The Protective Effects of Nigella sativa

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is an annual plant and widely used as medicinal plant throughout the world. The seeds of the plant have been used traditionally in various disorders and as a spice to ranges of Persian foods. N. sativa has therapeutic effects on tracheal responsiveness (TR) and lung inflammation on induced toxicity by Sulfur mustard. N. sativa has been widely used in treatment of various nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer disease, epilepsy, and neurotoxicity. Most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of some phenolic compounds especially thymoquinone (TQ), which is major bioactive component of the essential oil. The present review is an effort to provide a comprehensive study of the literature on scientific researches of pharmacological activities of the seeds of this plant on induced neurotoxicity

The therapeutic potential of Melissa officinalis L. hydroalcoholic extract and rosmarinic acid in a rat asthmatic model: A study on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

Objective: The article studies how Melissa officinalis L. extract and rosmarinic acid (RA) affect lung inflammation, pathology, and oxidative stress in rats with ovalbumin-induced asthma.Materials and Methods: Asthma was induced in rats using ovalbumin injection and inhalation. The study assessed lung inflammation, pathological changes, and oxidative stress in control, untreated asthmatic rats and three treatment groups. These groups received M. officinalis extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg), RA (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg), or dexamethasone (Dex) 1 mg/kg.Results: In the sensitized group, white blood cell counts, malondialdehyde, and nitrite levels increased significantly, while thiol levels and the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased (p<0.001). However, all treatment groups with the extract, RA, and Dex showed a significant reduction in total white blood cells, eosinophils, monocytes, malondialdehyde, and nitrite levels compared to the asthma group (p<0.001 in all groups). Thiol levels and catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly higher in all treated groups with RA and high extract doses (p<0.001). Lung pathological changes were also significantly less severe in the treated groups with dexamethasone, plant extract, and RA compared to the asthma group (p<0.05 to p<0.001).Conclusion: This study showed that M. officinalis and RA have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in an animal asthma model, suggesting their potential for treating asthma symptoms

Restless legs syndrome in lung chemical warfare patients

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been associated with a variety of diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can worsen the symptoms of underlying disease and correlates with co-morbidities. We aimed to investigate RLS in patients with chemical warfare-induced lung diseases. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited patients with sulfur mustard (SM) lung injury, their healthy family members, and patients with COPD from August 2018 to August 2019. COPD was confirmed by medical history, physical examination, and spirometry according to GOLD COPD guidelines. RLS diagnosis was recognized by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and severity was assessed using the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) rating scale. Other research measures were COPD Assessment Test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale for dyspnoea severity, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for daytime somnolence. Laboratory values included hemoglobin, ferritin, creatinine, and fibrinogen. RESULTS: This study was conducted on 143 men in three groups: 40 (30.0%) SM-exposed veterans, 73 (55.3%) patients with COPD, and 30 (20.9%) healthy cases. Due to the high prevalence of COPD and better comparison with the control group, more patients with COPD were selected. 20 cases (50%) of the veterans group had RLS, while 25 (32.9%) cases of COPD were affected by this disorder. One normal case (3.33%) suffered from RLS. The chemical veterans who suffered from cough, sputum production, chest pain, and hemoptysis had a higher incidence in proportion to patients with COPD (P < 0.001). The CAT score was significantly higher in SM-exposed veterans with RLS (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: RLS is more common in SM lung injuries with higher CAT scores; therefore, evaluation and treatment of RLS are recommended in mustard lung victims

The Effect of Melissa officinalis L. Extract on Ovalbumin- Induced Lung Inflammation in Rats

Background and objectives: Asthma is an inflammatory chronic disease that has become prevalent internationally. Melissa officinalis L. as a medicinal plant has long been used in the European and the Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-tumour, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects of M. officinalis has been reported. Therefore, the effect of Melissa officinalis L. extract on tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and lung pathological changes of ovalbumin (OVA) induced asthma model rat was examined in the current study. Methods: The hydroalcoholic extract of M. officinalis was prepared using 300 g of powdered leaves. Tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness, lung pathology, and WBC counts were evaluated in control, sensitized to OVA, and sensitized rats treated with dexamethasone and three doses of M. officinalis extract (50, 150 and 200 mg/kg). Results: Tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness to methacholine hydrochloride in all sensitized groups was greater than that of the control group (p<0.001). The treatment of asthma-induced rats with dexamethasone and M. officinalis extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) remarkably reduced pathological alterations, including; inflammation, muscle hypertrophy and mucus plaques in the lung compared to the sensitized group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Additionally, M. officinalis extract significantly improved total and differential WBC counts in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (p<0.001 for all groups). Conclusion: Results of the current study showed a preventive effect of M. officinalis extracts on the responsiveness of tracheal smooth muscle and lung inflammation in OVA-sensitized rats

Potential Effects of A Flavonoid, Hesperidin on SARS-CoV-2 Disease

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in China in December 2019 [...

The relaxant effect of Ferula assafoetida on smooth muscles and the possible mechanisms

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) an oleo-gum-resin belongs to the Apiaceae family which obtained from the living underground rhizome or tap roots of the plant. F. assa-foetida is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of variety of disorders. Asafoetida is used as a culinary spice and in folk medicine has been used to treat several diseases, including intestinal parasites, weak digestion, gastrointestinal disorders, asthma and influenza. A wide range of chemical compounds including sugars, sesquiterpene coumarins and polysulfides have been isolated from this plant. This oleo-gum-resin is known to possess antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and antiviral activities. Several studies investigated the effects of F. asafoetida gum extract on the contractile responses induced by acetylcholine, methacholin, histamine and KCl on different smooth muscles. The present review summarizes the information regarding the relaxant effect of asafetida and its extracts on different smooth muscles and the possible mechanisms of this effect

Possible therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa and its thymoquinone on COVID-19

Context COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that causes a severe infection in the respiratory system. Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) is an annual flowering plant used traditionally as a natural food supplement and multipurpose medicinal agent. Objective The possible beneficial effects of N. sativa, and its constituent, thymoquinone (TQ) on COVID-19 were reviewed. Methods The key words including, COVID-19, N. sativa, thymoquinone, antiviral effects, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in different databases such as Web of Science (ISI), PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from 1990 up to February 2021. Results The current literature review showed that N. sativa and TQ reduced the level of pro-inflammatory mediators including, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12, while enhancing IFN-γ. Nigella sativa and TQ increased the serum levels of IgG1 and IgG2a, and improved pulmonary function tests in restrictive respiratory disorders. Discussion and conclusions These preliminary data of molecular docking, animal, and clinical studies propose N. sativa and TQ might have beneficial effects on the treatment or control of COVID-19 due to antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties as well as bronchodilatory effects. The efficacy of N. sativa and TQ on infected patients with COVID-19 in randomize clinical trials will be suggested

Smooth muscle relaxant activity of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents: possible mechanisms

Saffron, Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus) is rich in carotenoids and used in traditional medicine for treatment of various conditions such as coughs, stomach disorders, amenorrhea, asthma and cardiovascular disorders. These therapeutic effects of the plant are suggested to be due to its relaxant effect on smooth muscles. The effect of C. sativus and its constituents on different smooth muscles and the underlying mechanisms have been studied. Several studies have shown the relaxant effects of C. sativus and its constituents including safranal, crocin, crocetin and kaempferol on blood vessels. In addition, it was reported that saffron stigma lowers systolic blood pressure. The present review highlights the relaxant effects of C. sativus and its constituents on various smooth muscles. The possible mechanisms of this relaxing effect including activation of ß2-adrenoceptors, inhibition of histamine H1 and muscarinic receptors and calcium channels and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) are also reviewed