Anti-cancer effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of pericarp of pistachio fruits

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxicity and anti-cancer effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of pistachio pericarp on hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and mouse fibroblast L929 cells as normal and control group cell. Methods: MTT assay was performed to investigate the cytotoxicity effects of the extract at 0-4 000 μg/mL on the cells after 24 and 48 h. The expressions of some genes involved in apoptosis including Bax, Bcl-2 and P53 were investigated by real time PCR. Results: Our results showed that after 24 and 48 hours of treatment of cells with this extract, the viability of HepG2 and L929 cells was reduced. Therefore, this extract had the cytotoxicity effect on both cells. The IC50 concentration of extract for HepG2 cells after 24 and 48 hours of treatment was 1 500 and 1 000 μg/mL and for L929 cells was 2 000 and 1 500 μg/mL, respectively. The expressions of Bax and P53 genes were up-regulated after treatment in the HepG2 and L929 cells and the expression of Bcl-2 gene was down-regulated after treatment of extract in HepG2 cell. Conclusions: According to the results of MTT assay and real time PCR, this extract can be considered as a potential candidate for use in the production of anti-cancer drugs for the treatment of patients with liver cancer in future

Ovarian endocrine status and art outcomes in women within PCOS based on different testosterone levels

Background: It is estimated that in women at reproductive age, the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is about 5–21%. In PCOS cases with ovulation dysfunction, assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are useful for infertility treatment. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the ART outcome in infertile PCOS women based on different testosterone levels. Finally, the relationships between testosterone in different levels and reproductive parameters including endocrine status, the response of ovaries, and pregnancy outcomes were assessed. Methods: In this retrospective study, 352 infertile PCOS women were examined. The women were categorised into five groups according to their testosterone levels: A = T 0.6, C = 0.6 0.8, D = 0.8 1.0 and E = T > 1.0 ng/dL. All study cases were in similar hyper-stimulation protocol and finally, hormonal profile and ART outcomes were compared between testosterone levels. P value ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: In testosterone levels >1.0, the levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and luteinising hormone (LH) were higher than in other testosterone level groups. AMH (P = 0.05) and LH (P = 0.001) levels showed significant differences. No correlation was present between testosterone levels and ART outcomes, including stimulation duration, endometrial thickness, oocyte numbers, numbers of matured oocytes, number of obtained embryos, fertilisation rate, implantation rate clinical pregnancy and abortion rate. Conclusions: Serum testosterone levels did not show any correlation with pregnancy outcomes in ART cycles of PCOS. However, basal testosterone levels are a good predictor for ovarian reserve and ovarian response. Consequently, we suggest that some prospective studies must be designed to approve the role of testosterone in the prediction of the outcome of pregnancy in ART cycles

Development of a novel liposomal nanoparticle formulation of cisplatin to breast cancer therapy

Cisplatin is one of the conventional drugs used in chemotherapy which has a potent antitumor function. However, due to the dangerous side effects, including the damage to DNA of the normal cells, its clinical use is limited. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize nanoliposome containing cisplatin. We optimized liposome formulations through the modification of the proportion of SPC80 (soybeanphospholipids with 75 phosphatidylcholine) and cholesterol content. Then, novel PEGylated liposomal formulations containing SPC80: cholesterol: DSPE-mPEG (at ratios of 85:10:5) were designed and developed to serve as a therapy to achieve more improved pharmaceutical efficiency. Zeta Sizer showed that PEGylated nanoliposomes had a mean diameter of 119.7 ± 2.1 nm, a zeta potential of �26.03 ± 1.34 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 96.65 ± 3. The optimum formulations represented sustained, thermo-sensitive release, and augmented cellular uptake. The cytotoxic effect of the liposomal drug was higher than the free medication drug that confirmed the efficiency of cellular uptake. This study suggests that nanoliposome-loaded cisplatin plays a vital role in improving drug efficacy and the reduction of dosage. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

The effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds on the lipid profile and oxidative stress in fructose-fed rats

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex clinical disorder that can lead to an increase in oxidative stress. Patients with this syndrome are at risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) plant has many therapeutic effects, including anti-diabetic and antioxidant. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds (HEFS) on dyslipidemia and oxidative stress due to high-fructose diet-induced MetS. Methods: In this experimental study, to induce MetS, animals received water containing 20 fructose for 8 weeks. After induction of MetS, 48 male Wistar rats (200�250 g) were randomized into six groups. HEFS was administered to animals at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg orally for 4 weeks. Animal blood samples were collected to measure biochemical and antioxidant parameters of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Results: The findings showed that the serum levels of FPG, TC, LDL-C, TG, and MDA were significantly reduced in HEFS-exposed groups compared with the control group (P< 0.05). Also, significant increases in HDL-C, GPX, CAT, and TAC levels (P< 0.05) were observed. Conclusion: Our results revealed that treatment with HEFS increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes, decreases FPG level, and at the same time, modifies the lipid profile in MetS. Therefore, HEFS may help to alleviate the risk of some chronic complications of this disease. Copyright © 2020 Korean Society for the Study of Obesit

Interaction of a Vanadyl Schiff Base Complex with DNA and BSA: A Combination of Experimental and Computational Studies

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cancer is the primary cause of death in the world. Vanadium (IV) is a metal ion complex which has been proposed as a suitable candidate for cancer treatment. In this study, the interaction of the oxido-vanadium (IV) complex VOL(bipy) with salmon sperm DNA and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) was investigated through experimental and computational approaches. With the results of this experimental study, the mechanism and parameters related to the interaction of VOL(bipy) with DNA and BSA were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The kinetic interaction of DNA and BSA with VOL(bipy) was determined using absorption titration and fluorescence quenching, respectively. Moreover, the possible interactions were calculated by molecular docking prediction using the available software. RESULTS: The binding constant (Kb) of the complex-DNA interaction was calculated to be 2.34Ã�104 M-1, indicating a relatively strong interaction between the complex and DNA. It was found that the V(IV) complex interacted with DNA through the groove binding mode followed by partial intercalation into the DNA helix. The Kb values obtained for VOL(bipy)-BSA interaction were in the range of 1.07Ã�103-5.82Ã�104 M-1. The V(IV) complex was found to prefer the domain I binding pocket of BSA with the Î�Gb value of -7.52 kcal/mol. CONCLUSION: Both experimental and computational analyses confirmed the interaction of the vanadium complex with DNA and BSA. The moderate affinity of VOL(bipy) for BSA indicates that this protein is a good candidate for transferring the complex. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at [email protected]