cancer research
autoimmune diseases
recombinant production of proteins
protein structure
purification of proteins
60
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Fabrication of a novel Ganoderma lucidum-integrated polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate hydrogel for advanced wound healing applications Faezeh Yazdanparast, Mehdi Mehdikhani, Afsaneh Yegdaneh, Fatemeh Shafiee, Melika Babaei, Mohammad Rafienia Heliyon, 2026 The treatment of skin injuries such as burns, lacerations, and chronic wounds often presents clinical and financial challenges, necessitating the development of advanced wound dressings that combine biocompatibility with therapeutic functionality. This study presents a novel hydrogel membrane incorporating Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) matrix, developed using a freeze-thaw technique. Hydrogels with varying PVA:SA ratios (100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50) were fabricated and evaluated for their structural, rheological, and mechanical properties. Increased SA content enhanced porosity (up to 90.54 ± 4.12%) and pore size (26.79 ± 1.78 μm), resulting in improved elasticity and flexibility suitable for skin applications. The 50:50 formulation exhibited optimal characteristics and was selected for GL incorporation at 5% and 10% (w/v). GL extract, obtained through maceration, exhibited high total phenolic content (60.48 mg GAE/g), indicative of potent antioxidant activity. FTIR analysis confirmed the hydrogel's chemical integrity. GL incorporation increased water uptake and reduced degradation over 28 days across pH conditions. In vitro release studies indicated quasi-Fickian diffusion, with 10% GL hydrogels achieving a faster release (81.18 ± 5.16%) at pH 7.4. Biocompatibility was confirmed via cell viability and adhesion assays, with the 5% GL hydrogel promoting superior cell proliferation and viability (98.19 ± 9.12%) by day 7. The integration of GL into a PVA-SA matrix introduces a bioactive wound dressing with enhanced regenerative potential, marking a significant advancement in the development of multifunctional, nature-inspired wound healing materials.
Evaluation of the Anti-melanogenic Effect of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Nasturtium Officinale on the B16F10 Cell Line Mohaddese Heydari, Masoud Sadeghi-Dinani, Fatemeh Shafiee Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology, 2026 Background: This project aimed to evaluate the anti-melanogenic characteristics of Nasturtium officinale (N. officinale) by assessing the impact of both aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts on the inhibition of cellular and mushroom tyrosinase enzymes, as well as the suppression of the melanin synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells.Methods: The aerial components of N. officinale were subjected to extraction using distilled water: ethanol (7:3) through the maceration technique. The extract’s phenolic compounds were quantified employing the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The evaluation of the safety profile of the extracts on B16F10 cells was done by the MTT assay. Subsequently, the melanin concentration in B16F10 cells, alongside the inhibitory effects on both mushroom and cellular tyrosinase, was assessed following treatment with the aforementioned extracts.Results: The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts exhibited no significant toxicity on B16F10 when compared to Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS). Additionally, there was no notable difference in the cytotoxic effects of extracts on the B16F10 cell line. Both extracts resulted in inhibition of cellular and mushroom tyrosinase, along with a decrease in melanin levels in B16F10 in a concentration-dependent manner. Ultimately, the total phenolic content in the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts was found to be approximately 14 and 30 mg/g of gallic acid, respectively.Conclusion: This in vitro investigation offers evidence supporting the skin brightening properties of N. officinale as an anti-melanogenic agent. Given its safety profile and absence of toxic effects on melanoma cells, it may be incorporated into the formulation of skin-brightening products following preclinical tests.
Preparation of Pluronic F127 hydrogel loaded with BIF1-iRGD recombinant protein for its targeted anti-cancer effects Zahra Tamizifar, Abbas Jafarian-Dehkordi, Somayeh Taymouri, Fatemeh Shafiee Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025 Background and purpose: Pluronic F127-based hydrogel is a fair formulation for increasing the protein stability and half-life without decreasing its biological activity. The present study aimed to prepare FP127 hydrogel loaded with the recombinant BIF1-iRGD protein as a new immunotoxin with targeting potential of cancer cells. Experimental approach: BIF1-iRGD in 19% w/v of FP127 was prepared by the cold method, and its in vitro release was determined. MTT and flow-cytometry assays were performed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of BIF1-iRGD and BIFl-iRGD-hydrogel against 4T1 cells. The tumor size of 4T1 Balb-C mice was evaluated, and H&E staining was used for histopathology evaluation. Findings/Results: BIFl-iRGD release followed the first-order model. The toxicity of BIFl-iRGD was less than that in the formulation as a hydrogel after 48 and 72 h of treatment. The null hydrogel showed no toxicity compared to the untreated cells. After 24 h, cells treated with BIFl-iRGD-hydrogel and BIFl-iRGD around their 48-h IC 50 value developed apoptosis at about 55% and 35%, respectively. The tumor size decreased over time in the treated mice during the 20 days after the last injection. Also, no significant difference was observed between the effectiveness of the two groups. Tumor sections of mice treated with BIF1-iRGD and BIF1-iRGD-hydrogel had necrotic parts of about 65% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion and implications: BIF-iRGD-hydrogel showed in vivo anticancer effects with increased toxicity in comparison to the native protein. However, the investigation of protein distribution and probable cytotoxic effect on vital organs must be noted.
Characterization of enteric-coated capsules filled with colchicine loaded zein nanoparticles for colon delivery Somayeh Taymouri, Somayeh Mirseyfifard, Fatemeh Shafiee Therapeutic Delivery, 2025 AIM: In this study, we developed a dual pH and time-dependent formulation for targeted colonic release, aiming at minimizing adverse effect and enhancing anticancer efficacy of colchicine in the treatment of colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To achieve this, colchicine was loaded in zein nanoparticles (Col-Z NP) which were further optimized and encapsulated in Eudragit S100 coated capsules. A full factorial design was employed to determine the optimal condition for preparation of Col-Z NP. RESULTS: The optimized Col-Z NPs exhibited a spherical shape with particle size of 104.3 ± 1.6 nm, polydispersity index of 0.27 ± 0.01, zeta potential of 29.0 ± 0.1 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 59.8 ± 4.8%, release efficiency over 8 h of 45.5 ± 2.7%, and drug loading of 13.0 ± 0.0%. No notable difference in cytotoxicity was observed between free colchicine and Col-Z NPs at comparable concentrations. The cellular uptake study showed more uptake for coumarin 6 loaded Z NPs compared to free coumarin 6. Colchicine release from coated capsules was restricted to around 3% in gastric medium and increased to about 8% in simulated intestine medium, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that Eudragit S100 coated capsules containing Col-Z NP could be effective delivery system for colchicine to target colorectal tumors.
Fractionation of Allium giganteum Effective Extract on Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Cell Lines for Its Anti-Proliferative Properties Masoud Sadeghi Dinani, Mohammadreza Ghanbarzadeh, Fatemeh Shafiee Advanced Biomedical Research, 2025 Background: This study was designed to investigate the various extracts of Allium giganteum in term of their cytotoxic effects on gastric and colon cancer cell lines and then fractionation of extract with the most desired effects on cancer cells in comparison to the normal cell line. Materials and Methods: The A. giganteum air-dried bulbs were extracted in four solvents including aqueous, butanol, chloroform: methanol (9:1), and dichloromethan extracts. Evaluating the cytotoxicity of extracts were done by MTT assay against HT-29, KATO-III, and HUVEC cell lines. The extract with The most cytotoxicity on cancer cells and lower toxicity on normal cell line was subjected to the fractionation by MPLC using a RP-18 silica gel column and in the next stage and the cytotoxicity of resulted fractions were determined by MTT assay. Results: Chloroform: methanol extract was the safest extract on HUVEC cells with great cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines (IC50 17.3 and 23 µg/mL, for KATO-III and HT-29, respectively). The results of MTT assay for 7 fractions of the chloroform: methanol extract showed that 5th fraction (E) was the most cytotoxic fraction (IC50 9 and 11.2 µg/mL for HT-29 and KATO-III, respectively). TLC and NMR analysis of the fractions suggested the presence of steroidal saponins as the main constituents. Conclusion: Significant cytotoxic effects of Allium giganteum was established against GI cancer cell lines especially fractions rich in steroidal saponins. So, these fractions are attractive candidate for the isolation and identification of effective ingredients.
Apoptosis-inducing proteins with reduced expression in breast cancer: A review article Mohammad Mehdi Khaleghi, Faezeh Rouhi, Kourosh Eslami, Fatemeh Shafiee Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 2025 Breast cancer is considered one of the most abundant malignancies with high morbidity and mortality. Traditional cancer treatments possess various weaknesses, including a lack of specificity and numerous side effects. Novel cancer therapies aim to overcome the shortcomings of traditional therapies and offer more efficient and safe treatments. Designing and identifying novel proteins that can practically and specifically inhibit tumors by inducing apoptosis can interest researchers in this field. This review discusses recent studies on the use of four promising proteins, KAI1, Apoptin, BIF-1, and DFF-40, for breast cancer treatment. This study also focuses on alterations in the expression of the androgenic proteins and novel strategies for better penetration and delivery of these proteins. Lastly, prospects for protein-based targeted cancer therapy and future studies in this field are highlighted. • Apoptotic proteins with diminished expression in breast cancer can be assumed as potential treatment approach for this problem. • Apoptotic proteins with diminished expression in breast cancer can be assumed as tumor marker for diagnosis of this disorder. • These apoptosis-inducing proteins generally have decreased expression levels in cancer, while tumor markers have increased expression levels with no specifity to a unique type of cancer. • Checking the expression level of these proteins can encourage us to use their replacement therapy for the apoptotic death of cancer cells. • The effective use of each of these strategies is conditional on determining their efficacy and safety during the clinical trial phases.
In vitro Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Effects of a Recombinant form of the Soluble Mutant IL-6 Receptor on an Ovarian Cancer Cell Line Kosar Khatir, Mahmoud Aghaei, Seyedeh Sara Ghorbanhosseini, Fatemeh Shafiee Iranian Journal of Biotechnology, 2025 Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in cancer metastasis. Therefore, it seems that inhibition of IL-6 may act as an anticancer agent. Objectives: This study examined the anti-proliferative and IL-6 signal transduction inhibitory effects of a mutant IL-6 receptor (mIL-6R) on an ovarian cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: BL21 at various inducer concentrations and temperatures. The expressed protein was purified using the IMPACT system, and the best-examined conditions (i.e., temperature, time, cleavage buffer pH) for intein1auto-cleavage were achieved. The anti-proliferative effects of mIL-6R on OVCAR-3 cancer cells were investigated using MTT assay and RT-PCR to determine its effects on suppressing the JAK-STAT pathway genes. Results: The highest solubility of mIL-6R was obtained at 20 °C, 0.5 mM IPTG. The highest level of intein1 cleavage occurred at 25 °C, 24 hours of incubation, and pH = 4 of cleavage buffer. Also, mIL-6R diminished the survival of OVCAR-3 cells compared to PBS (p-value = 0.024), with 48 hours IC50 of 1.117 μg/mL. Also, mIL-6R significantly reduced the expression of the JAK, STAT, and VEGF genes. Conclusion: The recombinant mIL-6R showed a strong concentration-dependent anti-proliferative effect on the OVCAR-3 cell line. However, it needs further evaluation for its potential activity against disorders associated with increased IL-6.
Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of carbapenemase-producing gram-negative nosocomial bacteria at al zahra hospital, isfahan, iran Iranian Journal of Microbiology, 2021
Persicoimidate isolated from allium ampeloprasum subsp. Persicum with apoptotic effects against breast cancer cell lines Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020