Inhibition of nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokines by several medicinal plants

A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide [NO] has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes. To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to Iran including Dracocephalum kotschyi, Linum persicum, Dionysia termeana, Salvia mirzayanii, Ferulago angulata and Euphorbia cheiradenia. The methanolic extracts of the plants were prepared and examined for their effects on the NO production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophages. The level of TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta proinflammatory cytokines in the macrophage culture were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the extracts at concentration of 50 micro g/ml demonstrated a significant decrease in NO production [p<0.001] after a 24-hour treatment. This inhibitory effect was also seen after 48 hours. Among the extracts, L. persicum was the strongest extract in reducing the NO production at 1 micro g/ml after both 24 and 48-hours [nearly 100% inhibition, p<0.001]. S. mirzayanii extract with 66.2 +/- 8% inhibition at 50 micro g/ml, showed the mildest effects in 48 hour culture. In cytokine release determination, the extract of L. persicum significantly inhibited both TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta cytokines production by stimulated macrophages [p<0.001]. D. kotschyi, D. termeana and F. angulata decreased secretion of IL-1 beta from the cells. These results indicate the presence of anti-inflammatory and macrophage inhibitory substances in these plants

Changes of pattern and incidence of childhood rheumatic fever in Sabratha Hospital

Fifty seven diagnosed Libyan children suffering from Rheumatic Fever were and treated in Sabratha Teaching Hospital in the periods of June 1986-May 1988 and from June 2000-May 2002. The number of patients in the first period was forty five patients and in the second period was twelve patients. There were twenty three boys and twenty two girls in the first period and seven boys and five girls in the second period. The mean age in the first period was 10.8 years [3-16 years] and the mean age in the second period was 9.3 years [6-12 years]. Concerning the first period, arthritis was diagnosed in 93% of patients [42 patients]; ankle joint arthritis was the commonest joint involved followed by knees and wrist joints. Carditis was diagnosed in 66% of patients [30 patients]; the commonest valvular lesion was mitral regurgitation. There were four patients presented with rheumatic chorea as the only manifestation and in two patients there was Erythema marginatum in one patient there were subcutaneous nodules. Concerning the second period, Arthritis was diagnosed in all patients. The commonest joints involved were the ankles followed by the knees and wrists. Carditis was seen in 7 patients [58%]; dm/nitrue regurgitation was the commonest valvular lesions. There were no recorded cases with rheumatic chorea, Erythernamarginaturn or subcutaneous nodules. In conclusion it appears from this comparative study that the incidence of rheumatic fever in our region is declining during the recent years and its pattern becomes much less severe than before