Evaluation of the Effect of Barberry Root (Berberis Vulgaris) on the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome Caused by Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Three-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a potential side effect of atypical antipsychotics which are the current standard treatment for schizophrenia. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of barberry root (Berberis vulgaris) on the prevention of metabolic syndrome caused by atypical antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia. Method: Our research was a three-blind randomized clinical trial. The participants included all patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia through the SCID-5 questionnaire and based on the DSM-5-TR criteria by two psychiatric experts. These patients were randomly divided into intervention and placebo groups. During a three-month treatment period, the intervention group received three 500 mg capsules of barberry root extract daily, whereas the placebo group received the same capsules containing 500 mg of starch powder. Metabolic syndrome variables including fasting blood glucose, serum lipids (triglyceride and cholesterol), blood pressure, weight and waist circumference were measured before and after the treatment as outcome measure. Chi-square and t-tests were used for data analysis using SPSS-22 software. Results: At the beginning of the study, there was no significant difference between the intervention group (n = 41) and the placebo group (n = 47) in terms of demographic factors, and pre-treatment assessments including weight, waist size, fasting blood HDL, fasting blood triglycerides and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose (P > 0.05). Within group analysis showed that some metabolic factors significantly increased in both groups after the treatment (P < 0.05). Indeed, in both groups, metabolic syndrome measures worsened after the three-month treatment period. The parameters of weight and waist size were significantly higher in the intervention group than the placebo group after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Barberry root extract was not able to control the Effects of antipsychotic drugs on metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia

Bioactive Terpenoids and Flavonoids from Daucus littoralis Smith subsp. hyrcanicus Rech.f, an Endemic Species of Iran

BACKGROUND: Daucus littoralis Smith subsp. hyrcanicus Rech.f. (Apiaceae) is an endemic species in northern parts of Iran where it is commonly named Caspian carrot. The fruits have been used as condiment. METHODS: In a series of in vitro assays, antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP assays), cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of different extracts of roots and fruits were evaluated for the first time. The separation and purification of the compounds were carried out on the most potent extracts using various chromatographic methods and identified by spectroscopic data ((1)H and (13)C NMR). RESULTS: The results showed that among the extracts only fruit methanol extract (FME) has significant antioxidant activity (IC(50) = 145.93 μg.ml(-1) in DPPH assay and 358 ± 0.02 mmol FeII/g dry extract in FRAP assay). The radical scavenging activity of FME at 400 μg.ml(-1) was comparable with α-tocopherol (40 μg.ml(-1)) and with BHA (100 μg.ml(-1)) (p > 0.05). FME did not show any toxicity against cancerous and normal cell lines. Fruit ethyl acetate extract (FEE) had cytotoxic activity against breast carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (IC(50) 168.4 and 185 μg.ml(-1), respectively), while it did not possess antioxidant activity in comparison with α-tocopherol and BHA as standard compounds. Ethyl acetate and methanol extract of fruits showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 3.75 mg.ml(-1)) and Candida albicans (MIC: 15.6 and 7.8 mg.ml(-1), respectively). Four terpenoids were isolated form FEE including: β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), caryophyllene oxide (3), β-amyrin (4). Also, three flavonoids namely quercetin 3-O-β-glucoside (5), quercetin 3-O-β-galactoside (6) and luteolin (7) were isolated from FME. CONCLUSION: This study showed that FEE and FME of D. littoralis Smith subsp. hyrcanicus Rech.f. had the highest biological activities which may be correlated with in vitro cytotoxic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of terpenoids and flavonoids components of the extracts

A clinical study of efficacy of garlic extract versus cryotherapy in the treatment of male genital wart

Background/Objective: Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and usually have no promising cure. Garlic (Allium sativum) belongs to Liliaceae family, which has a long history of medicinal use. The garlic extract had antiviral and anticarcinogenic effects and can be effective on complete resolution of cutaneous wart. The aim of this clinical study was to compare the garlic extract effect with cryotherapy in the treatment of male genital wart. Methods: 35 male patients aged 20–54 years old with clinically diagnosed genital warts who had more than two warts on both sides of genital region enrolled in the study. Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen (−196 °C temperature) was performed for all right sided warts and 10% garlic extract was applied on all left-sided warts for 2 months. Results: Regarding response to treatment, at the end of weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8 there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). 69.7% and 78.8% of patients showed complete clearing of the lesions in the garlic and cryotherapy groups respectively (P value, 0.39). Conclusions: The present study revealed 10% garlic extract after 2 months duration therapy on the male genital warts had the similar effect in compare to cryotherapy. Keywords: Garlic extract, Allium sativum, Male genital wart, Cryotherap

Biological Activities and Composition of Ferulago carduchorum Essential Oil

Background: Ferulago carduchorum Boiss and Hausskn belongs to the Apiaceae family. This plant grows in west part of Iran that local people added it to dairy and oil ghee to delay expiration date and give them a pleasant taste. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, acetyl cholinesterase inhibition, cytotoxic, larvicidal activities and composition of essential oil of F. carduchorum. Methods: Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory, larvicidal activities and chemical composition of essential oil of F. carduchorum were investigated. Besides, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of essential oil were tested using DPPH, microdilution method and MTT assay, respectively. Results: The major components of essential oil were (z)-β-ocimene (43.3%), α-pinene (18.23%) and bornyl acetate (3.98%). Among 43 identified components, monoterpenes were the most compounds (84.63%). The essential oil had noticeable efficiency against Candida albicans (MIC= 2340 μg ml-1) and it was effective against Anopheles stephensi with LC50 and LC90 values of 12.78 and 47.43 ppm, respectively. The essential oil could inhibit AChE (IC50= 23.6 μl ml-1). The essential oil showed high cytotoxicity on T47D, HEP-G2 and HT-29 cell lines (IC50< 2 μg ml-1). Conclusion: The essential oil of F. carduchorum collected from west of Iran had anti-Candida, larvicidal and cytotoxicity effects and should be further investigated in others in vitro and in vivo experimental models