Toxicology
Abbas Zare MirakAbadi; Parvin Horrieh
Volume 1, Issue 1 , September 2020, , Pages 1-8
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Echis carinatus are small in size and are considered to be very biting invasive snakes. Snake venom is a type of snake saliva that is secreted through the salivary glands and stored in the venom sac. A problem in human societies, especially in rural areas, is snake bites, which ...
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Introduction and Aim: Echis carinatus are small in size and are considered to be very biting invasive snakes. Snake venom is a type of snake saliva that is secreted through the salivary glands and stored in the venom sac. A problem in human societies, especially in rural areas, is snake bites, which are not treated properly. The aim of this study is evaluation of toxicity of saliva of Echis carinatus sochureki on cells growth and the mechanisms involved. Methods: In this study, the effect of Echis carinatus sochureki saliva on human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) cells growth was determined by the inverted microscope, MTT assay, and Neutral red assay. The integrity of the cell membrane through LDH release was also measured. Results: The MTT assay and Neutral red assay showed a significant (p < /em>˂0.001) cytotoxic effect of Echis carinatus sochureki salvia on HDF cells growth after 24 hours treatment. Also, Echis carinatus sochureki venom caused a significant (p < /em>˂0.001) increase in LDH release. Various morphological abnormalities were observed in cells. Conclusion: The Echis carinatus sochureki saliva causes cytotoxic effects on HDF cells by the necrotic mechanism. The results of this study will be useful for future research in this field, as well as therapeutic methods for snake bites.
Allergy and Algal culture media
Bahareh Nowruzi
Volume 1, Issue 1 , September 2020, , Pages 34-44
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, microscopic organisms have similar characteristics to prokaryotes and eukaryotes, which are very popular in biotechnology research today and are able to produce a wide range of highly valuable organic compounds. However, many strains of cyanobacteria still remain unknown in Iran, a group ...
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Cyanobacteria, microscopic organisms have similar characteristics to prokaryotes and eukaryotes, which are very popular in biotechnology research today and are able to produce a wide range of highly valuable organic compounds. However, many strains of cyanobacteria still remain unknown in Iran, a group that is dedicated to freshwater (ponds or springs and streams) and a group that is related to terrestrial habitats. This is in many cases due to the fact that the specific cultivation methods of cyanobacterial strains are not well known. In fact, culturing the strains of axenic cyanobacteria, free of any bacteria or other pathogens, will allow many research activities to be performed in various genetic and molecular fields. In this article, in order to get acquainted with different media cultures for different types of cyanobacterial strains, the correct and accurate method of isolation, cultivation and purification of aquatic and terrestrial, cyanobacteria will be explained. Key words: Cyanobacteria, Culturing, Aquatic, Terrestrial.
Medical Genetics
Ani Dejakam; Ani Dejakam; Azadeh Hekmat
Volume 1, Issue 1 , September 2020, , Pages 16-25
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Opium addiction is one of the most prevalent addiction in Iranian society. Throughout the last two decades, congress 60; a nongovernmental organization; has been operated a taper off treatment of opium associated with a package of psychological treatment group classes. Although ...
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Introduction and Aim: Opium addiction is one of the most prevalent addiction in Iranian society. Throughout the last two decades, congress 60; a nongovernmental organization; has been operated a taper off treatment of opium associated with a package of psychological treatment group classes. Although the effectiveness of the taper off method in opium addiction has been verified, molecular mechanisms involved in this treatment have not explained. BDNF gene is a brain-derived neurotrophic factor that is associated with numerous molecular mechanisms of the brain including memory. Methods: In this research, peripheral blood samples from 21 patients were collected from Congress 60. RNA was extracted from each sample, reverse transcribed and amplified via RT-PCR technique, utilizing specific primers for BDNF. The production of BDNF protein was also analyzed employing the western blotting technique. Results: Our results exhibited considerable down expression of BDNF in addict persons vs. non-psychiatric persons (p < /em><0.01). Furthermore, BDNF expression levels in addicts increased significantly after the therapy period. Findings showed the effect of opium abuse and taper off treatment on the expression of BDNF. Conclusion: The present study could help to a better understanding of molecular and neurological mechanisms of opium and taper off treatment. Additionally, BDNF level detection could be a potential marker for screening the effectiveness of various types of addiction treatment.
Cancer tissue and cell culture
Zainab Kamrani; Masoumeh Heshmati; Sadegh Babashah
Volume 1, Issue 3 , March 2021, , Pages 8-15
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Silymarin, extracted from the milk thistle, is rich in flavolignans such as silybinin, silidianin, and silycristine. Several studies have been done on its anticancer effect. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cytotoxicity and induction of silymarin-induced apoptosis on ...
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Introduction and Aim: Silymarin, extracted from the milk thistle, is rich in flavolignans such as silybinin, silidianin, and silycristine. Several studies have been done on its anticancer effect. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cytotoxicity and induction of silymarin-induced apoptosis on colon cancer SW480 and normal HEK-293 cell lines. Methods: In the present study, the effect of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by silymarin on colon cancer SW480 and Normal HEK-293 cell lines were investigated by different methods such as trypan blue staining, MTT assay, Annexin V/PI staining, and evaluating the expression level of BAX and BCL2 Genes by q-PCR technique. Results: The results of the trypan blue staining and MTT assay indicated the cytotoxicity effects of silymarin in SW480 cells in a time-dependent manner. The IC50 was also evaluated. However, no cytotoxic effects were observed in HEK-293 cells after treatment with silymarin. Also, an increase of apoptosis in SW480 cells that were treated with 50 and 100 µg/mL silymarin was observed. An increase in BAX/BCL2 gene expression level was also observed in SW480 cells compared to HEK-293 cells. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, silymarin can induce toxicity and cell apoptosis in the colon cancer cell line without causing cytotoxicity in the normal cell line. So silymarin can be suggested for effective treatment of colon cancer.
Medical Genetics
Flora Forouzesh; Pantea Hajimirza Shafiesoltani; Mahsa Ghiaghi; Mahdi Shabani
Volume 1, Issue 3 , March 2021, , Pages 16-24
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers. Epigenetic change has been considered by many scientists as a therapeutic target. Hyper acetylation of chromatin components by sodium butyrate can alter gene regulation. This study aims to investigate the effects of sodium butyrate ...
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Introduction and Aim: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers. Epigenetic change has been considered by many scientists as a therapeutic target. Hyper acetylation of chromatin components by sodium butyrate can alter gene regulation. This study aims to investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression. Methods: Caco-2 cell line was treated with different concentrations of sodium butyrate (25 mM to 150 mM) based on IC50 concentration in two time periods of 24 hours and 48 hours. Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression were measured by qReal-Time PCR technique and Bcl2/Bax ratio was evaluated. Results: The results showed that sodium butyrate increased the expression of Bax gene and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 gene in treated cells compared to the control group, which was statistically significant (p < /em> <0.05), and 25 mM was selected as the most effective dose after 48 hours of treatment. Also, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio at the same concentration showed a significant decrease Conclusion: Sodium butyrate induces apoptosis in cancer cells by reducing the expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. It can be used as a therapeutic target but needs further investigation.