Oxali-palladium nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, protein binding, and apoptosis induction in colorectal cancer cells.

This paper focuses on the synthesis of nano-oxali-palladium coated with turmeric extract (PdNPs) using a green chemistry technique based on the reduction in the Pd (II) complex by phytochemicals inherent in turmeric extract. PdNPs were examined and characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Using different spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulations, a protein-binding analysis of the produced nanoparticle was conducted by observing its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA). Lastly, the cytotoxic effects and apoptotic processes of PdNPs were studied against the HCT116 human colorectal cell line using the MTT assay and flow cytometry tests. According to the findings, PdNPs with spherical and homogenous morphology and a size smaller than 100 nm were generated. In addition, they can induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner with a lower Cc50 (78 µL) than cisplatin and free oxali-palladium against HCT116 cells. The thermodynamic characteristics of protein binding of nanoparticles with HSA demonstrated that PdNPs had a great capacity for quenching and interacting with HSA through hydrophobic forces. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that free oxali-palladium and PdNP attach to the same area of HSA via non-covalent interactions. It is conceivable to indicate that the synthesized PdNPs are a potential candidate for the construction of novel, nature-based anticancer treatments with fewer side effects and a high level of eco-friendliness.

Silymarin Attenuates ELMO-1 and KIM-1 Expression and Oxidative Stress in the Kidney of Rats with Type 2 Diabetes.

Chronic diabetes mellitus is accompanied with overexpression of ELMO1 and KIM1 and enhanced oxidative stress. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of administration of silymarin on oxidative stress markers and ELMO1 and KIM1 expression in the kidney tissue of type 2 diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Control, silymarin-treated control (60 and 120 mg/kg/day), diabetic, and silymarin-treated diabetic groups (60 and 120 mg/kg/day). Tissue levels of oxidative stress and biochemical parameters were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Lipid peroxidation levels in the kidney tissue were measured by fluorometric method. Insulin was determined using immunoassay. Gene expression analysis was determined by qPCR technique. The level of expression of ELMO1 and KIM1 in the diabetic groups treated with silymarin was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Total antioxidant levels and thiol groups contents increased (P < 0.001) dramatically in treated groups. A significant decrease in tissue levels of malondialdehyde and total oxidant were observed in the silymarin treated diabetic rats (P < 0.001). The results showed that the urinary amount of protein in the treatment groups was significantly lower than of diabetic control (P < 0.001). These results indicate that silymarin has a blood glucose lowering effect and, due to its antioxidant properties, increases the antioxidant parameters and reduces the oxidant markers. The administration of silymarin has beneficial effects on kidney of diabetic rats with reduction of ELMO1 and KIM1expression.

Silymarin ameliorates expression of urotensin II (U-II) and its receptor (UTR) and attenuates toxic oxidative stress in the heart of rats with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Urotensin II ((U-II)) and its receptor (UTR) are involved in the progression of CVD through enhancement in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since silymarin (SMN) is a natural agent with anti-diabetic effects, this study aimed to investigate the antioxidant potency of SMN on the expression of (U-II)/UTR system and oxidative stress status in the heart of type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). Control and diabetic groups treated with or without SMN (60 and 120 mg/kg/day) for 2 months. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, lipid profile, creatine kinase-MB ((CK-MB)), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and markers of oxidative stress were measured by spectrophotometric methods while (U-II) and UTR gene expression was determined by qPCR method. SMN significantly reduced the FBS level, increased the concentration of insulin and improved HOMA-IR. SMN prevented diabetes-induced weight loss, and attenuated the increased levels of total oxidative status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO). Diabetes-induced reduction of total thiol molecules content (TTM) was normalized to the normal level in SMN treated rats. SMN significantly modulated serum lipid profile, reduced the expression of (U-II) and UTR in the heart, and improved histopathological changes in the heart tissues. Therefore, the current study indicated that SMN ameliorated unpleasant diabetic characteristics via down-regulation of (U-II) and UTR gene expression and modulation of oxidative stress in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.