Diversity of actinomycete and their metabolites isolated from Howz Soltan Lake, Iran.

Saline environments are largely unexplored sources of actinomycetes with the potential to produce biologically active secondary metabolites. A total of 34 actinomycete isolates from water, sediments and mostly rhizosphere (82%) were collected from different sites at Howz Soltan Lake in Iran. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the isolates belonged to the genera Streptomyces, Nocardia and Saccharomonospora. Cytotoxic assay revealed extract from isolate act9 as the most potent (19.716±5.72 µg/ml) against the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell. Also, 38% of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against some of the test microorganisms. The ethyl-acetate extract of isolate act18 showed the strongest antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, and was further analyzed by GC/MS. Ar-tumerone (26.41%) and butyl isodecyl phthalate (21.77 %) were the main constituents detected in the extract. This is the first time Ar-tumerone is being detected in a prokaryote. Isolate act18 showed a high 16S rRNA sequence similarity to that of Streptomyces youssoufiensis DSM 41920. In addition, a number of the isolates produced different enzymes including lipase, amylase, protease, gelatinase, urease and lecithinase. Some of the isolates belonging to the genera Streptomyces and Nocardia exhibited plant growth promoting activity such as increased seed germination, stem length and the number of Echium leaves during the 20 days. Findings from this study indicated the diversity and biosynthetic potential of actinomycetes from saline environment.

Bee venom treatment reduced C-reactive protein and improved follicle quality in a rat model of estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a low grade inflammatory disease characterized by hyperandrogenemia and chronic anovulation. C-reactive protein (CRP), released by adipocytes, plays a key role in PCOS. Apis mellifera honeybee venom (HBV) contains a variety of biologically active components with various pharmaceutical properties. This study was designed to assess the possibility of HBV application as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent. To induce PCOS, 1 mg/100 g body weight estradiol valerate (EV) was subcutaneously (SC) injected into eight-week-old rats. After 60 days, 0.5 mg/kg HBV was administered SC for 14 consecutive days, and the results of PCOS treatment were investigated. Rats were then anesthetized with chloroform, and their ovaries and livers were surgically removed to determine histomorphometrical changes. Testosterone and 17-β-estradiol were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay. In order to detect serum CRP, ELISA kit was used in three groups of EV-induced PCOS, HBV-treated PCOS and control animals. Thickness of the theca layer, number of cysts and the level of serum CRP significantly decreased in HBV group in comparison with PCOS group. Moreover, corpus luteum, as a sign of ovulation, was observed in HBV-treated ovaries which were absent in PCOS group. Our results suggest that the beneficial effect of HBV may be mediated through its inhibitory effect on serum CRP levels.(AU)