An investigation of compositions and effects of local herbal Glycyrrhiza glabra and Mentha pulegium extracts on Helicobacter pylori and cell Line of stomach cancer (AGS) by MTT assays

Background & Aim:According to globally development of stomach cancer especially in Ardabil, Iran, as the second major cause of mortality throughout the world, increased drug-resistant bacteria including Helicobacter pylori as the most important risk factors for stomach cancer, and side effects of antibiotics and chemical drugs normally used to treat. Experimental: The current research was conducted to investigate the anticancer and antimicrobial effects of native herbs of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) extractions for finding a solution with the lowest complications in control or treatment of stomach cancer.The extractions were firstly obtained using Soxhlet and methanol solvent and then their compounds were determined by GC/MS. Antimicrobial activity, MIC and MBC of the extractions were assessed respectively using agar diffusion and broth dilution test and the anticancer effect on stomach cancer (cell line AGS) was assessed by MTT assay. H. pylori ATCC 26695 was respectively revived and purified on Brucella broth containing 7% citrated horse serum and Columbia agar. Results: The analysis showed that liquorice extract contains 15 compositions, mainly consists of 26.48% Nonane, 23.38% Ethylcyclohexan, 8.29% 3-Bromodecane, 10.31% trans-2-Heptenal, 8.93% 9-Octadecenamide and 4.68% β-pregna and pennyroyal extract contains 17 compositions, mainly including 3.36% Camphor, 22.79% Pulegone, 4.92% Paramenth-3-n8-l, 8.06% Menthoforan, 7.54% Cis-Isopulegon and 24.58% α-Selinene. The bacteria were resistant or semi-sensitive to common antibiotics, whereas had considerable sensitivity to herbal extracts and liquorice showed almost three times more antibacterial effect. Pennyroyal extract had no cytotoxic effects, but the anticancer effect was observed in liquorice extract with optimal concentration of 25 μg/ml after 48 hours. Recommended applications/industries: In conclusion, liquorice extract due to the significant health benefits of anticancer and antibacterial activity can be selective and highly effective herbal medicine as an alternative to antibiotics and other chemical drugs

Investigating Fenugreek Seed Aqueous Extract on Sperm Parameters in Selected Type II Rats

Background & objectives: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the most ancient and well-known medicinal plants, and its useful role has been well - established in treating of many diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Fenugreek on spermatogenesis, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in male diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200±20 gram were used. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of six. group1: control group, Group2: diabetic, Group3: diabetic+Fenugreek (8gram /kg diet), group4: diabetic+Fenugreek (2gram /kg diet). This treatment continued for 4 weeks. Blood glucose, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and sperm profiles were determined. Results: Blood glucose in diabetic rats which received Fenugreek significantly reduced compared with diabetic animals. Fenugreek also reduced body weight and MDA level of semen (p<0.05).On the other hand, Fenugreek increased the total antioxidant capacity of semen (p<0.05) and normalized sperm profiles (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the present results, it can be concluded that consumption of Fenugreek extract probably reduced MDA level, body weight, and normalized sperm profile thus, Fenugreek extract can be used to treat sexual dysfunction in males

Preparation and characterization of multi-target nanoparticles for co-drug delivery

Self-assembly of various amphipathic copolymers is a simple method that allows the preparation of complex nanoparticles with several useful properties. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop nanoparticles with better biocompatibility, biodegradability, and prolonged circulation time in the bloodstream to deliver drugs and genes into breast cancer tissues in a controlled and targeted manner. In this study, the copolymers PLA-chitosan- PEG -folic acid (COPA), PLA-chitosan- PEG -glucose (COPB), COPA &amp; COPB (COPAB) and chitosan- PLA-PEG FA /Glu/VEGF/siRNA/PTX (NPsAB/siRNA/Paclitaxel) were synthesized, to control the release of paclitaxel (PTX) and siRNA and the circulation time of nanoparticles in blood. This was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The particle size, zeta potential and morphology of NPsAB /siRNA/PTX were studied by DLS and TEM, respectively. The results showed that the NPsAB/siRNA/PTX had spherical morphology with particle size and zeta potential about 200 nm and −7.8 mV, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity assay results showed that the nanoparticles had good biocompatibility and low toxicity. Also demonstrated that NPsAB in the serum medium improved the efficiency of drug and siRNA delivery more than two-fold compared to COPA, COPB, and COPAB nanoparticles. Due to results the release pattern of siRNA and PTX from NPsAB nanoparticles under an acidic environment was significantly higher than that of their release rate in a neutral medium. Therefore, due to the acidity of tumor tissue, this property of NPsAB nanoparticles seems to be useful in the treatment of cancer