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Cucumbers grown in two different greenhouses were exposed to mancozeb and carbaryl at different times. The effects of 10-day preharvest period, water and detergent washing, peeling, predetermined storage period at 4°C (refrigeration), and fermentation on the reduction of residue levels in the plant tissues were investigated. Mancozeb and carbaryl residues in cucumbers were determined by gas chromatography–electron capture detection. Results showed that residue levels in samples, which were collected after 10 days following the pesticide application, were significantly lower than the samples collected after 2 h subsequent to the pesticide application. The culinary applications were effective in reducing the residue levels of the pesticides in cucumbers. As a result, non-fermentative pickling in sodium chloride and acetic acid was the most effective way to reduce the mancozeb and carbaryl residues of the cucumbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolation and identification of some potent anti-tumor compounds from medicinal plants has motivated researchers to screen different parts of plant species for the determination of anti-tumor effects. In this study, cytotoxic effects and IC50 of specific concentrations of hydro-alcoholic extracts of fruits of Juniperus sabina and leaves of Zataria multiflora were compared with hydro-alcoholic extract of bark of Taxus baccata and Cisplatin, well-known anticancer compounds, on normal (CHO and rat fibroblast) and cancer (HepG2 and SKOV3) cell lines. The hydro-alcoholic extracts of the plants were prepared by percolation. The cytotoxic effects and IC50 of the extracts on the cell lines were studied followed by colonogenic assay after 72 h incubation. The results showed that the extract of Juniperus sabina possesses lower IC50 in comparison with Zataria multiflora extract on all 4 normal and cancer cell lines (P<0.05); but, IC50 of the Juniperus sabina extract was significantly higher than the Taxus baccata extract and Cisplatin on all 4 normal and cancer cell lines (P<0.05). As a result, it is concluded that the extract of J. sabina has almost similar cytotoxicity with the extract of Taxus baccata on cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution is a global problem with heavy metals being prominent pollutants. Industrialization has led to increased emissions of pollutants into ecosystems. Gorgan coast is one of the most important coasts at the eastern south of the Caspian Sea. In this investigation, the accumulation of four heavy metals; zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in water collected from 10 stations at a half surface, bottom and median depth of water along Gorgan coast, Caspian Sea (Iran) were examined at three specific times and analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results showed that Pb was the highest concentrated heavy metal in sampled waters; Pb content in water sampled from Gomishan wetland and Eastern beach (Abu-Hasani station) was 160.26 ppm and 164.84 ppm. However, the observed heavy metal concentrations in water were below the recommended threshold limits. Data indicate that industrial and environmental pollution affects the ecosystem and food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are used worldwide for the treatment of diseases, and novel drugs continue to be developed through research from plants. There are more than 20,000 species of plants used in traditional medicines, and these are all potential reservoirs for new drugs. Cucurbitapepo has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat cold and alleviate ache. Previous pharmacological tests have shown that it possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Also, Solanum nigrum has been used as a diuretic and an antipyretic agent and it has also been used to cure inflammation, edema, mastitis and hepatic cancer. In this investigation, cytotoxicity of specific concentrations of hydro-alcoholic extracts of C. pepo and S. nigrum was studied on normal [Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO) and rat fibroblast] and cancer (HepG2 and CT26) cell lines. The cytotoxic effects and IC(50) of the extracts on the selected cell lines were studied followed by colonogenic assay method. The results showed that IC(50) of S. nigrum extract was significantly lower than that of the C. pepo extract on all four cell lines (P < 0.05). On the other hand, IC(50) of S. nigrum extract was significantly higher than the extract of Taxus baccata and Cisplatin, herbal and chemical control positive anticancer compounds, respectively, on all four cell lines (P < 0.05). As a result, it is concluded that the extract of S. nigrum has almost similar cytotoxicity to the extract of T. baccata on cancer cells.

In this study, the concentrations of lindane residues (organochlorine pesticides) were analyzed in samples of cultivated cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) and four species of most consumed fish (Sefid, Koli, Kilca and Kafal fish). Samples of cucumber were collected from five sites in Sari city (north, south, east, west and central areas) and samples of fish were caught using electric fishing from four major fishing centers (Chalous and Babolsar cities, Khazar Abad and Miankaleh regions) in Mazandaran province of Iran. Quantitative determination of the lindane content was performed by gas chromatography electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The results showed that the concentration of lindane in cucumber samples and in the dorsal muscle of the selected fish were less than the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) recommended intake.

The importance of trace elements in chronic inflammatory diseases is related to their cofactor role in immune system functions and in different metabolic processes in articular tissues. The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of Cu, Zn and Zn/Cu ratio in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients with healthy volunteers in Sari Rheumatology clinic, 2007. Zn and Cu plasma concentrations were assayed using atomic absorption spectrophotometery in 40 selected RA patients sera based on sex and age compared with healthy volunteers. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 10 software using independent sample t-test. Zn plasma content in patient group was significantly lower (p = 0.02) than that in healthy group. Also, Cu plasma content showed no differences in comparison with healthy group (p = 0.15). Results showed no correlation between Cu and Zn plasma concentrations in patient group (p = 0.946). In contrast, significant positive correlation was found between Zn and Zn/Cu ratio (p = 0.000); but decreased Zn/Cu ratio was more influenced by diminished Zn concentration. The study showed that spreading of RA in Iranian Society is related to age, sex, career and nutrition of the patients. However, consumption of Zn and Cu supplements in RA patients may be suggested by future investigations.