Antibacterial and anticancer activities of silver nanoparticles fabricated by the Artemisia scoparia extract against lung cancer cell line (A549)

Background: In recent years, due to an increase in prevalence of cancer, there is a need to find new ways to control this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibacterial and anti-cancer activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) fabricated by Artemisia scoparia extract gainst lung cancer cell line (A549). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, AgNPs was synthesized and ccharacterization of fabricated AgNPs was performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) methods. Subsequently, antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs was determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Moreover, cell toxicity of AgNPs against A549 cell line in 3.125-100 µg/mL concentrations was performed using the MTT method. The gene expression of Bax and Bcl2 was measured using the real-time PCR. Results: The results of SEM and TEM showed that the synthesized AgNPs had 33.40 nm average size. The MIC results demonstrated that the AgNPs had a significant antibacterial activity. In addition, the MTT results showed that AgNPs had dose-dependent cell toxicity. The real-time PCR results revealed that the Bax and Bcl2 gene expression were up-regulated (2.34±0.34) and down-regulated (0.43±0.61), respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the AgNPs had antibacterial and anticancer activities and it can be used as a drug candidate

Troxerutin affects the male fertility in prepubertal type 1 diabetic male rats

Objective(s): Diabetes can gradually cause damage to the function and structure of male gonads. This survey was conducted to investigate the effect of troxerutin on hormonal changes, serum oxidative stress indices, and testicular function and structure in prepubertal diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Fifty prepubertal (6 weeks old) male Wistar rats were divided into five groups including Control, Troxerutin, Diabetic, Diabetic+Troxerutin, and Diabetic+Insulin. Type I diabetes was induced by 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The groups were treated with 150 mg/kg/day troxerutin via oral gavage or 4-6 IU/day insulin via subcutaneous injection for 4 consecutive weeks. Blood sugar (BS) and serum levels of insulin, FSH, LH, testosterone, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were analyzed. Testis and epididymis were removed for histopathologic study and analysis of sperm parameters.Results: Troxerutin significantly reduced the BS in the diabetic group similar to insulin but could not affect insulin, FSH, or LH significantly. Troxerutin caused a significant increase in testosterone and GPX but had no significant effect on serum MDA, TAC, and SOD levels. In addition, troxerutin had a better effect than insulin on diabetes-induced testicular structural damage. Sperm analysis results also revealed that troxerutin and insulin could improve sperm number, motility, and viability in diabetic rats.Conclusion: According to these results, it can be derived that administration of troxerutin is a suitable protective strategy for side effects of diabetes in testis of prepubertal diabetic male rats

Study of chemical composition and characteristics of Centurea cyanus extract on colon cancer cell line and analysis of apoptosis gene expression

Background: Centaurea cyanus is an endemic and well-known herbal medicine in Iran, is an annual flowering plant in the family of Asteraceae. The flowers are the part used in modern herbal medicine and are considered to have tonic, stimulant and emmenagogue properties, with action similar to that of blessed thistle. The aim this study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents of C. cyanus extract, its antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activities. Methods: This experimental study was conducted from June to January of 2015 in Islamic Azad University of Varamin, Iran. At first, the phytochemical components of C. cyanus extract was analyzed using gas chromatography&ndash;mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Subsequently, the antibacterial potential of the extract was evaluated against 4 pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Psedomonas aeroginosa and Klebsiella pnemoniae via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) mathod. Moreover, the anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities of extract on colon cancer cell line (HT29) were investigate using DPPH and MTT colorimetric methods, respectively. Finally, the Bax and Bcl2 apoptosis gene expression level was analyzed by quantitative Real-time PCR technique. Results: GC-MS analysis of C. cyanus extract was shown 19 major components and the most frequent component was belonged to n-Hexadecanoic acid (36.4%) and Linoleic acid (19.3%). The maximum antibacterial activity of extract was observed on S. aureus and P. aeroginosa isolates. The antioxidant activity of the extract was 0.109&plusmn;0.07 mg/ml. Moreover, the MTT results show that extract had IC50= 26.04&plusmn;0.45 on HT29 cell line. The Real-time PCR results showed the expression level of Bax and Bcl2 was significantly increased and decreased respectively in colon cancer cell line (2.63&plusmn;0.54 (P< 0.05), 0.38&plusmn;0.72 (P< 0.05)). Conclusion: The results of this study show that the extract had significant anti-bacterial and anti-cancer effects and it appear that the extract has potential uses for pharmaceutical industries

Cytotoxic Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Colon Cancer Cell Line (HT29) and Analysis of Caspase-3 and 9 Gene Expression Using Real Time PCR and Flow Cytometry

Background: Today, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles present extensive therapeutic applications. The present study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxicity of TiO2 on colon cancer cell line (HT29), and analyze the expression of caspase-3 and 9 genes. Materials and Methods: The present experimental study used the MTT assay to examine the cytotoxicity of 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles on cell line HT29. After the treatment of HT29 cells with IC50 concentration of TiO2, the gene expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were investigated and compared with the reference gene of GAPDH using real time PCR. DAPI staining and flow cytometry were ultimately used to confirm apoptosis in HT29 cells.  Results: The treatment of HT29 cells with different concentrations of TiO2 showed that TiO2 nanoparticles at 50 and 100 µg/ml concentrations present the highest cytotoxicity, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of caspase-3 gene was found to be significantly upregulated by 2.0±69.13 (P<0.001) and that of caspase-9 gene by 3.0±46.29 (P<0.001) in HT29 cell lines treated with TiO2 nanoparticles for 24 hours. The results of DAPI staining and flow cytometry also confirmed apoptosis in HT29 cells.   Conclusion: According to the obtained results, TiO2 nanoparticles can be recommended as prospective medicinal candidates for pharmaceutical purposes, although further studies are required in this field

Antibacterial and anticancer activities of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using Artemisia khorassanica extract: Bax and Bcl2 apoptosis gene expression analysis

Introdution: Recently, the biosynthesis of nanoparticles and the use of medicinal plants for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has attracted researchers due to its low cost and eco-friendly characteristics. The aim of this study was to synthesis of AgNPs using Artemisia khorassanica and analysis of its antibacterial and anti-cancer activities. Methods: In this experimental study, ethanolic extract of A. khorassanica was prepared and AgNPs was synthesized. Subsequently, Antibacterial and anti-cancer activities of AgNPs on lung cancer cell line were assessed using microdilution and MTT methods, respectively. Finally, the Bax and Bcl2 apoptotic gene expression was analyzed via Real Time PCR. Results: The result of antibacterial activity showed that the AgNPs had a significant effect on gram negative bacteria. In addition to, AgNPs in 100 µg/mL had significant cytotoxic effect to lung cancer cell line. The statistical analysis of Real Time PCR results by one-way ANOVA test indicated that the Bax and Bcl2 gene expression were 3.03±0.67 (P<0.001) up-regulated and 0.38±0.15 (P<0.001) down-regulated, respectively. Conclusion: The results show that the biosynthesis of AgNPs using A. khorassanica extract is low-cost and simple and due to its antibacterial and anticancer activities can be used as drug candidate

Investigation of Chemical Composition of Helichrysum artemisioides Essential Oil, and its Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Effects on Colon Cancer Cell Line and Analysis of Apoptotic Gene Expression Using PCR Method

Background and Objectives: Helichrysum artemisioides is one of the endemic medicinal plants in Iran. The aim of this research was to identify the chemical composition of H. artemisioides essential oil and its antibacterial and cytotoxic effects on colon cancer cell line (HT29). &nbsp; Methods: In this study, the essential oil of H. artemisioides was collected by hydrodistillation method using Clevenger apparatus. Chemical composition of essential oil was identified using a GC-MS device. Subsequently, antibacterial effect of the essential oil on pathogenic bacteria and its cytotoxic activity on colon cancer cell line (HT29), were determined using MIC and MTT methods, respectively. The expression of Bax and Bcl2 apoptotic genes in HT29 cell line, was assessed using real time PCR method. &nbsp; Results: GC-MS analysis of essential oil of the plant showed 55 compounds, most of which belonged to Carvacrol (12.5%) and 1R-&alpha;-Pinene (12.5%). Furthermore, the essential oil of this plant had the highest effect on Gram-positive bacteria and the least effect on gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the essential oil of this plant had IC50=31.54mg/ml on HT29 cell line. Results of real time PCR showed increase in expression level of Bax gene and decrease in expression level of Bcl2, respectively, 2.9 &plusmn; 0.2 (p<0.05) and 0.2&plusmn;0.7 (p<0.05). &nbsp; Conclusion: Considering antibacterial and anticancer effects of H. artemisioides essential oil, it appears that this plant has the potential to be used in pharmaceutical industries. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp

Association of Maternal Serum C- Reactive Protein Levels with Severity of Preeclampsia

The aim of this study was to investigate C-reactive protein (CRP) level in preeclampsia (PE) and its association with the severity of the disease. This cross-sectional study included 43 women with mild PE, 43 women with severe PE, and 43 healthy pregnant. They were selected in the third trimester of pregnancy in the Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran, from March 2006 to March 2007. Mean diastolic pressure and level of proteinuria were used as indicators of the severity of the disease. The results were analyzed by t-test and spearman&apos;s rank correlation coefficient. Hemoglobin, aspartate and alanine transaminase, creatinine and urine protein excretion, serum CRP, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in women with PE. There were significant correlations between serum CRP levels and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.5, P = 0), urinary protein excretion (r = 0.5, P = 0), creatinine (r = 0.2, P = 0.003), spartate transaminase (r = 0.3, P = 0), alanine transaminase (r = 0.2, P = 0.006), and Hemoglobin (r = 0.2, P = 0.001). There were a negative correlation between serum CRP and weight of the new born (r = -0.09, P = 0.01) and gestational age in the time of delivery (r = -0.07, P = 0). We showed higher levels of CRP in women with PE. Elevated serum levels of CRP in PE women are, thus, correlated with severity of disease

Cloning, Expression and Characterization of PprI gene in Escherichia coli

Background and Objectives: PprI is one of newly gene identified in Deinococcus radiodurans and plays a critical role in DNA repair and protection against ultraviolet radiation stress. The aim of this study was to clone, express and characterize PprI gene in Escherichia coli.Materials and Methods: The PprI gene of D. radiodurans was constructed in pGEM-B1 vector and the cloned gene was subcloned into pET21a expression vector. The pET21a-PprI was expressed in E. coli (Origami strain). Expression of recombinant PprI was confirmed by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and western blotting. In addition, the UV-C radiation resistance of recombinant E. coli was determined.Results: The chimeric pET21a plasmid containing the C -terminal fusion of His-tag with PprI gene was successfully constructed and the medium condition for the expression was optimized. In addition, transformed E. coli had higher resistance to radiation than the original strain. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that PprI protein could be a potential candidate to be considered as a radioresistant protein. However, the UV-C radioresistance potency of recombinant PprI should be analyzed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic system

Rps27a might act as a controller of microglia activation in triggering neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are increasing serious menaces to human health in the recent years. Despite exhibiting different clinical phenotypes and selective neuronal loss, there are certain common features in these disorders, suggesting the presence of commonly dysregulated pathways. Identifying causal genes and dysregulated pathways can be helpful in providing effective treatment in these diseases. Interestingly, in spite of the considerable researches on NDDs, to the best of our knowledge, no dysregulated genes and/or pathways were reported in common across all the major NDDs so far. In this study, for the first time, we have applied the three-way interaction model, as an approach to unravel sophisticated gene interactions, to trace switch genes and significant pathways that are involved in six major NDDs. Subsequently, a gene regulatory network was constructed to investigate the regulatory communication of statistically significant triplets. Finally, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was applied to find possible common pathways. Because of the central role of neuroinflammation and immune system responses in both pathogenic and protective mechanisms in the NDDs, we focused on immune genes in this study. Our results suggest that "cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" pathway is enriched in all of the studied NDDs, while "osteoclast differentiation" and "natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity" pathways are enriched in five of the NDDs each. The results of this study indicate that three pathways that include "osteoclast differentiation", "natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity" and "cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" are common in five, five and six NDDs, respectively. Additionally, our analysis showed that Rps27a as a switch gene, together with the gene pair {Il-18, Cx3cl1} form a statistically significant and biologically relevant triplet in the major NDDs. More specifically, we suggested that Cx3cl1 might act as a potential upstream regulator of Il-18 in microglia activation, and in turn, might be controlled with Rps27a in triggering NDDs