Exogenous melatonin prolongs raspberry postharvest life quality by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity and phytochemical contents.

There is a growing trend towards enhancing the post-harvest shelf life and maintaining the nutritional quality of horticultural products using eco-friendly methods. Raspberries are valued for their diverse array of phenolic compounds, which are key contributors to their health-promoting properties. However, raspberries are prone to a relatively short post-harvest lifespan. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous melatonin (MEL; 0, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mM) on decay control and shelf-life extension. The results demonstrated that MEL treatment significantly reduced the fruit decay rate (P ≤ 0.01). Based on the findings, MEL treatment significantly increased titratable acidity (TA), total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC). Furthermore, the MEL-treated samples showed increased levels of rutin and quercetin content, as well as antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reduction activity potential (FRAP). Additionally, the samples exhibited higher levels of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and catalase (CAT) enzymes compared to the control samples. Moreover, the levels of pH, total soluble solids (TSS), and IC50 were decreased in the MEL-treated samples (P ≤ 0.01). The highest amount of TA (0.619 g/100 ml juice), rutin (16.722 µg/ml juice) and quercetin (1.467 µg/ml juice), and PAL activity (225.696 nm/g FW/min) was observed at 0.001 mM treatment, while, the highest amount of TAC (227.235 mg Cy-g/100 ml juice) at a concentration of 0.01 mM and CAT (0.696 u/g FW) and TAL activities (9.553 nm/100 g FW) at a concentration of 0.1 mM were obtained. Considering the lack of significant differences in the effects of melatonin concentrations and the low dose of 0.001 mM, this concentration is recommended for further research. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) divided the treatments into three groups based on their characteristics. Based on the Pearson correlation between TPC, TFC, TAC, and TAA, a positive correlation was observed with antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP) and enzyme (PAL and CAT) activities. The results of this study have identified melatonin as an eco-friendly compound that enhances the shelf life of raspberry fruits by improving phenolic compounds, as well as antioxidant and enzyme activities.

Trigonella teheranica: a valuable source of phytochemicals with antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.

Trigonella genus is a member of Fabaceae family, which is used as medicinal plant. The aim of this study was investigation of phytochemicals and some biological activities of Trigonella teheranica for the first time. The essential oils (EOs) of different parts (leaves, fruits and roots) were obtained and analyzed by GC-MS. Also, their chloroform and methanol extracts were prepared, too. The antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effects against cancer (MDA-MB-231, MRC5 and HT-29) cell lines were investigated. N-hexadecanoic acid was the major compound of leaves and fruits EOs, and hexanal was abundant component of roots EO. The extracts showed stronger antibacterial effects than volatile oils against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. All methanol extracts showed strong antioxidant effects, while the volatile oils, especially of leaves was the most effective in cytotoxic assay. Also, three derivatives of coumaric acid were isolated and identified from T. teheranica.

Diterpenoids from Zhumeria majdae roots as potential heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) modulators.

Four undescribed and 17 known diterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Zhumeria majdae Rech.f. & Wendelbo. Using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, ECD spectroscopy, and HRESIMS data analysis, the structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated. The anti-proliferative activity of isolated compounds was evaluated against HeLa and MCF7 cancer cell lines. The binding affinity of all compounds to HSP90, one of the targets for the modern anticancer therapy, was investigated using surface plasmon resonance. The results demonstrated that lanugon Q interacted with the chaperone. To explain its mechanism of action, experimental and computational tests were also conducted.

Possible potential of Astrodaucus genus in development of anticancer drugs.

OBJECTIVE: Many pharmaceutical factories have dramatically improved the quality of herbal remedies in cancer treatment. The results of somestudies have shown anticancer effect of Astrodaucus genus. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review the chemical ingredients and biological effects of Astrodaucus genus especially A. persicus from the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords Astrodaucus, Apiaceae, Biologic, Phytochemistry, and Benzodioxole to retrieve studies published between 1970 and 2020. RESULTS: The Astrodaucus genus has two species, Astrodaucus persicus (Boiss.) Drude and Astrodaucus orientalis (L.) Drude. In this genus, 5 new biologically active phytochemicals with benzodioxole structure were introduced and their biological effects were assessed. CONCLUSION: Since many of the most commonly used anticancer drugs such as etoposide, teniposide, podophyllotoxin and sanguinarine have benzodioxole structureand according to the results of biological tests, it seems that more researchwith these perspectives should be done on this genus.

Cuminum cyminum fruits as source of luteolin- 7-O-glucoside, potent cytotoxic flavonoid against breast cancer cell lines.

Cuminum cyminum is famous for its spicy fruits used for culinary and therapeutic properties worldwide. Brine shrimp test was performed for detecting cytotoxic fractions and subfractions. Ethyl acetate (EA) and hexane (HE) fractions demonstrated LC50 of 52.40 and 60.77 µg/ml against Artemia salina while other fractions showed no toxicity (LC50> 500 µg/ml). Bioguided elucidation of EA and HE fractions were carried out and cytotoxicity of pure compounds were investigated against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal cell line (NIH/3T3) by MTT assay. Four flavone structures as luteolin, apigenin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-glucoside from EA and cuminoid A from HE were purified and identified. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside demonstrated potent anticancer activities against MCF-7 cell line (IC50 of 3.98 µg/ml) with selectivity index of 8.0. In conclusion, flavonoids especially luteolin-7-O-glucoside play a significant role in cytotoxic effect of C. cyminum fruits and can be introduced as candidate for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic drugs.

Intravitreal injection of a Rho-kinase inhibitor (fasudil) combined with bevacizumab versus bevacizumab monotherapy for diabetic macular oedema: a pilot randomised clinical trial.

Click here to listen to the Podcast BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the efficacy of combined intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and a Rho-kinase inhibitor, fasudil (intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB)/intravitreal fasudil (IVF)), with IVB alone for centre-involving diabetic macular oedema (DME). METHODS: In this prospective randomised clinical trial, 44 eyes with centre-involving DME were randomised into two groups. The combined group received three consecutive injections of IVB (1.25 mg) and IVF (50 µM/L) monthly, while the monotherapy group received only one IVB (1.25 mg) injection per month for 3 months. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were compared between the two groups at months 3 and 6. The primary outcome measure was the mean change in BCVA at month 6. RESULTS: Mean BCVA was significantly improved in both groups at month 3 (P<0.001), but it persisted up to month 6 only in the IVB/IVF group. Improvement of BCVA was greater in the IVB/IVF group at both time points (P=0.008, P<0.001). In the IVB/IVF and IVB groups, 54.5% versus 10% of the eyes gained≥15 ETDRS letters at month 6 (P=0.026). Between months 3 and 6, mean BCVA significantly decreased by 5±7 ETDRS letters in the IVB group (P=0.002), while no significant deterioration was observed in the IVB/IVF group. Corresponding with the BCVA changes, CMT was significantly reduced in both groups at month 3 (p=0.006, p<0.001) but this reduction sustained only in the IVB/IVF group up to month 6 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive intravitreal injection of a Rho-kinase inhibitor may enhance and prolong the therapeutic effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs for centre- involving DME.

CHANGES IN CENTRAL CHOROIDAL THICKNESS AFTER TREATMENT OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA WITH INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB CORRELATION WITH CENTRAL MACULAR THICKNESS AND BEST-CORRECTED VISUAL ACUITY.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on central choroidal thickness (CCT) and its relationship with central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes in eyes with center-involving diabetic macular edema. METHODS: This prospective interventional case series included 20 eyes of 20 patients with center-involving diabetic macular edema naive to treatment. The BCVA assessment, complete eye examination, enhanced depth optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline followed by 3 monthly intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. The treated eyes underwent BCVA evaluation and enhanced depth optical coherence tomography at Months 1, 2, 3, and 6 after the first injection. Change of the CCT was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included BCVA and CMT changes and their relationship with CCT changes. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 63.1 ± 8.0 (range, 52-75) years. Mean baseline CCT was 265 ± 79 µm, which reduced to 251 ± 81 µm and 232 ± 82 µm at Months 3 and 6, respectively (P < 0.001). Corresponding values for CMT were 470 ± 107 µm, 392 ± 104 µm, and 324 ± 122 µm, respectively (P < 0.001). The BCVA improved from 20/60 at baseline to 20/50 at Month 3 and 20/40 at Month 6 (P = 0.007). Each 1 µm decrease in CCT was associated with 2.74 µm reduction in CMT and 0.1 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter score improvement in BCVA (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: After treatment of diabetic macular edema with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, CCT decreased and this reduction significantly correlated with CMT reduction and vision improvement.

Antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of roots and fruits fractions of Astrodaucus persicus extract.

OBJECTIVES: Astrodaucus persicus (Apiaceae) is one of the two species of this genus which grows in different parts of Iran. Roots of this plant were rich in benzodioxoles and used as food additive or salad in Iran and near countries. The aim of present study was evaluation of antimalarial and cytotoxic effects of different fractions of A. persicus fruits and roots extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ripe fruits and roots of A. persicus were extracted and fractionated by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, separately. Antimalarial activities of fractions were performed based on Plasmodium berghei suppressive test in mice model and percentage of parasitemia and suppression were determined for each sample. Cytotoxicity of fruits and roots fractions were investigated against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), colorectal carcinoma (SW480) and normal (L929) cell lines by MTT assay and IC50 of them were measured. RESULTS: Hexane fraction of roots extract (RHE) and ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract (FEA) of A. persicus demonstrated highest parasite inhibition (73.3 and 72.3%, respectively at 500 mg/kg/day) which were significantly different from negative control group (P<0.05). In addition, RHE showed potent anticancer activities against MCF-7 (IC50 of 0.01 µg/ml), SW480 (IC50 of 0.36 µg/ml) and L929 (IC50 of 0.70 µg/ml) cell lines. CONCLUSION: According to the results, RHE and FEA fractions of A. persicus could be introduced as excellent choice for antimalarial drug discovery. In addition, cytotoxic activity of RHE was noticeable.

Intravitreal bevacizumab role in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vasoproliferative tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Objective: To report a case of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1) with retinal vasoproliferative tumor (RVPT) and macular edema and exudation that was successfully treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Method: A retrospective case report of patient with neurofibromatosis, retinal vasoproliferative tumor and macular edema who received three monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FAG) before and three months after treatment were done. Results: Macular edema and exudation of the right eye was effectively resolved with IVB injection and vascularity of RVPT significantly decreased after treatment with IVB. Conclusion: Macular edema and exudation secondary to RVPT in patients with NF-1 could be successfully treated with IVB.

Essential oils chemical composition, antioxidant activities and total phenols of Astrodaucus persicus.

OBJECTIVES: Astrodaucus persicus, Apiaceae, is used as vegetable or food additive in some parts of Iran. The essential oils of different parts of Astrodaucus persicus from Kordestan province were analyzed for the first time and compared with other regions. In this study, antioxidant activities and total phenols determination of aerial parts essential oils and root fractions of A. persicus were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from flowers/fruits, leaves/stems, ripe fruits and roots of plant and analyzed by GC-MS. Crude root extract was fractionated with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. Antioxidant activities by DPPH and FRAP methods and total phenols by Folin-ciocalteu assay were measured. RESULTS: The abundant compounds of flowers/fruits blue essential oil were α-thujene, ß-pinene and α-pinene. The predominant components of blue leaves/stems essential oil were α-thujene, α-pinene and α-fenchene. The major volatiles of ripe fruits blue essential oil were ß-pinene, α-thujene and α-pinene. The chief compounds of root yellow essential oil were trans-caryophyllene, bicycogermacrene and germacrene-D. Total root extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed potent antioxidant activities and high amount of total phenols in comparison to other samples. Among volatile oils, the flowers/fruits essential oil showed potent reducing capacity. CONCLUSION: The major compounds of aerial parts essential oils were hydrocarbon monoterpenes while the chief percentage of roots essential oil constituents were hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. α-Eudesmol and ß-eudesmol were identified as responsible for creation of blue color in aerial parts essential oils. A. persicus was known as a potent antioxidant among Apiaceae.