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Background and Objective: The anthracyclin drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is one of the most effective antineoplastic agents, and widely used to treat a number of malignancies. However, its use has been restricted due to the dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. The mechanisms of Doxorubicin - induced cardiotoxicity is not entirely clear. This study investigates the effect of Doxorubicin on Bcl2 and Bax genes expression as key molecules that involve in intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rat heart. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study Doxorubicin administration, male Wistar rats were exposed to intraperitoneal injections (2.5 mg/kg, six times for 2 weeks, n=20). Animals were randomly assigned to the healthy untreated control (n=10) and to the Doxorubicin treatment groups (n=10). Three weeks after completion of treatment myocardial fibrosis, Bcl2 and Bax genes expression were investigated by Masson’s trichrome staining and Real Time- PCR analysis respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS-16 and independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney and Kaplan-Meyer method. Results: Masson’s trichrome staining showed that Doxorubicin increased fibrosis in the cardiac muscle (16.4±1) in compare to control group (1±0.79). Real Time- PCR analysis showed that Doxorubicin decreased Bcl2 expression levels (0.1±0.07) and increased Bax expression levels (2.1±0.1) in the myocardium in compare to control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that administration of Doxorubicin increase interstitial fibrosis of myocardium and Bax expression levels and decrease Bcl2 expression that are the key genes of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway.

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Neurodegenerative diseases cause a range of neurological disorders in the central nervous system. Todays researchers emphasize the pivotal role of apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. Given that injured central nervous system has limited regenerative capacity, it is of extreme importance to limit the damage by inhibition of neuronal death. During the past decade, considerable progress has been made in understanding the process of apoptosis at molecular level. Also, according to the understanding of the mechanisms of apoptosis, several studies have examined the possible effects of neuroprotective compounds for reducing or inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. In this review article, it has been attempt to review the role of apoptosis in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Also, an overview has been made in the field of neuronal apoptosis inhibitor with neuroprotective compounds in human and experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases.

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Background and Objective: Neural stem cells can difrentiate to mature neural cells. Neural stem cells can migrate and repair the damage neural tissue. This study was done to determine the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Chamaemelum nobile on cell prolifration and apoptosis of rat hipocample neural stem cells in the oxitative stress condition. Methods: In this experimental study, neural stem cells were isolated from hippocampus of neonatal rat brain. Isolated neural stem cells were treated at 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 µg/ml of hydro-ethanolic extract of Chamaemelum nobile for 48h. Cells proliferation rate were evaluated by MTT assay. Anti-apoptotic property of hydro-ethanolic extract of Chamaemelum nobile evaluated using TUNEL assay method. Results: Proliferation of neural stem cells were significantly increased in Chamaemelum nobile extract group in comparision with control (P<0.05). The rate of apoptotic cells were significantly reduced in Chamaemelum nobile extract group compared to control (P<0.05). Conclusion: The hydrethanolic extract of Chamaemelum nobile increases proliferation rate and reduces apoptosis of neural stem cells in the oxitative stress condition.

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Background and Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic hepatic diseases which may be associated with cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to consider the effect of combined therapy with resveratrol supplementation and interval exercise training on heart cells apoptosis in rats with NAFLD using TUNEL assay.
Methods: This experimental study was done on 35 Wistar rats. Animals were randomly allocated into five groups including control (healthy) and four NAFLD groups, including patient, resveratrol, interval exercise, and resveratrol + interval exercise. A TUNEL assay kit was applied for the detection of apoptosis in heart tissue.
Results: The patient group had significantly higher percentage of heart apoptotic cells (24.38±0.69%) compared to the other groups (P<0.05), while the resveratrol + interval exercise (9.02±0.49%) and resveratrol (9.47±0.83%) groups showed significantly lower mean levels of heart apoptotic cells compared to the patient and interval exercise (P<0.05) groups. There was no significant difference in mean of apoptotic cells between resveratrol and resveratrol + interval exercise groups. The mean of apoptotic cells in interval exercise group was 11.39±0.28%.
Conclusion: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is considerably associated with heart cells apoptosis. Resveratrol supplementation especially combined with interval exercise significantly reduces apoptotic cells in heart tissue.

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Background and Objective: Chronic myeloid leukemia is one of the most well-known types of leukemia. Inflammation is one of the leading causes of cancer; therefore, anti-inflammatory agents are used for reducing and suppressing the growth of cancer cells. Dexamethasone, a cortisol agonist, has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and apoptotic effects. Diclofenac is a cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties. This study was performed to determine the synergistic effect of diclofenac and dexamethasone on the growth of K562 cancer cells.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, K562 cell line was cultured in RPMI-1640 medium enriched with glutamine, penicillin, and streptomycin. The cytotoxic effects of dexamethasone, diclofenac and their combination (multi-target tracking) were evaluated using MTT assay. Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis were carried out to evaluate the occurrence of apoptosis.
Results: Diclofenac, dexamethasone and their combination had cytotoxic effects on the cells at concentrations of 20, 40, 60, and 80 µmol/ml. A significant cytotoxic effect was observed after 72 hours of treatment with different concentrations of the drugs (P<0.05). Hoechst staining showed that DNA fragmentation was increased in the treated cells. DNA electrophoresis also showed induction of apoptosis by diclofenac, dexamethasone, and their combination.
Conclusion: The combination of diclofenac and dexamethasone at concentration of 20 µmol/ml is more effective in inducing apoptosis in K562 cells compared with each drug alone.

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Background and Objective: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Docetaxel (DTX) is proposed as a well-known compound for prostate tumor chemotherapy, and its function is based on inhibiting microtubule depolymerization, disrupting microtubule balance, and consequently delaying cell cycle progression. Complications of DTX include hypersensitivity reactions, red blood cell aggregation, neutropenia, neurological problems, such as paralysis, fluid retention, bronchospasm, refractory hypotension, ADRS, respiratory impairment, cardiac dysfunction, ventricular tachycardia, cystoid macular edema, optic nerve damage, conjunctivitis, and keratopathy. This study aimed to determine the effect of curcumin on DTX-induced apoptosis in the DU145 (prostate) cell line using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.
Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted on the DU145 (prostate) cell line, purchased from the National Genetic Resources Cell Bank, at the Cell Culture Laboratory of the F aculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Cells were passaged for exposure to the desired drugs. Groups included curcumin at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 µg/mL and DTX at a concentration of 4.46 µg/mL. Cells were incubated in triplicate for 24 hours. For the MTT assay, the culture rate was 10⁴ cells per well. Apoptosis testing was designed for four groups (DTX at a concentration of 4.46 µM, curcumin at a concentration of 2 µM combined with DTX at an optimal concentration, curcumin at a concentration of 10 µM combined with DTX at an optimal concentration, and curcumin at a concentration of 10 µM alone), with the culture rate of 5×10⁵ cells per well in 6-well plates. After cell exposure, MTT and apoptosis determination assays were performed.
Results: DTX reduced the viability of DU145 (prostate) cells by approximately 50% (P<0.05). Groups treated with curcumin combined with DTX showed a dose-dependent decrease in cytotoxicity and an increase in the viability of DU145 (prostate) cells (P<0.05). Additionally, curcumin was able to reduce apoptosis in DU145 (prostate) cells by 90%.
Conclusion: Curcumin increases cell viability and reduces apoptosis in DU145 (prostate) cells.