The effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. hydroalcoholic extract on atherosclerotic plaques, antioxidant activity, lipid profile and inflammatory indicators in rats

Introduction: Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors seems to be necessary and involves a number of changes in drug treatment and lifestyle. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. hydroalcoholic extract on antioxidant activity, atherosclerotic plaques, lipid profile and inflammatory indicators in rats. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups consisting of group 1 (Sham; normal dietary), group 2 (control; high cholesterol diet (2)), group 3 (high cholesterol diet plus 55 mg/kg of chamomile hydroalcoholic extract), group 4 (high cholesterol diet plus 110 mg/kg of chamomile hydroalcoholic extract), and group 5 (high cholesterol diet plus 10 mg/kg of lovastatin). At the beginning and end of the study, blood samples of all the animals were taken for determination of antioxidant activity and the level of biochemical parameters. The hearts and aorta were also isolated for ontological tests. Results: No symptom of plaque formation was observed in experimental groups 3, 4 and 5 that received the high cholesterol diet. High cholesterol diet (2) resulted in a significant increase in serum cholesterol level, TG and LDL-c levels in groups 2 and 3 as compared to group 1 (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in serum cholesterol, TG and LDL-c levels in experimental groups 4 and 5, compared to experimental group 1. In group 4, serum HDL-c concentration did not show significant changes as compared to group 1. In groups 4 and 5, no significant change was observed in inflammatory factors as compared to group 1. The levels of superoxide dismutase in red blood cells and malon-dialdehyde in plasma of groups 3 and 5 showed no significant change when compared with group 1. Conclusion. Chamomile led to the management and correction of changes in risk factors of cardiovascular diseases

INVESTIGATION THE ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF SAFFRON PETALS' OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT IN RATS

The use of medicinal herbs has been customary in traditional medicine since very long ago and according to the intolerances exhibited by some of the patients for chemical drugs due to the emergence of side effects, the medicinal herbs can be utilized as alternative treatments through adhering to evidence-based medical principles. The current research paper investigates the effects of saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract on the lipid profiles. Thirty Wistar rats were assigned to six groups: a control group and a sham group that received ordinary dietary regime and high cholesterol (2) dietary regime, respectively, and experimental groups one to four that, besides the high cholesterol dietary regime, were also, correspondingly, treated by 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of their body weights saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract per day and 10 mg/kg of the body weight lovastatin per day. Blood samples were collected of the animals after eight weeks to determine their serum lipid profiles. SPSS (version16) was employed to perform the analysis. The serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C were found significantly increased in sham group and experimental group three (high cholesterol dietary regime plus 200 mg/kg of the extract) in contrast to the control group (P<0.001). The significance level was found lower in experimental group 1 (high cholesterol regime plus 50 mg/kg of the extract) (P<0.05, P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). The serum levels of these three factors and HDL-c were not found significantly different in experimental groups two and four in comparison to the control group. The results are indicative of the favorable effects of saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract, especially in lower dosages, on the regulation and correction of the serum lipid profile

THE EFFECTS OF TEUCRIUM POLIUM L. ON ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUES IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC IN RATS

Cardiovascular diseases are amongst the most important mortality causes worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to offer a drug that meanwhile lacking the side effects of the similar chemical medications is capable of reducing the risk factors of such diseases. In the present study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract taken from the plant Teucrium Polium on the atherosclerotic plaques has been studied herein. In the current research paper, 20 male Wistar rats with mean weights ranging from 150 g to 180 g were randomly divided to four groups: a control group and a sham group that, respectively, received ordinary dietary regimen and high cholesterol (2) nutrition. Experimental groups 1 and 2 that received ordinary dietary regimens plus Teucrium Polium extracts, with dosages equal to 0.85 mg/ml and 1.7 mg/ml, respectively, on a daily basis. After eight weeks of treatment, the rats' aortas were dissected and kept in 10 formalin solution to undergo histological evaluations. The weight results were analyzed in SPSS software by the use of one-way variance analysis (ANOVA). There was not observed any atherogenic lesion in the control group that had received a normal nutrition. In sham group that had received high cholesterol dietary regimen, atheroma plaques were visible. Experimental groups 1&2 that had been treated with extract dosages of 0.85 mg/ml and 1.7 mg/ml, no sign of any atherogenic lesion and plaque formation was observed even with their being fed on a high cholesterol dietary regime. Also, the sham group members' mean weights showed a significant increase in respect to the control group. Experimental group two demonstrated a significant reduction of weight in contrast to the control group. The hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium Polium was interestingly successful in preventing the atherosclerotic plaques. According to the side effects of the anti-atherosclerotic chemical medications, it seems that the use of traditional medicine and the medicinal herbs can be an appropriate solution to the reduction of cardiovascular diseases

INVESTIGATING THE METHADONE EFFECTS ON AST, ALT AND ALP ENZYMES OF SERUM OF MALE WISTAR RATS

Narcotics abuse and addiction have been turned to a major problem in the communities. Addiction to any type of narcotics is known to be followed by side effects both physically and psychologically. One way to control addiction is the use of another maintenance medication. The current research paper aims at investigating the effect of one such a drug as methadone on the serum levels of Alkaline phosphatase, Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase enzymes. A total number of 28 male adult Wistar rats were completely haphazardly assigned to four group (n=7): a control group that received an ordinary daily dietary regime and Experimental groups one, two and three that were administered through oral gavage with 5mg/ml, 20mg/ml and 40mg/ml of methadone syrup, respectively, on a daily basis besides the ordinary dietary regime for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected from the animals at the beginning and at the end of the study for the determination of serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes. In the end, the data were analyzed via taking advantage of one-way variance analysis (one-way ANOVA) and TUKEY Test. The serum levels of all three ALT, AST and ALP enzymes were significantly increased in the groups that had been given different doses of methadone (P < 0.001). According to the results obtained herein and the effects that methadone has on the elevation of liver enzymes levels and also due to the fact that this maintenance medication is being increasingly administered on a daily basis for the treatment of addiction to various narcotics, it seems that there is a need for devising better strategies and better planning for the amount and method of methadone use as well as the way this medication has to be distributed within the society

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF HYDROALCOHOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF TEUCRIUM POLIUM IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RATS

Hyperlipidemia is one of the most important factors contributing to the cardiovascular diseases. There are various chemical drugs for regulating the lipid profile level. According to the side effects proved for the chemical drugs, we, in the current research paper, investigate the effect of wall germander (Teucrium polium) hydroalcoholic extract effect on the lipid profile in the hypercholesterolemic rats. Wistar male rats, ranging in weight from 150 g to 180 g, were assigned to four groups (n=5): control group (ordinary diet), sham group (high, 2, cholesterol dietary regime), experimental group one (high, 2, cholesterol dietary regime plus 0.85mg/ml Teucrium polium hydroalcoholic extract) and experimental group two (high, 2, cholesterol dietary regime plus 1.7mg/ml Teucrium polium hydroalcoholic extract). The treatment was run in an eight-week period with the termination of which blood samples were collected from the animals. To determine the lipid profile, commercial diagnostic kits were applied. The results were analyzed by the use of SPSS software, ver. 16. From the week six on, the weights of the rats from the experimental group two (high, 2, cholesterol diet plus 1.7 mg/ml Teucrium polium hydroalcoholic extract) showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) even in comparison to the control group (ordinary diet). The serum level of triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-c was found significantly decreased in the experimental group two (P<0.001) as compared to Sham group but it did not any significant change in contrast to the control group. In experimental group one (high, 2, cholesterol dietary regime plus 0.85 mg/ml Teucrium polium hydroalcoholic extract), only the cholesterol and TG serum levels were found significantly decreased in respect to the sham group (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). Regarding the lipoprotein amount, a significant increase was documented in the experimental group two, featuring high density cholesterol (HDL-c), in contrast to the sham group (P<0.001). The present study's findings indicated that an appropriate dosage of T. Polium can cause the regulation of lipid profile as well as the weights of the hypercholesterolemic rats. According to the side effects of the chemical drugs similar in their functions to the effect of T. polium, it can be suggested as an antihyperlipidemic drug

A NOVEL STRATEGY FOR CORRECTION OF LIPID PROFILES VIA MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L

Statins which are most useful in reducing blood fat have a chemical combination and present various side effects. Identifying some plants with positive effects on reducing blood fat can be a great alternative to these chemical drugs. The current study has been carried out to compare the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Matricaria chamomilla on the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats. Twenty-five male Wistar Rats, ranging in weight from 150 to 180 grams, were assigned to five groups: the control group received an ordinary dietary regimen, the sham group was fed on a high cholesterol (2) dietary regimen, experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 were given an ordinary nutrition plus chamomilla extract and Lovastatin dosages equal to 0.55 mg/ml, 1.1 mg/ml and 10 mg/kg were also, respectively, administered. Blood samples were taken on the first and the last days of the study period. To determine the blood's lipid profile and the serum cholesterol concentration, LDL-c, HDL-c and TG were measured and the results obtained for the groups were compared. The data were analyzed in SPSS 16 software. The results of the current research paper indicated that the treatment with 1.1 mg/ml chamomile hydroalcoholic extract and 10 mg/kg lovastatin significantly reduced (P<0.001) the total serum cholesterol concentration, LDL-c and TG in experimental hypercholesterolemic groups 2 and 3 as compared to the Sham Group. Also, it was found causing a significant increase in serum HDL-c in experimental hypercholesterolemic groups 2 and 3 in contrast to the Sham Group (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). The mean weight scores of the Sham group and experimental group 1 were demonstrative of a significant increase in respect to control group (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). The present study showed that the use of chamomile extract in hypercholesterolemic rats can bring about clearly discernible hypocholesterolemic effects and cause considerable and desirable effects on the serum lipid profile

The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium polium L. on the inflammatory markers and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common causes of mortality worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to control the risk factors of these patients. Since the level of inflammatory markers and lipid profiles has increased in cardiovascular diseases and due to the increasing role of plants in the treatment of diseases, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium polium on inflammatory markers and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats. Materials and methods: A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of six each and treated with oral administration for 8 weeks. The control group received normal diet, the sham group received high-cholesterol diet and experimental groups 1 and 2 received high-cholesterol diet in the 8 weeks and doses of 85 and 170 mg/kg, respectively, of the T. polium hydroalcoholic extract (TPHAE) in the second 4 weeks. At the beginning and the end of the study, rats were examined for biochemical parameters. The mean level of variables for each group was presented as mean +/- standard error of mean. Results: The results of this study showed that, after administration of TPHAE, there was a significant decrease in the mean of inflammatory markers in all groups compared to sham group (P<0.001). Also, administration of the extract significantly reduced the serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and significantly increased the serum HDL-cholesterol levels. In addition, the 170 mg/kg dose of TPHAE was the most effective in reducing serum levels of inflammatory and lipid markers. Conclusion: Treatment with TPHAE caused dose-dependent decrease in serum levels of inflammatory markers and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats. Therefore, it can be applied as a natural product for the management of cardiovascular diseases

Fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and possible risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased risk of bone fractures. A variable increase in fracture risk has been reported depending on skeletal site, diabetes duration, study design, insulin use, and so on. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between T2DM with fracture risk and possible risk factors. Methods: Different databases including PubMed, Institute for Scientific Information, and Scopus were searched up to May 2016. All epidemiologic studies on the association between T2DM and fracture risk were included. The relevant data obtained from these papers were analyzed by a random effects model and publication bias was assessed by funnel plot. All analyses were done by R software (version 3.2.1) and STATA (version 11.1). Results: Thirty eligible studies were selected for the meta-analysis. We found a statistically significant positive association between T2DM and hip, vertebral, or foot fractures and no association between T2DM and wrist, proximal humerus, or ankle fractures. Overall, T2DM was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (summary relative risk = 1.05, 95 confidence interval: 1.04, 1.06) and increased with age, duration of diabetes, and insulin therapy. Conclusion: Our findings strongly support an association between T2DM and increased risk of overall fracture. These findings emphasize the need for fracture prevention strategies in patients with diabetes

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between vitamin D deficiency and gestational diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency has become quite prevalent and is known to cause a great many diseases. Numerous studies have investigated the association between vitamin D deficiency and gestational diabetes, and the results are somewhat contradictory. The present study deals with the relationship between the vitamin D deficiency and gestational diabetes. Methods: Two researchers made use of MeSH, Scopus, PubMed database, Science Direct, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar search engines to identify qualified studies and articles carried out and published before August 2017 and reported the risk of gestational diabetes developing as a result of vitamin D deficiency. The association between the two conditions was measured using odds ratios (ORs) with 95 confidence intervals (CIs). Funnel plots, Egger's, and Begg's tests were also used to assess publication bias. All analysis was done by STATA (version 11.2). Results: Twenty-nine eligible studies with a total of 14,497 participants were included in the final analysis. Overall, maternal vitamin D insufficiency was significantly associated with a greater risk of gestational diabetes (OR = 1.15; 95 CI, 1.00-1.30; p<0.001). Serum 25OHD was significantly lower in participants with gestational diabetes mellitus than in those with natural glucose tolerance (-29.7 nmol/L, 95 CI, -36.6 to -22.8; p=0.000). Conclusion: According to the current meta-analysis results, vitamin D deficiency is correlated with the risk of gestational diabetes development

The association of diabetes mellitus and gender with risk of bone fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bone fracture shows a growing trend. This increase is a result of several factors occurs. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to examine the relationship of fracture risk with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and gender. For this purpose, we searched the credible databases including PubMed, ISI, and Scopus for the related epidemiologic studies that were published up to May 2016. The data provided in these articles was extracted and then analyzed by a random-effects model. Funnel plot was used to check for publication bias. Statistical analyses were carried out by R version 3.2.1 and STATA (version 11.1). After filtering irrelevant articles, 30 studies were selected for meta-analysis. The analyses showed that type 2 diabetes mellitus is positively associated with overall fracture risk (summary RR. 1.05, 95 CI: 1.04, 1.06). The incidence of fractures was higher in men than in women (Phet=0.043). The interpretation of the meta-regression showed that no significant relationship exists between the gender risk factor in diabetic patients and years of study (P=0.280). The results highlight the importance of adopting suitable strategies for prevention of bone fracture in T2DM patients