The origin of mangosteen: A review

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana var. mangostana) is an obligate apomictic species which does not require a fertilization process to produce seeds. The absence...     

Producing Gelatin Nanoparticles as Delivery System for Bovine Serum Albumin

Background: Progress in the field of biology and biochemistry has led to the discovery of numerous bioactive peptides and proteins in the last few decades. Delivery of therapeutic proteins/peptides has received a considerable amount of attention in recent years. Methods: In this study, a two-step desolvation method was used to produce biodegradable hydrophilic gelatin nanoparticles (GNP) as a delivery system of protein model (BSA). The size and shape of the nanoparticles were examined by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Particles with a mean diameter of 200-300 nm were produced and the percentage of entrapment efficiency was found to be 87.4. The optimum amount of theoretical BSA loading was obtained, the release of BSA was monitored in vitro, and the mechanism of release was studied. The BSA release profile showed a biphasic modulation characterized by an initial, relatively rapid release period, followed by a slower release phase. Conclusion: Results show that the two-step desolvation is an appropriate method for preparing GNP as a delivery vehicle for BSA. Key Words: Gelatin, Nanoparticles, Bovine serum albumin     

The Associations Between Tea and Coffee Drinking and Risk of Calcium-Oxalate Renal Stones

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Findings regarding the association between tea and coffee consumption and oxalate-calcium stone are sparse and uncertain. The purpose of this study was to...     

A review of phytotherapy of acne vulgaris: Perspective of new pharmacological treatments

Aim

This review focuses on plants currently used and those with a high potency for the future development of anti-acne products.

Methods

All relevant literature databases were searched up to 25 March 2011. The search terms were plant, herb, herbal therapy, phytotherapy, and acne, acne vulgaris and anti-acne. All of the human, animal, and in vitro studies, and reviews were included. Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-androgen effects were the key outcomes.

Results

Studies on cell lines revealed that flavonoid, alkaloid, essential oil, phenol and phenolic compound, tannin, xanthone and xanthone derivative, and the bisnaphthquione derivative are effective in treatment of acne. Animal studies showed that diterpene acid, phenylpropanoid glycosides, acteoside and flavonoids have anti-inflammatory activity. Eleven human studies revealed that Camellia sinensis has 5α-reductase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities. Also anti-bacterial effect was shown by oleoresin of Commiphora mukul.

Conclusion

In addition to the standardization of these herbs, screening herbs as anti-acne agents may help to find new sources of therapy for acne.     

Heavy Metal Determination in Atmospheric Deposition and Other Fluxes in Northern France Agrosystems

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - The aim of this study is to assess the annual balance of the fluxes of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn within different cropping systems, in an experimental site located...     

Mycorrhiza inoculation effects on seedling establishment,survival and morphological properties of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam.

In this paper, the establishment and growth of medicinal species Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. were studied through inoculation with two mycorrhizal fungi species, Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices, in arid/semi-arid Bahar-Kish rangelands, Iran in 2012 and 2013. The root colonization percentage of Ziziphora, as well as their establishment and growth were enhanced in 2013 using G. mosseae. In this year, less rainfall and higher temperature decreased the survival, growth and morphological traits of the studied plants. Growth and establishment of the inoculated plants using G. intraradices improved in 2013, while inoculation with G. mosseae showed more beneficial effects in 2012. In both years, the strain, the growth and establishment percentage of seedlings in inoculated treatments with mycorrhizal species were significantly improved. According to the results, G. intraradices mycorrhizal fungi is recommended as a biological fertilizer in increasing the forage production and the initial establishment of Ziziphora in arid and semi-arid rangelands.