Antiproliferation Effects of Nanophytosome-Loaded Phenolic Compounds From Fruit of Juniperus Polycarpos Against Breast Cancer in Mice Model: Synthesis, Characterization and Therapeutic Effects

Background: This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosomes-loaded high phenolic fraction (HPF) from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract and investigate its antiproliferation effects against breast cancer in mice model. Results: The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract was synthesized. The mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized nanophytosomes. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and antioxidative activities of the nanophytosomes were determined. The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF had a spherical structure with a size of 176 nm and a polydispersity index coefficient of 0.24. The in-vivo study manifested that nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly improved weight gain and food intake compared to the negative control group (p<0.05). The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly enhanced the expression of bax (3.4-fold) and caspase-3 (2.7-fold) genes but reduced bcl2 (3.6-fold) gene expression in tumor cells. The average tumor size was significantly decreased in mice treated with nanophytosomes-loaded HPF (p<0.05). The expression of GPX (2.3-fold) and SOD (2.7-fold) antioxidants in the liver of mice supplemented with nanophytosomes-loaded HPF was significantly developed compared to the negative control (p<0.05). The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF did not show toxicity on normal cells. Conclusion: Our results indicated that nanophytosomes-loaded HPF might be a potential anticancer agent for the breast cancer treatment.

Effect of Depth of Sowing on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigour of Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch

The seeds of Juniperus polycarpos were sown at six different depths in the nursery viz., 0.5cm, 1.0cm, 1.5cm, 2.0cm, 2.5cm and 3.0cm to study their effect on germination and seedling vigour index. Significant differences were observed in germination percentage and seedling vigour index of Juniperus polycarpos seeds sown at different depth in the nursery. The maximum germination of 68.88 per cent was recorded in seeds sown at 1.5cm depth followed by 50.66 per cent germination recorded at 1.0cm depth, 42.00 per cent germination recorded at 0.5cm depth and 32.00 per cent germination recorded at 2.0cm depth. The minimum germination of 20.66 per cent was recorded in seeds sown at 3.0cm depth. Similarly, seeds sown at 1.50cm depth recorded maximum seedling vigour index (1377.38) followed by seeds sown at 1.0cm depth (1077.26) and then by seeds sown at 0.50cm depth (890.73). The seed sown at 3.0cm depth recorded minimum seedling vigour index (458.40). It is recommended that the seeds of Juniperus polycarpos should be sown at optimum depth of 1.50cm in the nursery for getting maximum germination and seedling vigour.

Sexual structure of Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch populations in Dagestan

The study of the sexual structure of Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch was carried out in the popula-tions of Piedmont (Talginskaya, Dubkinsko-Miatlinskaya, and Gubdenskaya) and highmountain (Tlyaratinskaya and Tsumadinskaya) Dagestan. In total, 1009 individuals were studied within the entire range of the species in the territory of Dagestan, in which biometric parameters were measured. In populations, polygamous-dioecious individuals of J. polycarpos were identified, and a quantitative ratio of female, male, and polygamous-dioecious individuals was established. Biometric indicators of individuals of different sexes and their index indicators have been determined. The ratio of females and males in the Dagestan populations of J. polycapos, as well as for other Juniperus species in general, may be related to the ecological conditions of the environment (an increase in the altitude above sea level of the place of growth and more arid conditions). At the same time, the change in the ratio of the height and diameter of the crown in trees of different sex groups may depend on the age of individu-als in the population, the timing of their entry into the generative state, and other processes.

Phytosociological features of frigana vegetation of Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan

The phytosociological and floristic properties of mountain xerophyte plant associations (Frigana) spread on the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan were investigated. These unions are dominated by barbed and grassy plants. On the other hand Acantholimon spp., Astragalus spp. and Onobrychis cornuta are common in the area and dominant in the mountainous regions of Nakhchivan. The major parts of Shahbuz, Julfa and Ordubad are dominanted by vegetation. In the floristic composition of the frigana units the shrubs are dominant and the characteristic species are: Pyrus oxyprion, Astragalus microcephalus, Astragalus aureus, Juniperus polycarpos, Rhamnus pallasii, Atraphaxis spinosa, Acantholimon bracteatum, Rhus coriaria, Acer ibericum, Lonicera iberica, Prangos ferulacea, Thymus kotschyanus etc. The frigana units dominate the region's vegetation. The mountainous xerophyte vegetation encompasses strongly torn by relief, rocky slopes, and talus of the territory of the mountains. The continentalization of the climate after the glacial era, as well as the advent of anthropogenic activity, appears to be effective in expanding the range of vegetation. Although skeleton is the only plant bitumen in the rocky slopes, it is important to protect the dive lining of the slopes along the slopes and to prevent the wash away and spoilage residues.

Phytocenoses Involved With Juniperus foetidissima Willd. on the Territory of Paradash in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

The article presents the role and phytocenological features of the Foetid Juniper (Juniperus foetidissima Willd.) species in the sparse juniper forest of Paradash Massif in the Julfa District. According to the used literature and our researches, plants with bare seeds in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are represented by 2 Divisions, 2 Classes, 3 Orders, 3 Families, 7 Genera and 13 Species, 7 of which are related to the cultural flora. According to research in sparse juniper forests in the Paradash Massif, there were not found Species belongin to Pinaceae Adans. Family, but 2 Species of Juniperus L. Genera of Cupressaceae S. F. Gray Family, and only one species named Ephedra procera Fisch. et C. A. Mey. Belonging to the Ephedraceae Dumort family was determined. The dominant Species of the tree tier is Juniperus foetidissima Willd., and the subdominant Species is Pyrus salicifolia Pall. — whenever Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch, together with the willow-leafed pear are multi-fruited Species of Juniper. Counting of the height indicators according to the steps and determination of the trunk diameter of the Juniper tree on the territory of Paradash were given in the counting tables. All formations and associations of phytocenoses in a rocky biotope were discovered and presented.

SHOOT ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE JUNIPERUS POLYCARPOS C. KOCH IN FOOTHILL DAGESTAN

Identification of the species J. excelsa L. and J. polycarpos C. Koch is problematic and requires addition-al research. This article is devoted to the description and quantification of the anatomical features of the shoots of J. polycarpos, which grows in the conditions of Piedmont Dagestan to solve taxonomic issues. Methods Model shoots (1-3 year old) J. polycarpos was collected from the north side of the crowns at a level of 1.5 m from the ground to study the anatomical structure, fixing, preparing temporary microprepa-rations and describing the main structural elements of shoot tissues was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods. Results. The anatomical structure of young shoots of J. polycarpos is de-scribed for the first time in order to identify taxon-specific and adaptive characters when studying the ana-tomical structure of the stem of J. excelsa and other populations of J. polycarpos. Their quantitative as-sessment is given, characteristic anatomical features are identified depending on the age and shape of the shoot. Conclusion The specific features of their morphology can be considered the presence of two types of shoots (two-bladed and three-bladed); anatomy - the presence in the parenchyma of leaf pillows in two-bladed shoots of a large number of stony cells, as well as structural features of the central cylinder; the presence and quantity of oil cells. Identified characters can be used for comparative anatomical identifica-tion of species of the genus Juniperus.