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Plants sense carbohydrates and transduce a signal which changes gene expression and the activities of many enzymes. The relationship between changes in gene expression by carbohydrates and the developmental state of the cells is still poorly understood. To gain more knowledge about this relationship, we have analyzed three sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in vitro cell lines residing on distinct differentiation states. Cell suspensions were initiated and cells were incubated for 72h in the medium with sucrose as a control, or treated during the same period with glucose or 3-O-methylglucose (3OMG). Cellular and extracellular proteins, separated electrophoretically, showed that sugar-induced protein expression was cell line-specific. More differences were visible in extracellular and in glycoprotein than on cellular protein patterns. The 3OMG downregulated while glucose upregulated cellular glycoproteins. In the case of extracellular proteins, glucose and 3OMG were equally effective in both downregulation and upregulation of protein expression. Sialic acid was indicated as a glycan conjugate in sugar beet. Carbohydrate-induced gene expression was related to the developmental state of cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic profile, antiproliferative, and pro‐apoptotic activities of Asparagus acutifolius, Tamus communis, and Ruscus aculeatus aqueous extracts against human bladder (T24) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines. Antiproliferative activity of the extracts at the concentration range from 0.5 to 4 mg/ml was measured by MTT test, after the incubation period of 4, 24, 48, or 72 hr. Pro‐apoptotic activity of selected plant extracts against T24 and A549 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry at the concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/ml. The highest antiproliferative activity against both cancer cell lines was detected by T. communis aqueous extract. The highest pro‐apoptotic effect was achieved by A. acutifolius aqueous extract and its effect was similar against A549 and T24 cells. Practical applications: Wild edible plants, such as wild asparagus, black bryony, and butcher's broom represent important aspect of the Mediterranean diet. They are rich source of various natural bioactive compounds which express different biological activities (antioxidative, antiproliferative, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory...). The current trend for natural and healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is in relation to the rapidly growing problem of chronic diseases in a modern society. Wild edible plants have a high direct‐use value using them in dishes containing mixed vegetables, in soup preparation, as natural additives in fermented natural products containing cheese or fish, in water infusions (natural drinks). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]