Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
Year:2020 | Volume:10 | Issue:3|Papers Count:11

Objective: We examined the effectiveness of Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) aqueous extract on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced acute seizures and the hippocampus iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthases) gene expression as a potential mediator of the effects. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used. Tonic-clonic seizures were induced by intraperitoneal (i. p. ) injection of PTZ (80 mg/kg) then behavioral profile during 30 min was characterized by stages defined as seizure scores. Hyssop extract were prepared and injected (i. p. ) 15 minutes before the seizure induction at three doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Experimental groups were as below: (1) saline+PTZ (n=5); (2) Hyssop 50mg/kg+PTZ (n=10); (3) Hyssop 100mg/kg+PTZ (n=10); (4) Hyssop 200 mg/kg+PTZ (n=8). Two hours after the experimental procedure, all animals were decapitated, brain was removed and right hippocampus was quickly dissected. After total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis quantitative PCR were used for gene expression of iNOS. Results: Our results showed significant increase (p<0. 05) in latency to reach stages 5 and 6 of tonic-clonic seizure at dose 100 mg/kg hyssop extract. In addition, this dose caused significant increase in the gene expression of iNOS in the hippocampus. Conclusion: It seems a 100 mg/kg dose of hyssop extract might have anticonvulsant effects. However, these anticonvulsant effects might not occur through the iNOS gene expression.

Objective: The principle of the use of leeches is associated with traditional medicine of many countries and its application has different philosophies for use in different areas of the body. Leeches, with all the benefits, can have dangers. Materials and Methods: A review of complications of leech therapy was done based on English articles indexed in the databases up to July 1, 2018. A strategic search has done independently by members of the research team and then all of the articles were +categorized by subject. Results: Related articles were mostly case-reports. Complications were divided into five categories including infection, allergy, prolonged bleeding, migration, and others. Infection is the most-reported complication related to leech therapy and Aeromonas spp. has the most participation in infections. Conclusion: Leech therapy can be a therapeutic complementary method if the possible complications are managed properly.

Objective: Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are common causes of poisonings. Atropine and oximes are pharmacological antidotes of OPs. However, because of their adverse effects and insufficient performance, several other compounds have been evaluated as adjuvant therapy. HESA-A is a herbal-marine drug that contains material from Carum carvi (Persian cumin), Penaeus latisculatus (king prawn), and Apium graveolens (celery) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties, which has shown useful effects as adjuvant therapy on some diseases. We have evaluated the effect of HESA-A on 69 moderate to severe acute OPs poisoned patients (44 HESA-A treated and 25 controls) as an adjuvant drug. Materials and Methods: Two randomized age and sex matched groups of OPs poisoned patients were treated in Medical Toxicology Center of Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, by conventional therapy with or without HESA-A (50 mg/kg/day orally). The evaluation criteria were total administrated doses of atropine and pralidoxime, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, mechanical respiration need, number of hospitalization days and mortality. Results: There were no significant differences between the morbidity and mortality rate criteria of the two groups; moreover, we did not observe significant adverse effects for HESA-A. Conclusion: HESA-A did not reduce morbidity and mortality of OPs poisoning and did not induce any major side effect in the patients.

Objective: Toxic effects of acrylamide on body organs incline researches to prevent or decrease these effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cinnamon extract (CE) supplementation on inflammation and oxidative stress induced by acrylamide in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty two rats were divided into four groups as follow 1) The control group received distilled water, 2) Acrylamide-intoxicated group was administrated with 35 ml/kg/day acrylamide for two weeks, 3) Acrylamide-intoxicated rats treated with CE 250 mg/kg/day for 28 days, and 4) Acrylamide-intoxicated rats treated with CE 500 mg/kg day for 28 days. Fasting blood sample was obtained for subsequent analysis. Results: The results showed that acrylamide-intoxicated group had significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor alpha, high sensitive C reactive protein, leptin and alanine transaminase (p<0. 05 to p<0. 01) and lower levels of total antioxidant capacity compared to the control group; whereas, cinnamon extract administration remedied levels of total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor alpha, high sensitive C reactive protein and leptin in the treatment groups, but it did not have a significant effect on adiponectin and liver enzymes (p>0. 05). Conclusion: This study suggests that cinnamon extract may potentially be effective as a dietary source of bioactive compounds for managing acrylamide intoxication.

Objective: Ribes khorasanicum (R. khorasanicum) traditionally has been used for the treatment of higher blood pressure. In this study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of R. khorasanicum fruit in normotensive and hypertensive rats was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Animals were assigned into the following groups: 1) Control, 2) AngII (50 ng/kg), 3) AngII + losartan (Los, 10 mg/kg) and 4-6) Doses 4, 12 and 24 mg/kg of extract +AngII groups. AngII and Los were injected intravenously and the extract was injected intraperitoneal. In R. khorasanicum groups, AngII injected 30 after injection of the extract. The femoral artery was cannulated and mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded by Power Lab software. Maximal changes (Δ ) of cardiovascular responses were determined and compared with those of control and AngII groups. Finally, oxidative stress parameters in the heart and aorta were also determined. Results: In normotensive rats, 12 mg/kg of the extract showed significant hypotensive effects while 24 mg/kg produced significant tachycardia. Increased Δ SBP and Δ MAP in AngII group were significantly blunted by Los. Doses 4 and 12 mg/kg of the plant also significantly attenuate the effect of AngII on Δ SBP and Δ MAP. Tachycardia induced by 24 mg/kg of the extract didn't affect by AngII. Extract also significantly improved the effect of AngII on MDA, total thiol content, CAT and SOD in both heart and aorta tissues. Conclusion: R. khorasanicum at lower doses showed hypotensive effects and attenuated cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive rats via its antioxidant effects.

Objective: Oxidative stress conditions and metabolic complications are common among polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. There are various reports about hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Salvia officinalis L. (common sage). This study evaluated the possible medicinal effects of sage tea drinking on oxidative status, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in rats with testosterone-induced PCOS. Materials and Methods: Eighteen immature female Wistar rats (21-day old) were divided into 3 groups: 1) The Control group (n=6) that received no treatment. 2) The PCOS group (n=6) that received testosterone enanthate 10 mg/kg BW for 35 days subcutaneously. (3) The PCOS-sage tea group (n=6) to which after induction of PCOS by injection of testosterone enanthate, the sage tea was administered as a replacement of water for 14 days. The beverages were refreshed every day. The serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), glucose, insulin, HDL-C, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, total triglycerides, and atherogenic index were measured. Results: Sage tea consumption increased serum TAC and decreased serum HDL-C, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and atherogenic index levels but it did not change the levels of MDA, insulin, total triglycerides, and VLDL-C. Conclusion: Results suggested that sage tea consumption may influence the oxidative status and reduce the blood glucose and atherogenic index and may have cardiovascular protective effects in PCOS women.

Objective: Effects of cotreatment with Urtica dioica (UD) methanolic leaf extract on gentamicin (GM)-induced acute kidney injury were evaluated in rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=32) were separated into four groups. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, IP) was injected for eight days with or without UD methanolic extract (200 mg/kg/day, gavage). The renal blood flow (RBF) and systolic blood pressure of rats were recorded. Concentration of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sodium, and potassium and osmolarity were measured in the urine and plasma samples. Oxidative stress level was determined by assessment of the levels of antioxidant power (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the renal tissue. The renal injury and histopathological changes in the kidney were determined by microscopic evaluations. Results: Administration of UD extract along with GM, compared to GM group, significantly decreased the amounts of plasma creatinine and BUN, urinary sodium excretion, fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, and MDA levels but significantly increased creatinine clearance, urine osmolarity, renal blood flow and FRAP levels. Conclusion: The cotreatment of UD extract can attenuate renal injury of GM by reduction of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and oxygen free radicals. The potential nephroprotective effects of UD extract are probably mediated via its antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity.

Objective: Oxidative stress and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation are known as principal inducers of DNA damage and modulators of gene expression in aging process and skin photoaging, which are associated with upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Because of the antioxidant capacity of jujube and green tea, we decided to determine their protective effects of human fibroblast cells against UVB-induced photo-damage and reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Materials and Methods: We exposed human fibroblast cells to different doses of UVB (0-20 mJ/cm2) with or without different concentrations of jujube and green tea extracts. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity of cell supernatant were assessed using FRAP and DPPH methods, respectively. The concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the samples were determined by ELISA kits. Results: Fibroblast cells viability, 24 hr after UVB irradiation, reduced about 70% compared to the controls. Pre-treatment of the cells with jujube extract (8 mg/ml) increased the cell viability by almost 85% while green tea (0. 5 mg/ml) protected the irradiated cells by 71%. Also, MMP-2 and MMP-9 content decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the cells pre-treated with jujube and green tea extracts. Conclusion: These data suggest that jujube and green tea could be useful to attenuate solar UVB light-induced oxidative stress and skin photoaging and can be suggested as a potential candidate for the development of new anti-UVB medicines and cosmetic products.

Objective: Tension-type headache is the most frequent type of headache. Considering the effectiveness of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) in treatment of some types of headache, the effect of valerian root was studied in patients with tension-type headache. Materials and Methods: The current study is a double-blind randomized clinical trial that was conducted in Shams Hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, from January to June 2018. We included 88 participants with tension-type headache and randomly assigned them to intervention and control group by block randomization in a 1: 1 ratio. The intervention group received Sedamin® capsule (530 mg of valerian root extraction) while the placebo group received 500 mg of breadcrumbs both given as two capsules daily for a month-after dinner. The headache impact on activity of daily livings performance, headache disability, and headache severity were measured using questionnaires in baseline and one month after intervention in both groups. Results: The average age (± SD) of the participants was 34. 9 (± 8. 7) years old. After one month, the impact of headache on daily livings performance, significantly reduced in intervention group (mean=51. 2) versus the placebo (mean=57. 0), (p<0. 001). There was a significant reduction in disability in intervention group (mean=22. 9) compared to the placebo (mean=27. 4) (p<0. 001) and the severity score showed significant reductions in intervention group (mean=3. 5) versus the placebo group (mean=5. 1) (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The present trial showed that valerian capsule could reduce the headache impact on daily livings performance, disability and severity of tension-type headache.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by systemic inflammation and accelerated inflammaging of the lungs. Some studies showed that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of CLA supplementation on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in patients with COPD. Materials and Methods: 82 patients with stable COPD were enrolled in a double blind clinical trial. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: placebo (n=42) and 3. 2 g CLA daily supplementation (n=40). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), BODE index, and serum levels of IL-6, and SIRT1 were measured at the baseline and six weeks after the intervention. In addition, the study parameters in the two groups were compared based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. Results: After supplementation with CLA, serum levels of IL-6 and BODE index significantly decreased (p<0. 05 and p<0. 001, respectively). In addition, serum levels of SIRT1 (p<0. 01) and FEV1 (p<0. 001) significantly increased in the supplementation group. Based on GOLD criteria, the increase in SIRT1 and the decrease in IL-6 serum levels were found to be statistically significant in stages III and IV in the supplementation group (p<0. 05 and p<0. 01, respectively) Conclusion: Supplementation with CLA can modify the inflammatory markers and improve the health status of COPD patients. The results suggest that CLA supplementation in COPD patients can be useful in the management of the disease.

Objective: Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug linked with considerable organ toxicity caused via increased generation of reactive oxygen species. We evaluated whether the antioxidant effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) could prevent diclofenac-induced oxidative nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Randomized rats were pre-supplemented orally with VCO (5 or 10 ml/kg body weight) from day 1 to 24, and injected with normal saline or diclofenac (100 mg/kg) from day 22 to day 24 intraperitoneally. Results: Diclofenac significantly (p<0. 05) increased serum urea and creatinine levels. Renal tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels markedly (p<0. 05) increased, whereas renal glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities considerably (p<0. 05) decreased compared to normal control. Histopathological alterations were caused by diclofenac. However, treatment with oral VCO for 21 days prior to diclofenac administration, attenuated histological renal damage, and restored antioxidant enzyme activities and TNF-α levels in kidney. Conclusion: These findings revealed that VCO has potential benefits to prevent diclofenac-induced nephrotoxic damage.