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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of organic pollutants, have been observed to exert deleterious effects on plant growth and various physiological processes. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of phenanthrene (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm) on growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, some antioxidant enzymes, and some biochemical compounds of the maize plant were investigated. The experiments were conducted as pot cultures of plants under controlled conditions using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications for each treatment. Increasing phenanthrene concentration reduced all studied growth parameters and significantly increased photosynthetic pigment contents. Phenanthrene led to the increase in catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities in the roots but in shoots, only the peroxidase activity was increased. Moreover, higher phenanthrene concentrations were associated with elevated levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, coupled with a marked reduction in soluble sugar content in both shoot and root tissues (p<0.05). Also, increase in phenanthrene concentration in the shoots decreased the total phenol and flavonoid contents compared to anthocyanin. Phenanthrene treatment led to a significant reduction in the concentrations of lauric acid, meric acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid in maize shoots. In conclusion, it seems that high concentrations of phenanthrene induce oxidative stress in the maize, and plants improve their enzymatic antioxidant system to moderate the stress condition. In addition, damage of cell membranes by phenanthrene leads to weakening of plants root system as well as disordering in water and nutrient uptake and finally reduction in the plant growth.
 

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Oxidative Stress is fast becoming the nutritional and medical buzzword for the 21st century, and imPlicated in a growing list of diseases, from cataract to cancer. Oxidative stress occurs when the amount of free radicals in the body exceeds its pool of available antioxidants. Some researches indicate that margarine contain Trans fatty acids as major sources of dietrary free radicals and oxidative Stress. But other researches has been shown that because of supplementation of mairganie with some antioxidant such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, vitamin C and specially vitamin E, significantly decreased free radicals and oxidative stress and increased the levels of the supplied antioxidants in plasma. In this study, we examined the effect of The use fortified margarine on oxidative stress markers in young male, rats. To evaluate the margarine effect, 20 wistar rats were divided into 2 groups and selected as control and marganine groups. In second groups margarine were added to their chow as 15% (w/w). After 4 months blood samples were obtained, Then plasma levels of antioxidant, lipid peroxidation and thiol group of its, has been measured. This experiment showed that margarine intake has a positive effect on markers of oxidative stress, and consumption of antioxidant supplied in a full-fat margarine and consumed as a part of normal diet, effectively increases the blood levels of antioxidant and eliminats of free radicals.

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Silicon (Si) is considered as one of the beneficial elements for plants that play important roles in plant resistance to stresses. In this experiment, the effects of three levels of silicon (0, 0.85 and 1.7 mM) on the growth and physiological processes of pumpkin were studied in plants inoculated with Sphaerotheca fuliginea (250000 conidia ml⁻¹) and non-inoculated plants under hydroponic condition. Applying silicon increased the Si concentration in plant tissues. Application of Si in plants inoculated with S. fuliginea decreased significantly severity of disease symptom (30%) and also the shoot membrane permeability was decreased. Addition of Si significantly increased the reactive sulfhydryl group content whereas disease decreased sulfhydryl group which was significantly lower in Si-free medium. The infected plants that were treatedwith 1.7 mM Si levels grew and yielded similar to non -infected pumpkins. Using Si nutrition decreased Fe and Mn and increased Zn concentration in the roots and shoots of plants. Alleviation of disease severity in the silicon treatments may be due to enhancing of plant tolerance to disease by decreasing of shoot membrane permeability, increasing the reactive sulfhydryl group content, and also due to effect of silicon on the uptake and distribution of some ions. This study revealed that Silicon at 1.7 mM used in hydroponic system effectively reduced powdery mildew and improved pumpkin growth.

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A high population of the sea anemone inhabit in the intertidal zone of the Hormoz Island. The tidal zones generally are characterized by severe environment stresses (vis, UV and high temperature), that can increase the intracellular oxidation and free radicals as well. Oxidation and free radicals is paved by the animal defensive mechanisms, including accumulation of antioxidant compounds and enzymes. In this study, carpet anemones sampled from intertidal zone of the eastern city of Hormoz Island (IRAN). Extraction was performed by using of PBS and methanol 40% solvents: 2 g dry weight of the mucous, by 2 replications, and 10 g wet weight of the oral plate, by 6 replications, from 6 samples. Different concentrations of extracts were made for antioxidant tests. The antioxidant properties of extract were measured by DPPH and FRC methods. Results showed that a correlation is between the antioxidant activity and the concentration of extracts in two methods. In DPPH assay, IC50 values was 1.469±0.208, 1.85±0.016 for mucus extract by PBS and methanol 40%, respectively, and it was 0.733±0.06, 0.444±0.036 mg/ml, for oral plate extract by PBS and methanol 40%. Our results showed that the antioxidant activity of oral plate was significantly higher than mucous in this anemone.

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Aims: The accumulation of free radicals in the body leads to damages to cellular biopolymers through oxidative stress. Due to the increasing proliferation of heavy metals in soil and water environments, finding efficient methods for diagnostic detection and measurement of heavy metals in contaminated environments is very important. Cell-based biosensors can produce a measurable signal in response to specific chemical or physical agent in their environment. In this study, stable hepatoma Huh7 ARE-reporter cell line was developed containing luciferase gene with the aim of monitoring lead toxicity. This biosensor is reported to be able to detect lead by expressed signal which is measurable. The luciferase assay and Real time-PCR were performed.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, the Huh7-1x-ARE-luc was stably transferred in to the Huh7 cells and transfected cells were selected. After 5 passages, stable clones were isolated to confirm plasmid entrance. Luciferase activity of the Huh7-1x-ARE-luc cell line was performed with 0-80μM lead concentration to induce oxidative stress response. Cell viability was assessed by MTT.  With Real time PCR, AREKEAP1 pathway gene expression were detected. Statistical analysis was performed by ΔCt method, using graphpad prism 6 software.
Findings: The gene expression of the reporter gene increased with increasing oxidative stress. Reducing the expression of the reporter gene was observed after 30 μM. 35 μM lead inhibited 50% cell metabolism. Expression of antioxidant pathway genes was significantly increased in 30 μM leaded cells compared to control gene.
Conclusion: The biosensor prepared from Huh7-1x-ARE-luc cell line of the reporter gene can be a convenient and efficient means for measuring oxidative compounds such as heavy metals such as lead.

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Grape trunk diseases are critical problems for grapes from the time of planting to the harvest stage. Grapes are susceptible to 29 fungal diseases due to their perennial woody trunk, so identifying and managing them is crucial. Among the methods of controlling these diseases, feeding with mineral fertilizers to reduce leaf symptoms resulting from the toxic secretions of fungi living in the woody part of the tree is of great importance. To manage these diseases, a mixture of fertilizers including calcium chloride CaCl₂, 466 g, magnesium nitrate Mg(NO₃)₂, 403 g, seaweed extract (75 ml) and sterile distilled water 466 ml per liter of foliar spraying on the selected treatments in Sohrabi’s garden were used once every 20 days. Guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and leaf area index were measured in Sohrabi’s garden during 2017 and 2018 and were compared with the control. In the treatments sprayed with the fertilizers, the average amount of guaiacol peroxidase enzyme was 12.72 µl compared to the control (10.6 µl) and the average amount of catalase enzyme was 83.68 µl compared to the control (31.85 µl). The average size of the leaf area in the foliar treatments in Sohrabi’s garden was 11564 mm², compared to the control that was 4959 mm². The severity of the disease in the sprayed treatments (19.95 %) was lower than the control (56.6 %). These results are due to the increase in the leaf surface, which increases the amount of photosynthesis, and the increase in guaiacol peroxidase and catalase, which reduce the oxidative stress resulting from fungal secretions, which resulted in decreasing symptoms in foliar treatments.

 

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Objective: Hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] compounds are well-known environmental contaminants generated from industrial processes. Several studies have reported the harmful effects of Cr (VI) on different organs, however, little is known about neurotoxic effects of Cr (VI). The aim of this study is to investigate the toxic effects of Cr (VI) on PC12 cells. Methods: PC12 cells were cultured following standard protocol and exposed to various concentrations (1-100 μM) of potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) for 24, 48 and 72 h. After exposure, cell viability was measured by the MTT assy. Also following exposure, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation were measured. Results: Potassium dichromate induced significant cell death in PC12 cells. The IC50 values for cytotoxicity were 22.02 for 24 h, 1.88 for 48 h, and 1.85 for 72 h of exposure. Significant differences between IC50 for 24 h of exposure compared to 48 and 72 h of exposure were observed (p<0.05). ROS production and lipid peroxidation significantly increased in the Cr (VI) treated groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that Cr (VI) induced dose and time dependent cytotoxicity in PC12 cells which indicated neurotoxic effects of Cr (VI). Mechanisms of Cr (VI) induced toxicity have not been fully determined, however increased production of ROS and lipid peroxidation in Cr (VI) treated groups demonstrated that oxidative stress might be involved in neurotoxicity of Cr (VI).  

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Enhancement of antioxidant capacity of plants by natural antioxidants obtained from medicinal plants can be a simple way to produce stress tolerant plants. Zataria multiflora essential Oil (ZO) is one of the useful antioxidants with potent antioxidant activity. ZO is insoluble in water and can be degraded by light, oxygen, and high temperature. Incorporation of ZO into Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) dispersion is a simple way to improve its stability. In this research, the antioxidant activity of PVA/ZO dispersion was measured by studying the effect of the Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and Hydroxyl radical (HO^•) scavenging of the dispersion. The efficiency of the PVA/ZO dispersion on the production of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate Oxidase (NOX), SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD), and Catalase (CAT) mRNAs in the wheat seedlings in hydroponic condition was investigated too. PVA/ZO dispersion had a non-Newtonian shear-thinning liquid behavior with the negative zeta-potential (-12 mV) and nanoscale particle size (134 nm). PVA/ZO dispersion had effective H₂O₂ and HO^• scavenging in a dose dependent manner with IC₅₀ value of 220 and 170 µg mL^-1, respectively. PVA/ZO dispersion up-regulated NOX (2 folds, at 30 µg mL^-1), SOD (10 folds, at 30 µg mL^-1) and CAT (8 folds, at 250 µg mL^-1) mRNAs production. Thus, there was a potent cooperation between NOX and SOD activity and low cooperation between SOD and CAT activity. The potent antioxidant activity of PVA/ZO dispersion implies that it can effectively be used as a promising natural antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress in the plants under stress.

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Objective: The human genome consists of protective genes, which contain a sequence known as the antioxidant responsive element (ARE) located in their promoter regions. ARE is specific to the transcription factor NF-E2 related factor2 (Nrf2). This signaling pathway is the major defense mechanism against oxidative stress that comprises the chemoprotective response. The cell line that expresses the ARE reporter is sensitive for the detection of ARE activating compounds. It can help to identify toxicity risk and antioxidant activity of chemicals and drugs.
Methods: We used a stable Huh7 ARE-reporter cell line in this study. Metabolic activity of these cells in different concentrations of lead (0 to 80 micromole) was evaluated by the MTT test. We assessed the effects of oxidative stress. We exposed the Huh7 ARE-reporter cell line to different concentrations of lead, an oxidative stress inducer, and nanocurcumin, an antioxidant compound, after which we investivated luciferase activity. Real-time PCR was used to detected AREKEAP1 pathway gene expression.
Result: Lead, at 30 μM, suppressed 50% of the cells’ metabolic activity.Cells treated with both lead (30 μM) and nanocurcumin at 4 μM and 8 μM had decreased luciferase activity compared to those treated with only lead. This activity increased when we increased the nanocurcumin concentration to 16 μM. Real-time PCR analysis showed decreased NQO1 and NRF2 expressions in cells treated with both lead (30 μM) and nanocurcumin (4 μM and 8 μM) compared to just lead treated cells. However, NQO1 and NRF2 had increased expressions in cells treated with both lead (30 μM) and nanocurcumin (16 μM) compared to just lead treated cells.
Conclusion: Nano curcumin, as an antioxidant, significantly reduced the toxic effects of lead toxic. This effect probably occurred through the AREKEAP1 pathway. Hence, nanocurcumin could be used as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress.

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There are an increasing number of studies about elderly people’s health. The reason for this increase is attributed to the increased numbers of elderly people in developed countries, therapeutic budget used for health of this population, and the human tendency to extend life and quality. Different reasons and theories have been proposed for the aging process. One of the main, mostly accepted theories is the oxidative stress theory. According to this theory, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species increase with increasing age. This increase causes damage to cells and tissues, and subsequently leads to the emergence of age-related diseases and eventually death. One of the ways to prevention aging and age-related diseases is physical activity. Appropriate physical activity in terms of the type, intensity, and duration can slow the aging process and reduce related disease. Although, exercise itself is a multiplicative factor of reactive oxygen species, the intensity and type of activity is important. Physicians suggest aerobic exercise as the best exercise for the elderly. However, recently, resistance exercise has also attracted the attention of many health professionals. It seems that resistance training and moderate aerobic exercises are of greater benefit for elderly people. In this study, we review different physical activities, their effects, and provide conclusions.

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In the last decades, resistance to salt stress has been studied intensively in plants. Many ornamental plants have widespread presence in green areas of coastal regions. In such regions, plants are subject to seawater aerosol and surfactants, both of which are frequent in the coastal areas of Mediterranean environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant enzyme activities of two ornamental plants, namely, Callistemon and Viburnum, under the effects of these stressful conditions. To analyze the performance of these plants stressed by 8 weeks treatments with seawater aerosol and surfactants, we measured the antioxidative defense mechanism, considered as enzymatic response, Proline (Pro) levels, Chlorophyll (Chl) and MalonDiAldehyde (MDA) contents. To better understand the response mechanisms, two different growing periods were studied: from January to March and from May to July. The higher temperatures of the second period negatively affected the response of the plants. Salt stress considerably reduced the chlorophyll content in both species, especially in the second period. In particular, the sea aerosol treatments caused 29% and about 45% reduction in Callistemon and Viburnum plants, respectively. The amount of Pro in Viburnum was very small (154.35 nmol g^-1) compared to Callistemon (1466.94 nmol g^-1). An opposite trend was noticed for MDA. ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) in plants exposed to treatment with sea aerosol plus anionic surfactant were significantly higher. Between the two species, Viburnum showed more efficient action mechanisms to overcome aerosol stress.
 

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In order to assess the effect of water-deficit stress on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and agro-physiological attributes of maize, a split-plot field experiment was conducted with three replications based on the randomized complete block design. Three levels of irrigation (well-watered, intermediate and severe water-deficit stress) and four maize families including 10 genotypes were considered as the main and sub factors, respectively. Post treatment, the electrophoretic analysis of three enzymes in maize leaves including SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Peroxidase (POX) was carried out on 8% horizontal acrylamide gel. Moreover, agro-physiological attributes such as MalonDiAldehyde (MDA), H₂O₂, chlorophyll index (SPAD), Relative Water Content (RWC), and grain yield were measured. Concomitantly with increasing intensity of water-deficit stress, the activity of most isozymes and the contents of MDA and H₂O₂ increased while POX2 activity, chlorophyll index, RWC, and grain yield decreased. Under intermediate stress, POX1 isozyme in Lia0688 line (233%) and, under severe stress, POX2 isozyme in AR68 hybrid (201%) showed higher increase compared with the well-watered treatment. Overall, POX1, SOD2, CAT isozymes and MDA, chlorophyll index, and RWC were identified as suitable traits. Based on enzyme activity and agro-physiological attributes, SC706 and TWC647 hybrids were superior to the other genotypes and expressed higher tolerance to water deficit stress. Moreover, among parental lines, MO17, B73 and Lia0688 were promising, although Lia0688 and MO17 were more tolerant lines and showed better performance compared with the line B73 and other lines under well-watered and stress conditions.
 

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the immunostimulant Immunobeta^® on egg production and oxidative stress parameters, influenced by the environmental conditions in free range laying hens. A total of 81 laying hens and 9 cocks (Tetra Super Harco) were divided into three groups: group 1 (control) without supplementation; group 2 with 0.2%, and group 3 with 0.4% Immunobeta^® as a dietary supplement. The laying period (19-55 weeks of age) was divided into three sub-periods depending on the ambient temperature – cold (from November to March 2015, from 19 to 37 weeks of age), thermoneutral (April and May 2016, from 38 to 46 weeks of age) and hot period (June and July 2016, from 47 to 55 weeks of age). Immunobeta^® supplementation dose dependently improved the average egg production and mean egg weight, and in 0.4% dose treatment significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio for the entire laying period. Immunobeta® supplementation influenced the blood oxidative stress parameters, decreasing significantly the lipid peroxidation level during the cold period, increasing the glutathione level in hens supplemented with 0.4% dose in all periods, regulating the catalase activity during the hot period, and increasing glutathione peroxidase activity during the thermoneutral and hot periods. In conclusion, addition of Immunobeta^® to the diet reduced the oxidative stress induced by thermal stress and enhanced the performance of free range laying hens.
 

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This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of salinity stress on some physiological and biochemical parameters of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Three levels of NaCl (0, 100, and 200 mM) were applied to four common bean genotypes. In the subsequent steps, chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage index (ELI), Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations, the K/Na ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, total protein content, and proline concentration were determined and compared. Moreover, the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) were analyzed. Content of Chl a, Chl b and carotenoid decreased by increasing the intensity of salinity stress along with the SPAD value. RWC dropped and ELI incremented by augmenting salinity together with the K/Na ratio. The results revealed that MDA and proline concentrations significantly increased under the mentioned conditions. Activities of antioxidant defense enzymes were altered notably. Total protein content mitigated under salt stress. Jules and 201 were detected as tolerant genotypes during this experiment.

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A pot experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of genotype (15 sea beet genotypes and two cultivated beets of one susceptible and one tolerant to stress), and salinity (four NaCl concentrations including 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mM) on the 35-days-old beet seedlings for 55 days. The following parameters and traits were recorded: activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, malone dialdehyde, di-tyrosine, di-hydroxy guanosine, proline, and total soluble sugars. The results showed a highly significant effect of salinity treatments on the traits studied. Moreover, with increasing stress intensity, the effects of salinity on these traits increased. At least five genotypes of sea beet were clearly superior than the cultivated beet for producing a lower constitutive level of MDA, DT and 8-OH-dG destruction biomarkers, but higher activities of SOD, CAT and GPX enzymes, and proline, total soluble sugars, and glycine betaine contents were recorded under salt stress conditions. These results strongly suggest that the wild salt-tolerant sea beet possess distinct advantages over the sugar beet counterparts for protection mechanism against oxidative damage by maintaining a higher inherited and induced activity of enzymatic/ non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. Therefore, it can be concluded that under salt stress, sea beet has a significant potential for the physiological/biochemical variation in salinity tolerance, which can be exploited for improving salinity tolerance in sugar beet cultivars.

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Introduction: Occurrence of oxidative stress and alterations of its related variables during diabetes mellitus is one of the main reasons of tissue damage and dysfunction. Therefore, we assessed the oxidative stress markers and nitric oxide levels of liver in the streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats.
Methods: To perform the study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=6): normal and diabetic groups. A single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) was used for inducing diabetes. At termination of the study, the oxidative stress markers were determined in the livers, including the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and NOx (nitrite/nitrate) as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD).
Results: Induction of diabetes increased blood glucose of the diabetic rats above 450 mg/dl. This value in diabetic rats did not change during the study. Diabetes increased the MDA levels in the livers of diabetic rats compared to normal group. The SOD activity of livers decreased in diabetic animals compared to normal rats. Also, NOx content of liver decreased in the livers of diabetic animals compared to normal group.
Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic hyperglycemia in diabetic states overproduces ROS and causes oxidative stress in liver by weakening the antioxidant capacity. Diabetes also alters the NO biosynthesis and bioavailability of liver, which can lead to liver dysfunction. 
 

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Drought alters plant metabolic processes resulting in some changes at the anatomical and morphological levels. Experiments were conducted to determine the morphologic and anatomic responses of two cultivars of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cultivars CaljN3 and Superstrain B) to different irrigation regimes [100, 75, 50, and 25% of Field Capacity (FC)]. Catalase 1 (CAT1) gene expression was investigated by real-time RT-qPCR and protein interaction studies in tomatoes. Drought stress caused an increase in the number of vessels in roots and stems of both cultivars. The diameter of vascular cylinders in roots of the control plants (both cultivars) was larger. Expression of the CAT1 gene did not show any significant difference in the CaljN3 cultivar under drought conditions. However, expression of the CAT1 gene indicated a significant increase in Superstrain B cultivar at the 50 and 25% FC treatments. The gene network showed that this protein interacts with superoxide dismutase, acyl-CoA oxidase, and glutathione peroxidase. CaljN3 cultivars and showed more tolerance than Superstrain B at all levels of drought treatment. Therefore, Superstrain B is considered a susceptible cultivar under drought conditions. This suggested that the defense against oxidative stress may initiate one step before the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, tomato plant tries to fight the stress factor by activating proteins, especially channels, pumps, and some cellular messengers.

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Background: Harmaline exhibits a diverse array of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, osteogenic, immunomodulatory, emmenagogue, and antitumor activities. The current study aimed to investigating the effect of harmaline on oxidative stress factors in lung epithelial cells exposed to elastase. Material and method: oxidative stress markers of lung epithelial cells were investigated in all cell groups including, control, H2O2, elastase and elastase plus harmaline (50, 100, 200 μm). lung epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to elastase with concentrations of 60 U/ml for 24 hours. In other groups, cells exposed to elastase were co-treated with three different doses of harmaline (50, 100 and 200 µm) for 24 hours at 37°C. Results: the results show a significant effect of harmaline's protective effect on cell viability, free radical production (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). harmaline significantly increased the viability and TAC level in the cells exposed to elastase. Also, harmaline significantly decreased the percentage of free radicals and the MDA level in the cells exposed to elastase. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study showed a significant protective effect of harmaline on cell viability through increases in antioxidant defense system. Therefore, harmaline, can probably considered as a therapeutic strategy to prevent or treatment of lung diseases.