[Leptin and autoimmune diseases]

Introduction: Leptin, an anti-obesity hormone, is also a regulator of the immune response which sends important signals regarding the metabolic status and immune system function. This hormone/cytokine can affect the secretion of acute phase proteins such as Interleukin-1 and TNF- alpha and facilitate communication between nutrition and Th1 immune response so that when the food intake reduces, plasma leptin levels decreases, leading to reduced function of the immune system. Increase in blood leptin levels in obesity makes the obese people more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Previous researches demonstrate the important effects of leptin in metabolism, whereas more recent studies show that this molecule has an important role in many other key functions of body such as haematopoiesis, thermogenesis, reproduction, angiogenesis, homeostasis and immune system. This paper aims to review the most recent findings regarding the role of leptin in the pathology of autoimmune disease, in particular multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, autoimmune thyroid disease, lupus erythematosus, endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis

hypoglycemic effects of a hydro-alcoholic extract from Securigera securidaca seeds on induced diabetis in male rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins caused by deficiency or lack of insulin. The side effects of chemical drugs have increased the requirement to use of medical plants with fewer complications than that of the chemical drugs. Securigera securidaca is one of the medical plants traditionally used. This medicine has antiepileptic, diuretic, hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects. This study was aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of S. securidaca seeds on streptozocine induced diabetic rats. In this experimental study, a total of seventy Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Diabetes was induced via intravenous injection of streptozocine [45mg/kg]. Then, the extract of Securigera securidaca seed was administrated orally in dosage of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg in the mice. The blood glucose was measured before and one, two and three weeks after the administration of the extract. Using statistical methods, [Student t test, paired t test and ANOVA], the data were analyzed. Compared with the control group, Streptozocine significantly increased the blood glucose of the test group [p<0.001]. Doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg of S. securidaca extract had no significant effect on blood glucose after two weeks. However, dose of 2000 mg/kg significantly decreased the blood glucose [p<0.001]. The extract had no significant effect on normal blood glucose in the rats. The findings showed that the extract of S. securidaca seed decreased the blood glucose in streptozocine induced diabetic rats dose-dependently. Therefore, it may be useful in diabetic patients

[ hepatoprotective effects of Dorema auchri on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats]

The liver diseases are of the most important human kind problems. The discovery of effective medicines on the diseases is the interest of specialists. A wild species of umbelliferus plants, Dorema auchri, is used as vegetable in spring season in southern regions of Iran and is thought that it has medicinal characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of the crude extract of D. auchri in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride [CCl4]. In an experimental study, thirty rats were divided into five equal groups. The first group served as a control and the other groups treated with CCl4 to create hepatotoxicity. Three groups of hepatotoxic rats [treaded with CCl4] were fed with 200, 400 and 500 mg/day of crude extract of D. auchri. After 45 days, the level of liver damage was measured using aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and concentration of total protein, albumin and bilirubin in serum. The data were analyzed using statistical ANOVA test. Intraperitoneal injection of CCl[4] increased AST, ALT and ALP activity to 117.85, 468.6, and 134.97 and decreased the concentration of total protein, albumin and bilirubin of serum to 16.8, 20.3, and 880 percent, respectively compared to that of the control group [p<0.001]. Consumption of crude extract of D. auchri caused these factors return to the normal level. Aqueous extract of D. auchri showed hepatoprotective activities against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats