Protective effects of Cinnamomum verum,Cinnamomum cassia and cinnamaldehyde against 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum and C. cassia) is a medicinal plant, widely-used as a culinary spice. It possesses various therapeutic effects and can slow down the progression of neurological disorders impressively. In this article, the effects of hydro-alcohol extract and essential oil of C. verum and C. cassia and its main bioactive component cinnamaldehyde, has been examined on 6-OHDA-exposed PC12 cells as an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. The cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis has been induced by 6-OHDA in PC12 cells. The protective effect was determined by measuring cell viability, the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using resazurin assay, flow cytometry of propidium iodide (PI) stained cells, and western blot analysis. 6-OHDA resulted in the death and apoptosis of cells while, pretreatment with the extract and essential oil of C. verum and C. cassia at 20 µg/ml and cinnamaldehyde at 5 and 10 µM for 24 h could significantly increase the viability (p?<?0.001), and decrease ROS content (p?<?0.05). Pretreatment with the extracts increased survivin and decreased cyt-c whereas, pretreatment with the essential oil decreased cyt-c, increased survivin, and reduced P-p44/42/p44/42 levels to a level near that of the related control. The extract and essential oil of C. verum and C. cassia can be effective against 6-OHDA cytotoxicity. It is suggested that, the synergistic effects of cinnamaldehyde and other components of extract and essential oil promote cinnamon’s medicinal properties.

     

Protective effects of vitamin K2 on 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells through modulation bax and caspase-3 activation

Molecular Biology Reports - Neuroprotection using compounds with dual functions of anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects fight against neurodegeneration. Vitamin K2 acts as a cofactor in many...     

Resistance and susceptibility of various wheat varieties to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitobion avenae</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Iran

The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), is a severe pest of wheat plants in temperate countries. Therefore, we carried out primary screening to assess the resistance or susceptibility of 23 commonly grown wheat varieties to this aphid at greenhouse and laboratory conditions in Iran. Also, population attributes of this aphid were evaluated on six wheat varieties, namely Saysonz, Arta, Moghan3, Zagros, Sardari and Shirodi. The aphids were colonized on the Hirmand wheat variety in a growth chamber at 20 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% R.H. and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D). The tested varieties were grouped into three major classes including A (e.g., Shirodi, Falat and Moghan2), B (e.g., Sardari, Zagros and Tagan) and C (e.g., Arta, Saysonz, Moghan3 and Pishtaz). Also, the results of the life history traits showed that the developmental time of nymphal stage ranged from 7.5 days on Zagros to 10.8 days on Saysonz. The intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) of S. avenae varied from 0.133 (day⁻¹) on Saysonz to 0.210 (day⁻¹) on Shirodi. Jackknife estimates of other population parameters on these varieties were evaluated. As a result, our findings showed that the varieties Saysonz, Arta and Moghan3 were partially resistant against S. avenae, whereas Shirodi, Zagros and Sardari were relatively susceptible.     

Silica-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles: enzyme immobilization and cytotoxic study

Silica-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared via microemulsion method. The products were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS). MNPs with no observed cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma cell and brine shrimp lethality were used as suitable support for glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilization. Binding of GOD onto the support was confirmed by the FTIR spectra. The amount of immobilized GODs was 95 mg/g. Storage stability study showed that the immobilized GOD retained 98% of its initial activity after 45 days and 90% of the activity was also remained after 12 repeated uses. Considerable enhancements in thermal stabilities were observed for the immobilized GOD at elevated temperatures up to 80°C and the activity of immobilized enzyme was less sensitive to pH changes in solution.