In vitro and in vivo investigation of a novel amniotic-based chitosan dressing for wound healing.

It is more than a decade that amniotic membrane has been used as a wound dressing because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fibrotic, anti-scarring properties, as well as its pain relieving and epithelialization promoting features. However, amniotic membrane had limited applications because it needs to suture in surgery, is highly fragile, firmly adhere to the wound and may cause bleeding and pain when changing the bandage. This study investigated the possibility of development of a novel amniotic-based chitosan gel dressing as a potential wound repair substrate with marked efficacy. In this experiment, amniotic gel prepared based on chitosan/PVP gel containing human amniotic membrane extract (AME-Gel) was investigated in terms of wound-healing efficacy and scar preventive effects in a rat burn model. The levels of re-epithelialization and dermal regeneration were examined by histological assessment using H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Also, we clarified the mechanism of healing and cytokine-releasing activities of AME as well as its effect on epithelization, angiogenesis, and fibroblast growth and migration. Our results revealed that AME-Gel induces epidermal and dermal regeneration at a shorter time through formation of granulation tissue, enhancement of fibroblast proliferation, and improvement of blood capillary formation concomitant with developing collagen bundles. Therefore, AME-Gel could be considered a simple and easy to be used as a biological dressing for any type of superficial burn wounds, without any adverse effects.

Satureja bachtiarica Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells.

Overcoming drug resistance and specifically targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical challenges in improving cancer therapy. Nowadays, the use of novel and native medicinal plants can provide new sources for further investigations for this purpose. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of S. bachtiarica, an endemic plant with diverse medicinal applications, in suppressing and targeting cancer and cancer stem cells in glioblastoma and breast cancer. The effect of S. bachtiarica on viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic potential of MDAMB-231 and U87-MG cells was assessed in both two- and three-dimensional cell culture models. Additionally, we evaluated its effects on the self-renewal capacity of mammospheres. The experimental outcomes indicated that S. bachtiarica decreased the viability and growth rate of cells and spheroids by inducing apoptosis and inhibited colony formation, migration, and invasion of cells and spheroids. Additionally, colony and sphere-forming ability, as well as the expression of genes associated with EMT and stemness were reduced in mammospheres treated with S. bachtiarica. In conclusion, this study provided valuable insights into the anti-cancer effects of S. bachtiarica, particularly in relation to breast CSCs. Therefore, S. bachtiarica may be a potential adjuvant for the treatment of cancer.