26 research outputs found
Effects of standardized hydro-alcoholic extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos leaf on hypertension and biochemical parameters in hypertensive hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial
Objective: To study the blood pressure, lipid and glycemic effects and safety of Vaccinium arctostaphylos leaf in the hypertensive hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The patients took 350 mg standardized plant leaf hydro-alcoholic extract capsule (n=50) or placebo capsule (n=50) three times daily alongside conventional drugs for 2 months. At the baseline and endpoint, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and blood levels of fasting glucose (FG), 2-hr postprandial glucose (2hPPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, triglyceride, HDL-C, SGOT, SGPT and creatinine were determined in both groups. To evaluate the extract safety, serum SGOT, SGPT and creatinine levels were tested; also, the patients were requested to report any adverse effects. Results: FG, 2hPPG, HbA1c, TC, LDL-C, triglyceride and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased, whereas HDL-C was increased significantly in the extract group compared to those of the placebo group at the endpoint (for all cases,
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of the effects of Urtica dioica and swimming activity on diabetic factors and pancreatic beta cells
Abstract
Background: Urtica dioica (UD) has been identified as a traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to investigate
the effect of UD extract and swimming activity on diabetic parameters through in vivo and in vitro experiments.
Methods: Adult WKY male rats were randomly distributed in nine groups: intact control, diabetic control,
diabetic + 625 mg/kg, 1.25 g/kg UD, diabetic + 100 mg/kg Metformin, diabetic + swimming, diabetic + swimming
625 mg/kg, 1.25 g/kg UD, and diabetic +100 mg/kg Metformin + swimming. The hearts of the animals were
punctured, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The entire pancreas was exposed for
histologic examination. The effect of UD on insulin secretion by RIN-5F cells in 6.25 or 12.5 mM glucose dose
was examined. Glucose uptake by cultured L6 myotubes was determined.
Results: The serum glucose concentration decreased, the insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity significantly
increased in treated groups. These changes were more pronounced in the group that received UD extract
and swimming training. Regeneration and less beta cell damage of Langerhans islets were observed in the
treated groups. UD treatment increased insulin secretion in the RIN-5F cells and glucose uptake in the L6
myotubes cells.
Conclusions: Swimming exercises accompanied by consuming UD aqueous extracts effectively improved
diabetic parameters, repaired pancreatic tissues in streptozotocin-induced diabetics in vivo, and increased
glucose uptake or insulin in UD-treated cells in vitro.
Keywords: Diabetes, Urtica dioica, Insulin resistance, Cholesterol, TG, Pancreatic islet beta cells, Swimming exercis
Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Scrophularia megalantha Ethanol Extract on an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Background and objectives: Scrophularia megalantha is a native Iranian plant. In folk remedies, the species of the genus are used to treat stomach ulcers, goiter, eczema, cancer, psoriasis, and gall; however, there is not much research about S. megalantha. The current study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effect of Scrophularia megalantha, a medicinal plant of Iran, on myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The ethanol 80% extract of S. megalantha aerial parts was prepared by maceration method. The extract (100 mg/kg/day) was administered to C57BL/6 mice immunized with MOG (35-55) for 7 days, 3 weeks after EAE induction. The mice brain was removed and Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) was used to stain the sections. Moreover, spleen mononuclear cells from extract-treated or non-treated of EAE model mice were stimulated with MOG peptide and then culture supernatants were evaluated for IFN-ɣ, IL-17 and IL-10 cytokines using Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Results: Based on the obtained results, treatment with Scrophularia megalantha areal part extract significantly reduced inflammatory cells infiltration in the central nervous system (CNS) and also the disease severity in the experimental model of MS. Also, findings of the current study indicated that treatment with this medicinal plant in EAE mice model significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines including IFN-ɣ and IL-17 and vice versa significantly increased IL-10 as anti-inflammatory cytokine compared with non-treated of EAE model mice group. Conclusion: Scrophularia megalantha attenuated EAE by suppressing IFN-ɣ and IL-17 production and also increasing IL-10 cytokine. These findings suggested that this medicinal plant has the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects
Induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest by Scrophularia striata in a human leukaemia cell line
Objectives: Scrophularia striata Boiss (Scrophulariaceae)
is a plant that grows in northeastern Iran; it
has been used traditionally to treat various inflammatory
disorders. This study was designed to
investigate cytotoxic effects of S. striata extract, on
the Jurkat human leukaemia cell line (T-cell leukaemia).
Materials and methods: Phytochemical assay by
thin layer chromatography and 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picryl-
hydrazyl were used to evaluate main compounds
and antioxidant capacity of the plant
extract, respectively. Its inhibitory effect on Jurkat
cells was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, cell
cycle distribution and apoptotic cell death were
evaluated by propidium iodide and annexin VFITC/
propidium iodide staining.
Results: These showed that the main components
present in S. striata extract included flavonoids, phenolic
compounds and phenyl propanoids. Treatment
with extract was significantly cytotoxic to the tumour
cell line. In addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated
that S. striata extract induced cell cycle arrest
in G2/M phase and apoptosis of tumour cells.
Conclusions: Results of the study indicated that
S. striata extract could inhibit leukaemia cell proliferation
by inducing G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis
A Randomized Clinical Trial Study: Anti-Oxidant, Anti-hyperglycemic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of Olibanum Gum in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Abstract
Diabetes is a common metabolic disease in the world that has many adverse effects.
Olibanum gum resin (from trees of the genus Boswellia) has traditionally been used in the
treatment of various diseases such as diabetes. The aim of this study was the comparison of
Olibanum gum resin effect with placebo on the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Inclusion criteria
was diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar (FBS) =140-200 mg/dL. This study has been
designed as double-blined clinical trial on 71 patients with type 2 diabetes and the patients
randomly were divided to interventional and placebo groups. The patients on standard antidiabetic
therapy (metformin) treated with Olibanum gum resin (400 mg caps) and placebo
tow times per day for 12 weeks, respectively. At the end of the twelfth week, the FBS, HbA1c,
Insulin, total Cholesterol (Chol), LDL, Triglyceride (TG), HDL and other parameters were
measured. The Olibanum gum resin lowered the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, Chol, LDL and TG levels
significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p <0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively)
without any significant effects on the other blood lipid levels and liver/kidney function tests
(p > 0.05) compared with the placebo at the endpoint. Moreover, this plant showed anti-oxidant
effect and also no adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that Olibanum gum resin
could be used as a safe anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent for type
2 diabetic patients.
Keywords: Olibanum gum resin; Diabetes; Hyperglycemia; Hyperlipidemia; Patients
Analgesic Effect and Immunomodulation Response on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Production by Scrophularia megalantha Extract
Purpose: The remains unknown, To determine the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of
Scrophularia megalantha in male rats in order to understand the scientific basis for its trado-medicinal
uses, especially in inflammation.
Methods: The extract of Scrophularia megalantha was obtained with ethanol. In order to determine
qualitatively the chemical components of the extract, thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used. The
analgesic activity of the extract at various doses (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p) was assessed using
formalin test while pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA), respectively. Diclofenac (5 mg/kg) was used as positive control.
Results: Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and phenyl propanoid were present in the extract. At doses
of 100 and 200 mg/kg, the extract showed significant analgesic effects (p < 0.05, p< 0.01) in the first
phases of formalin test, compared with the control. At 25, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses, the extract
reduced significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) pain score in the chronic phases of the formalin
test. In addition, at 50 - 200 μg/mL of the extractm both TNF- and IL-6 proinflammatory cytokines were
inhibited significantly (p < 0.001) on LPS-stimulated macrophages.
Conclusion: The extract of S. megalantha exerts analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibition
of pro-inflammatory cytokines production. This lends support for the use of the plant as an analgesic in
traditional medicine
Immunomodulatory effects of Ziziphora tenuior L. extract on the dendritic cells
Background: Ziziphora tenuior L. (Kakuti in Persian) is used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal
disorders as carminative and analgesic plant. The other usages of this plant are included treatment of diarrhea and
nausea. Therefore in the present study we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of the ethanolic extract of this
plant on the dendritic cells (DCs).
Results: Ziziphora tenuior L. extract significantly (p = 0.002) increased the level of surface expression of CD40 as an
important co-stimulatory marker on DCs compared to the control. However this extract did not change CD86 and
MHC-II molecules, so it could promote DCs phenotypic maturation. Treatment of DCs with the extract resulted in
slightly increased of the production of (IL-12); however, this change was not significant. In addition, the ability of
treated DCs to stimulate allogenic T cells proliferation and cytokines secretion was examined in the co-cuture of
these cells with T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Z. tenuior L. at the 100 μg/ml concentration inhibited
the proliferation of allogenic T cells and also significantly (P < 0.001) increased the level of IL-10. Moreover, the
extract at 10–100 μg/ml concentration caused slightly increase in IFN-γ production and decreased IL-4 cytokines
but these changes were not significant.
Conclusions: These findings indicated that Z. tenuior L. extract can modulate immune response by induction of
CD40 expression on DCs and cytokine production; whereas it can inhibit T cell stimulating activity of DCs in high
concentration. These findings possibly in part explain the traditional use of this plant in treatment of
immune-mediated disorders. However future studies are needed
Protoscolicidal and immunomodulatory activity of Ziziphora tenuior extract and its fractions
Objective: To evaluate the scolicidal and immunomodulatory effect of the Ziziphora
tenuior (Z. tenuior) extract and its fractions.
Methods: Protoscolices were treated with six concentrations (3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and
100 mg/mL) of Z. tenuior extract and its fractions (ethanol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate
and chloroform) in periods of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min, and viability of protoscolices
was evaluated using the 1.0% eosin. To examine the immunomodulatory effects of
Ziziphora and its fractions on macrophage cells, the non-toxic concentration of extract
and different fractions determined by MTT assay, and the Griess reaction was used to
measure the level of nitrite as an indicator of nitric oxide by the macrophage cells in 10,
100 and 200 mg/mL in 24 h at 37 �C.
Results: In this study, the Z. tenuior extract at 10 mg/mL concentration was able to kill
all protoscolices during 20 min. By increasing the concentration to 25 mg/mL, the scolicidal
time reduced to 10 min. Regarding the effect of different fractions of Z. tenuior, the
ethanolic fraction showed the highest scolicidal activity. The extract demonstrated an
inhibitory effect on the activity of macrophages and reduced nitric oxide production.
Although the petroleum ether and ethanolic fractions of the extract reduced nitric oxide
production, nevertheless, this effect was only significant at 10 and 100 mg/mL concentrations
(P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The Z. tenuior extract and its fractions were effective against protoscolices
yet the effect of total extract was considerable. Our findings indicates that the extract and
its ethanolic and petroleum ether fractions could have anti-inflammatory properties
پیگیری روند تأثیر آموزش روانی خانواده محور برمبنای الگوی آتکینسون و کویا بر عود و شدت علائم اسکیزوفرنی
Apoptosis Cell Death Effect of Scrophularia Variegata on Breast Cancer Cells via Mitochondrial Intrinsic Pathway
Purpose: Scrophularia variegata M. Beib. (Scrophulariaceae) is an Iranian medicinal
plant which is used for various inflammatory disorders in traditional medicine.
In this study we evaluated the anti-cancer and cytotoxic effects of the Scrophularia variegata (S. variegata) ethanolic extract on the human breast cancer cell line.
Methods: The cytotoxicity effect of the extract on MCF-7 cells
was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, Caspase activity, DNA ladder and Cell
death were evaluated by ELISA, gel electrophoresis and Annexin V-FITC/PI
staining, respectively.
Results: The S. variegata extract showed significant effect cytotoxicity on MCF-7
human breast cancer cell line. Treatment with the extract induced
apoptosis on the breast cancer cells by cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. The
results indicated that cytotoxicity activity was associated with an increase of
apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation as well as an increase of the
amount of caspase 3 and caspase 9. In addition, the phytochemical assay showed
that the extract had antioxidant capacity and also flavonoids, phenolic
compounds and phenyl propanoids were presented in the extract.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicated that S. variegata extract
induced apoptosis via mitochondrial intrinsic pathway on breast cancer by cell
cycle arrest in G2/M phase and an increase of caspase 3 and caspase 9. However
future studies are needed