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In aquatic systems, heavy metals are accumulated in sediments that can release from loosely bound fractions during dredging and disposal operations. Five sediment samples were collected from the entry of the Pasikhan River to Anzali wetland, where dredging is carried out. The heavy metal distribution in sediments was determined using a sequential extraction procedure that showed Pb and Cd contribution mostly to non-residual phase (>80%). Heavy metal release from dredged materials was assessed for different disposal scenarios using pathway specific leaching tests. The highest release was attributed to Pb and Cd in open-water disposal (232 and 12.6 μg/L, respectively), confined disposal facilities (CDF) (180 and 12.2 μg/L, respectively), and landfilling (679 and 5.6 μg/L, respectively). The metal bioavailability and bioaccessibility were assessed using single extraction methods for agricultural use and other disposal scenarios. The metal bioavailability was in the order of Cd ∼ Pb > Cu > Mn > Zn > Fe > Ni > Cr. In case of open-water disposal, metal concentrations in water column were higher than water quality standards but lower than background amounts at the disposal site. In confined disposal, the concentrations in effluent and leachate of CDF occasionally exceeded the allowable limits. Finally, in case of landfilling, metal concentrations in leachate exceeded that of other methods, but remained below the USEPA recommended limits. According to implemented risk assessment indices, the risk level for heavy metal bioavailability and bioaccessibility was medium and very high, respectively, and Cr had carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of the Middle East dust storms to PM 10 concentrations in Ahvaz, SW Iran, has been evaluated in this study. Daily PM 10 concentrations between winter 2015 and autumn 2017 have been acquired from an urban station in Ahvaz, while the dust episodes have been determined using meteorological observation data. A statistical analysis was performed to calculate the change in PM 10 concentrations during each dust episode and subtract the non-dusty PM 10 amount. In the next step, all the dust-source regions in the Middle East have been divided into 1° × 1° spatial grid resulting in 460 subzones. Using the HYSPLIT model, the proportion of dust particles from each of the 460 subzones has been quantified. The calibration of the HYSPLIT model is mostly influenced by P10F, which determines the threshold friction velocity in dust-source areas.Three statistical indices were considered for evaluation of the HYSPLIT predictions, the fractional bias (FB), root normalized mean square error (RNMSE), and Pearson correlation coefficient (R), which exhibited a range of values from −1.8 to 1.1 (mean of −0.33), 1.1 to 6.6 (mean: 2.64), and 0.3 to 0.9 (mean: 0.62), respectively, signifying a satisfactory alignment between model predictions and PM 10 measurements. According to the results, the deserts in Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are the main contributing dust sources in Ahvaz, with mean contributions of 32%, 26%, 16%, and 10%, respectively. The contribution from the dust-source regions to PM 10 in Ahvaz during dust-storm episodes can be detailed as follows: 29% from the Mesopotamian Marshes, 19% from Alluvial Plains, 11% from the Empty Quarter, 11% from the Ad-Dahna Desert, 7% from the Khuzestan Plain, while other desert regions in the Middle East contribute lesser fractions.These findings shed light on the complex relation between dust sources and PM 10 concentrations, offering a basis for strategic mitigation planning in Ahvaz and informing public health management and policy formulation. [Display omitted] • Quantitative assessment of the contribution of the Middle East dust sources to PM 10 in Ahvaz. • The deserts in Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Syria contribute to 32%, 26%, 16%, 10%, and 5% to the plumes transported over Ahvaz. • Mesopotamian Marshes, Alluvial Plains, Empty Quarter, Ad-Dahna Desert and Khuzestan Plain affect most the dust-related PM 10 in Ahvaz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of soil components such as clay minerals and as humic acids, as well as co-existing metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, on desorption and mobility are examined. Three types of artificially blended clay and clay mineral mixtures (pure kaolinite, kaolinite + sand and kaolinite + sand + bentonite), each with different humic acid content, were tested for desorption and mobility of acenaphthene, fluorene and fluoranthene by three extracting solutions CaCl 2 (0.01 M) and EDTA (0.01M) with non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80 and Triton X100). Heavy metals (Ni, Pb and Zn) were also studied for desorption and mobility. The influence of co-present metals on simultaneous desorption and mobility of PAHs was investigated as well. The results showed that <10% of metals in the clay mineral mixtures were mobile. Combined EDTA and non-ionic solutions can enhance the desorption and mobility of PAHs to >80% in clay mineral mixtures containing no sand, while in the same soils containing ∼40% sand, the desorption exceeded 90%. Heavy metals, as well as increasing humic acids content in the clay mineral mixtures, decreased the desorption and mobility of PAHs, especially for soils containing no sand, and for fluoranthene compared with fluorene and acenaphthene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new aggregative index called modified risk assessment code (mRAC) was developed based on heavy metal toxicity and fractionation in aquatic sediment. Results of the application of mRAC to assess metal pollution in surface sediment samples of Anzali international wetland revealed that the new index led to more precise results than those of other prevalent aggregative indexes, such as modified degree of contamination (mC d ) and ecological risk index (RI). Based on assessment by mRAC, sediments of the study area were at high or very high potential adverse effect levels, compared to using mC d and RI where sediments were at a moderate or low potential adverse effect level. This is due to mRAC taking both metal toxicity and fractionation into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumor microenvironment (TME) and its components have recently attracted tremendous attention in cancer treatment strategies, as alongside the genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumor cells, TME could also provide a fertile background for malignant cells to survive and proliferate. Interestingly, TME plays a vital role in the mediation of cancer metastasis and drug resistance even against immunotherapeutic agents. Among different cells that are presenting in TME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have shown to have significant value in the regulation of angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and drug-resistance through manipulating the composition as well as the organization of extracellular matrix (ECM). Evidence has shown that the presence of both TAMs and CAFs in TME is associated with poor prognosis and failure of chemotherapeutic agents. It seems that these cells together with ECM form a shield around tumor cells to protect them from the toxic agents and even the adaptive arm of the immune system, which is responsible for tumor surveillance. Given this, targeting TAMs and CAFs seems to be an essential approach to potentiate the cytotoxic effects of anti-cancer agents, either conventional chemotherapeutic drugs or immunotherapies. In the present review, we aimed to take a deep look at the mechanobiology of CAFs and TAMs in tumor progression and to discuss the available therapeutic approaches for harnessing these cells in TME. • The mechanobilogical aspect of tumor mediated by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the cancer cells. • Integrating mechanobilogical aspect of macrophage-tumor microenvironment into cancer therapy. • Macrophaghe mechanobiology: the fundamental role in cancer cells and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 50 street dust samples from four major streets in eastern and southern Tehran, the capital of Iran, were analyzed for metal pollution (Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn and Li). Hakanson''s method was used to determine the Risk Index (RI) and ecological risks. Amongst these samples, 21 were also analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Correlation, cluster and principal component analyses identified probable natural and anthropogenic sources of contaminants. The dust had elevated concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe and PAHs. Enrichment factors of Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn showed that the dust is extremely enriched in these metals. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and PAHs and, to a lesser extent, Cr and Ni have common anthropogenic sources. While Mn and Li were identified to have natural sources, Cd may have different anthropogenic origins. All samples demonstrated high ecological risk. Traffic and related activities, petrogenic and pyrogenic sources are likely to be the main anthropogenic sources of heavy metals and PAHs in Tehran dust. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Surface discharge of negatively buoyant effluents into moving waterbodies creates a range of complex flow behavior. These complexities in the hydrodynamic phenomena develop through the interplay between a discharge's initial fluxes and the motion of the ambient current, which advects the discharge fluid downstream. In the present study, experiments were conducted for a comprehensive range of initial fluxes for negatively buoyant discharges in an ocean current through rectangular and semicircular channels. From this data, three flow regimes-the free surface jet, the shore-attached surface jet, and the plunging plume—and their range of occurrences were identified. These observations provide the basis for developing a revised flow classification diagram, which differs significantly from the positively buoyant discharge scheme as expected. A major difference is in the transition from the free surface jet regime to the shore-attached surface jet, whereas the plume-like regime has the same transition criteria. Eventually, using the developed diagrams, an initial tree-like classification framework is developed for both semicircular and rectangular discharge channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption process is gaining interest as an effective process for advanced water and wastewater treatment. Phenol, as a toxic material in industrial effluents, should be removed because of its environmental and health effects. The present study involves an investigation of the use of three carbonaceous materials-activated carbon laboratory-grade (ACL), almond shell charcoal (ASC), and walnut shell charcoal (WSC)-as adsorbents for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions. For the first time, the adsorptive removal of phenol using ASC and WSC was investigated. Findings have been compared with (ACL) results. Batch experiments were carried out to obtain adsorption equilibrium isotherms with phenol-spiked synthetic solutions. The effects of adsorbent amounts, pH0, initial concentration, and contact time on the adsorption of phenol were studied. Maximum removals of phenol from contaminant water with ACL, ASC, and WSC were 99.87, 91.36, and 78.17%, respectively, and from industrial wastewater were 99.71, 85.54, and 65.49%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction Air Quality Index (AQI) is a useful technique to improve public awareness about air quality in next days that is a great concern in developed and developing countries. In this study, four prediction models are utilized for predicting daily AQI. These prediction models include Auto Regressive Integrate Moving Average (ARIMA) as a time series model, Principal Component Regression (PCR) as a hybrid regression model, combination of ARIMA and PCR as the first ensemble model and, the combination of ARIMA and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) as the second ensemble model. Observed AQI during the years 2012–2015 was utilized to train models, which is named the calibration process. Based on the calibration of each model, four equations were obtained to predict daily AQI for each season separately, and then these equations were used to predict daily AQI for each season in 2016. The maximum negative and positive errors, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and statistical parameters, including the coefficient of determination, root mean square error (RMSE), normalized square error (NMSE), and fractional bias, were utilized to evaluate and compare models. Based on these evaluations, the two best models are specified, and then a novel statistical table, which can specify the distribution percentage of errors, was used to specify the best model for predicting daily AQI in each season. According to the results, model 4, which is the nonlinear ensemble model, is considered as the best model for predicting AQI in all seasons. The results show that the coefficient of determination of model 4 is close to 1, and the values of its NMSE are between 0.012 and 0.51, and the values of RMSE are between 2.870 and 8.125. Image 1 • The nonlinear ensemble model performs better than the linear ensemble model. • Comparing the error distribution of the models helps to find the best model. • The combination of effective input variables has a sufficient effect on the predicted values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution levels of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) were studied performing enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index and ecological risk index. The most enriched elements which categorize as very high and extremely high enriched in different land-uses were in order of: commercial Cu (73.79)>Hg (66.55)>Pb (55.73)>Zn (46.15)>Cd (37.31); residential Pb (48.35)>Zn (34.79)>Cu (27.69)>Hg (22.96)>Cd (22.61) and industrial Zn (55.43)>Pb (51.52)>Cu (40.20)>Cd (26.29). In green lands sampling points, there weren't any elements with enrichment factor more than twenty. Based on the result of geo-accumulation index, commercial land-use appeared to be highly polluted with Cu, Pb and Zn. Residential land-use were highly polluted just in case of lead and industrial land-use were categorized as highly polluted in case of Zn, Pb and Cu. Hakanson's ecological risk index classified all of the land-uses except for green lands as very high ecological risk category. Factor analysis revealed that Cr, Mn, Ni, Fe and to a lesser extent Pb, Zn and As are from similar anthropogenic sources. Carcinogenic risk of Cr, Pb, As, Ni and Cd were found to be negligible for all land-uses for adult and children except for chromium in commercial land-use which exceed the safe level and need more attention in the future. • Pollution and health risk of PTMs in Tehran's urban deposited dust were studied. • All land-uses except for green lands indicated very high ecological risk. • Commercial land-use showed the highest concentration of PTMs. • Concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cu in urban dust of Tehran were remarkable. • Cancer risk of PTMs investigated in this study categorized in negligible level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous removal of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (acenaphthene, fluorene and fluoranthene) co-existing with three heavy metals (Ni, Pb and Zn) in artificially contaminated soil from the vicinity of an oil refinery was examined by column flushing of solutions containing Triton X-100 + Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Tween 80 + EDTA at three levels of surfactant concentrations. While the effectiveness of both combined solutions in removal of heavy metals did not differ significantly, Triton X-100 + EDTA was more efficient in removing PAHs. Results showed that after 21 pore volume flushing of enhancing solution (Triton X-100 7.5% + EDTA 0.01 M) at flow rate of 0.534 mL min−1 through the column with hydraulic conductivity of 8.5 × 10−5 cm s−1, 54, 47 and 40% of acenaphthene, fluorene, and fluoranthene were removed simultaneously. At the same conditions, 75, 85 and 90% of Pb, Ni and Zn, were also simultaneously removed. Increasing the flow rate of flushing solution decreased the removal efficiency of the contaminants. • Triton X-100 and Tween 80 with EDTA can remove PAHs and heavy metals from fine soil. • Less flow of flushing solution leads to higher simultaneous removal of contaminants. • Most contaminants are removed within 12 pore volumes of enhancing solution flushing. • Surfactant dosage in enhancing solution influences removal rate and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Ccr4-Not complex (CNOT complex in mammals) is a unique and highly conserved complex with numerous cellular functions. Until now, there has been relatively little known about the importance of the CNOT complex subunits in the DNA damage response (DDR) in mammalian cells. CNOT4 is a subunit of the complex with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity that interacts transiently with the CNOT1 subunit. Here, we attempt to investigate the role of human CNOT4 subunit in the DDR in human cells. Material and Methods: In this study, cell viability in the absence of CNOT4 was assessed using a Cell Titer-Glo Luminescence assay up to 4 days post siRNA transfection. In a further experiment, CNOT4-depleted HeLa cells were exposed to 3Gy ionizing radiation (IR). Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and ATM Rad3-related (ATR) signaling pathways were then investigated by western blotting for phosphorylated substrates. In addition, foci formation of histone 2A family member X (γH2AX), replication protein A (RPA), TP53 binding protein 1 (53BP1), and DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog 1 was also determined by immunofluorescence microscopy comparing control and CNOT4-depleted HeLa cells 0, 8, and 24 h post IR treatment. Results: Our results from cell viability assays showed a significant reduction of cell growth activity at 24 (P value 0.02) and 48 h (P value 0.002) post siRNA. Western blot analysis showed slightly reduced or slightly delayed DDR signaling in CNOT4-depleted HeLa cells after IR. More significantly, we observed increased formation of γH2AX, RPA, 53BP1, and RAD51 foci after IR in CNOT4-depleted cells compared with the control cells. Conclusion: We conclude that depletion of CNOT4 affects various aspects of the cellular response to DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research attempted to investigate the feasibility of using drinking water treatment sludge (ferric chloride sludge, FCS) as a coagulant for turbidity removal from iron ore tailings slurry. The evaluation was performed in two phases. In the first phase, the one factor at a time (OFAT) approach was used to study the effects of FCS dosage, initial pH, and initial turbidity on turbidity removal efficiency (TR%) and the volume of the sediment produced at the end of the process (SV). In the second phase, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to assess the individual and interaction effects of the parameters on TR% and SV. Numerical multiple-response optimization was carried out using RSM to maximize TR% and minimize SV simultaneously. At optimum condition (FCS dose of 0.13 g dried FCS/L, initial pH of 10, and initial turbidity of 538 NTU), the removal of all particles in the range of 0.25–1 μm and 2–55 μm from slurry led to the TR% of 78.80% and SV of 0.74 mL (per 250 mL of tailings). Characterization tests indicated that at alkaline pH values, the higher presence of hydroxide compounds intensified the enmeshment in a precipitate or sweep-floc mechanism, which was the predominant removal mechanism in this work. This study demonstrated the remarkable performance of FCS as a coagulant in water reclamation from iron beneficiation wastewater. [Display omitted] • Using Fe-based WTS as a sustainable coagulant for iron ore tailings dewatering. • Evaluating FCS performance in tailings slurry dewatering through OFAT tests and RSM. • Obtaining 78.8% turbidity removal and 2.96 mL/L sludge volume at optimized condition. • Confirmation of high FCS capability for tailings dewatering by characteristic tests. • Identification of "sweep-floc mechanism" as the main coagulation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ahvaz is among the most polluted cities in the world in terms of particulate matter (PM) concentration. It is a prevailingly vulnerable city to the dust storms intrusion experiencing nearly 98 dusty days per year. The main aim of this study is to determine the transport pathways of dust particles reaching Ahvaz and investigate the dust sources that potentially contribute to dust loading over this city. To this end, temporal and spatial characteristics of Ahvaz dusty days, with a focus on associated air parcel trajectories are investigated in tandem with station observation, potential source contribution function (PSCF) and aerosol optical depth (AOD). Four main dust corridors were identified, based on the trajectory results; one northwesterly and two westerly routes, passing mainly over Tigris Euphrates Plain and Mesopotamian marshlands before hitting Ahvaz. These transport routes are associated with Shamal winds and are active all year long, especially in the summer. Another dust corridor influencing Ahvaz is a southerly route related to the prefrontal dust-storm mechanism. This corridor is active mainly in spring and winter and lifts the dust from Zubair Desert, Ad Dahna Desert and arid land of southern Khuzestan Plain. The forward calculation, PSCF and AOD analysis are consistent with backward air masses trajectory results and showed that eastern Syria, central and southeastern Iraq, and northwest of Ahvaz are the primary sources for dust affecting Ahvaz. Other intense dust sources are located in the south of Ahvaz including the eastern coastal zone of the Arabian Peninsula, southern Iraq, and southeast of Ahvaz. • A new Middle East dust origins map was produced based on previous studies. • The main corridors through which dust particles travel and arrive in Ahvaz were delineated. • The fluctuation of the dust occurrence in Ahvaz was investigated in different seasons. • Main contributing sources to the dust of Ahvaz were determined during dusty days on a seasonal basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Ccr4-Not protein complex (CNOT complex) is a key regulator of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Ccr4-Not Complex is composed of at least nine conserved subunits in mammalian cells with two main enzymatic activities. CNOT8 is a subunit of the complex with deadenylase activity that interacts transiently with the CNOT6 or CNOT6L subunits. Here, we focused on the role of the human CNOT8 subunit in the DNA damage response (DDR). Methods: Cell viability was assessed to measure ATP level using a Cell Titer-Glo Luminescence reagent up to 4 days' post CNOT8 siRNA transfection. In addition, expression level of phosphorylated proteins in signalling pathways were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. CNOT8- depleted Hela cells post- 3 Gy ionizing radiation (IR) treatment were considered as a control. Results: Our results from cell viability assays indicated a significant reduction at 72-hour post CNOT8 siRNA transfection (p= 0.04). Western blot analysis showed slightly alteration in the phosphorylation of DNA damage response (DDR) proteins in CNOT8-depleted HeLa cells following treatment with ionizing radiation (IR). Increased foci formation of H2AX, RPA, 53BP1, and RAD51 foci was observed after IR in CNOT8-depleted cells compared to the control cells. Conclusions: We conclude that CNOT8 deadenylase subunit is involved in the cellular response to DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder in which cytokine balance is disturbed. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are shown to balance immune response by transcriptional regulation of glucocorticoid receptor target genes such as Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) which has been introduced as an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator. In the present study, we assessed the expression of GILZ in association with interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukine-10 (IL-10), and B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) plasma levels in SLE patients. A total of 40 female patients (18 under treatment and 22 newly diagnosed) were recruited in this study. Real-time RT PCR was conducted to quantify the mRNA expression of GILZ. The plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, and BLyS were evaluated using ELISA method. GILZ was overexpressed among under treatment SLE patients. The mRNA expression of GILZ was significantly correlated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. IFN-γ and BLyS were downregulated in response to therapies with negative correlations to GILZ. Moreover, IL-10 was upregulated among treated patients. The levels of IFN-γ and BLyS were correlated with the severity of disease, while IL-10 was negatively correlated with SLEDAI score. GILZ could be introduced as one of the acting molecules in mediating the regulatory effects of GCs on producing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, heavy metals contamination in surface sediments of northwest Persian Gulf was investigated and a new index was formulated for assessing severity of heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments. The surface sediment samples were collected from 45 stations. The concentrations of 8 metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd and V) were analyzed. According to the results of potential ecological risk index (RI), pollution load index (PLI) and modified degree of contamination (mCD), based on the average shale, considerable and intense pollution of heavy metals in sediments of study area was not observed. Based on the sediments quality guidelines the concentration of Ni at whole study area has frequently adverse biological effect on aquatic organisms. The mean effects range-median quotient indicated that surface sediments in the vicinity of petrochemical zone and Bahrekan pier with 49% probability of toxicity can be risky for the biota. The Consequence of the cluster analysis and principal component analysis/factor analysis indicated that Fe, Cu, Zn and Cr are mainly originated from natural sources and Ni, Pb, Cd and V are mostly derived from anthropogenic sources. Results of introduced index in this research (Contamination Severity Index) demonstrated that pollution of heavy metals in sediments at several sites is very intense. Assessment of results illustrated that proposed index is more reliable and logical compared with other investigated indices for evaluating heavy metals pollution in sediments of aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gliomastix masseei and Stemphylium amaranthi are endophytic fungi from Catharanthus roseus. • Gliomastix masseei and Stemphylium amaranthi have been used as elicitors. • The antioxidant activity of Stemphylium amaranthi extract was higher than vitamin C. • Endophytic fungal extract could increase the amount of vinblastine, ajmalicine and also callus growth. • The maximum elicitation of alkaloid biosynthesis dependent on fungal endophyte species and type of elicitors. Catharanthus roseus belonging to the Apocynaceae family synthesizes indole alkaloids like vinblastine and ajmalicine which are used in cancer treatment and for decrease high blood pressure, respectively. However, these compounds with a high value added are accumulated at low level in the plants. For the first time, endophytic fungi isolated from leaves (Stemphylium amaranthi) and roots (Gliomastix masseei) of C. roseus cv. Icy Pink were used as fungal elicitors to improve the biomass of C. roseus callus culture as well as the accumulation of indole alkaloids in the calli. Polyphenols and the antioxidant activity of endophytes extracts were examined. The ethyl acetate extract of S. amaranthi showed the maximum scavenging activities in 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. The maximum amount of total flavonoid and total phenol content were found in S. amaranthi (18.29 ± 0.03 mg gallic acid equivalents.g−1 and 0.117 ± 0.00001 mg quercetin equivalents.g−1, respectively). Also 5% cell extract and 5% culture filtrate extract of this endophytic fungus during 7 days of calli culture led to the highest contents of ajmalicine (0.735 μg.g −1 fresh weight) and vinblastine (0.059 μg.g −1 FW) respectively. Thus, endophytic fungi isolated from C. roseus could be used as fungal elicitor to improve the indole alkaloid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]