Improvement of Cell Proliferation and Antioxidant Activity of Silymarin in Hair Follicles Dermal Papillae Isolated from the Human Scalp: Comparison with Vitamin C Effects.

Introduction: Nowadays, hair loss is becoming a major problem for a large number of people. The main factors affecting hair growth include racial, gender, genetics, and hormonal. Furthermore, environment, physiology, and nutrition are the tools that are affecting hair growth.

Glutathione-related inflammatory signature in hepatocytes differentiated from the progenitor mesenchymal stem cells.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a glutathione inducer is known for its anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory conditions. The aim of the present study was to know if supplementation of the culture medium with can improve anti-inflammatory activities of hepatocytes during their differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). For this, hepatic differentiation of MSCs was performed in culture medium supplemented with NAC and selected pro- and anti-inflammatory factors were monitored for two weeks.

Stem Cells as a Target for the Delivery of Active Molecules to Skin by Topical Administration.

Cutaneous stem cells, gained great attention in the field of regenerative medicine as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of skin and hair disorders and various types of skin cancers. Cutaneous stem cells play a key role in several processes like the renovation of skin structures in the condition of homeostasis and after injuries, the hair follicle growth and the reconstruction and production of melanocytes. Thus, gaining effective access to skin stem cells for therapeutic interventions that often involve active molecules with non-favorable characteristics for skin absorption is a valuable achievement.

Iranian Medicinal Plants: From Ethnomedicine to Actual Studies.

Iran has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, consisting of a complex traditional medicine deeply rooted in the history of the territory that goes back to the Assyrian and Babylonian civilizations. The ethnomedical practices that can be identifiable nowadays derive from the experience of local people who have developed remedies against a wide range of diseases handing down the knowledge from generation to generation over the millennia. Traditional medicine practices represent an important source of inspiration in the process of the development of new drugs and therapeutic strategies.

Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Combination with Essential Oil and Methanol Extract.

Background: Against a variety of antimicrobial resistant pathogens, the scientists attempted substitution of antimicrobial medicine with various nanoparticles and plant-based antibacterial substances.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles solely and in combination with essential oil and methanolic extract on some photogenic bacteria.

Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) of plant essential oil, methanolic extract, and silver nanoparticles against bacteria were evaluated using the broth microdilution method and check board microtiter assays.

The effect of silymarin (Silybum marianum) on human skin fibroblasts in an in vitro wound healing model.

Context: Silymarin, a flavonolignan from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae), has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Immunoregulatory effects of glutathione during mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to hepatocyte-like cells.

Background: The role of mesenchymal stem cell in cellular therapy is the subject of interest for many researchers. The differentiation potential of MSCs and abilities in modulations of the recipient's immune system makes them important cells in tissue regenerative studies. MSCs by releasing the proinflammatory cytokines play important role in immunomodulatory systems; however the signaling pathways for releasing of these mediators are not well understood.

Modulating effect of Allium cepa on kidney apoptosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii.

Purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects a broad range of warm blooded animals as well as humans. The present study was investigated to evaluate the effects of allium cepa on renal failur in male rats which experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, RH strain.

Methods: Wistar male rat (n=40) were allocated into four groups, group one that received tachyzoites of T.

Lack of Association between Interleukin 12 C(-1188)A Polymorphism and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. This study was performed to investigate the important role of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in intestinal inflammation. For this study seventy one patients with IBS and 140 controls were investigated.

A comparison of DNA damage induced by aflatoxin B1 in hepatocyte-like cells, their progenitor mesenchymal stem cells and CD34(+) cells isolated from umbilical cord blood.

This study compared the sensitivity of differentiated hepatocyte-like cells, their progenitor mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and CD34(+) stem cells to DNA damage and toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The hepatocyte-like cells and their progenitor cells (isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB)) were each treated with AFB1 on day 15 of differentiation. Cell toxicity and genotoxicity effects were assessed using MTT and alkaline comet assays.

T-helper 1, T-helper 2, and T-regulatory cytokines gene polymorphisms in irritable bowel syndrome.

Inflammation and mucosal immune system activation have an important role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), whereas genetic factors can control some immunological mediators. In this study, a number of polymorphic genes coding for T-helper 1, T-helper 2, and T-regulatory cytokines were genotyped in 71 patients with IBS, and the results were compared with controls. IL-4 CC genotype at position -590, IL-4 TT genotype at position -33, and IL-10 GA genotype at position -1082 were significantly overrepresented in the patients with IBS in comparison with controls (P < 0.

Proinflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms in irritable bowel syndrome.

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial functional gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Proinflammatory cytokines can play an important role in intestinal inflammation, while their production is under genetic control.

Methods: This study was performed in a group of patients with IBS to analyze the genotype frequencies of a number polymorphic genes coding for proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6 (IL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-1 group).