فهرست مطالب shekoufeh atashpour

Ischemia is a common condition in the population and has become one of the leading causes of mortality in recent years. It occurs due to a shortage of oxygen in the cell caused by inadequate blood flow, leading to the formation of free radicals. These free radicals can bind to the phospholipids in the cell membrane, resulting in proxy radicals and lipid hydroperoxidation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a cytotoxic byproduct of lipid peroxidation that causes cell damage and necrosis by rupturing the cell membrane. Subsequently, mitochondrial dysfunction related to fatty acid oxidation can develop, further exacerbating the damage caused by ischemia. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in mitochondria have been shown to elevate oxidative phosphorylation disorder and disrupt the functioning of complexes I and IV. These enzyme activities can be restored to normal levels by activating antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and catalase, thereby strengthening the antioxidant defense system. Various antioxidants have been found to have protective effects. In this review, we compare the antioxidant effects of various plants and tannins that have been studied up to this point on myocardial ischemia. We also explain some of the cellular and molecular pathways that have been investigated to protect the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Due to the increasing trend of extensive antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains and side effects, seeking novel methods such as nanoparticles (NPs) is promising for infection eradication.

Eighteen Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) clinical isolates were collected from dental plaques. Moreover, S. mutans ATCC25175 standard strain was obtained from Pasteur institute of Iran. Following preparation of nanoparticles, their antibacterial effects were assessed compared to chlorhexidine. The nickel NPs (Ni-NPs) was prepared and its antibacterial effect was compared to the 12% chlorhexidine. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC, respectively) of Ni-NP (dilution range: 0.125-64µg/mL) were measured using broth microdilution method.

The nickel NPs (Ni-NPs) was prepared and its antibacterial effect was compared to the 12% chlorhexidine. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC, respectively) of Ni-NP (dilution range: 0.125-64µg/mL) were measured using broth microdilution method. The MIC and MBC levels of Ni-NP against the clinical isolates ranged 2-16µg/mL and 4-16µg/mL, respectively. These values against the S. mutans ATCC27175 standard strain included 4 and 8µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the MIC and MBC of chlorhexidine against clinical isolates ranged 8-64 and 32-64µg/mL, respectively, while both included 64µg/mL against standard strain (p<0.001).

The results of this study outlined that Ni-NPs exert efficient antibacterial effect at nontoxic concentrations compared to 12% chlorhexidine.

This study investigated the effects of hydoalcoholic Aloe vera extract on fetal cerebellar tissue in diabetic pregnant rats.

Forty eight adult pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 8 including control(C), receiving 400mg/kg Aloe vera extract(CA), diabetic(D), diabetic receiving 20IU/kg insulin(DI), diabetic receiving 400mg/kg Aloe vera extract(DA) and diabetic receiving 20 IU/kg insulin and 400mg/kg Aloe vera extract(DAI). The rats received insulin subcutaneously and the Aloe vera extract through gavage. Blood glucose and body weight were recorded on days 1,7,14 and 18 of gestation. On day 18, the weight of each rat and the number and gender of its fetuses were recorded. Fetal brains were removed and tissue sections of their cerebellum were prepared. The results were analyzed through ANOVA and at the significant level of p≤0.05.

Blood glucose in diabetic groups was significantly higher than C and CA groups. Weight of pregnant rats on days 7,14, and 18 significantly decreased in the D,DI, and DAI compared to the C and CA groups. The number of newborns significantly decreased and the neonatal weight increased in all diabetic groups compared to the C and CA groups. Compared to the C group, the thickness and number of gray and white matter cell bodies and thickness and number of cells in the molecular layer,Purkinje and granular cells significantly decreased in the D group compared to the C group.

Aloe vera extract was able to prevent the effects of excessive production of oxidants in diabetes.

Lycopene is a lipophilic carotenoid found in high quantities in tomatoes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene on serum concentrations of leptin, cholecystokinin, neuropeptide Y, and body weight changes in adult female rats.

In this experimental study, 32 adult female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 including control, Sham, and two experimental groups receiving lycopene (at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg / kg). Lycopene was administered to the animals by gavage. Twenty-nine days after the start of the experiment and after weighing the animals, blood samples were taken from heart and serum concentrations of cholecystokinin, leptin, and neuropeptide Y were measured. Results were analyzed using ANOVA statistical test and Duncan's test at significance level of p≤0.05.

Lycopene at concentration of 10 mg/kg significantly increased leptin and cholecystokinin while  significantly reduced neuropeptide Y, and decreased average body weight compared to the control group (P).

Drugs and supplements containing ephedra extract have been always noticed by researchers as a plant known for weight loss and control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ephedra hydroalcoholic extract on serum adiponectin level and body weight in male rats.

In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into 5 equal groups including: control (without receiving any substances), sham (receiving 1 mL of distilled water), experimental group 1 (recipient of 250 mg/kg ephedra hydroalcoholic extract), experimental group 2 (recipient of 500 mg/kg ephedra hydroalcoholic extract) and experimental group 3 (recipient of 1000 mg/kg ephedra hydroalcoholic extract). In the experimental groups, the extract was administered by gavage for 28 days. On the 29th day, blood samples were taken from the rats to check the serum levels of the hormone adiponectin. Body weight of rats was also measured daily during the experimental period. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using SPSS software and Duncan test.

Doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg of ephedra hydroalcoholic extract caused a significant increase in serum levels of adiponectin and also a decrease in body weight compared to the control and sham groups (p≤0.05).

Ephedra hydroalcoholic extract reduces body weight by increasing serum levels of the hormone adiponectin.
Keywords: Ephedra, adiponectin, body weight, rat

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women which affect fertility. Clomiphene citrate is used as first-line treatment for this disorder, which is associated with some complications and therapeutic resistance.

In this research, we compare the effectiveness of ginger with clomiphene on sexual hormones such as Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and progesterone in order to treat PCOS effectively with fewer side effects.

In this experimental study, 63 adult female rats (170-200 gr) were studied and divided randomly into 9 groups as control (not received any interventional substance for 60 and 89 days), sham (were given distilled water and ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally daily for 60 and 89 days), and 7 experimental groups receiving estradiol valerate (PCOS inducing agent, intramuscular) alone and with 100 mg/kg clomiphene or different doses of ginger extract (175 and 350 mg/kg) orally daily for 60 and 89 days. Sexual hormones were analyzed and compared in different groups.

Our results showed that in the PCOS-induced group, LH and estrogen concentration increased while progesterone and FSH concentration decreased remarkably (p

As the long-term administration of clomiphene citrate has some side effects, the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving PCOS.

The colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) with the CD133+ phenotype are a rare fraction of cancer cells with the ability of self-renewal, unlimited proliferation and resistance to treatment. Quercetin has anticancer effects with the advantage of exhibiting low side effects. Therefore, we evaluated the anticancer effects of quercetin and doxorubicin (Dox) in HT29 cancer cells and its isolated CD133+ CSCs. The CSCs from HT29 cells were isolated using CD133 antibody conjugated to magnetic beads by MACS. Anticancer effects of quercetin and Dox alone and in combination on HT29 cells and CSCs were evaluated using MTT cytotoxicity assay and flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction. The CD133+ CSCs comprised about 10% of HT29 cells. Quercetin and Dox alone and in combination inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HT29 cells and to a lesser extent in CSCs. Quercetin enhanced cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction of Dox at low concentration in both cell populations. Quercetin and Dox and their combination induced G2/M arrest in the HT29 cells and to a lesser extent in CSCs. The CSCs were a minor population with a significantly high level of drug resistance within the HT29 cancer cells. Quercetin alone exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on HT29 cells and also increased cytoxicity of Dox in combination therapy. Altogether, our data showed that adding quercetin to Dox chemotherapy is an effective strategy for treatment of both CSCs and bulk tumor cells.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy. Overexpression of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is one of the major causes of MDR. In addition, it has been shown that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway involves in drug resistance. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of novel approaches including siRNA directed against BCRP and targeted therapy against PI3K/Akt signaling pathway using LY294002 (LY) to re-sensitize breast cancer MCF7 cell line to mitoxantrone (MTX) chemotherapy. Anticancer effects of MTX, siRNA, and LY alone and in combination were evaluated in MCF7 cells using MTT cytotoxicity assay and flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction. MTT and apoptosis assays showed that both MTX and LY inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in MCF7 cells. Results indicated that inhibition of BCRP by siRNA or PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by LY significantly increased sensitivity of MCF7 cells to antiproliferation and apoptosis induction of MTX. Furthermore, MTX showed G2/M arrest, whereas LY induced G0/G1 arrest in cell cycle distribution of MCF7 cells. Combination of siRNA or LY with MTX chemotherapy significantly increased accumulation of MCF7 cells in the G2/M phase of cell cycle. Combination of MTX chemotherapy with BCRP siRNA and PI3K/Akt inhibition can overcome MDR in breast cancer cells. This study furthermore suggests that novel therapeutic approaches are needed to enhance anticancer effects of available drugs in breast cancer.

Berberine, a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid, has shown antitumor properties in some in vitro systems. But the effect of berberine on breast cancer has not yet been completely studied. In this study, we evaluated anticancer properties of berberine in comparison to doxorubicin. The antiproliferative effects of berberine and doxorubicin alone and in combination were evaluated in T47D and MCF7 cell lines using MTT cytotoxicity assay. In addition, flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the cell cycle alteration and apoptosis induction in these cell lines following exposure to berberine and doxorubicin alone and in combination. The IC50 of berberine was determined to be 25 µM after 48 hr of treatment in both cell lines but for doxorubicin it was 250 nM and 500 nM in T47D and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. Co-treatment with berberine and doxorubicin increased cytotoxicity in T47D cells more significantly than in MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometry results demonstrated that berberine alone or in combination with doxorubicin induced G2/M arrest in the T47D cells, but G0/G1 arrest in the MCF-7 cells. Doxorubicin alone induced G2/M arrest in both cell lines. Furthermore, berberine and doxorubicin alone or in combination significantly induced apoptosis in both cell lines. Berberine alone and in combination with doxorubicin inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and altered cell cycle distribution of breast cancer cells. Therefore, berberine showed to be a good candidate for further studies as a new anticancer drug in the treatment of human breast cancer.