Biogenic and facile synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. fruit extract and anticancer activity against in vitro model of breast cancer.

Biogenic synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using plant extracts has emerged as a promising alternative approach to traditional chemical synthesis. The current study aims to introduce a safe, low-cost, and green synthesis of SeNPs using fresh fruit extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. The biogenic synthesis of SeNPs was confirmed by different analyses including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive X-ray. Also, the crystalline nature, size, and morphology of the obtained SeNPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The SeNPs were successfully synthesized with fruit extract of V. arctostaphylos L. in a regular spherical form and narrow size distribution with suitable zeta-potential values and exhibited appropriate biocompatibility. It revealed that the synthesized SeNPs can significantly inhibit the growth of 4T1 breast cancer cells with an IC50 of ∼84.19 ± 25.96 µg/ml after 72 h treatment. Overall, it can be concluded that the green synthesized SeNPs can be attractive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly candidates for drug delivery or medicinal applications.

Genetic transformation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. 'Estamaran') via particle bombardment.

In this study, an efficient transformation system for gene delivery in date palm was established. The effects of different physical and biological parameters were optimized for transient transformation of uidA gene in somatic embryos of Estamaran cultivar. The tissues were bombarded with constructs harboring the uidA gene driven by CaMV 35S or rice Act1 promoter. Efficiency of expression was estimated by comparison of the number of blue spots resulted from GUS assay. Optimal transient expression was observed when explants were precultured on a media containing 0.4 M mannitol with air desiccation and bombarded at acceleration pressure of 1,350 psi, target distance of 6 cm with gold particles size of 0.6 µm which coated with 2.5 µg of DNA and at chamber vacuum pressure of 28 inHg. Significantly higher expression levels were obtained in tissues when the construct having the Act1 promoter was employed. After bombardment, somatic embryos were transferred to the regeneration media containing MS basal salts supplements with 3 mg/l 2ip, 40 mg/l adenine, 1 mg/l 2,4-D, 30 g/l sucrose and 3 g/l activated charcoal. Regenerated plantlets were checked by PCR using gene-specific primers. About 16 % of the plantlets were reported to be stably transformed. Southern analysis of genomic DNA from transformed plants showed that 1-2 gene (uidA) copies were integrated and GUS-negative plants did not contain any transgene. Achievement of these data considered as the first report of its kind is believed to facilitate transfer of desirable traits in date palm.

Genetic Transformation of Date Palm Via Microprojectile Bombardment.

Efficient protocols for date palm embryogenic callus and somatic embryo transformation with uidA gene are described in this chapter. The embryogenic callus transformation procedure is 1.6 µm gold particle size coated with 2.5 µg DNA (pAct1-D plasmid), 1100 psi helium pressure, 9 cm target distance, 26 inHg vacuum pressure, 3 mm distance between the rupture disk and macrocarrier, and osmotic pretreatment with 0.4 M mannitol followed by 60 min air desiccation. The somatic embryo transformation procedure is 0.6 µm gold particle size coated with 2.5 µg DNA (pAct1-D plasmid), 1350 psi helium pressure, 6 cm target distance, 28 inHg vacuum pressure, 3 mm distance between the rupture disk and macrocarrier, and osmotic pretreatment with 0.4 M mannitol followed by 60 min air desiccation. Protocols for analysis of the transgenic plantlets have also been described.