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Background and Objectives: Appearance of multidrug-resistant bacteria has created significant clinical problems in treatment of infectious diseases. Sonchus oleraceus plant with many medicinal properties can be a potential source of antibacterial effects. Methods: Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of S. oleraceus were prepared by maceration and antibacterial effect of these extracts as well as latex on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated by micro broth dilution method and MIC/ MBC according to CLSI. Results: Minimum lethal concentrations in latex and aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts for E. coli respectively 7.8, 15.6 and 7.8 mg / ml and for S. aureus, respectively. 3.9, 7.8 and 62.5 mg / ml were obtained. The highest antibacterial effect was observed in plant latex on S. aureus according to the diameter of inhibition zone. Conclusion: This study presents the first results of the antibacterial effects of latex and aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of S. oleraceus in Iran. The highest inhibitory effect was related to latex at 3.9 mg / ml on S. aureus. Further studies can help us understand the antimicrobial potential of this plant.

Background: The present study aimed to confirm the hypothesis that indicates the role of Irisin as an adipomyokine, in boosting energy consumption and heat generation in brown fat tissue following moderate exercise and calorie restriction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats (180-250g) were divided into four groups: Standard Control (STC), High Fat-high Carbohydrate diet (HFC), Stop High Fat- high Carbohydrate diet (S-HFC) and Exercise (EXE).The first 16 weeks were used to apply a special model (HF-HC diet for long-term) for inducing hypertriglyceridemia and weight gain, followed by five weeks of treatment for both groups (S-HFC and EXE). S-HFC group diet changed to standard food and the EXE group ran on treadmill for 20 minutes daily for 5 days a week. The other two groups continued the same diet as the first 16 weeks (standard diet for STC and HF-HC diet for HFC). Lipid profile was measured by spectrophotometry and Irisin by ELISA method. Results: The model we used to induce the hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.000) and obese (p=0.001) was significantly successful. Serum triglyceride levels decreased after the treatment (p=0.011) while there were no significant changes in other components of lipid profiles, weight and serum Irisin concentration. Moreover, the serum concentration of Irisin and triglyceride were not correlated (p=0.693, r=0.071). Conclusion: The result of this study suggested that exercise along with calorie restriction significantly reduced serum triglyceride levels, but did not necessarily affect the weight loss. There was no correlation between the concentration of triglyceride and Irisin.

Background: SIRT1 and FGF21 are known to regulate glucose metabolism and moderate diabetes complications. Sargassum oligocystum extract has therapeutic characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of sargassum oligocystum on serum levels of SIRT1 and FGF21in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups: the non-diabetic control, the diabetic control, the diabetic treated with 150mg/kg of the extract, the diabetic treated with 300mg/kg of extract, the diabetic treated with 450mg/kg of the extract and the diabetic treated with 100mg/kg of Metformin. After 30 days of treatment, serum levels of SIRT1 and FGF21 of rats were measured. The data was analyzed in SPSS software version 22. Results: The extract of sargassum at the dose of 450mg/kg significantly reduced the SIRT1 serum level, but no changes were observed in the serum level of FGF21 and insulin at any of the doses. Moreover, serum glucose and insulin resistance were decreased at the doses of 300mg/kg of the extract. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the algae extract did not significantly change SIRT1 and FGF21 levels in order to regulate the glucose metabolism.

Background: Mussel bivalves produce and secret sticky proteins which facilitate the adherence to surfaces in the aquatic environments. Specific properties of these proteins such as adhesion, resistance and biocompatibility have introduced their uses in biomedical engineering, dentals and production of biological adhesives. Materials and Methods: With respect to the morphologic indexes and COI gene sequence, the species of dwarves from the Persian Gulf were sampled. To identify the polyphenol glands, which produce the adhesive proteins, tissue sections were prepared from the foot. Then, the mussel fp-2 protein was purified by the ion-exchange chromatography using salt and pH gradients and, the gel filtration chromatography. To confirm the presence of proteins in each fraction the Arnow test and NBT staining were used. For detection of the protein homogeneity, in each purification stage the SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was used. The NBT positive chromatogram peaks, after concentration and electrophoresis by Acid-Urea method, were blotted on nitrocellulose and detected by NBT test. Results: The specie morphology and taxonomy were recorded and matched to the FAO criteria and, "The Mollusks of Persian Gulf" the Persian reference book. It was belong to the Mytilidae family and Modiolus genus. The DNA and protein sequences were recorded in NCBI data bank as AB972412.1 and BAP16437.1 respectively. Also, the molecular weight of the purified fp-2 protein was about 45 KD. Conclusion: The present study was led to the morphologic and genetic identification of Modiolus sp. PG from the Persian Gulf along with the purification of fp-2 adhesive protein.

Background: The venomous jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda can produce envenomation and different toxicological and biological effects by their nematocysts. The phospholipase A2 enzymes (PLA2) are toxic and induce various pharmacological effects including neurotoxicity, myotoxicity and anticoagulant activities. The main aim of the current project was to screen the in vitro PLA2 activity of the C. andromeda crude venom. To better understand the experimental result; a molecular docking study was also performed. Materials and methods: The live specimens were collected from Nayband lagoon, by a trawl net, and separation of their tentacles was done according to Bloom 's et al., method. The PLA2 activity of crude venom was performed according to the acidimetric method of Tan and Tan. The lyophilized venom was subjected to Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy, and the obtained structures were used for docking study against PLA2. The indoxam was considered as standard control. Results: The PLA2 activity of the jellyfish crude venom was 413 ±0.08 µmol/min/mg. Analysis of the crude venom detected seven compounds (i-vii) using GC-MS. Docking data was also confirmed the experimental results. According to the docking results, the highest affinity (-6.7 (kcal/mol)) was observed in the compound “Pregn-5-ene-3,11-dione, 17,20:20,21 bis [methylenebis(oxy)]-, cyclic 3-(1,2-ethane diyl acetal”. Conclusions: A high PLA2 level was found in the venom of C. andromeda. There was a good correlation between in vitro and in silico studies.

Background: One of the venomous fishes of Persian Gulf is a type of stonefish called blackfin stonefish (Pseudosynanceia melanostigma) that is very poorly-known. This fish lives on the muddy bottoms of marine shallow waters and have venomous spines on its stone like body. The envenomation usually is happened by unwanted contact of human body to its body and the proteinic venom is injected into the skin. Upon the venom entrance to the body various symptoms and signs will occur that their intensity depends on the venom amount.The aim of study is the understanding of some pharmacological impacts of blackfin stonefish for future studies. Material and Methods: A total of 18 male laboratory rats were divided into three groups of control, second and third and envenomed by sub lethal doses (1/3 LD50 and ½ LD50) intravenously and the serum enzymes namely Creatine Phosphokinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Glutamate-Oxaloacetate Transaminase, Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase , Alkaline Phosphatase and Amylase, serum electrolytes namely Sodium. Potassium and Calcium and also complete blood cells of control and experimental rats were measured. Results: The serum enzymes levels, potassium and calcium levels and withe blood cells count in envenomed rats by blackfin stonefish crude venom in compare with control rats had significant increase while the haemoglobin level, red blood cells count and also serum sodium level had significant decrease (p

Background: This study was carried out to determine the oil content and of fatty acids in stem, leave and seed of halophyte plant (Suaeda vermiculata ) locally called “Tahma” growing along the shorelines of the Persian Gulf in Bushehr Province. Material and Methods: The total oil and fatty acid contents of leaves, stem and root were extracted in n-hexane using Soxhlet and the fatty acid compositions were determined by FID- Gas chromatography. Results: The amount of oil content ranged from 0.68 to 1.74% by dry weight. The lowest present was for in stem and the highest for leave respectively. A total of 11 fatty acids were detected in leave, stem and root of which 8 were saturated and 3 unsaturated. The major saturated fatty acid in leave and stem was palmitic but in the seed was margaric acid. Also, the major unsaturated fatty acids in leave, seed and stem were oleic, linoleic and linolenic respectively. Our results also showed the presence of fatty acids such as plargonic, palmitic and stearic in all of the above organs, which the plargonic was dominant in leave but palmitic, linoleic and stearic in stem. Conclusion: Analysis of results showed that in the seeds of S. vermiculata the major saturated fatty acid is margaric and the major unsaturated fatty acid is linoleic. Also it was shown that the amount of saturated fatty acids in the seed were more than unsaturated fatty acids.

Background: Suaeda aegyptica (S. aegyptica) species belong to the Chenepodiaceae family, the second largest family in the world of plants kingdom. It is indigenous to arid and semi-arid regions of the world and salty coastal zones Persian Gulf of Iran. It is an annual succulent halophyte plant which is characterized by producing oily seeds, high growth rate and large number of biomass. The aim of this study was analysis and determination of oil and fatty acids concentration in the S. aegyptica seed. Material and Methods: The seeds of S. aegyptica were collected form coastal zones of Persian Gulf in Bushehr province, washed and dried. The fatty acids content of the dried seeds were extracted in n-hexane solvent by soxhellet apparatus. The residue of n-hexane in oily phase was evaporated by rotary evaporator and remaining oil was collected for fatty acids analysis. In the presence of potassium hydroxide and BF3 by refluxing for 30 minutes, the methyl ester derivative of fatty acids were produced. Then the resulted derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-FID). Results: The seeds of S. aegyptica contains eight fatty acids as: Pelargonic (C9), Capric (C10), Undecylic (C11), Tridecylic (C13), Myristic (C14), Palmitic (C16), Stearic (C18), Linoleic (18:2) and Linolenic (18:3). Average oil content in seeds 014/0 ± 87 / percent. Conclusion: The ratio of unsaturated fatty acids was higher than the saturated ones. Linoleic and Palmitic acids are major unsaturated and saturated fatty acids of S. aegyptica seed respectively.

Background: On the basis of traditional medicine Shark cartilage have been used in the treatment of cancer especially immune related cancers. Then, we hypotheses that shark cartilage contains immune stimulatory ingredients. Methods: The immune stimulatory effect of shark cartilage derived proteins on the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells(NK cells) from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMN) was studied. Shark cartilage proteins were purified by ion-exchange chromatography and ultra filtration. The effect of each protein fraction on the modulation of cytotoxicity of NK cells, as effectors, against K562, as target cells, was assayed by enzymatic LDH test. Results: The results from cytotoxic assay of NK cells and SDS- Polyacrylamide gell electrophoresis of shark cartilage protein fractions indicated that AR10 fraction, containing proteins with molecular weight of about 14.5 KDa is the most active ingredients of shark cartilage. Conclusion: Shark cartilage contains a 14.5 KDa protein that modulates NK cells activity of human immune system.

Background: Shark cartilage has been considered as a natural anti-angiogenesis material in traditional medicine since long ago, and a broad range of biological functions such as inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and digestion of the extracellular matrix has been reported for it. Because of its widespread therapeutic usage in controlling angiogenesis, we have investigated the antiangiogenesis activity of the shark cartilage proteins, in the present study. Methods: Cartilage proteins were extracted in 100 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH=4.8) containing 4M guanidinium hydrochloride in the presence of protease inhibitors. The extract was then chromatographed on cation and anion exchange columns and the fractions were characterized for angiogenesis properties (like number and thickness of blood vessels, number and severity of bends in accessory vessels and abnormal colour of membrane) using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and gel electrophoresis techniques. Results: The results showed high antiangiogenesis activity of protein fraction A1 extracted from shark cartilage comparing to the controls and other trial groups. Survey on the active protein fraction A1 on gel electrophoresis showed existence of low molecular weight proteins between 14-16 kDa. Conclusion: Shark cartilage has an antiangiogenesis effect. Therefore, considering the importance and increasing needs of novel drugs for angiogenesis-based diseases, further molecular surveys on these angiogenesis proteins are recommended.