Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity evaluation of Crocus sativus stigmas in neonates of nursing mice

Background: Crocus sativus, known as saffron crocus, is best known for the spice saffron. Saffron use spans more than 3500 years, however, its toxicity on neonates during lactation has not yet evaluated. Objectives: This study was aimed to examine the acute toxicity of saffron on adult mice and its nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity on neonates of lactating mothers that used saffron during lactation. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, following acute toxicity evaluation, 32 pregnant mice were randomly designated into four equal groups. Following delivery, the mothers of groups 1 to 4 were administered orally (by gavage) normal saline (control group), 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg/day of saffron for three weeks, respectively. The newborns’ kidney and liver parameters were assessed at the end of the study for possible nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity evaluation. The kidney and liver tissue samples of newborns were histopathologically studied after staining with Hematoxylin & Eosin. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Scheffe’s tests Results: The LD50 value of saffron was calculated to be 4120±556 mg/kg in mice. To evaluate lactating toxicity, saffron was administered orally to the mothers once daily for 21 days, after delivery, during lactating period. Saffron increased serum urea nitrogen (p< 0.05). Histological studies indicated that saffron did not have any toxic effect on liver, however, histopathology changes were seen in the kidney of neonates. Conclusions: From the results of present study, it might be concluded that saffron is a nearly safe spice, however, nursing mothers should avoid high doses of this spice. © 2014, Society of Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention. All rights reserved

Turmeric: A spice with multifunctional medicinal properties

Curcuma longa (Turmeric), belonging to Zingiberaceae family is one of the most useful herbal medicinal plants. Extensive researches have proven that most of the turmeric activities of the turmeric are due to curcumin. It has various useful properties with antioxidant activities and is useful in conditions such as inflammation, ulcer and cancer. It also has antifungal, antimicrobial renal and hepatoprotective activities. Therefore, it has the potential against various cancer, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and other chronic and hard curable diseases. The purpose of this review was to provide a brief summary of the new and current knowledge of the effects of curcumin. The recently published papers in international cites such as PubMed/Medline, Science Citation Index and Google Scholar about turmeric were searched. Recent studies have authenticated the use of turmeric for various diseases especially oxidative stress induced ones such as cancer, diabetes mellitus and inflammatory disorders. It also is used as hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anticoagulant and anti-HIV to combat AIDS. Curcumin, as a spice, exhibits great promise as a therapeutic agent. It has very low toxicity, too. As the global scenario is now changing towards the use of non-toxic plant products having traditional medicinal use, development of modern drugs from turmeric should be emphasized for the control of various diseases. Further evaluation needs to be carried out on turmeric in order to explore the concealed areas and their practical clinical applications, which can be used for the welfare of mankind

Effect of Lavender Ethanolic Extract on Infarct Volume in Rats Subjected to Ischemia-Reperfusion

مقدمه: اسطوخدوس متعلق به خانواده Labiatae و با خاصیت آنتی&zwnj;اکسیدانی است. هدف: مطالعه حاضر به منظور بررسی اثر حفاظتی عصاره اسطوخدوس بر حجم سکته مغزی و مکانیسم احتمالی آن در مدل سکته مغزی رت انجام شد. روش بررسی: مطالعه از نوع تجربی بوده و 42 سر موش صحرایی نر به صورت تصادفی در 6 گروه 7 تایی تقسیم&zwnj;بندی شدند. عصاره اسطوخدوس (با دوزهای 100 و 200 میلی&zwnj;گرم بر کیلوگرم وزن بدن موش صحرایی) به مدت 20 روز متوالی به موش&zwnj;های صحرایی به صورت داخل صفاقی تزریق شد. 2 ساعت بعد از آخرین دوز، جراحی بستن شریان مغزی انجام و 24 ساعت بعد از القای ایسکمی میزان حجم سکته مغزی اندازه&zwnj;گیری شد. همچنین میزان نیتریک اکسید (NO) سرم اندازه&zwnj;گیری شد. تحلیل آماری داده&zwnj;ها ازطریق آنالیز واریانس یک طرفه (ANOVA) انجام شد . نتایج: تیمار رت&zwnj;ها با عصاره اسطوخدوس در دوز 200 میلی&zwnj;گرم بر کیلوگرم به مدت 20 روز منجر به یک کاهش معنی&zwnj;داری در حجم آسیب بافتی ناشی از سکته در ناحیه پنومبرا (کورتکس) و کانون (ساب کورتکس) مغز نسبت به کنترل شد (به ترتیب، 044/0P= و 047/0 P=). عصاره اسطوخدوس با دوز 200 میلی&zwnj;گرم به طور معنی&zwnj;داری میزان نیتریک اکساید خون را افزایش داد. نتیجه&zwnj;گیری: نتایج این مطالعه نشان می&zwnj;دهد که عصاره اسطوخدوس فعالیت حفاظت مغزی در برابر ایسکمی مغزی دارد و حجم سکته مغزی را در موش&zwnj;های صحرایی در معرض ایسکمی کاهش می&zwnj;دهد که مکانیسم آن ممکن است در ارتباط با افزایش فعالیت سیستم دفاعی آنتی&zwnj;اکسیدانی دارو باشد. عصاره گیاه اسطوخدوس با افزایش سطح نیتریک اکساید اندوتلیالی، با مهار کاهش جریان خون مغزی باعث کاهش حجم سکته&zwnj;ی مغزی شده است

Aloe vera toxic effects: expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in testis of Wistar rat

Objective(s): Nitric oxide (NO), a product of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), contributes in germ cell apoptosis. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Aloe vera gel (AVG) on male Wistar rat reproductive organ, serum NO level, and expression of iNOS gene in leydig cells. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n=36) were used for experiments in three groups. The experimental groups were orally administered with the AVG extract solution once-daily as follow: 150 mg.kg(-1); group A, 300 mg.kg(-1); group B, and only normal saline; group C (control group). They were mated with untreated females and the reproductive and chemical parameters were assessed for each group, including semen quality, serum testosterone, sperm fertility, gonad and body weight, serum NO concentration (by the Griess method), and iNOS gene expression (using RT-PCR). Results: The testes weight, serum testosterone, as well as sperm count and fertility of the AVG treated groups were significantly reduced when compared to the control (P<0.001). Concentration of serum NO was significantly increased (37.1 +/- 4.63 mu M) in the administrated group with higher AVG concentration, compared to the control group (P<0.001; 10.19 +/- 0.87 mu M); however, iNOS mRNA expression was increased in the treated animals (P<0.001). Conclusion: iNOS may play a functional role in spermatogenesis via apoptosis, reducing sperm count, but further studies are needed to illustrate the mechanisms by which AVG exerts its negative effects on spermatogenesis and sperm quality

Antifungal effects of Allium ascalonicum, Marticaria chamomilla and Stachys lavandulifolia extracts on Candida albicans

Introduction: Due to increased risk for opportunistic fungal infections and increasing prevalence of hospital infections caused by pathogenic yeasts and fungus resistance to antifungal drugs, discovery of antifungal compounds with high efficiency is necessary. This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the antifungal activities of Allium ascalonicum, Marticaria chamomilla and Stachys lavandulifolia on Candida albians. Methods: In this study the plants extracts were prepared with macerated method using ethanol 70. Antifungal activities of the extracts were performed according to microbroth dilution method in 96 well microdilution plates. The amount of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) based on counting the number of fungal colonies (CFU) were evaluated for each of Allium ascalonicum, Chamomile and Stachys lavandulifolia extracts compared with the control group. Results: MIC of Allium ascalonicum, Marticaria chamomilla and Stachys lavandulifolia were respectively 0.31, 3.75 and 15.13 mg/ml and also MIC50 of Allium ascalonicum, Marticaria chamomilla and Stachys lavandulifolia were respectively 0.93, 10.59 and 41.32 mg/ml and MIC 90 of them were respectively 8.65, 16.88 and 60.55 mg/ml and their MFC were respectively 20, 20 and 65 mg/ml. Conclusion: The results indicate that all three extracts are effective, but Allium ascalonicum possesses the highest antifungal activity on Candida albicans. If clinical trials approve these findings, this plant may represent a new source of antifungal agent for control of Candida albicans.</p

Comparison between the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of dill and statins on lipid profile

Background and Aims: A transient increase of blood concentration of lipids after meal is able to increase the risk of atherogenesis. This study aimed to determine the effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) consumption on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors. Methods: In an experimental study, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to four groups to receive normal diet, a diet containing 1 cholesterol, a diet containing 1 cholesterol plus 200 mg/kg dill powder, and a diet containing 10 mg/kg lovastatin. Risk factors of atherosclerosis including glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), nitrite, nitrate, fibrinogen, and factor VII were measured and compared between different groups. Results: Consumption of dill caused a significant reduction in glucose compared to the hypercholesterolemic diet group. Dill powder significantly decreased LDL-C, TC, AST, ALT, and fibrinogen. No significant differences were found between dill group and hypercholesterolemic diet group in ApoB, factor VII, nitrite, and nitrate. Conclusion: According to our findings, postprandial consumption of dill may have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors

An Evaluation of the Influence of Royal Jelly on Differentiation of Stem Cells into Neuronal Cells Invitro

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: P19 carcinoma stem cells are able to differentiate into embryonic cells with three germ layers. Given the fact that differentiated cells can reduce complications associated with degenerative diseases of the nervous system, in this study, we aimed to investigate the differentiation of P19 stem cells into neuronal cells under the influence of royal jelly. METHODS: In this basic-applied research, embryoid bodies, prepared in P19 cell suspension culture, were transferred to gelatinized containers and classified in six groups, receiving 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mg/ml of royal jelly, respectively; five wells were allocated to each group of cells. Morphological evaluation of cell differentiation was performed via cresyl violet staining. Also, immunofluorescence technique was used to track the expression of neuronal marker proteins such as synaptophysin and β-tubulin III. Finally, the findings were analyzed. FINDINGS: The present findings showed that cells exposed to royal jelly responded positively to specific staining of nerve cells. In groups receiving different concentrations of royal jelly, the mean percentage of cell differentiation was significantly higher than the negative control group (9±2.3). The highest percentage of cell differentiation was observed in groups treated with 200 and 300 mg/ml of royal jelly, respectively (98±4.8 and 99.3±2.2, respectively) (p<0.05). Based on the findings, the mean percentage of cell differentiation in the group receiving 200 mg/ml of royal jelly was not significantly different from the group receiving a concentration of 300 mg/ml. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that P19 cells are able to differentiate into neuronal cells, and therefore, they could be used in cell-based therapy for neurological disease

Antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of protein hydrolysates obtained from enzymatic hydrolysis of Klunzinger’s mullet (Liza klunzingeri) muscle

Today, consumers are looking for functional foods that promote health and prevent certain diseases in addition to provide nutritional requirements. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Liza klunzingeri protein hydrolysates. Fish protein hydrolysates (FPHs) were prepared from L. klunzingeri muscle using enzymatic hydrolysis with papain at enzyme/substrate ratios of 1:25 and 1:50 for 45, 90 and 180 min. The antioxidant activities of the FPHs were investigated through five antioxidant assays. The cytotoxic effects on 4T1 carcinoma cell line were also evaluated. The amino acid composition and molecular weight distribution of the hydrolysate with the highest antioxidant activity were determined by HPLC. All six FPHs exhibited good scavenging activity on ABTS (IC50=0.60-0.12 mg/mL), DPPH (IC50= 3.18-2.08 mg/mL), and hydroxyl (IC50=4.13-2.07 mg/mL) radicals. They also showed moderate Fe+2 chelating capacity (IC50=2.12-12.60 mg/mL) and relatively poor ferric reducing activity (absorbance at 70 nm= 0.01-0.15, 5 mg/mL). In addition, all hydrolysates showed cytotoxic activities against the 4T1 cells (IC50=1.62-2.61 mg/mL). 94.6% of peptide in hydrolysate with the highest antioxidant activity had molecular weight less than 1,000 Da. L. klunzingeri protein hydrolysates show significant antioxidant and anticancer activities in vitro and are suggested to be used in animal studies. Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Cytotoxic effect; Protein hydrolysate; Liza klunzinger

The Hepatotoxic Effects of Stachys Lavandulifolia Vahl on Wistar Rat

Background and purpose: Stachys lavandulifolia is a plant commonly used for many diseases. But so far there is no report indicating its toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the probable hepatoxicity of S. lavandulifolia extract on Wistar rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 100 Wistar rats (about 250gr, 8-12 weeks old) were randomly divided into 10 groups (8 groups as case and 2 groups as control). They were intraperitoneally injected with S. lavandulifolia extract with doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg per day for 28 days. Afterwards, the serum parameters level (ALP, AST, ALT) and pathological samples were evaluated and compared in four case group and one control group after 28 days and other groups after one month. Results: On the first month there was significant increase on AST level only in 200mg/kg dose while ALP level significantly increased in all doses (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among all doses regarding their effects on the increase of liver enzymes (P>0.05). On the second month, the changes in liver enzymes were almost the same as first month, except 150mg/kg dose that significantly increased the AST level compared to control group and also this dose significantly increased the ALP level compared to 100mg/kg dose (P<0.05). In examining liver samples obtained from rats in the first and second months, necrotic inflammatory reactions and fibrotic lesions significantly increased compared to control group (P<0.001). In the first month we also found that there was significant difference between higher doses (150 and 200mg/kg) and lower doses (50 and 100mg/kg) regarding their effects on hepatic lesion (P<0.05). Conclusion: Since the extract of S. lavandulifolia causes toxicity it should be consumed with caution in people with underlying cholestatic diseases

Antioxidant activity and the lowering effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium hirtifolium boisson some haemostatic factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Background and purpose: Hypercholesterolemia and the activity of haemostatic factors may trigger cardiovascular diseases. Allium hirtifolium Boiss (Persian shallot) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects. This study evaluated the effects of A. hirtifoliumon on factor VII and serum fibrinogen levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Also, the antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium was measured. Materials and methods: In an experimental study, 24 NewZealand male rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups of eight. The groups' diet which was followed for 60 days included normal diet, hypercholestrol diet (1%) or hypercholestrol diet (1%) + A. hirtifolium. The blood fibrinogen and factor VII were measured pre and post study in all groups. The A. hirtifolium antioxidant capacity was measured using beta-carotene linoleate. Results: The study showed that serum fibrinogen level and factor VII increased significantly in hypercholesterolemic group (329.22 ± 26.7 and 277.7 ± 17.1 mg/dl) compared to normal diet group (287.25 ± 13.7 and 230.0 ± 18.2 mg/dl), respectively (P<0.05). The amount of serum fibrinogen and factor VII decreased in hypercholesterol+A. hirtifolium group (180.0 ± 23.9 and 237.0 ± 53.3 mg/dl) compared to hypercholesterol diet group (P<0.05). The antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium extract was 52.1 ± 3.3% in 0.2 g/L. The plasma antioxidant capacity in the group fed with hypercholesterol + A. hirtifolium was 943.907 ± 249.51 µM which was higher compared to that of the normal diet group (629.675 ± 130.73 µM). Conclusion: A. hirtifolium decreases serum fibrinogen level and factor VII, therefore, it might be helpful in reducing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. These influences are of great importance in patients with haemostatic disorder