Up-regulation of human immune system function by Donkey's Milk

Donkey's milk represents a good alternative to human milk because of its chemical characteristics similar to those of human's. In present study, the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of donkey's milk were evaluated on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were isolated from 12 young and 12 aged normal subjects. PBMCs were cultured with or without the optimal and non-cytotoxic dose of pasteurized donkey's milk, and polymyxin B was used to inhibit the possible endotoxin contamination. Following 18 hours incubation, culture supernatants were harvested to measure the secreted Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) by ELISA. Donkey's milk significantly increased TNF-α (p= 0.01), IL-8 (p< 0.0001), IL-6 (p< 0.0001) and IL-10 (p= 0.01) levels in PBMCs. In addition, the levels of IL-6 (p= 0.002), IL-8 (p= 0.002) and TNF-α (p= 0.002) from aged subjects were significantly higher compared with young subjects. In contrast with these data, the level of IL-10 was markedly reduced from aged subjects (p= 0.02). Considering the immune-potentiation effects of donkey's milk, it is suggested investigating milk as a beneficial dietary component for up-regulating the immune response in aged people

Antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of two marine algae, Nannochloropsis oculata and Gracilaria gracilis - an in vitro assay

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of two marine algae, Nannochloropsis oculata and Gracilaria gracilis. The extracts were assayed for total phenol and flavonoid content, DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, nitric oxide activity, iron chelation activity, and reducing power activity. Total phenol and flavonoid content were found to be high in both algae. Ethyl acetate extracts of both algae were found to exhibit significant antioxidant activity. Ethyl acetate extract of N. oculata exhibited a good capacity for iron chelation, nitrate oxide, and scavenging DPPH free radicals (72.95±2.30, 73.73±1.76, and 39.03±0.97% inhibition at 400 µg mL-1 respectively).

Antihypoxic activities of Crataegus pentaegyn and Crataegus microphylla fruits-an in vivo assay

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-hypoxia activity of polyphenolic extracts of Crataegus microphylla and Crataegus pentaegyn on mice. Three experimental models of hypoxia were considered, including asphyctic hypoxia, haemic hypoxia, and circulatory hypoxia. Polyphenolic extract of both plants exhibited significant anti-hypoxic activity and prolonged animal survival time. Anti-hypoia activity of C. pentaegyn was found to be superior to that of C. microphylla in circulatory and asphyctic hypoxia. Antihypoxic activity of these extracts may be attributed to their phenolic compounds.

Anti-Toxoplasma activities of methanolic extract of Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae) fruits and leaves / Actividad anti-Toxoplasma de extractos metanólicos de frutos y hojas de Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae)

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. Considering the severity of toxoplasmosis, side effects of current treatments, and the contribution of the ethnopharmacological knowledge for the treatment of parasitic infections, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of methanolic extracts from the fruits and leaves of Sambucus nigra against tachyzoite of T. gondii. For this, fruits and leaves of S. nigra were collected from Mazandaran province, Iran, were dried under the shade, and powdered using a commercial electrical blender. For extractions, methanol was used as solvent. Virulent RH strain of T. gondii was maintained in mice and macrophages containing tachyzoites were aspirated from the peritoneal cavity. Four concentrations (5, 10, 25 and 50mg/mL) of S. nigra extract were incubated with infected macrophages for 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes and the viability of the tachyzoites were evaluated by trypan blue staining. Results showed that S. nigra fruit extracts at the concentrations of 5 and 10mg/mL killed 100% of T. gondii tachyzoites after 60 and 120 minutes, respectively; and concentrations of 25 and 50mg/mL killed 100% of the tachyzoites after 30 minutes. Additionally, extract of S. nigra leaves, at the concentrations of 5, 10 and 25mg/mL after 180 minutes, and concentration of 50mg/mL after 60 minutes, resulted with the highest efficacy. Our results showed that S. nigra has acceptable efficacy in vitro and the parasiticidal effect of fruit extract was significantly better than leaf extract. However, in vivo efficacy of this extract needs further investigation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (1): 7-12. Epub 2015 March 01.

Toxoplasma gondii es un parásito intracelular obligatorio que infecta a una gran variedad de animales y seres humanos. Teniendo en cuenta la gravedad de la toxoplasmosis, los efectos secundarios de los tratamientos actuales, y la contribución de los conocimientos etnofarmacológicos para el tratamiento de infecciones parasitarias, el objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar la eficacia de los extractos metanólicos de los frutos y hojas de Sambucus nigra contra el taquizoito de T. gondii. Para esto, se recogieron frutos y hojas de S. nigra en la provincia de Mazandaran, Irán, se secaron a la sombra, y se pulverizaron con una batidora eléctrica comercial. Para las extracciones, se empleó metanol como disolvente. La cepa virulenta RH de T. gondii se mantuvo en ratones y los macrófagos con taquizoitos se aspiraron de la cavidad peritoneal. Cuatro concentraciones (5, 10, 25 y 50mg/ mL) de extracto de S. nigra se encubaron con los macrófagos infectados durante 30, 60, 120 y 180 minutos y la viabilidad de los taquizoitos se evaluó mediante tinción con azul de tripano. Los resultados mostraron que los extractos de frutos de S. nigra en las concentraciones de 5 y 10mg/mL mataron al 100% de los taquizoitos de T. gondii después de 60 y 120 minutos, respectivamente; y las concentraciones de 25 y 50mg/mL mataron al 100% de los taquizoitos después de 30 minutos. Además, el extracto de hojas de S. nigra, en concentraciones de 5, 10 y 25mg/mL después de 180 minutos, y una concentración de 50mg/mL después de 60 minutos, resultaron más eficientes. Nuestros resultados mostraron que S. nigra tiene una eficacia aceptable in vitro y el efecto parasiticida del extracto de frutos fue significativamente mejor que el del extracto de hoja. Sin embargo, la eficacia in vivo de este extracto necesita más investigación.

Biological activities of Juglans regia flowers

Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antihypoxic and antioxidant activities of methanol extract of Juglans regia L., Juglandaceae, flower were investigated. Antidepressant activity was examined by forced swimming test and tail suspension test in mice. Antihypoxic activity was investigated in haemic and circulatory models. The effects were pronounced in both models. It produced statistically significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced edema at nearly all doses, compared to control groups. IC50 for DPPH radical-scavenging activity was 674±27.6 µg mL-1. Extract showed good Fe2+ chelating ability (IC50 43±1.5 µg mL-1). It exhibited low antioxidant activity in linoleic acid peroxidation test. Its pharmacological effects may be attributed, in part, to the presence of phenols and ISSN 0102-695X flavonoids in the extract.