Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its constituent (curcumin) on the metabolic syndrome: An updated review / 中西医结合学报

Metabolic syndrome (MS) involves people with the following risk factors: obesity, hypertension, high glucose level and hyperlipidemia. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of MS in the world's adult population is about 20%-25%. Today, there is much care to use medicinal plants. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as well as curcumin which is derived from the rhizome of the plant, has been shown beneficial effects on different components of MS. Thus, the purpose of this manuscript was to introduce different in vitro, in vivo and human studies regarding the effect of turmeric and its constituent on MS. Moreover, different mechanisms of action by which this plant overcomes MS have been introduced. Based on studies, turmeric and its bioactive component, curcumin, due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have antidiabetic effects through increasing insulin release, antihyperlipidemic effects by increasing fatty acid uptake, anti-obesity effects by decreasing lipogenesis, and antihypertensive effects by increasing nitric oxide. According to several in vivo, in vitro and human studies, it can be concluded that turmeric or curcumin has important values as a complementary therapy in MS. However, more clinical trials should be done to confirm these effects.

effect of ethanolic extract of lippia citriodora on rats with chronic constriction injury of neuropathic pain

Objective: We examined the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Lippia citriodora [L. citriodora] on rats subjected to chronic constriction injury [CCI] of sciatic nerve and possible mechanisms of actions

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the extract was administered 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally [I.P] from the surgery time for 14 consecutive days. The changes in the spinal cord levels of apoptotic factors, microglia and astroglia markers during the time course of study were assessed by western blotting on days 3, 7 and 14 post-CCI

Results: CCI rats developed neuropathy evident from a marked mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia on days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 post-CCI. A significant increase in the levels of Iba [a marker of microglia activation] and Bax [a proapoptotic factor] was observed three days after nerve injury. The levels of Iba remained high on day 7. In contrast, there was no difference in glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] contents between sham and CCI animals. Treatment with the extract significantly attenuated behavioral changes associated with neuropathy. Bax/Bcl-2 and Iba1 were decreased in CCI animals treated with the extract

Conclusion: The results support the evidence that microglial activation and apoptosis are correlated with pain behaviors. It is suggested that anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects, elicited by L. citriodora, might have some degrees of association with the inhibition of microglia activation and apoptotic pathways

Enhancement of antinociceptive effect by co-administration of amitriptyline and crocus sativus in a rat model of neuropathic pain

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects of a low, sub-effective dose of amitriptyline, in combination with the different doses of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Crocus sativus following sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury [CCI] in rats. Amitriptyline [3, 10 and 30 mg/Kg, i.p.] and the extracts [25, 50 and 100 mg/Kg, i.p.], were separately administered at the time of CCI for 7 consecutive days. In combination therapy, the sub-antinociceptive dose of amitriptyline [3 mg/Kg] was given with the three different doses of extracts for seven days. Mechanical allodynia, thermal allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated by von Frey, acetone and radiant heat tests, respectively, 1 day before and on days 3, 5 and 7 after surgery. Co-administration of amitriptyline [3 mg/Kg] with aqueous extract [50, 100 mg/Kg,] produced more potent cold anti-allodynic [P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively] as well as thermal anti-hyperalgesic [P < 0.05] effects than that produced by each of them. Amitriptyline [3 mg/Kg] plus ethanolic extract [50, 100 mg/Kg] produced more potent cold anti-allodynic [P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively] as well as thermal anti-hyperalgesic [P < 0.05] effects as compared with the sum effects produced by each of them. Mechanical anti-allodynia effect was only potentiated with the co-administration of amitriptyline with the high dose of aqueous extract [100 mg/Kg, P < 0.001]. Our study supports the use of saffron as an adjunctive to amitriptyline to improve the therapeutic outcome in the management of neuropathic pain

[Attitude of students toward their field of study and future career in Neyshabur University of medical sciences]

Introduction and Aims: The students as key elements of university make the main bodies of the various society organizations. Students' attitudes towards field of study and future career are one of the factors influencing on quality of educational services. Therefore this study was conducted with the aim of the survey of the students' attitude of the Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences toward their field of study and future career

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study conducted in Feb 2012. The population of the study is comprised of all the students of the Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences. The data collection tool was a self-made questionnaire including 34 questions. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact by SPSS v.16

Results: The student's average age was 20.54 +/- 1.24 and 61% of them were female. Average score of student's attitude towards field of study and future career estimated 44.18 +/- 5.96 and 46.85 +/- 1.93 respectively. Also in this study age of students has significant relationship with field of study [P=0.024] and future career [P=0.032]

Conclusion: According to the results, major of students have positive attitude towards their field of study and future career. People's complete familiarity with the academic fields and good counsel can play significant role for further strengthened attitudes

effect of chronic administration of safranal on systolic blood pressure in rats

Safranal, the main component of Crocus sativus essential oil, exhibits different pharmacological activities. In this study, the effects of safranal, on blood pressure of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate [DOCA]-salt induced hypertensive rats in chronic administration were investigated. Three doses of safranal [1, 2 and 4 mg/Kg/day] and spironolactone [50 mg/Kg/day] were administrated to the different groups of normotensive and hypertensive rats [at the end of 4 weeks treatment by DOCA-salt] for Five weeks. Then the effects of safranal on mean systolic blood pressure [MSBP] and heart rate [HR] were evaluated using tail cuff method. The duration of effect of safranal on SBP, was also evaluated. Our results indicated that chronic administration of safranal could reduce the MSBP in DOCA salt treated rats in a dose dependent manner. Safranal did not decrease the MSBP in normotensive rats. The data also showed that antihypertensive effects of safranal did not persist. In summary, our results showed that safranal exhibits antihypertensive and normalizing effect on BP in chronic administration

Chrysin reduced acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo assessments

Acrylamide [ACR] is a well-known industrial toxic chemical that produces neurotoxicity, which is characterized by progressive central and peripheral neuronal degeneration. Chrysin is a natural, biologically active flavonoid compound, which is commonly found in many plants. The antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of chrysin have been demonstrated. In this study, the possible effect of chrysin on ACR-induced toxicity was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. PC12 cells were used as a suitable in vitro model. Cells were exposed to chrysin [0.5-5 micro M] for 12 and 24 h, and then ACR in IC50 concentration was added to the cells. Finally, cell viability was determined using [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay. For in vivo assay, Wistar rats were treated with ACR [50 mg/kg i.p. for 11 days] alone or in combination with chrysin [12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg]. At the end of treatment, behavioral index was evaluated. ACR decreased cell viability and pre-treatment with chrysin [0.5-5 micro M] significantly decreased ACR-induced cytotoxicity in the time- and dose-dependent manner. In Wistar rats, exposure to ACR significantly induced severe gait abnormalities, but treatment with chrysin [50 mg/kg] reduced ACR-induced neurotoxicity in animals. In the current study, chrysin exhibited neuroprotective effect on PC12 cells as an in vitro model and also on Wistar rats

Acute and subacute toxicity of safranal, a constituent of saffron, in mice and rats

The acute and sub-acute toxicity of safranal were studied in rat and mice within 2 and 21 days after exposure, respectively. For subacute toxicity, changes in weight as well as biochemical, hematological and pathological parameters were studied. The intraperitoneal LD[50] values of safranal were 1.48 mL/kg in male mice, 1.88 mL/kg in female mice and 1.50 mL/kg in male rats. Oral LD[50] values were 21.42 mL/kg in male mice, 11.42 mL/kg in female mice and 5.53 mL/kg in male rats. For subacute toxicity, safranal was administered orally to male rats once daily for 21 days. In hematological tests, a significant decrease in RBC counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin and platelets were observed. Safranal decreased cholesterol, triglyceride and alkalin phosphatase. Lactate dehydrogenase and serum urea nitrogen were increased by safranal. Histological studies indicated that safranal did not have any toxic effect on the heart, liver and spleen. However, pathological changes were seen in the kidney and lung. According to LD[50] values, safranal was low-toxic in acute intraperitoneal route and practically non-toxic in acute oral administration in both mice and rats. In subacute toxicity, safranal changed some hematological and biochemical parameters

Effects of aqueous saffron extract [Crocus sativus L.] on the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice

In the present study, the effects of aqueous saffron extract [Crocus sativus L.] on the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference [CPP] in mice were investigated. Subcutaneous administration of morphine [40 mg/kg for four days] produced place preference. Intraperitoneal administration of aqueous extract [40 and 80 mg/kg for four days] 30 min before the morphine administration decreased the acquisition of morphine CPP. In other groups of animal, following extinction of a place preference induced by morphine [40 mg/kg], single administration of morphine [10 mg/kg] reinstated the place reference. The aqueous extract [80 mg/kg] 30 min before this priming dose of morphine blocked morphine-induced reinstatement of place preference. These results show that aqueous saffron extract can reduce the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference

Anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of echium italicum l in mice

Research in the area of herbal psychopharmacology has clearly improved in recent decades. Self-administration of herbal medicines has been the most popular therapeutic alternative to standard medicine. Since the extract of Echium amoenum exhibits an anxiolytic effect, the aim of this study is to evaluate the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects in mice of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of aerial parts off. italicum, a member of the Boraginaceae family. Mice were administered the agents intraperitoneally before the start of the experiments for evaluation of hypnotic activity [induced by sodium pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg, i.p.], anxiolytic activity [elevated plus-maze [EPM] test], loco-motor activity [open field test], and motor coordination [rotarod test]. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of E. italicum, at doses of 1.2 and 2.1 g/kg, increased the percentage of time-spent and the percentage of arm entries in the open arms of the EPM and decreased the percentage of time-spent in the closed arms of the EPM. Moreover, both extracts decreased the pentobarbital-induced latency to sleep and significantly increased the total sleeping time induced by pentobarbital. In addition, locomotor activity was affected by aqueous extracts and ethanolic extract [at higher doses]. Both extracts showed no effect in the rotarod test. These results suggest that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of E. italicum may have anxiolytic effects and sedative activity but no effect on muscle relaxation

Antioxidant activity of pistacia vera fruits, leaves and gum extracts

The side effects of synthetic antioxidants have been considered in different studies. Accordingly, there is an increasing interest toward the use of natural substances instead of the synthetic ones. In this study, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Pistacia vera leaves and fruits as well as hydroalcoholic extract of gum were tested for a possible antioxidant activity using in vitro methods. Deoxyribose assay, erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation and liver misrosomal non- enzymatic lipid peroxidation tests were used as an in-vitro model for determination antioxidant activity. The extract were evaluated at different concentratios: 25, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 jtig/mL. In all procedures, all extracts showed free radical scavenging activity. The effect of ethanolic extract of P. vera fruit at 1000 microg/mL was quite similar to positive control [DMSO 20 mM] in deoxyribose method. In two other tests, the ethanolic extracts of fruits and leaves were more effective than the aqueous extracts to inhibit malondialdehyde generation. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of flavonoids and tannins in Pistocia vera extracts. The present study showed that extracts of different part of P. vera have antioxidant activity in different in vitro methods. The ethanolic extracts of leaves and fruits showed more roles for antioxidant properties and gum hydroalcoholic extract demonstrated less antioxidant effect

Phototoxicity activity of Psoralea drupacea L. using Atremia salina bioassay system

Phototoxicity is a kind of dermatitis that is activated by exposure to ultraviolet light following the administration of some drugs or natural products. Artemia salina [A. salina] [brine shrimp] has been effectively applied for toxicity testing and is perfect for biological screening of many chemicals for simultaneous evaluation of toxicity and phototoxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the phototoxic activitiy of the methanolic extract and chloroform and CH3OH/H2O2 fraction of Psoralea drupacea [P. drupacea]. The phototoxic effect of the methanolic extract, chloroform and CH3OH/H2O2 fractions of P. drupacea was evaluated using A. salina bioassay system. Different concentrations of methanolic extract and fractions of P. drupacea were added to the plate of one-day old larvae followed by exposure to UV radiation at 366 nm in three different exposure times [0, 4 and 20 h]. Mortality was determined 24h after the start of the irradiation. The value of LC[50] of P. drupacea methanolic extract and methoxalen as positive control were 0.64 and 3.5x10-4 mg/ml, respectively. P. drupacea methanolic extract and chloroform fraction demonstrated phototoxic activity after 4 h radiation. The result showed that P. drupacea methanolic extract and chloroform fraction have phototoxicity in A. salina bioassay system and their toxic effect is related to phototoxic constituents such as psoralen

Synthesis of novel 4-[l-[4-fluorobenzyl]-5-imidazolyl] dihydropyridines and studying their effects on rat blood pressure

Calcium-channel Mockers have an important role in the treatment of several cardiovascular disorders. Derivatives of 1, 4-dihydropyridine are one of the most potent calcium antagonists. In this study four novel 1, 4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers were synthesized and their hypotensive properties were investigated in male rats. Four 1, 4-dihydropyridines bearing l-[4-fluorobenzyl]-54midazoIyl substituent at 4 position [5a-d] were synthesized and tested for hypotensive activity in male rats. The animal was anaesthetized and the right jugular vein was cannulated for the administration of test agents. The left carotid artery was cannulated and connected to a pressure transducer for continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure. All synthesized compounds lowered rat blood pressure significantly in comparison with DMSO as vehicle and nifedipine as positive control. The hypotensive effects of all compounds were less than that of nifedipine at 2 and 4 mg/kg [P< 0.05]. The order of their effects on mean arterial blood pressure [MABP] was 5b>5c>5a>5d at dose of 4 mg/kg [P< 0.05]. All compounds tested increased heart rate in comparison with DMSO [P< 0.05]. The chronotropic effect of nifedipine was significantly less than synthesized compounds at dose of 4 mg/kg [P< 0.01]. The results showed that these novels 1, 4-dihydropyridines decreased mean arterial blood pressure [MABP] significantly, while increased heart rate in rat

Antinociceptive effect of elaeagnus angustifolia fruits on sciatic nerve ligated mice

The role of Elaeagnus angustifolia fruit as an analgesic agent in acute pain has been proved earlier. In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts of three parts of this fruit [pericarp, medulla and seed] on chronic pain were investigated in mice. A partial nerve injury was made using a tight ligature around the sciatic nerve, then doses [0.5, 1, 1.5 g/kg, i.p.] of pericarp, medulla and seed extracts were injected in nerve ligated mice. The effect of different doses of three parts of this fruit on chronic pain was examined 14 days after sciatic nerve ligation using the hot-plate test. Controls received saline [5 ml/kg, i.p.] and imipramine [40 mg/kg]. In the hot plate test, intraperitoneal injection of different doses of three parts of this fruit showed considerable analgesic effect on nerve ligated mice that was dose dependent with duration of action of 120 min. Administration of the aqueous extracts of pericarp, medulla and seed of E. angustifolia fruit indicated significant analgesic effect on chronic pain in nerve ligated animals

Review of the pharmacological and toxicological effects of Salvia leriifolia

Salvia leriifolia Benth. [vernacular names such as Nuruozak and Jobleh] is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows exclusively in south and tropical regions of Khorasan and Semnan provinces, I. R. Iran. Unlike other species of Salvia genus, the chemical constituents of S. leriifolia are not well recognized. The stem oil of the plant consisted mainly both monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, while in leaf and flower oils monoterpenes predominated over sesquiterpenes. In recent years, the different properties of this plant such as the attenuation of morphine dependence, hypoglycemic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiischemia, anticonvulsant, antiulcer effects, antibacterial activities and antimutagenic effects were evaluated. These effects introduce this plant for more toxicological and clinical trials evaluations as a herbal medicine

Selective inhibitory effect of adenosine A1 receptor agonists on the proliferation of human tumor cell lines

In this study, the effects of three structural analogues of adenosine upon proliferation of human tumor cells were investigated. Previous research showed a cytotoxic effect of adenosine via A3 receptor and A[1] receptor and sometimes this effect was receptor independent. The researches showed a differential cytotoxic effect of adenosine and its A[3] agonists on cancerous cells, while other studies demonstrated tumor promoting effect of adenosine and its A[1] agonists. The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the possible selective anti-tumor effect of A1 receptor agonists on cancerous cells. The substances of N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine [CHA, A[1] agonist], R-isomer of N6-phenylisopropyladenosine [R-PIA, A[1] agonist] and N5-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine [NECA, adenosine A[1]-A[2] non-specific agonist] were tested for their anti-proliferative effect using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay method. Hep G2, Hep2, CACO2, ACHN and L929 cell lines were used in this assay. CHA inhibited cell proliferation in three cell lines [in concentration of 5-50 micro M] and R-isomer of R-PIA in one cell line [in concentration of 10-50 micro M]. These effects were inhibited partially by addition of 1,3-Dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine [A1 antagonist]. The NECA analogue had no inhibitory effect on the cell proliferations. All of the substances had no cytotoxic effect on L929 cells [mouse connective tissue fibroblast cell line]. CHA and R-PIA had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human tumor cell lines partially via A1 receptor, while they didn't show such effect on fibroblast cells. These results suggest that A[1] adenosine receptor agonists have a good potential of specific anti-tumor activity

In vitro evaluation of methylxanthines and some antibiotics: interaction against staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa

The development of resistance to antimicrobial agents is a major problem in chemotherapy. Finding agents which potentiate antimicrobial activity could be favorable. There are some reports that methylxanthines changed the inhibitory effect of antibacterial agents. Thus, possible synergistic effect of methylxanthines aminophylline and caffeine on some antibiotics, carbenicillin, ceftizoxime and gentamicin, which are effective on P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, were studied. The interaction of methylxanthines and antibiotics were studied in vitro using a checkerboard method. At concentrations of 0.25-4 mg/ml, aminophylline and caffeine decreased the MIC of the antibiotics 2-4 times against P. aeruginosa and Stqph. aureus. Both methylxanthines also reduced the minimum bactericidal concentration of the antibiotics by up to 2 times. Caffeine and aminophylline had no antimicrobial effect themselves. The results of the present study reveal that aminophylline and caffeine potentiated the antimicrobial action of carbenicillin, ceftizoxime and gentamicin against Staph. aureus and P. aeruginosa

effect of pistacia vera L. Gum extract on oxidative damage during experimental cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Oxygen free radicals may be implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia reperfusion damage. As the antioxidant effects of some species of Pistacia have been reported, the protective effects of Pistacia vera L. gum extract [0.1-0.5 g/kg] on oxidative damage following cerebral ischemia were studied in rats. Ischemia was induced using four-vessel occlusion model and evaluated using measurement of malondialdehyde [MDA] and antioxidant power in hippocampus. MDA and antioxidant power were assayed with the thiobarbituric acid [TBA] and ferric reducing-antioxidant power [FRAP] tests, respectively. The extract and saline were administered intraperitoneally 10 min subsequent to ischemia. Results have shown that the MDA level increased by 47% and antioxidant power decreased by 117% in control group in comparison with sham-operated animals [P< 0.001]. Treatment with P. vera L. gum extract significantly and in a non-dose-dependent manner reduced brain MDA level by 63% [P<0.001] and increased antioxidant power of brain by 235% [P<0.001] in comparison to the controls. P. vera L. gum comprised of saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. According to these results, it is suggested that P. vera gum may exhibit neuroprotective effects against ischemia

Anticonvulsant effects of coriandrum sativum L.seed extracts in mice

Coriander [vernacular Geshniz] seeds have been traditionally used in Iranian medicine for their carminative, diuretic and anticonvulsant effects. The anticonvulsant effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum seeds were studied in mice in order to evaluate the folkloric use of this plant. Two anticonvulsant evaluation tests, namely the pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] and the maximal electroshock tests, were used for assessing antiseizure effects. In the pentylenetetrazole test, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts prolonged the onset of clonic convulsions and the anticonvulsant activity of high dose extracts [5 mg/kg] were similar to that of phenobarbital at a dose of 20 mg/kg in the PTZ test. Both extracts in high doses decreased the duration of tonic seizures and showed a statistically significant anticonvulsant activity in the maximal electroshock test. Results indicate that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. sativum seeds may have a beneficial effect in petit mal and grand mal seizures