Effect of Deterpenated Origanum majorana L. Essential Oil on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Chitosan/β-Chitin Nanofibers Nanocomposite Films

Herein, the effect of three deterpenated fractions from Origanum majorana L. essential oil on the physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties of chitosan/β-chitin nanofibers-based nanocomposite films were investigated. In general, the incorporation of Origanum majorana L. original essential oil or its deterpenated fractions increases the opacity of the nanocomposite films and gives them a yellowish color. The water solubility decreases from 58% for chitosan/β-chitin nanofibers nanocomposite film to around 32% for the nanocomposite films modified with original essential oil or its deterpenated fractions. Regarding the thermal stability, no major changes were observed, and the mechanical properties decreased. Interestingly, data show differences on the biological properties of the materials depending on the incorporated deterpenated fraction of Origanum majorana L. essential oil. The nanocomposite films prepared with the deterpenated fractions with a high concentration of oxygenated terpene derivatives show the best antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, with fungal growth inhibition of around 85.90%. Nonetheless, the only nanocomposite film that does not present cytotoxicity on the viability of L929 fibroblast cells after 48 and 72 h is the one prepared with the fraction presenting the higher terpenic hydrocarbon content (87.92%). These results suggest that the composition of the deterpenated fraction plays an important role in determining the biological properties of the nanocomposite films.This research was funded by the Basque Country Government (IT 1008-16)

Changes In Apoptosis-Related Gene Expression Profiles In Cancer Cell Lines Exposed To Usnic Acid Lichen Secondary Metabolite

The presence of uninhibited side effects of cancer drugs often used in cancer treatment has stimulated the search for alternative therapeutic approaches. Therefore, anticarcinogenic effects of synthetic, herbal, and fungal drugs have been investigated for the treatment of various cancer types in recent studies. Lichens, symbiotic organisms of fungi and algae, synthesize metabolites with significant biological activities. The aim of the current study was to screen the anticancer potential of usnic acid on various types of nonmalignant cell lines (Vero, L929) and cancer cell lines (CaCo2, RD, Hep2C, HepG2, Wehi). The growth inhibitory effect of usnic acid was determined by MTT assay. Since this study was also designed to explore mRNA expression profiles, this paper is the first to look into the effects of usnic acid on apoptotic gene expression. The effects of usnic acid on the gene expression patterns of the tumor suppressor gene p53, proapoptotic gene Bcl-2, and Bax were studied with qRT-PCR. There was an approximately ninefold decrease in the p53 and Bcl-2 expression for usnic acid in the Wehi cancer cell line. Consequently, it is concluded that usnic acid has tumor inhibitory properties, and if indicated by further works like animal studies and clinical trials, it may be used therapeutically in the future.WoSScopu

Genotoxic effect of cadmium in okra seedlings: Comperative investigation with population parameters and molecular markers

WOS: 000326422100004PubMed ID: 24555326Plants are considered as good bioindicators because of their significant role in food chain transfer. They are also easy to grow, adaptable to environmental stresses and can be used for assaying a range of environmental conditions in different habitats. Thus, many plant species have been used as bioindicators. In order to evaluate the genotoxic effect of cadmium, okra (Abelmoschus esculantus L.) seedlings were treated with different concentrations (30, 60, 120 mg l(-1)) of cadmium and investigated for their population parameters such as inhibition of root growth; total soluble protein content, dry weight and also the impact of metal on the genetic material by RAPD analysis. Root growth and total soluble protein content in okra seedlings were reduced with increased Cd concentrations. RAPD analysis indicated formation of new bands mostly at 60 and 120 mg l(-1) Cd treatments. Altered DNA band patterns and population parameters after Cd treatments suggest that okra could be used as an indicator to reveal the effects of genotoxic agents.Biotechnology Institute of Ankara University, Ankara [171]The authors would like to thank Biotechnology Institute of Ankara University, Ankara for providing equipments via the projects number 8,61 and 171

Usnic acid causes apoptotic-like death in Leishmania major, L. infantum and L. tropica

Cansaran-Duman, Demet/0000-0003-3759-6664; Ozkan, Aysegul Taylan/0000-0001-8421-3625; Derici, Mehmet Kursat/0000-0002-8260-7492; Cansaran Duman, Demet/0000-0001-5662-2333WOS: 000442748300002PubMed: 30148034Leishmaniasis, a deadly parasitic infection, threatens many people worldwide. Since the high cost, toxicity, and resistance are drawbacks of current treatment options, it is necessary to find safer and more effective new antileishmanial drugs. The aim of this study was to determine the antileishmanial activity of usnic acid and its apoptotic mechanism on Leishmania spp. promastigotes. The antileishmanial activity was evaluated by MTT assay and apoptosis-related gene expression was investigated by qRT-PCR. Usnic acid was to be effective against Leishmania major, L. infantum, and L. tropica promastigotes at IC50 =10.76 mu g/ml, 13.34 mu g/ml, and 21.06 mu g/ml, respectively. We also demonstrated a novel mechanism by which usnic acid inhibited proliferation and caused apoptosis; usnic acid upregulated p53, Bax, Casp-3, and Casp-9 gene expression and downregulated the level of Bcl-2 gene expression. Accordingly, the expression level of the P53 gene increased in L. major, L. infantum and L. tropica by 14.4-, 11.8-, and 9.5-fold, respectively, and in contrast, the Bcl-2 gene expression decreased in all three leishmaniasis by 0.8-, 0.8-, and 0.7-fold, respectively. The present study, therefore, revealed that usnic acid played a critical role in the usnic acid-induced apoptotic process in Leishmania species. Usnic acid is easily accessible and an inexpensive agent, and can be considered as an alternative therapeutic agent for Leishmania infections subject to further tests in animal models.Hitit UniversityHitit University [TIP19002.16.001]This study was supported by Hitit University (Grant no: TIP19002.16.001)

Assessment of air pollution genotoxicity by molecular markers in the exposed samples of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf in the province of Kayseri (Central Anatolia)

In living organisms heterogenous air pollutants are considered as a major source of DNA damage. In this study, we aimed to describe the DNA changes in Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf samples exposed to pollution at various sites in Kayseri by RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis in order to reveal the pattern of genetic variation influenced by the environmental pollution. The study area is characterized by the presence of numerous industrial activities, such as steel works, glassworks, shipbuilding, and metallurgical, mechanical, chemical and food industries. Control samples were collected from C, at forest (Sivas) and exposed to pollution in dry and wet seasons in the province of Kayseri located in Central Anatolia. Results indicated that heterogeneous pollutants might have contributed to the changes in the band patterns obtained by RAPD analysis, reflecting the occurrence of DNA damage in the control samples

Proteomic applications of different biological organisms Farkli biyolojik organizmalarda proteomik uygulamalar

Proteomics described in 1994 for the first time by Marc Wilkins is based on the analysis all proteins present at any time in an organism, tissue or cell by using a largescale protein separation and identification methods. The proteome is all the different proteins that an organism possesses and expresses at a certain time and place. Proteomic expresses the structures of all proteins at a certain time and place, placements, quantities, the post-translational modifications, functions in tissues and cells, and the interactions of other proteins and macro molecules. DNAs in cells of different tissues and organs are similar, but proteins are dissimilar. Therefore, science of genetics is not sufficient for the diagnosis of various diseases. For this reason, there is increasing interest in the science of proteomics day by day. In this review, firstly, we evaluated different protein extraction methods, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2- DE), and proteomic applications which include mass spectrometry (MS) techniques. Secondly, it is mentioned that the studies carried out by proteomics in different field of medicine through using of different organism or tissue. In addition, in recent years, the studies have been evaluated to determine the response of different biological organisms and protein used in defense mechanisms when expose to biotic or abiotic stresses by proteome analyses

The investigations of thermal behavior, kinetic analysis, and biological activity of trinuclear complexes prepared ONNO-type Schiff bases with nitrito and nitrato mu-bridges

WOS: 000394142200022By using bis-N,N'(salicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane and reduced form of this ligand bis-N,N'(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane, we prepared eight trinuclear complexes in the core form of Ni-II-Ni-II-Ni-II and Ni-II-Cu-II-Ni-II. Complexes have been characterized with element analysis, IR spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy methods and also investigated with Thermogravimetry (TG). It was observed that thermal characteristics of the complexes prepared by the reduced form of Schiff base are different from complexes prepared by the Schiff base. According to TG, two thermal reactions between 120 and 180 A degrees C endothermic separation of coordinative dimethylformamide molecules and then around 300 A degrees C exothermic decomposition of molecule were observed for Schiff base-prepared complexes. On the other hand, the complexes resulted from reduced Schiff base reactions were shown decomposed around 250-270 A degrees C by exothermic thermal reaction. Kinetic parameters of decompositions were determined by isothermal and non-isothermal kinetic methods, Coats-Redfern (CR), Ozawa, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) and Kissenger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS). Departing from these values, thermodynamic parameters were calculated and the results were interpreted. It was concluded that the complexes prepared with reduced Schiff bases are more strained structures. Biological activities of these complexes were also inspected, and antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested against four different bacterial strains (E. coli, P. aureginosa, S. aureus and E. feacalis) and a fungus species (C. albicans)