The removal of ρ-chlorophenol in aqueous cultures with free and alginate-immobilized cells of the microalga Tetraselmis suecica

The present study aimed at evaluating the ability of some isolated cyanobacterial and microalgal strains for the removal of ρ-chlorophenol (ρ-CP), an environmentally harmful contaminant. To identify the most efficient species, a screening program was carried out using 15 microalgal and cyanobacterial strains. Among them, Tetraselmis suecica was able to remove 67 % of the ρ-chlorophenol at an initial concentration of 20 mg L−1 from the medium within a 10-day period. The efficacy of the process was dependent on the ρ-chlorophenol concentration. At concentrations above 60 mg L−1 of the pollutant, no removal was observed due to the inhibitory effect of ρ-chlorophenol on the T. suecica cells. The effect of cell immobilization in alginate beads on T. suecica removal capacity was also examined. Using this technique, the removal efficacy for the initial ρ-CP concentration of 20 mg L−1 increased up to 94 %

Quantification of sucrose in the root of Geum iranicum Khatamsaz

Geum iranicum Khatamsaz (Rosaceae) is an endemic plant in Iran. The infusion and decoction of the plant have been used by local people for medicinal purposes. Our previous work on phytochemical studies on G. iranicum showed that the root was rich in sugars and sucrose was identified as a major one in it. In this study, the content of sucrose in the hydro-alcoholic (1:1) extract of the root of G.  iranicum was analyzed using HPLC. The amount of sucrose has been evaluated as 31.75% in the extract and 8.16% in the dried root. As a result, the presence of high amount of sucrose in the root of G. iranicum can be applicable for preparation of any pharmaceutical formulations of this plant

Effects of Flavonoid Fractions from Calendula officinalis Flowers in Parent and Tamoxifen Resistant T47D Human Breast Cancer Cells: Effects of flavonoids in human breast cancer cells

Three major flavonoid fractions were separated from a methanol extract of Calendula officinalis flowers by preparative TLC. These fractions were evaluated for the inhibition of parent and tamoxifen resistant T47D human breast cancer cells. We also examined the effect of quercetin and isorhamnetin on the growth of parent and resistant T47D cells in the presence and absence of tamoxifen. It was foundthat quercetin increased cell proliferation of the resistant T47D cells at the presence of tamoxifen but no effect was detected by using quercitin alone. The fractions isolated from Calendula officinalis did not show any inhibitory effects on the cells.Isorhamnetin did not have any proliferative or anti-proliferative activity on the both cell lines

A new rearranged tricyclic abietane diterpenoid from <i>Salvia chloroleuca</i> Rech. f. & Allen

<div><p>Phytochemical investigation of the roots of <i>Salvia chloroleuca</i> led to the isolation and identification of a new rearranged abietane diterpenoid (<b>1</b>). Its structure was elucidated by interpretation of the 1D and 2D NMR spectra and completed by the analysis of the HR-ESI-MS data. Compound <b>1</b> is the secondly reported compound on a rearranged tricyclic abietane (4,5-<i>seco</i>-5,10-<i>friedo</i>-abietane) diterpenoid with a ketal functionality between C-2 and C-11. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of <b>1</b> was also proposed.</p></div

Enhancement Effect of Berberis vulgaris var. integerrima Seeds on the Antibacterial Activity of Cephalosporins against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli: Synergistic effect of Berberis vulgaris and cephalosporins

To evaluate the enhancement effect of Berberis vulgaris var. integerrima seeds on the antibacterial activity of cephalexin and ceftizoxime against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli ethanol extract of the seeds were prepared. Disk diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of two cephalosporins in the absence and presence of the extract and its various fractions separated by thin layer chromatography. Clinical isolates of S. aureus and E. coli were used as test strains. Total extract and one of its fractions enhanced the antibacterial activity of cephalexin and ceftizoxime. The active component of the extract involved in the enhancement of cephalexin and ceftizoxime antimicrobial activities had an Rf of 0.47 on TLC and a lmax of 209 nm. The highest fold decreasein minimum inhibitory concentration was observed for ceftizoxime plus the active fraction of the extract against E. coli. Our preliminary results on the column chromatography and identification of the active component by high resolution mass spectroscopy showed that this minor compound may be categorized as a protoberberine structure compound. Therefore, the ethanolic extract of B. vulgarisvar. integerrima seeds combined with cephalosporins may be useful against S.aureus and E. coli

Coumarin Compounds of Biebersteinia Multifida Roots Show Potential Anxiolytic Effects In Mice

Background:Traditional preparations of the root of Biebersteinia multifida DC (Geraniaceae), a native medicinal plant of Irano-Turanian floristic region, have been used for the treatment of phobias as anxiolytic herbal preparation.Methods:We utilized the phobic behavior of mice in an elevated plus-maze as a model to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of the plant extract and bio-guided fractionation was applied to isolate the active compounds. Total root extract, alkaline and ether fraction were administered to mice at different doses 30 and 90 min prior to the maze test. Saline and diazepam were administered as negative and positive controls, respectively. The time spent in open and closed arms, an index of anxiety behavior and entry time, was measured as an index of animal activity.Results:The total root extract exhibited anxiolytic effect which was comparable to diazepam but with longer duration. This sustained effect of the crude extract was sustained for 90 min and was even more after injection of 45 mg/kg while the effect of diazepam had been reduced by 90 min. The anxiolytic effect factor was only present in the alkaline fraction and displayed its effect at lower doses than diazepam while pure vasicinone as the previously known alkaloid did not shown anxiolytic effect. The effect of the alkaline fraction was in a dose dependent manner starting at 0.2 mg/kg with a maximum at 1.0 mg/kg. Bio-guided fractionation using a variety of chromatographic methods led to isolation and purification of three coumarin derivatives from the bioactive fraction, including umbelliferone, scopoletin, and ferulic acid.Conclusion:For the first time, bio-guided fractionation of the root extract of B. multifida indicates significant sustained anxiolytic effects which led to isolation of three coumarin derivatives with well-known potent MAO inhibitory and anti-anxiety effects. These data contribute to evidence-based traditional use of B. multifida root for anxiety disorders