مجله دانش و تندرستی در علوم پایه پزشکی
سال هجدهم شماره 4 (زمستان 1402)

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in women. Therefore, this study aimed to produce and analyze nanoliposomes that encapsulate ginger essential oil and assess its cytotoxic effects on the A-2780 ovarian cancer cell line, comparing it to the unencapsulated essential oil.

Following the extraction of ginger essential oil using the Clevenger apparatus, liposomes containing the oil were created using the thin film method, and the essential oil was then incorporated into them using the hydration method. Next, the encapsulation efficiency and release pattern of the essential oil from the liposome were assessed using the spectrophotometry method. Physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanosystems, like size, PDI, zeta potential, morphology, and the lack of interaction between essential oils and liposomes, were investigated using DLS, SEM, and FTIR methods, respectively. Finally, the cytotoxicity effect of the synthesized nanosystems on ovarian cancer cells was measured using MTT assay.

In this study, we successfully produced nanoliposomes incorporating ginger essential oil with an encapsulation efficiency of 56.41 ± 3.21%, a size of 85.72 ± 4.38 nm, a PDI of 1.48 ± 0.58, a zeta potential of -19.17 ± 1.19, and suitable morphology. These nanoliposomes exhibited a slow and semi-controlled release pattern, with a maximum essential oil release rate of 62.5 ± 2.41% over 48 hours. The nanosystems and essential oil did not exhibit any chemical interaction, and the encapsulation of the essential oil enhanced its anti-cancer properties when compared to its free form on ovarian cancer cells.

The results of this study showed that synthesized nano-liposomes with appropriate physicochemical properties can serve as effective nano-carriers for delivering ginger essential oil to cancer cells.

Empathy is one of the special cognitive functions that play an important role in the evolution of social behaviors and the formation of social memory. Testosterone have neuroprotective effects against cognitive and behavioral disorders and may be very important in the development of social and cognitive behaviors. Therefore, this study investigated the role of testosterone hormone in social behaviors, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of empathic pain.

In this study, 32 gonadectomized male rats were divided into four groups: control, pain, observer + vehicle (castor oil), and observer + testosterone. The emotional pain experienced by a family member who received five formalin injections was socially transferred to the observing rat within the same family through observation. The observation groups received vehicle or testosterone before observing the suffering of mice. Then, social memory, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behaviors were tested.

The results indicated that in the pain group, both social memory and novel object recognition memory were impaired compared to the control group, and anxiety-like behaviors were increased. Conversely, testosterone injection partially improved social memory and novel object recognition memory deficits, and reduced anxiety-like behaviors compared with the observer+vehicle group.

In conclusion, empathy causes anxious behavior and social and novel object recognition memory impairments. Furthermore, testosterone hormones can play a protective role against cognitive and behavioral damages caused by empathy in rats.

Large quantities of dyes, including refractory azo dyes, are discharged directly into wastewater from the textile and petroleum industries and can be removed by bioremediation. In this study, bioinformatics tools were used to modify the structure of the enzyme azuridactase to improve its performance in degrading these dyes, including methyl red.

The amino acid sequence of the azoridactase enzyme was obtained from the UniProt database. The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme was predicted using modeling tools, and the best model was determined using Qmean web software. Due to the close proximity of the active site of this enzyme to that of Bacillus Smithii, the substrate (methyl red) was docked to a three-dimensional model of the active site using the PyRx program. Potential mutations at the active site were identified through sequence alignment. The exerted mutations were examined regarding the changes in binding energy and the interaction network.

The structure generated by Robetta was chosen as the best model for the Q9X4K2 sequence. The mutagenesis results, in terms of binding energy and interaction plot, indicated that the optimal mutation involves changing proline 132 to serine. This mutation reduces the binding energy between methyl red and azoridactase from -6.9 kcal/mol to -7.4 kcal/mol. Furthermore, an examination of the interaction network in the mutant protein revealed the formation of a new hydrogen bond.

The reduced binding energy between the enzyme and methyl red suggests that the enzyme is more favorably positioned towards the substrate, thereby enhancing the enzyme's efficacy in degrading azo dyes.

Control of inflammatory factors after myocardial infarction is one of the factors affecting the recovery of myocardial infarction patients due to lack of adequate myocardial blood flow. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise rehabilitation with electrical stimulation on serum ICAM and VCAM levels in rats with myocardial infarction.

In this experimental study, 40 Wistar rats (8 weeks old, weight 220±30g) were randomly divided into four groups after infarction: infarction, infarction-exercise rehabilitation, infarction-electrical stimulation, and infarction-exercise rehabilitation-electrical stimulation. Myocardial infarction was induced by two subcutaneous injections of isoproterenol (150 mg/kg) 24 hours apart. The intervention groups underwent one session of exercise rehabilitation (treadmill at 20 m/min for 1 hour) and electrical stimulation (foot shock device at 0.5 mA for 20 minutes). Immediately after the intervention, the levels of ICAM and VCAM in the serum were determined by ELISA. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the data at the significance level of P<0.05.

The results showed that electrical stimulation caused a significant increase (P=0.021) in serum ICAM levels in infarct samples. However, serum VCAM levels showed a significant decrease in the electrical stimulation (P=0.040) and electrical stimulation-exercise rehabilitation (P=0.038) groups.

According to the results, it is not yet possible to determine with certainty the direction of the effect of acute exercise rehabilitation and electrical foot shock stimulation on adhesion molecules.

Decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds, with a three-dimensional structure and natural bioactive compounds, can mimic the natural conditions of the body. This study aimed to decellularize, characterize, and explore the potential use of chicken skin as a scaffold in tissue engineering.

In this experimental study, the chicken skin was decellularized with a combination of physical (agitation) and chemical [ionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)] methods. DNA content, histological characteristics, morphology, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, blood compatibility, swelling, water retention capacity, and contact angle of the scaffold were investigated.

The decellularization of chicken skin was confirmed through DNA content assay and tissue staining. Electron microscope images demonstrated the preservation of scaffold morphology. Besides, the mechanical strength of the decellularized tissue was largely maintained. The prepared scaffold exhibited non-cytotoxic properties and showed acceptable compatibility with blood. Additionally, the scaffold displayed promising characteristics in terms of swelling, water retention capacity, and contact angle.

Our study's findings indicate that chicken skin, as a readily available material, is biocompatible, hemocompatible, and capable of retaining moisture. Therefore, it can be considered a suitable candidate for scaffold preparation in future tissue engineering research.

Decellularization techniques are widely used in the fabrication of suitable scaffolds for the regeneration of damaged tissues, addressing the issue of insufficient donor tissues. The amnion membrane has qualities such as availability, affordability, low immunogenicity, and anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. Gelatin is a natural and biocompatible polymer with favorable interactions for cell adhesion and growth. Thus, this study focused on creating and assessing gelatin-decellularized amniotic membrane scaffolds for potential use in tissue engineering.

Initially, the amniotic membrane underwent decellularization, and the extent of this process was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Following the fabrication of the scaffolds, their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, were characterized. Additionally, mesenchymal stem cells derived from the uterine endometrium were cultured on the scaffolds, and their biocompatibility was assessed through an MTT assay.

The findings indicated successful decellularization of the amnion tissue. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed a rough surface on the scaffolds. While all scaffolds exhibited hydrophilic properties, those made of the gelatin-decellularized amniotic membrane were particularly hydrophilic due to the presence of the hydrophilic gelatin polymer in their structure. The constructed scaffolds demonstrated water absorption and swelling. Additionally, the results of the mechanical properties assessment indicated that the scaffolds possessed adequate strength. In terms of biocompatibility, the proliferation of stem cells derived from the uterine endometrium on the scaffolds surpassed that of the control group (cell only).

The scaffolds fabricated with amino-gelatin curtains show promising potential for use in tissue engineering applications.

The use of plants to treat diseases has a long history. Today, due to the side effects of common drugs, turning to these natural resources is more mandatory than before. This study aimed to construct and characterize nanoliposomes containing Glycyrrhiza glabra extract and to evaluate its toxicity on healthy HFF cell lines and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.

Initially, licorice extract was obtained using a succulent extraction method. Subsequently, a liposomal system was prepared from SPC and cholesterol using the thin film method, and Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was loaded into the liposomes. Their physicochemical parameters were investigated using zeta-sizer and SEM devices, and the release pattern of the extract was calculated at 37ºC and 42 ºC. Finally, the toxicity of this nanosystem containing the extract on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and HFF skin was investigated by the MTT method.

Encapsulation, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential are 64.16±3.45%, 131 nm, 0.131, and -19.1 mV, respectively. Release of the extract was slow at similar temperatures to healthy and cancer cells. Also, liposome extract was more toxic to the MCF-7 cell line than free extract, and both were less toxic to the HFF cell line.

The findings showed that the liposomal system incorporating the extract had advantageous physical and chemical characteristics. It also displayed high toxicity on the MCF-7 cell line but low toxicity on the HFF cell line. This indicates that the liposomal system may be a promising method for delivering plant compounds to specific cells.