Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine最新文献

Objective: Serum/glucose deprivation in cultured PC12 cells is considered an appropriate model for investigating detailed mechanisms of ischemia-induced brain injury. Here, we aimed to study the anti-apoptotic effects of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) root extract and carbenoxolone on PC12 cells cultured in the serum/glucose deprivation (SGD) condition.

Materials and methods: Cells were incubated with the different concentrations of the G. glabra methanol extract (5-320 µg/ml) and carbenoxolone (0.5-32 µM) for 2 hr before being deprived of serum/glucose. Protection against cytotoxicity, increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis was analyzed with resazurin, dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), and western blot, respectively.

Results: Serum/glucose deprivation induced cell death and apoptosis in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with the G. glabra methanol extract at 5-20 µg/ml and carbenoxolone at 0.5-2 µM for 2 hr significantly decreased the cytotoxicity (p<0.05), and pretreatment with the G. glabra methanol extract (5-160 µg/ml) and carbenoxolone (0.5 μM) significantly decreased the ROS content. Pretreatment with the G. glabra methanol extract and carbenoxolone at 5-20 µg/ml significantly prevented from the Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 cleavage.

Conclusion: Taken together, this study confirms the protective and free radical-scavenging potency of licorice extract and carbenoxolone in in vitro model of ischemia. Overall, it seems that pretreatment with the licorice extract and carbenoxolone may potentially slow the progression of brain ischemia.

Objective: Obstructive pulmonary diseases are characterized by airflow limitation secondary to airway wall thickening, airway narrowing and increased mucus secretion. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has shown different effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties and promising effects for treating multiple disorders. In this study, the contribution of calcium and potassium channels, muscarinic and histamine (H₁) receptors in the relaxant effect of the C. sativus petal extract on tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) was assessed.

Materials and methods: Fifty-four male Wistar rats divided in 8 groups, were studied. TSM was contracted by 10 μM methacholine or 60 mM KCl for 5 min, and the relaxant effects of cumulative concentrations of C. sativus petal extract (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml), theophylline (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mM) or 1 mL normal saline were tested. In non-incubated TSM and in TSM groups incubated with diltiazem, chlorpheniramine, propranolol, glibenclamide, atropine and indomethacin, the relaxant effects of the extract were evaluated.

Results: The concentration-dependent relaxant effects of C. sativus petal extract on non-incubated TSM contracted by methacholine or KCl, were observed (for all, p<0.001). The relaxant effects of C. sativus petal extract in TSM incubated with chlorpheniramine and indomethacin, were significantly reduced compared to non-incubated tissues (p<0.05 to p<0.001).

Conclusion: The results showed an obvious relaxation effect of the petal of C. sativus extract on TSM and suggest that inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway and histamine receptors contribute to the extract relaxant effect of the extract.

Objective: Aloe dry juice as a purgative agent is widely used in phytotherapy. In Iranian traditional medicine to decrease Aloe side effects, some plants are added, and this polyherbal formulation is named "Ayarij-e-Faiqra" (AF). Based on the anti-fertility properties of Aloe, this study investigates the anti-fertility effects of Aloe-based polyherbal formulation to find the impact of accompanying plants on the anti-fertility effects of Aloe.

Materials and methods: In this study, forty male rats were classified into the following groups: the control group, the sham group receiving only busulfan carrier solution (DMSO 50%) on days 1 and 21 via intraperitoneal injection, the busulfan group received intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg of busulfan on days 1 and 21, the Aloe group received 25 mg/kg of Aloe-dry juice, and the AF group was administered with 71 mg/kg (containing 25 mg/kg of Aloe dry juice). Treatment was performed by gavage for 56 days. Testis weight and histological alterations, sexual hormone levels (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone), and classical and functional sperm parameters were examined.

Results: Our findings showed that AF negatively affects testicular tissue architecture and sperm quality such as count, motility, morphology, and viability which were accompanied by an imbalance of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone hormones. In addition, reaction oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis increased in the sperm cells of the AF group while decreasing their mitochondrial membrane potential.

Conclusion: The plants presented in the formulation of AF cannot cover the anti-fertility side effects of Aloe.

Objective: Although there are many drugs on the shelves of pharmacies to manage diabetes mellitus (DM), many people around the world still use herbal preparations to treat it. This study investigated the effect of an aqueous combination of olive leaves and ginger rhizome extracts on type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using various physiological markers.

Materials and methods: Fifty-two Wistar rats were distributed into 2 healthy and 6 diabetic groups. Forty rats were given alloxan (150 mg/kg) as an intraperitoneal single-dose to induce T1DM. Treatments including insulin with/without individual and combined extracts, were started 4-day post-induction. The extracts were administered orally (500 mg/kg) and insulin was administered subcutaneously (6 IU/kg) in single-doses once a day. After one week of treatment, the blood samples were collected to measure Fasting blood glucose (FBG), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine.

Results: The diabetic group that received the combination of both extracts with insulin had a lower mortality rate after 14 days of treatment. The diabetic group receiving insulin with the olive leaves extract, demonstrated a decrease in ALT levels to 33.7 U/L (p=0.345) while maintaining the ALP levels within the normal range 126.9 U/L (p=0.463). Creatinine was significantly reduced to 1.1 mg/dl (p=0.028) and 0.7 mg/dl (p=0.028) in diabetic groups that received individual olive leaves and ginger extracts with insulin respectively.

Conclusion: To conclude, this combination with insulin had powerful effects to improve the mortality rate in diabetic rats over other groups, and the two extracts separately were able to decrease the creatinine levels.

Objective: Nasturtium officinale (N. officinale (NO)) has been widely used in traditional medicine. This study investigates the protective effects of NO against hepatic and renal damage induced by CCl₄ and gentamicin, respectively, in rats.

Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into two arms: A (CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity) and B (gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity). Seventeen groups were formed by dividing arms A and B, with nine groups in arm A and eight groups in arm B (n=5). Rats were daily treated with various doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW) of N. officinale extract (NOE) (Total extract; Oral gavage) for 14 and 28 days in arm A and B, respectively. Biochemical and histopathological evaluations and gene expression analyses were conducted on blood, liver, and kidney tissues.

Results: NOE treatment significantly modulated B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) expression in kidney tissue, reducing Bax (p<0.01) and increasing Bcl-2 (p<0.05). In liver tissue, NOE inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p<0.01) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) (p<0.001), while reducing AST and ALT activity (p<0.001). Additionally, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels significantly decreased (p<0.05) in nephrotoxic rats.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the capability of NOE as a promising therapeutic against liver and kidney damage induced by CCl₄ and gentamicin, respectively, in animal models.

Objective: Functional dyspepsia (FD), a common gastrointestinal problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) on FD.

Materials and methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial study included 104 patients aged 18 to 60 years diagnosed with FD according to the ROME IV criteria. Four groups were formed: A) sumac extract + dietary changes, B) dietary changes, C) sumac extract and D) omeprazole. During the present eight-week study, patients' FD symptoms were assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) in four sessions. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI-10) was used to measure the impact of the interventions on patients' quality of life.

Results: The study employed generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis and found that symptom severity decreased across all groups during the intervention period. At the fourth week, no notable difference was noted between the omeprazole group and others. After the intervention, the severity of symptoms increased, especially in the omeprazole group, resulting in a significant difference compared to other groups.

Conclusion: It seems that as a complementary treatment in FD, sumac might be effective with a more lasting effect with a significantly less recurrence of symptoms.

Objective: This study examined the impact of menthol, a natural monoterpene, on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced molecular and histopathological changes in the livers of male mice.

Materials and methods: Forty male mice were divided into four groups: Control, Menthol (M), DEN, and DEN-M. The DEN and DEN-M groups received an intraperitoneal injection of DEN (25 mg/kg) at the age of 14 days. The M and DEN-M groups were also given menthol (50 mg/kg, three times a week for six months) via gavage. The expression of genes related to liver carcinoma was analyzed using real-time PCR. Subsequently, the liver tissue was microscopically examined following staining with hematoxylin-eosin.

Results: After one month, menthol reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue of mice injected with DEN. It also prevented the increase in the expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (p<0.001), programmed cell death 6 (p<0.05), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) (p<0.001), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p<0.001) in DEN-M animals compared with DEN group. After six months of session, the expression of AFP (p<0.05), HIF-1α (p<0.05), secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (p<0.001), and catenin beta 1 (p<0.01) was lower in group DEN-M compared with group DEN. Menthol also partially prevented DEN-induced various histopathological changes in the liver after six months of treatment.

Conclusion: We concluded that menthol inhibits Wnt signaling and suppresses the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in the liver of DEN-injected mice. It is probably a suitable option for the prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease, has many complex complications and an increasing prevalence in various societies. Despite conventional drug treatments and limited surgical and tissue transplant methods, a definitive diabetes treatment remains to be found. Restoring damaged beta cells to insulin production or prompting other pancreatic cells to secrete insulin is an essential goal of diabetes research. The present study investigated the antidiabetic and regenerative effects of Peganum harmala seed extract (PHSE) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats.

Materials and methods: In this experimental in vivo study, male Wistar rats (200±10 g) were placed in 5 groups: control, untreated diabetic and diabetic groups treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of PHSE. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), C-peptide, insulin, and antioxidant parameters (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and nitric oxide (NO)) of serum were measured. Pancreatic tissue was used for histologic staining and assessment of the expression of genes related to beta cell regeneration.

Results: PHSE significantly improved FBS, weight loss, insulin, c-peptide, TAC, NO, and expression of pancreatic genes (insulin, PDX1 and neurogenin-3) (p<0.05). It also increased the number of pancreatic beta cells.

Conclusion: PHSE has considerable regenerative and antidiabetic effects on changes caused by diabetes in rats' serum and pancreas.

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (Cy) as an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent with broad-spectrum efficacy in cancer treatment. Despite its wide spectrum of clinical usage, off-target multiple organ toxicity such as sperm and testicular injury is one of its toxic side effects. Since the Nasturtium officinale L. hydroalcoholic extract (NOE) contains a wide range of phytochemicals with various biological functions, the current study was designed to explore the protective potential of NOE on testicular toxicity caused by Cy in rats.

Materials and methods: Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into eight groups (n=6): control, Cy [received a single dose of 75 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p)], NOE+Cy (Prevention): received NOE 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, orally for 21 consecutive days and on the last day received Cy, Cy+NOE (Treatment): received NOE 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, orally for 7 days after Cy administration for 21 consecutive days, and NOE (500 and 1000 mg/kg/day). After experiments, the testicular weight and volume, testosterone level, and sperm parameters as well as histologic and histomorphometric changes of testis were examined.

Results: Base on the results, Cy caused significant decreases in testicular weight and volume, decreased testosterone level and reduced sperm count, and motility whereas increased sperm abnormality (p<0.05). Cy significantly reduced seminiferous tubules diameter, and height of the seminiferous epithelium (p<0.05). Furthermore, disorganization of seminiferous tubules diameter was increased in Cy group (p<0.05). Interestingly, pre and post-treatment with NOE could effectively improve testicular weight and volume, and testosterone level as well as sperm parameters. Furthermore, NOE administration ameliorated seminiferous tubules diameter diameter, seminiferous epithelium height (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It is concluded that NOE may provide a potential protective effect for Cy-induced testicular damage.

Objective: This research attempted to increase the bioactivity and solubility and reduce the side effects of Tamoxifen (TMX) by using the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from walnut shells as a carrier and studied the interaction behavior of CNCs-TMX with hemoglobin.

Materials and methods: The synthesized CNCs and CNCs-TMX were analyzed through the usage of XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, and multi-spectroscopic techniques. A real-time PCR assay was also conducted to further unravel the underlying mechanism of CNCs- TMX.

Results: Our synthesized products including CNCs and CNCs- TMX had spherical morphologies in small sizes of 17.42 nm and 56.38 nm, respectively. The changes in FTIR spectrum signified the induced alterations in the samples functional group during the steps of preparation, while the crystallinity index of CNCs was 71.35%. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the quencher functionality of CNCs-TMX along with the dominance of static quenching mechanism. Also, synchronous fluorescence displayed its binding to Hb in the vicinity of Tryptophanresidue. FRET was applied to calculate the interaction energy transfer of 0.18 nm. Next to achieving satisfactory results from oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation studies, the presence of CNCs-TMX caused a reduction in hemoglobin affinity for oxygen.

Conclusion: Our findings pointed out the remarkable potential of TMX-loaded CNCs, derived from walnut shell, in suppressing the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells by quelling the RAS/RAF/MEK/MAPK signaling pathways. The gathered data approved the promising applicability of the obtained CNCs from walnut shell in the delivery system of anti-cancer drugs throughout pharmaceutical applications.