Effect of lactobacillus crispatus and lactobacillus rhamnosus culture supernatants on expression of autophagy genes and hpv e6 and e7 oncogenes in the hela cell line

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism by which lactobacilli exert their cytotoxic effects on cervical cancer cells. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the effect of lactobacilli on the expression of human papilloma virus [HPV] onco-genes

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR], we analyzed the expression of CASP3 and three autophagy genes [ATG14, BECN1 and alpha 2 catalytic subunit of AMPK [PRKAA2]] along with HPV18 E6 and E7 genes in HeLa cells before and after treatment with Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus culture supernatants

Results: The expression of CASP3 and autophagy genes in HeLa cells was decreased after treatment with lactobacilli culture supernatants. However, this de-crease was not significant for PRKAA2 when compared with controls. In addition, expression of HPV E6 was significantly decreased after treatment with lactobacilli culture supernatants

Conclusion: Lactobacilli culture supernatants can decrease expression of ATG14 and BECN1 as well as the HPV E6 oncogene. It has been demonstrated that the main changes occurring during cervical carcinogenesis in cell machinery can be reversed by suppression of HPV oncogenes. Therefore, downregulation of HPV E6 by lactobacilli may have therapeutic potential for cervical cancer. As the role of autophagy in cancer is complicated, further work is required to clarify the link between downregulation of autophagy genes and antiproliferative effects exerted by lactobacilli

[Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Joopar mountains of Kerman province, Iran]

Access to the non-documented experiences and information is one of the valuable ways for developing pharmaceutical sciences and a basis for production of new drugs. Ethnobotany is the science of recovering endangered non-documented traditions. Protection of these traditions would be a precious guide to gain access to new drug sources. The aim of this study was to identify and introduce the ethnobotany of Joopar mountain region in Kerman province, Iran. Traditional knowledge and belifes of ethnic groups were documented using a questionnaire and by interview. Documentary studies of medical and pharmaceutical sources and identification and scientific nomination of medicinal plants were done. Ethnobotanic information of the plants was recorded and some of the plants were used for phytochemical studies. The presence of 65 plant species belonging to 30 plant families was proved. Laminaceae family constituted the major flora of the region [15.85%]. The most use of the plants was in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. From about 65 plant specices, a number of 35 speciea were tannin and flavonoid positive, 26 plants exhibited positive reaction to alkalods and 15 species exhibited positive reaction to saponins. Considering the originality of the region and non-documented information about the plants of this region, using our findings can design appropriate programs for developing the medicinal plants compatible with the ecological conditions of this region

histopathological changes and immunohistochemical findings of acute, chronic nonlupoid and chronic lupoid types of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Dry type localized cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica is one of the most prevalent cutaneous parasitic infections in Kerman province. It seems that cellular immune response and the nature of immune inflammatory cells comprising the inflammatory background play a determinant role in this infection. Skin biopsies of 53 patients with acute [<2 years duration], nonlupoid chronic [>/= 2 years duration] and lupoid chronic [new lesions around old scar] types of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica were studied by hematoxylin-eosin staining for evaluation of inflammatory cells and epidermal and dermal changes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine immunophenotypic patterns [CD1a, CD68, CD3, CD8, CD4, CD20] and to evaluate host immune response at tissue level, the correlation between the presence and concentration of certain cell types, and the clinical presentation and duration of disease. Mean percentages of epidermal and dermal Langerhans cells CD1a+ were higher in lupoid than in acute lesions. Also, the predominant T lymphocyte in acute, chronic and lupoid leishmaniasis was T CD8+. It seems that Langerhans cells CD1a+ are responsible for the suppression of the inflammatory response against L.tropica infection and by providing Leishmania antigens in a steady state induce tolerance to the Leishmania antigens and consequently cause cutaneous chronic lupoid leishmaniasis. This study also suggests that T CD8+ play an effective role in parasite elimination and in the process of healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica

[Determination of the amount of aflatoxin in milk samples delivered to Sanandaj pasteurized milk corporation]

Aflatoxins are toxic mold metabolites produced by toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species. They have an important role in the occurrence of a number of human diseases such as liver cancer, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk samples which had been collected for Sanandaj pasteurized Milk Corporation. A total of 84 raw milk samples from different places in Sanandaj and Tehran were collected randomly during 2 weeks [in February-2007]. After centrifugation of milk samples, upper creamy layer was completely removed and the lower layer was analyzed by using special ELISA kit made by Tecan S.r I corporation for determination of aflatoxin M1. Data were analyzed by means of ANOVA. Aflatoxin M1 was found in 77 of the milk samples examined. In the remaining samples [7 milk samples] aflatoxin was not found. In 67 milk samples the quantity of aflatoxin was within standard limits and in 17 samples aflatoxin level was higher than the maximum accepted limit [based on European Union standard]. There was a significant difference between the rate of milk contamination in different regions [p<0.001]. Presence of aflatoxin in dairy products is a serious problem for the public health, especially in infants and children who consume these products most frequently. Therefore milk and dairy products have to be inspected routinely for aflatoxin M1 contamination. To achieve a low level of aflatoxin Ml in milk, the milch cows' feeding should be under regular inspection for aflatoxin contamination

[Investigation of antibacterial effects of hibiscus sabdariffa L. dried calyx by agar diffusion and bioautographic methods]

In this study, the antibacterial activities of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. [Malvaceae] traditionally used as Chai-Makii, against Staphylococus aureus, Staphylococus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeroginosa were investigated by cylinder -plate and bioauthography methods separately. In cylinder - plate method methanolic extract of the calyces were prepared by maceration and after concentrating the extracts, they were dried. Then the concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5, 6.2 and 3.1mg/ml of the methanolic solutions were used for searching antibacterial effects. The standard bacteria with certain concentration [0.5 Mac Far land] were inoculated on to the Muller - Hinton agar medium. Prepared extracts were dropped in cylinders and 18-24 hours after incubation and penetration of extract into the culture medium the antibacterial effects and inhibitory zone were observed. In bioauthography method, the ethyl acetate extract was prepared by decantation of methanolic extract and evaporating to dryness. Then this extract was separated by ethyl acetate: Chloroform: Methanol [32:53:15] by thin layer chromatography method. After placing TLC papers in culture medium with certain concentration of bacteria and incubation, spot of inhibitory zone appeared by using tetrazolium salts and indicated as R[f]. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts in cylinder - plate method showed antibacterial effects on all six bacteria. The minimum and maximum applied concentrations were respectively 3.1 and 50mg/ml. In bioauthography method, ethyl acetate extract showed antibacterial effect on Staphylococus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis and Echerichia coli in R[f] =0.15 and R[f]=0.75. According to ultra violet spectroscopy of these two components, they could be flavones

low cost model to facilitate students' understanding of electron transfer chain in toxicology lab

Mitochondrial respiration is a complex process which its biochemistry is often poorly understood by undergraduate students when explained in toxicology lectures. The use of experiments to reinforce their knowledge is important, but not always possible because of low teaching budgets. Therefore, a low cost model, made using water, oil, styrofoam and modeling clay, is presented here to simulate the transduction membrane, and the complexes embedded in it. Using this model, students can represent and understand electron flow and proton translocation, the chemiosmotic hypothesis and the effects of inhibitors and uncouplers. Students that have used this model enjoyed studying mitochondrial respiration and learned and understood the biochemistry of transduction membranes as well as lipid and protein interactions, and were well motivated to study the phenomenon in depth by themselves