Evaluation of immune responses induced by hydroalcoholic extract of Allium ampeloprasum. L subsp iranicum in mice: Allium iranicum as a powerful immune system booster

The extract of some plants can play a role in modulating the function of the human immune system. Several studies have shown that Allium species can stimulate the immune system through different cellular mechanisms. In this study the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Allium ampeloprasum. L subsp iranicum on the immune responses of NMRI mice was investigated. Mice were randomly divided into three groups and each group was divided into four subgroups: normal saline, levamisole (20 kg/mg), A. Iranicum (150 kg/mg), and A. Iranicum (300 kg/mg). To evaluate immune responses, body and spleen weight, white blood cell count, delayed hypersensitivity response (DTH), antibody titer (HA), and lymphocyte proliferation test were used. A. Iranicum provoked several parameters including spleen weight, spleen cellularity, proliferation response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohemagglutinin-A (PHA), HA titer, and DTH response. While A. Iranicum did not affect body weight and white blood cell counts. Considering the obtained results, it seems that the A. Iranicum can play an effective role in activating the immune system. To better understand the effect of the A. Iranicum on different cellular mechanisms of the immune system, further research is needed

Cytotoxicity of different extracts of arial parts of Ziziphus spina-christi on Hela and MDA-MB-468 tumor cells

Background: It has been shown that plants from the family Rhamnaceae possess anticancer activity. In this study, we sought to determine if Ziziphus spina-christi, a species from this family, has cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Using maceration method, different extracts of leaves of Z. spina-christi were prepared. Hexane, chloroform, chloroform-methanol (9:1), methanol-water (7:1) methanol, butanol and water were used for extraction, after preliminary phytochemical analyses were done. The cytotoxic activity of the extracts against Hela and MDA-MB-468 tumor cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Briefly, cells were seeded in microplates and different concentrations of extracts were added. After incubation of cells for 72 h, their viability was evaluated by addition of tetrazolium salt solution. After 3 h medium was aspirated, dimethyl sulfoxide was added and absorbance was determined at 540 nm with an ELISA plate reader. Extracts were considered cytotoxic when more than 50% reduction on cell survival was observed. Results: Hexane, chloroform, chloroform-methanol, butanol, methanol-water and aqueous extracts of Z. spina-christi significantly and concentration-dependently reduced viability of Hela and MAD-MB-468 cells. In the both cell lines, chloroform-methanol extract of Z. spina-christi was more potent than the other extracts. Results: From the finding of this study it can be concluded that Z. spina-christi is a good candidate for further study for new cytotoxic agents

Protective role of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 against irinotecan-induced genotoxicity

Objective: Irinotecan is a botanical derivative and an anti-cancer drug with cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The present study evaluated the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 on the genotoxic activity of irinotecan in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) by comet assay. Materials and Methods: HepG2 were incubated with irinotecan (100 µM), heat-killed cells (0.025 µg/ml) + irinotecan (100 µM), and cell-free supernatants (0.5 and 1 µg/ml) of L. plantarum A7 + irinotecan (100 µM). Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was used as negative control. Results: Irinotecan was shown to induce DNA damage in HepG2 cells. The results showed that heat-killed cells (0.025 µg/ml) and cell-free supernatants (0.5 and 1 µg/ml) of L. plantarum significantly reduce irinotecan- induced DNA damage. Conclusion: Our results indicate that L. plantarum A7 can decrease the genotoxic effects of irinotecan in HepG2 cells, in vitro. This finding may be supportive for the optimization of therapeutic efficacy in irinotecan treatment

The Toxic Effect of Manganese on the Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Rat Brains

Manganese (Mn) is a naturally occurring element and an essential nutrient for humans and animals. However, exposure to high levels of Mn may cause neurotoxic effects. Accumulation of manganese damages central nervous system and causes Parkinson’s disease-like syndrome called manganism. Mn neurotoxicity has been suggested to involve an imbalance between the DAergic and cholinergic systems. The pathological mechanisms associated with Mn neurotoxicity are poorly understood, but several reports have established it is mediated by changing of AChE activity that resulted in oxidative stress. Therefore we focused the effect of Mn in AChE activity in the rat’s brain by MnCl2 injection intraperitoneally and analyzed their brains after time intervals. This study used different acute doses in short time course and different chronic doses at different exposing time to investigate which of them (exposing dose or time) is more important in Mn toxic effect. Results showed toxic effect of Mn is highly dose dependent and AChE activity in presence of chronic dose in 8 weeks reaches acute dose in only 2 days

Effects of silymarin on neuropathic pain and formalin- induced nociception in mice

Objective(s): Based on the previous reports, silymarin can suppress nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotrienes, cytokines production, and neutrophils infiltration. Regarding the fact that inflammation plays an important role in neuropathic and formalin-induced pain, it was assumed that silymarin could reduce pain. The present study investigates the analgesic effects of silymarin in chemical nociception and a model of neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: Chemical nociception was produced by injection of 20 µl of formalin (0.5% formaldehyde in saline) into the plantar region of the right hind paw. A sciatic-nerve ligated mouse was applied as the model of neuropathic pain and the antinociceptive response of silymarin was examined 14 days after unilateral nerve-ligation using the hot plate test. Results: The intraperitoneal administration of silymarin (25, 50, and, 100 mg/kg) 2 hr prior to the intraplantar formalin injection suppressed the nociceptive response during the late phase of the formalin test significantly, but it was not in a dose-dependent manner. Different doses of silymarin 14 days after unilateral sciatic nerve ligation in hot plate test did not induce obvious antinociception. Conclusion: Results of the present study indicated that repeated administration of silymarin prevents the formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. However, it is not effective in the treatment of sciatic neuropathic pain

The Selective Cytotoxicity of The Hydroalcoholic Extract of Santalum Album Linn Wood on A375 and SK-MEL-3 Human Malignant Melanoma Cells: Cytotoxicity Effect of White Sandal Wood Extract

Melanoma is the cause of most skin cancer all around the world because of its high proliferation rate, metastatic nature, and limited effective therapies. According to the rapid increment in its incidence compared to other types of skin cancers, new therapies are seemed to be essential. Natural remedies can be used to treat many diseases, including cancer, so more research is needed. The wood of Santalum album Linn, known as “white sandalwood”, is one of the herbs which is a rich source of antioxidants that can be used as a therapeutic medication in different types of cancers, especially skin cancer. This research aimed to verify the cytotoxic effects of white sandalwood on A375 and SK-MEL-3 melanoma and AGO-1522 normal human fibroblast cell lines. At first, the ethanolic extract was prepared. Then, cell viability and cytotoxic activities were evaluated. Furthermore, ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, and release of cytochrome-c were also assessed. Herb extract significantly increased the death of A375 and SK-MEL-3 melanoma cells (p < 0.001), lipid peroxidation (p < 0.01), and reactive oxygen species (p < 0.01) and cytochrome c concentration (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the same amount was ineffective and safe on AGO-1522 normal fibroblast cells. The extract of white sandalwood has considerable cytotoxic effects on the human melanoma cell line. Further studies are required to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of white sandalwood on melanoma cancer

Effects of silymarin on neuropathic pain and formalin-induced nociception in mice

Objective(s):Based on the previous reports, silymarin can suppress nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotrienes, cytokines production, and neutrophils infiltration. Regarding the fact that inflammation plays an important role in neuropathic and formalin-induced pain, it was assumed that silymarin could reduce pain. The present study investigates the analgesic effects of silymarin in chemical nociception and a model of neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: Chemical nociception was produced by injection of 20 µl of formalin (0.5% formaldehyde in saline) into the plantar region of the right hind paw. A sciatic-nerve ligated mouse was applied as the model of neuropathic pain and the antinociceptive response of silymarin was examined 14 days after unilateral nerve-ligation using the hot plate test. Results:The intraperitoneal administration of silymarin (25, 50, and, 100 mg/kg) 2 hr prior to the intraplantar formalin injection suppressed the nociceptive response during the late phase of the formalin test significantly, but it was not in a dose-dependent manner. Different doses of silymarin 14 days after unilateral sciatic nerve ligation in hot plate test did not induce obvious antinociception. Conclusion:Results of the present study indicated that repeated administration of silymarin prevents the formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. However, it is not effective in the treatment of sciatic neuropathic pain

The Toxic Effect of Manganese on the Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Rat Brains

Manganese (Mn) is a naturally occurring element and an essential nutrient for humans and animals. However, exposure to high levels of Mn may cause neurotoxic effects. Accumulation of manganese damages central nervous system and causes Parkinson's disease-like syndrome called manganism. Mn neurotoxicity has been suggested to involve an imbalance between the DAergic and cholinergic systems. The pathological mechanisms associated with Mn neurotoxicity are poorly understood, but several reports have established it is mediated by changing of AChE activity that resulted in oxidative stress. Therefore we focused the effect of Mn in AChE activity in the rat's brain by MnCl 2 injection intraperitoneally and analyzed their brains after time intervals. This study used different acute doses in short time course and different chronic doses at different exposing time to investigate which of them (exposing dose or time) is more important in Mn toxic effect. Results showed toxic effect of Mn is highly dose dependent and AChE activity in presence of chronic dose in 8 weeks reaches acute dose in only 2 days

Evaluating the effects of galbanic acid on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes

Objective: Ferula szowitsiana has been widely used for medicinal purposes around the world. The anti-oxidant effect of F.szowitsiana had been proved. The current study aims to determine the protective effects of galbanic acid, a sesquiterpene coumarin from F. szowitsiana, against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: Human lymphocytes were incubated with H2O2 (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µM), galbanic acid (200 and 400 µM) and a combination of galbanic acid (200 and 400 µM) and H2O2 (25 µM) at 4 C for 30 minutes. Solvents of galbanic acid without H2O2 were used as negative controls. Results: The findings of this study demonstrated that H2O2 exposure leads to a significant concentration-dependent increase in DNA damage. Galbanic acid did not cause DNA damage compared with the control cells. Data showed that galbanic acid does not have a protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Conclusion: According to the results, it is concluded that the capability of F. szowitsiana in reducing reactive oxygen species and the anti-inflammatory property of its methanolic extract may be due to its other ingredients