Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is evaluating the effect of crocin as one of saffron bioactive compounds in mice spermatogenic stem cells.
Material and Methods: Balb/c neonate spermatogenic stem cells were grown in DMEM-F12 medium and were treated with various concentrations of crocin (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 µg/ml) for 6 and 12 days. For detecting spermatogenic stem cells, assessment cytotoxicity, recognizing viable cells and antioxidant capacity have been used alkaline phosphatase assay, MTT assay, AO, DAPI staining, and DCF-DA assay, respectively. Statistical analyses, One-way ANOVA, Duncan test(P≤0.05), were conducted using SPSS software .
Results: Crocin in concentrations >20 µg/ml exerted no significant toxicity on mice spermatogenic stem cells in 6 and 12 days treatment. Meanwhile, viability of mice spermatogenic stem cells was reduced under exposure to 20, 40 µg/ml to 21, 24 % in 6 days and 29, 41% in 12 days treatment. Further, evaluations of cell viability by fluorescence microscopy and antioxidant potential by fluorimetery have showed protective and antioxidant effect of crocin after 12 day treatment.
Conclusion: Crocin can be induced protective effect on mice spermatogenic stem cells, which conducted their effect through minimal effects on cell viability and reducing cell death.

Abstract Aim: In the present study, to compare the toxicity and possible oxidative stress that may result from application of silver nanoparticles and silver ions, the impacts of their different concentrations on some biochemical indices related to protein oxidation in potato (Solanum tuberosum) were investigated.
 Material and methods: potato explants with one node were transferred to MS medium containing 0, 2, 10 and 20 mg.L^-1silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver nitrate (AgNO₃). After four weeks of exposure, in vitro-grown explants were harvested for measurement of various parameters.
Results: Total protein content in explants treated with either AgNPs or Ag ions decreased with increase in silver concentration, except in Ag ion treatment at 2 mg.L^-1, which it increased significantly as compared to control samples. Also, remarkable changes were observed in five bands of protein electrophoresis patterns. The contents of Carbonyl groups were significantly increased relative to control in a dose-dependent manner. In both silver treatments, protein thiols were significantly decreased, while non-protein thiols were amplified. Moreover, explants treated with Ag ions showed higher protease activity and total antioxidant power as compared to AgNPs treated ones.
Conclusion: Based on the results, it could be concluded that oxidative damage to explants treated with AgNPs was much more than explants under a similar mass of Ag ions. In addition to the release of silver ions, special effects associated with nanoparticles could be involved in the oxidative stress induced by AgNPs in potato explants.

Abstract Aim:In the study, the effects of Bacillus thuringiensis parasporin were examined on mice cancer cell line (4T1).
Material and Methods: Purification of crystal toxins was done from the isolates of B. thuringiensis. Breast cancer cells line 4T1 were treated with activated toxins. Cytopathic effects were photographed. Crystal toxin with the most cytotoxicity was identified by using SDS-PAGE and also molecular method.
Results: From forty seven tested isolates of B. thuringiensis, E8 isolate shown the most cytotoxicity effect on 4T1 cell line. In addition, parasporin-4 was identified by using SDS-PAGE and PCR methods. Parasporin-4 disintegrated 4T1 cell line and it has cytolysin effects.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that, parasporin is cytolysin protein and has a specific site on the cell surface. This crystal protein can induce apoptosis in breast cancer cell line.

Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to find a simple method for evaluation of acrosomal integrity and evaluation of relationship between acrosomal integrity with motility, viability and reaction to hypoosmolar solution.
Material and Methods: 40 frozen sperm of Holstein bull were purchased and acrosomal integrity, motility, viability and reaction to hypoosmolar solution were examined.
Results: Based on the results, the percentage of acrosomal integrity was 84.52±5.72, motility was 31.52±8.22, alive sperm was 63.57±10.23, abnormal sperm was 21.57±3.23 and reaction to hypoosmolar solution was 41.96±6.68. Results showed the significant positive relationship between acrosomal integrity and motility, and alive sperm and normal sperm (p < 0.01), but no relation between acrosome integrity and reaction to hypoosmolar solution was observed. The results showed a significant positive relationship between abnormal acrosomes and abnormal sperms (p < 0.05), while a significant negative relationship observed between abnormal acrosome with motility and live sperm rate (p < 0.01). No significant relationship was observed between abnormal acrosomes and reaction to hypoosmolar solution (P>0.05). There is a significant relation between acrosome integrity with motility, normal sperm and alive sperm.
Conclusion: Since sperm fertility is related with acrosome integrity, normal sperm, motility and sperm viability and because sperm acrosome during freezing and thawing affected so evaluation of acrosome integrity can be considered as one of the useful examination for assessment of cryopreserved sperm fertility.

Abstract Aim: In this study biocompatible 3D graphene oxide foams have been used for Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) culturing.
Material and Methods: For the first time, graphene oxide foam were fabricated by precipitation of chemically exfoliated graphene oxide sheets in an aqueous suspension onto the PET substrate at ~80 oC under UV irradiation.
Results: By using scanning electron microscopy, the thickness of these foams (with linear density of ~10 GO sheets/µm) was measured around 10-50 µm. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the UV irradiation resulted in partial reduction of the layers during fabrication process. Also Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of multilayer graphene oxide sheets (≥3 layers) in the foam structure. The Young’s modulus of the foams was obtained about 1.7 GPa. Furthermore, Four probe method found that the electrical sheet resistance of the GOFs was low enough (17-24 Ω/sq). Conclusion: To produce the electrical simulation currents (~20 mA) used in differentiation of the neural stem cells into the neurons (rather than glial cells). Contact angle test also showed that rolling the GOFs resulted in formation of cross-section with superhydrophilic characteristic, inducing effective proliferation and differentiation of the hNSCs throughout the pores and interfaces of the scaffold. Moreover, Fluorescence imaging revealed that stimulating the hNSCs resulted in coaxial-like growth of the neural fibers and inducing differentiation of the neural stem cells in to the neurons.

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of key genes, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase )DXR( and gamma-terpinene synthase (GTS), involve in thymol and carvacrol biosynthesis pathway in Summer savory (Satureja hortensis). This species is one of the important medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family, and consider as an important source of the mentioned compounds.
Material and Methods: Plants were treated with salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate and UV-B rays. RNAs were extracted from control and treated plants and cDNAs were synthesized. Primers were designed for gene isolation and expression studies. Transcript expression analyses for the DXR and GTS were performed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR method.
Results: A partial segment for DXR and GTS genes was sequenced. The relative gene expression analyses showed differential expression of both genes at transcript level in different tissues (roots, stems, leaves and inflorescence), with higher levels of expression in leaf and inflorescence. The expression of both genes under the effect of abiotic elicitors including salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate and UV-B rays exhibited significant alteration.
Conclusion: Under controlled conditions, using abiotic elicitors such as: salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate and UV-B radiation could elevate the level of gene expression and possibly increase the production of secondary metabolite such as: thymol and carvacrol.

Abstract Aim: In the present investigation, the effects of grape seed (Vitis Vinifera) alcoholic extract were examined on skin Histomorphometric wound healing changes in diabetic Wistar rats.
Material and methods: forty eight male wistar rats were divided into four groups: negative control, positive control, the first experimental and the second experimental. In all of treated rats, a scar in the length of three centimeter was created on the left of the vertebral column. The wound healing was evaluated microscopic as well as macroscopic. The methods Mann – Whitney, Kruskal – Wallis were used for data analyses. The used software was SPSS ver. 16. 
Results: agglutination in diabetic groups was longer than normal, while the process in the group treated with V. vinifera was quicker than the control and also first experimental groups, respectively.
Conclusions: the obtained results showed that V. vinifera ointment accelerate the wound healing in normal and diabetic samples.

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to use carbon nanotube incorporated electrospun chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA/CNT) to induce neural differentiation of the stem cells for potential neural tissue engineering applications.
Material and Methods: P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) stem cells were cultured on the CS/PVA/CNT scaffold to induce neuronal differentiation. Cresyl violet staining was used to investigate neuronal phenotype and immunoflourescence technique was carried out to evaluate expression of β-tubulin, a neural specific marker.
Results: Cresyl violet staining confirmed the neuronal morphology of the differentiated cells. These cells were immunoreactive to neuron specific marker, β-tubulin.
Conclusion: the findings suggested the potential use of combined tissue engineering and stem cell therapy to improve deficits in neurodegenerative diseases.
 

Abstract Aim: In this study, the effects of curcumin- coated silver nanoparticles were examined on induction of apoptosis in ovarian cancer A2780 cell.
Material and Methods: Silver nanoparticles coated with curcumin were biosynthesized, then A2780 cells were treated with different concentration of silver nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity effects of silver nanoparticles in A2780 cells were assessed by MTT assay and apoptotic effects of these nanoparticles were examined using DAPI and acridine orange/ propidium iodide staining and caspase 3/9 activation assay. Changes in Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression were analyzed by Real Time PCR.
Results: Findings showed that silver nanoparticles inhibit A2780 cells proliferation in a dose dependent manner. 8 µg/ml 50% decreased cell viability at 24 hours, DAPI and, acridine orange propidium iodide staining represent that percentage of apoptotic cells in the treated groups was increased. The results of Real Time PCR showed that Bax gene expression in cells treated with silver nanoparticles increased, while Bcl-2 gene expression in the treated cells was decreased.
Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles coated with curcumin induce apoptosis in A2780 cancer cells. The use of the nanoparticles should be considered a promising strategy for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of Meristotropis xanthioides extract on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.
Material and methods: The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the species were measured by Folin Ciocalteu and AlCl₃, respectively. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2: received 1ml 50 % ethanol, group 3 : received 1ml ethanol (50 %) plus the extract (500 mg/kg), each group consisted of six rats. All treatments were performed by intragastric administration. Silymarin was used as positive control. Biochemical, histological and morphological analyses were used for evaluation of hepatotoxicity.
Results: The extract had high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Alcohol consumption significantly increased liver/body weight ratio, amounts of tissue’s malondialdehyde (MDA), H₂O₂ and also liver enzymes in blood in comparison to other groups. Histological examination showed that alcohol consumption injures liver tissue intensely. All these alcohol-induced changes were effectively inhibited by treatment with the extract.
Conclusion: This research confirmed that the species can represent the protective role on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and suggested its capacity to apply as a new healthcare food and drug supplement.