Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
Year:2019 | Volume:9 | Issue:3|Papers Count:9

Objective: Cholera is an acute secretory diarrhea caused by the Gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio cholerae mostly through production of cholera toxin (CT) and zonula occludens toxin (Zot). Isolates of V. cholerae have acquired resistance elements during the last decade. One of the most promising ways to treat resistant strains is to use antivirulence agents instead of killing the causative agent with conventional antibiotics. In this study, we examined whether different concentrations of capsaicin-the pungent fraction of red chili-can act as an antivirulence agent and inhibit V. cholerae toxin production. Materials and Methods: Two standard strains namely, V. cholerae ATCC 14035 and V. cholerae PTCC 1611 were used in this study. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of capsaicin was determined by broth microdilution method. Based on MIC results, the bacteria were cultured in the presence of sub-MIC concentrations of capsaicin and a negative control without capsaicin. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was carried out to determine the expression level of V. cholerae toxin genes at each concentration. Results: MIC test showed that 200 mg/mL of capsaicin in 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) could inhibit the growth of the two standard strains of V. cholerae. The expression of V. cholerae toxin genes was significantly reduced following treatment with sub-MIC concentrations of capsaicin as assessed by RT-PCR. Conclusion: Capsaicin showed great inhibitory effect against cholera toxin and reduced Zot production in the tested strains of V. cholerae. The results showed promising insights into antivirulence effects of capsaicin.

Objective: Black cumin or Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed has been widely used traditionally as a medicinal natural product because of its therapeutic effects. In this review, the medicinal properties of N. sativa as a healing remedy for the treatment of respiratory and allergic diseases, were evaluated. Material and Methods: Keywords including Nigella sativa, black seed, thymoquinone, respiratory, pulmonary, lung and allergic diseases were searched in medical and nonmedical databases (i. e. PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar). Preclinical studies and clinical trials published between 1993 and 2018 were selected. Results: In experimental and clinical studies, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, antiallergic, antitussive and bronchodilatory properties of N. sativa different extracts, extracts fractions and constituents were demonstrated. Clinical studies also showed bronchodilatory and preventive properties of the plant in asthmatic patients. The extract of N. sativa showed a preventive effect on lung disorders caused by sulfur mustard exposure. The therapeutic effects of the plant and its constituents on various allergic disorders were also demonstrated. Conclusion: Therefore, N. sativa and its constituents may be considered effective remedies for treatment of allergic and obstructive lung diseases as well as other respiratory diseases.

Objective: Berberis vulgaris contains antioxidants that can inhibit DNA cleavage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and protective activity of B. vulgaris on DNA cleavage. Materials and Methods: In this study, the antioxidant capacity of B. vulgaris was investigated using DPPH and its protective effect was evaluated on pBR322 plasmid and lymphocyte genomic DNA cleavage induced by Fenton reaction, by DNA electrophoresis. Results: Aqueous extract of B. vulgaris presented dual behavior with a potent antioxidant activity at 0. 25and 0. 75mg/ml for pBR322 plasmid and lymphocyte genomic DNA, respectively, but a prooxidant activity was observed at higher concentrations. Conclusion: Our results indicated that B. vulgaris extract an inhibit Fenton reaction-induced DNA cleavage and oxidative cleavage of double-stranded DNA assay is a powerful technique that can be used to determine the antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of a compound on cellular components such as DNA.

Objective: Acanthus syriacus (AS) is one of the valuable herbal plants with immunomodulatory potentials. The aim of this study is to assemble a phytochemical investigation of A. syriacus exploring its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties, identification of its most active compound(s) and elucidating their structure and determining their mechanisms of action. Materials and Methods: Bio-guided fractionation and isolationschemes were used utilizing RP-HPLC, CC, C-NMR, and biological-models were used to evaluate their effects against inflammation and neuropathic-pain (NP). Results: The outcomes showed that the most active fraction (FKCA) of AS was identified. Two of the three components of FKCA were identified by chromatographic-methods, while the third compound was isolated, its structure was elucidated and its was named Kromeic acid (KRA); FKCA contained Ferulic acid (27. 5%), kromeic acid (48. 1%), and chlorogenic acid (24. 4%). AS, FKCA and KRA showed significant (p˂ 0. 05) anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potentials in the management of allodynia and thermal-hyperalgesia in NP. AS and FCKA showed comparatively equipotent antinociceptive-effects. FKCA showed higher antinociceptive effects than KRA suggesting additive-effects among FKCA components. The anti-inflammatory, insulin secretagogue, oxidative-stress reducing, and protective effects against NO-induced neuronal-toxicity might be amongst the possible mechanisms of tested compounds to alleviate NP. Conclusion: Here, we report the isolation and structure elucidation of a novel quinic-acid derivative, KRA. A. syriacus, FKCA, and KRA might be used as a novel complementary approach to ameliorate a variety of painful-syndromes.

Objective: In the current investigation, we aimed to study the combined cytotoxicity of curcumin, as a nanomicellar formulation, and galbanic acid (Gal), dissolved in DMSO against the murine C26 and human Caco-2 colon carcinoma cells. Further, curcumin potential for cisplatin and doxorubicin (Dox) co-therapy was studied. Materials and Methods: The combined cytotoxic effect of these phytochemicals at varying dose ratios were examined using the MTT colorimetric assay. Moreover, the time-dependent toxicity of curcumin, cisplatin, Dox, and pegylated liposomal Dox (Doxil) was determined. The interactive anti-proliferative behavior of these compounds was examined using the CompuSyn software. Results: Nanomicellar curcumin showed considerable cytotoxicity in C26 cells 24 hr post-treatment. Co-treatment of cells with curcumin nanomicelles: Gal had a synergistic effect in C26 (at 10: 1 molar ratio), and Caco-2 (at 1: 5 molar ratio) cell lines in cell cultures. Nanomicellar curcumin showed strong and mild synergistic inhibitory effects in C26 cells when co-administered with Doxil and cisplatin, respectively. Conclusion: Curcumin nanomicelles and Gal had a synergistic effect in C26 and Caco-2 cell lines. It is speculated that nanomicellar curcumin shows synergistic cancer cell killing if administered 24-hr post-injection of Doxil and cisplatin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of P. atlantica gum on an experimental asthma in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: Aqueous extract of dried and milled P. atlantica gum was assemble and evaluate by GC-MS. In order to investigate the effect of P. atlantica gum extract on cellular and pathological aspects of asthma, 60 BALB/c mice were divided into six groups as: negative control, asthmatic group, asthmatic group receiving dexamethasone (1mg/kg; intraperitoneal (IP)) and three asthmatic groups receiving different concentrations of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, orally) from the beginning of the study and continued for 84 days. The examined parameters included cell population, IgE antibody production, levels of IL-4, IL-5, TGF-β , INF-γ , IL-10, and IL-17 cytokines, and lung tissue damage. Results: Regardless of the dose, aqueous extract of P. atlantica gum, caused significant decrease in the number of BALF eosinophilic cells and levels of anti-ovalbumin IgE, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17 cytokine levels, as well as pathologic damage of the lung tissue. In addition, the amount of anti-inflammatory IL-10, TGF-β , and INF-γ Th1 cytokines significantly increased in the extracttreated groups compared to the asthmatic and dexamethasonetreated groups. Moreover, IFN-γ /IL-4 ratio significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner compared to the un-treated asthma group. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of P. atlantica gum can be considered as a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compound and may be used as a natural compound for treatment of immune system disorders.

Objective: Burn wound healing is one of the problems of medical sciences and it is of great importance to find a drug or substance that can heal burn wounds with minimum complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ointment-based egg white on healing second-degree burn wounds. Materials and Methods: In the present triple-blind clinical trial, a total of 90 patients from Taleghani hospital, Ahvaz, Iran were selected and randomly divided into two groups based on the inclusion criteria. The intervention group was dressed with egg white formulation + silver sulfadiazine cream and the control group was treated with placebo + silver sulfadiazine cream. The burn wound healing process was evaluated on days 1, 7 and 15 by the Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool. Results: The mean scores of wound healing were decreased (13. 75± 1. 83) in the intervention group when compared to the control (21. 51± 5. 7) on day 15 (p<0. 001). The mean duration of wound healing, wound depth, edges, undermining, necrotic tissue, amount of necrosis, exudate type and amount, surrounding skin color, wound induration, peripheral edema, granulation, and epithelialization were significantly decrease in intervention group in comparison with control (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The findings of this research showed that egg whites formulation is an appropriate treatment for burn wound healing, reduced above-noted burn wounds’ variables. It seems that this treatment, along with the common medicine, improves chronic wound recovery rate and patients’ health status.

Objective: Cinnamaldehyde may be responsible for some health benefits of cinnamon such as its neuroprotective effects. We aimed to investigate the cinnamaldehyde neuroprotective effects against amyloid beta (Aβ ) in neuronal SHSY5Y cells and evaluate the contribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), ryanodine, and adenosine receptors and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β , to its neuroprotective effects. Materials and Methods: After seeding the cells in 96-well plates, adenosine (20, 40, 80, and 120 µ M), NMDA (20, 40, 80, and 120 µ M), and dantrolene (as a ryanodine receptor antagonist; 2, 4, 6, 8, and 16 µ M) were added to the medium containing Aβ 25-35 and/or cinnamaldehyde. The 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method was used to assess neurotoxicity and western blot to measure the GSK-3β protein level. Results: Cinnamaldehyde (15, 20, 23, and 25 μ M) significantly reversed Aβ-induced toxicity in SHSY5Y neuronal cells. Adenosine (20, 40, 80 and 120 μ M) inhibited the neuroprotective effects of cinnamaldehyde (15 μ M). NMDA (20, 40, 80, and 120 μ M) reduced cinnamaldehyde (15 and 23 μ M) neuroprotective effects against Aβ neurotoxicity. Dantrolene (2, 4, 8, and 16 μ M) significantly reduced cinnamaldehyde (15 μ M) neuroprotective effects. Cinnamaldehyde (15 and 23 μ M) suppressed the Aβ induced increment of GSK-3β protein level. Conclusion: NMDA and adenosine receptors suppression together with ryanodine receptors stimulation may be relevant to cinnamaldehyde neuroprotective effects against Aβ neurotoxicity. Moreover, the inhibition of GSK-3β may contribute to the cinnamaldehyde neuroprotection.

Objective: Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin (frankincense) exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against several diseases, such as; asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. In the current study, the influences of B. serrata resin extract on motor dysfunction and oxidative stress markers were investigated in the intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson’ s disease (PD). Materials and Methods: The animals were randomly assigned to sham, lesion (6-OHDA), and three lesion groups treated with ethyl alcoholic extract of B. serrata at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg for 3 weeks. The neurotoxin 6-OHDA (12. 5 µ g) was microinjected into the left striatum to induce PD in male rats. Motor behavior was assessed by rotational and elevated narrow beam tests. Oxidative stress markers were measured in striatal and midbrain homogenates. Results: There was a significant increase in contralateral rotations in 6-OHDA group versus sham group (p<0. 001), and treatment with B. serrata resin extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg significantly decreased the rotations in comparison to 6-OHDA group (p<0. 001 and p<0. 001, respectively). The 6-OHDA group also showed considerable elevation in the latency to initiate crossing (p<0. 001) and the total time (p<0. 001) on narrow beam test. Moreover, treatment with B. serrata extract at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg caused a significant reduction in the latency and total time (p<0. 001, p<0. 001, and p<0. 01, respectively). Biochemical analysis showed no significant difference in oxidative stress markers levels among the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that B. serrata resin extract acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that protects nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and improve motor impairments in PD.