The induction of apoptosis is one of the main goals of the designed anti-cancer therapies. In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the physical factors such as magnetic fields and to the natural bioactive compounds and the possibilities using them in medicine. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of caffeic or chlorogenic acid in combination with a moderate-strength static magnetic field on C32 melanoma cells by assessing the effect of both factors on the apoptotic process. The apoptosis of the C32 cells was evaluated using a flow cytometry analysis. The expression of the apoptosis-associated genes was determined using the RT-qPCR technique. The caspase activity and the concentration of the oxidative damage markers were also measured. It was found that phenolic acids and a static magnetic field trigger the apoptosis of the C32 cells and also affect the expression of the genes encoding the apoptosis regulatory proteins. In conclusion, our study indicated that both of the phenolic acids and a static magnetic field can be used supportively in the treatment of melanoma and that caffeic acid is more pro-apoptotic than chlorogenic acid.

The results of studies on the biological influence of magnetic fields are controversial and do not provide clear answers regarding their impact on cell functioning. Fluoride compounds are substances that influence free radical processes, which occur when the reactive forms of oxygen are present. It is not known whether static magnetic fields (SMF) cause any changes in fluoride assimilation or activity. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the potential relationship between magnetic field exposure to, and the antioxidant system of, fibroblasts cultured with fluoride ions. Three chambers with static magnetic fields of different intensities (0.4, 0.6, and 0.7 T) were used in this work. Fluoride ions were added at a concentration of 0.12 mM, which did not cause the precipitation of calcium or magnesium. The results of this study show that static magnetic fields reduce the oxidative stress caused by fluoride ions and normalize the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). Static magnetic fields modify the energy state of fibroblasts, causing an increase in the ATP concentration and a decrease in the MDA concentration. These results suggest that exposure to fluoride and an SMF improves the tolerance of cells to the oxidative stress induced by fluoride ions.

Betulin and its derivatives, 28-propyne derivative EB5 and 29-diethyl phosphonate analog ECH147, are promising compounds in anti-tumor activity studies. However, their effect on kidney cells has not yet been studied. The study aimed to determine whether betulin and its derivatives—EB5 and ECH147—influence the viability and oxidative status of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs). The total antioxidant capacity of cells (TEAC), lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPX) were evaluated. Additionally, the mRNA level of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes was assessed. Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were used as reference substances. Betulin and its derivatives affected the viability and antioxidant systems of RPTECs. Betulin strongly reduced TEAC in a concentration-dependent manner. All tested compounds caused an increase in MDA levels. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX, and the mRNA profiles of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes depended on the tested compound and its concentration. Betulin showed an cisplatin-like effect, indicating its nephrotoxic potential. Betulin derivatives EB5 and ECH147 showed different impacts on the antioxidant system, which gives hope that these compounds will not cause severe consequences for the kidneys in vivo.

The available evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies is deemed not sufficient to draw conclusions about the potential health effects of static magnetic field (SMF) exposure. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the influence of static magnetic fields and phloretin on the redox homeostasis of human dermal fibroblasts. Control fibroblasts and fibroblasts treated with phloretin were subjected to the influence of static magnetic fields. Three chambers with static magnetic fields of different intensities (0.4, 0.55, and 0.7 T) were used in the study. Quantification of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1), glutathione reductase (GSR), and catalase (CAT) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was performed by means of real-time reverse transcription PCR (QRT-PCR) technique. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured using a commercially available kit. No significant differences were found in SOD1, SOD2, GPX1, MGST1, GSR, and CAT mRNA levels among the studied groups in comparison to the control culture without phloretin and without the magnet. There were also no changes in SOD, GPx, and CAT activities. In conclusion, our study indicated that static magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets do not exert a negative influence on the oxidative status of human dermal fibroblasts. Based on these studies, it may also be concluded that phloretin does not increase its antioxidant properties under the influence of static magnetic fields. However, SMF-induced modifications at the cellular and molecular level require further clarification.

The effects of a static magnetic field (SMF) and the dihydrochalcones phloretin and phloridzin on the redox homeostasis of fibroblasts were investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the redox homeostasis of fibroblasts that were simultaneously exposed to a static magnetic field and the dihydrochalcones phloretin and phloridzin. The fibroblasts were cultured for 72 h in special magnetic test chambers at different moderate intensities (0.4, 0.55 and 0.7 T). In this report, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST); the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and total antioxidant status were measured using commercially available kits. We did not observe any impairment in the redox balance in cells in fibroblasts that were only exposed to static magnetic fields of different intensities or In fibroblast cultured with dihydrochalcones and exposed to static magnetic field increase the SOD, GPx, GST activities and MDA concentration. Our investigations revealed that the activities of SOD, GPx, GST and the concentration of MDA that were determined for the fibroblasts that were cultured with dihydrochalcones were higher in the presence of a static magnetic field. Our results indicated that exposure to SMF (0.7 T) with dihydrochalcones induces oxidative stress in fibroblasts.