Optimization of Anthocyanin Extraction from Saffron Petals with Response Surface Methodology

Optimum extraction conditions of anthocyanins from petals of saffron (Crocus sativus) using acidified ethanol as the solvent were revealed. The investigated factors were solvent to sample ratio (20:1–80:1), ethanol concentration (%), extraction temperature (25–45 °C), and time (8–24 h). Response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design was applied to determine optimum processing conditions leading to maximum extraction efficiency (mg cyanindin-3-glucoside/l). Obtained coefficients of variance showed that the linear effect of temperature was more pronounced for extraction yield than three other variables at 5 % level. Optimum extraction conditions that maximize the extracted anthocyanins were found to be a ratio of solvents to sample 20 ml/g, ethanol concentration of 25.02 %, temperature 25.8 °C, and extraction time 24 h which gave 1609.11 mg/l anthocyanins. A quadratic regression equation describing the effects of independent process variables on anthocyanin extraction from saffron petals can be used for finding optimum conditions to achieve desired extraction yield in similar conditions. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Quercetin and raloxifene effect on breast cancer cell viability, migration, nitric oxide secretion and apoptotic genes expression

Objective: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies among females all over the world.The use of natural and complementary compounds is a new option in chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the synergic effect of Quercetin (QUR) and Raloxifene (RAL) on BC cell lines in vitro. Materials and Methods: The cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) were treated with QUR (0, 25 50, 100, 150, 200 µM), and RAL (1 µM) alone, and in combination. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Griess method were used to measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and NO level of biological samples respectively. Changes in the expression of apoptotic-related genes were detected using real-time PCR. Results: QUR (100, 150 and 200 µM) decreased cell viability significantly in MDA231 and MCF7 cells (p<0.01). Furthermore, Ral (1 µM) showed a significant decrease in both cell types (p<0.01). The synergistic effect of QUR (150) and RAL was also greater in MDA231 cells. NO levels in QUR, Ral, and synergic groups increased significantly in both cell lines (p<0.001). In treated groups, QUR and RAL significantly decreased cell migration, MMP2 and MMP9 expression, and increased apoptotic genes expression significantly (p<0.001). QUR increased TAC in both BC cell lines (p<0.00) while it was decreased by RAL. Synergic groups increased TAC in BC cells significantly (p<0.001). Conclusions: QUR and RAL show synergistic anti-cancer effects on cell viability, NO production, cell migration, and apoptotic genes. QUR as a supplement can potentiate the anti-cancer effects of RAL in BC

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with hydatid cysts in Khorasan Razavi Province, from 2011 to 2014

Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients with hydatid cyst during 2011 to 2014. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Khorasan Razavi Prov-ince, the Northeast of Iran, from 2011 to 2014. The study population was all cases with hydatid cyst who diagnosed in governmental and private laboratories, hospitals and health centers (HC) in Khorasan Razavi Province during 2011-14. Results: The prevalence rate of hydatidosis was 1.44 per 100000 individuals. Of 357 cases, 54.9 were women, 40.3 rural, 45.8 housewives, and 3.4 were Afghan. The mean age of women was higher than that of men (39.13�18.9 compared to 34.7�17.9 yr, respectively, P-value=0.025). The highest proportion of cases (39.2) was in the age group of 21-40 yr old. Abdominal pain was re-ported in 42.3 of cases. Liver involvement was the most common localization of hydatid cyst reported in 59.4 of patients, and 8.4 had multiple organ in-volvement. The common diagnosis methods of the disease were radiology (42.3) followed by CT scan (37.8). 45.9 of patients had domestic dog and hygiene principles of washing the vegetables was adhered by 6.7 of patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of human hydatidosis, as a most important neglected disease, should be considered by health policy-makers in public health domain. In addition, educational programs to better recognition of the disease symptoms, and to identify the infection sources are needed in high risk group of population. � 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

Influence of the addition of nano-Silica particles as reinforcement on the tensile yield properties of Polyamide 6 polymeric matrix used in medical applications

It is well known that the polymer matrix nanocomposites are one of the most important polymeric materials that are used in medical applications due to the exhibition of very good mechanical and thermal properties. In this study the authors have used Polyamide 6 (Nylon) polymer for preparing polymeric nanocomposite samples. Silica nano-particles have been used as reinforcement for reinforcing the polyamide 6 polymer matrix. After the sample preparation, influence of nano-particles on the tensile ultimate strength and tensile Young modulus of the Polyamide 6 has been investigated experimentally. It is found that using nano-silica can significantly improve the tensile properties of Polyamide 6 polymer. Test results shows that addition of nano-scale silica particles can modify the tensile characterstics of the polymer i.e. improve the tensile elastic Young's modulus of the polymer. Similar trend is observed for the tensile ultimate strength of polyamide 6 nanocomposites, where the presence of nano-silica modify the ultimate strength of the material

Removal of m-xylene from water by impregnated activated carbon

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main matters which can pollute water therefore, must be controlled under increasingly stringent environmental regulations.This work analyses the adsorption of impregnated active carbons prepared with oak bark to remove m-xylene from aqueous solutions. When the impregnation step is performed on the raw material then carbonizations of activated carbon was carried out. Not expensive raw material and chemical agent were used as active species where used for preparing the appropriate adsorbent for removal of m-xylene from water. In this work the effect of adsorption temperature, pH and the initial concentration of process were investigated. It is clear that with increasing the initial concentration the removal efficiency of adsorption will be increased. The effect of temperature was studied by increasing the temperature from 20 to 60 °C. with increasing the temperature the removal efficiency will be increased in the range of 20-60 °C

Investigation of the physical abrasion of ternary polymer reinforced with nanoparticles used in medical applications

Nanocomposites are one of the most important polymeric materials that exhibit excellent biological, physical, chemical and thermal properties. Rubber based nanocomposites is one of the mast interesting field in the literatures and material science. The abrasion properties of ternary nanocomposites based on Styrene Butadiene rubber have been investigated with presence of nano aluminum oxide. The nanocomposites have been prepared by mechanical blending using two roll mills. Nano Aluminum oxide particles have been added to Styrene Butadiene rubber/Phenolic Resin binder and the abrasion properties have been surveyed. Results showed that the nano Aluminum oxide particles could enhance the abrasion resistance of matrix due to abrasive properties of nano Aluminum oxide particles. In order to better understanding the behavior of the material, optical microscopic observation and scanning electron microscopic pictures hve been conducted in this investigation that the obtained results revealed the presence of this phenomenon in abrasion properties of the ternary nanocomposite polymeric samples

Adsorption of acetone from polluted air by activated carbon derived from low cost materials

In this investigation, adsorption of acetone from air on the activated carbon derived from agricultural solid waste was studied. The best of our knowledge is to find the best activated carbons from low cost material to remove hazardous compound. The effect of adsorption temperature, initial concentration and effect of raw materials were reported. It is clear that the adsorption temperatures have the negative effect on the adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity increases with increasing the initial concentration. Three activated carbons were prepared, one (Norit) was purchased and apricot and walnut shell were prepared by physical method and carbon dioxide and water vapor as chemical agent, respectively

Altered pituitary hormone secretion in male rats exposed to Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic estrogenic compound. This compound has been suspected to have estrogenic effects on reproductive system of males and females. In this present study we investigated possible low-dose effects of BPAon Luteinizing Hormone in rats. Male Wistar rats (12-13 weeks old) were administrated a daily intra peritoneal 10 μg/kgbw/day, 50 μg/kgbw/day, 100 μg/kgbw/ day dose of BPA for 6, 6, and 12 days, and one day after last injection, serum level of Luteinizing Hormone was examined by ELISA method. All data were expressed as means ± SE. Two-way ANOVA was performed. Analysis of data showed that in all dose groups, plasma level of Luteinizing Hormone significantly decreased compared to control group. The present study showed that BPA at low doses affects Luteinizing Hormone, one of main hormones in spermatogenesis in the adult Wistar rats, and subsequently alters the steroidgenesis in testicular Leydig cells