Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) are small-sized particles with dimensions of 1 - 100 nm that have various medical and pharmaceutical technology applications. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to develop a quick, green, and eco-friendly procedure for the synthesis of gold NPs (AMGNPs) using the aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium (AM) and evaluate the effects of them on preantral follicle (PF) maturation in vitro compared to commercially provided GNPs (C-GNPs) and the AM extract alone. Methods: We assessed PF maturation through the morphological assessment of follicles, diameter changes, and estradiol and progesterone levels in PF. We also evaluated the morphometric indices in the control group and groups treated with the AM extract, green GNPs, and C-GNPs. Results: The results showed that the AM extract had positive effects on the PF development by increasing the production of estradiol. The evaluation of PF treated with C-GNPs one to four days after the treatment showed that the mean diameter of follicles was significantly reduced in the C-GNPs group compared to the control group. Moreover, the mean estradiol level increased, and the mean progesterone level decreased in all the experimental (10, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL of C-GNPs, green GNPs, and the AM extract) groups compared to the control group (P-value < 0.05). The size and concentration of the NPs were 20 nm and 150 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that green GNPs synthesized with the AM extract can minimize the hazardous effects of NPs and have beneficial effects on the development and growth of PF.

Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in the world. Due to the increasing resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and its side effects, there is a need for drugs with fewer side effects and natural origin. In this study, the effect of harmine combined with fluorouracil on apoptosis induction in pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1) and the expression of apoptotic genes was investigated. Methods: In this experimental study, MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects. Annexin V/propidium iodide test and DAPI staining method were used to determine the type of cell death. The expression of apoptotic genes (P53, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was measured by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS software, version 16. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results of MTT assay showed that the use of harmine at 20 μg/mL concentration combined with 10 μg/mL fluorouracil significantly reduced the growth (IC50) of AsPC-1 cells. The results of DAPI staining and annexin V/propidium iodide test showed the induction of apoptosis in treated samples. In addition, the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression of BAX, P53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 genes increased in the treated groups compared to the control group. Conclusion: The combined use of harmine and fluorouracil can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells due to high cytotoxicity and reduce the concentration of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, this method can be used along with other treatment methods for pancreatic cancer.

Background: The role of tumor suppressor genes in the development of prostate cancer is well known. Decrease or lack of expression of these genes causes the tumor to spread through metastasis to other tissues of the body. Since nettle has anti-cancer effects, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of nettle stem and root on the expression changes of PTEN, MAGI-2 and SMAD-2 genes in mouse prostate induced tumor. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, hydroalcoholic extract of nettle was prepared by Soxhlet apparatus. The mice were injected subcutaneously for 28 days after injection of DMBA carcinoma with doses of 75 and 250 mg/kg, respectively. Also, the control group received no drug and the sham group received only the extract. The expression changes of the target genes were analyzed by Real Time PCR and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: The results showed that PTEN gene expression was increased in treatment with 250 root extract compared to day 14 turmeric. Expression of MAGI-2 gene was increased in treatment with root extract of 75 dose on day 28 compared to day 28 tumor. Evaluation of SMAD-2 gene expression showed that expression of this gene in treatment group with 250 root extract increased on day 21 compared to day 21 tumor. Conclusion: According to studies on PTEN, MAGI-2 and SMAD-2 have revealed that inactivation of these three genes is considered a risk for cancer progression.