaju glikemiju kod dijabetičnih jedinki. Parametri jetrene funkcije u holestazi i dijabetesu su regulisani primenom MK i UDK. Obe ŽK u značajnoj meri smanjuju intenzitet lipidne peroksidacije i pojačavaju enzimsku antioksidativnu odbranu hepatocita u holestazi i dijabetesu. Ekspresija markera apoptoze nije značajno promenjena izazvanjem modela holestaze i dijabetesa, kao ni primenom ispitivanih ŽK. Nasuprot tome, izazivanje holestaze i dijabetesa značajno smanjuje proliferaciju hepatocita, dok primena MK i UDK poni&scaron;tava ovaj efekat i značajno povećava proliferaciju hepatocita. Hiperglikemija u aloksanskom dijabetesu nije dovela do pojačane ekspresije FXR. Izazivanje holestaze kod zdravih i dijabetičnih životinja dovelo je do porasta ekspresije FXR, koja je redukovana primenom MK i UDK. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da sintetska 12-monoketoholna kiselina pokazuje slična hipoglikemijska, hepatoprotektivna i antioksidativna dejstva kao i prirodna ursodeoksiholna kiselina.</p> / <p>Bile acids (BAs) are structurally diverse molecules, which have theroles in the digestive system, which are exercised through the bile. Beside those, BAs act as a signaling molecules and achieve endocrine and paracrine effects. In addition to its own metabolism, bile acids modulate the metabolism of lipids and glucose. The fact that so far only ursodeoxycholic acid (UDC) is used for therapeutic purposes, speak clearly about of numerous limitations on the application of other natural BAs, and highlights the need to develop new synthetic Bas and ligands. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of synthetic 12-monoketocholic acid (MC) and natural bila acid UDC in the model of cholestasis and alloxan-induced diabetes. Tests were performed on male Wistar rats. We analyzed the body mass, glucose, liver function tests (AST, ALT, &gamma;-GT, total and direct bilirubin). Using liver tissue homogenates we determined intensity of lipid peroxidation (by concentration of malondilaldehyde) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GSH-Px, GSH -R, GSH-ST). Liver tissue were histologically processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin method and histochemical methods (reticulin, Mallory, Periodic Acid Schiff- Alcian Blue (PAS / AB)). Imunohistochemical examination included hepatocyte proliferation (Ki-67), markers of apoptosis (p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-X, Bax), and expression of the nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Results of the research show that MC prevented decrease in body mass during cholestasis and diabetes, and significantly reduced glycemia in diabetic animals. The liver function tests in cholestasis and diabetes are normalised by MC and UDC aplication. Both BAs significantly reduce lipid peroxidation and enhance enzymatic antioxidant defense of hepatocytes in cholestasis and diabetes. The expression of markers of apoptosis was not significantly changed in models of cholestasis and diabetes, as well as the application of the tested BAs. In contrast, in cholestasis and diabetes model, the proliferation of hepatocytes was significantly reduced, while the use of MC and UDC reversed this effect and significantly increased the proliferation of hepatocytes. Hyperglycemia in alloxan-induced diabetes did not lead to overexpression of FXR. Induction of cholestasis in healthy and diabetic animals resulted in an increase in the expression of FXR, which is reduced by using the MK and the UDC. Based on these results we can conclude that a synthetic 12-monoketocholic acid shows similar hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects as natural ursodeoxycholic acid.</p>

<p>Radioterapija (RT) je jedan od najvažnijih modaliteta lečenja solidnih malignih tumora i koristi je vi&scaron;e od 50% pacijenata (52,3%) sa malignim tumorima. Nauka koja proučava efekte elektromagnetnog zračenja na biolo&scaron;ke sisteme naziva se radiobiologija. Radiobiologija se fokusira na odgovor ćelija, tkiva i organizma kao celine na jonizujuće zračenje i proučava mehanizme radiobiolo&scaron;kog odgovora. Izlaganje ćelija niskim dozama JZ koje su nakon određenog vremenskog intervala praćene uobičajenim radioterapijskim dozama naziva se radioadaptivno zračenje. Adaptivni odgovor u sebi može da sadrži nekoliko fenomena: hiperradiosenzitaciju/radiorezistenciju, &ldquo;bystander&rdquo; efekat i radioadaptivni efekat u užem smislu. O molekularnim mehanizmima koji stoje iza navedenih efekata ne zna se dovoljno. U ovom radu ispitivan je odgovor malignih i zdravih ćelija na različite modalitete jonizujućeg zračenja u cilju boljeg poznavanja puteva ćelijske smrti i preživljavanja. Potpuno razumevanje molekularnih puteva koji vode u apoptozu ili u preživljavanje ćelija nakon izlaganja jonizujućem zračenju moglo bi koristiti u iznalaženju novih i efikasnijih strategija i modaliteta lečenja malignih tumora u cilju njihove potpune eredikacije. U istraživanju su kori&scaron;tene dve humane ćelijske linije ćelijska linija humanog kolorektalnog karcinoma HT-29 i ćelijska linija humanih fetalnih fibroblasta pluća MRC-5. Ćelije su zračene u dva režima različitim pre-iradijacionim dozama(0,03; 0,05 i 0,07Gy) i istom kurativnom dozom (2Gy) tokom 4 dana. Vi&scaron;ekratna primena niskih doza JZ nije značajno smanjila vijabilnost HT-29 ćelija, dok su dve radioadaptivne doze (0,05+2Gy i 0,07+2Gy), adekvatne doze JZ za radioterapijski postulat po&scaron;tede zdravih ćelija i bolji antitumorski efekat u odnosu na neradioadaptivno zračenje od 2Gy u toku 4 dana. Pokazana je mogućnost modulisanja ćelijskog odgovora na JZ uz pomoć niskih doza JZ koje su praćene dozom od 2Gy (radioadaptivni tip zračenja) u oba dizajnirana režima zračenja. Stepen o&scaron;tećenja hromozoma za većinu isporučenih doza pokazao dozno zavisni trend. Dozno-zavisno o&scaron;tećenje naslednog materijala izazvano radioadaptivnim zračenjem potvrđuje hipotezu da je stepen o&scaron;tećenja zdravih, MRC-5, ćelija manji nego u ćelijama kolorektalnog adenokarcinoma. Fragmentacija DNK je zabeležena za pojedine doze JZ u obe ćelijske linije, a uočena je i razlika u odgovoru zdrave i tumorske ćelijske linije. Detekcijom mutacija primarne sekvence fragmenta p53 gena pokazano je da se broj mutacija povećava sa povećanjem doze JZ. Oba režima radioadaptivnog zračenja, u obe ćelijske linije izazivaju vi&scaron;i nivo ekspresije p53. Ekspresija p38 MAPK proteina u HT-29 ćelijama bila je niža za sve isporučene doze JZ u odnosu na nezračene ćelije. U MRC-5 ćelijama, povi&scaron;ena ekspresija p38 MAPK utvrđena je samo u uzorcima koji su jednokratno primili samo niske doze JZ i dozu od 2Gy dnevno tokom 4 dana, u odnosu na nezračenu kontrolu. Razlike u ekspresiji ispitivanih proteina dobijene nakon primene dva režima radioadaptivnog zračenja posledica su delovanja niskih pre-iradijacionih doza JZ na modulisanje radiobiolo&scaron;kog odgovora obe ćelijske linije. Nivo ekspresije Bcl-2 i Bax proteina i njihov međusobni odnos, u obe ćelijske linije, su odraz različitog radiobiolo&scaron;kog odgovora ispitivanih ćelija koji zavisi od primenjenog režima zračenja.</p> / <p>Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the most important treatment modality for solid malignant tumors and it is applied in more than 50% of the patients (52.3%). Radiobiology id scientific discipline which studies the effects of electromagnetic irradiation on biological systems. Radiobiology focuses on the response of the cells, tissues and the organism as a whole to ionizing radiation and studying the mechanisms of radiobiological response. Exposure of cells to low-dose irradiation (priming dose) followed by challenging doses is called radioadaptive radiation. Adaptive response is described as several phenomena: hyperradiosensitivity / radiorezistence, &quot;bystander&quot; effect and radioadaptive effect in sensu strict. Molecular mechanisms underlying the above effects are not sufficiently known. In this study, the response of malignant and healthy cells on various modalities of ionizing radiation is explored in order to improve knowledge of pathways of cell death and survival. Fully understanding the molecular pathways leading to apoptosis or cell survival after exposure to ionizing radiation may be used in finding new and more effective strategies and modalities for the treatment of malignant tumors. The study used two human cell lines: human colorectal cancer HT-29 cell line and the human fetal lung fibroblast MRC-5. The cells were irradiated in two modalities using different pre-irradiation doses (0.03, 0.05 and 0,07Gy) and the same challenging dose (2Gy) for 4 days. Everyday use of low-dose did not significantly reduce the viability of HT-29 cells, while two radioadaptive doses (0.05 + 2Gy and 0.07+2Gy), are adequate doses for sparing healthy cells with better anti-tumor effects. The possibility of modulating the cellular response to the ionizing radiation was shown using low-doses followed by 2Gy (radioadaptive radiation) in both designed regimes of radiation. The level of chromosomal damage showed a dose-dependent trend. Dose-dependent damage to the genetic material caused by radiation confirms the hypothesis that the degree of damage to MRC-5 cells is smaller than the HT29 cells. DNA fragmentation differed between HT29 and MRC-5 cells. Detection of mutations in p53 gene fragment sequence increased with increasing doses. Both irradiation modalities, in both cell lines induce a higher level of p53 expression. Expression of p38 MAPK protein in the HT-29 cells was lower for all delivered doses compared to nonirradiated. In MRC-5 cells, increased expression of the p38 MAPK was found only in the samples that had only received on first day low-doses compared to the control nonirradiated cells. Differences in the expression of the tested proteins reflect different molecular mechanisms activated in normal and tumor cells. The level of Bcl.2 and Bax expression also reflected different radiobiological responses between normal and tumor cells, which depended on the applied irradiation regime.</p>

<p>Ugljenične nanocevi (UNC) imaju sve veću primenu u elektronici, kompjuterskoj i optičkoj industriji, kao i u biomedicini. Dok proizvodnja jednoslojnih UNC nanocevi beleži sve veći rast poslednjih godina, rizik koji nosi izlaganje ovom nanomaterijalu ostaje nerazja&scaron;njen. Oskudni i često kontradiktorni podaci o toksičnim efektima jednoslojnih UNC ukazuju na potrebu za daljim ispitivanjima. U na&scaron;im istraživanjima ispitivane su promene u ćelijskom odgovoru kao i morfolo&scaron;ke promene nakon delovanja jednoslojnih ugljeničnih nanocevi na ćelijskoj liniji humanih fetalnih fibroblasta pluća MRC-5 i ćelijskoj liniji humanog adenokarcinoma pluća A549. U ovoj studiji kori&scaron;ćene su jednoslojne ugljenične nanocevi koje su sadržale rezidualne nečistoće poput gvožđa. Citotoksičnost jednoslojnih UNC (engl. single-walled carbon nanotubes &ndash; SWCNT) je ispitivana kolorimetrijskim MTT testom. Tokom 24 i 48h niske koncentracije jednoslojnih ugljeničnih nanocevi (&lt;250 &mu;g/mL) pokazale su nisku toksičnost na proliferaciju i vijabilnost u obe ispitivane ćelijske linije. Ipak, pri visokim koncentracijama UNC (250-750 &mu;g/mL) antiproliferativni efekat je bio blizu IC50 vrednostima. Na osnovu rezultata dobijenih MTT testom može se zaključiti da su maligne A549 ćelije osetljivije na delovanje jednoslojnih UNC u odnosu na normalne MRC-5 ćelije. Kombinacija ugljeničnih nanocevi sa prirodnim polifenolima (resveratrolom i proantocijanidolima) nije značajno uticala na citotoksičnost u MRC-5 ćelijama, za razliku od A549 ćelija gde je tretman kombinacijama umanjio toksičnost ugljeničnih nanocevi. Transmisionom elektronskom mikroskopijom ispitivan je efekat jednoslojnih ugljeničnih nanocevi na ćelijsku morfologiju i preživljavanje. Intracelularni agregati ugljeničnih nanocevi primećeni su u obe ćelijske linije, čime je potvrđeno da ugljenične nanocevi ulaze u ćelije. Imajući u vidu da nanomaterijali poput ugljeničnih nanocevi indukuju oksidativni stres i njime posredovanu apoptozu, na protočnom citometru je određivano prisustvo ćelija u apoptozi i nekrozi. Tretman ćelija sa jednoslojnim ugljeničnim nanocevima nije doveo do značajnog porasta broja apoptotskih ili nekrotičnih ćelija, &scaron;to ide u prilog niskoj toksičnosti ovog nanomaterijala, odnosno ukazuje na alternativne mehanizme toksičnosti. Međutim kombinacija jednoslojnih ugljeničnih nanocevi sa antioksidantima, resveratrolom i proantocijanidolima indukuje veći procenat apoptoze i nekroze u odnosu na tretman samo sa nanocevima. Promene u ekspresiji gena praćene su lančanom reakcijom polimeraza (PCR). Komparativna analiza rezultata genske ekspresije MRC-5 i A549<br />ćelija nakon tretmana sa jednoslojnim ugljeničnim nanocevima pojedinačno i u kombinaciji sa antioksidantima ukazala je na kompleksnost i raznolikost biolo&scaron;kog odgovora ispitivanih ćelija. U na&scaron;em istraživanju ispitivana je i promena aktivnosti enzima antioksidativne za&scaron;tite i količine glutationa u ćeliji. Primena jednoslojnih ugljeničnih nanocevi u MRC-5 ćelijama dovodi po smanjenja specifične aktivnosti enzima SOD i GR, povećava specifičnu aktivnost GPx i ne utiče na promenu specifične aktivnosti GST i količine glutationa u ćeliji Primena jednoslojnih ugljeničnih nanocevi u A549 ćelijama dovodi po smanjenja specifične aktivnosti enzima SOD, ne utiče na promenu specifične aktivnost enzima GR, GST i GPx, i dovodi do povećanja količine glutationa u ćeliji. Ćelijska vijabilnost, morfolo&scaron;ke promene, redoks homeostaza i ekspresija ispitivanih gena bile su promenjene nakon tretmana sa jednoslojnim ugljeničnim nanocevima. Iako su dobijeni rezultati značajni za procenu toksičnosti ugljeničnih nanocevi, neophodna su dalja istraživanja koja treba da doprinesu boljem razumevanju toksičnih efekata ugljeničnih nanocevi.</p> / <p>Carbon nanotubes are being actively introduced in electronics, computer science, and optics as well as for various biomedical applications. While production of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) has escalated in recent years, the knowledge on risk associated with exposure remains unclear. Contradictory data on the toxic effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes highlights the urgent need for further studies. In this study we investigated the alterations in cellular response along with morphological changes induced by single-walled carbon nanotubes in human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5 and adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells A549. In this study we used SWCNT containing large amounts of residual metallic impurities such is iron, and the iron concentration increased in dose dependent manner in cells exposed to SWCNT. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay and SWCNT showed little cytotoxic effect on the proliferation and viability of two cell lines tested at the concentrations used (&lt;250 &mu;g/mL) within 24 and 48h. However exposing both cell lines to high concentrations (250-750 &mu;g/mL) resulted in near IC50 values. Based on MTT test SWCNT were more cytotoxic to A549 cell line. Cytotoxicity of SWCNT in combination with natural polyphenols (resveratrol and proanthocyanidins) did not noticeably affect the cytotoxicity of SWCNT to MRC-5 cells. However introduction of polyphenols did reduce the cytotoxicity of SWCNT to A549 cells. Transmission electron microscopy was used to complement cytotoxicity assays and to investigate the pathological effect of internalized SWCNT on cell morphology and survival. Intracellular bundles of CNTs, possibly aggregated/agglomerated were observed in both cell lines, confirming internalization after 24h exposure. Since nanoparticles like carbon nanotubes are toxic mainly because they cause oxidative stress, often associated with an increased apoptosis we checked for apoptotic and necrotic cells using flow cytometry. Incubation with SWCNT did not result in pronounced apoptosis or necrosis supporting its low toxicity and possibly alternative mechanism of cell damage. However incubation with SWCNT in combination with resveratrol and proanthocyanidins induced higher levels of both apoptosis and necrosis than SWCNT alone. Changes in gene expression following exposure to SWCNT were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction PCR array which indicated complex and diverse change in expression of genes involved in apoptosis, cell proliferation and oxidative stress. Finally we investigated the modulation of the antioxidant enzyme system and the changes in the cytosolic levels of GSH. SWCNT reduced the specific activity of SOD and GR enzymes, increased GPx activity. No changes in intracellular levels of GSH were observed in MRC-5 cell line. Same treatment in A549 cell reduced the specific activity of SOD, had no effect on GR, GST and GPx activity, but increased intracellular levels of GSH. Cell viability, morphologic changes, redox homeostasis and gene expression were affected by the presence of SWCNT. Although our findings are useful in predicting human response against SWCNT exposure, further study is needed for better understanding of the effects of SWCNT.</p>

<p>У овој дисертацији испитивана су антитуморска дејства антихипергликемијског лека метформина, вазодилататорног лека нитроглицерина, и комбинација ових лекова са дијагностичким средством 2-деокси-D-глукозом и/или радио и хемио сензибилизатором кофеином на хуманим културама аденокарцинома плућа (A549), колоректалног карцинома (HT29), аденокарцинома цервикса (HeLa), као и на контролној ћелијској култури нормалних фибробласта плућа (МRC 5). In vitro испитивање утицаја метформина, нитроглицерина, 2-деокси-D-глукозе и кофеина на проли- ферацију ћелија карцинома грлића материце (HeLa), ћелијској култури аденокарциномa плућа (A549) и ћелијској линији карцинома дебелог црева (HT29). Ћелије у експоненцијалној фази раста третиране су растућим концентрацијама метформина, нитроглицерина и 2-деокси-D-глукозе и утврдила се дозна зависност цитотоксичног ефекта. Метформин, кофеин и 2-деокси-D-глукоза су утицали на смањење процента преживљавања туморских ћелија, док је применом нитроглицерина овај ефекат изостао, иако у експериментима код истовремене примене нитроглицерина и кофеина постоји пад процента преживелих ћелија. Најпотентнији ефекат је постигнут код истовремене примене метформина и кофеина, док је разлог за одсуство снажног цитотоксичног ефекта метформина и 2-деокси-D-глукозе код комбиноване примене молекуларни механизам деловања појединачних супстанци. Снажан пролиферативни ефекат је евидентиран применом метформина и кофена на здравим фибробластима плућа.</p> / <p>U ovoj disertaciji ispitivana su antitumorska dejstva antihiperglikemijskog leka metformina, vazodilatatornog leka nitroglicerina, i kombinacija ovih lekova sa dijagnostičkim sredstvom 2-deoksi-D-glukozom i/ili radio i hemio senzibilizatorom kofeinom na humanim kulturama adenokarcinoma pluća (A549), kolorektalnog karcinoma (HT29), adenokarcinoma cerviksa (HeLa), kao i na kontrolnoj ćelijskoj kulturi normalnih fibroblasta pluća (MRC 5). In vitro ispitivanje uticaja metformina, nitroglicerina, 2-deoksi-D-glukoze i kofeina na proli- feraciju ćelija karcinoma grlića materice (HeLa), ćelijskoj kulturi adenokarcinoma pluća (A549) i ćelijskoj liniji karcinoma debelog creva (HT29). Ćelije u eksponencijalnoj fazi rasta tretirane su rastućim koncentracijama metformina, nitroglicerina i 2-deoksi-D-glukoze i utvrdila se dozna zavisnost citotoksičnog efekta. Metformin, kofein i 2-deoksi-D-glukoza su uticali na smanjenje procenta preživljavanja tumorskih ćelija, dok je primenom nitroglicerina ovaj efekat izostao, iako u eksperimentima kod istovremene primene nitroglicerina i kofeina postoji pad procenta preživelih ćelija. Najpotentniji efekat je postignut kod istovremene primene metformina i kofeina, dok je razlog za odsustvo snažnog citotoksičnog efekta metformina i 2-deoksi-D-glukoze kod kombinovane primene molekularni mehanizam delovanja pojedinačnih supstanci. Snažan proliferativni efekat je evidentiran primenom metformina i kofena na zdravim fibroblastima pluća.</p> / <p>In this dissertation, the anti-cancer effects of an antihyperglycaemic agent of metformin, a vasodilator drug nitroglycerin, and a combination of these drugs with a 2-deoxy-D-glucose diagnostic agent and / or radio and hemio sensitizer with caffeine on human cultures of adenocarcinoma of the lungs (A549), colorectal carcinoma (HT29), cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), as well as on the control cell culture of normal fibroblasts of the lungs (MRC 5). An in vitro study of the effects of metformin, nitroglycerin, 2-deoxy-D-glucose and caffeine on the proliferation of cervical cancer cells (HeLa), cell culture of the lung adenocarcinoma (A549), and colon cancer of the colon (HT29). The cells at the exponential growth stage were treated with rising concentrations of metformin, nitroglycerin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and the cytotoxic effect was determined. Metformin, caffeine, and 2-deoxy-D-glucose reduced the number of tumor cells, while nitroglycerin did not it could be concluded. Although there is a decrease in survival in experiments with the simultaneous administration of nitroglycerin and caffeine, the most effective effect is achieved in the simultaneous use of metformin and caffeine, while the reason for the absence of a potent cytotoxic effect of metformin and -deoxy-D-glucose is the molecular mechanism of the action of individual substances. The most significant effect was achieved with the simultaneous administration of metformin and caffeine to the cell culture of lung adenocarcinoma. A potent proliferative effect was recorded using metformin and 2-deoxy-Dglucose on healthy lung fibroblasts.</p>

<p>U ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji ispitan je hemijski sastav i biolo&scaron;ke aktivnosti<br />ekstrakata deset&nbsp; samoniklih&nbsp; taksona roda&nbsp; <em>Allium</em>&nbsp; sect.&nbsp;<em> Codonoprasum:&nbsp; A. carinatum</em>&nbsp;subsp. <em>pulchellum,&nbsp; A. carinatum&nbsp;</em> subsp. <em>carinatum,&nbsp; A. fuscum&nbsp;</em> var. <em>gracile,&nbsp; A. fuscum&nbsp;</em> var.&nbsp;<em>fuscum,&nbsp; A. flavum</em> subsp. <em>flavum,&nbsp; A. melanantherum,&nbsp; A. paniculatum&nbsp;</em> subsp.&nbsp;<em> marginatum,&nbsp;A. pallens</em>&nbsp; subsp. <em>tenuiflorum,&nbsp; A. oleraceum&nbsp; </em>i&nbsp;<em> A. rhodopeum</em>, sakupljenih na&nbsp; 27 lokaliteta&nbsp;u Srbiji. Cilj rada bio je da se dobiju podaci o sadržaju biolo&scaron;ki aktivnih jedinjenja u&nbsp;ovim, do sada veoma malo ispitanim vrstama roda&nbsp; <em>Allium</em>, i utvrdi njihova potencijalna&nbsp;lekovita vrednost.</p><p>Analiza hemijskog sastava obuhvatila je: analizu volatilnih komponenti svežih&nbsp;<br />lukovica primenom headspace GC-MS tehnike, kvalitativnu analizu metanolnih &nbsp;<br />ekstrakata primenom tečnohromatografskih metoda (LC-DAD-MS i LC-MS-MS), &nbsp;<br />kvantitativnu analizu odabranih fenolnih jedinjenja LC-MS-MS tehnikom,&nbsp; određivanje&nbsp;sadržaja ukupnih&nbsp; monomernih&nbsp; antocijana&nbsp; i određivanje aktivnosti aliinaze. Ispitivanja&nbsp;biolo&scaron;kih aktivnosti ekstrakata obuhvatila su: određivanje antioksidantne,&nbsp;antiinflamatorne, antimikrobne, antimutagene i genotoksične aktivnosti, kao i ispitivanje&nbsp;uticaja na rast zdravih i tumorskih ćelija i sposobnosti indukcije ćelijske smrti.&nbsp;</p><p>Sumiranjem dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da ispitivani predstavnici roda&nbsp;<br /><em>Allium&nbsp;</em> sect.&nbsp; <em>Codonoprasum&nbsp;</em> predstavljaju bogate izvore biolo&scaron;ki aktivnih jedinjenja sa&nbsp;&scaron;irokim spektrom biolo&scaron;kih aktivnosti. Sa hemotaksonomskog aspekta značajno je da se&nbsp;dimetil-disulfid&nbsp; izdvaja kao&nbsp; najdominantnija&nbsp; i često jedina&nbsp; isparljiva komponenta, da&nbsp;ekstrakti većine vrsta&nbsp; sadrže veliku količinu flavonoida (prvenstveno derivata&nbsp;kvercetina), da se vrste&nbsp;<em> A. pallens&nbsp;</em> i&nbsp; <em>A. oleraceum</em>&nbsp; izdvajaju od ostalih po tome &scaron;to ne&nbsp;sadrže rutin&nbsp; a sadrže&nbsp; hiperozid,&nbsp; da je vrsta&nbsp;<em> A. rhodopeum</em>&nbsp; siroma&scaron;na fenolnim&nbsp;jedinjenjima i da su sve vrste, osim vrste&nbsp; <em>A.&nbsp; flavum</em>, bogate antocijanima. Aktivnost&nbsp;aliinaze je visoka u svim ispitivanim vrstama. Većina ispitivanih ekstrakata, izuzev&nbsp;ekstrakata vrsta&nbsp; <em>A. carinatum&nbsp;</em>i <em>A. melanantherum</em>, pokazala je izraženu antioksidantnu&nbsp;aktivnost, dok su ekstrakti vrsta <em>A. flavum</em>, <em>A. rhodopeum</em>, <em>A. oleraceum </em>i <em>A. paniculatum&nbsp;</em>snažni antiinflamatorni agensi. Ekstrakti ispitivanih predstavnika sect.&nbsp;<em> Codonoprasum&nbsp;</em>nisu pokazali antimikrobnu i antimutagenu aktivnost. Takođe, ovi ekstrakti nisu ispoljili&nbsp;genotoksični efekat na ćelije zdravog tkiva (izuzev slabog genotoksičnog efekta ekstrakta&nbsp;nadzemnih delova&nbsp;<em> A. flavum</em>), &scaron;to ukazuje na bezbednost upotrebe vrsta sect.&nbsp;<em>Codonoprasum&nbsp;</em> kao hrane ili u obliku lekova. Ekstrakti celih biljaka&nbsp;<em>A. paniculatum</em> i <em>A.&nbsp;rhodopeum</em>, kao i ekstrakt nadzemnih delova &nbsp;<em>A. melanantherum</em>&nbsp; pokazali su snažnu&nbsp;antiproliferativnu aktivnost sa povoljnim ne-tumor/tumor koeficijentima i indukovali&nbsp;apoptozu u tumorskim ćelijama, iz čega se može zaključiti da imaju visok potencijal&nbsp;primene u antitumorskoj terapiji.&nbsp;</p> / <p>In the present doctoral thesis the chemical composition and biological activities&nbsp; of&nbsp;<br />10 wild growing taxa of genus&nbsp; <em>Allium</em>&nbsp; sect. <em>Codonoprasum</em>&nbsp; (<em>A. carinatum&nbsp;</em> subsp.&nbsp;<br /><em>pulchellum,&nbsp; A. carinatum&nbsp;</em> subsp.&nbsp; <em>carinatum,&nbsp; A. fuscum&nbsp;</em> var.&nbsp; <em>gracile,&nbsp; A. fuscum</em>&nbsp; var.&nbsp;<br /><em>fuscum,&nbsp; A. flavum&nbsp;</em> subsp.&nbsp; <em>flavum,&nbsp; A. melanantherum,&nbsp; A. oleraceum,&nbsp; A. paniculatum</em><br />subsp. <em>marginatum, A. pallens</em> subsp. <em>tenuiflorum</em> and <em>A. rhodopeum</em>) were investigated.&nbsp;The samples were&nbsp; collected from 27 locations in Serbia. The aim of the study was to&nbsp;obtain data on the content of biologically active compounds in extracts of &nbsp;these&nbsp;unexplored species of the genus Allium and to determine their potential medicinal value.</p><p>Phytochemical caracterisation included: headspace GC-MS analysis of fresh bulb&nbsp;<br />volatiles, LC-DAD-MS and LC-MS-MS qualitative analysis of methanol extracts, LC-MS-MS quantitative analysis of 44 selected phenolic compounds in methanol extracts,&nbsp;determination of total monomeric anthocyanins content and alliinase activity. In order to&nbsp;assess the biological potential of methanol extracts, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,&nbsp;antimicrobial, antimutagenic, genotoxic and antiproliferative activities of &nbsp;the extracts&nbsp;were studied.</p><p>Summing up all the results obtained, it can be concluded that species of genus&nbsp;<em>Allium&nbsp;</em> sect.&nbsp; <em>Codonoprasum&nbsp;</em> are rich sources of biologically active compounds with a&nbsp;broad spectrum of biological activities. Dimethyl disulfide is the most dominant and&nbsp;often the only volatile component of most species, which is significant from&nbsp;chemotaxonomic point of view. The methanol extracts of investigated species contain&nbsp;high levels of flavonoids (primarily quercetin derivatives). Specificity of&nbsp; <em>A. pallens</em>&nbsp; and&nbsp;<em>A. &nbsp;oleraceum</em>&nbsp; extracts is that they do not contain rutin, but contain hyperoside, while&nbsp;small quantity of phenolic compounds&nbsp; is characteristic for&nbsp; <em>A. rhodopeum</em>&nbsp; extract. All&nbsp;investigated species, except of <em>A. flavum</em>, are rich in anthocyanins. Alliinase activity was&nbsp;high in&nbsp; all examined species. Most of the extracts, except&nbsp; <em>A. carinatum</em>&nbsp; and&nbsp; <em>A.&nbsp;melanantherum</em>&nbsp; extracts, express considerable antioxidant activity, &nbsp;while extracts of&nbsp;<em> A.&nbsp;flavum</em>,&nbsp; <em>A. rhodopeum</em>,&nbsp; <em>A. paniculatum</em>&nbsp; and&nbsp; <em>A. oleraceum&nbsp;</em> are potent anti-inflammatory&nbsp;agents. The investigated&nbsp; <em>Allium</em>&nbsp; extracts did not show antimicrobial and antimutagenic&nbsp;activity. Also, the extracts did not express genotoxic effect on healthy tissue cells&nbsp;(except the weak genotoxic effects of aerial parts extract of&nbsp; <em>A. flavum</em>), indicating that&nbsp;the use&nbsp; of these species as a food or as a drug is safe. Whole plant extracts of&nbsp; <em>A.&nbsp;paniculatum</em>&nbsp; and&nbsp;<em> A. rhodopeum</em>, as well as aerial parts extract of&nbsp;<em> A. melanantherum</em>&nbsp;showed strong antiproliferative activity (with a favorable &nbsp;non-tumor/tumor ratios) and&nbsp;induced apoptosis in tumor cells, suggesting that these plants have a high potential for&nbsp;application in antitumor therapy.</p>