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In this work, the rapid extracellular biofabrication of CuO nanoparticles (CONPs) was performed through microwave irradiation (MI) using rosehip extract. Not any hazardous reagents were employed during the fabrication period. The as-synthesized CONPs were characterized using XRD, SEM, EDS, antioxidant activity and FT-IR. The CONPs were crystalline and had average sizes about to 20-40 nm according to SEM. This methodology has the advantages of elimination of any chemical surfactants, simple rout and easy work up. The formation mechanism of CONPs was detected, for the first time, by marginal decrease in pH, potentiometric data, XRD and FTIR techniques. Moreover, CONPs as nano-photocatalyst could effectively photodegrade 4-nitrophenol as an environmental pollutant. The degradation rate is about 88% (for 20 ppm of catalyst) in 120 min under Vis irradiation. It demonstrated that the bio-capping had not any retarding effect during photodegradation. This fabrication protocol opens the windows for a large-scale and green approach for generating other metal oxide that are useful as nano-photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin (Cis) has serious adverse side-effects that limit its clinical use. The mechanism underlying the effects is complex, including mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation. This study investigated whether Cornus mas, a fruit with high antioxidant contents, hydro-methanolic extract (CME) can modulate the cisplatin-induced changes. Forty Wistar rats were divided into a control group, Cis group, CME group, CME 300 + Cis group, and the CME 700 + Cis group. After the intervention, blood samples were taken for biochemical and hematological analysis. CME analysis showed noticeable total phenol and total antioxidant contents. The plasma glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels were significantly decreased and malondialdehyde and blood hemoglobin levels were significantly increased in the Cis group, which were reversed to the control levels in the CME + Cis groups. In the CME group, the red blood cell count was significantly lower and the red cell distribution width and hemoglobin distribution width levels were significantly higher. In the Cis-treated group, white blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, and large unstained cells were significantly increased and lymphocytes were significantly decreased when compared with the control group that was reached to non-significant levels in CME 700 + Cis group. The blood cholesterol and high density lipoprotein in all CME-treated groups were significantly decreased. The eosinophils increased in the CME group significantly. The results showed considerable total antioxidant and total phenol contents and relative protective effects of CME against Cis-induced antioxidant and hematologic changes in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been reported using extract of Hyssopus officinalis L. by the conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The as-prepared AgNPs by both approaches were characterized using UV–vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM-EDS, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The obtained data revealed that as-synthesized AgNPs by microwave irradiation (900 W) and conventional heating (100°C) have average size lesser than 50 nm. Moreover, a biophysical approach on bioconstituent-Ag+ interactions has been performed. The creation of AgNPs using bioconstituents in minimal time opens the way for future studies on AgNPs toxicity without risking interference from potentially toxic reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Neuropsychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression, are global problems for clinical researchers in neurology. Recently, some authors have shown neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of Scrophularia striata Boiss (Scrophulariaceae) extract in rodents. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of S. striata extract on anxiety and depressant-like behaviors and find a possible mechanism for these impacts. Materials and methods: In this study, the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST), which are useful models for selective identification of anxiolytic and antidepressant drug effects in rodents, were used. We investigated the effects of S. striata ethanol extract at different doses (20, 50, 100, 160 and 220 mg/kg) on anxiety and depression behaviors in the EPM and FST, and then we assessed the role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor in modulation of the effects of S. striata extract in the brain. Results: Our results showed that effective doses of S. striata (100 and 160 mg/kg) increased the percentages of open arm time and entries in the EPM and decreased immobility time in the FST in comparison with control group, indicating anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, respectively. Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol; 1 µg/rat) enhanced the impact of S. striata, and GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculline; 1 µg/rat) blocked these effects in rats, indicating that significant interactions existed between S. striata and the GABAergic system in the brain. Discussion and conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of S. striata may be modulated via the GABAergic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]