Propolis and its therapeutic effects on renal diseases: A review.

Propolis is produced by bees using a mixture of bees wax and saliva. It contains several bioactive compounds that mainly induce anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this review, we aimed to investigate the effects of propolis on kidney diseases. We used "Kidney", "Disease", "Propolis", "Renal", "Constituent", "Mechanism", "Infection", and other related keywords as the main keywords to search for works published before July 2023 in Google scholar, Scopus, and Pubmed databases. The search terms were selected according to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). This review showed that propolis affects renal disorders with inflammatory and oxidative etiology due to its bioactive compounds, mainly flavonoids and polyphenols. There have been few studies on the effects of propolis on kidney diseases; nevertheless, the available studies are integrated in this review. Overall, propolis appears to be effective against several renal diseases through influencing mechanisms such as apoptosis, oxidative balance, and inflammation.

Electron-donating arene-substituted pentacenedione derivatives: a study of structural, electronic, and electrochemical properties.

A new series of redox-active tetraryl-substituted pentacenedione derivatives, namely Ar4-PDs, was prepared through Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions between a bis(dibromomethane)pentacenedione and various arene boronic acids. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have confirmed that these Ar4-PDs possess highly twisted conformations due to the significant steric encumbrance between the Ar substituents and the anthraquinodimethane moiety. Cyclic voltammetric analysis revealed that the nature of the Ar group critically influences the redox properties of Ar4-PDs. In the case where the Ar group is a strong electron donor, triphenylamino (TPA), the Ar4-PD derivative exhibits an amphoteric redox behavior with a narrowed electrochemical band gap (1.38 eV) and a noticeable intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) band in the visible region of the spectrum. The twisted molecular conformation is believed to facilitate through-space interactions between the donor (TPA) and acceptor (anthraquinone) groups, while protonation of this compound with a strong organic acid can further enhance the ICT effect.

Synthesis and characterization of 2-(anthracene-9-yl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole derivatives as environmentally sensitive fluorophores.

2-(Anthracene-9-yl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole (ADPI) provides an intriguing molecular platform for developing organic fluorophores with diverse properties and fluorescence performances. However, derivatives of ADPI have not yet been well explored and extensive studies are warranted. To shed more light on this, we have synthesized a series of π-extended ADPIs through a concise synthetic route involving an efficient cross-condensation reaction followed by Pd-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling. The obtained compounds were subjected to X-ray single crystallographic analysis to understand their molecular conformational and solid-state packing properties. Furthermore, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic analyses were conducted. Our experimental results have disclosed interesting solvatofluorochromic properties of these compounds which are useful for solvent polarity-sensitive applications. The presence of an amphoteric imidazolyl group in the ADPI derivatives also renders them sensitive fluorescence responses to strong protic acids (e.g., trifluoroacetic acid) as well as fluoride anion. It transpires that the fluorescence changes are dependent on the functional groups attached to the ADPI core, suggesting a bottom-up molecular tuning approach for development of fluorophores and chemosensors with diverse functions.

A review: Systematic research approach on toxicity model of liver and kidney in laboratory animals.

Therapeutic experiments are commonly performed on laboratory animals to investigate the possible mechanism(s) of action of toxic agents as well as drugs or substances under consideration. The use of toxins in laboratory animal models, including rats, is intended to cause toxicity. This study aimed to investigate different models of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in laboratory animals to help researchers advance their research goals. The current narrative review used databases such as Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase and appropriate keywords until June 2021. Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity models derived from some toxic agents such as cisplatin, acetaminophen, doxorubicin, some anticancer drugs, and other materials through various signaling pathways are investigated. To understand the models of renal or hepatotoxicity in laboratory animals, we have provided a list of toxic agents and their toxicity procedures in this review.

The effect of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of apoptotic genes in neutrophils.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), as multipotent cells with self-renewal and plastic-adherent properties, have immunomodulatory effects on immune cells, including neutrophils. These cells are in close proximity in bone marrow (BM) sinusoids with non-multiplicative immature neutrophils. BM-MSCs exert their immunomodulatory effects on adjacent cells both directly (cell-to-cell contact) and indirectly (secretion of soluble factors). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of equine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on the expression of some pro- and anti-apoptotic genes (p53, survivin and Bcl2 ) in neutrophils co-cultured with BM-MSCs. METHODS: For this purpose, peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated and separately co-cultured for 12 hr with both BM-MSCs and the BM-MSCs΄ supernatant. Four groups were included: neutrophils with only culture media (as control), neutrophils co-cultured with BM-MScs, neutrophils cultured with BM-MSCs' supernatant and neutrophils cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, as positive control). Then, the expression of mentioned genes (p53, survivin and Bcl2 ) was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: Compared with control neutrophils, in neutrophils co-cultured with both BM-MSCs and BM-MSCs' supernatant, the mRNA expression levels of p53, as pro-apoptotic gene, and survivin and Bcl2 , as anti-apoptotic genes, were remarkably increased and decreased (p < .05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data revealed the notion that the direct contact of BM-MSCs is not obligatory for their effects on the apoptotic status of neutrophils and they affect neutrophils via soluble secreted factors, which is promising for clinical implications in equine medicine.

DNA G-quadruplexes binding and antitumor activity of palladium aryl oxime ligand complexes encapsulated in either albumin or algal cellulose nanoparticles.

The interactions between two Pd complexes, designated as [Pd3(C,N-(C6H4C(Cl) = NO)-4)6] (complex 1) and [Pd3(C12H8C = NO)6] (complex 2), with the human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA, 5'-G3(T2AG3)3-3' (HTG21), were monitored using spectroscopic, biological, and molecular modeling studies. According to the UV-vis results, these complexes can strongly induce and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA structure with Kb1 = 4.5(±0.3) × 106 M-1 and Kb2 = 1.0(±0.2) × 107 M-1via groove mode in comparison with duplex DNA. The release mechanism of the Pd complexes from BSA nanoparticles followed a biphasic pattern unlike that of algal cellulose nanoparticles in vitro. In addition, the cytotoxicity of these complexes on MCF-7 cancer cells and PBMC normal cells was evaluated and compared with cisplatin under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, to determine and verify the interaction mode of these compounds with G-quadruplex, the molecular docking technique was also performed. Our data clearly demonstrated that complex 2 had higher activity and cytotoxicity than that of complex 1 and could be further investigated in the future as a drug discovery platform.

Immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells on leukocytes with emphasis on neutrophils.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a population of multipotent cells with the ability of expansion and plastic-adherence in vitro. MSCs can differentiate into chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes; they lack co-stimulatory molecules and have small amount of MHC-I that makes no immunogenicity. These characteristics are empowering MSCs' huge in vivo applications. In addition, MSCs possess the ability of regulating the immune responses in many diseases. Many studies have shown that MSCs have immunosuppressive as well as immunoenhancing properties such as inhibition of T-lymphocytes proliferation and cytokines production which lead to the balance of Th1 and Th2. Some other immunomodulatory features of MSCs are increasing suppressive capacity of Treg, reducing activity of B-lymphocytes and immunoglobulins secretion, inhibition of dendritic cells maturation and antigen presenting capacity, and inhibition of NK-cells activity. MSCs also exert inhibitory effects on neutrophil apoptosis and reduce reactive oxygen species production. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the MSCs' effects on immune cells, especially neutrophils.

Covalent immobilization of laccase by one pot three component reaction and its application in the decolorization of textile dyes.

In present study, laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila, was immobilized on epoxy-functionalized silica via one-pot three component reaction as a novel and efficient method for immobilization. The results revealed immobilization of 50 mg of M. thermophila laccase on 1 g of the supports in presence of cyclohexyl isocyanide after 12 h of incubation. The immobilized enzyme exhibited notable activity (50 U/g) with improved stability toward pH, temperature and organic solvents. Laccase derivative was used for decolorization of five textile dyes (acid orange 156, acid red 52, coomassie brilliant blue, methyl violet, malachite green) with or without the redox mediators such as 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), catechol, syringaldehyde and N-hydroxyphthalimide (HPT). The results showed that laccase/mediator systems were effective biocatalysts for the treatment of textile dyes.

Prevalence of smoking in northwest Iran: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco addiction is a major cause of preventable death worldwide. Thus, efforts to eliminate its use have the potential of producing significant health benefits. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking among people in the age range of 15 to 64. The specific objective of this meta-analysis was to provide valid data that policy makers can use to make evidence-based decisions. METHODS: To determine the prevalence of smoking among the adult population in northwest Iran, we used reports published by the surveillance system used to assess the risk factors for non-communicable diseases in different provinces in northwest Iran for the years 2004 and 2006-2009. Several variables were extracted, including the years of study, gender, ages, and smoking prevalence. Based on the heterogeneity of the results, we used fixed or random effects models to estimate the overall prevalence of cigarette smoking. The analyses were performed using Stata 11 software. RESULTS: A total of 28,436 subjects (14,248 males and 14,188 females) in five age groups, i.e., 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64, were interviewed. Meta-analysis in men showed that, across the age groups, the lowest prevalence was 22.9%, the highest prevalence was 26.5%, and the average prevalence was 24.7%. Among women, the lowest prevalence was 0.3%, the highest prevalence was 0.8%, and the average prevalence was 0.5%. CONCLUSION: We found that approximately one-fourth of males in the age range of 15-64 in northwest Iran smoked cigarettes daily. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct effective interventions to reduce the prevalence of addiction to tobacco in this area.