potential co-treatment effects of aataria multiflora, camellia sinensis extracts and bacterial lipopolysaccharide on skin wound model

Camellia sinensis and Zataria multiflora as the potent antioxidants and antiinflammations are crucial in the management of wound therapy. Lipopolysaccharide [LPS] was used for the proliferative potential on fibroblast cells and induction of inflammatory mediators

Objective: We examined the effects of LPS and herbal extracts combination in order to identify their mechanisms of action in fibroblast proliferation and tissue regeneration

Methods: Human foreskin fibroblasts were treated by Salmonella enterica LPS [100micro g] and extracts [5%w/w]. Tissues of male Balb/c mice were harvested at 1, 3 and 7 days for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Effects of LPS and extracts on cell viability, Nitric oxide [NO], Cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and Hydrogen peroxide H[2]O[2] levels were examined respectively by XTT assay and related kits

Results: Our pathological investigations for Camellia sinensis and LPS co-treated group indicated inflammatory cells on day 1 and fibroblast proliferation through wound area on day 3. After wound modelling the samples features were the same but with the difference in groups treated by LPS and Camellia sinensis extract which dermis and epidermis were seen. The Camellia sinensis extract and LPS co-treated wounds were showed low levels of H[2]O[2] and higher levels of NO compared to extract treated group [P<0.001]. Results illustrate a dose and time dependent significant difference in cell proliferation between groups

Conclusion: These results suggest that Camellia sinensis extract in combination with LPS may have potential of accelerating inflammatory phase of wound healing process by regulation of COX-2, NO and H[2]O[2] in skin fibroblast

Evaluation of miltefosine against Leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER]: In vitro and vivo studies

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in 88 different countries. There are an estimated 1.5 million new cases each year, with over 90% occurring in Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria [Old World] and in Brazil and Peru [New World]. Miltefosine is effective in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania species and it was demonstrated efficacy in animals via the oral route. This study is the first one for evaluating the effect of miltefosine on cutaneous leishmaniasis of L. major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] by in vivo and in vitro studies in the BALB/c mouse model. As it was shown, miltefosine has a better effect on reduction of size of lesion compared to Glucantime[R], also it was not significant by statistical analysis. The results of this study show that miltefosine has a good activity against the proliferation of amastigotes of L. major. The results suggest that oral miltefosine might be a promising approach for developing new anti-Leishmanial drugs. [c] 2008 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Attenuation of paraquat toxicity

Paraquat [PQ] is a widely used herbicide. However, a large number of cases of accidental or suicidal poisoning from PQ has been reported. Membrane damage induced by lipid peroxidation, inactivation of protein or damage to DNA by radical formation have been suggested as toxicity mechanisms of PQ. In the present work, the effects of atropine, propranolol, procainamide and dipyridamole on PQ-induced intoxication have been studied. Groups of male albino mice were used under standard conditions. All the drugs were injected intraperitoneally in different doses. The results indicated that administration of PQ [40 mg/kg, Lp.] increased the death rate of animals [77%] during 3 days, whereas a dose of 20 mg/kg of PQ only decreased the lung tissue total protein and glutathione [GSH] content This poison also produced serious histopathologic changes in lung tissue. Administration of propranolol [10 and 20 mg/kg], procainamide [20 and 40 mg/kg], dipyridamole [30 and 60 mg/kg] and atropine [5 and 10 mg/kg] decreased the PQ [40 mg/kg]-induced mortality rate in the pre- or post-treatment regimens. These drugs were also effective in reversing the PQ-induced alteration in the lung tissue protein and GSH content, however the pathological findings attenuated in the treated animals. Although the exact mechanism of these drugs against paraquat-toxicity in mice is still unknown, it appears that some of the drugs used may be effective in reversing PQ-induced poisoning in mice and possibly their effects are related to the inhibition of membrane lipid peroxidation via different mechanisms