مجله علوم پایه پزشکی ایران
سال:1390 | دوره: | شماره: |تعداد مقالات:12

Rosa damascene mill L., known as Gole Mohammadi in Iran is one of the most important species of Rosaceae family flowers. R. damascena is an ornamental plant and beside perfuming effect, several pharmacological properties including anti-HIV, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitussive, hypnotic, antidiabetic, and relaxant effect on tracheal chains have been reported for this plant. This article is a comprehensive review on pharmacological effects of R. damascena.Online literature searches were performed using Medline, Pubmed, Iran medex, Scopus, and Google Scholar websites backed to 1972 to identify researches about R. damascena. Searches also were done by going through the author's files and the bibliographies of all located papers.

Widespread use of herbal drugs because of their protective effects on different organs toxicity has been shown in many studies. These protective effects have been illustrated in the fields of nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, viral hepatitis, cancer, in vitro fertilization, neurotoxicity, depression, lung diseases, prostate diseases etc. Silymarin has cytoprotection activities due to its antioxidant activity and radical scavenging.The possible known mechanisms of action of silymarin protection are blockade and adjustment of cell transporters, p-glycoprotein, estrogenic and nuclear receptors. Moreover, silymarin anti-inflammatory effects through reduction of TNF-α, protective effects on erythrocyte lysis and cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity have been indicated in some studies. Silymarin has also inhibited apoptosis and follicular development in patients undergoing IVF. Basis on such data, silymarin can be served as a novel medication in complementary medicine.

Objective (s): Indigofera tinctoria Linn. of Fabaceae family is claimed to be useful to control epileptic seizures in the Indian system of folkore medicine. This study was designed to evaluate I. tinctoria and to verify the claim.Materials and Methods: Seizures were induced in male albino rats with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The test group animals were administered ethanolic extract of Indigofera tinctoria (EEIT) orally. The time of onset and duration of clonic convulsions were recorded. Maximal electroshock seizures (MES) were induced in animals. The duration of hind limb tonic extension (HLTE) was recorded. GABA levels and GABA transaminase activity in brain were estimated.Results: In PTZ model, EEIT significantly (P<0.01, P<0.001) delayed the onset of convulsions and reduced the duration of seizures in a dose dependent manner. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in the duration of HLTE at higher doses of EEIT was observed in MES model. Increase in brain GABA levels was observed on treatment with EEIT at 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses, suggested that the plant may be acting by facilitating GABAergic transmission. A significant reduction (P<0.05) in the activity of brain GABA transaminase was observed at higher doses. No neurotoxic signs were observed with rotarod test, pentobarbital induced sleeping time, locomotor activity and haloperidol-induced catalepsy.Conclusion: The ethanolic extract ofI. tinctoria was found to be useful to control and treat the variety of seizures.

Objective (s): Clinical studies of treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) with autologous adult stem cells led us to examine the impression of a combination therapy. This was performed by intravenous injection of human umbilical cord matrix stem cell (hUCMSC-Wharton’s jelly stem cell) with bone marrow cell mobilized by granulocytecolony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in rats injured with cortical compact device.Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n=50) were injured with controlled cortical impact device and divided into five groups. All injections were performed 1 day after injury into the tail veins of rats. Neurological functional evaluation of animals was performed before and after injury using modified neurological severity scores (mNSS). Animals were sacrificed 42 days after TBI and brain sections were stained by Brdu immunohistochemistry.Results: Statistically significant improvement in functional outcome was observed in treatment groups when compared with control (P<0.01). mNSS showed no significant differences among the hUCMSC and G-CSF treated groups at any time point (end of trial). Rats with hUCMSC+G-CSF treatment had a significant improvement on mNSS at 5 and 6 week compared to other treatment group (P<0.01).Conclusion: Histological analysis in G-CSF+hUCMSC treated traumatic rats exhibited significant increase in numbers of Brdu immunoreactive cells in their traumatic core compared with other labeled group.

Objective (s): The aim of the present study was to compare the therapeutic indices of several agents used in treatment of inflammatory conditions which included: Vitamin E, hydro-alcoholic extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Matricaria aurea, dexamethasone, piroxicam and diclofenac using Wehi-164 fibrosarcoma cells.Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity evaluation was based on vital dye exclusion assay. Matrix-metalloproteinases inhibition (MMPI) was assessed by gelatinase zymography method. The collected data were used to estimate the IC50 (50% MMPI concentration), LC50 (50% cytotoxicity concentration) and the therapeutic index (LC50/IC50).Results: Among the natural anti-inflammatory agents used, M. aurea was the least toxic and the most effective inhibitor of MMP. Vitamin E not only increased MMP activity, but also was the most toxic of all the agents tested. Next in terms of toxicity to vitamin E was G. glabra. Diclofenac was more toxic than both piroxicam and dexamethasone.Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that medicinal plants reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties are not equally effective and safe. In order to assess the implications of these findings, furtherin vitro and in vivo studies are needed.

Objective (s): Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a member of the b-galactoside-binding lectins which is expressed in a variety of tissues and plays a role in diverse biological events, such as embryogenesis, adhesion, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. In this study, the presence and distribution of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in the mouse testicular tissue was investigated.Materials and Methods: Eight adult NMRI mice were used in this study. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation under ether anesthesia. The testes were excised, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin for immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. H-score, a semi-quantitative method, was used for scaling the immunostaining.Results: Positive immunoreactivity to Gal-3 was detected in the connective tissues of the interstitium, Leydig cells and presumably peritubular myoid cells. Seminiferous tubules showed immuno-positive reaction in a stage dependent manner. Stages I-III and IX-XII of spermatogenic cycle showed mild immunostaining, while moderate immunostaining was observed at stages IV-VI. Highest immunoreactivity was observed at stages VII-VIII. H-score assessment showed a significant increase in stages of VII-VIII in comparison to other stages (P<0.05).Conclusion: Expression of Gal-3 in interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules indicated that this protein probably has multifunctional roles in the mouse testicular tissue.

Introduction: Dendritic cells (DCs) are bone marrow-derived cells, which migrate to lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs via blood. Liver DCs are believed to play an important role in the regulation of hepatic allograft acceptance. However, because of inherent difficulties in isolating adequate numbers of DCs from liver, limited information is available on the phenotype and functions of liver DCs. To address this issue, we isolated DCs from normal C57BL/6 mouse liver using a modified procedure and described their immunophenotypic characteristics.Materials and Methods: Non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) were obtained by collagenase digestion of perfused liver fragments and density gradient centrifugation (14.5% nycodenz column). After overnight (18 hr) incubation of the NPCs, enrichment for transiently adherent, low- density cells on 13% nycodenz gradients permitted the recovery of low numbers of cells (approximately 1.2-1.5x105 per liver), many of which displayed distinct DCs morphology (abundant cytoplasm with prominent projections and irregularly shaped nuclei).Results: Flowcytometric analysis revealed that most of these cells were recognized by anti-CD11c (60-70%). The results obtained from double staining with PE and FITC conjugated monoclonal antibodies indicated that these cells were CD11c+/MHC-II+ (53%), CD11c+/CD86+ (53.5%), CD11c+/ CD8a+(36%) and CD11c+/CD11b+(45%).Conclusion: These findings indicate that the purity of DCs isolated by nycodenz gradient is higher than other reported methods. Considering the similar ratio of lymphoid (CD11c+/CD8a+) and myeloid (CD11c+/CD11b+) DCs in the liver, and the known role of lymphoid DCs in tolerance induction, it seems that this subpopulation of DCs is not the main reason of liver tolerogenecity. Therefore, other factors such as the immaturity of liver DCs or the effect of liver microenvironment on these cells, etc. may explain the acceptance of epatic allograft.

Objective (s): Herbal waters are extensively used in most parts of Iran including Mashhad. Visiting a patient with total blindness due to daily ingestion of around 200 ml of herbal water (Plant forty water) per day for six months was the rational for methanol determination in all herbal waters available in Mashhad markets.Materials and Methods: A total of two hundred and nineteen bottles of herbal waters were randomly bought from Mashhad market. Methanol concentration was determined by gas chromatography, using a Flame Ionized Detector. Benzene (1000 mg/l) was applied as the internal standard. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 11.5), using appropriate descriptive statistical tests.Results: Forty six different herbal waters from three main producing factories (A, B and C) were tested. Highest methanol concentration was measured in dill water of A (1208±202.74 mg/l), concentrated rose water of A (1017.41±59.68 mg/l) and concentrated rose water of B (978.52±92.81 mg/l). Lowest methanol concentration was determined in Trachyspermum copticum water of B (18.93±1.04 mg/l), cinnamon and ginger water of B (29.64±10.88 mg/l) and rice skin water of A (41.33±7.85 mg/l). Mean methanol concentrations of herbal waters including ginger, cinnamon, dill, peppermint, alfalfa, and plant forty from A, B and C were 374.69, 209.81 and 280.12 mg/l, respectively (P<0.001).Conclusion: Methanol concentration in all herbal waters, especially rose water of the three producers was very high that may induce toxicity in people taking these products regularly for a long time.

Objective (s): Nonviral vector can be an attractive alternative to gene delivery in experimental study. In spite of some advantages in comparison with the viral vectors, there are still some limitations for efficiency of gene delivery in nonviral vectors. To determine the effective expression, the recombinant Escherichia coli lacZ genes were cloned into the different variants of pcDNA3.1 and then the mammalian cells were transfected.Methods and Materials: The coding sequences of cytoplasmic and nuclear variants of lacZ gene were inserted downstream of the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene promoter of plasmid pcDNA3.1/myc-His C. The new cytoplasmic and nuclear constricts of E. coli b-galactosidase-coding sequences were introduced into HeLa cells with the aid of linear polyethylenimine and at 2 days post-transfection the cells were stained using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-b-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal).Results: Restriction enzyme analyses revealed the proper insertion of E. coli b-galactosidase-coding sequences into the multiple cloning site of pcDNA3.1/myc-His C. The functionality of the resulting constructs designated pcDNA3.1-cyt.lacZ and pcDNA3.1-nls.lacZ (+) was confirmed by X-gal staining of HeLa cells transfected with these recombinant plasmids. While pcDNA3.1-cyt.lacZ directed the synthesis of cytoplasmically located b-galactosidase molecules, the b-galactosidase protein encoded by pcDNA3.1-nls.lacZ (+) was predominantly detected in the cell nucleus.Conclusion: The expression of cytoplasmic and nuclear variant of LacZ gene confirmed the ability of pcDNA3.1 as versatility nonviral vector for the experimental gene delivery study in mammalian cells.

Objective (s): The effect of testosterone on anxiety-like behaviors has been the subject of some studies. There is evidence that testosterone modulates anxiety via GABA (gama aminobutyric acid) and GABAergic system. The involvement of GABAC receptors in those effects of testosterone on anxiety-like behaviors of the rats was investigated in the present study.Materials and Methods: A group of rats received subcutaneous injections of testosterone (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). Two groups of rats received intracerebroventricular injections of either CACA (GABAC agonist, 0.125 μg/rat) or TPMPA (GABAC antagonist, 3 microg/rat) following administration of testosterone (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). After the injections, the rats were submitted to the elevated plus-maze test of anxiety.Results: The rats received testosterone alone, showed a decreased in anxiety-like behaviors (P<0.01). Administration of either CACA or TPMPA did not modify animals’ behavior compared to the rats received testosterone alone.Conclusion: the results of the present study showed that administration of testosterone induces anxiolytic-like behaviors in the rats and GABAC receptors possibly are not involved in the anxiolytic effect of testosterone.

Objective (s): The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of production of ibuprofen pellets with high amount of rate retarding polymer by aid of PEG400 as plasticizer.Materials and Methods: Polyethylene glycol (PEG400) in concentrations of 1, 3 or 5% w/w with respect to Eudragit RL was used in production of pellets containing 60% ibuprofen and 40% excipient (2% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 7.6 or 0% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and 30.4 or 38% Eudragit RL). Physicomechanical and release properties of pellets were evaluated.Results: In presence of PEG400, formulations containing 30.4% Eudragit RL and 7.6% MCC could easily form pellets. In formulations without any MCC pellets were obtained only in presence of 3 or 5% PEG400. Pellets containing MCC with 0 or 1% PEG400 showed brittle properties but those with 3% or 5% PEG400 showed plastic nature under pressure. Elastic modulus dramatically decreased with increasing PEG400 indicating softening of pellets. This was due to shift of Eudragit structure from glassy to rubbery state which was supported by DSC studies. Mean dissolution time (MDT) increased with addition of 1 or 3% PEG400 but this was not the case for pellets with 5% PEG400.Conclusion: Overall PEG400 is a potential plasticizer in production of pellets based on Eudragit RL and ibuprofen. The ease in process of extrusion-spheronization, increasing the mean dissolution time and change in mechanical properties of pellets from brittle to plastic behavior were advantages of using PEG400. Changes in mechanical properties of pellets are important when pellets are intended to be compressed as tablets.

Objective (s): Clinicians have long been searching for ways to obtain “super normal” wound healing. Zinc supplementation improves the healing of open wounds. Honey can improve the wound healing with its antibacterial properties. Giving supplemental zinc to normal rats can increase the wound tensile strength. This work is to study the concurrent effects of zinc and honey in wound healing of normal rats.Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy two young rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, zinc-supplement, applied honey, zinc-supplement and applied honey. Two areas of skin about 4 cm2 were excised. The wound area was measured every 2 days. After 3 weeks, all animals were killed and tensile strength of wounds, zinc concentration of blood and histological improvement of wounds were evaluated. The results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and the mean differences were tested.Results: It was found that honey could inhibit the bacterial growth in skin excisions. The tensile strength was increased significantly in the second to fourth groups at 21st day (P<0.001). Also there was a significant increase in tensile strength at the same time in the fourth group. The results of the histological study showed a considerable increase in the collagen fibers, re-epithelialization and re-vascularization in the second to fourth groups.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that zinc sulfate could retard re-epithelialization, but when used with natural honey (administered topically) it could have influent wound healing in non-zinc-deficient subjects as well.