Yalçın Karagöz

Antimutagenic effects of lichen Pseudovernia furfuracea (L.) Zoph. extracts against the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 in vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methanol, acetone, n-hexane and ether extracts obtained from Pseudovernia furfuracea on genotoxicity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in cultured human blood cells intoxicated with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB1). Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN) tests were used for genotoxic influences estimation. In both the test systems, it was observed that P. furfuracea extracts suppressed the mutagenic effects of AFB1 due to the type of extracts added to the cultures. Furthermore, a significant reduction in plasma TAC was observed after AFB 1 treatment. Interestingly, the methanol and acetone extracts of the lichen recovered AFB1-induced TAC inhibition. The order of extracts of anti-genotoxicity efficacy against AFB1 was methanol, acetone, ether and n-hexane, respectively. In conclusion, P. furfuracea has been shown to modulate the adverse effects of AFB1 in human blood cells for the first time.

Lichen flora of the Murgul district, Artvin, Turkey

This study was carried out in the province of Artvin, district of Murgul. A total of 94 species in 41 genera belonging to Ascomycetes were found, two of which are varieties and three are subspecies. Eight of these species are new records for Turkey.

Anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic effects of the aqueous extract of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

An aqeuous extract of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., from which a tea is prepared and consumed as treatment for various diseases in northeastern Turkey, was tested for its anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic effects in rats. The carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and indomethacin-induced gastric damage models were used to determine these effects. The extract exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory and strong antiulcerogenic activities.

Nigella Sativa Reduces Tissue Damage in Rat Ovaries Subjected to Torsion and Detorsion: Oxidative Stress, Proinflammatory Response and Histopathological Evaluation

Background: To evaluate biochemically and histopathologically the effects of Nigella sativa (NS) in experimental ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovaries. Methods: Thirty-six female rats were divided into 6 groups: group I = sham operation; group II = 500 mg/kg NS + sham operation; group III = bilateral ovarian ischemia; group IV = 500 mg/kg NS + ischemia; group V = 3-hour period of ischemia + 3-hour reperfusion, and group VI: 3-hour period of ischemia + 500 mg/kg NS 2.5 h after the induction of ischemia + 3-hour reperfusion. At the end of ischemia, the bilateral vascular clips were removed, and 3-hour reperfusion was continued. IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokine levels in serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. Results: I/R increased the MDA level and MPO activity while significantly decreasing the SOD activity and GSH level when compared to the sham. The 500-mg/kg dose of NS before I/R reversed the trend in MDA levels, MPO activity, SOD activity, and GSH levels. Ischemia and I/R increased the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, while the administration of NS decreased the serum levels of these cytokines. Conclusions: The administration of NS is effective in reversing tissue damage induced by ischemia and/or I/R in ovaries.

Lichenized and lichenicolous fungi from nine different areas in Turkey

As a result of lichenological exploration in Turkey, in the regions of Ankara, Erzurum, Hatay, Ordu, Siirt, and Usak, and on the islands Kinaliada, Heybeliada and Marmara, we report 297 taxa of lichenized and 14 of lichenicolous fungi. fungi representing 93 genera in the Ascomycota. Aspicilia moenium, Lecanora albellula, Pertusaria pupillaris, Porina aenea and Rinodina fatiscens are new to Turkey. 84 lichenized and 5 lichenicolous fungi are new records for Ankara, 93 lichenized fungi and 1 lichenicolous fungus for Ordu, 62 lichenized and 3 lichenicolous fungi for Usak. Moreover 52 lichenized fungi are new for Hatay, 21 lichenized fungi and 1 lichenicolous fungus for Erzurum, 27 for Heybeliada island, 11 for the Kinaliada islands, while all taxa identified are new records for Siirt region and Marmara Island. Distribution and substrata are presented.