Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine最新文献

Objective: Eczema, a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by itching and dermatitis, can significantly impact the quality of life. While conventional treatments exist, there is interest in exploring natural alternatives. This study investigates the efficacy of a rosehip extract-based cream in mitigating eczema symptoms in a mouse model.

Materials and methods: Thirty-five mice were divided into five groups: control, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced eczema (model group), and treatment groups receiving placebo, betamethasone cream (positive control), or rosehip extract cream. Following topical treatment for four weeks, the animals were euthanized, and their skin was evaluated for inflammation, moisture, and thickness. Histopathological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results: Compared to the control group, DNCB treatment significantly increased inflammation, erythema (redness), dryness, and epidermal thickness. Notably, topical application of the rosehip extract cream significantly reduced these eczema-associated parameters, demonstrating efficacy comparable to the positive control (betamethasone cream).

Conclusion: This study suggests that a topical cream formulated with rosehip extract may be a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating eczema symptoms. The anti-inflammatory and potentially regenerative properties of rose extract warrant further investigation for the development of natural eczema treatments.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of GO on depressive behaviors and reproductive parameters in rats exposed to CRS.

Materials and methods: Rats were divided into three groups: sham, CRS-control, and CRS-GO. Behavioral assessments using the SPT and measurements of body and testes weights were conducted. Reproductive potential was evaluated by ELISA for testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, as well as sperm characteristics. Oxidative stress levels were assessed through MDA measurements and antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, apoptotic and signaling pathway proteins were analyzed by measuring cleaved caspase-3 and Nrf-2 levels in the testes using western blot analysis.

Results: GO mitigated depressive behaviors and reduced serum corticosterone levels compared to the CRS-control group. GO increased testosterone, LH, and FSH levels and improved sperm parameters. GO supplementation reduced MDA levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the CRS-control group. The analysis showed that GO down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 levels and up-regulated Nrf-2 protein levels in the testes of CRS rats compared to the CRS-control group.

Conclusion: The administration of GO treatment can contribute to the recovery from male reproductive complications by regulating oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways.

Objective: The use of herbal teas can affect some physiological parameters of the body. Valerian has been used as a valuable medicinal plant. There are reports about sedative and sleep-inducing effects of Valeriana officinalis L. (VOT) on the nervous system. But in relation to its possible effect on the autonomic nervous system, the available information is limited. This study aimed to determine the effect of VOT on sympathovagal tone based on heart rate variability indices.

Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental study, 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled. At first, the participants received 50 ml of water as the control group, and then after the clearance time, they received VOT with a dilution of 50% with the same temperature and volume and were considered the intervention group. Assessment of sympathovagal tone was performed in terms of heart rate variability indices. There were 5 recording steps: baseline, after drinking water, and 5, 20, and 30 minutes after drinking VOT.

Results: The mean±SD of the average heart rate per minute at the five recording steps after VOT was 65.4±15.5, 63.5 ±14.6, 62.7±15.6, 61.8±16.09, and 60.9 15.2, respectively (p<0.05). The average arterial systolic pressure at the five recording steps after VOT was 119.4±7.4, 117.9± 9, 114.3±7.9, 113.8±8.6, and 114±6.5 mmHg, respectively.

Conclusion: A single cup of VOT significantly decreased the heart rate. This effect may be associated with a decrease in sympathetic activity and an increase in parasympathetic activity.

Objective: Prunus amygdalas (Almond; PA) has extensively been used in traditional medicine and has been the source of robust phenolic compounds. The current study intended to evaluate the fertility-enhancing effect of PA on male rats infertility and reproductive performance of two successive generations of rats namely, F₀ and F₁.

Materials and methods: Chemical composition of the oil was established with the aid of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil was then subjected to in-vitro antioxidant assay via DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ROS (reactive oxygen species), followed by in vivo toxicity testing. In the fertility assessment, 1 and 2 ml/kg of PA oil was given to rats up to pre-cohabitation, cohabitation, gestation and lactation period. The reproductive performance along with hormonal and antioxidant markers of F₁ generation was estimated and histopathological evaluation of both sex organs was done. Further, ethanol-induced male infertility model was established and sex hormones, antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lipid profile were assessed along with histopathology of male sex organs.

Results: The PA oil supplementation showed pronounced fertility outcomes in terms of raised litter size, sex hormones and antioxidant markers in both generations. Moreover, in ethanol-induced male infertility model, PA oil significantly restored sex hormones, ROS and GPx levels. Histological findings also endorsed better spermatogenesis with enhanced architecture.

Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that PA oil rich in PUFA (poly-unsaturated fatty acids) might be a promising treatment option in future for male/female sterility.

Objective: The integrity of the DNA is continously menaced by the harmful genotoxic compounds. The endogenous system responsible for preserving the DNA integrity, often fails following a massive influx of these genotoxic compounds. Reseaches on exogenous bioactive compounds from fruits and vegetables are necessary. This study was designed to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity and the DNA protection/repair potentiality of the extracts of Detarium microcarpum fruit pulp to protect against the arsenic trioxide-induced DNA oxidative degradation.

Materials and methods: The ability of extracts to trap free radicals was assessed by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide and hydroxyle radicals quenching assay. The comet assay was performed for evaluating the DNA protection/repair property of extracts to inhibit the DNA oxidative damage induced by arsenic trioxide.

Results: All extracts at a final concentration of 50 µg/mL have quenched more than 50% of DPPH, nitric oxide and hydroxyle radicals. Moreover, all extracts have showed good DNA protection/repair activity against the arsenic trioxide-induced DNA oxidative damage compared to arsenic treatment alone (p<0.001). However, methanol fractions have exhibited the best DNA protection/repair activities by reducing considerably DNA fragmentations compared to arsenic treatment (p<0.001). The genoprotective activity of the extracts was positively correlated with their free radical scavenging abilities.

Conclusion: The methanol fraction of D. microcarpum fruits have exhibited interesting DNA protection /repair properties probably due to its free radicals quenching ability. Further investigations are necessary to identify the phytomolecules responsible for these biological activities.

Objective: Animal studies have revealed that lipid accumulation in obese mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) leads to alterations in the structural and functional properties of cardiovascular tissues. The current study aimed to investigate apoptosis/anti-apoptotic markers in the heart tissue of rats fed with a HFD.

Materials and methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (weighing approximately 180 grams) were randomly divided into three groups (n=8 each group), including the control group (C), the high-fat diet group (HFD), and the high-fat diet + carvacrol group (HFD + Carva). Animals received a standard or HFD to induce obesity for three months. From day 61 to 90 in the HFD+Carva group, carvacrol was injected intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg) every other day. At the end of the study, the heart tissue was examined for pathological changes and the mRNA levels of TNF-α, Bcl2, Bax, and caspase3 in the heart tissue by Real Time-PCR.

Results: HFD-induced obesity led to increased TNF-α, caspase-3, and Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expression levels in heart tissue. Furthermore, histopathological changes in intracytoplasmic vacuole accumulation were evident in the HFD-obese animals. Carvacrol treatment significantly decreased the expression of Bax, TNF-α, and caspase-3 and increased the expression of Bcl-2 in heart tissue.

Conclusion: In the findings, carvacrol was found to decrease the histopathological changes caused by HFD in heart tissue by suppressing the expression of genes involved in the apoptosis pathway.

Objective: Myocardial ischemia (MI) and circulatory arrest are associated with unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effects of proanthocyanidins (PC) and regular exercise with various intensity training protocols (low, moderate, and high) on cardiac protection in a rat model of MI induced by isoproterenol.

Materials and methods: Based on bioinformatics, a pool of microRNAs and mRNAs was assessed according to significant differential expression in MI condition. Further, the networks of hub genes and mRNA-microRNAs were constructed. After 14 weeks of low, moderate, and high-intensity interval training and oral administration of 300 mg/kg of PC, MI was established in the rats by injecting isoproterenol. The real-time qPCR assessed the relative expressions.

Results: Based on the in-silico analysis, Fn1 (fibronectin-1) and Myh7 (myosin heavy chain 7) are potentially druggable cut points to reduce cardiac tissue damage. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and consumption of PC modified the relative expression of Myh6 (myosin heavy chain 6), Myh7, and Nf1. Moreover, High-intensity interval training and PC regulated the mir92a-3p, mir181a-5p, mir29a-3p, and mir133a-3p.

Conclusion: Here, the data indicated that the HIIT protocol could have an effective strategy compared to low-intensity interval training (LIIT) and moderate-intensity interval training protocols (MIIT). Furthermore, HIIT and PC might have protective effects on the MI condition.

Objective: Brain metastasis in patients with breast cancer is considered a deadly event. The oleogum resins of Boswellia species, known as Frankincense has been found to have anti-cancer properties in many studies. The main purpose of our research was to evaluate these effects on brain metastatic cancer cells.

Materials and methods: Primary (4T1T) and brain metastatic (4T1B) tumor cells were isolated from breast cancerous mice. Cytotoxic, apoptotic, and anti-metastatic effects of the methanolic extract of frankincense were evaluated with MTT assay, propidium iodide (PI) flow cytometric assay, and scratch test, respectively. Zymography assay was used to evaluate the effects of extract on the matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 /9) expression/activity.

Results: The methanolic extract of frankincense has significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on 4T1B cells (p<0.001). Interestingly, 4T1B cells are more prone to these effects than 4T1T cells. In 4T1B, the anti-metastatic effects of frankincense extract were confirmed. Frankincense suppressed MMP-2/9 protein expression both in 4T1T and 4T1B.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that frankincense extract has a potent cytotoxic effect on brain metastatic tumor cells and induces apoptosis in these cells. Unlike many anti-cancer drugs which have very little ability to combat and kill brain metastatic cancer cells, frankincense extract can be considered a suitable candidate to fight these cells.

Objective: The Maillard reaction generates acrylamide (ACR), a toxic compound commonly found in laboratory and industrial settings. ACR exposure, both short-term and long-term, can damage various organs, notably the central nervous system, through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. This study explores the potential neuroprotective effects of zeaxanthin (ZEA), known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, against ACR-induced toxicity in the rat cerebral cortex.

Materials and methods: Rats were subjected to ACR exposure (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) for 11 days and subsequently, treated with ZEA (20-80 mg/kg, intragastric gavage) for either 11 or 20 days to assess both preventive and therapeutic effects. Locomotor behavior was evaluated using a gait score test, while biochemical analyses measured malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, inflammatory markers interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and apoptotic markers (cleaved caspase-3) in the cerebral cortex.

Results: ACR exposure impaired locomotion in the animals, but ZEA treatment significantly improved gait scores when administered preventatively (from days 6-11) or therapeutically (from days 6-20). ACR also led to increased MDA levels and depleted GSH content in brain tissue, and it elevated IL-1β, TNF-α, and cleaved caspase-3 in the cerebral cortex. However, ZEA supplementation, along with vitamin E, effectively reversed these alterations compared to the ACR-exposed group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, ZEA demonstrates both preventive and therapeutic effects against ACR-induced neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that ZEA could serve as an effective preventive agent by countering ACR-induced damage through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Objective: Ma'aljobon is used in Persian medicine (PM) as a natural antihypertensive product. This study aimed to evaluate the hypotensive effect of Ma'aljobon in patients with uncontrolled grade 1 primary hypertension (HTN).

Materials and methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial included 114 patients (20-80 years) with uncontrolled grade 1 primary HTN. After obtaining informed consent, the participants were randomly divided into two groups and administered with 25g of Ma'aljobon or maltodextrin twice daily for six weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively) were analyzed.

Results: A total of 97 patients (52.3±10.7 years, %53.6 female) completed the study. In the Ma'aljobon group, SBP decreased from 150.3±12.3 to 130.6±12.1 mm Hg, and DBP decreased from 93.3±8.2 to 80.1±6.6 mm Hg (p<0.001). In the control group, SBP decreased from 147.6±11.2 to 138.7±14.4 mm Hg, and DBP decreased from 86.6±7.7 to 82.2±8.2 mm Hg (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the changes of SBP and DBP between the two groups over time (p<0.001). No adverse events were observed.

Conclusion: Ma'aljobon has a stronger hypotensive effect than placebo in patients with HTN and can be recommended as an add-on therapy for uncontrolled HTN.