Modares Journal of Biotechnology

Abstract Curcumin, a potent antioxidant extracted from the turmeric plant, is known for its ability to suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) through activation of antioxidant response elements. However, its clinical utility is limited by poor solubility and rapid elimination. In this study, we aimed to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin by encapsulating it in fifth-generation polyamidoamine dendrimer nanoparticles. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed successful encapsulation, with an average nanoparticle size of 275 nm and a positive surface charge of 8 mV. The nanocarrier exhibited a loading capacity of approximately curcumin6 mol per dendrimer 1mol and achieved complete drug release within 72 hours. Cellular uptake assays using a live/dead assay revealed superior uptake of the nanocarrier compared to free curcumin, leading to a significant reduction in cellular ROS levels and apoptosis. Furthermore, in a model of induced oxidative stress using H2O2, curcumin-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles significantly reduced cellular ROS levels compared to free curcumin. These findings highlight the potential of this nanocarrier as an effective and intelligent system for delivering water-insoluble drugs, offering a promising approach for improving the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin.

Abstract Aims: The aim of this study was to extract, isolate, purify, identify and determine the percentage of two natural combinations of protocatechoic acid and gallic acid from Sumac with high efficiency. These compounds exhibit good antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-insect and parasitic and antioxidant properties. Subsequently, to enhance the drug efficacy of these compounds, their silyl derivatives were prepared.
Materials & Methods: The Rhus coriria plant from the trees of the Naghadeh, from the trees of the Aras Baran and from the trees of the Shitaneh village was collected. They were dried in the shadow and grinding. After extraction, to identify two important compounds and their silyl derivatives, we use FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, GC-Mass, DSC, XRD and HPLC methods.
Findings: According to experiments, it can be concluded that the sample of Iranian Sumac fruits in Arasbaran region has the highest amounts of gallic acid (2.99%) and protocatechoic acid (2.902%). We also conclude that the type of soil and the location of growth of a genus are quite influential in its active ingredients, taste, and color. By silylation of these compounds, the lipophilic properties increase sharply, that is, they pass easily through the cell membrane and increase their judgment effect.
Conclusion: In this research work, two high-efficiency natural compounds were extracted from the samples of Sumac. Subsequently, due to their medicinal properties, silyl derivatives were prepared and their structure identified by spectroscopic methods. In this way, the permeability of the cell membrane easily done and the pharmacological effect of greatly increased.

Abstract Aims: Considering the importance of health and some disadvantages of the existing synthetic compounds, the present research aimed at evaluating the antibacterial and antioxidant potential of Haliclona caerulea extracts.
Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, organic extracts of n-hexane, diethyl ether, and methanol were prepared by the Bligh and Dyer method from the marine sponge; then, antibacterial activity was measured by disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and antioxidant activity was measured by evaluating the regenerative power and determining the total antioxidant capacity of the extracts. The data were analyzed by Duncan's new multiple range test (MRT) one-way ANOVA test. SPSS 19 and Excel 2013 software were used.
Findings: Methanol extract had the most antibacterial effect, especially against Gram positive bacterial of Bacillus subtilis with a concentration of 2.5mg/ml and Staphylococcus aureus with a concentration of 5mg/ml. Diethyl ether extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity at concentration of 5mg/ml.
Conclusion: The methanol extract of Haliclona caerulea exhibits more antibacterial properties, and the diethyl ether extract of this sponge have a higher antioxidant effect.

Abstract One of the molecular mechanisms of alcohol-induced toxicity is mediated by oxidative stress. We investigated the protective effects of orally administered vitamin C (VC) in different doses on oxidative damage in rat eyes induced by chronic ethanol intake.
Eight groups of rats were treated for 30 days: control (C), VC (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), ethanol (4 g/kg) and, ethanol + VC (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg).Eyes were then removed for analysis of oxidant/antioxidant markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdeyde (MDA).
Ethanol decreased the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx in the eye. These changes were accompanied by enhanced lipid peroxidation measured as increased MDA levels. Although VC (50 and 100 mg/kg) restored antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation, there were still significant differences compared to control animals. However, 200 mg/kg VC clearly prevented the pro-oxidant and antioxidant imbalance. Interestingly, the highest dose of VC produced a potent inhibition of lipid peroxidation and improvement in antioxidant defense enzymes compared to other doses in non-alcoholic rats.
Oral administration of VC 200 mg/kg for 30 days prevented redox imbalance induced by chronic ethanol exposure in rat eyes by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Relative to other chemical medications, vitamin treatments may be free of major side effects; therefore this antioxidant vitamin may provide a potential alternative for prevention of ethanol toxicity which deserves consideration and further examination.

Abstract in recent years, interest in use of plant sources due to function of Phytochemicals and antioxidant compound in maintenance of human health is increased, phenolic and flavonoid compounds are one of important compounds of plants that have antioxidant effects. Aim of the present study is to examine and comparison of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant capacity of different organs of saffron, that every year a huge amount of them are wested during the processing of stigma. In this study, different parts of saffron were extracted by methanol (80%), then the amount of total phenol and flavonoid compounds was assayed by means of Folin-Ciocalteu and and Aluminium choloride methods respectively. The antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH free radical reduction. According to the results of this study, The highest content of total phenolic(6.43 mg GAE g-1 DW) and flavonoid (1.33 mg RU g-1 DW) was observed in stigma compared to other organs. The result of DPPH test also showed higher antioxidant capacity of stigma in comparison to other organs. Comparison of phenolic compounds in various organs showed that the content of these compounds and antioxidant activity could be different related to type of organs. Also, the higher antioxidant capacity in stigma and tepal compared to leaf and corm could be as a result of more phenolic compounds in these organs.