Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies on interaction of two Schiff base complexes with bovine serum albumin

Abstract

This study was designed to examine interaction of two ternary copper (II) Schiff base complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA), using spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques. The fluorescence quenching measurements revealed that the quenching mechanism was static and the binding site of both Schiff bases to BSA was singular. Förster energy transfer measurements, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, and docking study showed both Schiff bases bind to the Trp residues of BSA in short distances. Docking study showed that both Schiff base molecules bind with BSA by forming several hydrogen and van der Waals bonds. In addition, molecular docking study indicated that Schiff base A and Schiff base B were located within the binding pocket of subdomain IB and subdomain IIA of BSA, respectively. Results of Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that bovine serum albumin interacts with both Schiff bases and the secondary structure of BSA was changed.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Quercetin postconditioning attenuates gastrocnemius muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Quercetin, an antioxidant derived from plants, can play a beneficial role in the protection of various tissues against ischemia-reperfusion injuries (IRI). The purpose of the present research was to investigate the protective effects of quercetin on gastrocnemius muscle ischemia-reperfusion. A total of 80 adult male Wistar rats (weights: 250–300 g) were divided into ten groups (n = 8 per group). We used silk 6.0 surgical thread to create a knit to occlude the femoral artery and vein for 3 hr. The treated groups, which comprised half of each experimental group, received intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg/kg quercetin after the ischemia. Blood flow was subsequently reestablished in the reperfusion phase. The rats were kept in reperfusion for 3, 7, 14, or 28 days after which they were killed with high doses of anesthetic drugs, and the gastrocnemius muscles were removed and fixed. Tissue processing, hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels. A comparison between treated and untreated ischemic sites showed that on the third day of reperfusion, the severity of edema and NF-κB level decreased significantly; on the 7th day of reperfusion, the severity of edema and the levels of TNF-α and NF-κB decreased significantly; and on the 14th day of reperfusion, all of the parameters showed significant decreases. On the 28th day of reperfusion, there were significantly decreased levels of TNF-α and NF-κB, and decreased mast cell infiltration when compared with the untreated groups. According to the results, administration of quercetin after ischemia could significantly prevent gastrocnemius muscle IRI.     

Molecular simulations of adsorption and separation of ethylene/ethane and propylene/propane mixtures on Ni2(dobdc) and Ni2(m-dobdc) metal-organic frameworks

Porous solid adsorbents have received considerable attention as a promising alternative to the traditional cryogenic distillation for separating olefin/paraffin mixtures. In this work, we studied pure components as well as ethylene/ethane and propylene/propane binary mixtures uptakes and selectivities at 318 K and 1 bar into metal-organic frameworks Ni₂(dobdc) and Ni₂(m-dobdc) using GCMC simulations. We used DFT method to modify the potential model of carbon–carbon double bond in unsaturated hydrocarbons. GCMC results show that ethylene and ethane uptakes on Ni₂(m-dobdc) are higher than that of Ni₂(dobdc) but propylene and propane uptakes are equal in Ni₂(m-dobdc) and Ni₂(dobdc). Also, Ni₂(m-dobdc) has higher selectivity than Ni₂(dobdc) for separation of ethylene/ethane and propylene/propane mixtures.     

Erythricium atropatanum sp. nov. (Corticiales) from Iran, based on morphological and molecular data

A new corticioid species with a pinkish fruiting body is described from East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, based on nuclear ITS and LSU sequence data and morphology. Erythricium atropatanum sp. nov. is recognized by its closely adnate, pinkish fruiting body, large and broadly ellipsoid to fusoid basidiospores with densely granulate contents, and lack of clamps. The species is nested in Corticiales and the grounds for its generic designation are discussed. A key to the known species of Erythricium is presented.     

Silibinin treatment results in reducing OPA1&MFN1 genes expression in a rat model hepatic ischemia–reperfusion

The mitochondrial damage has a pivotal role in triggering apoptosis and cell death. This study assessed the effect of silibinin on optical atrophy-1 (OPA1) and mitofusin-1 (MFN1) gene expression in liver tissue during hepatic warm ischemia–reperfusion (IR). Four groups of rats, eight rats each were designed: Vehicle: the rats received normal saline and encountered to laparotomy, Sili: silibinin (60 mg/kg) was administered to animals, IR: the rats received the normal saline and insulted by liver IR procedure, and IR?+?Sili: silibinin was injected to rats. All groups were subjected to the same process of injection of the solvent or silibinin (30 min before laparotomy or ischemia and immediately after the reperfusion), intraperitoneally (IP). After 3 h of reperfusion, blood and liver tissue samples were collected for future examinations. Our results showed no significant differences between the Vehicle and Sili groups in all assessed parameters. In IR?+?Sili, the increased serum levels of AST and ALT in comparison with the control group were markedly reduced by silibinin treatment. Silibinin lowered the elevated expression of OPA1 and MFN1 mRNAs in the IR group. Histology revealed silibinin could decline tissue degeneration compared to the IR group. Electron microscopy of control and silibinin groups showed no fusion of mitochondria and tissue degradation both of which were observed in the IR group. The extent of tissue destruction and mitochondrial fusion decreased significantly with silibinin treatment. Silibinin has a protective effect on liver cells against IR induced injuries by preserving mitochondrial membrane.

     

Simulation of glioblastoma growth using a 3D multispecies tumor model with mass effect

Journal of Mathematical Biology - In this article, we present a multispecies reaction–advection–diffusion partial differential equation coupled with linear elasticity for modeling tumor...     

The Effect of Vanillic Acid on Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Wistar Male Rats

Biology Bulletin - In recent years, the use of stem cells has been widely considered for the reconstruction of lost tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of phenolic compounds on...