The effect of red lentil hydroalcoholic extract on retention and retrieval of memory in young and aged mice

Background: Since ancient times, people have believed that certain foods or plants can affect learning and memory potency in humans. The consumption of food and beverages rich in flavonoid compounds has been proposed as a way to restrict the neurodegeneration associated with many neurological complications and to reverse or prevent deterioration in cognitive performance. Objectives: In the present study, we have attempted to show the effect of red lentil extract (RLE), an edible legume with a high quantity of flavonoid, on retrieval and retention of memory in young and aged animals with the use of a passive avoidance apparatus. Materials and Methods: For the experiments, after coding, the animals (128 total) were weighted and classified into different groups as follows: Group 1 as a control received only electric shock, while group 2 as a blank received electric shock plus normal saline (1 mL/100 g). The test groups (groups 3 and 4) received electric shock plus 400 and 800 mg/kg ip. RLE, respectively. The delay in leaving the platform of avoidance apparatus was measured for both retrieval and retention tests of memory in all groups, whereas experiments were conducted on two age levels - young and aged mice. In the test of retention after getting electric shock, RLE immediately, whereas in the test of retrieval 23.5 hours after the shock was administered. Results: Our findings demonstrated where applying both400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of RLE significantly increased (the latency time increased about 2- and 3-fold respectively in comparison with the control group) retention and retrieval (at least 7-fold compared to the control group) of the memory of young (P < 0.05) and aged (P < 0.01) mice. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the devisable memory-enhancing effects of red lentil (lens culinaris) are due to the antioxidant activity of its flavonoid, tannins, and terpenoids. © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Preparation and physicochemical characterization of N-succinyl chitosan-coated liposomes for oral delivery of grape seed extract and evaluation of its effect on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats

Objective(s): This study aimed to develop an oral succinyl chitosan-coated liposomal formulation containing grape seed extract and assess its therapeutic efficacy in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Materials and Methods: N-succinyl chitosan was synthesized, and the liposomal formulations were prepared and characterized regarding phenolic content assay and morphology. Size, zeta potential, in vitro drug release, and stability. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal bleomycin injection, and hydroxyproline measurements, lung weight, animal body weight, as well as histopathological studies were performedResults: Succinyl chitosan increases the physical stability of the formulation, especially in acidic conditions. Drug release studies revealed that 66.27% of the loaded drug was released from CF2 in an acidic medium in 2 hr, but 92.31% of the drug was released in 8 hr in a pH=7 medium. An in vivo study demonstrated that rats exposed to bleomycin significantly lost weight, while those treated with CF2 (400 mg/kg) partially regained weight. Bleomycin treatment increased the mean lung weight and the amount of hydroxyproline in the lungs; these values were significantly decreased in the group treated with 400 mg/kg CF2 (P<0.05). Histopathological examination confirmed that treatment with 400 mg/kg CF2 improved lung fibrosis. Conclusion: In rats, oral administration of N-succinyl chitosan-coated liposomes containing grape seed extract at the 400 mg/kg dose ameliorates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Protective Effects of Celery (Apium graveloens) Seed Extract on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most common side effects of bleomycin which is used as a chemotherapeutic agent. Reactive oxygen species play a key role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Celery seed contains a variety of flavonoids which are considered as asantioxidants. This study investigated the effects of celery seed hydroalcoholic extract on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. METHODS: This empirical study was conducted on 20 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing from 180 to 150 g. The animals were divided randomly into 5 groups of 4 rats. Groups 1 and 2, respectively, received a single dose of saline or bleomycin (7.5 units per kg) endotracheally. Group 3-5 received different daily doses of celery seed extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for one week before and two weeks after the bleomycin. The animals were killed after 21 days and their blood and lungs were collected and tested so as to measure the plasma malondialdehyde, lung hydroxyproline and histopathology test. FINDINGS: The results showed that the index of lung, hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in the saline normal group were respectively, 2.02±7.27 milligrams of lung per gram of body weight, 0.24±1.78 mg per gram of lung tissue and 0.17±1.48 micromol per liter of plasma. On the other hand, in the group receiving bleomycin, the figures were 0.99±10.1, 1.5±5.75 and 0.23±3.27, respectively. Treatment with extract, especially in groups 4 and 5, significantly reduced these factors compared to the bleomycin group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the results of histology revealed that bleomycin could lead to lung damage and the thickening of the alveolar. CONCLUSION: The results showed that celery seed hydroalcoholic extract has a protective effect on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Randomized double blind clinical trial evaluating the Ellagic acid effects on insulin resistance, oxidative stress and sex hormones levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Objective: The design of this study was due to the report of the antioxidant properties of Ellagic acid (EA) for its evaluation on the Insulin resistance (IR), oxidative stress and sex hormones levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated consumed a capsule containing 200 mg of EA per day (n=30) or placebo (n=30) for 8 weeks. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, IR, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), sex hormones and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Result: At the end of the study, the mean of FBS, insulin, IR, TC, TG, LDL, MDA, CRP, TNF-α, total testosterone, prolactin and AMH were signifcantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P<0.05). Also, there was a signifcant increase in the mean of TAC after supplementation with EA (P<0.05). At the end of the study, no signifcant changes were observed in the mean of anthropometric factors, physical activity and food intake (P>0.05). Conclusion: EA supplementation can be helpful as a diet supplement in women with PCOS through improvement in insulin resistance. This supplement may be used to reduce metabolic disorders in women

Decreased insulin resistance in diabetic patients by influencing Sirtuin1 and Fetuin-A following supplementation with ellagic acid: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The benefcial efects of polyphenols have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the efect of oral Ellagic acid (EA) supplement on insulin resistance (IR) and Fetuin-A and serum sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in type 2 diabetics. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 44 diabetic patients were selected. Patients were assigned to the intervention group (22 subjects) and placebo (22 subjects) and received a capsule containing 180 mg of EA per day or placebo for eight weeks, respectively. At the beginning and end of the study, anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma insulin level, IR, Fetuin-A, and SIRT1 were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: At the beginning and end of the study, there was no signifcant diference between the two groups regarding anthropometric indices (P>0.05). At the end of the survey, EA supplementation signifcantly reduced FPG, insulin, IR, and Fetuin-A and increased SIRT1 levels compared with the placebo group (P<0.05). However, these changes were not signifcant in the placebo group (P>0.05). Conclusion: EA with antioxidant properties plays an essential role in reducing the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes by reducing infammation and insulin resistanc