Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine最新文献

Objective: The threat of immune escape and the discovery of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as the failure of certain conventional drugs that are already in use for the symptomatic treatment of diseases, have prompted a re-evaluation of ancient therapeutic remedies such as phytotherapy, and aromatherapy. In this context, the present study aims to shed light on some medicinal plants mostly used by the population of the Daraa Tafilalet region to strengthen their immune systems, and to provide an up-to-date literature review on this subject.

Materials and methods: A survey study was conducted using pre-prepared questionnaires addressed to the population of the Daraa Tafilalet region. MS Windows Excel and SPSS software were used for statistical analysis and results presentation. In addition, for the literature review, searches were conducted across several databases, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using medicinal plants, date products, enhance immunity, and essential oils as keywords.

Results: Among 142 participants interviewed, 108 used medicinal plants to improve their immune systems. However, 34 interviewers prefer conventional medicine. Date palm fruits and oregano were the most commonly used medicinal plants by the Daraa Tafilalet population to enhance the immune system, followed by anise, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and pennyroyal. These results are supported by literature data.

Conclusion: These results reflect the interesting traditional medical knowledge of this population, which merits being documented.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the impact of the aqueous-ethanolic extract of Zataria multiflora (ZM), carvacrol (Car), and their co-administration with a PPAR activator, pioglitazone (Pio), on oxidative stress and inflammation induced by paraquat (PQ) inhalation at a systemic level.

Materials and methods: The rats in the control group were exposed to saline and those of other groups to PQ (54 mg/m³) aerosols for 8 times on alternate days. Nine PQ groups were treated with saline, Car (20 and 80 mg/kg/day), ZM (200 and 800 mg/kg/day), Pio (5 mg/kg/day), dexamethasone (Dexa, 0.03 mg/kg/day), and low-dose ZM or Car + Pio for 16 days during the period of PQ exposure (n=6).

Results: Differential and total WBC counts, and malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were enhanced but catalase (CAT), thiol, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were reduced in the blood in the PQ group (p<0.01 to p<0.001). All measured variables improved in groups treated with both doses of ZM, Car, Pio, ZM + Pio, Car+Pio, and Dexa vs the PQ group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Most variables were more improved in combined treatment groups in comparison with three agents alone. The combination of ZM or Car, and Pio showed an impact on PQ inhalation-induced systemic changes.

Conclusion: The synergistic effect between Pio with ZM or Car indicates that these substances work together to enhance their individual effects.

Objective: This study aimed to formulate Citrus limon fruit rind's essential oil (EO) and to analyze its impact on breast cancer cells.

Materials and methods: Initially, the cytotoxicity of EO (0.09-9 µg/ml) and doxorubicin (0.5-5 µM) on MCF-7, SK-BR-3, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was assessed using the MTT assay following 24-72 hr treatment. The cells were then treated with niosomes containing 4.5 µg/ml EO and 0.5 µM doxorubicin for 48 hr. Flow cytometry, migration assay, and RT-qPCR were used to study the cell behavior.

Results: MTT results indicated that both EO and doxorubicin alone exhibited severe cytotoxicity (viability ≤ 30%) towards all three cells after 48 hr . When treated with encapsulated EO, the apoptotic death rate in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SK-BR-3 cells was substantially diminished to 14%, 28%, and 9%, respectively. Similarly, encapsulated doxorubicin induced mild apoptotic death in these cells. Encapsulated EO and doxorubicin significantly prevented the migration of all cells. Following treatment with the encapsulated EO, a notable reduction in the expression of VIM, SLUG, SNAIL, and JUN, which are promoters of cancer cell invasion, was seen. Conversely, the expression of the FAS receptor, an active participant in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, increased (p˂0.01).

Conclusion: Lemon EO has apoptotic and anti-migratory effects on breast cancer cells, comparable to that of doxorubicin. Utilizing niosome as an efficient delivery modality effectively mitigates the adverse effects of EO and can be used for in vivo delivery of it to cancer cells.

Objective: Olanzapine (OLZ) is used by some patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Some of its side effects include weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Zeaxanthin (Zx), a yellow pigment found in egg yolk as well as some yellow and orange plants and fruits, is an anti-obesity factor that aids in the treatment of metabolic disorders. The effects of Zx on metabolic disorders caused by OLZ were investigated in this study.

Materials and methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=6): 1. control (vehicle); 2. OLZ (5 mg/kg, 14 days, intraperitoneal (i.p.)); 3-5. OLZ + Zx (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg, 14 days, gavage); 6. OLZ+ metformin (100 mg/kg, 14 days, i.p.); and 7. Zx (50 mg/kg, 14 days). Weight changes were checked every 3 days and food intake was monitored every day. Systolic blood pressure, insulin, blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and leptin levels were evaluated on the last day of the study.

Results: OLZ caused an increase in weight (84.5% increase on day 15), food intake, blood pressure, triglyceride, LDL, insulin, blood sugar, and leptin compared to the control group (p<0.01 and p<0.001). The use of different doses of Zx (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) and metformin decreased weight (the percentages of weigh reduction on day 15 were 91.92% for Zx (50 mg/kg) and 59.39% for metformin), food intake, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, LDL, insulin, blood sugar, and leptin compared to the OLZ group. The amounts of cholesterol and HDL were not different in different groups.

Conclusion: Zx alleviates metabolic abnormalities including hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia in rats.

Objective: Trifolium pratense L. (Red clover) belongs to the Leguminosae family. This study was designed to develop transferosome formulations containing red clover extract or caffeine alone or in combination and evaluate their effects on hair growth in mice.

Materials and methods: Thin-lipid film hydration technique was used to make transferosomes. Six groups (n=6) of male Swiss mice (28-32 g) were used. One group was normal control. The second group received transferosome without drug. Groups 3 to 5 received 100 µl of transferosomes containing red clover extract (1%) or caffeine (0.002%) alone or in combination. The sixth group received minoxidil (2%). Treatments continued six days per week for 3 weeks and each week, the hair growth scores were recorded. At the end, sections of the skin were prepared for determining the percent of follicles in the anagen phase.

Results: Encapsulation efficiency was 84.3, 81.6 and 89.1% for red clover, caffeine and red clover+caffeine transferosomes respectively. After 24 hr, the cumulative release of red clover and caffeine formulations was 77.6 and 76.9%, respectively. Treatments produced no significant change in hair growth after two weeks but at the end of the third week, all treatments significantly increased the hair growth and the effects were comparable with minoxidil. The combination of red clover and caffeine was not more effective than either alone.

Conclusion: Transferosome formulations of caffeine and red clover alone demonstrated hair growth effect but their combination had no additive effect which might be due to a physicochemical or pharmacodynamic interaction.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder among women of reproductive age. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) (Oenothera biennis) in adolescent girls with PCOS.

Materials and methods: In the current double-blind and randomized controlled research, 76 patients completed the study in two groups (38 in the placebo and 38 in the EPO groups). The patients were asked to take oral placebo or EPO (1000 mg/day) for 12 weeks. Biochemical, clinical, and ultrasonography assessments were performed. The data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software.

Results: After the intervention, the regulation of the menstrual cycle in the EPO group was different from that of the placebo group (p=0.04). The levels of insulin, testosterone, and free androgen index (FAI) in the EPO group were lower than those of the placebo group (p<0.05). The sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in the EPO group were higher than those of the placebo group (p=0.01). While the number of immature follicles decreased in the EPO group, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.8).

Conclusion: Overall, EPO administration for 12 weeks in young women with PCOS regulated the irregular menstrual cycle. In addition, the levels of insulin, testosterone, FAI, and SHBG changed. Therefore, EPO may be effective in improving hormonal and menstrual irregularities.

Objective: Melasma is a multifactorial, chronic, acquired skin disorder of hyperpigmentation. Terminalia chebula Retz. (T. chebula) has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory activities. So, the present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of T. chebula 5% cream compared to hydroquinone 2% cream in treating patients with melasma.

Materials and methods: The formulation of T. chebula 5% cream was prepared. The stability and release study of the cream were performed. In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind clinical trial, participants with facial melasma were randomly assigned to receive T. chebula 5% cream or hydroquinone 2% cream at bedtime for 12 weeks. Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) scores were recorded for all the participants at the baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiating the study.

Results: No statistically significant differences regarding mMASI scores were detected between T. chebula and hydroquinone groups at each time point. The reduction in mMASI scores was statistically significant (p<0.05) in T. chebula group 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiating the study. However, it reached statistical significance (p<0.05) in hydroquinone group 8, and 12 weeks after the study initiation. The frequencies of side effects especially skin irritation were significantly (p<0.05) lower in T. chebula group.

Conclusion: T. chebula 5% cream could be as effective as hydroquinone 2% cream in treating melasma with fewer side effects.

Objective: Species of the genus Achillea (from the family Compositae or Asteraceae) are widely used for their numerous pharmacological properties. The present paper reviews pharmacological actions and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms reported for various species of Achillea.

Materials and methods: Various databases including PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus were used.

Results: Immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects were shown for these plants. In addition, it was shown that these plants pose wound-healing properties and antimicrobial effects on various bacteria as well as antitumor effects on different cell lines. Achillea species showed anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic, vasorelaxant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective and gastroprotective effects. In addition, the plants showed different endocrine effects such as anti-diabetic, estrogenic and anti-spermatogenic properties. Neurological effects of the plants also included anti-nociceptive and anti-anxiety actions. Clinical studies also indicated therapeutic effect of A. millefolium on multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in cancer patients, and dysmenorrhea but did not affect atopic dermatitis.

Conclusion: Achillea species could be of therapeutic potential for treating of a wide range of diseases but further investigations are needed regarding the other properties of Achillea plants.

Objective: In this study, the protective effects of native Iranian probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus holoticus) on lead acetate (PbAc)-induced toxicity in the kidney of male rats were investigated using biochemical, molecular and histopathological approaches.

Materials and methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=7/group), including controls, PbAc recipient (10 mg/kg) and PbAc recipient (10 mg/kg) + probiotic mixture (10⁹ CFU). PbAc and probiotics were gavage in the groups. On the 31^st day, blood samples were used to measure serum concentrations of creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sodium, total protein and potassium. Rats were dissected and renal tissues apoptotic and inflammatory genes were evaluated.

Results: PbAc increased serum concentrations of Cr, sodium, and urea, and decreased total protein and potassium, while it enhanced interleukine-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF- α) gene expression in kidney tissue compared to the control group. Probiotic mixture decreased Cr, BUN, and malondialdehyde and increased activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in kidney tissue.

Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the native Iranian probiotics mixture can be used to protect the function and structure of the kidneys against toxic and oxidative damage induced by PbAc.

Objective: Melissa officinalis (MO) hydroalcoholic extract has shown neuroprotective effects. We assess the possible therapeutic effects of Melissa officinalis extract (MOE) on blood biochemical and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels as well as neurobehavioral consequences of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.

Materials and methods: Eighty male Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 220 g were divided into two groups at the beginning of the experiment and fed with normal diet (ND) or HFD for 5 weeks. Then, each group was divided into four subgroups (10 rats in each group) and treated daily with MOE (50, 100, 150 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) or vehicle for another two weeks. At the end of the experiments, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipid profile, and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured. The sucrose preference test (anhedonia and depression), open field test (locomotor), elevated plus maze (anxiety), Y-maze (working memory), and Morris water maze test (spatial memory) were done.

Results: Feeding with HFD for 7 weeks caused obesity, anhedonia, anxiety, depression and learning and memory disorders in rats and a decrease in serum BDNF level. Administration of MOE at 100 or 150 mg/kg to HFD-fed rats decreased weight gain, FBG, and serum levels of total low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased serum BDNF levels. It also improved changes in locomotor activity, anxiety, depression, and learning and memory in HFD-fed rats.

Conclusion: The results show that MOE has a therapeutic effect on model rats with HFD-induced metabolic and neurobehavioral abnormalities through regulation of BDNF secretion.