Obtaining phenolic acids from cell cultures of various Artemisia species

Plant cell cultures represent a high valuable source for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites which can be used in food industry, medicine and cosmetic industry. In our study, we focused on obtaining phenolic acids from plant cell cultures. We compared cell cultures obtained from nine plant species of two families with a high potential for the production of phenolic substances. The most productive cell cultures for phenolic acids were Artemisia frigida and Silybum marianum. Isochlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids identified in the analyzed cell cultures. Cell culture of Nicotiana tabacum contained only one hydroxycinnamic acid derivative in low amounts. Altogether S. marianum cell culture was verified as the most suitable for production of phenolic acids.Keywords: Plant cell cultures, secondary metabolite, phenolic acids, chlorogenic aci

MODELLING OF DRUG RELEASE KINETICS FROM SPHERICAL PEGDA HYDROGELS

Hydrogels are attractive controlled delivery systems of drugs due to higher surface to volume ratio compared to macroscopic systems. In the scope of the presented work, PEG-DA based spherical hydrogels were synthesized, characterized, and. in vitro controlled release kinetics of the drug from microspheres for different PEG-DA and photoinitiator ratios were investigated with various mathematical models. In the first part of the work, synthesis of PEG-DA based spherical hydrogels by free-radical photopolymerization method by using photoinitiator was done. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) was used as macromer, ethylene glycol dimetacrylate (EGDMA) and 2,2 dimetoxy-2 phenylacetophenon (DMPA) were used as cross-linking agent and photoinitiator, respectively. In order to observe the effects of the amounts of the compounds, the ratios of the macromers was tested at 30 and 50 % by weight and photoinitiator ratio was arranged as 0.5 and 1 % by weight while cross-linker ratio was kept constant as 1 % by weight. The chemical characterizations of hydrogel were performed with ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) spectrums of hydrogels synthesized in the disc form with the same compositions and the characteristic pikes of PEG-DA was observed. Optic microscope images of synthesized, microspheres were taken. Then drug release experiments of polymer spherical hydrogels with known weight and gentamicin amount, were performed in pH 7 and pH 2 buffer solutions with certain ionic strengths. The drug release kinetic models, zero order, first order, second order, Hixson-Crowell, Weibull, Higuchi, Baker-Lonsdale, and Korsmeyer-Peppas mathematical models were selected. The data were arranged for each hydrogel group according to mathematical models from the graphical change of drug delivery results obtained with time. The mathematical models with highest regression coefficients, in other words the most suitable models for in vitro controlled drug release from PEGDA microspheres were predicted using MATLAB program

Two new benzamides: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray diffraction, and electronic structure analyses

This work includes the syntheses, molecular and electronic structure analyses of two novel secondary amide compounds 3-acetoxy-2-methyl-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)benzamide, 1 and 3-acetoxy-2-methyl-N-(3-methylphenyl)benzamide, 2. The title compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR techniques and quantum chemical calculations were used for the investigations on electronic structure. X-ray diffraction analyses show that both compounds 1 and 2 crystallized in the triclinic system with space group P-1. While the characteristic amide bands were observed in IR and NMR spectra, crystallographic studies indicate that the supramolecular structures were stabilized by intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C–H … π interactions for both compounds. Beside the experimental studies, natural bond orbital and molecular electrostatic potential analyses were carried out to understand the intramolecular charge transfers and hydrogen bonding behaviors of compounds. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Role of Bcl-2 family members in 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) mediated apoptosis

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), a very reactive lipid peroxidation product, was shown to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in a variety of cells Our recent data showed that FINE triggered caspase-9 and 3 activation and PARP cleavage in monocytic cell line U937. Following 10 mu M HNE treatment, levels of phosphorylated JNK, ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinases increased significantly in 2 and 4 h Our results indicate a time-dependent decrease in Bcl-2 expression in response to HNE treatment. We observed a slight decrease in Bcl-X-L expression, while Mcl-1 amount remained unchanged Pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak expressions did not change; but truncated form of Bax disapperared Just after HNE treatment Our preliminary studies conducted by specific inhibitors of MAP kinase proteins indicate that phosphorylation of p38, JNK or ERK 1/2 proteins regulate the activation of Bcl-2 proteins, effecting the cellular outcome such as apoptosi

Clinical and Radiological Comparison of Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma, Hyaluronic Acid, and Corticosteroid Injections on Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis.

There are few studies in the literature that comparatively evaluate the use of intra-articular orticosteroids (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In this study, the authors aimed to compare the clinical results of intra-articular CS, HA, and PRP injections in patients who presented to the authors' clinic with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and clinically diagnosed with TMJ-osteoarthritis. Patients were evaluated in 2 groups as those patients who felt pain on lateral (n = 31), and posterior (n = 43) palpation. Patients who were evaluated in the study were randomly assigned to 3 different treatment groups as Group 1 (PRP), Group 2 (HA), and Group 3 (CS). Pain felt on the TMJ on lateral and posterior palpation was assessed before treatment and every month for 3 months using a 5-point pain scale. Presence of crepitation, loss of function, and loss of strength were assessed before treatment and every month for 3 months. Significant changes were observed in the PRP and HA groups when the patients were evaluated according to the VAS scores evaluated at different follow-up times for TMJ pain on lateral palpation. Significant changes were observed in the PRP, HA, and CS groups when VAS scores were evaluated according to the patients' follow-up times for TMJ pain on lateral palpation. In conclusion, the findings of this study have shown that intra-articular PRP injections decreased TMJ palpation pain more effectively compared with the HA and CS groups

A novel homozygous nonsense mutation in CAST associated with PLACK syndrome

Peeling skin syndrome is a heterogeneous group of rare disorders. Peeling skin, leukonychia, acral punctate keratoses, cheilitis and knuckle pads (PLACK syndrome, OMIM616295) is a newly described form of PSS with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We report a 5.5-year-old boy with features of PLACK syndrome. Additionally, he had mild cerebral atrophy and mild muscle involvements. Whole exome sequencing was performed in genomic DNA of this individual and subsequent analysis revealed a homozygous c.544G > T (p.Glu182*) nonsense mutation in the CAST gene encoding calpastatin. Sanger sequencing confirmed this variant and demonstrated that his affected aunt was also homozygous. Real-time qRT-PCR and immunoblot analysis showed reduced calpastatin expression in skin fibroblasts derived from both affected individuals compared to heterozygous family members. In vitro calpastatin activity assays also showed decreased activity in affected individuals. This study further supports a key role for calpastatin in the tight regulation of proteolytic pathways within the skin