Document Type: Research - Scientific

Investigation of trichomes cellular structure in Salvia macrosiphon Boiss. and their diversities among various populations

Volume 15, Issue 4, Winter 2025, Pages 349-359

https://doi.org/10.61186/JCT.15.4.349

SM Talebi, M Samiei

Abstract Aims: Salvia L. with more than 1000 taxa is the largest genus in Lamiaceae family, that naturally grows in diverse regions of the world. The genus is represented in Iran by about 60 species, which 17 of them are endemic for the country. Salvia macrosiphon Boiss., is an annual aromatic herb of this genus, which is widely distributed in diverse parts of Iran. Due to the presence of a wide range of secondary metabolites (especially essential oil), this plant has been widely applied in the traditional medicine to cure different diseases. Various types of glandular and non-glandular trichomes have been detected in Lamiaceae taxa.  Essential oils are composed of several compounds, and are biosynthesized  and stored in the glandular trichomes. Additionally, the non-glandular trichomes play the prominent roles in growth and development of plants.  This study was aimed to detect different types of trichomes on the leaf epidermal surface of S. macrosiphon, and their variations among different Iranian populations. Material and methods: Eight natural populations of this plant were harvested from diverse habitats in Iran. Plant samples were identified, according to the morphological descriptions are available in the  valuable references. Three flowering plants were selected from each population and one mature and intact leaf was obtained per individual. The leaves were fixed in fixative (F.A.A) solution for 48 h. The hand-made cuttings of leaf's blade were double-stained with methylene blue and carmine colors. Then, the thin slices of each population were examined using a light microscopy (Olympus CH2, Japan) at different magnifications. Results: the leaf epidermal surfaces were covered by a dense indumentum, which were composed of the glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes had the simple and unbranched structures with one to five linear-arranged cells. The non-glandular trichomes had two cell types: long and short. However, the more frequent non-glandular trichomes were the long two to four-celled types. Meanwhile, in  Amir kabir population,  the five-celled non-glandular trichomes also had a high density. The glandular trichomes were detected as capitate, digitate, and peltate types. Two types of capiate trichomes were observed on the leaves surfaces: short-stalked and long-stalked capitate. The main difference between these types relates to the cell number of trichomes stalk. However, the short-stalked capitate trichomes were the dominant glandular type in all the populations, except for Arak and Mashhad populations, which had the peltate trichome as a more frequent form.  Conclusion: the capitate and peltate trichomes do not have the same ability to maintain the biosynthesized essential oil in their cellular structures. The stored essential oil in the capitate trichomes seeps out through the micropores in their apical cells. Since, the short-stalked capitate was the dominant form in most populations, the secretion of essential oil makes this species very fragrant. But, these plants are less fragrant in populations that have a higher number of peltate trichomes. The non-glandular hairs play a key role in protecting the plant from herbivore insects and the ultraviolet rays of the sun light. Moreover, they protect the leaf epidermal surface from extreme heat and cold. The type and density of other glandular and non-glandular trichomes widely differed among the populations which explored their adaptive importance in this species.

The Synergistic Effect of Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes and Glucosamine on the Expression of Sox9, Acan, Col2a1, and Col10a1 Genes in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells of NMRI Mice in a Chondrogenic Medium

Volume 16, Issue 4, Autumn 2025, Pages 352-368

https://doi.org/10.66224/JCT.16.4.352

M Lotfi, J Baharara, Kh Nejad Shahrokhabadi, P Khorshid

Abstract Introduction: Cartilage, a tissue without blood vessels and nerves, possesses inherently limited regenerative capacity following injury, often leading to progressive joint degeneration and conditions like osteoarthritis (OA) if left untreated. Current clinical interventions, such as surgical microfracture or autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), face significant challenges, including donor site morbidity, immune rejection, and the formation of fibrocartilage with inferior biomechanical properties. These limitations underscore the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies that can effectively stimulate hyaline cartilage regeneration. In this context, mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have garnered attention as a cell-free regenerative tool, leveraging their cargo of bioactive molecules (e.g., miRNAs, cytokines, and growth factors) to modulate chondrogenesis, suppress inflammation, and enhance extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Concurrently, glucosamine, a natural amino sugar and precursor for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis, has demonstrated dual functionality in joint health: not only does it serve as a building block for proteoglycans critical to cartilage integrity, but it also exhibits chondroprotective effects by mitigating ECM degradation and promoting stem cell chondrogenic differentiation. The potential synergy between MSC-Exos and glucosamine could thus address multiple facets of cartilage repair, combining anabolic stimulation (via exosomal signaling) with metabolic support (via glucosamine supplementation), offering a promising combinatorial approach to halt OA progression and restore functional cartilage.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of mouse bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes and glucosamine on the expression of cartilage-specific genes, including Sox9, Acan, Col2a1, and Col10a1.
Materials and Methods: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were prepared from NMRI mice. The mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation, the femoral heads were removed, and the bone marrow contents were transferred into a cell culture flask using a syringe containing culture medium. The bone marrow cells were cultured and were ready for use after 3 to 5 passages. The cell supernatant was separated, and exosomes were extracted from it by successive rounds of centrifugation followed by ultracentrifugation. Mesenchymal stem cell viability and determining the appropriate concentration of exosomes and glucosamine were performed using the MTT assay. The experiments were performed on mesenchymal stem cells in 4 groups: control, exosome, glucosamine, and exosome + glucosamine. The effects of exosomes and glucosamine on the expression of Sox9, Acan, Col2a1, and Col10a1 genes in mesenchymal stem cells were investigated in the presence of chondrogenic medium.
Results: According to the MTT assay results demonstrating the synergistic effect of exosomes and glucosamine, the combined concentrations of 15 μg/mL exosomes and 25 μg/mL glucosamine were chosen for subsequent applications. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression of Sox9, Acan, and Col2a1 genes in stem cells treated with exosomes and glucosamine significantly increased compared to the other groups after 14 days, while the expression of the Col10a1 gene significantly decreased compared to the other groups.
Discussion: The combined treatment of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) exosomes and glucosamine significantly upregulated the expression of key chondrogenic markers, including Sox9, Acan, and Col2a1, while downregulating the hypertrophic marker Col10a1. This gene expression profile suggests a dual beneficial effect: (1) promotion of chondrogenic differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and (2) suppression of hypertrophic differentiation, a critical factor in preventing cartilage calcification and osteoarthritis progression. These findings highlight the synergistic potential of BMSC exosomes and glucosamine as a combinatorial therapy for cartilage regeneration. By enhancing anabolic processes (Sox9-mediated chondrogenesis and aggrecan/collagen II deposition) and concurrently inhibiting catabolic pathways (Col10a1-associated hypertrophy), this strategy may offer a promising approach to delay or reverse early-stage cartilage degeneration in degenerative joint diseases
Conclusion: Our study reveals that combining bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes with glucosamine synergistically enhances chondrogenesis by upregulating key cartilage markers (Sox9, Acan, Col2a1) while suppressing hypertrophy-related Col10a1. This dual action suggests that exosomes promote cartilage matrix synthesis through their bioactive cargo (e.g., miRNAs/growth factors), while glucosamine likely inhibits hypertrophic differentiation, potentially via modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These findings support this combination as a promising strategy for improving cartilage repair and preventing OA progression, though further in vivo validation is needed.

The Best Autologous Cell Sources for Articular Cartilage Regeneration with Critical Size Defects in an Ovine Knee Joints Model

Volume 14, Issue 4, Winter 2024, Pages 353-372

https://doi.org/10.61186/JCT.14.4.353

F Zarei, R Shafaghi, MM Dehghan, F Mostafaee, L Taghiyar, MR Baghaban Eslaminejad

Abstract Aim: Cartilage defects of the knee such as osteoarthritis disease (OA) are one of the most debilitating and public diseases that are related to high individual and socioeconomic problems. Many recent studies have applied mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) incorporated with tissue engineering to repair articular cartilage defects or regeneration of OA.  So, the choice of the best cell type in this regard is one of the challenging issues of tissue engineering and OA cell therapy. This study aims to find the best cell source for the regeneration of critical size defects of cartilage knee using autologous chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived MSCs (Bm-MSCs), and adipose-derived MSCs (Ad-MSCs) that were isolated, cultured, and expanded in similar in vitro conditions.
Materials and Methods: In the current study, Najdi sheep were used at 12 months of age. After standard anesthesia, cartilage was isolated from the hyaline cartilage at the end of the ribs. The Bm-MSCs and Ad-MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and tails' adipose tissue, respectively. Following the enzymatic digestion of cartilage and adipose tissues, using collagenase I enzymes, the chondrocyte, Ad-MSCs, and Bm-MSCs were cultured in growth media at 37º C with similar conditions. Then, MSCs were identified by morphology analysis and also osteogenic/adipose/chondrogenic differentiation, in vitro. In addition, chondrocytes were identified by morphology and analysis of cartilage-related gene expression such as Aggrecan, Col II, and SOX9 genes by Real-time PCR technique. After that, an amount of 5×106 cells/ml from each cell source was seeded in the type I collagen gel and transplanted into an experimentally created articular cartilage defect in the knee’s sheep model. Two months after transplantation, the animals were sacrificed in the standard ways and the implanted tissue was removed. The range of regeneration was investigated by macroscopic scoring and histological staining such as H&E and safranin o/fast green.
Results: MSCs showed spindle shape of morphology, and skeletal differentiation were confirmed the identity of MSCs and chondrocytes. The macroscopic observation showed that the defects in cell-treated groups of chondrocytes, Bm-MSCs, and Ad-MSCs were filled with hyaline cartilage-like tissue in contrast to the control groups of untreated and sham (without cell) groups. In addition, the surface of new cartilage formed in Bm-MSCs and chondrocyte groups appeared to be smoother than in the Ad-MSCs group and the hyaline cartilage of Bm-MSCs is more clearly than that of the Ad-MSCs group. Although histological scores (ranging from 1 to 4) were evaluated, there was no significant difference among the three experimental groups regarding newly formed cartilage repair tissues. Furthermore, the histological analysis of H&E and safranin O revealed that all defects were filled by chondrocyte-like cells that were enclosed in the secreted matrix (*P<0.05).
Conclusion: We used three prevalent and main autologous cell sources such as chondrocyte, BM-MSCs, and AD-MSCs cells in exactly equal conditions to find the most significant cell sources for critical size defect of cartilage in sheep’s knees. The results demonstrated that three cell sources are suitable for this purpose; Although the Ad-MSCs due to ease and more accessibility are further recommended.

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Curcumin Reinstates Osteogenic Differentiation Disrupted by DEHP in Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Volume 16, Issue 4, Autumn 2025, Pages 369-388

https://doi.org/10.66224/JCT.16.4.369

Mohammad Hussein Abnosi, Mahjobeh Lak

Abstract Introduction: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, including medical devices such as syringes, IV tubing, blood bags, respiratory circuits, and dialysis equipment. Due to its weak physical bonding to the PVC matrix and lack of covalent interactions, DEHP can leach into biological fluids upon contact. This becomes particularly concerning during prolonged clinical exposure, as it allows the compound to enter the bloodstream and potentially affect sensitive tissues, including bone marrow. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are multipotent progenitors with the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, playing a vital role in bone remodeling and regeneration. Given their sensitivity to environmental toxins, DEHP exposure represents a significant risk to BMSC viability and osteogenic function. Evidence suggests that DEHP disrupts osteogenesis by inducing oxidative stress and downregulating essential genes involved in matrix formation and mineralization. Curcumin (Cur), a bioactive polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, possesses strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. It is nontoxic, affordable, and widely available, making it a promising candidate for counteracting xenobiotic-induced oxidative damage. This study explores whether Curcumin can mitigate DEHP’s deleterious effects on BMSCs during osteogenic differentiation.
Aim: We hypothesize that co-treatment with Cur will ameliorate DEHP-mediated disruption in cell viability, antioxidant capacity, and osteogenic marker expression.
Materials and Methods: BMSCs were isolated from adult male Wistar rats under sterile conditions and cultured to passage three. Cells were divided into four experimental groups and exposed for 21 days to the following treatments: (1) control, (2) DEHP (100 μM), (3) Curcumin (0.1 μM), and (4) DEHP + Curcumin. The cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium throughout the treatment period. Cell viability was assessed using the tetrazolium-based MTT assay. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated via Alizarin Red staining for mineral deposition, calcium quantification, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement. Oxidative stress was assessed by quantifying intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a lipid peroxidation marker. Antioxidant enzyme activity for catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured spectrophotometrically. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was evaluated using commercial kits. For molecular analysis, total RNA was extracted from cells and reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA). Semi-quantitative PCR was performed to measure expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes: Smad1, Bmp2, Bmp7, Runx2, Alp, Col-1A1, and Osteocalcin (Oc). Gapdh served as the internal control. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test. A threshold of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results DEHP treatment caused a marked reduction in BMSC viability (p < 0.0001), confirming its cytotoxicity. Cells co-treated with Curcumin showed a significant restoration in viability (p < 0.01), indicating Cur’s protective effects. Alizarin Red staining revealed diminished extracellular matrix mineralization in DEHP-treated cells, with corresponding reductions in calcium content and ALP activity. Notably, Curcumin co-treatment restored all markers to levels comparable to those seen in control cells. ALP, an early osteogenic marker, showed complete recovery, underlining Cur’s efficacy in preserving bone-forming potential. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that DEHP downregulated osteogenic genes (Smad1, Bmp2, Bmp7, Runx2, Col-1A1, Oc). Co-treatment with Curcumin significantly reversed this suppression, elevating transcript levels to near control values. These results suggest a transcriptional rescue linked to improved redox homeostasis. Oxidative stress measurements indicated that DEHP increased MDA levels while suppressing CAT and SOD activity, as well as total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.0001). Curcumin treatment effectively reduced MDA concentrations (p < 0.05), and boosted CAT and SOD activity (p < 0.01). TAC was significantly elevated in Curcumin-treated groups (p < 0.0001), indicating improved redox balance and defense against oxidative damage.
Conclusion: This study provides strong evidence that DEHP impairs BMSC viability and osteogenic differentiation primarily through oxidative stress mechanisms. Curcumin co-treatment mitigates DEHP-induced cellular damage, restores osteogenic function, and enhances antioxidant defenses. These findings highlight Curcumin’s potential as a therapeutic agent to counteract phthalate toxicity in clinical contexts involving prolonged exposure to DEHP-containing materials.

Investigation of antioxidant activity and seed oil fatty acid profile in diverse Okra cultivars

Volume 16, Issue 4, Autumn 2025, Pages 421-434

https://doi.org/10.66224/JCT.16.4.421

SM Talebi, A Salman, P Maleki

Abstract Introduction: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Malvaceae, valued for its high nutritional and medicinal properties. It is cultivated widely in various tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including many areas of Iran, where it serves as an important vegetable crop in local diets and traditional medicine. Aim: This study investigated the fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity of seed oils extracted from seven cultivars of Okra, namely White, Sultani, Red, Velvet, Green, Texas, and Fawn.
Material and methods: Mature and intact seeds from each okra cultivar were powdered, and their oils were extracted using a modified Folch et al. method. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were prepared from the extracted oils through transesterification. The resulting FAMEs were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) apparatus to determine their fatty acid profiles. The antioxidant activity of the extracted oils was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and MVSP software.
Results: The seed oils of all okra cultivars contained both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with total proportions varying among the cultivars. The highest total saturated fatty acid content (42.53%) was observed in the White cultivar, while the lowest (36.41%) occurred in the Sultani cultivar. Palmitic acid was the predominant saturated fatty acid in all cultivars, with the highest (35.74%) and lowest (30.70%) levels detected in the White and Texas cultivars, respectively. Stearic acid was the second most abundant saturated fatty acid, ranging from 3.69% (Sultani) to 4.94% (White). Trace saturated fatty acids, including heptadecenoic, arachidic, behenic, and lignoceric acids were detected in all cultivars, whereas lauric acid was only found in a few cultivars (Velvet, Texas, and White cultivars). Unsaturated fatty acids constituted 57.33–63.33% of the total oil composition, with the lowest proportion in the White cultivar and the highest in the Sultani cultivar. Linoleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty acid in all cultivars except White, where oleic acid predominated. The highest linoleic acid content (11.40%) was recorded in the Red cultivar, and the lowest (8.25%) in White cultivar. In contrast, oleic acid content ranged from 18.20% (Red) to 49.30% (White). Trace amounts of other unsaturated fatty acids, including myristoleic, palmitoleic, trans-heptadecenoic, linolenic, gondoic, and erucic acids, were also detected across all cultivars. Additionally, eicosadienoic acid was present in trace amounts in all cultivars except White cultivar. Phytochemical analyses using the UPGMA dendrogram and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) grouped the cultivars into two main clusters, indicating significant phytochemical diversity. The predominance of oleic acid in the White cultivar, in contrast to linoleic acid in the others, along with the high palmitic acid content in the Velvet and White cultivars, contributed to the distinct placement of the White, Green, and Velvet cultivars from the remaining ones. The antioxidant activity, evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, revealed IC₅₀ values ranging from 689.23 µg/mL (Green cultivar) to 2551.12 µg/mL (Texas cultivar).
Discussion: The variation in fatty acid composition among the seven Okra cultivars reflects significant biochemical diversity. Palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid in all cultivars, while oleic and linoleic acids dominated the unsaturated fractions. The White cultivar, with its high oleic acid level, exhibited greater oil stability potential, whereas other cultivars rich in linoleic acid offer higher nutritional value. Differences in fatty acid profiles may be related to cultivar-specific desaturase activity. The antioxidant activity varied notably, with the Green cultivar showing the strongest and the Texas cultivar the weakest radical scavenging capacity, likely due to variations in phenolic and unsaturated compounds. The UPGMA and PCA analyses confirmed chemical diversity and separated White, Green, and Velvet cultivars based on their distinct fatty acid compositions.

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Investigation the expression changes of miR-34a, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, BAX in pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1 cell line) treated with methanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium and 5-Fluorouracil

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 22 December 2025

https://doi.org/10.61882/jct.2025.2073560.2111

Maryam Lotfi, Khadije Nejad Shahrokhabadi, javad baharara, Mohadeseh sadat Madani

Abstract Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. 5-Fluorouracil is one of the commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs. The plant Artemisia absinthium has attracted attention as a potential herbal anticancer agent. This study investigated the effect of the methanolic extract of this plant on the expression of miR-34a and the apoptotic genes BAX, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 in AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of Artemisia absinthium methanol extract on pancreatic cancer cells. The research specifically investigated the molecular mechanism by analyzing expression changes in the tumor suppressor miR-34a and key apoptotic genes BAX, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 to elucidate the extract's anti-cancer mode of action.
Materials and methods: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of the plant extract on cancer cells, an MTT assay was performed to determine the viability and survival rate of the cells following treatment with various concentrations of the extract, the chemotherapeutic drug fluorouracil (5-FU), and the combined treatment of the extract and the drug. This assay measures cellular metabolic activity and allows quantification of live and dead cells after exposure to different treatments. Based on the obtained results, the IC₅₀ value for each treatment was calculated, representing the concentration at which 50% of the cells were inhibited or killed.
After determining the IC₅₀ value, cells were treated with concentrations equal to, lower, and higher than the IC₅₀ to further investigate the cytotoxic effects and the mode of cell death induced by the treatments. To distinguish between apoptotic and necrotic cell death, the Annexin V-FITC/PI assay was employed. This assay detects phosphatidylserine externalization on the cell membrane and enables differentiation between live, early apoptotic, late apoptotic, and necrotic cells.

In addition to the morphological and physiological assessments, molecular analyses were conducted to examine the expression levels of key apoptosis-related genes, including Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and BAX, as well as the regulatory microRNA miR-34a. Gene expression analysis was performed using Real-time PCR (qPCR).

Results: The results of the MTT assay demonstrated that the proliferation of AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by treatment with the extract of Artemisia absinthium and the chemotherapeutic drug fluorouracil (5-FU) in a concentration-dependent manner. As the concentration of each treatment increased, cell viability significantly decreased, indicating a marked cytotoxic effect of both the plant extract and the drug. Moreover, a possible synergistic effect between the extract and fluorouracil in suppressing. To determine the mode of cell death induced by these treatments, the Annexin V-FITC/PI assay was performed. The results revealed that a considerable proportion of treated cells underwent programmed cell death (apoptosis), while the percentage of necrotic cells remained relatively low. These findings suggest that the observed reduction in cell viability is mainly mediated through the activation of apoptotic pathways rather than necrosis. Furthermore, Real-time PCR analysis showed a significant upregulation in the expression of the regulatory microRNA miR-34a and the apoptosis-related genes Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and BAX in the treated groups compared to the control group.
Discussion: The obtained results suggest that Artemisia absinthium extract exerts its cytotoxic effect primarily through the induction of apoptosis rather than necrosis in AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. The observed upregulation of miR-34a, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and BAX implies activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways. These findings are consistent with previous studies reporting pro-apoptotic properties of A. absinthium and other Artemisia species. Therefore, the extract may enhance the therapeutic response of pancreatic cancer cells when combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as fluorouracil.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Artemisia absinthium extract demonstrated strong antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects on AsPC-1 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Its combination with fluorouracil produced a synergistic cytotoxic impact, significantly enhancing cell death through apoptotic signaling. The molecular findings support the potential of this extract as a complementary therapeutic agent. Further studies are recommended to explore its mechanisms and evaluate its efficacy in in vivo models of pancreatic cancer.

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The effect of iron oxide nanoparticles and BAP on the cultivation of bell pepper anthers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 09 February 2026

https://doi.org/10.61882/jct.2026.2046649.2069

maryam mohammadi, Raheem Haddad, Gasem Ali Garoosi

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles in and benzylaminopurine (BAP) bell pepper anther culture on the traits of callus formation, embryogenesis, regeneration and rooting.
Material and methods: The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design under in vitro culture conditions. Flower buds of appropriate size (equal sepal to petal ratio or slightly longer petal) were collected from the greenhouse and acetocarmine solution was used to determine the growth and development stage of microspores. The results showed that the most suitable stage for embryogenesis induction was the late mononuclear stage and the early binuclear stage. In order to sterilize the flower buds, 70% ethanol for 30 seconds and 5% sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes were used and after each stage they were washed three times with sterile distilled water. Then, the anthers were separated from the flower bud and placed in C medium containing 2 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), different concentrations of BAP (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) and different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles (0, 1, 10, and 20 mg/L). After that, the explant cultured in C medium were kept at 35°C in the dark for 8 days in order to apply heat treatment. Then, they were transferred to 25°C in the light for 4 days. After this period, in order to induce embryogenesis, the explants were transferred from C medium to R medium and were subcultured every three weeks until embryos emerged. For further growth and root development, the embryos were transferred to V medium. Results: The results of the analysis of variance of the data showed that using different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles had a significant effect on the percentage of embryogenesis, regeneration and rooting of the plant, but did not have a significant effect on the percentage of callus formation. The results of comparing the average data showed that among the different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles, the 1 mg/L treatment had the highest percentage of embryogenesis (11.11). Also, the results of comparing the average effect of the nanoparticles on the percentage of regeneration showed that the 1 mg/L treatment had the highest percentage of regeneration (16.66). The results of the interaction effects showed that among the different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles and BAP, the highest percentage of embryogenesis was observed in the treatment of 20 mg/L iron oxide nanoparticles and 0 mg/L BAP. Also, the treatment of 20 mg/L iron oxide nanoparticles and 0 mg/L BAP had the highest percentage of regeneration (33.33%). After sufficient growth and root formation, the obtained plants were removed from the glass culture containers and transferred to pots containing sterilized culture medium and watered for adaptation. The tops of the pots were covered with plastic cups, and after three days, the cups were pierced and the plastic was gradually removed from the plant for further adaptation. Ploidy levels were determined by chromosome counting by staining the root tip cells. The results showed that out of the 23 obtained plants, 21 were diploid and had 2n=2x=24 chromosomes and 2 were haploid and had n=x=12 chromosomes. Conclusion: In bell pepper anther culture, different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles along with plant growth regulators at different concentrations showed a great effect on embryogenesis, regeneration, and rooting.

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Investigation of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of exosomes and extracts prepared from medicinal plants: Zingiber officinale, Lavandula angustifolia, Allium cepa, and Citrus limon

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 06 May 2026

https://doi.org/10.61882/jct.2026.2073461.2110

shaghayegh mardani, Parichehr Hanachi, Reyhaneh Ramezani, Elaheh Mobarak Ghamsari

Abstract Introduction: Natural plants have attracted increasing attention in biomedical research due to their numerous benefits. Vesicles derived from plant exosomes, which are some plant components, are small nanoscale vesicles secreted by plant cells. Throughout history, plants have shown beneficial effects on human health with minimal toxicity by providing biological materials. These natural materials have significant potential in the development of new drugs.
Aims: The aim of this study was to extract exosome from ginger, onion, lavender and lemon and investigate their antibacterial and antioxidant properties
Materials and methods: First, ginger, lavender. onion, and lemon were extracted using the aqueous method. Exosomes were extracted and purified using the ExosُُُSun kit and identified using the TEM technique. The antibacterial activity of these exosome and extracts against gram-positive and gram-negative species, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pyogenes was investigated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion. The antioxidant content of the extracts and exosomes was measured using the TAC total antioxidant capacity measurement kit
Discussion: The prevalence of serious infectious pathogens, including Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes, is causing a sharp increase in morbidity and mortality worldwide. Also, the alarming increase in antibiotic resistance is a concern. Therefore, the above issues have prompted scientists to turn to a new approach to treatment. Throughout history, plants have shown beneficial effects on human health with minimal toxicity by obtaining biological materials. These natural materials have significant potential in the production of new drugs.
In this study, we extracted ginger exosomes with the ExoSun kit. the antimicrobial properties of extracted exosomes and extracts were measured by disk diffusion methods, MIC. Exosomes did not have antibacterial properties in ginger extract. in Lavender. antibacterial properties were not observed, but lemon extract had good antibacterial properties. In our study, Ginger exosomes did not affect E. coli, which was in accordance with Teng's research.In our study, lavender aqua extract had no effect on bacteria.
The MTT method was used to evaluate the possible cytotoxic effects of the extract The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MIBC) of Ginger extract for fungal strains (C. krusei and C. albicans) was higher than that of fluconazole and nystatin.
In our study, ginger extract had no effect on bacteria.
Plant extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have attracted increasing attention due to their rich composition, good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and drug delivery ability. Citrus, as a common fruit, is an ideal material for extracting PEVs due to the diversity and abundance of bioactive substances it contains.
In a study, citrus-derived extracellular vesicles (CEVs) were extracted from red mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. ‘Dahongpao’) and were found to contain high levels of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The high levels of total phenolics and total flavonoids indicate that CEVs have good chemical antioxidant properties.
In this study, we investigated the antioxidant properties of extracted exosomes, which showed that lavender exosomes had higher antioxidant properties than other exosomes. Lavender extract also had higher antioxidant properties than other extracts. The antioxidant properties of lavender extract were higher than lavender exosomes.
Conclusion: The results showed that only lemon extract had antibacterial properties, and the exosomes of ginger, fenugreek, onion, and lemon had no antibacterial properties. In the antioxidant test, lavender exosome showed the highest capacity