Production of rare cycloartane saponins from Astragalus thracicus (Griseb) compared to Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge – native and biotechnological sources

The aim of this study is a comparative metabolomic analysis between the endangered species Astragalus membranaceus and endemic species Astragalus thracicus concerning cycloartane saponins. In addition, in vitro shoots, callus, and suspension cultures of A. thracicus were successfully established to conserve the biodiversity of those endemic species and to increase the amount of produced saponins. The comparison was made according to the quantity of cycloartane saponins astragaloside I (1), astragaloside II (2), and astragaloside IV (4) to the reference standards for the same compounds by UHPLC-HRESI-MS analysis. The in vitro root cultures of A. thracicus reached two folds higher amounts of saponins (1.50 mg/g DW (1), 1.01 mg/g DW (2), and 0.91 mg/g DW (3)) than the native root of A. thracicus (1.14 mg/g DW (1) 0.47 mg/g DW (2), 0.40 mg/g DW (3)), and up to six times higher when compared with roots A. membranaceus (0.23 mg/g DW (1), 0.18 mg/g DW (2) and 0.05 mg/g DW (3))

Eosinophilic granuloma of the skull bone: a case report Langenharns cell granulomatosis

Eosinophilic granuloma is a rare benign tumor which is a variety of histiocytosis-X with unknown etiology. Eosinophilic granuloma occurs as single or multiple lesions of bone destruction. The eosinophilic granuloma of the skull can be asymptomatic or presented with pain and swelling. We present a clinical case of 20-years-old female patient who has entered the Neurosurgery clinic of “St. Marina” University Hospital with clinical manifestation of growing and painful tumor formation in the left frontal area for several weeks. MRI scan discovered evidence of a tumor formation on the left frontal side of the skull, suspicious for an eosinophilic granuloma. Under general anesthesia, an operative treatment was performed. Total extirpation of the tumor mass was achieved and cranioplasty with titanium mesh of the bone defect was performed. Posteratively, the patient had a good cosmetic effect, she was mobilized on the first day after the intervention and discharged from the hospital on the 5th day. Surgery-related complications were not observed. In the postoperative period the patient was followed-up by a hematologist. It is important and recommended for clinicians to include eosinophilic granuloma in the differential diganosis of bone lesions in patients because of the possible expansion of the disease if untreated. A follow-up of a year is necessary for possible recurrence

Multiple proliferating trichilemmal cysts of the skalp: a case report. Multiple proliferating pilar tumors of the scalp

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst, also known as proliferating pilar scalp tumor, is a rare benign tumor of the hair follicle. While trichilemmal cysts are common intradermal or subcutaneous cysts, occuring in 5–10% of the population, only 2% will develop into proliferative trichilemmal cyst. The differential diagnosis should include lesions such as malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor and squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment is the only effective method for treating these rare cysts. We present a case report of a 78-years-old female patient who hasentered the Neurosurgery clinic of “St. Marina” University Hospital with clinical manifestation of rapidly growing from several months subcutaneous formation on the head and the presence of two smaller ones. MRI scan discovered three subcutaneous tumor formations suspicious for trichilem cysts, one of which was gigantic in size. After clinical discussion, under general anesthesia an operative treatment was performed with total extirpation of the cysts. Postoperatively, surgery-related complications were not observed. The patient was mobilized and verticalized on the day after intervention and discharged on the 5th day. As a result, a good cosmetic effect was obtained. Proliferating trichilemmal cyst is an uncommon neoplasm, and reporting of these lesions are important due to the good clinical evolution compared to the malignant macroscopic and microscopic feature of these tumor formations

Biotechnological approaches for sustainable production of astragaloside I, II and IV from endemic species of Astracantha aitosensis (Ivan.) and Astragalus membranaceus (fisch.) by in vitro cultures

This study investigates the bioproduction of astragalosides I, II and IV from endemic Astracantha aitosensis (arnacantha) and Astragalus membranaceus species, and the biotechnological methods for increased efficiency. The extracts from established in vitro cultures, including A. aitosensis callus, shoots and roots and A. membranaceus hairy roots, showed higher astragaloside concentrations than native roots. Specifically, in vitro A. aitosensis cultures produced astragaloside I and II at 0.06 and 0.10 mg/g DW, which were absent in native roots. The production of A. membranaceuss hairy roots exceeds 8 to 15 times astragaloside I and II (0.80 and 0.90 mg/g DW) production when compared to native roots (0.10 and 0.05 mg/g DW), and around 3 times high amount related to astragaloside IV. Addressing astragaloside production challenges, this research also reveals biotechnology approaches as an alternative for sustainable production of this rare cycloartane saponins, conserving the natural habitats. A pilot reproducible in vitro cellular platform has been created, and protocol for specific, unconventional induction of the biosynthesis of the desired target compounds, exploiting the enzymatic system of plant cells from the unexplored plant species A. aitosensis has been established. Our findings clearly show the possibility of using in vitro cultures of A. aitosensis and A. membranaceus for biotechnology production of cycloartane type saponins

Biotechnological approaches for sustainable production of astragaloside I, II and IV from endemic species of Astracantha aitosensis (Ivan.) and Astragalus membranaceus (fisch.) by in vitro cultures

This study investigates the bioproduction of astragalosides I, II and IV from endemic Astracantha aitosensis (arnacantha) and Astragalus membranaceus species, and the biotechnological methods for increased efficiency. The extracts from established in vitro cultures, including A. aitosensis callus, shoots and roots and A. membranaceus hairy roots, showed higher astragaloside concentrations than native roots. Specifically, in vitro A. aitosensis cultures produced astragaloside I and II at 0.06 and 0.10 mg/g DW, which were absent in native roots. The production of A. membranaceuss hairy roots exceeds 8 to 15 times astragaloside I and II (0.80 and 0.90 mg/g DW) production when compared to native roots (0.10 and 0.05 mg/g DW), and around 3 times high amount related to astragaloside IV. Addressing astragaloside production challenges, this research also reveals biotechnology approaches as an alternative for sustainable production of this rare cycloartane saponins, conserving the natural habitats. A pilot reproducible in vitro cellular platform has been created, and protocol for specific, unconventional induction of the biosynthesis of the desired target compounds, exploiting the enzymatic system of plant cells from the unexplored plant species A. aitosensis has been established. Our findings clearly show the possibility of using in vitro cultures of A. aitosensis and A. membranaceus for biotechnology production of cycloartane type saponins