Nova Biologica Reperta

Abstract Consumers in poor nations are at risk from foodborne infections. Nanotechnology may help find food-grade antimicrobials. This research compares the antibacterial effects of silver and copper nanoparticles (NPs) and sodium hypochlorite on food-contaminating pathogens Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Kluyveromyces marxianus. This work chemically produced silver and copper NPs. We discovered the produced nanoparticles' physical and chemical properties. SEM verified morphology and size. Synthesized copper and silver NPs were X-ray diffraction-analyzed. To assess the antibacterial activity of silver, copper NPs, and sodium hypochlorite, the MIC and MBC were defined. Diffusion tests from the well assessed nanoparticle antibacterial activity. SEM micrographs revealed copper and silver nanoparticles' spherical shape. This study found functional group stretching vibrations in silver and copper NPs using FTIR. XRD revealed copper and silver NP crystal structures. In the treatment of infections with varying silver and copper nanoparticle concentrations, non-growth halo indicated antibacterial efficacy. In addition, silver and copper nanoparticles have substantial MIC/MBC against the infections. Producing food packaging materials that are safe and long-lasting requires bacterial sensitivity to nanoparticles. This work synthesized silver and copper NPs to minimize food contamination and health hazards.

Abstract Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers, causing significant mortality worldwide. Nepeta species, known for their distinct aroma and taste, have garnered attention in the food industry. Given their phenolic compounds, this study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Nepeta binaludensis and N. glomerulosa extracts on AGS gastric cancer cell lines and assess changes in BAX gene expression. Both species were collected from the Binalud Mountains in Khorasan, and their hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared via maceration. The amounts of caffeic acid and Rosmarinic acid were measured using HPLC. The extracts' cytotoxic effects were evaluated with the MTT assay, and apoptosis induction was assessed via DAPI staining. Changes in BAX gene expression were measured using real-time PCR. The IC50 values after 48 hours were 3.70 mg/mL for N. binaludensis extract and 6.92 mg/mL for N. glomerulosa extract. Apoptosis induction was observed under both treatments, but N. binaludensis extract, which contained higher Rosmarinic acid, significantly increased BAX expression compared to the control group. Thus, these extracts may inhibit gastric cancer cell growth, with N. binaludensis showing greater efficacy through BAX-mediated apoptosis induction compared to N. glomerulosa.

Abstract Stem cells have received serious attention from the medical industry based on their unique abilities and characteristics for precise and personalized medical approaches. To optimize and modify the behavioral characteristics of these cells for various clinical and research applications, it is usually necessary to create phenotypic changes resulting from permanent or transient genetic manipulations in these cells. Previously radiation and chemical reagents were used for random mutation induction in their genome but today, with the development of targeted modification tools like nucleases, it is possible to change only the desired gene and trait both inside the genome and episomally. Favorable gene transferring is accomplished with the help of different biological, chemical, or physical mediators and procedures. This literature review addressed the importance and necessity of stem cell manipulations, stem cell genetic modification procedures and advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as available solutions to improve the efficiency and security of mentioned methods for clinical approaches.

Abstract Herbs such as wheat sprout are rich in antioxidants including vitamin E, thiamine, zinc, phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols, aminophenol and aminobenzoic acids. We investigated the protective effect of wheat sprout extract against lead acetate treatment of ovaries. Lead toxicity causes body weakness, disability and mental performance in children, deafness and blindness, reduction in sperm quality and decreased female fertility. We used 30 female adult Wistar rats divided into six groups: untreated control, 10 mg lead, 100 and 200 mg wheat sprout extracts, and lead plus 100 and 200 mg wheat sprout extract. In comparison to control grpoup, The weight of the rat and ovaries were reduced in the 10 mg lead treated and the thickness of the inner and outer part of the ovarian capsule, and diameter and number of follicles were reduced, while the number of atretic follicles was increased. Wheat sprout extract can reverse the damage caused by lead in a dose dependent manner.

Abstract The identification and introduction of medicinal plants hold significant importance in modern life. The genus Pycnocycla, belonging to the Apiaceae family, includes eight endemic species in Iran. P. spinosa has attracted attention due to its medicinal properties. This study aims to investigate the effect of three habitats (the Damghan, Semnan, and Kerman city) on the antimicrobial properties of extracts obtained from Pycnocycla spinosa using different solvents. To examine the antimicrobial properties, methanolic, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts at a concentration of 2 mg/ml were tested against two pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitica and Salmonella enterica, using the agar disk diffusion method. The results indicated that the extracts had varying effects on the bacteria. Additionally, the different geographical regions of Iran, due to their distinct climatic conditions, exhibited varying effects on the bacteria. Extracts from Kerman, especially those using methanol and ethyl acetate as solvents, showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enterica. Therefore, the type of solvent and habitat can significantly influence the antimicrobial properties of plants.

Abstract : Alcea species are valuable medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for a long time. The similarity between species and the diversity of traits have led scientists to use various biosystematics methods to identify species. In this study, the anatomical characteristics of the stem in 18 species of Alcea from Iran were examined. Hand sections in similar positions of the stem were studied and double staining with methyl green and carmine stain, and microscopic images were obtained. The most important traits analyzed in this study were the number of layers of collenchyma cells in the cortex, the thickness and number of layers of sclerenchyma fibers of the phloem, the number of vascular bundles, the ray parenchyma, the thickness of phloem and xylem vessels, and the structure of the pith. Then, cluster analysis using the Ward method was performed with SPSS software based on eight quantitative traits. The results showed that some of the stem's anatomical features, which are observed in closely related species, can only be useful for species identification but are not particularly helpful in grouping the species