Effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of berberis vulgaris fruit on rabbit isolated heart

Several therapeutic effects including antimicrobial, antidiarrhea, hepatoprotection and cardiotonic for Berberis vulgaris have been described. In the present study, the effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris on the rate and contractility of isolated heart were examined. The heart mounted on a modified Langendorff apparatus and circulation was perfused through aorta. Heart rate and contractility were determined in the presence of four concentrations of hydro-ethanolic extract [0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 mg/100ml] and diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker [0.1, 1,10 and 100 micro M] in comparison with baseline values in two different groups of experiments as follows: 1] Perfused heart with normal Krebs solution [group1 experiments, n=10]. 2] Perfused heart with calcium free Krebs solution [group 2 experiments, n=9]. In group 1 only 3 highest concentrations of diltiazem showed significant reduction in heart rate [p<0.05 to P<0.001]. However, 3 highest concentrations of diltiazem showed significant decrease and the last 2 concentrations of hydro-ethanolic extract increased heart contractility significantly [p<0.01 to P<0.001]. In group 2 only the last concentration of diltiazem showed significant reduction in heart rate and contractility [p<0.05]. The relationship between concentrations of hydro-ethanolic extract and heart rate in both group were negative [p<0.01 to p<0.001]. However, there was positive correlation between concentrations of hydro-ethanolic extract and heart contractility. These results showed that of hydro-ethanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris has strong effect on heart contractility. The results of the present study may also indicate an activatoion of the calcium channel of isolated heart by the extract

[Study of high glucose-induced toxicity and reactive oxygen species production and the protective effect of saffron extract in PC12 cells]

Background and Objective: diabetic neuropathy is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes. Despite some studies, the exact mechanism of glucose neurotoxicity has not been fully elucidated. Increased reactive oxygen species [ROS] has been proposed as a possible mechanism. Crocus sativus L. [saffron] has been known as a source of antioxidants. Therefore, neuroprotective effect of saffron extract was studied in glucose-induced neurotoxicity, using PC12 cells as a suitable in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy

Materials and Methods: cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay. ROS was measured using DCF-DA by flow cytometry analysis

Results: the result showed that glucose reduced the cell viability of PC12 cells. Saffron extract and GSH could decrease this toxicity. Glucose toxicity was consistent with increased ROS production which was reduced by saffron and GSH pre-treatment

Conclusion: these results suggest that the glucose-induced cell toxicity could be mediated through the generation of ROS. Due to antioxidant effects of Saffron, it could be considered in diabetic neuropathy treatment in animal models

Antimicrobial effect of different extracts of Nerium oleander L on standard and clinically isolated microorganism

In folk medicine, Nerium oleander L is used as cardiotonic, diuretic and as local in treating fungal infections. In this research the antimicrobial and antifungal effects of Nerium oleander was studied. In this study, aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts were prepared by maceration and soxhelet methods. Different concentrations of each extract were applied on standard and nosocomial microorganisms by agar dilution, disk and cylinder plate methods. Microorganisms such as S. aureus, P. aerogenosa and C. albicans were taken from blood, feces, spinal fluid, wound, vagina and so on. Cloxacillin, gentamicin and clotrimasol were used as positive controls. The results showed that, among extracts, methanol extract had significant antimicrobial and antifungal effects, which was comparable to that of standard antibiotics. Chloroform extract showed no effect. Effect of methanol extract on microorganisms was as follow; 500 mg/100 ml of extract was equal to 1mg/100ml cloxacillin on S. aureus and 2mg/100mI gentamicin on P. aerogenosa respectively. 2g/100ml of extract was equal to 0.4mg/100mI clotrimasol on C. albicans. The methanol extract of Nerium oleander exerts significant effect compare to standard drugs