International Journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research
Volume:9 Issue: 3, Summer 2021

Diabetes is a biological problem of life in a new way in human societies, especially in developing countries. Environmental and genetic factors are mutually influential in the incidence and exacerbation of this disease. One of the genes is the transcription factor TCF7L2 that has been proven in many studies in different communities to play a role in diabetes and is located on chromosome 10. Two SNPs for this gene, rs12255372 and rs7903146, have been recorded on the NCBI site and have a direct and significant correlation with type 2 diabetes. In this study, the genotypic frequency of these two SNPs was studied using ARMS and HRM techniques.

This study was performed on 100 patients with type 2 diabetes and 100 healthy individuals as non-diabetic controls. Diabetics were selected from patients referred to Ali Asghar Diabetes Clinic in Zahedan. The control group consisted of individuals who did not meet the criteria for diabetes or had no family history of diabetes in first- or second-degree relatives. DNA extraction was performed using the phenol-chloroform method and finally, PCR was performed for a specific primer.

ARMS results showed that the number of people with SNP rs7903146 ​​in diabetic patients is significantly higher than those in the control. However, the difference was not significant for rs12255372. HRM results were also highly correlated with ARMS and showed very precise allelic differentiation in the studied population for both positions.

In general, since HRM is a relatively inexpensive technique and a large number of samples can be analyzed in a few hours, the results of this study can be used in the preparation of diagnostic kits based on this method in these two and other sites related to diabetes.

The protective activity exerted by Psidium guajava on the nervous system has been suggested to be via its antioxidant composition; however, its role in mercury-induced neurotoxicity remains elusive. This study investigated the ameliorative activity of ethanolic extract of P. guajava leaves on mercuric chloride-induced toxicity in the cerebral cortex of male Wistar rats. Thirty-five (35) male Wistar rats were separated into seven groups with five rats each. Group, I served as control, Group II received 41.5 mg/kg of mercuric chloride (HgCl2), Group III received 1000 mg/kg bwt of EEPGL, Group IV received 41.5 mg/kg of HgCl2 and distilled water, Group V received 41.5 mg/kg of HgCl2 and 500 mg/kg bwt of EEPGL, Group VI received 41.5 mg/kg of HgCl2 and 1000 mg/kg bwt of EEPGL, while Group VII received 41.5 mg/kg HgCl2 and 1190 mg/kg bwt of Vitamin C. At the end of the administration, the brains of the Wistar rats were excised, oxidative stress markers quantified and brain tissues were fixed in Bouin’s fluid, processed, and stained for histological studies. The results revealed a significant decrease in body weight gain and oxidative stress markers, weak staining of Nissl substance and cytoarchitectural distortion of the cerebral cortices of Wistar rats in mercuric chloride only treated groups when contrasted to the Control and the Groups co-administered mercuric chloride and increasing doses of EEPGL. Ethanolic extract of P. guajava leaves was able to ameliorate neurotoxicity induced by mercuric chloride exposure by mitigating against oxidative stress, preventing weight loss and distortion in the cytoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex.

As a dietary phytochemical, Ferulic acid (FA) is caused by metabolism between phenylalanine and tyrosine with physiological functions like anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cardioprotective properties. This study aims to investigate FA protective effects on cardiovascular diseases.

We covered references like these, web-based scientific databases, PubMed publications, ScienceDirect and Springer. Recent patent on FA therapeutic function in treatment of cardiovascular diseases potential was evaluated.

Studies showed that foods rich in FA prevent hypertension. FA, a free radical scavenger, is an enzyme inhibitor which catalyzes free radical generation and enhances scavenger enzyme activity. As a potent scavenger of free radicals, it dilutes oxidative stress, and reduces elevated blood-pressure by improving endothelial function and increasing bioavailability of this oxide in arterial vasculature. FA can enhance angiogenesis and wound healing.

In this review, protective function of FA, an antioxidant compound in some nutrition such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, was discussed in terms of its relationship with cardiovascular diseases. Despite numerous data on FA, its effects on human is not recognized; further clinical studies about therapeutic effects of FA on patients with vascular diseases are required.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the first major concern in the 1960s, has reappeared worldwide over the past 20 years. Because these bacteria are not resistant to various conventional therapies, the medicinal and herbal plants used in different countries should be evaluated for their therapeutic potential. These valuable biological resources are a repository of complex active molecules. Therefore, in this study, we tried to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plant extracts on Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans. Rhazya stricta was collected and their species were identified in the botanical laboratory of University of Zabol. To prepare plant extract, 40 g of dried leaves were used in 400 cc of solvent (aqueous, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, and hydro-alcoholic). The various strains of Staphylococcus aureus used in this study were isolated from the human nose and identified by biochemical, bacteriological and growth tests as well as standard tests. Antimicrobial effects were investigated by well diffusion method in Müller Hinton agar medium. Statistix ver10 software was used for statistical calculations. Mean comparison was performed using the LSD at the level of one percent and Excel software was also used to draw the shapes. Rhazya stricta extracts had different inhibitory zone diameters against Staphylococcus aureus at 100 ppm dilution (p <0.01). R. stricta ethanolic extract had the greatest effect (average 8.3 mm) on inhibiting the growth of 6 strains of S. aureus. Then aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts with an average of 7 mm were in the next ranks. The ethyl acetate extract had the lowest effect on the inhibition of S. aureus. The lowest MIC of R. stricta ethanolic extract against S. aureus samples was 3.1 ppm, which was inhibited by four strains. The lowest MBC was 6.2 ppm. Considering the side effects of chemical drugs and antibiotics as well as the potential effect of ethanolic extract of Rhazya stricta on Staphylococcus aureus, it is recommended to use ethanol solvent to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of R. stricta.

Essential oils are volatile compounds characterized by a strong odor, and are generally biosynthesized by aromatic plants as secondary metabolites. This paper aims to extract the essential oils of Lippia javanica and Lantana camara, and to evaluate their antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The aerial parts of Lippia javanica and Lantana camara were subjected to hydrodistillation to produce the essential oil. The antimicrobial potential was characterized against six microorganisms, signifying three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and one fungus(Candida albicans) by the disc diffusion method to determine the inhibition zone (in mm) and dilution method to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Essential oil extraction was carried out with an average yield of 0.21% for Lippia javanica, and 0.11% for Lantana camara. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity showed that Lippia javanica essential oil had a moderate inhibitory activity on Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC: 0.76 mg/mL), on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.50 mg/mL). The Lantana camara essential oil showed weak inhibitory activity against all strains tested. By diffusion disk method, it was found that Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most sensitive on Lippia javanica essential oil with an inhibition diameter, which evolved from 7 mm to 24 mm; followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21 mm), Escherichia coli (19 mm) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (13 mm) at 15 μL. By means of dilution method, the Lantana camara essential oil showed a low activity against Escherichia coli (MIC: 1.64 mg/mL), Klebsiella pneumonia (MIC: 1.64 mg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 3.28 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 3.28 mg/mL), and Candida albicans (MIC: 3.28 mg/mL) but by disc diffusion method, this oil was slightly inhibitory activity on Escherichia coli (10 mm at 15 μL). For the antifungal activity, the Lantana camara essential oil, and Germicide were inactive on Candida albicans when tested by the disk method. The essential oil of Lippia javanica showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities, while the essential oil of Lantana camara showed low activity. The activities of essential oils studied were less than that of the gentamicin and more than the activity of Germicide, with two positive controls used.

The present study was aimed to examine the influence of extraction method on the morphology, physico-chemical characteristics and antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from Melissa officinalis. AgNPs were prepared by two extraction methods. The properties of obtained nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, UV-Vis, XRD and FTIR techniques. SEM images showed different shape, size and morphology of AgNPs using two different extracts types. The UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AgNPs by observing a distinct surface Plasmon resonance band around 450 nm. SEM images showed different shape, size and morphology of AgNPs using two different extracts types. AgNPs derived from the aqueous extract were rod-shaped with a diameter of 19 to 40 nm whereas spherical particles were synthesized by the methanolic extract found smaller with size distribution ranging from 13 to 35 nm. The XRD pattern indicated that AgNPs formed by the reduction of Ag+ ions using the methanolic extract were crystal-like in nature. The functional groups of the methanolic extract involved in synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs were investigated by FTIR. In addition, AgNPs containing methanolic extract showed higher antioxidant activity. The disc diffusion and agar well diffusion methods revealed the antimicrobial potential of these particles exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a fungus. The production of silver nanoparticles using plant extract is rapid, low cost and eco-friendly. Silver nanoparticles can be used as an antiseptic to sterilize the surrounding area and the hospital wastes.

Candida Berkh. (1923) occurs naturally in the body. But it becomes opportunistic fungi, meaning that it infects humans when there is any weakening of the immune system, such as exposure to chemotherapy, diabetes, or organ transplantation. Most species of Candida grow at a temperature between 20-40 °C and have a pH of 3-8. Human pathogens of Candida species include C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. utili. C. albicans has many virulence factors that facilitate injury process. Virulence factors are considered as a measure of pathogenicity, and it is in the form of fungal toxins, enzymes, or cell structures that facilitate infection, as well as pathogen resistance in different conditions. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of some secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAP) genes from some Candida species isolated from diabetic patients

Candida spp. were identified on CHROMagar medium by color of each species after incubation at 37 °C for 48 hours such as: C. krusei, C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis. Germ tube formation test was used to distinguish between germ tube-forming species, such as C. albicans and C. dubliniensis , from those that do not produce germ tube. A portion of the isolation was taken and placed in a test tube containing 0.5 ml of serum, and then incubated at 37 °C for 2-4 hours. A drop of serum was taken out and examined under a microscope for the presence of the germ tube. Growth at 45 °C, has the advantage of distinguishing between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis by culturing Candida spp. on SDA medium and, incubation for 48-72 hours at 45 °C.

The results of isolation and diagnosis showed that Candida species grew at 37 °C for 48 hours on SDA medium, the shape of the colonies was round or oval-convex, and creamy white, shiny and smooth color. The results of the microscopic examination of the cells were spherical or oval, C. albicans was distinguished by its ability to grow at 45 °C and its ability to form the germ tube. The surface growth test showed the ability of C. tropicalis to grow surface on SDB medium. The medium of CHROMagar showed that C. albicans were light green in color. C. glabrata showed a pale pink color, while C. tropecalis showed a blue color and C. dublineiensis was dark green. DNA extracted samples, including 20 isolates, were used for four species of Candida, 1-9 C. albicans, 10-16 C. glabrata, 17-18 C. dubliniensis and 19-20 C. tropicalis. Parts of the body (mouth, vagina, Urine) detect SAP1 and SAP7 genes by PCR, and after electrophoresis of the PCR product, the results were positive for all Candida species studied as all isolates that contained SAP1 (578bp) and SAP7 (466bp).

The SAP genes are among the main virulence factors for the occurrence of candidiasis. SAP1 and SAP7 genes are responsible for digesting and breaking down protein to penetrate the host's tissues.