Hesperidin is a flavonoid glycoside with proven therapeutic activities for various diseases, including cancer. However, its poor solubility and bioavailability render it only slightly absorbed, requiring a delivery system to reach its therapeutic target. Hesperidin loaded on gold nanoparticles (Hsp-AuNPs) was prepared by a chemical synthesis method. Various characterization techniques such as UV-VIS spectroscopy, ftiR, XRD, feSeM, teM and eDX, Zeta potential analysis, particle size analysis, were used to confirm the synthesis of Hsp-AuNPs. The cytotoxic effect of Hsp-AuNPs on human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) was assessed using MTT and crystal violet assays. The results revealed significant decrease in proliferation and inhibition of growth of the treated cells when compared with human normal breast epithelial cell line (HBL-100). Determination of apoptosis by fluorescence microscope was also performed using acridine orange-propidium iodide dual staining assay. The in vivo study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of Hsp-AuNPs in mice. The levels of hepatic and kidney functionality markers were assessed. No significant statistical differences were found for the tested indicators. Histological images of liver, spleen, lung and kidney showed no apparent damages and histopathological abnormalities after treatment with Hsp-AuNPs. Hsp-AuNPs ameliorated the functional activity of macrophages against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells-bearing mice. The production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines was also assessed in bone marrow-derived macrophage cells treated with Hsp-AuNPs. The results obviously demonstrated that Hsp-AuNPs treatment significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF. The burden caused by cancer to the global public health has been markedly increasing, as evidenced by an estimate of 9.6 million mortalities in 2018 (around one sixth of the overall worldwide mortalities), around 70% of which being recorded in nations with low to middle income 1,2. The most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in females is breast cancer, being the reason for more than one tenth of annual newly diagnosed cases and the second cause of mortality. In Iraq, breast cancer occupies the second rank, following cardiovascular diseases, as a major cause of mortality (23% of cancer-related deaths in women) 3. Direct administration of the available chemical drugs is generally problematic, while these chemicals often exert toxicity and unwanted side effects to the patient's

Thidiazuron (TDZ) is a proven effective and potent synthetic plant growth regulator for organogenic, regeneration, and developmental pathways, including axillary and adventitious shoot proliferation, somatic embryogenesis, and in vitro flowering. TDZ has facilitated the establishment of in vitro cultures for several plant species, especially woody and recalcitrant plants, which has enabled their genetic transformation and improvement. Despite the effectiveness and advantages of using TDZ, several drawbacks are associated with its application in plant tissue culture. This review addresses the morphological, physiological, and cytogenetic abnormalities associated with the use of TDZ in vitro, and provides a summary of these abnormalities in several plant species.

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BackgroundThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to rise alarmingly despite years of intensive research. The need to explore alternative remedies such as traditional phytotherapy has therefore become increasingly important in the management and treatment of DM.MethodsDiabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg.b.w) in male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: non-diabetic control fed distilled water, diabetic control fed distilled water, diabetic group treated with Tulbaghia violacea (TVL) (60 mg/kg.b.w), diabetic group treated with TVL (120 mg/kg.b.w), and diabetic group treated with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg.b.w). Food and water intake, as well as urine output were measured daily, whilst body weight and fasting blood glucose were monitored weekly. On day 42, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed on all groups. After 7 weeks, the animals were sacrificed by halothane overdose, blood was removed by cardiac puncture and tissues were harvested. Assays were performed for the determination of plasma insulin, liver glycogen content, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme levels, plasma nitric oxide levels and serum lipid and liver enzyme levels.Results and DiscussionTVL treatment improved body weights, significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance and significantly increased plasma insulin and liver glycogen content. TVL treatment also reduced liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, increased liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and increased plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels. Furthermore, TVL administration reduced serum triglycerides, VLDL, total-cholesterol levels and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. TVL also reduced serum levels of liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).ConclusionData obtained in this study demonstrated the hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of TVL in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The leaves of Withania somnifera contained four morphologically distinct trichome types: glandular capitate, non-glandular dendritic (branched), non-glandular bicellular and non-glandular multicellular trichomes. Major phytochemical compounds present within glandular and non-glandular trichomes were alkaloids and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to characterize the micromorphology of the foliar trichomes of Withania somnifera as well as to elucidate the location and composition of the secretory products. Trichome density and length was also determined in three developmental stages of the leaves. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of four morphologically distinct trichome types: glandular capitate, non-glandular dendritic, non-glandular bicellular and non-glandular multicellular. The dendritic trichomes exhibited cuticular warts which are involved in the "Lotus-Effect". Glandular capitate and non-glandular dendritic trichomes were aggregated on the mid-vein of young and mature leaves, possibly to protect underlying vasculature. Histochemical staining also revealed the presence of two major classes of phytochemical compounds that are of medicinal importance, i.e. alkaloids and phenolic compounds. These compounds are used to treat a wide variety of ailments and also act as chemical deterrents in plants. The results of this study explain possible roles of four morphologically distinct trichome types based on their morphology, foliar distribution and content.

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