Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity and DNA Protective Properties of the Pink Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus djamor (Agaricomycetes).

In this study, pink oyster mushroom Pleurotus djamor was cultivated using wheat straw (WS), quinoa stalk (QS), and their mixtures (WS-QS (1:1)) as substrate and evaluated in terms of antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and DNA protective effects. Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogen bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus mutans, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli), dermatophyte (Trichophyton sp.) and yeast (Candida tropicalis) were used in the study. It was found to be very active against all bacteria (except S. mutans and S. typhi), and dermatophyte when compared to the control groups (8.7-33.3 mm), but low against C. tropicalis. It was seen that the best total antioxidant assay (TAS) value was 2.05 mmol/L on WS-QS (1:1). Depend on, it was determined that the total oxidant assay (TOS) value (5.26 µmol/L) in the same compost was lower than the others, and also the scavenging effect of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) was higher on WS at 25 mg/mL (84.20%). The methanol extract on WS at a concentration of 400 µg/mL, significantly reduced the percentage of viability in the human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell line (2.2%). The methanol extracts on WS and QS medium were found to inhibit DNA damage induced by UV radiation and H2O2 at a concentration of 25 mg/mL. These results showed that pink oyster mushroom has benefits such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and DNA protective effects.

Inhibitory Effects of Terfezia (Ascomycota) Desert Truffles on PANC-1 Cell Growth via Upregulation of Proapoptotic Genes TP53, CDKN1A, and BAX and Downregulation of Antiapoptotic Gene BCL2.

Terfezia is an edible seasonal ectomycorrhizal fungus that has long been recognized as a delicacy in several regions of the world. Herein, aqueous extracts from three significant Terfezia species (T claveryi, T. boudieri, and T. olbiensis) were investigated for their cytotoxic and apoptosis-induction effects on PANC-1 cells, a pancreatic cancer cell line. The MTT assay was applied to evaluate cytotoxicity. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to investigate genes associated with apoptosis, included four target genes (BAX, BCL2, CDKN1A, and TP53) and one reference gene (GAPDH). The aqueous extracts of T. claveryi, T. boudieri, and T. olbiensis exerted strong, dose-dependent inhibition of PANC-1 cell growth. Based on qRT-PCR, each extract reduced the progress of PANC-1 cells by inducing apoptosis, denoted by the upregulation of the proapoptotic genes BAX, CDKN1A, and TP53 and downregulation of the antiapoptotic gene BCL2. Ultimately, Terfezia desert truffles can be considered a functional and therapeutic food.

Medicinal Properties of the Golden Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus citrinopileatus (Agaricomycetes), Grown on Local Agricultural Wastes in Turkey.

In this study, the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and DNA protective effects of Pleurotus citrinopileatus cultured on substrates were investigated. The methanol extract of P. citrinopileatus showed lower activity against Streptococcus mutans (17.0-21.7 mm), Salmonella thypii (12.3-17.7 mm), and Candida tropicalis (16.3-20.3 mm) but was observed to be very active against Trichopyton sp. (14.0-22.3 mm), Bacillus subtilis (17.3-20.3 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.0-20.3 mm), Proteus vulgaris (18.3-23.7 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (16.3-23.0 mm), and Escherichia coli (16.0-24.0 mm) compared with the control group. P. citrinopileatus demonstrated significant antioxidant potential. The highest total antioxidant assay (2.76 mmol/L) and total oxidant assay (11.98 µmol/L) values were determined on wheat straw-quinoa stalk (WS-QS; 1:1) and QS medium, and their effectiveness at removing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals was more efficient at groups to which samples of 25 mg (74.72-79.80%) were added. The methanol extracts of P. citrinopileatus grown on WS, QS, and WS-QS (1:1) substrates were found to prevent DNA damage induced by ultraviolet radiation and H2O2 at a concentration of 25 mg/mL. The methanol extract of P. citrinopileatus, which was obtained from WS (2.7%) at a 400-µg/mL concentration, remarkably decreased the percentage of viability in the A-549 cell line. These results suggest that P. citrinopileatus has potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and DNA protective as well as cytotoxic effects on the A-549 cell line.

Bioactive contents, In vitro antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of rhubarb (Rheum ribes L.) extracts.

Rheum ribes L. (rhubarb) is belonging to Polygonaceae, and its roots and fresh shoots are consumed as vegetable in Turkey. This plant is considered to be one of the most important pharmaceutical raw materials in Middle East. In this study, the antiradical, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and bioactive properties of water, ethanol, and methanol extracts of R. ribes stems were determined. R. ribes stems water, ethanol and methanol extracts are better scavenged ABTS•+ (99.27, 99.91, and 99.88%), DPPH• (83.11, 81.42, and 83.26%), and OH• radicals (93.49, 94.21, 95.86%) than standard antioxidant BHA (95.32, 80.49, and 93.78%). Stems of R. ribes abundantly include bioactive compounds, dominated by rutin, catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, α-tocopherol and vitamin D. These extracts show effective cytotoxic properties against PC-3, A2780, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines at 24h. It is found that R. ribes contain high amount important bioactive contents, and has effective antiradical and cytotoxic properties.

Phytochemical compounds and antiradical, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of the extracts from Hypericum scabrum L. Flowers.

Hypericum scabrum L. has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases just as the other Hypericum species. In the present study, the antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanol extracts of H. scabrum flowers were investigated. Their phytochemical contents and composition were also determined. The water and ethanol extracts are better scavenged ABTS (97.89 and 98.99%) and OH radicals (96.36 and 97.33%); the water extract is better scavenged DPPH radicals (91.66%) than the standard antioxidant BHA (94.33, 85.19, 90.16%, respectively). Flowers of H. scabrum contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamins and phytosterols, dominated by catechin, vanillic acid, vitamin K and ergosterol. The extracts exhibit a strong cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HCT-116, and LNCaP cancer cell lines. It is found that their antimicrobial activities are higher than the standard antibiotics. These results indicate that H. scabrum flowers have potent antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

Nutritive Value of Desert Truffles Species of Genera Terfezia and Picoa (Ascomycetes) from Arid and Semiarid Regions of Eastern Turkey.

Terfezia and Picoa species contained 63-94 kcal energy, 76.93-83.81 g moisture, 0.78-1.52 g ash, 2.19-4.69 g protein, 2.14-9.48 g carbohydrate, 2.54-11.23 g dietary fiber, and 0.96-3.40 g fat per 100 g wet weight. We determined that Terfezia species contain more vitamin E and malondialdehyde than do Picoa species, but the amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, and ß-carotene may vary. Picoa species contain less palmitic and stearic acids but more oleic acid than do Terfezia species. Amino acid analyses revealed that glutamic and aspartic acid were the most abundant. We also noted that Picoa species have larger amounts of glucose and fructose than do Terfezia species. In addition, the elements these mushrooms contain can vary, but they are found at nutritious levels and are below toxic levels.

Effect of apelin hormone on renal ischemia/reperfusion induced oxidative damage in rats.

Apelin is a peptide hormone defined as a ligand for G-protein clamped receptor (APJ) receptor. It is indicated in the literature both apelin and APJ are synthesized on the peripheral tissues including the renal tissues. Which roles does the apelin play on the renal tissue has not been completely illuminated yet. This study is designed to determine the possible protective effect of apelin-13 on the kidney I/R injury. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. In the sham group, right kidneys of the animals were dissected. In the I/R group, right kidney was dissected and ischemia of 45 min was performed, and then reperfusion was applied for 3 h. In the treatment groups, three different doses of apelin were injected at the beginning of the ischemia unlike the I/R group. BUN, Cre, Na, K, Cl, total protein and albumin from serum samples were determined and TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, TAS and TOS parameters were read with ELISA reader. MDA, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px enzyme activations from renal tissues were measured. In comparison with the sham and I/R groups, while the serum BUN, CRE, CI and TNF-α levels showed an increase in the groups on which the apelin-13 was applied, Na, total protein, albumin, TAS levels decreased. Serum TOS level of other groups showed an increase by comparison with the sham group. Our results showed that apelin-13 applied after I/R increased the antioxidant enzyme activity in a dose dependent manner, prevented the lipid oxidation and improved the renal functions.

Effects of central irisin administration on the uncoupling proteins in rat brain.

Irisin is a thermogenic peptide that enables the development of brown adipose tissue from white adipose tissue by activating the UCP1. This study has been designed to determine the effects of the irisin on UCPs. Sprague Dawley female rats were used in the study. 1, 3 and 10µM concentrations of irisin were injected intracerebroventricularly to the rats, and the control group was received only vehicle. The animals were killed at the 16, 24, and 48h time intervals and their brains were taken out. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, hippocampus, cerebellum, striatum and cortex areas were separated and the UCP2, UCP3, UCP4 and UCP5 mRNA levels were determined. Just before the animals were killed, their body temperatures were recorded. It was observed that after application of the high dose irisin, UCP5 mRNA level in the all brain areas increased (p<0.05); it was also observed that the three doses decreased the UCP4 expression in all brain areas (except the pituitary gland; p<0.05). The UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expressions showed significantly increase in cerebellum and striatum (p<0.05). The UCP2 mRNA expression decreased in hypothalamus, pituitary gland, hippocampus and cortex areas (p<0.05). It was also observed that the body temperatures of the rats increased depending on the irisin injection and this increase was the most considerable at the 24h (p<0.05). The results of this study suggest that the UCP2-5 is expressed in different areas of the brain, and the irisin affects this expression, and may have effective roles in some brain functions.

Antimicrobial activities of some Euphorbia species.

In this study, the antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts and latex of some Euphorbia species used for medical purposes in Turkey were investigated. The extracts of Euphorbia aleppica L., Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch.&Mey. var. harputensis Aznav. ex M. S. Khan, Euphorbia falcata L. sub. falcata var. falcata, Euphorbia denticulata Lam., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Euphorbia cheiradenia Boiss.&Hohen, Euphorbia virgata Waldst.&Kit., Euphorbia petiolata Banks&Sol. were prepared with methanol. The antimicrobial activities of these extracts were examined on test microorganisms as follows: Staphylococcus aureus COWAN 1, Bacillus megaterium DSM 32, Proteus vulgaris FMC 1, Klebsiella pneumonia FMC 5, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 50071, Candida albicans FMC 17, Candida glabrata ATCC 66032, Epidermophyton sp. and Trichophyton sp. by the disc diffusion methods and well agar method. The MIC values of extracts were determined according to the broth microdulitions method. Results indicated that extracts of Euphorbia species inhibited the growth of tested microorganisms in the different ratio. Also, the MIC values of extracts were determined as 31,2-1000 µg.

Effects of copper on chlorophyll, proline, protein and abscisic acid level of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings.

The effect of copperchloride (CuCl2) on the level of chlorophyll (a+b), proline, protein and abscisic acid in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings were investigated Control and copper treated (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mM) seedlings were grown for ten days in Hoagland solution. Abscisic acid content was determined in root, shoot and leaf tissues of seedlings by HPLC. Copper stress caused significant increase of the abscisic acid contents in roots, shoots and leaves of seedlings. The increase was dependent on the copper salt concentration. Enhanced accumulation of proline in the leaves of seedlings exposed to copper was determined, as well as a decrease of chlorophyll (a+b) and total protein (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). It was observed that the level of chlorophyll (a+b) and total protein (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) remarkably decreased as copper concentration increased to 0.6 mM, although the levels of proline and abscisic acid in the leaves of plants were increased--a dose-depended behavior The same trends were also observed with the level of abscisic acid of stems and roots. Copper has dose- depended effects on chlorophyll, proline, protein and abscisic acid level of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings. Thus, we assumed that copper levels increase above some critical points seedling growth get negative effects. This assumption is in line with previous findings.

Antimicrobial and biological effects of N-diphenylphosphoryl-P-triphenylmonophosphazene-II and di(o-tolyl) phosphoryl-P-tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III on bacterial and yeast cells.

The purpose of the study was to synthesize and evaluate the antimicrobial effects of two monophosphazenes, N-diphenylphosphoryl-P-triphenylmonophosphazene-II and N-di(o-tolyl)phosphoryl-P-tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III on bacterial and yeast strains. The biological effects of these molecules were compared with a potential antioxidant vitamin E. According to results, the triphenyl monophosphazene-II has antimicrobial effect on all the bacterial and yeast cells, but tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III has only antimicrobial effect on some bacterial cells. When the concentration of triphenyl monophosphazene-II was raised, it was observed that inhibition zone increased on the bacterial growth media. The biological effects of these molecules were compared to vitamin E in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture media. In 200 microg administered culture media, the cell density decreased in vitamin E, triphenyl monophosphazene-II and tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III groups at the end of 24 and 48 h incubation times (p<0.001,p<0.05). While the cell densities in vitamin E and tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-II groups decreased partly at the end of 72 h incubation time (p<0.05), its level in triphenyl monophosphazene-II group increased (p<0.01) at the same incubation time. In 1,000 microg administered culture media, cell density was not found to differ between vitamin E and control groups at the end of 24h incubation time, but it was found that the cell densities in triphenyl monophosphazene and tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III groups decreased at the same incubation time (p<0.001). The cell densities in tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III group and triphenyl monophosphazene-II decreased at the end of 48 h incubation time (respectively, p<0.05,p<0.001). In 200 microg administered cell pellets, while the lipid level was not found to differ between control and vitamin E, the lipid level decreased in triphenyl monophosphazene-II and tri(o-tolyl)monophospazene-III groups (respectively, p<0.001,p<0.01). In 1,000 microg administered cell pellets, it was found that the lipid level decreased in vitamin E, triphenyl monophosphazene-II and tri(o-tolyl)monophosphazene-III groups (p<0.001,p<0.01).