Ehsan Oskoueian | UPM - Universiti Putra Malaysia (original) (raw)

Papers by Ehsan Oskoueian

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family. The stigma of saffron has been widel... more Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family. The stigma of saffron has been widely used as spice, medicinal plant, and food additive in the Mediterranean and Subtropical countries. Recently, attention has been paid to the identification of new sources of safe natural antioxidants for the food industry. The antioxidant activities of spices are mainly attributed to their phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Saffron is one of the spices believed to possess antioxidant properties, but information on its antioxidant activity and phenolic, flavonoids compound are rather limited, therefore this research was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of saffron stigmas extracted with different solvents. The phenolic and flavonoid compounds of saffron were also examined using reversed phase (RP)-HPLC. Results showed that saffron stigma possess antioxidant activity. The free radical scavenging and ferric reducing power activities were higher for the methanolic extract of saffron stigma at a concentration of 300 μg/mL, with values of 68.2% and 78.9%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding boiling water and ethanolic extracts, but the activities were lower than those of antioxidant standards such as BHT and α-tocopherol. The obtained total phenolics value for methanolic saffron extract was 6.54 ± 0.02 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight (DW), and for total flavonoids, 5.88 ± 0.12 mg rutin equivalent/g DW, which were

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry

Nutrition and cancer, 2021

The auraptene is a geranyloxyn coumarin found in the Ferula species. The plant is endemic in Cent... more The auraptene is a geranyloxyn coumarin found in the Ferula species. The plant is endemic in Central Asia and it is used as a medicinal food in Iran. This research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-melanogenic properties of auraptene, a coumarin from Ferula szowitsiana root. The results revealed that auraptene possessed antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations ranged from 2.5 up to 10 mg/ml against human pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella paratyphi, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus). The nitric oxide scavenging activity (IC50: 670.9 µg/ml) showed its moderate antioxidant potential. Similarly, the results of ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid assays reconfirmed the moderate antioxidant activity of auraptene and indicated the percentage inhibitions of hydroxyl radicals to be 31.87 and 14%, respectively. The cell-based antioxidant evaluation confirmed the ...

Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 2021

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer, and toxicity properties of feru... more This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer, and toxicity properties of ferutinin, a phytoestrogen derived from Ferula species. The human Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) breast cancer cell line and normal human fibroblast (HDF) were cultured and treated with different ferutinin concentrations. The cell viability was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell death‐defining tests (a comparative real‐time polymerase chain reaction [for Bax and Bcl‐2 genes], flow cytometry, and acridine orange/propidium iodide cell staining). Moreover, 15 white male balb/c mice were divided into three groups of five (one untreated control group and two groups), which received different doses of ferutinin‐supplemented water (500 and 1000 µg/kg mice weight) to check the mice liver and kidney pathomorphological alterations and to determine the antioxidant enzymes' expression profile (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT...

Background: This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosomes-loaded high phenolic fractio... more Background: This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosomes-loaded high phenolic fraction (HPF) from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract and investigate its antiproliferation effects against breast cancer in mice model. Results: The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract was synthesized. The mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized nanophytosomes. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and antioxidative activities of the nanophytosomes were determined. The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF had a spherical structure with a size of 176 nm and a polydispersity index coefficient of 0.24. The in-vivo study manifested that nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly improved weight gain and food intake compared to the negative control group (p<0.05). The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly enhanced the expression of bax (3.4-fold) and caspase-3 (2.7-fold) genes but reduced bcl2 (3.6-fold) gene expression in tumor cells. The ...

Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences

Metabolic Brain Disease

The Amygdalus spinosissima (Rosaceae) plant has been used in the Iranian folk medicine as a remed... more The Amygdalus spinosissima (Rosaceae) plant has been used in the Iranian folk medicine as a remedy for the burn wound. Hence, in this study, we aimed to determine the possible medicinal potential of the plant focusing on the root part. The bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the root extract of the Amygdalus spinosissima plant as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were determined. Moreover, the effects of root extract on learning and memory in mice were evaluated. The results revealed that the root methanolic extract contained phenolic and flavonoid compounds including apigenin, quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, gallic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, and ellagic acid. The extract possessed antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities in vitro. These biological activities were attributed to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids. The A. spinosissima root extract improved learning and memory function in scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction in mice as determined using the Morris water maze task. The extract modulated the AChE, BChE, and inflammatory genes and enhanced the expression of the antioxidant enzymes in the brain. Consequently, A. spinosissima root extract could be considered as a promising source of potent bioactive compounds in the retarding the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Polymer Bulletin

The aim of the present study was to synthesize the chitosan-encapsulated daidzein (CED) and to ev... more The aim of the present study was to synthesize the chitosan-encapsulated daidzein (CED) and to evaluate its releasing behaviour in the different simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Moreover, the cytotoxic potential and antiangiogenic effects of CED were determined against human colon cancer cells and chorioallantoic blood vessels, respectively. The synthesized daidzein-loaded microcapsules possessed micrometre size, with good stability in colloidal dispersion with 64.3% entrapment efficiency. The release behaviour assay indicated the gradual release of daidzein in the simulated stomach and intestinal fluid (~ 38%; pH 1.2–4.5), while the substantial release was occurred in the simulated colonic fluid (79%; pH 6.8–7). The daidzein-loaded microcapsules inhibited the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) with no prominent reduction in the viability of human dermal fibroblast (HDF). The expression analysis of caspase-3 gene together with flow cytometry results confirmed the apoptotic cells death in the HT-29 cells induced by daidzein-loaded microcapsules. Further, the daidzein-loaded microcapsules indicated the angiogenesis inhibitory activity. Consequently, these results revealed that microencapsulation of daidzein by chitosan could be a feasible approach for the delivery of daidzein, a soy-derived isoflavone for the colon cancer prevention and treatment.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of chickpea genotypes (MCC7... more This experiment was carried out to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of chickpea genotypes (MCC797; cold-tolerant and MCC505; cold-sensitive) responses to freezing temperatures (-3,-6,-9,-12). The increment of leaf malondialdehyde, H2O2, and electrolyte leakage due to freezing stress was greater in the cold-sensitive genotype. The plant survival was also dramatically decreased in the cold-sensitive genotype exposed to freezing stress (20% at-12), while it remained constant (100%) in the cold-tolerant genotype. The fv'/fm' and fq'/fm' was increased sooner during the recovery period in the cold-tolerant (24 h after stress) compare to the cold-sensitive genotype (48 h after stress). Proline and enzymatic antioxidants activity, including APX, CAT, POD, and SOD, were increased more rapidly in the cold-tolerant genotype. The relative gene expression of catalase (cat), peroxidase (pod), and proline were also more stimulated in the cold-tolerant genotype. Freezing temperatures increased the expression of cat, pod, and proline on average by 4, 3, and 6 folds, respectively, in the cold-sensitive, while their upregulation was 16, 13, and 16 folds, respectively, in the cold-tolerant genotype. The greater gene expression and, consequently, the higher antioxidant content of leaves led to lower lipid peroxidation after the cold adaptation in the cold-tolerant genotype.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

In this study, chrysin as a natural flavonoid was encapsulated in nanoliposomal structures, and t... more In this study, chrysin as a natural flavonoid was encapsulated in nanoliposomal structures, and the synthesized nanoliposome-loaded chrysin (NLC) was further characterized for its physical properties and cytoprotective effects in mice that received cadmium-containing water. The results showed that the synthesized NLC is possessed spherical structure with the size of 185.1 nm and negative surface charge of − 26 mV with a poly dispersity index of 0.26. The mice received cadmium (2 mg/kg body weight/day) through drinking water showed weight loss and decease in the feed intake significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The cadmium notably (p ≤ 0.05) increased the liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase; altered the liver metal deposition (cadmium, copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc); and induced hepatic oxidative stress (inducible nitric oxide synthase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase genes) with no remarkable histopathological changes. Furthermore, the cadmium impaired the morphology of jejunum through reducing villus height and villus width and increasing the crypt depth. Providing NLC as a dietary supplement at the concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg mice body weight significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the feed intake and body weight gain, modulated the liver enzymes, and alleviated the hepatic oxidative stress. The NLC also improved the antioxidant mineral deposition in the liver and morphohistological structure of jejunum. Consequently, the NLC is suggested as a potential dietary supplement to alleviate the symptoms of cadmium-induced toxicity in mice.

Nutrition and Cancer

Abstract The apigenin is a bioactive flavonoid mostly found in fruits and vegetables that possess... more Abstract The apigenin is a bioactive flavonoid mostly found in fruits and vegetables that possess various biological activities. The current study was performed to compare the biological potentials of sodium citrate-based (SC-SNPs) and apigenin-based (AP-SNPs) synthesized silver nanoparticles under the in vitro and in vivo conditions. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were physically and chemically characterized. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and their anti-bacterial activities were determined. Further, the mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The result of particle size analysis revealed the nanometer sizes of the SC-SNPs and AP-SNPs were about 95.5 and 93.94 nm, respectively. Both nanoparticles indicated pseudo-spherical shape, homogenous dispersion with an appropriate good degree of stability. However, the anticancer potential, pro-apoptotic effects and antibacterial activity of AP-SNPs were higher than that of SC-SNPs. Moreover, the mice trial indicated that AP-SNPs improved the liver function through modulation of liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) as compared to the mice received AP-SNPs during 30 day experiment. Consequently the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using apigenin as reducing bioactive compound may result in production of silver nanoparticles with enhanced anticancer, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Graphical Abstract

Food & Function

The present study aimed to develop a fermented food (idli) with enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GAB... more The present study aimed to develop a fermented food (idli) with enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties using a GABA-producing fungus.

Journal of Microencapsulation

Abstract Aims: The study was carried out to synthesise and characterise the chitosan-encapsulated... more Abstract Aims: The study was carried out to synthesise and characterise the chitosan-encapsulated genistein (CHI-En/Gen) and determine its anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic properties. Methods: The cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activity of CHI-En/Gen was performed using MTT and chorioallantoic membrane assay. The molecular action was determined using flow cytometry and gene expression. Results: The synthesised CHI-En/Gen was in submicron size, spherical in shape and with entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of 76.8% (w/w) and 32.6% (w/w), respectively. The CHI-En/Gen notably inhibited the growth and proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) while did not affect the viability of human dermal fibroblast as normal cell. The flow cytometry and the caspase-3 gene expression analyses revealed the apoptotic cells death in the HT-29 cells. Moreover, the encapsulated genistein showed anti-angiogenic activity. Conclusion: The CHI-En/Gen appeared as a promising carrier for the colon delivery of genistein to be used in complementary health approaches for the cancer prevention.

Journal of Food Biochemistry

This research was performed to synthesize the Citrus aurantium L. bloom essential oil nanoemulsio... more This research was performed to synthesize the Citrus aurantium L. bloom essential oil nanoemulsion (CABE-NE) and investigate its cytotoxic and apoptotic impacts on human lung (A549 cells), and further, the effects of CABE-NE on mice health parameters was determined. The obtained results demonstrated that C. aurantium bloom contained 1.2 ± 0.16% of essential oil with linalyl acetate, limonene, and α-terpineol as major compounds. The CABE-NE possessed particle size of 76.9 ± 6.11 nm, PDI of 0.19, and zeta potential of -43.5 mV. The CABE-NE indicated the cytotoxicity against A549 cells with the IC50 value of 152 µg/ml. The CABE-NE induced the overexpression of Cas-3 and triggered the apoptotic cells death. The mice gavaged daily with CABE-NE at the concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight for 30 days did not show any remarkable histopathological alteration in the liver and kidney while exhibited enhancement in the jejunum morpho-structural architecture and hepatic antioxidant redox potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: According to the results, the produced CABE-NE drug delivery system could be considered as a promising alternative to prevent lung cancer progression and it provides a new way to enhance the therapeutic value of the plant phytochemicals.

Journal of Microencapsulation

Abstract Aims: Owhadi is a popular commercial pistachio cultivar in Iran which could be an attrac... more Abstract Aims: Owhadi is a popular commercial pistachio cultivar in Iran which could be an attractive source for natural bioactive compounds with health-promoting activity. Methods: The hulls subjected to fractionation and ethyl acetate fraction was a phenolic-enriched fraction (PEF). The PEF was encapsulated in nanoliposomes (PEF-NLs) as a newly developed delivery system. The phytochemical analysis of PEF-NLs confirmed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Results: The PEF-NLs indicated the strong antioxidant activity through up-regulation of the antioxidant-related genes in the murine hepatocyte. The PEF-NLs indicated the notable anti-inflammatory activity by scavenging the nitric oxide (NO) and reducing the NO production in the murine macrophage cells. The PEF-NLs have also exhibited the anti-melanogenic activity through direct tyrosinase enzyme inhibition and by modulating melanin biosynthesis genes in B16F10 melanoma cells. Conclusion: The PEF-NLs possessed the promising potential to be used for controlling skin pigmentation disorders and as a skin-whitening agent in the cosmetic industry.

Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

The different species of the Ferula (Apiaceae) genus are endemic in central Asia and are used as ... more The different species of the Ferula (Apiaceae) genus are endemic in central Asia and are used as a medicinal food in Iran. The Ferula szowitsiana has been reported with anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-helicobacter, antileishmanial and cancer chemopreventive activities. Auraptene is one of the main coumarins from Ferula szowitsiana root. Despite the interesting biological properties of Ferula szowitsiana extract, not much information are available regarding the antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic potentials of isolated auraptene against breast cancer cells. Hence, comprehensive biochemical and molecular analyses were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-migratory and angiogenic inhibitory activities of auraptene isolated from Ferula szowitsiana root. The obtained results of this study revealed that auraptene illustrated antioxidant activity through inhibiting DPPH free radicals and ferric reducing ability with respective IC50 values of 557.9 and 476.5 µg ml−1. Besides that, the auraptene exhibited strong cytotoxic properties against MCF-7 cell line (IC50:61.3 µg ml−1). The observed anti-tumor activity in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cell line) was through inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. These results were further confirmed by up-regulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and down-regulation of MMP2, MMP9, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 genes. Hence, the auraptene could be a promising anticancer agent in complementary chemotherapy and might be utilized in the food industry for the development of functional or enriched foods.

Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

The herbal plant Borago officinalis L. flower were analysed for its bioactive compounds and antio... more The herbal plant Borago officinalis L. flower were analysed for its bioactive compounds and antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities using different solvent polarities (methanol, ethanol and water). The RP-HPLC analyses of the methanolic extract confirmed the presence of phenolics (gallic acid, pyrogallol, salicylic acid, caffeic acid), flavonoids (myricetin, rutin) and isoflavonoid (daidzein). Besides, the major individual fatty acids of methanolic extract were α-linolenic, stearidonic, palmitic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids. The methanolic extract possessed the highest antioxidant properties as compared to the ethanolic and water extracts. The flower methanolic, ethanolic and water extracts showed high, moderate and weak antibacterial activities against common human and foodborne pathogenic bacteria, respectively. Furthermore, the flower extracts showed weak anti-inflammatory in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and low anticancer properties against human hepatic, prostate and colon cancer cells. This high-value flower could be considered as a source of putative antioxidant and antibacterial compounds to improve the human health and to be used as biopreservative in food and cosmetic industries.

Bacterial inoculants are known to improve quality of silage. The objectives of the present study ... more Bacterial inoculants are known to improve quality of silage. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of different types of lactic acid bacteria (LAB; L. plantarum, L. salivarius, L. reuteri, L. brevis and S. bovis) inoculation (106 g-1 DM) on rice straw silage quality and to examine these effects on ruminal fermentation characteristics, digestibility and microbial populations in an in vitro condition. Inoculated rice straw was ensiled for 15 and 30 days. For in vitro study, rumen liquor was obtained from two rumen fistulated mature cows fed on mixed forage and concentrate at 60:40 ratio twice daily. Inoculation of LAB improved (P?0.05) the rice straw silage quality such as increased dry matter and crude protein contents, decreased pH and butyric acid, and increased propionic acid and LAB contents especially after 30 days of ensiling. Results from in vitro study revealed that addition of LAB to the rice straw silage improved fermentation characteristics such ...

Molecular Omics

Borrelia burgdorferi is an extracellular spirochete that causes Lyme disease.

Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology

Abstract Jatropha meal is a potential biofeed for animal production however, the presence of phor... more Abstract Jatropha meal is a potential biofeed for animal production however, the presence of phorbol esters (PEs) in the meal limits its utilization. The PEs caused severe toxic manifestations in animals. The information on the mechanisms of toxicity at the cellular level is rather limited. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate the mode of action of PEs by evaluating the biochemical, biological and molecular responses of cells exposed to PEs. Phorbol esters from Jatropha meal were isolated and identified as Jatropha factor (JF) JFC1, JFC2, JFC3 and a mixture of JFs (C4, C5 and C6). These PEs exhibited cytotoxic activity towards bovine kidney cells and induced significant morphological changes. The PEs severely altered the redox status of the cells which resulted in the occurrence of oxidative stress. Moreover, the PEs up-regulated the expressions of PKC-βII, proto-oncogenes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated the caspase-3 activity in the cells. All PEs were toxic, but JFC1 and JFC2 appeared to be more toxic to the bovine kidney cells as compared to the JFC3 and the mixture of JFs. The results indicated that the cytotoxic activity of Jatropha meal PEs was elicited through induction of oxidative stress and inflammation of the cells.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family. The stigma of saffron has been widel... more Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family. The stigma of saffron has been widely used as spice, medicinal plant, and food additive in the Mediterranean and Subtropical countries. Recently, attention has been paid to the identification of new sources of safe natural antioxidants for the food industry. The antioxidant activities of spices are mainly attributed to their phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Saffron is one of the spices believed to possess antioxidant properties, but information on its antioxidant activity and phenolic, flavonoids compound are rather limited, therefore this research was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of saffron stigmas extracted with different solvents. The phenolic and flavonoid compounds of saffron were also examined using reversed phase (RP)-HPLC. Results showed that saffron stigma possess antioxidant activity. The free radical scavenging and ferric reducing power activities were higher for the methanolic extract of saffron stigma at a concentration of 300 μg/mL, with values of 68.2% and 78.9%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding boiling water and ethanolic extracts, but the activities were lower than those of antioxidant standards such as BHT and α-tocopherol. The obtained total phenolics value for methanolic saffron extract was 6.54 ± 0.02 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight (DW), and for total flavonoids, 5.88 ± 0.12 mg rutin equivalent/g DW, which were

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry

Nutrition and cancer, 2021

The auraptene is a geranyloxyn coumarin found in the Ferula species. The plant is endemic in Cent... more The auraptene is a geranyloxyn coumarin found in the Ferula species. The plant is endemic in Central Asia and it is used as a medicinal food in Iran. This research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-melanogenic properties of auraptene, a coumarin from Ferula szowitsiana root. The results revealed that auraptene possessed antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations ranged from 2.5 up to 10 mg/ml against human pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella paratyphi, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus). The nitric oxide scavenging activity (IC50: 670.9 µg/ml) showed its moderate antioxidant potential. Similarly, the results of ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid assays reconfirmed the moderate antioxidant activity of auraptene and indicated the percentage inhibitions of hydroxyl radicals to be 31.87 and 14%, respectively. The cell-based antioxidant evaluation confirmed the ...

Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 2021

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer, and toxicity properties of feru... more This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer, and toxicity properties of ferutinin, a phytoestrogen derived from Ferula species. The human Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) breast cancer cell line and normal human fibroblast (HDF) were cultured and treated with different ferutinin concentrations. The cell viability was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell death‐defining tests (a comparative real‐time polymerase chain reaction [for Bax and Bcl‐2 genes], flow cytometry, and acridine orange/propidium iodide cell staining). Moreover, 15 white male balb/c mice were divided into three groups of five (one untreated control group and two groups), which received different doses of ferutinin‐supplemented water (500 and 1000 µg/kg mice weight) to check the mice liver and kidney pathomorphological alterations and to determine the antioxidant enzymes' expression profile (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT...

Background: This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosomes-loaded high phenolic fractio... more Background: This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosomes-loaded high phenolic fraction (HPF) from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract and investigate its antiproliferation effects against breast cancer in mice model. Results: The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract was synthesized. The mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized nanophytosomes. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and antioxidative activities of the nanophytosomes were determined. The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF had a spherical structure with a size of 176 nm and a polydispersity index coefficient of 0.24. The in-vivo study manifested that nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly improved weight gain and food intake compared to the negative control group (p<0.05). The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly enhanced the expression of bax (3.4-fold) and caspase-3 (2.7-fold) genes but reduced bcl2 (3.6-fold) gene expression in tumor cells. The ...

Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences

Metabolic Brain Disease

The Amygdalus spinosissima (Rosaceae) plant has been used in the Iranian folk medicine as a remed... more The Amygdalus spinosissima (Rosaceae) plant has been used in the Iranian folk medicine as a remedy for the burn wound. Hence, in this study, we aimed to determine the possible medicinal potential of the plant focusing on the root part. The bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the root extract of the Amygdalus spinosissima plant as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were determined. Moreover, the effects of root extract on learning and memory in mice were evaluated. The results revealed that the root methanolic extract contained phenolic and flavonoid compounds including apigenin, quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, gallic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, and ellagic acid. The extract possessed antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities in vitro. These biological activities were attributed to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids. The A. spinosissima root extract improved learning and memory function in scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction in mice as determined using the Morris water maze task. The extract modulated the AChE, BChE, and inflammatory genes and enhanced the expression of the antioxidant enzymes in the brain. Consequently, A. spinosissima root extract could be considered as a promising source of potent bioactive compounds in the retarding the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Polymer Bulletin

The aim of the present study was to synthesize the chitosan-encapsulated daidzein (CED) and to ev... more The aim of the present study was to synthesize the chitosan-encapsulated daidzein (CED) and to evaluate its releasing behaviour in the different simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Moreover, the cytotoxic potential and antiangiogenic effects of CED were determined against human colon cancer cells and chorioallantoic blood vessels, respectively. The synthesized daidzein-loaded microcapsules possessed micrometre size, with good stability in colloidal dispersion with 64.3% entrapment efficiency. The release behaviour assay indicated the gradual release of daidzein in the simulated stomach and intestinal fluid (~ 38%; pH 1.2–4.5), while the substantial release was occurred in the simulated colonic fluid (79%; pH 6.8–7). The daidzein-loaded microcapsules inhibited the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) with no prominent reduction in the viability of human dermal fibroblast (HDF). The expression analysis of caspase-3 gene together with flow cytometry results confirmed the apoptotic cells death in the HT-29 cells induced by daidzein-loaded microcapsules. Further, the daidzein-loaded microcapsules indicated the angiogenesis inhibitory activity. Consequently, these results revealed that microencapsulation of daidzein by chitosan could be a feasible approach for the delivery of daidzein, a soy-derived isoflavone for the colon cancer prevention and treatment.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of chickpea genotypes (MCC7... more This experiment was carried out to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of chickpea genotypes (MCC797; cold-tolerant and MCC505; cold-sensitive) responses to freezing temperatures (-3,-6,-9,-12). The increment of leaf malondialdehyde, H2O2, and electrolyte leakage due to freezing stress was greater in the cold-sensitive genotype. The plant survival was also dramatically decreased in the cold-sensitive genotype exposed to freezing stress (20% at-12), while it remained constant (100%) in the cold-tolerant genotype. The fv'/fm' and fq'/fm' was increased sooner during the recovery period in the cold-tolerant (24 h after stress) compare to the cold-sensitive genotype (48 h after stress). Proline and enzymatic antioxidants activity, including APX, CAT, POD, and SOD, were increased more rapidly in the cold-tolerant genotype. The relative gene expression of catalase (cat), peroxidase (pod), and proline were also more stimulated in the cold-tolerant genotype. Freezing temperatures increased the expression of cat, pod, and proline on average by 4, 3, and 6 folds, respectively, in the cold-sensitive, while their upregulation was 16, 13, and 16 folds, respectively, in the cold-tolerant genotype. The greater gene expression and, consequently, the higher antioxidant content of leaves led to lower lipid peroxidation after the cold adaptation in the cold-tolerant genotype.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

In this study, chrysin as a natural flavonoid was encapsulated in nanoliposomal structures, and t... more In this study, chrysin as a natural flavonoid was encapsulated in nanoliposomal structures, and the synthesized nanoliposome-loaded chrysin (NLC) was further characterized for its physical properties and cytoprotective effects in mice that received cadmium-containing water. The results showed that the synthesized NLC is possessed spherical structure with the size of 185.1 nm and negative surface charge of − 26 mV with a poly dispersity index of 0.26. The mice received cadmium (2 mg/kg body weight/day) through drinking water showed weight loss and decease in the feed intake significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The cadmium notably (p ≤ 0.05) increased the liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase; altered the liver metal deposition (cadmium, copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc); and induced hepatic oxidative stress (inducible nitric oxide synthase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase genes) with no remarkable histopathological changes. Furthermore, the cadmium impaired the morphology of jejunum through reducing villus height and villus width and increasing the crypt depth. Providing NLC as a dietary supplement at the concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg mice body weight significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the feed intake and body weight gain, modulated the liver enzymes, and alleviated the hepatic oxidative stress. The NLC also improved the antioxidant mineral deposition in the liver and morphohistological structure of jejunum. Consequently, the NLC is suggested as a potential dietary supplement to alleviate the symptoms of cadmium-induced toxicity in mice.

Nutrition and Cancer

Abstract The apigenin is a bioactive flavonoid mostly found in fruits and vegetables that possess... more Abstract The apigenin is a bioactive flavonoid mostly found in fruits and vegetables that possess various biological activities. The current study was performed to compare the biological potentials of sodium citrate-based (SC-SNPs) and apigenin-based (AP-SNPs) synthesized silver nanoparticles under the in vitro and in vivo conditions. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were physically and chemically characterized. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and their anti-bacterial activities were determined. Further, the mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The result of particle size analysis revealed the nanometer sizes of the SC-SNPs and AP-SNPs were about 95.5 and 93.94 nm, respectively. Both nanoparticles indicated pseudo-spherical shape, homogenous dispersion with an appropriate good degree of stability. However, the anticancer potential, pro-apoptotic effects and antibacterial activity of AP-SNPs were higher than that of SC-SNPs. Moreover, the mice trial indicated that AP-SNPs improved the liver function through modulation of liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) as compared to the mice received AP-SNPs during 30 day experiment. Consequently the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using apigenin as reducing bioactive compound may result in production of silver nanoparticles with enhanced anticancer, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Graphical Abstract

Food & Function

The present study aimed to develop a fermented food (idli) with enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GAB... more The present study aimed to develop a fermented food (idli) with enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties using a GABA-producing fungus.

Journal of Microencapsulation

Abstract Aims: The study was carried out to synthesise and characterise the chitosan-encapsulated... more Abstract Aims: The study was carried out to synthesise and characterise the chitosan-encapsulated genistein (CHI-En/Gen) and determine its anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic properties. Methods: The cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activity of CHI-En/Gen was performed using MTT and chorioallantoic membrane assay. The molecular action was determined using flow cytometry and gene expression. Results: The synthesised CHI-En/Gen was in submicron size, spherical in shape and with entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of 76.8% (w/w) and 32.6% (w/w), respectively. The CHI-En/Gen notably inhibited the growth and proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) while did not affect the viability of human dermal fibroblast as normal cell. The flow cytometry and the caspase-3 gene expression analyses revealed the apoptotic cells death in the HT-29 cells. Moreover, the encapsulated genistein showed anti-angiogenic activity. Conclusion: The CHI-En/Gen appeared as a promising carrier for the colon delivery of genistein to be used in complementary health approaches for the cancer prevention.

Journal of Food Biochemistry

This research was performed to synthesize the Citrus aurantium L. bloom essential oil nanoemulsio... more This research was performed to synthesize the Citrus aurantium L. bloom essential oil nanoemulsion (CABE-NE) and investigate its cytotoxic and apoptotic impacts on human lung (A549 cells), and further, the effects of CABE-NE on mice health parameters was determined. The obtained results demonstrated that C. aurantium bloom contained 1.2 ± 0.16% of essential oil with linalyl acetate, limonene, and α-terpineol as major compounds. The CABE-NE possessed particle size of 76.9 ± 6.11 nm, PDI of 0.19, and zeta potential of -43.5 mV. The CABE-NE indicated the cytotoxicity against A549 cells with the IC50 value of 152 µg/ml. The CABE-NE induced the overexpression of Cas-3 and triggered the apoptotic cells death. The mice gavaged daily with CABE-NE at the concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight for 30 days did not show any remarkable histopathological alteration in the liver and kidney while exhibited enhancement in the jejunum morpho-structural architecture and hepatic antioxidant redox potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: According to the results, the produced CABE-NE drug delivery system could be considered as a promising alternative to prevent lung cancer progression and it provides a new way to enhance the therapeutic value of the plant phytochemicals.

Journal of Microencapsulation

Abstract Aims: Owhadi is a popular commercial pistachio cultivar in Iran which could be an attrac... more Abstract Aims: Owhadi is a popular commercial pistachio cultivar in Iran which could be an attractive source for natural bioactive compounds with health-promoting activity. Methods: The hulls subjected to fractionation and ethyl acetate fraction was a phenolic-enriched fraction (PEF). The PEF was encapsulated in nanoliposomes (PEF-NLs) as a newly developed delivery system. The phytochemical analysis of PEF-NLs confirmed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Results: The PEF-NLs indicated the strong antioxidant activity through up-regulation of the antioxidant-related genes in the murine hepatocyte. The PEF-NLs indicated the notable anti-inflammatory activity by scavenging the nitric oxide (NO) and reducing the NO production in the murine macrophage cells. The PEF-NLs have also exhibited the anti-melanogenic activity through direct tyrosinase enzyme inhibition and by modulating melanin biosynthesis genes in B16F10 melanoma cells. Conclusion: The PEF-NLs possessed the promising potential to be used for controlling skin pigmentation disorders and as a skin-whitening agent in the cosmetic industry.

Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

The different species of the Ferula (Apiaceae) genus are endemic in central Asia and are used as ... more The different species of the Ferula (Apiaceae) genus are endemic in central Asia and are used as a medicinal food in Iran. The Ferula szowitsiana has been reported with anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-helicobacter, antileishmanial and cancer chemopreventive activities. Auraptene is one of the main coumarins from Ferula szowitsiana root. Despite the interesting biological properties of Ferula szowitsiana extract, not much information are available regarding the antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic potentials of isolated auraptene against breast cancer cells. Hence, comprehensive biochemical and molecular analyses were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-migratory and angiogenic inhibitory activities of auraptene isolated from Ferula szowitsiana root. The obtained results of this study revealed that auraptene illustrated antioxidant activity through inhibiting DPPH free radicals and ferric reducing ability with respective IC50 values of 557.9 and 476.5 µg ml−1. Besides that, the auraptene exhibited strong cytotoxic properties against MCF-7 cell line (IC50:61.3 µg ml−1). The observed anti-tumor activity in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cell line) was through inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. These results were further confirmed by up-regulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and down-regulation of MMP2, MMP9, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 genes. Hence, the auraptene could be a promising anticancer agent in complementary chemotherapy and might be utilized in the food industry for the development of functional or enriched foods.

Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

The herbal plant Borago officinalis L. flower were analysed for its bioactive compounds and antio... more The herbal plant Borago officinalis L. flower were analysed for its bioactive compounds and antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities using different solvent polarities (methanol, ethanol and water). The RP-HPLC analyses of the methanolic extract confirmed the presence of phenolics (gallic acid, pyrogallol, salicylic acid, caffeic acid), flavonoids (myricetin, rutin) and isoflavonoid (daidzein). Besides, the major individual fatty acids of methanolic extract were α-linolenic, stearidonic, palmitic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids. The methanolic extract possessed the highest antioxidant properties as compared to the ethanolic and water extracts. The flower methanolic, ethanolic and water extracts showed high, moderate and weak antibacterial activities against common human and foodborne pathogenic bacteria, respectively. Furthermore, the flower extracts showed weak anti-inflammatory in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and low anticancer properties against human hepatic, prostate and colon cancer cells. This high-value flower could be considered as a source of putative antioxidant and antibacterial compounds to improve the human health and to be used as biopreservative in food and cosmetic industries.

Bacterial inoculants are known to improve quality of silage. The objectives of the present study ... more Bacterial inoculants are known to improve quality of silage. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of different types of lactic acid bacteria (LAB; L. plantarum, L. salivarius, L. reuteri, L. brevis and S. bovis) inoculation (106 g-1 DM) on rice straw silage quality and to examine these effects on ruminal fermentation characteristics, digestibility and microbial populations in an in vitro condition. Inoculated rice straw was ensiled for 15 and 30 days. For in vitro study, rumen liquor was obtained from two rumen fistulated mature cows fed on mixed forage and concentrate at 60:40 ratio twice daily. Inoculation of LAB improved (P?0.05) the rice straw silage quality such as increased dry matter and crude protein contents, decreased pH and butyric acid, and increased propionic acid and LAB contents especially after 30 days of ensiling. Results from in vitro study revealed that addition of LAB to the rice straw silage improved fermentation characteristics such ...

Molecular Omics

Borrelia burgdorferi is an extracellular spirochete that causes Lyme disease.

Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology

Abstract Jatropha meal is a potential biofeed for animal production however, the presence of phor... more Abstract Jatropha meal is a potential biofeed for animal production however, the presence of phorbol esters (PEs) in the meal limits its utilization. The PEs caused severe toxic manifestations in animals. The information on the mechanisms of toxicity at the cellular level is rather limited. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate the mode of action of PEs by evaluating the biochemical, biological and molecular responses of cells exposed to PEs. Phorbol esters from Jatropha meal were isolated and identified as Jatropha factor (JF) JFC1, JFC2, JFC3 and a mixture of JFs (C4, C5 and C6). These PEs exhibited cytotoxic activity towards bovine kidney cells and induced significant morphological changes. The PEs severely altered the redox status of the cells which resulted in the occurrence of oxidative stress. Moreover, the PEs up-regulated the expressions of PKC-βII, proto-oncogenes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated the caspase-3 activity in the cells. All PEs were toxic, but JFC1 and JFC2 appeared to be more toxic to the bovine kidney cells as compared to the JFC3 and the mixture of JFs. The results indicated that the cytotoxic activity of Jatropha meal PEs was elicited through induction of oxidative stress and inflammation of the cells.