Acta Biochimica Iranica

In Commemoration of Professor Mohammad Taghikhani: Pioneer of Clinical Biochemistry in Iran

Reza Meshkani — 2025-03-20

Professor Mohammad Taghikhani, eminent professor of Clinical Biochemistry of Tarbiat Modares University, was born on October 29, 1949 in the city of Qazvin and passed away on Monday, April 10, 2018, in Tehran at the age of 69. Professor Taghikhani completed his education at Dar Al-Fonun High School and graduated in 1967. He then continued his education at the University of Tehran and received a bachelor degree in Laboratory Sciences in 1972. Professor Taghikhani went to the United States to continue his education and received his master’s degree in Clinical Biochemistry from Morgan University and his doctorate from the University of Miami in 1982. He also completed a fellowship in blood and hormones at Ohio University (Figs 1 and 2). Upon his return to Iran, Prof. Taghikhani played a pivotal role in advancing higher education, particularly at the postgraduate level. In 1983, he was appointed as the first faculty member of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Tarbiat Modares University. Over the following four decades, he remained actively engaged in various scientific, executive, and policymaking roles within the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology leaving a lasting impact through his numerous contributions.

The Significance of the Variable Region of the CD44 Antigen in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Elaheh Gheybi — 2025-03-28

In the field of cancer biology, elucidating the factors that promote cancer cell invasion and progression is crucial for the identification of novel therapeutic targets. CD44 has emerged as a vital biomarker with significant implications for innovative treatment modalities, particularly in immunotherapy. This receptor is predominantly expressed on cancer stem cells, which play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and contribute to therapeutic resistance. Elevated levels of CD44 are associated with aggressive cancer phenotypes, including enhanced metastatic potential and increased resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, targeting CD44 may enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments. Notably, CD44 exists in multiple isoforms, each exhibiting unique expression patterns across different tissues and types of cancer, highlighting the need for a refined approach to clinical targeting. The variations among these isoforms can influence tumor behavior and treatment responses, underscoring the importance of understanding these distinctions for the optimization of therapeutic strategies. This review aims to delineate key aspects of breast cancer, emphasize the significance of the CD44 biomarker, and explore the implications of its isoforms in diagnosis and treatment. By scrutinizing these elements, we seek to clarify the role of CD44 in cancer biology and its potential for enhancing treatment approaches in breast cancer and other malignancies.

Association of Homocysteine with body mass index in women with polycystic ovary Syndrome

Asma Kheirollahi — 2025-03-20

Objectives: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder that significantly impacts women. It is closely associated with metabolic syndrome and obesity. However, the exact interplay between serum homocysteine levels and body mass index (BMI) in PCOS patients remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the levels of homocysteine in normal weight and overweight/obese Iranian women with and without PCOS.

Methods: 189 women with PCOS and 86 healthy and fertile women were entered in the study. The patients and controls were divided according to BMI into two groups as follow: BMI<25 Kg/m²and BMI≥ 25 Kg/m². Blood Samples were collected from all participants to assess fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, lipid profile, free testosterone and homocysteine levels.

Results: BMI, HOMA-IR, fasting insulin, TC, LDL and free testosterone levels were significantly elevated in the PCOS group when compared with controls. Homocysteine levels were increased in both overweight/obese and normal weight PCOS groups compared with controls. However, no significant association was observed between homocysteine levels in overweight/obese PCOS group vs. normal weight PCOS group.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that homocysteine levels were notably elevated in women with PCOS, regardless of their BMI.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil of Leaves of Etlingera velutina

Behnam Mahdavi — 2025-03-20

Objective: The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils are important because they offer a natural and effective agent. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of leaves of Etlingera velutina.

Methods: The essential oils from the leaves of Etlingera velutina were obtained using a Clevenger-type apparatus and the chemical compositions of the oils were identified by GC-FID and GC-MS methods. The antioxidant activity of the oil was analyzed using three common assays. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated by disc diffusion assay.

Results: The oil consists of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons with the highest percentage (63.12 %). Aromadendrene (58.30%), α-pinene (10.82%), and caryophyllenyl alcohol (10.21%) were identified as the main components of the essential oil. The leaf oil exhibited antioxidant activity in all the tests: DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA); β-carotene bleaching (BCB); and ferrous ion chelating ability (FIC). The oil presented the activity against B. subtilis, E. aerogenes, P. vulgaris, and Candida. Parapsilosis. E. aerogenes.

Conclusion: The data suggest that the essential oil of the leaves of Etlingera velutina revealed moderate activity against selected microorganisms in antimicrobial and antioxidant assay. It may be considered as a natural agent for bioactivty.

Development and Optimization of Chamomile Extract Pastilles for Potential Oral Ulcer Treatment

Pooya Javaherchian — 2025-03-20

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and optimize chamomile extract pastilles as a potential therapeutic option for oral ulcer treatment, focusing on masking chamomile’s bitterness, ensuring stability, and achieving controlled release of active constituents to enhance patient compliance.

Materials: Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) extract was prepared via percolation using 80% ethanol. Pastilles were formulated with gelatin, xylitol, aspartame, citric acid, and flavoring agents (eucalyptus, lemon, raspberry, cola). Physical properties (smoothness, elasticity, color), sensory acceptability (rated by 10 volunteers), quercetin content (UV-Vis spectrophotometry), and dissolution profiles (in artificial saliva, pH 6.8) were assessed. Sensory scores were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests (p < 0.05).

Results: Formulations J1 and J2, incorporating citric acid, exhibited significantly higher sensory scores (p < 0.0001) than G1–G3, effectively masking bitterness. Quercetin content indicated 85–89% loading efficiency across formulations. Dissolution tests showed controlled release of chamomile extract from J2 pastilles compared to pure extract, with stable release over 60 minutes. Physical assessments confirmed smooth, cohesive pastilles with favorable elasticity.

Conclusion: Chamomile extract pastilles represent a promising formulation with potential for oral ulcer treatment, offering improved palatability and controlled release. Their natural composition and high acceptability suggest potential for pediatric and adult use, warranting further clinical trials to validate efficacy and long-term stability.

Enzyme-free, Colorimetric DNA Detection System Powered by Autocatalytic Assembly Circuits and G-quadruplex DNAzymes

Hadi Ravan — 2025-03-21

Objectives: To develop an enzyme-free colorimetric DNA detection system combining autocatalytic assembly circuits with G-quadruplex DNAzymes for highly sensitive and visual DNA identification.

Methods: The platform utilized toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) integrated with autocatalytic hairpin circuits and a G-quadruplex DNAzyme. Buffer conditions, hemin concentration, temperature, and reaction time were optimized. Spectrophotometric detection at 416 nm was employed, and NUPACK software was used for oligonucleotide design validation.

Results: The optimized system exhibited a detection limit as low as 31 pM. Clear electrophoretic band patterns confirmed correct structure formation. The system showed high reproducibility, sensitivity, and a visible signal without enzymatic components.

Conclusions: This detection method is simple, cost-effective, and highly sensitive, with potential for point-of-care diagnostics, food safety testing, and environmental monitoring. The enzyme-free nature, label-free operation, and modular design make it adaptable to other nucleic acid targets.

Beta Boswellic Acid Reduces Tau Phosphorylation Level and Enhances Reelin Expression in the brain

Marzieh Dehghan Shasaltaneh — 2025-03-26

Objectives: Learning and memory retention are processes that involve a permanent change in the behavior based on environmental adaptation. Reelin protein participates in the learning and memory. It has not received much attention in the presence of herbal components. The present study focused on the effect of an optimum dose of Beta-Boswellic Acid (BBA) on the reduction of tau phosphorylation level and enhancement of Reelin expression on the hippocampus regions to improve cognitive behavioural therapy.

Methods: Spatial memory, learning, and locomotor activity were assessed. The histological analysis was performed. The Western blot analysis was employed.

Results: The results represented the significant effect of BBA (35 mg/kg of body weight) on the degree of memory consolidation in the probe trial of MWM test. The BBA treatment reduced dark neuron formation in the hippocampus. This component promoted the Reelin expression.

Conclusion: A certain dose of BBA improved memory consolidation in the adult rats, and Reelin protein was more expressed in the presence of BBA that it may be due to the anti-inflammatory property of BBA as one of the main factors involved in enhancing memory consolidation among rats.

The Effect of Resistance and Aerobic Training with and Without Blood Flow Restriction and Detraining Period on Insulin Resistance in Men with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Hassan Moudi — 2025-03-17

Objectives: This study sought to examine the impact of resistance and aerobic exercise, with and without Blood Flow Restriction (BFR), on insulin resistance (IR) in males diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Furthermore, we aimed to comprehend the ramifications of a detraining period on these outcomes.

Methods: We randomly assigned a total of 30 men with T2D to four groups: resistance training with blood flow restriction (RT-BFR), resistance training without blood flow restriction (RT), aerobic training with blood flow restriction (AT-BFR), and aerobic training without blood flow restriction (AT). Training sessions occurred thrice weekly for a duration of 12 weeks, succeeded by a 6-week detraining interval.

Results: The findings of our investigation indicated that insulin levels fluctuate with physical activity. The average insulin level in RT fell, and similarly, the average insulin level in AT-BFR also decreased. The comparison of the average weight and BMI of subjects within the groups indicates that, in all groups, the average weight dropped following AT and RT. This would enhance the BMI's accuracy and appropriateness.

Conclusion: The findings from this research contribute valuable evidence to the ongoing discourse surrounding exercise and diabetes management. The study reinforces the notion that both resistance and aerobic training are effective in combating IR, particularly when complemented by BFR techniques. This study emphasizes the significance of integrating customized exercise programs, including the possibility of blood flow restriction techniques, to enhance metabolic health in persons with T2D.