Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Liquiritin and Other Phenolics from and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Phenolic compounds are the main phytochemical constituents of many higher plants. They play an important role in synthesizing metal nanoparticles using green technology due to their ability to reduce metal salts and stabilize them through physical interaction/conjugation to the metal surface. Six pure phenolic compounds were isolated from licorice () and employed in synthesizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

The Stability and Anti-Angiogenic Properties of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiONPs) Using Caco-2 Cells.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) are found in a wide range of products such as sunscreen, paints, toothpaste and cosmetics due to their white pigment and high refractive index. These wide-ranging applications could result in direct or indirect exposure of these NPs to humans and the environment. Accordingly, conflicting levels of toxicity has been associated with these NPs.

The Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Biomarkers of Inflammation Produced by Lipopolysaccharide Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are common pollutants in the environment and can induce disruption of the endocrine and immune systems. The present study evaluated the effects of selected common environmental EDCs on secretion of inflammatory biomarkers by RAW264.7 cells.

The effects of silver nanoparticles on RAW 264.7. Macrophages and human whole blood cell cultures.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are commonly found in consumer products due to their antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the effects of AgNPs on the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 and human whole blood cell cultures (WBCs).

The effect of sugar cane molasses on the immune and male reproductive systems using and methods.

Objectives: Sugar cane molasses is a commonly used ingredient in several food products. Contrasting reports suggest that molasses may have potential adverse or beneficial effects on human health. However, little evidence exists that examines the effects of molasses on the different physiological systems.

Evaluation of cytotoxicity and inflammatory activity of wastewater collected from a textile factory before and after treatment by coagulation-flocculation methods.

Effective treatment of textile effluent prior to discharge is necessary in order to avert the associated adverse health impacts on human and aquatic life. In the present investigation, coagulation/flocculation processes were evaluated for the effectiveness of the individual treatment. Effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated based on the physicochemical characteristics.

The assessment of inflammatory activity and toxicity of treated sewage using RAW264.7 cells.

Toxicity and inflammatory activity of wastewater samples were evaluated using RAW264.7 cells as a bioassay model. The RAW264.

Ecotoxicity of silver nanomaterials in the aquatic environment: a review of literature and gaps in nano-toxicological research.

There has been extensive growth in nanoscale technology in the last few decades to such a degree that nanomaterials (NMs) have become a constituent in a wide range of commercial and domestic products. With NMs already in use in several consumer products, concerns have emerged regarding their potential adverse environmental impacts. Although research has been undertaken in order to minimise the gaps in our understanding of NMs in the environment, little is known about their bioavailability and toxicity in the aquatic environment.

The effectiveness of sewage treatment processes to remove faecal pathogens and antibiotic residues.

Pathogens and antibiotics enter the aquatic environment via sewage effluents and may pose a health risk to wild life and humans. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of faecal bacteria, and selected antibiotic residues in raw wastewater and treated sewage effluents from three different sewage treatment plants in the Western Cape, South Africa. Sewage treatment plant 1 and 2 use older technologies, while sewage treatment plant 3 has been upgraded and membrane technologies were incorporated in the treatment processes.

The implementation of a battery of in vivo and in vitro bioassays to assess river water for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Previous research has shown that accurate evaluation of environmental water samples for estrogenic activity requires a panel of in vitro and in vivo bioassays, which are based on different molecular and cellular action mechanisms. In the current study, a test battery containing four assays was used to analyze water from the Eerste River, South Africa for estrogenicity. Three sites were used for analysis, namely Jonkershoek (control site situated in the mountains at the origin of the Eerste River), sewage effluent from Stellenbosch sewage treatment works and Spier site (sampling site on the Eerste River downstream from Stellenbosch).

The effect of Tulbaghia violacea extracts on testosterone secretion by testicular cell cultures.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to determine the effect of Tulbaghia violacea Harv. on the male reproductive system in vitro by using testicular cell cultures. Tulbaghia violacea is a plant species indigenous to southern Africa and is used locally as a herbal remedy/medicine to treat several ailments.

The in vitro effects of Rooibos and Black tea on immune pathways.

The in vitro effects of Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos tea) and Camellia sinensis (Black tea) on biomarkers of specific immune pathways were determined using whole blood culture assays. Stimulated and unstimulated whole blood cultures were incubated with tea extracts. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to screen spent culture medium for Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10 and Interferon gamma as biomarkers for inflammation, humoral immunity, and cell mediated immunity, respectively.

The effects of Saccharum officinarium (sugar cane) molasses on cytokine secretion by human blood cultures.

This study investigated the effects of sugar cane molasses on the immune system, using cytokines as biomarkers. Whole blood cultures, stimulated in vitro with endotoxin or PHA, were incubated with various concentrations of molasses. No cell death occurred in whole blood cultures incubated with molasses samples.

In vitro interleukin-6 release in whole blood cultures in samples taken at rest from triathletes and professional rugby players.

The aim of this study was to investigate the endotoxin-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) release in whole blood cultures from samples taken at rest, 24 h post-exercise, from a control group of recreationally trained individuals (C), a group of highly trained triathletes (TA) and a group of highly trained professional rugby players (RP). Fifteen RP [mean (SD): age 26 (3) years, height 1.90 (0.