Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima and resveratrol on ovarian morphology and biochemical parameters in Letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rat model: An experimental study

Background: Resveratrol and Berberis integerrima (B. integerrima) are known to be natural antioxidants and regulators of human metabolism. However, the effects of resveratrol and B. integerrima on the ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not obvious. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of B. integerrima in combination with resveratrol on some biochemical parameters and ovarian morphology in the letrozole-induced PCOS rat. Materials and Methods: Seventy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 10-12 weeks weighing 200 ± 20 gr were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 10/each). Group I): normal; Group II): vehicle; Group III): letrozole-induced PCOS 1 mg/kg letrozole orally, rats receiving 1 cc normal saline orally; Group IV): PCOS + receiving 150 mg/kg metformin orally; Group V): PCOS + receiving 20 mg/kg resveratrol orally; Group VI): PCOS + 3 gr/kg barberry orally; and Group VII): PCOS + receiving 3 gr/kg barberry and 20 mg/kg resveratrol orally. All animals were followed-up for 63 days. The biochemical parameters and histological assessments of ovaries were performed. Results: Resveratrol alone and/or in combination with B. integerrima treatment in rats led to a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, malondialdehyde , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations (p = 0.02). The groups IV, V, VI, and VII showed a decrease in insulin resistance and an increase in the superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.01). No significant difference was observed between the level of serum glucose in the treatment groups. Number of cystic follicles had a significant decrease in barberry, resveratrol, and their combination groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Resveratrol, B. integerrima, and their combination as natural products with fewer side effects might be effective as an alternative medicine in treatment of PCOS. Key words: Barberry, Resveratrol, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Ovary, Rat

The Effect of Polyphenols on Kidney Disease: Targeting Mitochondria

Mitochondrial function, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondria dynamics, are essential for the maintenance of renal health. Through modulation of mitochondrial function, the kidneys are able to sustain or recover acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), nephrotoxicity, nephropathy, and ischemia perfusion. Therapeutic improvement in mitochondrial function in the kidneys is related to the regulation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, free radicals scavenging, decline in apoptosis, and inflammation. Dietary antioxidants, notably polyphenols present in fruits, vegetables, and plants, have attracted attention as effective dietary and pharmacological interventions. Considerable evidence shows that polyphenols protect against mitochondrial damage in different experimental models of kidney disease. Mechanistically, polyphenols regulate the mitochondrial redox status, apoptosis, and multiple intercellular signaling pathways. Therefore, this review attempts to focus on the role of polyphenols in the prevention or treatment of kidney disease and explore the molecular mechanisms associated with their pharmacological activity

The Role of medicinal herbs in treatment of insulin resistance in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A literature review

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities in women. Due to the side effects of drugs, the tendency to use natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to regulate metabolism, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia in PCOS patients has been increased. This review aimed to investigate the role of herbal substances on the treatment of PCOS

Bystander activated CD8+ T cells mediate neuropathology during viral infection via antigen-independent cytotoxicity

Abstract Although many viral infections are linked to the development of neurological disorders, the mechanism governing virus-induced neuropathology remains poorly understood, particularly when the virus is not directly neuropathic. Using a mouse model of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, we found that the severity of neurological disease did not correlate with brain ZIKV titers, but rather with infiltration of bystander activated NKG2D+CD8+ T cells. Antibody depletion of CD8 or blockade of NKG2D prevented ZIKV-associated paralysis, suggesting that CD8+ T cells induce neurological disease independent of TCR signaling. Furthermore, spleen and brain CD8+ T cells exhibited antigen-independent cytotoxicity that correlated with NKG2D expression. Finally, viral infection and inflammation in the brain was necessary but not sufficient to induce neurological damage. We demonstrate that CD8+ T cells mediate virus-induced neuropathology via antigen-independent, NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity, which may serve as a therapeutic target for treatment of virus-induced neurological disease

Additional file 1: Table S1. of Reconstitution of immune cell in liver and lymph node of adult- and newborn-engrafted humanized mice

Flow cytometry antibody panels. (DOCX 17 kb