Determination of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity of some boraginaceae species growing in Iran

Purpose: To evaluate the antioxidant potential, flavonoids, and total phenols as well as cyanidin 3- glucoside and delphinidin 3-glucoside contents of some Boraginaceae species that grow in Iran.Methods: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of the plants were prepared. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric assays, respectively. Furthermore, cyanidin 3-glucoside and delphinidin 3- glucoside contents of the extracts were determined using high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.Results: The most powerful free radical scavenging activity with 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 23.13 ± 1.90 μg mL-1 was exerted by the ethanol extract of Nonea caspica, while the weakest IC50 of 364.38 ± 14.18 μg mL-1 was shown by the aqueous extract of Onosma sericeum. Total phenolic content varied among the plants, ranging from 270.33 ± 2.60 to 3.40 ± 0.28 mg GAE g-1 dry weight. The ethanol extracts of Nonea caspica and Anchusa arvensis displayed the highest total flavonoid content (252.60 ± 1.80 and 29.13 ± 1.05 mg QE g-1 dry weight, respectively). The highest contents of cyanidin and delphinidin 3-glucosides were found in the ethanol extracts of Nonea caspica and Anchusa arvensis, respectively.Conclusion: The results show that some of the plants have potent antioxidant activities which may justify the ethno-therapeutic usage of these plants by traditional healers.Keywords: Boraginaceae, Polyphenol, Antioxidant activity, Cyanidin 3-glucoside, Delphinidin 3- glucoside, Nonea caspica, Onosma sericeum, Anchusa arvensi

Inhibition of telomerase activity and cell growth by free and nanoliposomal forms of punicalagin in human leukemia cell line K562

Purpose: To prepare punicalagin-loaded nanoliposome and compare its anti-telomerase activity in K562 cell line with that of free punicalagin.Methods: Punicalagin-loaded nanoliposomes were prepared by extrusion method, and the efficiency of punicalagin entrapment was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The anti-proliferation effect of the punicalagin in the free and nanoliposomal forms at various doses (0 - 100 μg/mL) and times (0 - 72 h) on K562 cell line was investigated using 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide ((MTT) assay. Changes in telomerase activity, following treatment with punicalagin, of the free and nanoliposomal forms were measured by telomeric repeat amplification protocol-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The entrapment efficiency of punicalagin was 86.7 ± 1 %. Treatment of K562 cells with punicalagin, particularly in the nanoliposomal form, resulted in significant induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell growth. Furthermore, the telomerase activity of the nanoliposomal punicalagin-treated cells was significantly inhibited in a time- and dose-dependent manner.Conclusion: Punicalagin shows a novel mechanism of anti-telomerase activity, particularly in the nanoliposomal form, and may provide a basis for the future development of anti-cancer therapy.Keywords: Punicalagin, Apoptosis, Anti-proliferative, Nanoliposome, Telomerase, Leukemi

Investigating the Motor Development in Infants of Hamadan Based on Peabody Developmental Motor Scales

Objective: Movement is a continuous aspect of life and an important factor to achieve the goals and meet the needs. Precise assessment of gross and fine motor skills, simplifies the diagnosis and treatment of motor disorders. Hence this study was implemented in order to investigate the motor development in Infants of Hamadan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through descriptive-analytic procedures, 124 infants were selected using randomized cluster sampling in health care centers of Hamadan. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS) was the means of gathering the data. The analysis was implemented through SPSS-16. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the fine and gross motor on gender, type of childbirth, childbirth order, history of father / mother’s smoking Moreover there is positive relationship between age and gross/fine motor development (quotient) (P<0.001). Conclusion: The mean motor age and motor development quotient were of normal range. Hence, motor training programs are recommended in order to facilitate the motor development of the above – mentioned infants

The Effect of Simultaneous Superficial and Proprioceptive Stimulations on Dexterity of Educable 6-7 Years Old Children with Down Syndrome

Objectives: Down syndrome is the most common chrosomal disorder in which the fine and gross motor skills due to lack of proper sensory experience are disturbed. The role of dexterity in activity of daily living, interaction with environment and independency is quiet crucial in Down syndrome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of simultaneous application of superficial and proprioceptive stimuli on the dexterity of 6-7 year-old educable children with Down syndrome. Methods: Thirty&ndash;three educable children with Down syndrome were assigned in three groups (i.e. superficial, proprioceptive and simultaneous application respectively) and voluntarily participated in the study. In the first group, children received only exteroceptive stimulation for 30 minutes, three times a week. Children in the second group received only proprioceptive stimulation in the same way. In the third group, children received both stimulations simultaneously. Dexterity was evaluated through Purdue Pegbourd Test after 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 30th sessions. Results: Dexterity changes were significantly differed in all three groups (P0.05). Discussion: The findings of current study suggest that simultaneous application of superficial and proprioceptive senses could be used for improvement the dexterity in children with Down syndrome