Mechanisms and effects of biologically active compounds on cell cultures

Course Description

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Determine chemical structures of phytochemicals
• Explain causes of different effect of phytochemicals in dependence of test system used
• Explain the mechanisms of action of different groups of phytochemicals based on results obtained on different experimental systems
• Critically evaluate use of plants and their products as medicaments

Biological effects of biologically active compounds on human cells and tissues are not completely determined. Alternative approach is in use of human cell lines which are composed of homogenous cells. During this course, students will learn how to, in short time, determine antioxidant or prooxidant effect of phytochemicals and their mixture on human cells and they will be able to define circumstances under which one or the other effect occurs. They will be able to recognize the importance of metabolizing system as well the role of transmembrane proteins involved in export of xenobiotics and role of phytochemicals on such systems. Also, students will be able to define what is the role of transition metals present in the cells and their influence on biologically active compounds, but also, they will recognize the effect of phytochemicals on biochemical pathways using cell lines as test system. They will analyze the results obtained by other investigators and doing that, they will realize that phytochemicals, beside their beneficial effect, in certain environment  can behave as typical xenobiotics or pro-xenobiotics which can cause damage of cellular macromolecules or induction of free radicals.