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BACKGROUND Petroselinum crispum (English parsley) is a common herb of the Apiaceae family that is cultivated throughout the world and is widely used as a seasoning condiment. Studies have shown its potential as a medicinal herb. In this study, P. crispum leaf and stem extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties, protection against DNA damage in normal 3T3-L1 cells, and the inhibition of proliferation and migration of the MCF-7 cells. RESULTS The dichloromethane extract of P. crispum exhibited the highest phenolic content (42.31 ± 0.50 mg GAE g−1) and ferric reducing ability (0.360 ± 0.009 mmol g−1) of the various extractions performed. The extract showed DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 3310.0 ± 80.5 µg mL−1. Mouse fibroblasts ( 3T3-L1) pre-treated with 400 µg mL−1 of the extract showed 50.9% protection against H2O2-induced DNA damage, suggesting its potential in cancer prevention. The extract (300 µg mL−1) inhibited H2O2-induced MCF-7 cell migration by 41% ± 4%. As cell migration is necessary for metastasis of cancer cells, inhibition of migration is an indication of protection against metastasis. CONCLUSION Petroselinum crispum has health-promoting properties with the potential to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases and can be developed into functional food. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast cancer still stands first in terms of incidence and mortality rates among women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) characterized by lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER-), progesterone receptor (PR-) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2-) is the most lethal and aggressive breast cancer subtype. Due to the lack of effective therapeutic strategies, there is still crucial need to develop more effective anti-cancer agents. Schiff bases have attracted attention as promising agents in cancer drug discovery related to their azomethine functional group. This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect and cytotoxic mechanism of a novel indole Schiff base β-diiminato ligand against MDA-MB-231 cells, a TNBC model. Methods: The cell viability was investigated through MTT colorimetric assay and cytotoxicity using trypan blue and lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) assays. Apoptosis was analyzed through microscopic observation. All the experiments were conducted following 24h treatment with compound. Results: The complex significantly inhibited cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line with the IC50 value of 2.41±0.29 μg/mL. In addition, inverted phase contrast microscope observation revealed cell shrinkage, rounding of the cell shape and membrane blebbing formation, and Hoechst 33342/PI dual-staining assay showed nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and fragmentation, representing induction of apoptosis in cancer cells upon treatment in a dose-dependent manner (0, 2.5 and 5 μg/mL concentrations). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that this β-diiminato ligand is able to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in TNBC breast cancer cells. The complex is a potential candidate for future cancer studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, usage of pesticide, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers in farming lands has made the environment worse. The pesticide residues and toxic byproducts from agricultural lands were found to contaminate the aquatic ecosystem. The misuse of synthetic pesticide not only affects the environment, but also affects the health status of aquatic organisms. The organophosphate pesticide pollutants are emerging contaminants, which threatens the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. Monocrotophos (MCP) is an organophosphate insecticide, utilized on crops including rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton, soybeans, groundnuts and vegetables. MCP is hydrophilic in nature and their solubilizing properties reduce the soil sorption which leads to groundwater contamination. The half-life period of MCP is 17–96 and the half-life period of technical grade MCP is 2500 days if held stable at 38 °C in a container. MCP causes mild to severe confusion, anxiety, hyper-salivation, convulsion and respiratory distress in mammals as well as aquatic animals. The MCP induced toxicity including survival rate, behavioural changes, reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity in different aquatic species have been discussed in this review. Furthermore, the ultimate aim of this review is to highlight the international regulations, future perspectives and challenges involved in using the MCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease that may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Host immune responses represent the key determinants of HBV clearance or persistence. Here, we investigated the role of the early activation marker, CD69 and effector cytokines, granzyme B (GrB) and IFN-γ in the exhaustion of innate-like TCR Vα7.2+CD4+T cells, in 15 individuals with chronic HBV (CHB) infection where six were HBV DNA+ and nine were HBV DNA–. The percentage of cytokine-producing T cells and MAIT cells were significantly perturbed in HBV patients relative to healthy controls (HCs). The intracellular expression of GrB and IFN-γ was significantly reduced in MAIT cells derived from HBV-infected patients as compared to HCs, and the levels correlated with the percentage and levels [mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)] of CD69 expression. The total expression of CD69 (iMFI) was lower in CHB patients as compared to HCs. The frequency of CD69+ cells correlated with the levels of cytokine expression (MFI), particularly in CHB patients as compared to HCs. In summary, the polyfunctionality of peripheral T cells was significantly reduced among CHB patients, especially in the TCR Vα7.2+CD4+T cells, and the levels of cytokine expression correlated with functional cytokine levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a neurotropic flavivirus that causes inflammation in central nervous system (CNS), neuronal death and also compromises the structural and functional integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the BBB disruption and apoptotic process in Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected transfected human brain microvascular endothelial cells (THBMECs). THBMECs were overlaid by JEV with different MOIs (0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0) and monitored by electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) in a real-time manner in order to observe the barrier function of THBMECs. Additionally, the level of 43 apoptotic proteins was quantified in the virally infected cells with different MOIs at 24 h post infection. Infection of THBMEC with JEV induced an acute reduction in transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) after viral infection. Also, significant up-regulation of Bax, BID, Fas and Fasl and down-regulation of IGFBP-2, BID, p27 and p53 were observed in JEV infected THBMECs with 0.5 and 10 MOIs compared to uninfected cells. Hence, the permeability of THBMECs is compromised during the JEV infection. In addition high viral load of the virus has the potential to subvert the host cell apoptosis to optimize the course of viral infection through deactivation of pro-apoptotic proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of T-cell immunosenescence and functional CD8 + T-cell responses in HIV/TB co-infection is unclear. We examined and correlated surrogate markers of HIV disease progression with immune activation, immunosenescence and differentiation using T-cell pools of HIV/TB co-infected, HIV-infected and healthy controls. Our investigations showed increased plasma viremia and reduced CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio in HIV/TB co-infected subjects relative to HIV-infected, and also a closer association with changes in the expression of CD38, a cyclic ADP ribose hydrolase and CD57, which were consistently expressed on late-senescent CD8 + T cells. Up-regulation of CD57 and CD38 were directly proportional to lack of co-stimulatory markers on CD8 + T cells, besides diminished expression of CD127 (IL-7Rα) on CD57 + CD4 + T cells. Notably, intracellular IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B levels in HIV-specific CD8 + T cells of HIV/TB co-infected subjects were diminished. Intracellular CD57 levels in HIV gag p24-specific CD8 + T cells were significantly increased in HIV/TB co-infection. We suggest that HIV-TB co-infection contributes to senescence associated with chronic immune activation, which could be due to functional insufficiency of CD8 + T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin is one of the most diverse and naturally occurring biopolymers, and it is mainly present in crustaceans, insects, and fungi. Chitosan is derived from chitin by deacetylation process. It is important to note that the conventional chemical method of extracting chitin includes disadvantages and it poses various environmental issues. Recently, the green extraction techniques have perceived substantial development in the field of polymer chemistry. A variety of methods have been successfully developed using green extraction techniques for extracting chitin and chitosan from various resources. It includes the use of ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DES), microbial fermentation, enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), subcritical water extraction (SWE), and electrochemical extraction (ECE). In this review, the extraction of chitin and chitosan using greener approaches were summarized. In addition, challenges, opportunities and future perspectives of green extraction methods have also been narrated. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea ( Camellia sinensis ) is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. White tea is made from the buds and young leaves of the tea plant which are steamed and dried, whilst undergoing minimal oxidation. The MTT assay was used to test the extract on the effect of the proliferation of the colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29. The extract inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells with an IC 50 of 87 μg/ml. The extract increased the levels of caspase-3, -8, and -9 activity in the cells. DNA damage in 3T3-L1 normal cells was detected by using the comet assay. The extract protected 3T3-L1 cells against H 2 O 2 -induced DNA damage. The results from this study show that white tea has antioxidant and antiproliferative effects against cancer cells, but protect normal cells against DNA damage. Regular intake of white tea can help to maintain good health and protect the body against disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]