A new flax dressing product was developed based on three components (fibers, oil emulsion, and seedcake extract) from genetically engineered flax plants that were obtained by plant transformation using three genes controlling the synthesis of antioxidative compounds from the phenylpropanoid pathway. Simultaneous flax explant transformation with three genes coding for chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, and dihydroflavonol reductase resulted in an accumulation of phenolic acids in the fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids in the oil, and lignans in the seedcake. The fibers, oil, and seedcake from transgenic flax contained a broad spectrum of antioxidative compounds. They were tested for cytotoxicity, and none were found to have a negative effect on the growth and morphology of Balb/3T3 cells. In this preliminary report, we present pilot data on the effects of using linen dressing treatment on its own or in combination with oil emulsion and/or seedcake extract on chronic wound healing. After a 12-week study, we concluded that an application of a modified flax-dressing (linen) bandage might yield a more rapid rate of healing and reduce the wound exudes and wound size. In several cases, wound healing was completed during the period of investigation. Interestingly and importantly, the patients reported that the new bandage made from modified flax diminished the pain accompanying chronic venous ulceration. Further study is required to determine any definitive effects of flax bandage on wound healing. This is the first pilot study report suggesting the benefits of a flax-based dressing on wound healing.
response element-binding; DEG -differentially expressed genes; DFR -dihydroflavonol reductase; DMEM -Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium; EDTAethylenediaminetetraacetate; GAPDH -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GC-MS -gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; GPP -geranyl pyrophosphate; HPLC -high-performance liquid chromatography; IL1β -interleukin 1β; IL6 -interleukin 6; IL8 -interleukin 8; IFN-γ -interferon γ; IPP -isopentenyl diphosphate; LPS -lipopolysacharide; MCP-1 -monocyte chemotactic protein 1; NFκB -nuclear factor κB; NHDF -normal human dermal fibroblasts; OLA -olivetolic acid; PBSphosphate buffered saline; PKA -protein kinase A; PUFA -polyunsaturated fatty acids; RQ -relative quantification; RT PCR -real-time polymerase chain reaction; SD -standard deviation; SDGsecoisolariciresinol diglucoside; SE -standard error; SOCS-1 -suppressor of cytokine signaling 1; TFA -trifluoroacetic acid; THC -tetrahydrocannabinol; THCA -Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid; TLR4 -Toll-like receptor 4; TNF-α -tumor necrosis factor α; TNFR -TNF receptor; UPLC -ultra performance liquid chromatography Abstract: Flax is a valuable source of fibers, linseed and oil. The compounds of the latter two products have already been widely examined and have been proven to possess many health-beneficial properties. In the course of analysis of fibers extract from previously generated transgenic plants overproducing phenylpropanoids a new terpenoid compound was discovered. The UV spectra and the retention time in UPLC analysis of this new compound reveal similarity to a cannabinoid-like compound, probably cannabidiol (CBD). This was confirmed by finding two ions at m/z 174.1 and 231.2 in mass spectra analysis. Further confirmation of the nature of the compound was based on a biological activity assay. It was found that the compound affects the expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes in mouse and human fibroblasts and likely the CBD from Cannabis sativa activates the specific peripheral cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) gene expression. Besides fibers, the compound was also found in all other flax tissues. It should be pointed out that the industrial process of fabric production does not affect CBD activity. The presented data suggest for the first time that flax products can be a source of biologically active cannabinoid-like compounds that are able to influence the cell immunological response. These findings might open up many new applications for medical flax products, especially for the fabric as a material for wound dressing with anti-inflammatory properties.
The anti-apoptotic protein survivin is one of the most promising cancer biomarkers owing to its high expression in human cancers and rare occurrence in normal adult tissues. In this work, we have investigated the role of supramolecular interactions between a graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet nanocarrier and a survivin molecular beacon (SurMB), functionalized by attaching fluorophore Joe and quencher Dabcyl (SurMB-Joe). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed hydrogen bonding of Joe moiety and Dabcyl to GO carriers that considerably increase the SurMB-GO bonding strength. This was confirmed in experimental work by the reduced fluorescence background in the OFF state, thereby increasing the useful analytical signal range for mRNA detection. A new mechanism of hairpin–hairpin interaction of GO@SurMB with target oligonucleotides has been proposed. A low limit of detection, LOD = 16 nM (S/N = 3), has been achieved for complementary tDNA using GO@SurMB-Joe nanocarriers. We have demonstrated an efficient internalization of SurMB-Joe-loaded GO nanocarriers in malignant SW480 cells. The proposed tunability of the bonding strength in the attached motifs for MBs immobilized on nanocarriers, via structural modifications, should be useful in gene delivery systems to enhance the efficacy of gene retention, cell transfection and genomic material survivability in the cellular environment.
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