Islamic Azad University of Shahreza

Momordica charantia L. ( M. charantia L. ) is a widely cultivated crop with significant potential for non-food industrial applications. This study aimed to develop a plant-based antibacterial ingredient from its fruit targeting Cutibacterium acnes , a key pathogen in acne vulgaris. Bioassay-guided fractionation via liquid-liquid extraction and column chromatography yielded a bioactive subfraction, EAEMS (Fr 7.4), which showed potent anti- C. acnes activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.25 mg/mL. UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and molecular networking analysis revealed a complex chemical profile rich in triterpenoids, steroids, and glycosides. In vitro and in silico studies on antibacterial mechanisms demonstrated that EAEMS alters bacterial growth kinetics, inhibits biofilm formation, disrupts cell wall and membrane integrity, and interferes with metabolic activity. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed that EAEMS is non-toxic to mammalian cells at 4 × MIC. Among 125 putative compounds, 15 were selected based on drug-likeness and toxicity prediction, with three exhibiting strong binding affinities to key bacterial targets in molecular docking. The absence of cytotoxicity combined with its multi-mechanism anti- C. acnes efficacy positions EAEMS as a promising candidate for developing plant-based anti-acne ingredients, supporting the high-value, non-food utilization of this industrial crop. • EAEMS fraction from Momordica charantia L. fruit exhibits potent anti-C. acnes activity. • Chemical characterization reveals triterpenoids and steroids as main constituents. • Multi-mechanism action disrupts membrane integrity, biofilm formation, and energy metabolism. • Three promising antibacterial candidates identified through in silico screening.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer that poses significant treatment challenges with conventional therapies. Innovative therapeutic approaches, including the use of phytochemicals and nanoparticles, are being explored to enhance treatment efficacy. This study investigates the potential of PEGylated niosomes to enhance the antitumor effects of Silibinin and Curcumin against TNBC. PEGylated niosomes were synthesized using the thin-film hydration technique. Their size, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characteristics, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release profiles, MTT, and apoptosis testmtt were subsequently evaluated. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the interactions between Curcumin, Silibinin, and key proteins involved in breast cancer. The synthesized niosomes demonstrated a consistent release pattern over 72h, achieving a high encapsulation efficiency of 90% for Silibinin and 87% for Curcumin. The niosomes exhibited a uniform size distribution with an average diameter of 50nm. Bioinformatics analysis using STITCH, UniProt, and Cytoscape revealed that Curcumin and Silibinin interact with critical proteins associated with breast cancer, such as EGFR, STAT3, and TP53, which influence pathways related to cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. In vitro tests on MDA-MB-231 cells indicated that dual-drug niosomes significantly reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited cell proliferation compared to single-drug niosomes and free drugs. The findings suggest that PEGylated niosomes encapsulating Silibinin and Curcumin may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating TNBC, as they target multiple cellular pathways and enhance drug delivery.

ABSTRACTThere is a significant concern regarding the extended presence of antibiotics in the environment, as they may negatively impact ecological systems and human health. Antibiotics, unlike many other pollutants, are designed to be stable and effective in the human body. However, it is essential to note that this advantageous characteristic can contribute to their prolonged existence and resistance to environmental breakdown. ZIF‐67 and BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3 nanomaterials are used in this investigation. A double Z‐scheme nano‐heterojunction BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3/ZIF‐67 (BTZ/ZIF‐67) nanocomposite was designed for the improvement of photocatalytic degradation efficiency of tetracycline (TC). Material synthesis was carried out by the one‐step coprecipitation method. Using scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the nanophotocatalyst and the formation of heterojunctions on the nanocomposite. Under light irradiation, the nanocomposite with a mass ratio of (30%wt) of BTZ/ZIF‐67 showed the best photodegradation efficiency. The best results were obtained at 0.8 g L−1 of the catalyst, CTC: 30 mg L−1, a pH of 5, and 180 min of illumination. Several scavenging agents were studied for their effects on TC photodegradation, and it was determined that photogenerated electrons, superoxide radicals, OH radicals, and photogenerated holes play an important role. Accordingly, the Z‐scheme mechanism was proposed to illustrate the charge carriers' transfer during the TC photodegradation process. According to the kinetic study, the photodegradation of TC molecules had an apparent rate constant of 0.0116 min−1, corresponding to a t1/2 value of 59.7 min. A COD has been conducted to determine the details of TC's mineralization. The Hinshelwood model applied to COD results for photodegraded TC showed that TC mineralization occurs at a rate constant of 0.020 min−1, equivalent to 34.6 min in t1/2.

Wound care is a multifaceted and collaborative process, and chronic wounds can have significant repercussions on a patient's well-being and impose a financial burden on the healthcare industry. While traditional wound dressings can effectively facilitate healing, their limitations in addressing the intricacies of the wound healing process remain a formidable obstacle. Smart wound dressings have emerged as a promising solution to tackle this challenge, offering numerous advantages over conventional dressings, such as real-time monitoring of wound healing and enhanced wound care management. These advanced medical dressings incorporate microelectronic sensors that can monitor the wound environment and provide timely interventions for accelerated and comprehensive healing. Furthermore, advancements in drug delivery systems have enabled real-time monitoring, targeted therapy, and controlled release of medications. Smart wound dressings exhibit versatility, as they are available in various forms and can be utilised for treating different types of acute or chronic wounds. Ultimately, the development of innovative wound care technologies and treatments plays a vital role in addressing the complexities presented by wounds and enhancing patients' quality of life. This review sheds light on the diverse types of smart dressings and their distinctive features, emphasising their potential in advancing the field of wound care.

Targeted delivery of anticancer drugs holds great promise for enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. The folate receptor (FR)-mediated approach offers a selective strategy to target cancer cells overexpressing FR. Bleomycin, an established antitumor antibiotic, suffers from limited efficacy due to poor diffusion into tumor cells. This study examined the anti-cancer potential of folate-targeted liposomal Bleomycin (FL-BLEOMYCIN) in comparison to non-targeted L-BLEOMYCIN on oral cavity cancer (CAL27). The study also investigated FL-Bleomycin's capacity to halt the cell cycle in the G2/M phase using flow cytometry. FL-Bleomycin was produced using thin-layer hydration, followed by incorporation of folic acid into nanoliposomes. To evaluate the release profile, drug release tests were carried out. Cytotoxicity of FL-Bleomycin, L-Bleomycin, and traditional Bleomycin was evaluated using cell viability assays. The cell cycle arrest caused by FL-Bleomycin was examined using flow cytometry. Finally, FL-Bleomycin uptake studies were performed to assess the internalization of FL-Bleomycin by CAL27 cells. Compared to L-Bleomycin and traditional Bleomycin, FL-Bleomycin showed noticeably more cytotoxicity against CAL 27 cells. The effective arrest of CAL 27 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle by FL-Bleomycin was verified by flow cytometry. Uptake studies revealed increased internalization of FL-Bleomycin by CAL 27 cells compared to standard formulations. Drug release studies showed a consistent, non-explosive release profile. Cells treated with these nanoliposomes, compared to control groups, exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in the intensity of the 170-kDa EGF-R band as observed by Western blot analysis. The findings suggest that FL-Bleomycin is a potential method for delivering drugs precisely in tumors expressing folic acid receptors. Its potential for successful cancer treatment is shown by its higher internalization, improved cytotoxicity, and cell cycle prevention in CAL 27 cells. To find out how effective FL-Bleomycin is in vivo and whether it may be used to treat other FR-expressing tumors, more research is necessary.

Despite substantial progress in road safety, road traffic fatalities (RTFs) continue to be a persistent issue in Australia. This study aims to forecast RTFs trends up to 2050 by analyzing factors such as geographic location, age, gender, speed limits, and time of occurrence. Utilizing historical data from 1989 to 2024, fatalities were categorized by road user type, demographics, and day of the week. The Facebook Prophet time series model, incorporating categorical variables like region, age, and speed limits, was employed to predict future trends. The analysis reveals significant regional disparities in fatality reduction rates, with some areas lagging others. Gender-specific forecasts indicate a sharper decline in male fatalities compared to females, while projections highlight persistent risks for older drivers. Additionally, highways with higher speed limits are expected to see a substantial decrease in fatalities. These insights emphasize the need for targeted interventions in areas with slower reductions and high-risk demographic groups, aiding policymakers in refining safety measures, enforcing speed limits, and enhancing public awareness campaigns.

Currently, the majority of installed renewable energy systems operate in their maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mode to optimize power output. Therefore, the output power generated by these resources is fluctuating. When the producing capacity of renewable energy resources increases, the output power fluctuation influence on the power system stability becomes more significant. In this situation, employment of energy storage resources like batteries, despite their high cost, is inevitable in mitigation of power fluctuations. Electric vehicle parkings, as one of the smart grid components, can contribute to enhance the integration of renewable energy resources with centralized power systems. These electric vehicle parkings can optimize the cost of batteries required in the distribution network. Modeling of electric vehicle parkings is a very important issue in smoothing the power fluctuation of renewable energy resources. In this paper, existing methods for electric vehicle parking modeling are reviewed and then a behavioral model is proposed. As a case study, all the vehicle parkings in Tehran city are studied and thus, the extracted pattern is based on real statistic data. The proposed model demonstrates that the capacity of electric vehicle parkings is variable and depends on different factors. Therefore, two daily and weekly patterns are presented for this model. The proposed behavioral model in this paper can be used in the studies of power fluctuation smoothing in renewable energy resources for modeling and simulation of electric vehicle parkings.