In the present study, phytochemical investigation of the young leaves of Eremurus spectabilis let to the isolation six compounds (1-6). Their structure was determined by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the literature data. All compounds were isolated for the first time from E. spectabilis. Isolated compounds and prepared extracts did not show cytotoxic activity against HeLa (Human cervix adenocarcinoma), A-549 (Human alveolar adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (Human breast adenocarcinoma), mPANC96 (Human pancreas adenocarcinoma), U87MG (Glioblastoma), PC3 (Prostate), CaCo-2 (Colon), HEK293 (Human embryonic kidney cells) cell lines. RAW 264.7 (murine macrophage cell lines) was used to determine the inhibition levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).The hexane extract was found to be active in terms of inhibition of iNOS (IC: 25 μg/ml).

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) inhibitory, and antioxidant activity in order to assess the traditional usage of Liquidambar orientalis Mill resin extract.Methods: Different solvent extracts of Liquidambar orientalis Mill resin were prepared. The cytotoxicity of extracts was determined using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)- 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide) assay. HeLa (Human cervix adenocarcinoma), A-549 (Human alveolar adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (Human breast adenocarcinoma), CaCo-2 (Human colon colorectal adenocarcinoma), mPANC96 (Human pancreas adenocarcinoma), PC-3 (Human prostate adenocarcinoma), U87MG (Human glioblastoma- astrocytoma) and as a normal cell line HEK293 (Human embryonic kidney cells) and Vero (African green monkey kidney epithelial cells) were used for testing cytotoxicity. RAW 264.7 (murine macrophage cell lines) was used to determine the inhibition levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). HL-60 (human acute myeloid leukemia) was used to determine antioxidant activity as DCF production per cent.Results: Hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water extracts were prepared, and their iNOS inhibitory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity were investigated. The estimated IC50 values of extracts varied from 6.68 to 48.90 μg/ ml after treatment with different doses of extracts for 48 h. Inhibition of the hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and water extracts on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage were showed that the all extracts inhibited NO production in activated RAW 264.7 cells, except methanol extract. Hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts inhibited NO production with ICConclusion: This study is the first report showing the potential of Liquidambar orientalis Mill resin extracts for cytotoxicity, iNOS inhibition and the antioxidant activity as an alternative therapeutic approach for traditional uses. The results demonstrated that Liquidambar orientalis dichloromethane resin extracts showed strongest cytotoxic effect while all extracts except methanolic extracts exhibited moderate iNOS inhibition. All extracts other than hexane have a potent antioxidant effect in the cellular-based assay. In conclusion, further studies should focus on the purification of the active components of this extracts and to investigate the possible mode of action to obtain a better understanding of their potential use as cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents.

The purpose of this study was to develop a scale for determining parents' views about science and preschool science activities. The group of this study consisted of parents (N=100) of 100 children studying at the kindergartens of 3 primary schools and 1 private preschool located in Giresun at 2014-2015 school year. The Parents' Views about Science and Preschool Science Activities Scale (PaVSPeSAS); is a quintet Likert type scale composed of 50 items and five sub-factors. Experts' views were consulted for the content validity of scale. In order to determine psychometric properties of scale, item analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were carried out with data collected from the research. In accordance with results related to CFA and item analysis, 58 items were excluded from scale, and the scale took its final form with 50 items. Results of the CFA and item analysis were revealed that within the scope of five-factor structure, construct validity was high for target characteristics to be measured. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was calculated as .935. Also Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of factors of the scale varied between .734 and .913. In this context, it could be acceptable that scale was reliability.