Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine最新文献

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.

Objective: Echium amoenum (EA) and Foeniculum vulgare (FV) might be beneficial for the management of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) due to their possible effects on sex hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combination of Echium and Fennel on the severity of physical and psychological symptoms of PMS.

Materials and methods: This triple-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 80 women. The subjects were assigned to two groups of intervention (receiving EA 2 g/day and FV 1 g/day, in the second two weeks of the cycle, in two consecutive cycles) and placebo control. The data collection tools included the PSST, DRSP, and SF36 questionnaires.

Results: Between-group differences in all subscales of DRSP were significant at one- and two-month time points (p<0.05). Bleeding volume was significantly increased in the intervention group, compared to the placebo group, two months after the intervention (p<0.05). Between-group comparison of the changes demonstrated significant differences in all subscales of SF36, except for limitations in usual role activities due to emotional problems (p=0.07).

Conclusion: Consumption of EA and FV combination improved the quality of life in women with PMS and exerted favorable changes in PMS symptoms.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the protective effects of Heracleum persicum L. leaves extract (HPE) against oxidative damage induced by gentamicin (GM) in the testes of rats through biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical approaches.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=6/group) for 50 days. On day 51, the study assessed serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (TT), as well as antioxidant enzyme activity, nitric oxide levels, and various parameters related to testicular tissue (including the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), thiol, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels). The stereological indices of seminiferous tubules were measured using serial sections of testicular tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin, while the apoptosis rate of testicular parenchymal cells (p53, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2 positive cells) was also determined.

Results: In the groups treated with HPE, particularly at 750 mg/kg, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in LH, FSH, and TT hormone levels, an enhanced serum antioxidant enzyme activity and significantly reduced (p<0.05) nitric oxide levels. HPE inhibited the apoptotic pathway involving Bax/p53/Caspase-3 (significantly decreased (p<0.05) all three genes), thereby preserving the structure and function of the testicular tissue. Consequently, the number of p53 and Caspase-3 positive testicular cells decreased significantly (p<0.05), while the number of Bcl-2 positive cells increased.

Conclusion: HPE demonstrated potential in protecting the function and structure of testis against toxic and oxidative damages.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of Nigella sativa essential oil on testicular toxicity in mice induced by dexamethasone.

Materials and methods: Forty NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. The first group (Sham) received 1 ml per day of normal saline by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 7 days. The second group (Control) received (i.p) injection of 5 mg/kg dexamethasone for 7 days. The third group (Dexa+ N.S 5 mg/kg) received dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) and gavaged 5 mg/kg N. sativa essential oil for 7 days. The fourth group (N.S 5 mg/kg) for 7 days was gavaged 5 mg/kg N. sativa. Histopathology of testis, spermatogenesis, and sperm fertility rate were assessed.

Results: The results of histopathology assessments showed that in the third group, all histopathology criteria were decreased compared to the second group. The number of seminiferous tubules that had abnormal spermatogenesis in Johnsen's score was slightly decreased in the third group compared to the second group. Furthermore, in the third group, embryo formation criteria were increased.

Conclusion: The data of this research demonstrate that N. sativa improves spermatogenesis defects and sperm fertility in mice treated with dexamethasone.

Objective: COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this study, around 300 herbal compounds were screened virtually to find the best anti-COVID-19 structures.

Materials and methods: An extensive search in electronic databases was done. Around 300 herbal compounds, which were previously proven to be antiviral structures, were extracted from articles and considered our primary database. Then, molecular docking studies were performed to find the best inhibitors of the main SARS-COV-2 proteins, including spike protein (PDB 7BWJ), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (PDB 6M71) and main protease (PDB 5R7Z).

Results: The molecular docking and dynamics studies revealed that fangchinoline as an alkaloid could bind to the main protease of the virus more potent than lopinavir (-42.26 vs. -30.9 kJ/mol). Fangchinoline can be orally active based on drug-like properties. According to the molecular dynamic study, the complex between the fangchinoline and SARS-CoV-2 main protease is stable. chebulagic acid is a benzopyrene tannin that could inhibit RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) better than remdesivir (-43.9 vs. -28.8 kJ/mol). The molecular dynamic study showed that chebulagic acid-RdRp interaction is stable and strong. Furthermore, suramin could neutralize different variants of COVID-19 spike proteins (wild type, and alpha and beta variants). However, suramin is not orally active but it is a potential inhibitor for different coronavirus spike proteins.

Conclusion: According to the promising in silico results of this study, fangchinoline, chebulagic acid and suramin could be introduced as potential lead compounds for COVID-19 treatment. We are hopeful to find a reliable remedy shortly through natural compounds.