Medicinal plants and atherosclerosis: A review on molecular aspects

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory vascular disease that is characterized by progressive accumulation of cholesterol in the arterial walls and it is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Issues related to the side effects of synthetic drugs have in recent times, led to the misuse of drugs, a lack of patient consultations, and consequently, a disruption in meticulous disease control. Therefore, a new insight into medicinal plants has recently emerged and much research has been conducted on these herbs in an attempt to prepare novel naturally based drugs. The aim of this review article was to scrutinize the molecular mechanisms of medicinal plants possessing effectiveness against atherosclerosis. To conduct the review, electronic searches were performed to retrieve potentially relevant publications, indexed within internet databases and reference textbooks concerning the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of plants or their constituents used to treat atherosclerosis. Overall, medicinal plants facilitate atherosclerosis treatment through a variety of mechanisms which include the regulation of expression of inflammatory factors, stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), promotion of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) as well as ATP-binding cassette transporter G (ABCG), facilitation of adiponectin activity, reduction of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) and antioxidant activity. An increased perception of these herbal mechanistic links is an important prelude to the design of novel plant based drugs

The Neurogenesis Actuator and NR2B/NMDA Receptor Antagonist Ro25-6981 Consistently Improves Spatial Memory Retraining Via Brain Region-Specific Gene Expression

NR2B-containing NMDA (NR2B/NMDA) receptors are important in controlling neurogenesis and are involved in generating spatial memory. Ro25-6981 is a selective antagonist at these receptors and actuates neurogenesis and spatial memory. Inter-structural neuroanatomical profiles of gene expression regulating adult neurogenesis and neuroapoptosis require examination in the context of memory retrieval and reversal learning. The aim was to investigate spatial memory retrieval and reversal learning in relation to gene expression-linked neurogenetic processes following blockade of NR2B/NMDA receptors by Ro25-6981. Rats were trained in Morris water maze (MWM) platform location for 5 days. Ro25-6981 was administered (protocol days 6–7) followed by retraining (days 15–18 or 29–32). Platform location was tested (on days 19 or 33) then post-mortem brain tissue sampling (on days 20 or 34). The expression of three genes known to regulate cell proliferation (S100a6), differentiation (Ascl1), and apoptosis (Casp-3) were concomitantly evaluated in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum in relation to the MWM performance protocol. Following initial training, Ro25-6981 enhanced visuospatial memory retrieval performance during further retraining (protocol days 29–32) but did not influence visuospatial reversal learning (day 33). Hippocampal Ascl1 and Casp-3 expressions were correspondingly increased and decreased while cerebellar S100a6 and Casp-3 activities were decreased and increased respectively 27 days after Ro25-6981 treatment. Chronological analysis indicated a possible involvement of new mature neurons in the reconfiguration of memory processes. This was attended by behavioral/gene correlations which revealed direct links between spatial memory retrieval enhancement and modified gene activity induced by NR2B/NMDA receptor blockade and upregulation

Depression and treatment with effective herbs

Depression is one of the common psychiatric diseases and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. In spite of certain developments in this field, chemical and synthetic drugs used for treatment of depression disrupt the treatment process due to the numerous side effects and high cost. Today, the goal of using a potential method for treating depression involves the use of medicinal and phytochemical plants, which has many therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown that medicinal plants affect the nervous system and exert antidepressant effects in various ways, including synaptic regulation of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, and inflammatory mediators. In this study, depression as well as the factors and mechanisms involved in its development are first addressed, and then medicinal plants effective in the treatment of depression along with their mechanisms of actions are reporte

A Review on Ethnobotanical and Therapeutic Uses of Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graceum

Fenugreek with the scientific name of Trigonella foenum-graceum L and with leaves consisting of 3 small obovate to oblong leaflets is an annual herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean but is cultivated worldwide. This plant has medicinal alkaloids, steroid compounds, and sapogenins and many uses have been mentioned for this plant in traditional medicine. This plant has been used to ease childbirth, to aid digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism. Trigonelline is considered as the most important metabolite of fenugreek, which is very effective in treating diabetes and decreasing blood cholesterol. Diaszhenin is another important compound in seeds of this plant, which is used in producing medicinal steroids like contraceptive pills. Many studies have been performed on the therapeutic effects and identification of chemical compounds of this plant. In this article, the most important biological effects and reported compounds about fenugreek seed are reviewed and its therapeutic applications are investigated. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015