Identification and validation of Asteraceae miRNAs by the expressed sequence tag analysis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a vital role in the regulation of gene expression. Despite their identification in hundreds of plant species, few miRNAs have been identified in the Asteraceae, a large family that comprises approximately one tenth of all flowering plants. In this study, we used the expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis to identify potential conserved miRNAs and their putative target genes in the Asteraceae.

Vaccinium arctostaphylos, a common herbal medicine in Iran: molecular and biochemical study of its antidiabetic effects on alloxan-diabetic Wistar rats.

Aim Of The Study: The purpose of this study was to define antidiabetic effects of fruit of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. (Ericaceae) which is traditionally used in Iran for improving of health status of diabetic patients.

Materials And Methods: Firstly, we examined the effect of ethanolic extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos fruit on postprandial blood glucose (PBG) after 1, 3, 5, 8, and 24h following a single dose administration of the extract to alloxan-diabetic male Wistar rats.