Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
Year:2021 | Volume:11 | Issue:1|Papers Count:9

Objective: Traditional medicines have been widely used to prevent and treat diseases for thousands of years. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ginger feed on cardiac biomarker in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial toxicity. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were grouped into six groups of five: Control; ISO-induced toxicity; ginger fed; ginger fed before; ginger fed+ ISO simultaneously and ginger fed after. Freshly prepared solution of ISO was injected through intraperitoneal route at a dosage of 20 mg/kg, while the control received distilled water. Blood was collected via cardiac puncture after two weeks of administration, the serum was used to evaluate biomarkers. Results: The CK-MB and CK of ginger-fed groups were significantly lower compared to ISO group-8. 2± 0. 5 U/L and 39. 36± 5. 28 U/L respectively, P <0. 05. The CK-MB and CK levels of all ginger-fed groups showed no significant difference compared to the control-2. 2± 0. 3 U/L and 17. 07± 3. 4. 90 U/L, respectively p>0. 05, except ginger fed after group where they were significantly higher compared to the control. The mean value of LDH in all ginger-fed groups was lower than the ISO group (67. 17± 0. 88 U/L; p<0. 05), but significantly higher (p<0. 05) than the control (26. 45± 2. 52 U/L). The mean value of ALT in all ginger fed groups was lower than the ISO group (83. 11± 4. 88U/L; p≤ 0. 05). Conclusion: Ginger feed hindered toxic effects of isoproterenol.

Objective: Many pharmaceutical factories have dramatically improved the quality of herbal remedies in cancer treatment. The results of somestudies have shown anticancer effect of Astrodaucus genus. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review the chemical ingredients and biological effects of Astrodaucus genus especially A. persicus from the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Materials and Methods: Online databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords Astrodaucus, Apiaceae, Biologic, Phytochemistry, and Benzodioxole to retrieve studies published between 1970 and 2020. Results: The Astrodaucus genus has two species, Astrodaucus persicus (Boiss. ) Drude and Astrodaucus orientalis (L. ) Drude. In this genus, 5 new biologically active phytochemicals with benzodioxole structure were introduced and their biological effects were assessed. Conclusion: Since many of the most commonly used anticancer drugs such as etoposide, teniposide, podophyllotoxin and sanguinarine have benzodioxole structureand according to the results of biological tests, it seems that more researchwith these perspectives should be done on this genus.

Objective: The aims of this study was to determine the effect of Propolis (resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax) on clinical and physiological findings of moderate persistent asthma. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two subjects aged 44. 6± 18. 5 years old with moderate asthma and Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 60-79% of predicted, were enrolled in this clinical trial. We randomly allocated subjects to receive either propolis (75 mg three times a day) or a matched placebo for one month. Primary outcome was Asthma control test (ACT) score and secondary outcomes included dyspnea, spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and sputum cytology including inflammatory cell. Sputum induction was done by hypertonic saline and cytology slides were stained by Papanicolaou stain. Results: Clinical findings significantly improved after the treatment. ACT scores significantly increased by using propolis (12. 8± 5. 5 before and 18. 1± 4. 99 after the trial), which was significantly higher than the placebo group (14. 4± 6. 6 after the trial). The most significant physiological improvements were significant increases in FEV1, FV1/Forced vital capacity and expiratory flows. FENO showed significant decreases in the propolis group but increases in the placebo group. Cytological examination of sputum showed that the pattern of inflammation was eosinophilic in 44% subjects with an average eosinophil of 7. 2± 1. 01%. Eosinophilia significantly decreased (p<0. 05) by using propolis (7. 2± 1. 01 and 4. 3± 3. 1%, before and after treatment, respectively), but it significantly increased (p<0. 04) in the placebo group (5. 5± 2. 8, and 11. 1± 6. 6%, before and after treatment, respectively). Conclusion: Propolis improved the clinical and physiological findings of moderate persistent asthma, and it was able to suppress eosinophilic inflammation.

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of the essential oil (OE-CL) and nanoemulsion (N-CL) of Cymbopogon flexuosus against Trichomonas gallinae. Materials and Methods: In vitro assays were done with 106 parasites and OE-CL and N-CL in the concentrations: 110, 220, 330, 440, 550, 660, 770 and 880 μ g/ml and four controls: CN (culture medium and trophozoites), MTZ (trophozoites plus 800 μ g/ml of metronidazole), TW (trophozoites plus vehicles used for solubilization of derivatives (0. 01% Tween) and NB (blank nanoemulsion 880 μ g/ml). The in vivo assay was done in 35 quails (Coturnix coturnix) infected experimentally 4x104 mg/kg, were divided in seven groups (n=5): A (control– healthy), B (control infected), C (control TW 0. 01%), D (NB 0. 88 mg/kg), E (drug MTZ 25 mg/kg, F (OE-CL at 0. 55 mg/kg) and G (N-CL at 0. 44 mg/kg), during 7 consecutive days. Results: The in vitro test showed that the OE-CL (550 μ g/ml) and N-CL (440 μ g/ml) concentrations reduced the trophozoites viability in 100%. In the in vivo test, the treatment with OE-CL was efficient on the 4th treatment day and the N-CL after the 3rd day, and the MTZ in the therapeutic concentration was efficient on the 7th day. Conclusion: It can be observed in this study that the lemon grass has natural potential antitrichomonal activity against T. gallinae in vitro and in vivo.

Objective: Apium graveolens L. (celery) seed has been used for hypertension treatment. To provide a pharmacological basis, the vasorelaxant effect of celery seed extract was investigated in isolated rat aorta. Materials and Methods: Wistar male rats (200-250 g) were divided into 15 groups (n=7 for each group). The vasorelaxant response of different concentrations of celery seed extract (0. 05, 0. 1, 0. 25, 0. 5, 1, and 2 mg/ml) on isolated aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) or KCl was evaluated by organ bath technique. The role of endothelium, extracellular calcium influx, intracellular sources of calcium, and potassium channels in vasorelaxant effect of celery seed extract was investigated. Results: The extract showed a concentration-dependent relaxation in the isolated aorta contracted with PE and KCl that was endothelium-dependent at lower concentrations. Pretreatment of aortic rings with indomethacin or L-NAME, did not affect the vasorelaxation induced by celery seed extract. The extract inhibited KCl and PE-induced contractions in cumulative calcium concentrations as well as after incubation with diltiazem in denuded aortic rings of endothelium. The relaxation induced by celery seed extract was inhibited by 4-aminopyridine. Conclusion: This relaxation was mediated by inhibiting calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle cells. Also, voltage-dependent potassium channels were involved in inducing the vasorelaxant effect of celery seed extract.

Objective: The incidence of multi-drug resistant cancer and the adverse effects associated with available chemotherapy have necessitated the search for new drug candidates. This study investigates the cytotoxic activity of Caesalpinia benthamiana. Materials and Methods: Column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) were used to isolate compounds. Structural elucidation was done by spectroscopic analysis. MTT assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity of the compounds against three human adenocarcinoma cells, using methotrexate and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as positive and negative controls, respectively. CyQuant direct cell proliferation and caspase-3/7 green detection assays were used to investigate the dichloromethane fraction. IC50 values of isolated compounds were determined from sigmoidal dose-response curve. Results: Four new cytotoxic compounds, benthamianoate (2), benthamiacone (3), benthamianin (5) and benthamianol (6), and two known compounds, methyl gallate (1) and 2-methoxyacrylic acid (4) were identified. All the compounds were active with the new monoterpenoid characterized as benthamiacone exhibiting the highest activity (IC50 13. 23-21. 97 μ g/ml) across cancer cell lines investigated. CyQuant direct cell proliferation assay showed significant reduction in the number of live carcinoma cells, while caspase-3/7 green detection assay showed significant increase in the number of dead carcinoma cells. Conclusion: This study revealed potential cytotoxic compounds which are here reported for the first time from C. benthamiana.

Objective: Olibanum (OLIB) and its component boswellic acid (BOSA) are suggested to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects. In the present work, we examined effect of OLIB, and BOSA on the synaptic plasticity impairment and oxidative stress indicators in a rat model of neuro-inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Materials and Methods: Forty rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) Control, (2) LPS, (3) OLIB (200 mg/kg), and (4) BOSA (10 mg/kg). The animals were pre-treated with OLIB extract, BOSA or the vehicle 30 min before LPS (1 mg/kg) administration, for 6 days. On the 6th day, electrophysiological recording was done. Long-term potentiation (LTP) from CA1 area of hippocampus was assessed. The animals were then sacrificed and their brains were removed for evaluation of the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, malondialdehyde (MDA), thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the cortex. Results: Administration of LPS decreased amplitude (p<0. 001) and slope (p<0. 01) of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP). Pre-treatment enhanced these parameters (p<0. 05 to p<0. 001). LPS also increased cortical levels of IL-6 (P<0. 01), NO, and MDA (p<0. 001) while decreased thiol, SOD (p<0. 001), and CAT (p<0. 05). OLIB and BOSA diminished IL-6 (p<0. 05-p<0. 001), NO (p<0. 01-p<0. 001) and MDA level (p<0. 01 and p<0. 001, respectively) while improved SOD (p<0. 05 and p<0. 001, respectively), CAT (p<0. 05 and p<0. 001, respectively) and thiol content (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The results showed that OLIB and BOSA could improve synaptic plasticity impairment induced by LPS as shown by a decrease in an inflammation indicator along with the anti-oxidant effects.

Objective: Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play essential roles in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’ s disease. Crocin, main active constituent of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative capacity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of crocin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced learning and memory deficits and neuroinflammation in rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were randomly classified into four groups, including control, LPS, crocin 50 and crocin 100. The rats were treated with either crocin (50 and 100 mg/kg) or saline for a week. Later, LPS (1 mg/kg, i. p. ) or saline was administered, and treatments with crocin or saline were continued for 3 more weeks. The behavioral tasks for spatial and aversive memories were performed by the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tasks from post-injection days 18 to 24. Furthermore, the levels of interleukine-1β , lipid peroxidation and total thiol were assayed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Results: Our results demonstrated that treatment of LPS-treated rats with crocin decreased the escape latency in the Morris water maze and increased the time spent in the target quadrant in the probe trial. Moreover, crocin increased step-through latency in the passive avoidance test. However, there was no significant difference in the oxidative and neuroinflammatory responses among the experimental groups. Conclusion: Pretreatment with crocin attenuates spatial or aversive learning and memory deficits in LPS-treated rats.

Objective: Cinnamon effect on blood pressure remains controversial. The present pilot study assessed cinnamon effect on blood pressure, and metabolic profile of stage 1 hypertension patients (S1HTN). Materials and Methods: This double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted between June and October 2019, in Mashhad, Iran. Study inclusion criteria comprised S1HTN diagnosis, based on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: cinnamon group (capsule, 1500 mg/day, 90 days) and placebo group. On days 0 and 90, ABPM derived systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), blood lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were recorded. Results: The two groups did not differ significantly regarding vascular risk factors, educational status, lipid profile and blood pressure at baseline, except for lower HDL-c in cinnamon group (p=0. 03). On day 90, there was no significant difference between two study groups for lipid profile and blood pressure. A statistically significant decrease in mean 24-hr SBP and mean day SBP was observed in the cinnamon group, while mean night SBP and mean night DBP were decreased significantly in the placebo group after 90 days. A statistically significant decrease in mean change of day value of SBP was found in the cinnamon group, compared to the placebo. On day 90, FBS remained practically unchanged but a significant increase in HDL-c (5. 8 unit; p=0. 01) and a significant decrease in LDL-c levels (17. 7 unit; p=0. 009) were observed in the cinnamon group compared to placebo group. Conclusion: Cinnamon caused a statistically significant decrease in mean ambulatory SBP but in a clinically moderate way, and lipid profile was significantly improved. Therefore, cinnamon might be considered a complementary treatment in subjects with S1HTN.