Comparative evaluation of the protective effects of oral administration of auraptene and umbelliprenin against CFA-induced chronic inflammation with polyarthritis in rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Auraptene (AUR) and Umbelliprenin (UMB) in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced by using complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Paw swelling of adjuvant arthritis rats measured at various times after CFA injection. Over 15 days of RA induction, mediator/cytokine-mediated processes involved in managing the regulation and resolving RA's inflammation were also quantified with ELISA. Histopathological changes were also assessed under a microscope 15 days after the CFA injection. AUR at all doses and UMB administration only at a 16 mM /kg administration dose significantly reduced CFA-induced paw edema level compared to the control group. UMB (64 and 32 mM) and AUR (64, 32, and 16 mM) could reduce the PGE2 (p < .0001-.01) and NO (p < .0001-.05) levels in the treatment groups compared to the negative control group. However, these compounds showed no significant effect on the TNF-α, IFN-γ, TGF-ß, IL-4, and IL-10 levels than the control group (p > .05). Unlike indomethacin and prednisolone, treatment of rats with AUR (16, 32, and 64 mM/kg) and UMB (16 and 32 mM/kg) reduced the level of IL-2 (p < .0001). In all treatment groups, the serum level of IL-17 was significantly reduced compared to the CFA group (p < .001-0.05). We suggested AUR and UMB could diminish inflammation by reducing the serum level of IL-17 and could be considered a proper alternative in the treatment of IL-17 related inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Given that AUR and UMB apply their anti-inflammatory effects by changing distinct cytokine release/inhibition patterns, their potential application in diverse inflammatory diseases seems different.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of curcumin-loaded affibody-decorated liposomes against breast cancerous cell lines.

Curcumin is known as an effective anticancer herbal medicine but unfortunately, its bioavailability is poor which necessitate efforts for developing more efficient and specific delivery systems. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2) due to its overexpression in various types of cancers, is demonstrated to be a good candidate as a target for anticancer therapy. In this study, cytotoxicity of curcumin encapsulated in ZHER2:342 Affibody-decorated liposome was investigated against SKBR3 and MCF-7 cancerous cell lines. Curcumin-containing liposomes were prepared from soybeans lecetin and cholesterol by thin-film hydration method. Affibody ZHER2:342 molecules via C-terminal cysteine residue were conjugated covalently to the prepared liposomes. Particle size analysis was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Curcumin loading was measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and cytotoxic activity of curcumin formulations against cancerous cell lines was investigated by MTT assay. Induction of apoptosis was investigated using flow cytometry through Annexin V staining. Particle analysis showed the formation of spherical liposomes with a mean diameter of about 150 nm. Cytotoxic activity of curcumin was improved by its encapsulation in both liposomes and affibody-decorated liposomes. The Annexin V staining indicated the induction of apoptosis by affibody-decorated liposomes in both MCF-7 and SKBR3 cells. Decoration of curcumin-loaded liposomes with affibody ZHER2:342 may improve curcumin apoptotic function independently of HER2 expression level.

Immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of Crocus sativus (Saffron) and its main active constituents: A review.

The medicinal uses of saffron, the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L., have very long history in food coloring agent, and flavoring agent as well as traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. Crocus sativus is rich in carotenoids that affect immunity. This review summarizes the putative immunoregulatory effects of saffron and its active its derivatives including crocin, crocetin and safranal. In modern studies, its active constituents including protective effects, anti-inflammatory activities and molecular mechanisms of saffron on thimmune system have been demonstrated. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of saffron on inhibition of serum levels nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) p65 unit, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and some interleukin (IL) such as IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A were reported. Furthermore, saffron has been known as the antagonist of NF-κB and the agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). In addition, saffron down-regulates the key pro-inflammatory enzymes such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), phospholipase A2, and prostanoids. This review summarizes the protective roles of C. sativus and its constituents against the pathogenesis of immune diseases and understanding a better management of these problems. Taken together, the main bioactive constituents of saffron may have health-promoting with important benefits in immune-related disorders. Finally, our study indicates that these bioactive constituents can affect both cellular and humoral immunity functions.

Effect of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementations on serum leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and serum amyloid A levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus Type 2 is one of the most widespread chronic metabolic diseases. In most cases, this type of diabetes is associated with alterations in levels of some inflammatory cytokines and hormones. Considering anti-inflammatory properties of plant extracts rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), anti-diabetic properties of these two well-known antioxidant vitamins were investigated through measurement of serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male patients (n=80) were randomly divided into two groups each consisted of 40 subjects. Test groups were supplemented with ascorbic acid (1000 mg/day) or alpha-tocopherol (300 mg/day) orally during four weeks. Before and after treatment, serum biochemical factors of subjects were measured and compared. RESULTS: Our results showed that both ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol could induce significant anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing the level of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, SAA, and hs-CRP in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients. Effects of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in decreasing serum leptin level were similar. Ascorbic acid in contrast to alpha-tocopherol diminished fasting insulin and HOMA index but had no effect on LDL serum level. CONCLUSION: Concerning the obtained results, it is concluded that consumption of supplementary vitamins C and E could decrease induced inflammatory response in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. It is also possible that vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation can attenuate incidence of some proposed pathological effects of diabetes mellitus.

Efficient biodegradation of naphthalene by a newly characterized indigenous Achromobacter sp. FBHYA2 isolated from Tehran Oil Refinery Complex.

A bacterial strain, FBHYA2, capable of degrading naphthalene, was isolated from the American Petroleum Institute (API) separator of the Tehran Oil Refinery Complex (TORC). Strain FBHYA2 was identified as Achromobacter sp. based on physiological and biochemical characteristics and also phylogenetic similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence. The optimal growth conditions for strain FBHYA2 were pH 6.0, 30 °C and 1.0% NaCl. Strain FBHYA2 can utilize naphthalene as the sole source of carbon and energy and was able to degrade naphthalene aerobically very fast, 48 h for 96% removal at 500 mg/L concentration. The physiological response of Achromobacter sp., FBHYA2 to several hydrophobic chemicals (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) was also investigated. No biosurfactant was detected during bacterial growth on any aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbons. The results of hydrophobicity measurements showed no significant difference between naphthalene- and LB-grown cells. The capability of the strain FBHYA2 to degrade naphthalene completely and rapidly without the need to secrete biosurfactant may make it an ideal candidate to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sites.

Hydrocarbon degradation by thermophilic Nocardia otitidiscaviarum strain TSH1: physiological aspects.

Indigenous thermophilic hydrocarbon degraders are of special significance for the bioremediation of oil-contaminated desert soils with ambient temperature of 45-50 degrees C. The first objective of this study was to demonstrate the hydrocarbon-degrading capability of Nocardia otitidiscaviarum TSH1 (DSM 45,036) which grows optimally at 50 degrees C. Analysis of the metabolic profile of the strain TSH1 showed that it could metabolize phenol, intermediate-chain-length n -alkanes and some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranging in size from two to four fused rings efficiently, but not toluene and xylene. N. otitidiscaviarum TSH1 was able to survive and grow at phenol concentrations up to 875 mg l(-1). For the first time, the physiological response of a thermophilic Nocardia strain to poorly available hydrophobic compounds was also investigated. When grown on a mineral salt medium with hexadecane, N. otitidiscaviarum TSH1 showed very high affinity for the organic phase. Additionally, PAH-grown cells were considerably hydrophobic. The capacity of PAH-utilizing N. otitidiscaviarum TSH1 isolate to produce biosurfactants was also investigated. Fatty acids (C(14)-C(18)) were detected by GC-MS analysis during bacterial growth in PAH supplemented mineral media. High cell surface hydrophobicity and capability of N. otitidiscaviarum TSH1 to degrade different hydrocarbons at 50 degrees C may make it an ideal candidate to treat oil-contaminated desert soils.