Physiological Analysis of Silver Nanoparticles and AgNO3 Effect to Brassica napus L.

In this study, the effects of different concentrations of bulk and nano-sized Ag on seed germination and seedling growth of canola were investigated in a randomized completely design with four replications. The experimental treatments included four concentrations of bulk AgNO3 (10, 100, 500 and 1000 ppm), four concentrations of nanosized Ag (10, 100, 500 and 1000 ppm), and the control without Ag. Results indicated that among the canola germination indices only mean germination time and germination index were not affected by treatments. The TTC tests showed all root tips were colored red. It is concluded that bulk AgNO3 treatments inhibited germination indices of canola more than nano sized Ag.</strong

Effect of Salicylic Acid and Ethephon on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat under Salt Stress

Water or soil salinities are the most important factors that reduce the seed germination of plants. Ethephon can break seed dormancy in a variety of plants, such as cereals and speeds up germination. In some plants pretreatment of seeds with salicylic acid has increased the germination percentage. To study effect of salicylic acid and ethephon on seed germination of wheat (Seivand cultivar) under salinity condition a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the Plant Research Laboratory of Neyshabur Branch of Islamic Azad University in 2011. Four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150 mM), three salicylic acid levels (0, 0.5, 1 mM) and four ethephon levels (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mM) were used. The results showed that at salinity condition seed germination rate and percentage, shoot and root length, their dry weight and α-amylase activity decreased and proline content increased. Pretreatment of seeds by salicylic acid increased seed germination percentage, some growth parameters, α-amylase activity and proline content under salinity condition. Moreover, pretreatment of seeds by ethephon decreased some growth parameters and increased proline content but its effect on germination and α-amylase activity were not significant. It seems that Salicylic acid as a plant growth regulator under salinity condition and ethephon convertion to ethylene, activated plant tolerance mechanisms to salinity condition and decrease damaging effect of salinity on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat

Tolerance and Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Descurainia sophia L.

Today, biosphere pollution has accelerated strongly with start of industrial revolution by toxicity of heavy metals. One of existing pollution is soil pollution. Unfortunately, soil pollution by metals is as intensive environmental stress for plant hence for human. Plants, which are able to store heavy metals in their organs, can be used for phytoremediation of polluted soils and utilization of these plants is effective for phytoremediation as a cheap and economic method. In this research, the absorption rate of Cd (II), Ni (II) by Descurainia sophia was considered in hydroponic conditions. Plants were grown in Hoagland media containing different concentrations of Cd (II), Ni (II). An experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. Two weeks after treatment of plants the sample were gathered and metal concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Besides, the content of chlorophyll and proline was measured. The results showed the chlorophyll content in high concentrations of the metals (Cd (II), Ni (II)) was decreased in plants that were sign of pigment degradation in presence of heavy metals. Similarly, the proline content in plants was increased under stress which was sign of damage of heavy metal stress on plant and activation of defensive mechanisms in this condition. The effects of toxic concentration of nickel and cadmium on metal accumulation in these plants showed that roots were able to absorb more than shoots, which is sign of elements connection to root cell wall

Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells and down-regulation of ODC1 and ADA genes by Nepeta binaloudensis

Nepeta binaloudensis Jamzad, Lamiaceae, is a rare medicinal plant endemic to Iran. In spite of many studies about the chemical constituents and antibacterial effects of this species, no report has been provided about its cytotoxic and anticancer activities. In this study we have evaluated the effects of EtOH 70%, hexane and aqueous extracts of N. binaloudensis on the cell proliferation and n-hexane extract on the expression of adenosine deaminase and ornithine decarboxylase 1 genes in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) compared to non-cancer line (MCF-10A). The cell lines were subjected to increasing doses of the extracts ranging from 10 to 320 μg/ml. Cell viability was quantified by MTS assay. Expression of adenosine deaminase and ornithine decarboxylase 1 genes was analyzed by real time PCR. N. binaloudensis inhibited the growth of malignant cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. Among extracts of N. binaloudensis, the hexane extract was found to be more toxic compared to other extracts. Results showed a marked decrease in the expression of ornithine decarboxylase 1 and adenosine deaminase genes in cancer cell lines. At 60 μg/ml concentration of N. binaloudensis hexane extract ornithine decarboxylase 1 and adenosine deaminase mRNA expression were reduced 4.9 fold and 3.5 fold in MCF-7 cell line and 3.6 fold and 2.6 fold in MDA-MB-231 cell line compared to control, respectively. The result of our study highlights the potential influences of N. binaloudensis hexane extract on ornithine decarboxylase 1 and adenosine deaminase genes expression in breast cancer cells and its relation to inhibition of cancer cell growth. Keywords: Adenosine deaminase, Anticancer, Cytotoxicity, Ornithine decarboxylas

EFFECT OF SALICYLIC ACID ON SOME OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) UNDER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CADMIUM STRESS

EFEITO DE NANO-QUELADO DE NITROGÊNIO E UREIA FERTILIZANTE EM PLANTAS DE TRIGO SOB CONDIÇÕES DE ESTRESSE HÍDRICO Atualmente, o ácido salicílico é usado como um regulador de crescimento para reduzir os efeitos negativos de diferentes níveis de estresse. Esta pesquisa foi conduzida como experimento fatorial em um delineamento de blocos inteiramente casualizados. Plantas de trigo foram plantadas em quatro níveis de cádmio (0, 100, 200 e 300 μmol) em três níveis de ácido salicílico (0, 0,5 e 1,0 mmol) em três repetições. Os resultados mostraram que a altura das raízes, o peso fresco e seco do caule diminuíram significativamente e as enzimas prolina e catalase e superóxido dismutase foram aumentadas devido ao estresse com cádmio. A aplicação foliar de ácido salicílico em condições de não estresse teve um efeito significativo sobre as características e também resultou em seu aumento. A aplicação de duas concentrações de 0,5 e 1,0 mmol de ácido salicílico em condições de estresse resultou na redução dos efeitos do estresse e, consequentemente, na redução das enzimas prolina e catalase e superóxido dismutase e o crescimento foi melhorado. A quantidade de 1,0 mmol de ácido salicílico foi mais efetiva e pode-se concluir que o ácido salicílico tem um efeito moderador e decrescente nos efeitos negativos da toxicidade do cádmio em plantas de trigo.Palavras-chave: trigo (Triricum aestivum L.), ácido salicílico, cádmio.  ABSTRACT: Nowadays, Salicylic acid is used as a growth regulator to reduce the negative effects of different levels of stress. This research was conducted as factorial experiment on a completely randomized block design. Wheat plants were planted in four levels of cadmium (0, 100, 200 and 300 μmol) with three levels of salicylic acid (0, 0.5 and 1 mmol) in three replications. The results showed that root heights, fresh and dry weight of the stem were decreased significantly and leaf proline and catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes were increased due to cadmium stress. Foliar application of salicylic acid in non-stress conditions had a significant effect on the traits and resulted in their increase, as well. Application of two concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mmol salicylic acid in stress conditions resulted in reduction of the effects of stress and consequently, reduction of proline and catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes and growth was improved. The amount of 1mmol of salicylic acid was more effective and it can be concluded that salicylic acid has a moderating and decreasing effect on the negative effects of cadmium toxicity in wheat plant.Keywords: wheat (Triricum aestivum L.), salicylic acid, cadmium

The Effect of Combined Training on ABCG5 and ABCG8 in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients

Aims Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in modern societies. The disease is associated with the lack of physical activity and the expression of some genes involved in blood cholesterol transportation. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporters G5/G8) ABCG5 and ABCG8) is the expression of adenosine triphosphate-dependent box protein genes 5 and 8, a member of the ABC transporter family, playing a crucial role in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoproteins metabolism. The action of ABCG5/8 is to remove cholesterol and decrease its toxicity. The increased activity of these two factors may prevent atherosclerosis. This study aims to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic resistance training on ABCG5 and ABCG8 gene expression in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Methods & Materials The research population included 30 men voluntarily selected and randomly divided into an experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) group. The experimental group performed aerobic resistance training for eight weeks (3 sessions per week) and the control group had no exercise. The blood samples were taken 48 hours before the beginning of the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session while all subjects were fasting. Semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure the expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes. To analyze the data, independent and paired t tests were used at the significant level of 0.05 in SPSS software, version 21.  Findings The present study results showed that the aerobic resistance training group experienced a significant increase in the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes as a result of eight weeks of aerobic resistance training compared to the control group.  Conclusion Based on the findings of the present study, it is possible to suggest that aerobic resistance training increases the expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes, and improves the cholesterol transportation process, which may improve recovery of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients and prevent cardiovascular diseases

Antibacterial activity of Tribulus terrestris and its synergistic effect with Capsella bursa-pastoris and Glycyrrhiza glabra against oral pathogens: an in-vitro study

Objective: In this study, antimicrobial activities of an ethanol extract of Tribulus terrestris aloneand in combination with Capsella bursa-pastoris and Glycyrrhiza glabra were examined in vitro against six pathogens namely Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, Enterococcus faecalis Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Materials and methods: Antibacterial activities of the extracts were examined using disc and well diffusion methods and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanol extracts were determined against these microorganisms using agar and broth dilution methods. Chlorhexidine was used as positive control. Results: Tribulus terrestris extract exhibited good antibacterial activity against all bacteria. Antibacterial activity of mixed extract was evaluated and exhibited that mixed extract was more effective against all bacteria than any of the cases alone which indicates the synergistic effect between these three extracts (p˂0.05). No strain showed resistance against these extracts. In agar dilution, Tribulus terrestris exhibited MIC values ranging from 35.0 to 20.0 mg/ml and mixed extract showed MIC values ranging from 12.5 to 5.0 mg/ml. The results of broth dilution method were consistent with the findings of the agar dilution method. Conclusion: This in-vitro study was a preliminary evaluation of antibacterial activity of the plants. It provided scientific evidence to support uses of T. terrestris and its mixture with C. bursa-pastoris and G. glabra for the treatment of oral infections. In-vivo studies are also required to better evaluate the effect of these extracts

Antibacterial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra against oral pathogens: an in vitro study

Objectives: Oral infections and dental caries are still considered as serious public health problems and inflict a costly burden to health care services around the world and especially in developing countries. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) against oral pathogens by diffusion methods and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by both broth and Agar dilution methods and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by broth dilution methods. Results: In this study, G. glabra extract showed good antibacterial activity against six bacteria. No strain in this study showed resistance against this extract. Conclusion: G. glabrais suggested as an appropriate candidate to help us in order to control dental caries and endodontic infections