Urtica dioica attenuate effect of Doxorobicin-Induced changes on sperm parameters in the mice

Doxorubicin (DXR) is used as an antitumor agent for the treatment of human neoplasm. The use of DXR has adverse effect on reproductive system including testicular toxicity and alteration in semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Urtica dioica against Doxorobicin-Induced changes on sperm parameters. 24 male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Control group received normal saline solution throughout the course of the study. Urtica dioica (UD) control group, received UD (100 mg/kg body weight) thrice in a week and DOX (3 mg/kg body weight) once in a week injected intraperitoneally in Doxorubicin (DXR) control group and Urtica dioica-Doxorubicin (UD-DXR) group, received Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg body weight) three times in a week and DOX (3 mg/kg body weight) once in a week through the route for a period of 2 weeks. At the end of experimental period, all animal were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, their epididymes were removed and sperm analysis were done. In mice with DXR administration, epididymal sperm motility, progressive motility, sperm count and viability significantly decrease while sperm cells with abnormal morphology significantly increase when compared with control groups. Co-treatment with UD attenuate toxicity effect of DXR and improve sperm parameters. Results of our study showed that UD diminished DXR-induced testicular toxicity and improve semen parameters, thus suggesting its co-administration as a protective agent during doxorubicin treatment. Further studies should be aimed to determine protective effect of UD against chemotherapeutic agents such as DXR

Female Obesity and Clinical Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has been developed to be used for reproductive-age women with primary and secondary infertilities. Obesity is a worldwide epidemic for both women and men and a major global health concern. The direct effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) increase on the outcomes of ART is still unclear. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the available scientific evidence to assess the effects of obesity on the clinical outcome of ART treatment. Numerous studies have shown failure in ART due to increased BMIs in infertile women; however, the impact of increased BMI on clinical effectiveness of ART still remains inconclusive. Using results from 44 studies (831616 subjects) we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to highlight this subject (clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live-birth rate). Compared to the women with BMIs of 25 kg/m(2) or less, women with BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) have a lower chance of pregnancy risk ratio 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89-0.94] as well as lower live-birth rates risk ratio 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94], and show increased miscarriage rates risk ratio 1.35, 95% CI: 1.28-1.46]. Our findings indicate that elevated BMI and obesity requires more recognition as a potential contributor to negative pregnancy outcomes and reduced live-birth following ART. The results of our meta-analysis suggest that weight loss should be considered in overweight and obese women before the initiation of infertility treatment

Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Mentha Longifolia L. and its main constituent, menthol

Mentha longifolia (wild mint) is a popular folk remedy. Some parts of this plant have been used in traditional medicine of Iran and other countries. Many studies have shown various pharmacological and therapeutic effects of the plant. Our aim in preparing this study was to review the traditional uses of M. longifolia together with the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of its entire extract and major compounds. Mentha longifolia is an herb with a wide range of pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, and nervous system effects. Pulegone is the main compound of the plant responsible for most of its pharmacological effects followed by menthone, isomenthone, menthol, 1, 8-cineole, borneol, and piperitenone. Moreover, the plant may dose-dependently exert toxic effects in different systems of the body. Based on the review of various studies, it can be concluded that M. longifolia is a potential natural source for the development of new drugs. However, further studies are required to determine the precise quality and safety of the plant to be used by clinicians

Editorial: Extracellular vesicles in cancer immunosurveillance

Accumulating evidence suggests that a considerable proportion of cancer-host interactions are mediated through extracellular vesicles (EVs), small membranous structures produced by a wide variety of cell types. Being initially praised for their immunological inertness and stealth, later years of research uncovered more aspects of their immunomodulatory properties leaving a great deal of ambiguities unaddressed

Synergistic antibacterial effects of β-Chloro-L-alanine and phosphomycin on urinary tract isolates of E. coli

Introduction: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the synergistic effect of sub-MIC doses of Phosphomycin with β-Chloro-L-alanine against urinary tract isolates of E. coli. Materials and methods: A total of 40 isolates were collected from urine specimens submitted to the clinical diagnostic Laboratories in Urmia, Iran. The amounts of MIC and MBC for Phosphomycin, β-Chloro-L-alanine or a mixture of 0.5 mM β-Chloro-L-alanine with sub-MIC doses of Phosphomycin were determined and three groups were compared. Results: Of 40 E. coli isolates, 12. 5% were susceptible to all investigated concentrations of phosphomycin and 2. 5% were resistant. The mean MIC value for phosphomycin in the other E. coli isolates was determined as 25. 7± 35. 5 µg/ mL. All of the bacterial isolates were resistant to all investigated concentrations of β-Chloro-L-alanine. Application of β-Chloro-L-alanine and phosphomycin combination decreased the MIC and MBC values in 22. 5% of the isolates. Discussion and conclusion: This study suggests that β-Chloro-L-alanine and phosphomycin combination have in vitro synergistic effect on some isolates of urinary tract E. coli

Therapeutic Uses and Pharmacological Properties of Garlic, Shallot, and Their Biologically Active Compounds

Objective(s): Garlic (Allium sativum L. family Liliaceae) is well known in Iran and its leaves, flowers, and cloves have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. Research in recent decades has shown widespread pharmacological effects of A. sativum and its organosulfur compounds especially Allicin. Studies carried out on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl disulphide, S-allylcysteine, and diallyl trisulfide. Allicin represents one of the most studied among these naturally occurring compounds. In addition to A. sativum, these compounds are also present in A. hirtifolium (shallot) and have been used to treat various diseases. This article reviews the pharmacological effects and traditional uses of A. sativum, A. hirtifolium, and their active constituents to show whether or not they can be further used as potential natural sources for the development of novel drugs.   Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the authors went through a vast number of sources and articles and all needed data was gathered. The findings were reviewed and classified on the basis of relevance to the topic and a summary of all effects were reported as tables. Conclusion: Garlic and shallots are safe and rich sources of biologically active compounds with low toxicity. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and quality of the plants to be used by clinicians as therapeutic agents

Long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids reduce multiple myeloma exosome-mediated suppression of NK cell cytotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), complete remission is usually challenging. The interactions between tumor and host cells, in which exosomes (EXs) play critical roles, have been shown to be among the major deteriorative tumor-promoting factors herein. Therefore, any endeavor to beneficially target these EX-mediated interactions could be of high importance. OBJECTIVES: a) To investigate the effects of myeloma EXs on natural killer (NK) cell functions. b) To check whether treatment of myeloma cells with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids with known anti-cancer effects, can modify myeloma EXs in terms of their effects on natural killer functions. METHODS: L363 cells were treated with either EPA or DHA or left untreated and the released EXs (designated as E-EX, D-EX and C-EX, respectively) were used to treat NK cells for functional studies. RESULTS: Myeloma EXs (C-EXs) significantly reduced NK cytotoxicity against K562 cells (P ≤ 0.05), while the cytotoxicity suppression was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in the (E-EX)- and (D-EX)-treated NK cells compared to the (C-EX)-treated cells. The expression of the activating NK receptor NKG2D and NK degranulation, after treatment with the EXs, were both altered following the same pattern. However, C-EXs could increase IFN-γ production in NK cells (P < 0.01), which was not significantly affected by EPA/DHA treatment. This indicates a dual effect of myeloma EXs on NK cells functions. CONCLUSION: Our observations showed that myeloma EXs have both suppressive and stimulatory effects on different NK functions. Treatment of myeloma cells with EPA/DHA can reduce the suppressive effects of myeloma EXs while maintaining their stimulatory effects. These findings, together with the previous findings on the anti-cancer effects of EPA/DHA, provide stronger evidence for the repositioning of the currently existing EPA/DHA supplements to be used in the treatment of MM as an adjuvant treatment. EXs released from L363 (myeloma) cells in their steady state increase IFN-γ production of NK cells, while reduce their cytotoxicity against the K562 cell line (right blue trace). EXs from L363 cells pre-treated with either EPA or DHA are weaker stimulators of IFN-γ production. These EXs also increase NK cytotoxicity and NKG2D expression (left brown trace) compared to the EXs obtained from untreated L363 cells. Based on these findings, myeloma EXs have both suppressive and stimulatory effects on different NK functions depending on the properties of their cells of origin, which can be exploited in the treatment of myeloma