Formulation and characterization of a novel cutaneous wound healing ointment by silver nanoparticles containing Citrus lemon leaf: A chemobiological study

Introduction: Formulating new wound-healing ointments by natural compounds is the first research priority in the developing and developed countries. This study was intended to provide green formulation of Ag-NP ointment containing Citrus lemon leaf aqueous extract and examine its capability of healing cutaneous wounds and its antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Materials and methods: Different techniques, including UV�Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, were used to characterize Ag-NPs. MTT assay was used to investigate cytotoxicity property of Ag-NPs. Antioxidant activity of Ag-NPs were examined by DPPH in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as positive control. Parameters of cutaneous wound healing were measured both histopathologically and biochemically. Results: Clear peak at 429 nm shown by UV�Vis spectroscopy indicated formation of Ag-NPs. In FT-IR spectroscopy, presence of many antioxidant compounds provided an excellent condition to reduce silver in Ag-NPs. FE-SEM and TEM images showed spherical Ag-NPs with an average size of 25.1 nm. The synthesized silver nanoparticles had excellent cell viability on the HUVECs line and indicated this method was nontoxic. Application of Ag-NP ointment improved wound healing parameters significantly (P � 0.01). Ag-NPs reduced wound areas, total cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes significantly (P � 0.01) and increased wound contracture, vessels, hexosamines, hydroxyl proline, hexuronic acid, fibrocytes, fibroblasts and fibrocyte/ fibroblast ratios significantly (P � 0.01). Conclusions: Once our results are verified by clinically experimental studies, Ag-NP ointment can be used as a modern one to treat several types of wounds, especially cutaneous ones, in humans. © 202

GFAP and Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE) in the Serum of Suicide Attempters

Background: To determine whether neuronal damage and/or neuroinflammation exist in the brain of suicide attempters and to find a novel biological biomarker to help distinguishing high risk individuals with suicide behavior, we aimed to measure glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron specific enolase (NSE), and nerve growth factor (NGF) in suicide attempters. Methods: In the present case-control study, the serum level of NSE, GFAP, and NGF were measured quantitatively in 43 suicide attempters and 43 healthy control participants aged 18 to 35 years. Data were analyzed using the nonpaired t test followed by the Mann-Whitney posttest. Results: The mean serum level of NSE and GFAP were significantly higher in suicide attempters compared with healthy control individuals (p = 0.003, p = 0.001, respectively), while no significant difference was detected in NGF serum level between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Our findings of increased level of NSE along with the significant increase in GFAP would propose the presence of low grade neuroinflammation in the brain of these participants. NSE/GFAP might be good markers that is easily accessible and can be considered as prognostic markers in high-risk suicide attempters © Iran University of Medical Science

An overview of the role of metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles and their salts during sperm cryopreservation and in vitro embryo manipulation

The cryopreservation of spermatozoa and the in vitro embryo production are valuable tools used in a variety of species, including humans, livestock, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. Sperm cryopreservation has been used to maintain or increase the genetic diversity of threatened species. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules derived from oxygen, being formed as byproducts of cellular metabolism. During cryopreservation of sperm and other in vitro manipulations of oocytes and embryos, ROS production is dramatically increased. In cells, low, medium, and high levels of ROS lead to different outcomes, apoptosis, auto-phagocytosis, and necrosis, respectively. ROS produced by cells can be neutralized by intracellular antioxidant systems, including enzymes as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants. Free radicals and oxidative stress can be major factors influencing in vitro manipulations. In this review, we discuss the role that metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles and their salts play in the modulation of oxidative stress during in vitro embryo production and cryopreservation of sperm

Synthesis and application of Au NPs-chitosan nanocomposite in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in vitro and in vivo

In recent days, novel biomolecule stabilized nanocomposites have come into prominence as featured next generation materials. In this article we have green synthesized Au nanoparticles being deposited and stabilized over chitosan (CS) molecules. The electron rich polar functional groups of chitosan have been exploited to cap the Au NPs. The structural and physical features of Au NPs-CS nanocomposite was analyzed with different techniques like Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy techniques. Recently, noble metal nanoparticles have been used in the treatment of different cancers. This has prompted us to use our nanocomposite in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) both in vitro and in vivo. Initially, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was performed to study the excellent antioxidant properties of Au NPs-CS nanocomposite. For in vitro cytotoxicity studies, HUVEC normal cell line, 32D-FLT3-ITD and Murine C1498 cancer cell lines were used and the nanocomposite was found of comparable potential as the standard AML drug Daunorubicin. For in vivo studies, 7,12-Dimethylbenzaanthracene (DMBA) was injected for inducing AML over 50 mice and then the drug as well as the nanocomposite was administered. Subsequently, comparison of different immunological, hematological, biochemical, stereological parameters and S1PR1 and S1PR5 mRNA expressions were ascertained. By quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, S1PR1 and S1PR5 mRNA expression in lymphocytes were significantly (p <= 0.05) raised by treating the leukemic mice with the nanocomposite. Also, nanocomposite significantly (p <= 0.05) decreased the weight and volume of liver and spleen, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the total white blood cells, blast, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts, increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines and the lymphocyte, platelet and red blood cells parameters, and regulated the biochemical parameters as compared to the untreated mice. An extensive study was done on these biological experiments using the Au NPs-CS nanocomposite and we achieved fascinating results such that it could be used as an alternative prospective chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University

Extraction and identification of the components of Thymbra spicata L. and Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad Oils native to Ilam province by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad (Lamiaceae) and Thymbra spicata L. (Lamiaceae) are medicinal plants belonging to the genera of Satureja and Thymbra, having many uses in traditional Iranian medicine. S. khuzistanica is used to treat different diseases such as cramps, nausea, and infectious diseases. Medicinal plants, extracts and essential oils are of special importance for pharmacy, health and food industries. S. khuzistanica and T. spicata plants were collected from Dehloran located in south of Ilam province in western Iran. Then, they were dried and powdered. Headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques were used to obtain extracts of mentioned plants and identify their active compounds. Essential oil from T. spicata contained 45 chemical compounds, whose main ones were isothymol (36.24), gamma-terpinene (17.94), O-cymene (10.92), trans-caryophyllene (7.81), alpha-pinene (7.24), and camphene (3.61). Also, essential oil from S. khuzestanica contained 43 chemical compounds which main ones were carvacrol (71.99), camphene (2.84), alpha-pinene (1.63), 1,8-Cineole (1.51). carvone (1.44) and beta-pinene (1.42). Results from present study indicated that antioxidative and antimicrobial compounds such as carvacrol were found in both plants (S. khuzestanica and T. spicata) from the Laminaceae family. Therefore, essential oils of these plants can find applications as antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiseptic compounds for medicinal and health purposes

An overview of the role of metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles and their salts during sperm cryopreservation and in vitro embryo manipulation

The cryopreservation of spermatozoa and the in vitro embryo production are valuable tools used in a variety of species, including humans, livestock, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. Sperm cryopreservation has been used to maintain or increase the genetic diversity of threatened species. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules derived from oxygen, being formed as byproducts of cellular metabolism. During cryopreservation of sperm and other in vitro manipulations of oocytes and embryos, ROS production is dramatically increased. In cells, low, medium, and high levels of ROS lead to different outcomes, apoptosis, auto-phagocytosis, and necrosis, respectively. ROS produced by cells can be neutralized by intracellular antioxidant systems, including enzymes as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants. Free radicals and oxidative stress can be major factors influencing in vitro manipulations. In this review, we discuss the role that metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles and their salts play in the modulation of oxidative stress during in vitro embryo production and cryopreservation of sperm

Protective effect of Nectaroscordum tripedale extract and its bioactive component tetramethylpyrazine against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Hepatoxicity is a common complication of acetaminophen. This study was to evaluate the effects of Nectaroscordum tripedale extract (NTE) and its bioactive component tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on acetaminophen-induced liver failure. The presence of TMP in NTE was determined by HPLC. The hepatoprotective effect of NTE and TMP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively) was evaluated by the assay of liver function parameters; total bilirubin, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results revealed that TMP was 1.24 mg/g in NTE. LD50 of the NTE and TMP was 3800 mg/kg and 2700 mg/kg, respectively. NTE and TMP (100 and 200 mg/kg) decreased the ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin but the SOD increased in a dose-dependent manner in acetaminophen-induced liver failure rats. In conclusion, NTE and its fraction TMP may be a protecting liver candidate against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. © 2020, Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University

Developing an interesting electrochemical biosensing system from an enzyme inhibition study: Binding, inhibition and determination of catalase by ascorbate

By this article, we are going to report results of one of works which has been performed on investigation of the binding and inhibition of catalase (CAT) by ascorbate (ASC). To achieve this goal, different electrochemical experiments have been performed and their data have been analyzed by conventional and chemometric methods. Conventional methods were including direct analysis of the electrochemical data by observation of them and using simple mathematical equations while chemometric analyses of the electrochemical data helped us to obtain more information which completed the previous information and gave us a new insight to the binding of the ASC with CAT. The next step of our study was devoted to the investigation of the binding of ASC with CAT by molecular docking methods which gave us new information about binding and inhibition of the CAT by ASC. All the steps gave specific information which not only confirmed each other but also gave new information which helped us to better understanding the mechanism of the binding and inhibition of the CAT by ASC. Finally, based on inhibition of the CAT by ASC, we have developed a novel impedimetric method for determination of the CAT. © 2020 The Author(s

Effects of dust phenomenon on heavy metals in raw milk in western Iran

Introduction. After the Iraq war, the dust phenomenon has increased in western Iran. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of the dust phenomenon on the content of heavy metals in raw milk in Ilam province. Study objects and methods. The dust samples were collected during one year. The concentrations of dust particles were determined with the Enviro Check Laser System, using the Dust Monitor Check. The concentration of heavy metals in dust was determined by using the high volume air samplers and glass fiber filters. Results and discussion. Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, zinc, copper, and iron) were measured at four sampling sites in raw milk by the atomic absorption method. The mean and standard deviations of dust particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were 105.6 ± 90.5 and 25.9 ± 15.4 μg/m3, respectively. The amounts of arsenic, zinc, lead, and copper were higher in the spring and summer. Lead levels in western and southern regions were higher than those in the east, center, and north. Conclusion. We found similar trends for arsenic, zinc, copper, and iron in raw milk. Our results showed the potential effect of the dust phenomenon on the presence of heavy metals in raw milk. © 2020, Karimi et al

Thymol Nanopolymer Synthesis and Its Effects on Morphine Withdrawal Syndrome in Comparison With Clonidine in Rats

The drug delivery system is valuable in the treatment of the disease. A nanopolymer as a thymol and Thymbra spicata release system was synthesized and its effects on morphine withdrawal syndrome in comparison with clonidine in rats were studied. The nanopolymer was characterized by different methods, namely, IR, HNMR, CNMR, GPC, DLS, and AFM. Thymol in T. spicata extract was assessed. The loading and release rate of thymol and T. spicata extract on the nanopolymer were evaluated by HPLC. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the T. spicata extract, thymol, extract nanopolymer, and thymol nanopolymer was studied. The frequency of jumping, rearing, and teeth chattering in naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal syndrome was studied. Synthesized nanopolymer was desirable as a carrier for the drug. The loaded amount of extract and thymol on nanopolymer was estimated 55 +/- 3.2 and 48 +/- 2.6 and the drug released was 71 and 68, respectively. LD50 of the T. spicata extract, thymol, extract nanopolymer, and thymol nanopolymer was 975, 580, 1,250, and 650 mg/kg, respectively. This study showed that thymol nanopolymer was more effective than clonidine to reduce the frequency of morphine withdrawal symptoms. Our results suggest that T. spicata extract, thymol, extract nanopolymer, and thymol nanopolymer are mighty in reducing the narcotic withdrawal signs. The mechanism of action and therapeutic potential is maybe similar to clonidine