Differences in growth response of human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells to herbal extracts and a growth factor

Background: One of the key questions in biochemistry is why cell becomes aged and what are the involved factors? Why cell growth is stopped after some divisions and cells become senescent? This occurs in a greater frame in the whole body and cells dye after a while. Androgenetic alopecia [AGA] is characterized by a loss or decrease in hair follicle size, which could be related to the loss of hair follicle stem cells. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop novel therapies to increase hair follicle stem cells viability and proliferation

Objective: In this study, we examined the effects of bFGF and aqueous Rosemary leaf and Marshmallow root extracts on human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells [hHF-MSCs] proliferation in order to identify their potential for hair growth

Methods: hHF-MSCs were isolated from hair follicle tissues and their mesenchymal nature confirmed by detecting cell surface antigens via flow cytometry. Bromodeoxyuridine [Brdu] incorporation assay was used to study the cell proliferation effect of herbal extracts in hHF-MSCs

Results: Human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells [hHF -MSCs] were obtained by organ culture. They exhibited surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells as shown by positive staining for CD44, CD90 and CD105. Herbal extracts and bFGF were found to induce significant proliferation of human hHF-MSCs at concentrations ranging from 10 to 20 micro l/ml and 15 to 25 micro l/ml

Conclusion: These results suggest that herbal extract may produce positive effects on the hair growth promotion of hHF-MSCs and suggesting that herbal extracts may be a good candidate for helping hair growth promotion

Effect of curcumin on aspergillus parasiticus growth and expression of major genes involved in the early and late stages of aflatoxin biosynthesis

The effect of curcumin as a natural safe compound with different biological activities was examined on fungal growth and aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999. The fungus was cultured in presence of serial two-fold concentrations of curcumin [125-2000 micro g/ml] in yeast extract sucrose broth for 3 days at 28°C. Mycelia dry weight was determined as an index of fungal growth, while aflatoxin production was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. The expression of ver-1, nor-1, pksA, omtA and aflR genes in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway was evaluated by real time PCR. Curcumin strongly inhibited aflatoxin B1 production in the range of 26.6 to 94.9% by serial two-fold concentrations from 125 to 2000 micro g/ml. Fungal growth was also inhibited by the compound in the range of 34.0 to 60.8%. Analysis of the expression of aflatoxin pathway genes by real time PCR showed that curcumin inhibited the expression of ver-1, nor-1, pksA, omtA and aflR genes at concentrations of 250 and 1000 micro g/ml. In concentration of 1000 micro g/ml, gene expression was reduced by 31.3%, 44.6%, 57.1% 110.9% and 286.7% accordingly. Reduction in the expression of aflatoxin biosynthesis genes was significant only for aflR. In ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP] assay, curcumin showed strong antioxidant activity at all concentrations tested. Curcumin may be employed successfully as a good candidate in controlling of toxigenic fungal growth on food and feed and subsequent contamination with aflatoxins in practice

Aflatoxin detoxification potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Iranian poultry

This study was carried out to examine aflatoxin B[1] [AFB[1]] removal ability of four strains of lactic acid bacteria [LAB]

Three indigenous (Lactobacillus rhamnosus TMU094, Lactobacillus fermentum TMU121 and Pedioccus pentosaceus TMU457] and a non-indigenous [Labacillus rhamnosus PTCC1637] isolates were studied. The strains were incubated with [AFB[1]] at different time. The toxin residual in the supernatant was determined. Reduction of the toxin quantity was observed by all species. Binding of aflatoxin by the studied LAB varied from 19.41 to 75.06%. Aflatoxin-binding activity showed time dependent trend taking into consideration of different incubation periods. Lactobacillus rhamnosus TMU094 bound 25.64 to 75.06%, L. fermentum bound 38.63 to 72.15%, P. pentosaceus bound 24.86 to 63.21% and L. rhamnosus PTCC1637 bound 19.41 to 35% of AFB[1] during the studied course of incubation times. These results showed that indigenous strains of LAB are able to bind AFB1 effectively?

[Increasing rate of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation in the presence of silymarin]

Mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs], the non-hematopoietic progenitor cells found in various adult tissues are characterized by their ease of isolation and their rapid growth in vitro while maintaining their differentiation potential, allowing for extensive culture expansion to obtain large quantities suitable for therapeutic application. Silymarin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities with positive effect on proliferation on some cell types. The aim of this study was to find out the optimal condition of silymarin treatments on mesenchymal stem cell growth and multiplication. Human MSCs in third passage were divided into 12 groups treated by 50, 75, and 100 micro g/ml of silymarin for 2, 7 and 14 days. Cell viability was assayed on day 2 using trypan blue exclusion test. The cell proliferation rate in presence of silymarin was determined using a day-response curve for each dose. Viability was 89%, 93%, and 96% for cells treated with 50, 75, and l00 microg/ml silymarin, respectively. Cell viability showed significant increase in all treated cells in comparison with the control group [83%]. Based on the day- response curve, it was shown that the rate of cell proliferation in treated cells is significantly higher when exposed to silymarin for 2 - 7 days. However, from 7[th] day to 14[th], silymarin exposure lowers hBMSCs proliferation rate compared to control group. Under optimal condition of silymarin exposure time, the rate of MSC proliferation can be stimulated

Phytoprevention of aflatoxin production

Consumption of mycotoxic foods is associated with several cases of human poisoning, or mycotoxicosis, sometimes resulting in death. Phytopreventive inhibition of Aspergillus parasiticus growth and its aflatoxin production by the essential oils extracted from Thymus kotschyanus Boiss and Hohen and Zataria multiflora Boiss. is reported in this study. Minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC], minimal fungicidal concentration [MFC] and fungicidal kinetics of the oils were determined and compared with each other. The oils from the above mentioned plants were found to be strongly fungicidal and inhibitory to aflatoxin production. Both oils inhibited aflatoxin B[1] [AFB[1]] production by A.parasiticus. T. kotschyanus and Z. multiflora oils at 25 ppm concentration, reduced AFB1 levels by 100% and 47.87% respectively. Aflatoxin production was significantly inhibited at lower than fungistatic concentration of both oils. The analysis of oils by GC and GC/MS led to identification of 27 and 22 components in T. kotschyanus and Z. multiflora Boiss. respectively which were very similar to each other. Prevention of fungal growth and aflatoxin production by natural compounds is recom

Determining the effect of stress of threshold limit value of noise with shrill and bass frequencies on antioxidation and lipid peroxidation variations of liver tissue of rabbit

Background and Purpose: Noise, in high intensity, is one of the major physical stressors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stress of threshold limit value of noise with shrill and bass frequencies on antioxidation and lipid peroxidation variations of liver tissue of rabbit

Methods and Materials: This experimental study was carried out on 18 male white New Zealand rabbits at Tarbiat Modarres University in 2004. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Control Group [unexposed to noise], Group 2 exposed to noise [85 dB SPL,< 250-3540Hz, 8 h/day, 96 h] and Group 3 exposed to noise [3540Hz-20kHz, 85 dB SPL, 8 h/day for 96h, 12 days]. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test were used for comparing means across the groups; differences at P<0.05 were considered statistically significant

Results: The findings indicated that Malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were 5.5, 5.54, and 5.71 in the groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively, and that the glutathione level was 0.131 g per micromol liver tissue across three groups. It was also found that the differences were not statistically significant [P=0<0.05]

Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, despite limited variation in Malondialdehyde [MDA] levels induced by noise with 85dBA frequency, it does not induce significant changes in levels of Malondialdehyde [MDA] and glutathione in the liver tissue of rabbits

[Cyclooxygenase; prevention and treatment]

Cyclooxygenase [COX] is the key enzyme required for the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Two cycloxygenase isoforms have been identified and are referred to as COX-I and COX-2. Both enzymes are blocked by nonselective anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAID], such as indomethacin and ibuprofen. COX-I is an enzyme normally found in tissues and is involved in physiological functions, while COX-2 is an acute phase reactant associated with inflammation. Recently, COX-2 has been found to be associated with hyperalgesia, angiogenesis, cancer and Alzheimers disease. The suggestion that COX-2 is causally linked to cancer offers a new approach to extending our knowledge about the neoplastic phenomenon and improving management of human malignant diseases

Effect of sound conditioning on protection of hearing and plasma antioxidant activity in rabbits

Noise is one of the major physical pollutants in present societies. Sound conditioning is used as means of protecting against noise-induced hearing loss. The status of plasma antioxidant system during sound conditioning is important. To study possible involvement of plasma total antioxidant ability in noise-induced hearing loss and sound conditioning. This study was carried out on 24 male white New Zealand rabbits [6 in each group]. The rabbits were assigned to the following four groups: [1] Noise exposure [250Hz-20000Hz, 110 dB for 8h/day for 12 days], [2] Conditioning noise exposure [80dB for 10 days and 110 dB for 12 days], [3] Noise exposure [80 dB] and [4] control group. Auditory Brain stem Response [ABR] was measured and compared in all pre- and post-exposures groups. Plasma antioxidant power was also measured post exposure. FRAP was assayed in plasma sample collected from each animal using TPTZ reagent. The ABR assay using click in different experimental groups showed that the absolute latency of 5[th] wave generation was statistically significant in first group as compared to other groups [p=0.0001]. Likewise ABR assay using tone burst showed a higher absolute latency observed in group 1. FRAP assay indicated that the antioxidant parameters were suppressed in group 1 when compared with data obtained from other groups [p<0.05]. The ABR results found in our study, confirmed sound conditioning in rabbits exposed to 80 and 110 dB. Furthermore, changes in FRAP in rabbits studied in our experiment was indicative of involvement of antioxidant system in sound conditioning however, further studies needed

pathological study of hepatic lesions after experimental aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens

To study gross and histopathologic lesions and also relative weight of liver in experimental aflatoxicosis in Ross broiler chicks. Experimental study. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old Ross broiler chicken. Linear model analysis and Duncan's method for mean values with S AS package. The chickens were fed by NRC [1994] diet. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The diets were divided into 3 groups: control [0 or basal] and treatment with 1 and 2 ppm of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin was produced by infecting of autoclaved rice with Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL-2999 in the flasks and titrated by TLC and HPLC. After 21 and 42 days, three chickens from each group randomly killed and their livers were weighed. Tissue samples were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 um and stained by haematoxylin and eosin [H and E]. Relative weights of the livers [g/l00g.b.w] in treatment groups were significantly increased as compared with control [p<0.05]. Histopathologic examination revealed severe fatty change, regeneration foci of liver cells, fibrosis of portal regions and bile ductule hyperplasia. The lesions were very severe in 42-days-old chickens and had the lesser severity in 21-days-old chickens. Liver is the target organ for aflatoxin. Aflatoxin causes severe lesions in the liver and increases its relative weight.Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of toxin produces severe changes in fat metabolism and bile ductules proliferation