Usnic acid biological activity: history, evaluation and usage

Since Usnic acid (UA) was isolated from lichen metabolite in 1844, a lot of studies were conducted on it and now it became commercially available in the market. Its wide availability in different lichen species, being isolated easily, and high purity of the isolated product make it an excellent base for producing new pharmaceuticals. In this review the different usage of UA was summarized. It was utilized as an antioxidant, anti-proliferative, antimicrobial and antiprotozoal, larvicidal and insecticidal, antifungal, antiviral, algicidal, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antipyretic agent. Many adverse effects were associated with using usnic acid, especially at high dose, including; hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, allergenicity, side effects on the cardiovascular system and adipocytes of fatty tissue. This review aimed to throw the light on the updated biological activities, effectiveness and safety and usage of usnic acid during the last decade

Both Matricaria chamomilla and Metformin Extract Improved the Function and Histological Structure of Thyroid Gland in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats through Antioxidant Mechanism

There is increasing proof that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with the increased frequency of thyroid disturbances. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) herb and metformin showed therapeutic efficacy against polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effect of both chamomile flower extract and metformin against thyroid damage associated with PCOS in rats. The PCOS model was developed in rats by injecting estradiol valerate, and it was confirmed to be associated with thyroid hypofunction biochemically and pathologically. Treatment of PCOS rats with both chamomile extract and metformin resulted in an improvement in serum level of thyroid hormones (TSH, p < 0.01; T3 and T4, p < 0.05) and the disappearance of most thyroid gland pathological changes demonstrated by light and electron microscopes. They also reduced the level of serum estrogen (p < 0.01). Both chamomile extract and metformin decreased MDA (p < 0.05) and increased GPx and CAT (p < 0.01). Only chamomile extract increased GSH (p < 0.01). Both treatments reduced the apoptotic death of thyroid cells as noted by the reduction of caspase-3 immunoexpression (p < 0.01). In conclusion, both Matricaria chamomilla extract and metformin ameliorated hypothyroidism associated with PCOS through an antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanism

Equisetum arvense L. Extract Ameliorates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Testicular Injury Induced by Methotrexate in Male Rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic drug used to treat a wide range of cancers and non-cancerous conditions. However, it can cause unfavorable acute toxic effects in several organs, including the testis.  Equisetum arvense L. (E. arvense) extract is effective in counteracting oxidative stress-related disorders. This study assessed the preventive effect of E. arvense extract against MTX-induced testicular toxicity. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to analyze the active constituents of E. arvense extract. Testicular toxicity was induced via MTX injection (0.5 mg/kg/ twice a week for 4 weeks). Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: I- control (Cont); II: MTX; III: E. arvense (500 mg/kg/daily for 10 weeks); and IV: E. arvense + MTX. E. arvense main active constituents were squalane (15%), ascorbic acid per methyl (9.55%), phytol (8.69%), 2-pyrroline 1,2-dimethyl (8.63%), and octacosane (8.23%). Treatment of MTX injected rats with E. arvense produced a significant rise in body weight, serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone. E. arvense significantly increased the sperm counts, viability, and motility relative to the MTX injected rats. The levels of testicular oxidative stress and inflammation significantly reduced in the MTX rats treated with E. arvense. Furthermore, E. arvense markedly improved the testicular tissue and seminiferous tubules’ pathologic features in MTX-treated rats. E. arvense significantly decreased lipid peroxidation products, interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha while increasing superoxide dismutase levels.  E. arvense prevented MTX-induced testicular damage via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.</jats:p

Vitamin D improves hepatic alterations in ACE1 and ACE2 expression in experimentally induced metabolic syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a term used to describe a cluster of pathophysiological, biochemical, and metabolic criteria; including high Blood Pressure (BP), high cholesterol, dyslipidaemia, central obesity and Insulin Resistance (IR). The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) has a regulatory function in BP, hydroelectrolyte balance, and cardiovascular function. RAS is composed of angiotensinogen (AGT), (Ang I), (Ang II), (ACE1), (ACE2), (AT1R), (AT2R), and (Ang 1–7). Vitamin D had been proved to act as a protective factor against MetS. Therefore, the study is pursued to explore vitamin D supplementation roles on hepatic RAS in MetS experimental model. At first, 36 males Albino rats were separated into 4 groups and induced to MetS under controlled circumstances for 3 months. Then, data were collected from blood samples, whereas RNA extracted from liver were analyzed using biochemical and statistical analysis tests. As a result, the major finding was proving that vitamin D can balance the expression of ACE1 and ACE2. Also, confirming that it can improve MetS components by elevating HDL and insulin levels while reducing the levels of BP, cholesterol, LDL, TG, GLU, ALT, AST, and IR. These outcomes may give a new insight into the RAS pathways associated with MetS