Antinociceptive effect of Teucrium polium leaf extract in the diabetic rat formalin test

This Study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect of Teucrium polium leaf extract in the diabetic rat formalin test. For this purpose, streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats received intraperitoneal injection of this extract (100 and 200 mg/kg per day) for a period of 2 weeks. It was found out that Teucrium polium-treated diabetic rats exhibited a lower nociceptive score as compared to untreated diabetics. The results may suggest therapeutic potential of Teucrium polium extract for the treatment of diabetic hyperalgesia. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Quinapril attenuates the effect of long-term L-NAME administration on the vascular reactivity of diabetic rats

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors including quinapril could exert a protective effect on cardiovascular system through endothelial system in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. The present experimental work was designed to study the vascular reactivity of aortic ring segments isolated from streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats treated for 4 weeks with nitro-L-arginine- methyl ester (L-NAME; 50 mg/100 ml) or L-NAME plus quinapril (10 mg/100 ml) in drinking water. The results showed that quinapril treatment significantly attenuated the augmented contractile response to phenylephrine and KCl in diabetic rats. In addition, quinapril treatment partially restored the reduced contractile response in diabetic animals treated chronically with L-NAME. It can be concluded that quinapril could partly counteract the effect of long-term L-NAME administration on vascular reactivity in STZ-diabetic rats

Antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in patients with mild hypertension

Hypertension (HT) is a lifestyle-related disease and dietary modifications are effective for its management and prevention. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with an oral Nigella sativa (NS) seed extract supplement in patients with mild HT. Subjects were randomized into three groups: a placebo and two test groups that received 100 and 200 mg of NS extract twice a day. After 8 weeks, systolic blood pressure (SBP) values in both case groups were found to be significantly reduced when compared with the baseline values for each group. In addition, the decrease in SBP in the two case groups was statistically significant relative to the placebo group (P < 0.05-0.01). Meanwhile, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values in the case groups were found to be significantly reduced from the baseline and a significant reduction was also observed in these groups (P < 0.01) when compared with the placebo group. In addition, extract administration reduced both SBP and DBP in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, NS extract caused a significant decline in the level of total and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol relative to baseline data. No complications caused by NS were observed. The results suggest that the daily use of NS seed extract for 2 months may have a blood pressure-lowering effect in patients with mild HT

The effect of quinapril on the aortic contractile response of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors appear to correct many of the abnormalities associated with the vascular dysfunction found in diabetic patients. In this respect, quinapril is a unique ACE inhibitor with multiple protective effects. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal administration of quinapril on the aortic reactivity of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. For this purpose, male Wistar rats received one injection of streptozotocin (STZ), 60 mg/kg, to induce diabetes. Three days after STZ injection, rats were treated with quinapril (2 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks, after that aortic reactivity to vasoactive agents were compared with those of untreated diabetic rats or non-diabetic control rats. For this purpose, contractile response to phenylephrine (PE) was obtained from aortic rings. Concentration-response curves from quinapril-treated diabetic rats to PE in the presence and absence of endothelium were attenuated as compared to vehicle-treated diabetics. Therefore, the 4-week treatment of diabetic rats with quinapril could prevent the functional changes in vascular reactivity in diabetic rats

Antinociceptive effect of Teucrium polium leaf extract in the diabetic rat formalin test

This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect of Teucrium polium leaf extract in the diabetic rat formalin test. For this purpose, streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats received intraperitoneal injection of this extract (100 and 200 mg/kg per day) for a period of 2 weeks. It was found out that Teucrium polium-treated diabetic rats exhibited a lower nociceptive score as compared to untreated diabetics. The results may suggest therapeutic potential of Teucrium polium extract for the treatment of diabetic hyperalgesia. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Molecular characterization of Iranian patients with possible familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder of lipoprotein metabolism caused mainly by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B 100 (APOB) genes. Until now, the molecular basis of FH has been demonstrated in detail in many populations, but there is still very limited Molecular data concerning FH in Iran. The aim of this study was to characterize the LDLR and APOB gene mutations in an Iranian population. A total of 30 non-related Iranian possible FH subjects were studied. Diagnosis of FH was based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network diagnostic criteria. All samples were initially tested for three common APOB gene mutations including R3500Q, R3500 W and R3531C using PCR-RFLP assay. Subsequently, promoter and coding region of the LDLR gene was screened by PCR-SSCP analysis and positive results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Four previously reported polymorphisms 1413G > A, 1725C > T, 1773T > C and 2140 + 5G > A were found in ~17% (5/30) of population studied. Moreover, no variation was found in APOB gene. Our data indicated that LDLR and APOB gene mutations have not contribution to possible FH in Iranian population studied here. However, we examined three common APOB mutations and LDLR in only 30 patients, and to determine the role of these genes in developing FH in Iran, more FH samples and populations needed to be investigated for the mutations of the related genes

Molecular characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia in Iranian patients

Abstract Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder of lipoprotein metabolism caused mainly by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B 100 (APOB) genes. Until now, the molecular basis of FH has been demonstrated in detail in many populations, but there is still very limited Molecular data concerning FH in Iran. The aim of this study was to characterize the LDLR and APOB gene mutations in an Iranian population. A total of 30 non-related Iranian possible FH subjects were studied. Diagnosis of FH was based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network diagnostic criteria. All samples were initially tested for three common APOB gene mutations including R3500Q, R3500 W and R3531C using PCR-RFLP assay. Subsequently, promoter and coding region of the LDLR gene was screened by PCRSSCP analysis and positive results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Four previously reported polymorphisms 1413G [A, 1725C [T, 1773T [C and 2140 ? 5G[A were found in *17% (5/30) of population studied. Moreover, no variation was found in APOB gene. Our data indicated that LDLR and APOB gene mutations have not contribution to possible FH in Iranian population studied here. However, we examined three common APOB mutations and LDLR in only 30 patients, and to determine the role of these genes in developing FH in Iran, more FH samples and populations needed to be investigated for the mutations of the related gene

Diosgenin Mitigates Streptozotocin Diabetes-induced Vascular Dysfunction of the Rat Aorta: The Involved Mechanisms

Chronic diabetes mellitus finally leads to serious vascular dysfunction. Diosgenin is a natural steroidal saponin with potential cardiovascular protective effect. In this study, the protective effect of diosgenin was checked on the aorta from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats received diosgenin (40 mgkg21d21) for 7 weeks starting 1 week after intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Aortic reactivity of endothelium-intact and -denuded rings to potassium chloride, phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and isosorbide dinitrate were measured and some involved mechanisms were explored. The results showed that diosgenin has a hypoglycemic effect and attenuates maximum contractile response of endothelium-intact and -denuded rings to PE. In addition, endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was greater in diosgenin-treated diabetics with no significant change for endotheliumindependent relaxation to isosorbide dinitrate and addition of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, as a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor eliminated this beneficial effect. Furthermore, diosgenin significantly attenuated aortic DNA fragmentation as an index of apoptosis and malondialdehyde content, lowered the aortic expression of angiotensin converting enzyme and transcription factor nuclear factor-kB and raised expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase with no significant effect on the activity of superoxide dismutase. Taken together, our study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of diosgenin as a potential therapeutic agent to mitigate vascular dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Artichoke leaf juice contains antihypertensive effect in patients with mild hypertension

Lifestyle modifications are effective for the management and prevention of hypertension. We conducted a randomized, placebocontrolled rial to evaluate the efficacy of an oral concentrated leaf juice of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.; CS) in patients with mild hypertension ystolic blood pressure SBP/diastolic blood pressure DBP, 140-159/90-99 mmHg). Subjects were randomized into a placebo and two drug groups that received 50 and 100 mg of artichoke juice concentrate. After 12 weeks, SBP significantly reduced as compared with the baseline data in case groups and DBP was significantly lower from the baseline as compared with the placebo group. It is concluded that the use of artichoke juice concentrate may have a blood pressure-lowering effect in mild hypertension. © 2009 by Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved

Effect of chronic administration of Silymarin on oxidative stress markers in renal tissue of diabetic Rats

Background and Objective: Chronic diabetes mellitus is accompanied with enhanced oxidative stress and reduce the activity of antioxidant defense system. Due to significant role of enhanced oxidative stress in development of renal damage in diabetices, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of Silymarin on oxidative stress markers in renal tissue of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control, silymarin-treated control (100 mg/kg bw), diabetic, and silymarin -treated diabetic groups (50 and 100 mg/kg bw). Silymarin was administered (daily and intraperitonealy) ten days after Streptozotocin injection for 4 weeks. Tissue level of malondialdehyde and nitrite and nitrate and activity of superoxide dismutase in kidney tissue were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: A significant increase in tissue level of malondialdehyde, nitrite and nitrate in diabetic rats were observed (P<0.05). Silymarin treatment (100 mg/kg/bw) significantly reduced the tissue level of Malondialdehyde, nitrate and nitrate (P<0.05). Non-significant recduction of activity of superoxide dismutase was oberved in diabetic rats and Silymarin treatment (50 and 100 mg/kg bw) did not significantly altered enzyme activity. Conclusion: Four weeks treatment of Silymarin (100 mg/kg bw) reduce oxidative stress indexes in renal tissue of diabetic rats