Thymoquinone is the main active constituent of Nigella sativa seeds with antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. In the present study, primary dopaminergic cultures from mouse mesencephala were used to investigate the neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone against MPP(+) and rotenone toxicities. MPP(+) (10 microm on day 10 in vitro (i.v.) for 48 h) significantly decreased the number of THir by 40% compared with untreated control cultures. Rotenone at both short (20 nm on day 10 i.v. for 48 h) and long-term (1 nm on day 6 i.v. for 6 consecutive days) toxicities reduced the number of THir neurons by 33% and 24%, respectively. Treatment of cultures with thymoquinone (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 microm on day 8 i.v. for 4 days) rescued about 25% of THir neurons at concentrations of 0.1 microm and 1 microm against MPP(+)-induced cell death. Against rotenone, thymoquinone afforded significant protection in both short- and long-term models. In short-term rotenone toxicity, thymoquinone (from days 8-12 i.v.) saved about 65%, 74% and 79% of THir neurons at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 microm, respectively, compared with cell loss induced by rotenone. In long-term rotenone toxicity, concomitant treatment of cultures with thymoquinone significantly rescued about 83-100% of THir neurons compared with rotenone-treated cultures. In conclusion, the current study presents for the first time the potential of thymoquinone to protect primary dopaminergic neurons against MPP(+) and rotenone relevant to Parkinson's disease.

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One of the major physiological disorders for pomegranate cultivation is the excessive of fruit cracking. lately, a pomegranate physiological syndrome called 'aril paleness' in which a part or all of the arils appear discoloration, affect the quality of fruit and such fruits are not desired for consumer. The present research designed to evaluate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ), humic acid (HA) and potassium (K) on reducing these disorders and improving fruit quality. Seven treatments including MJ (5 and 10 ppm), HA (50 and 100 ppm), Liquid K (1 and 2%) and control, were tested on pomegranate trees spraying three times, at the beginning of flowering (during April), after full bloom (end of June) and before harvesting (mid-September), during the two seasons of study. Different parameters including yield, fruit cracking and fruit quality were measured. The obtained results indicated that spraying HA at 100 ppm and MJ at 10 ppm are considered the best in their effects on the yield components, fruit quality and anthocyanin content, however for decreasing the fruit cracking, it could be recommended to spray the fruits with K at 1% or MJ 10 ppm compared to the rest of the treatments.