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Background and Objectives@#Retinal stem cells (RSCs) resided in ciliary epithelium have shown to possess a high ca-pacity to self-renew and differentiate into retinal cells. RSCs could be induced to differentiate when they are exposed to stimuli like natural compounds and suitable contexts such as biomaterials. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Retinol and alginate/gelatin-based scaffolds on differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) originated from mouse ciliary epithelium. @*Methods@#and Results: MSCs were extracted from mouse ciliary epithelium, and their identity was verified by detecting specific surface antigens. To provide a three-dimensional in vitro culture system, 2% alginate, 0.5% gelatin and the mixed alginate-gelatin hydrogels were fabricated and checked by SEM. Retinol treatment was performed on MSCs expanded on alginate/gelatin hydrogels and the survival rate and the ability of MSCs to differentiate were examined through measuring expression alterations of retina-specific genes by ICC and qPCR. The cell population isolated from ciliary epithelium contained more than 93.4% cells positive for MSC-specific marker CD105. Alginate/gelatin scaffolds showed to provide an acceptable viability (over 70%) for MSC cultures. Retinol treatment could induce a high expression of rhodopsin protein in MSCs expanded in alginate and alginate-gelatin mixtures. An elevated presentation of Nestin, RPE65 and Rhodopsin genes was detected in retinol-treated cultures expanded on alginate and alginate-gelatin scaffolds. @*Conclusions@#The results presented here elucidate that retinol treatment of MSCs grown on alginate scaffolds would promote the mouse ciliary epithelium-derived MSCs to differentiate towards retinal neurons.
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Leukemia is a blood disease that creates from inhibition of differentiation and increased proliferation rate. The nature has been known as a rich source of medically useful substances. High diversity of bioactive molecules, extracted from marine invertebrates, makes them as ideal candidates for cancer research. The study has been done to investigate cytotoxic effects of dichloromethane brittle star extract and doxorubic in on EL4 cancer cells. Blood cancer EL4 cells were cultured and treated at different concentrations of Brittle Star [Ophiocoma erinaceus] dichloromethane extract at 24, 48 and 72 h. Cell toxicity was studied using MTT assay. Cell morphology was examined using an invert microscope. Further, apoptosis was examined using Annexin V-FITC, propodium iodide, DAPI, and Acridine orange/propodium iodide staining. Eventually, the apoptosis pathways were analyzed using measurement of Caspase 3 and 9 activity. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, ANOVA software, and Tukey's test. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. MTT assay and morphological observations showed that dichloromethane extract can inhibit cell growth in a dose dependent. The results considered 32 micro g/mL of the extract as IC[50]. Also, doxorubicin suppressed EL4 proliferation as IC[50]= 32 micro g/mL. All experiments related to apoptosis analysis confirmed that dichloromethane Brittle Star extract and doxorubic in have a cytotoxic effect on EL4 cells in IC[50] concentration. The study showed that dichloromethane Brittle Star extract is as an adjunct to doxorubicin in treatment of leukemia cells
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Ophiocoma erinaceus Muller and Troschel [Ophiocomidae] is part of the extensive group of echinoderm that contains bioactive metabolites. As the anti cancer potential of brittle star saponin has not been reported against cervical cancer, the present study was conducted to evaluate the anticancer effect of extracted crude saponin. Saponin extraction was conducted using conventional method such as froth test, TLC, FTIR and erythrolysis assay. The Hela-S3 cervical carcinoma and HNCF-PI52 normal cells were treated with different concentrations of saponin fraction for 24 and 48 h. The cytotoxicity was examined by MTT, DAPI, AO/PI, Annexin V-FITC and flow cytometry. In addition, the apoptotic induced pathway was studied using caspase assay, evaluation of ROS generation and Bcl-2 mRNA level. Crude saponin showed cytotoxic properties in Hela-S3 cells [IC[50] of 23.4 micro g/mL] without significant impact against normal cells. In addition, the crude saponin increased sub-G1 peak in flow cytometry histogram of treated cells, ROS generation and caspase-3 and -9 activity [IC[50] of 11.10, 11.27 micro g/mL]. The dose dependent down regulation of Bcl-2 in treated cells demonstrated that saponin fraction can trigger intrinsic apoptotic pathway in cancer cells. This study provides valuable information about the apoptotic inducing effect of saponin fraction, which can offer new insights into the anticancer potential of saponin as a promising candidate against human cervical carcinoma
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This study presents the first ever data of extracting chitin from the Chiton shell, which was then converted to the soluble chitosan by soaking in the 45% NaOH solution. The obtained chitin and chitosan were characterized by the seven different methods. Antioxidant activity of the extracted chitosan was also evaluated using the two methods. The shell content was divided into calcium carbonate [90.5 %], protein [5.2%], and chitin [4.3 %]. Due to the results of element analysis and 1H NMR, the final degree of deacetylation of chitosan was 90%. Surprisingly, a significant amount of Fe was accidentally found in the shell after demineralization, and removed from the solution through the filtering. Nonetheless, remained Fe in the extracted chitin and chitosan was 20 times higher than those previously reported from the shell of shrimps and crabs. Presence of this amount of Fe could describe why the produced chitosan was darker compared to the commercial chitosan. Antioxidant activity tests showed that the IC[50] of the extracted chitosan was higher than one estimated for the commercial chitosan. Antioxidant activity of the extracted chitosan is even better than the commercial version and may be used in pharmaceutical industry as a source of antioxidant
ABSTRACT
Background: Marine organisms provide appreciable source of novel bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential. There is little information in correlation with anti-cancer activities of brittle star. In the present study, anti-neoplastic efficacy of Ophiocoma erinaceus methanol extract against human cervical cancer cells was investigated
Methods: The HeLa cells were cultured and exposed to brittle star methanol extract for 24 and 48 hr. The anti-proliferative properties were examined by MTT assay and the type of cell death induced was evaluated through morphological changes, flow cytometry, Annexin kit and caspase assay. To assess the anti-metastatic activity, wound healing assay was conducted and photographs were taken from the scratched areas. Further, to understand molecular mechanism of cell apoptosis, the expression of Bax was evaluated
Results: The morphological analysis and MTT assay exhibited that the brittle star methanol extract can exert dose dependent inhibitory effect on cells viability [IC[50], 50 Mu g/ml]. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated increment of sub-G1 peak, early and late apoptosis in HeLa treated cells. Wound healing migration assay showed that brittle star extract has anti-neoplastic efficacy by inhibiting cell migration. Caspase assay and RT-PCR analysis revealed that brittle star methanol extract induced caspase dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells through up-regulation of caspase-3 followed by up-regulation of Bax gene which is a hallmark of intrinsic pathway recruitment
Conclusion: These results represented further insights into the chemopreventive potential of brittle star as a valuable source of unknown therapeutic agents against human cervical cancer
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Background: Gold Nanoparticles [GNPs] are used in imaging and molecular diagnostic applications. As the development of a novel approach in the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is of great importance and a necessity, a simple and safe method for the synthesis of GNPs using plant extracts of Zataria multiflora leaves was applied in this study and the results on GNPs' anticancer activity against HeLa cells were reported
Methods: The GNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, DLS and Zeta-potential measurements. In addition, the cellular up-take of nanoparticles was investigated using Dark Field Microscopy [DFM]. Induction of apoptosis by high dose of GNPs in HeLa cells was assessed by MTT assay, Acridin orange, DAPI staining, Annexin V/PI double-labeling flow cytometry and caspase activity assay
Results: UV-visible spectroscopy results showed a surface plasmon resonance band for GNPs at 530 nm. FTIR results demonstrated an interaction between plant extract and nanoparticles. TEM images revealed different shapes for GNPs and DLS results indicated that the GNPs range in size from 10 to 42 nm. The Zeta potential values of the synthesized GNPs were between 30 to 50 Mev, indicating the formation of stable particles. As evidenced by MTT assay, GNPs inhibit proliferation of HeLa cells in dosedependent GNPs and cytotoxicity of GNPs in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell [BMSCs] was lower than cancerous cells. At nontoxic concentrations, the cellular uptake of the nanoparticles took place. Acridin orange and DAPI staining showed morphological changes in the cell's nucleus due to apoptosis. Finally, caspase activity assay demonstrated HeLa cell's apoptosis through caspase activation
Conclusion: The results showed that GNPs have the ability to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells
ABSTRACT
Background: The SALL4/Sall4 is constitutively expressed in human and mice. SALL4 mRNA could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of different types of cancers. On the other hand, chrysin has diverse biological properties
Objectives: In the present study, the effect of the chrysin was investigated on the CT26 colon cancer in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the expression levels of the stem cell markers; sall4 and Bax was analyzed, as well
Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effects and the type of cell death induced by chrysin were evaluated using a number of biological assays. The apoptotic pathway was examined by caspase-3and caspase-9 assay. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of chrysin on transplanted CT26 tumor cells in BALB/c mice was investigated. In addition, mRNA expression of sall4, Bax was analyzed with RT-PCR
Results: MTT assay and morphological characteristics showed that chrysin exerted a cytotoxic effect on CT26 cells in a dose dependent manner with IC[50]= 80 micro g.mL[-1]. The biological assays have indicated that chrysin administrated cytotoxicity on colon cancer cells through recruitment of the apoptosis. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 colorimetric assays, in addition to Bax expression analysis, have indicated the involvement of intrinsic apoptotic pathway in the cytotoxic effect of the chrysin. The in vivo assay revealed a remarkable reduction of the colon tumor volume in treated mice [8, 10 mg.kg [-1]] as compared to the untreated mice. RT-PCR elucidated that chrysin attenuated tumor volume through down regulation of the sall4 and up-regulation of the Bax
Conclusions: It was demonstrated that chrysin accomplishes anti-cancer effect on colon cancer cells via induction of the apoptosis and attenuation of the sall4 the expression. These findings introduce chrysin as an efficient apoptosis based therapeutic agent against colon cancer
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Background: Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive malignant melanocytic neoplasmwhich resists against the most conventional therapies. Sea cucumber as one ofmarine organisms contains bioactive compounds such as polysaccharide, terpenoidand other metabolites which have anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory andantioxidant properties. The present study was designed to investigate the anticancerpotential of saponin extracted from sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilata alone andin combination with dacarbazine on B16F10 melanoma cell line
Methods: The B16F10 cell line was treated with different concentrations of saponin [0,4, 8, 12, 16, 20micro g/ml], dacarbazine [0, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000micro g/ml] and coadministrationof saponin-dacarbazine [1200 da +8 sp, 1200 da +4 sp] for 24 and 48 hrand the cytotoxic effect was examined by MTT, DAPI, acridine orange/propodium iodide,flow cytometry and caspase colorimetric assay
Results: The results exhibited that sea cucumber saponin, dacarbazine, and coadministrationof saponin-dacarbazine inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cellsin a dose and time dependent manner with IC[50]values of 10, 1400 and 4 +1200micro g/ml,respectively. Morphological observation of DAPI and acridine orange/propodium iodidestaining documented typical characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Flowcytometry assay indicated accumulation of IC[50]treated cells in sub-G1 peak. Additionally,saponin extracted induced intrinsic apoptosis via up-regulation of caspase-3and caspase-9
Conclusion: These results revealed that the saponin extracted from sea cucumber as anatural anti-cancer compound may be a new treatment modality for metastaticmelanoma and the application of sea cucumber saponin in combination withdacarbazine demonstrated the strongest anti-cancer activity as compared with thedrug alone
ABSTRACT
Cancer is the second important reason of mortality in the world. In this regard melanoma was accounted as the most aggressive type of cutaneous cancer. Among drug extracted from natural products from marine organisms have been focused investigations related to chemotherapeutic agents derived from echinoderms such as sea cucumbers and starfish. In the present study, cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing potential of Persian Gulf brittle stars dichloromethane extract were evaluated against melanoma cancers. In this study, anti-proliferative effect of brittle stars dichloromethane extract on B16F10 melanoma cells examined by MTT assay and morphological characterization and death inducing effect of Annexin-PI and PI flow cytometry. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software and p<0.05 were considered significant. The dichloromethane extract of brittle star revealed significant cytotoxic effect on B16F10 melanoma cells with IC[50]= 31 microg/ml which is stronger than inhibitory effect of methanol extract on melanoma cell growth. In addition, brittle star dichloromethane extract recruited apoptotic pathway in the response of 31 microg/ml treatment. This study showed that certain concentrations of dichloromethane brittle stars possess cytotoxic activity that can be used as an anticancer agent used in clinical trial due to cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction which offer therapeutic investigations of dichloromethane brittle star extract as complementary for melanoma treatment and prevention
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Background and Aim: Brittle star possess bioactive compounds which confer the wound healing capacity and regenerative potency of damaged arms and organisms to this creature. The aim of the current study was to assess the protective effect of the star extract on liver damages induced by carbon tetrachloride in adult male Wistar rats
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control, Sham exposed, experimental 1 [treated with %25 extract] and experimental 2 [treated with %50 extract] of star Ophiocoma Erinaceus. The control group received no treatment. The sham exposed groups received carbon tetrachloride .[50% in olive oil] .0.5 ml/kg for 7 days. The experimental groups firstly received carbon tetrachloride, then received %25, %50 brittle star extract as intragastric for 7 days
Finally, the animals were sacrificed, and their bodies and livers were weighed. Then, the livers sections were prepared and were examined by means of light microscope. Finally, the obtained quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS [V: 20], Mini Tab software, ANOVA, and Tukey. at the significant level of P<0.001
Results: Carbon tetrachloride significantly decreased the rats' body weight, but it increased their livers weight [P<0.001]. Histopathological evaluations showed .extensive liver damage. On the other hand, treatment with brittle star extract .ncreased liver weight, reduced. body weight and significantly altered other induced changes by carbon tetrachloride on liver structure such as hepatocytes number, Kupffer cells, and arteritis, which indicated the improvement of damaged liver tissue [P<0.001]
Conclusion: It was found that brittle star extract can exert protective effects on liver damages induced by carbon tetrachloride on male Wistar rat
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There are several factors, like environmental agents, neurotrophic factors, serotonin and some hormones such as estrogen, affecting neurogenesis and neural differentiation. Regarding to importance of proliferation and regeneration in central nervous system, and a progressive increase in neurodegenerative diseases, cell therapy is an attractive approach in neuroscience. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of sex steroid hormones and basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] on neuronal differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs]. This experimental study was established in Kharazmi University. BM was isolated from the bones of femur and tibia of 4-6-week old Naval Medical Research Institute [NMRI] mice, and the cells were cultured. The cells were divided into following 4 groups based on the applied treatments: I. control [no treatment], II. steroid hormones [beta-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone], III. bFGF and IV. combination of steroid hormones and bFGF. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometery analyses were applied for beta III-tubulin [beta-III tubulin] and microtubule-associated proteins-2 [MAP-2] in 4 days of treatment for all groups. The cells treated with combination of bFGF and steroid hormones represented more expressions of neural markers as compared to control and to other two groups treated with either bFGF or steroid hormones. This study showed that BM-MSCs can express specific neural markers after receiving bFGF pretreatment that was followed by sex steroid hormones treatment. More investigations are necessary to specify whether steroid hormones and bFGF can be con-sidered for treatment of CNS diseases and disorders
ABSTRACT
Anti-cancer potential of marine natural products such as polysaccharides represented therapeutic potential in oncological researches. In this study, total polysaccharide from brittle star [Ophiocoma erinaceus [O. erinaceus]] was extracted and chemopreventive efficacy of Persian Gulf brittle star polysaccharide was investigated in HeLa human cervical cancer cells. To extract polysaccharide, dried brittle stars were ground and extracted mechanically. Then, detection of polysaccharide was performed by phenol sulfuric acid, Ultra Violet [UV]-sulfuric acid method and FTIR. The anti proliferative activity of isolated polysaccharide was examined by MTT assay and evaluation of cell death was done through morphological cell changes; Propodium Iodide staining, fluorescence microscopy and caspase-3, -9 enzymatic measurements. To assess its underlying mechanism, expression of Bax, Bcl-2 was evaluated. The polysaccharide detection methods demonstrated isolation of crude polysaccharide from Persian Gulf brittle star. The results revealed that O. erinaceus polysaccharide suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose and time dependent manner. Morphological observation of DAPI and Acridine Orange/Propodium Iodide staining was documented by typical characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Flow cytometry analyses exhibited the accumulation of treated cells in sub-G1 region. Additionally, polysaccharide extracted induced intrinsic apoptosis via up-regulation of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax along with down-regulation of Bcl-2 in HeLa cells. Taken together, the apoptosis inducing effect of brittle star polysaccharide via intrinsic pathway confirmed the anti tumor potential of marine polysaccharide. Therefore, these findings proposed new insight into anti cancer properties of brittle star polysaccharide as a promising agent in cervical cancer treatment
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Deferoxamine [DFO] is an iron chelator. In the present research, the synergic effects of deferoxamine and electromagnetic field [with 50 H frequency and 100 Gauss intensity] on angiogenesis of chick chorioallantoic membrane were investigated. In this experimental study 80 fertilized egg used and randomly divided 8 group: control group, laboratory control groups of 1 and 2, experimental group 1 [treatment with electromagnetic field], 2 and 3 [treatment with deferoxamine 10, 100 micro mol, respectively], 4 and 5 [treatment both deferoxamine 10 and 100 micro mol respectively and electromagnetic field]. On 8th day of incubation, 2 and 4 groups were incubated with 10 micro L deferoxamine and for 3 and 5 groups were incubated with 10 micro L deferoxamine 100 micro mol. On 10th day, 1, 4 and 5 groups were put in electromagnetic field. On 12th day, the number and length of vessels in all samples was measured by Image J software. Data were analyzed by SPSS-19, ANOVA and t-test. The mean number and length of vessels in the control and experimental cases did not show any significant differences. Comparison between mean number of vessels in the control and group 2, 3, 4, 5 showed a significant decrease [p<0.05] and groups 2 and 4 was showed a significant decrease in the mean length of vessels compared with the controls [p<0.05]. Using deferoxamine with low frequency electromagnetic field [50 Hz and 100 G] cause inhibition of angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane
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Possible effects of physical and chemical environmental pollutants in modern industrial life on human health concern about one of the largest problems for scientific organization and the government. About 60 newest published articles results have been studied in last decade [2002-2013] in this research about inhibitory effects of green tea on electromagnetic waves damages. Then we have been used about 40 of them in this review article. For this aim, we searched some key words such as environmental damages, electromagnetic waves, antioxidant effects and anticancer effects of green tea in Science Direct, Springer and Elsevier. Nowadays, scientists' effort to use natural ingredient instead of drugs and chemicals to maintain human health more and prevention of diseases. Among such, consumption of green tea has the longest history in the world and now in over 160 countries around the world as the common beverage is consumed daily. Recently, green tea due to its numerous benefits in health, in prevention and in treatment of diseases such as cancer has been considered in the public opinion and in the scientific community. Because of its application, in addition to traditional methods of brewing has prevalence as a natural ingredient in food or feed products and in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries
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Inhibition of angiogenesis is a major target in control and treatment of many disorders depend of angiogenesis. Chiton is a marine mollusk and it can be useful for treatment of diseases because of exist many chemical compositions in its. We investigated the effects of shell extract of chiton on angiogenesis in chorioallantoic membrane. In this experimental study, we used 30 Ross fertilized eggs that were divided into 3 random groups: control, sham-exposed [treated by dimethyle sulfoxide: DMSO] and experimental [treated with shell extract]. In 2nd day, a window was opened on eggs in the sterile condition. Later, in 8nd day, a gelatin sponge appeared on chorioallantoic membrane and was soaked with 10 micro L extract in treatment group and 10 micro L DMSO in the sham-exposed group. In 12nd day, chorioallantoic membranes [CAMs] were photographed by research photo stereomicroscope in all cases. The numbers and lengths of vessels around the sponges were measured and compared with each other by SPSS-16 software and ANOVA [p<0.05]. The mean number of vessels [10.34 +/- 1.85] and length of vessels [13.12 +/- 2.04 mm] in the control group and mean number of vessels [9.97 +/- 1.38] and length of vessels [13.42 +/- 1.08 mm] in sham-exposed group was not any significant differences [p>0.05]. There was a significant decrease in mean number of vessels [6.06 +/- 1.36] and length of vessels [9.76 +/- 1.21 mm] in experimental group. It seems shell extract of Chiton lamyican decreases the number and length of vessels around treated area so it can be used as inhibitory agent in treatment of angiogenesis dependent disease
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Studies confirmed anticancer properties of saffron extract. Angiogenesis, formation of new blood vessels which is necessary in many physiological stages and pathological events such as tumor growth. So it would be an effective strategy to inhibit angiogenesis to treat many cancers and metastasis. In this experimental study, effects of saffron on angiogenesis in chick chorioalantoic membrane [CAM] were investigated. Fifity ross fertilized eggs divided in 5 groups, including: control, sham exposed, experimental group 1, 2 and 3. In second day of incubation window was opened on eggs. In day 8 gelatin sponges contain gelatin and albumin was put on chorioalantoic membrane and was soaked with Saffron aqua extract in concentration 100, 400 and 800 micro g/ml. In 12th day all cases were photographed by photo stereomicroscope. Numbers and lengths of vessels around the sponges were measured by Image J software. Data were analyzed with SPSS-16 in significant level p<0.05. According to data analysis, changes had no correlation on the average length of blood vessels in the first experimental group [41.5 +/- 5.5 mm], compared with the control group, [44.5 +/- 2.4 mm]. While in the second and third experimental group [40.2 +/- 2.1 mm] and [38.4 +/- 3.8 mm] these changes were significant [p=0.001]. On the other hand, the average number of blood vessels in the first experimental group [22.07 +/- 5.2] in compare with the control group [27.46 +/- 4.4] shows a significant reduction [p=0.02], this decline between the second [18.80 +/- 4.4] and third [15.87 +/- 3.8] experimental groups was significant at the level of p=0.001. Saffron extract has a dose dependent inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in chick chorioalantoic membrane
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Both in vivo and in vitro studies focused on anticancer effects of saffron. Angiogenesis, which is required for embryonic development and many physiological events play crucial role in many pathological conditions such as tumor growth. Two principal genes which involved in this process are VEGF-A and its main receptor VEGFR-2. Effects of saffron on VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 gene expression were examined. In this experimental study, saffron aqueous extract obtained by Soxhlet and lyophilized using freeze dryer. MCF-7 cells were grown in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10 fetal bovine serum and incubated at 37[degree]C with 5% CO[2]. After 24 h of cell culture, their adhesion to the flasks investigated, then cells were treated by saffron extract at concentration of 100, 200, 400 and 800 micro g/mL. Forty eight hours after treatment, total RNA extracted and cDNA was synthesized using sequence of target gene. Finally synthesized products analyzed by real time PCR to determine and compare expression level of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2. Data analysis shows inhibitory effect of saffron extract in concentration 100, 200, 400 and 800 micro g/mL on VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 gene expression in MCF-7 cell line in compare with control group. For VEGF-A, most reduction can be seen in the highest concentration of saffron extract [800 micro g/mL] with 17% reduction on gene expression, while critical inhibitory effects on gene expression of VEGFR-2 was 20% in 400 micro g/mL concentration. Results indicate a decrease in the expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 as specific biomarkers of angiogenesis in the treated samples compared to controls
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Background and Aim: Stigmas of Crocus sativus L. is widely used against different human diseases. Regarding the properties of this plant, in the present study the effects of saffron extract on inducing cell differentiation of a rat's bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] into osteoblasts was examined
Materials and Methods: Bone marrow cells collected from Bone of Wistar rat's femor and flowcytometry were used to identify them. In the experimental group [n=4] MSCs treatment was done with various concentrations of saffron extract [i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/ml]. Cytotoxic effect of saffron extract was evaluated using MTT assay and its aqueous extract effect on cell differentiation was investigated by means of Alizarin staining and alkaline phosphates activity
Results: Flowcytometry results confirmed the presence of stem cells using CD44 antibody. MTT assay results showed that the extract concentration of 1.5 mg/ml resulted in the death of 50 percent of stem cells derived from the rats' bone marrow during 24 hours [P<0.001]. Alizarin staining showed saffron aqueous extract increased osteogenic s cell differentiation in a dose dependent manner in 21 days. [The maximum cell differentiation achieved by700 microg/ml concentration]. Besides, higher alkaline phosphates activity was evident in the experimental group compared to the control group [n=4] in the 14[th] day [P<0.001]
Conclusion: According to the findings of the current study, MSCs derived from the rat's bone marrow transform into osteoblasts when treated with saffron aqueous extract
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Background and Aim: Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process with the wound environment changing with the changing health status of the individual. Therefore identification new natural products is necessary for accelerate wound healing. The present study investigated the effect of topical application of Persian Gulf brittle star alcoholic extract on wound healing in Balb/C mice
Materials and Methods: 40 Balb/C mice were divided randomly into 4 groups including: control group, positive control [treatment with honey], negative control [treatment with physiological serum], and experimental group [treatment with extract 1% of brittle star]. In all groups in posterial part 1 hole [6 mm in diameter] wound created. On the 3[th], 6[th], 9[th] and 12[th] day after creation wound, samples were collected from the healing hole. Histopathological changes were investigated and analyzed by Spss software and using ANOVA test for repeated measured data with p<0.05
Results: Significant changes in proliferation of inflammatory cells [on the 12[th] day], epithelium thickness [on the 6[th] day], more angiogenesis [on the 6[th]- 9[th] day], in the experimental wounds were compared with those in the control group. However, experimental group with positive control were not significantly different in these days
Conclusion: Findings of this research indicated that the topical application of brittle star extract posse positive impact on wound healing process
ABSTRACT
Angiogenesis, which is required for embryonic development and many physiological events, plays crucial role in many pathological conditions such as tumor growth and metastasis. Recent studies indicate anticancer and antitumor properties of saffron against human cancers. Many processes are affected by Electromagnetic Field [EMF] and its effect on proliferation and gene expression were examined. In this experimental study, the synergic effects of saffron and EMF on VEGFR gene expression in MCF7 cells were investigated. Saffron was extracted using freeze dryer. MCF7 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS and incubated at 37 °C with 5% CO[2]. After 24 hr cells were treated with saffron extract at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 microg/ml. Forty eight hr after treatment all flasks were exposed with EMF [50 Hz, 0.004 T]. Then total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthetized using specific primer. Synthetized products were analyzed by Real Time PCR to determine expression level of VEGFR[2]. Data were analyzed by SPSS [ANOVA and Tukey]. Critical inhibitory effect on VEGFR[2] gene expression was 20% at 400 microg/ml. Synergic use of EMF and saffron extract showed most reduction [38%] at 100 microg/ml. On the other hand synergic use of 200, 400 and 800 microg/ml saffron aqua extract and EMF decline noticeably the VEGFR[2] level of gene expression to 29, 35 and 36%, respectively. EMF itself also reduced VEGFR[2] up to 25% in comparison with control group which is remarkable at p<0.001. Results indicate a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in the treated samples with saffron extract compared to control. This reduction in VEGFR[2] level induced by synergic treatment of saffron and EMF which reveals induction of inhibitory effects of saffron on angiogenesis and could be also considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment