Effects of Aloe vera, Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Sophora alopecuroides in rat model of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer

Background: Evidences show that Aloe vera [A. vera], Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Sophora alopecuroides may prevent gastric ulcer induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]

Objective: To examine the protective potential of these plants against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in the rat

Methods: Saline, A. vera leaf gel powder and 70% alcoholic extracts of the other 3 plants [100, 400, 800 mg/kg] and omeprazole [30 mg/kg] were gavaged to the groups of 10 animals for 4consecutive days. Gastric ulcers were induced by the onetime gavage of indomethacin [30mg/kg]. On the fifth day, each group was pretreated with physiological saline as control, extract[100, 400 or 800 mg/kg] or omeprazole [30 mg/kg] 30 min before the indomethacin administration. The animals were killed 6 h after the indomethacin administration. The stomachs were removed, opened along the greater curvature and washed in physiological saline. A person unaware of the type of treatment received by the animals examined the stomachs under a 3-fold magnifier. The areas and lengths of hemorrhagic lesions induced by indomethacin were measured using a dial caliper and the sum of measurements for each animal was referred to as the ulcer index

Results: All doses of the A. vera leaf gel powder and extracts reduced the ulcer index significantly compared to the control group [p < 0.05]

Conclusion: These plants have protective effect against NSAID-induced gastric ulcer in the rat. The A. vera leaf gel seems noticeably more effective than the other 3 plants in this respect

effects of cynara scolymus L. leaf and cichorium intybus L. root extracts on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in rats

Cynara scolymus and Cichorium intybus are popular herbal remedy in folk medicine for liver disorders. Although many experimental studies carried out, scientifically reliable data needed to verify minimum effective dosage and efficacy of these medicinal plants. In present investigation, the effects of C. scolymus leaf and C. intybus root extracts at different doses were tested against CCl[4] induced rats liver toxicity. The C. scolymus leaf and C. intybus root extracts at the doses of 300, 600 and 900 and 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg/day were prepared respectively. Liver intoxication was induced in 7 groups of rats by intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg of 1:1 CCl[4] in olive oil for two successive days. One group kept as control and six different doses of plant extracts were administered to six groups simultaneously with CCl[4] administration. The serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP, liver tissue glutathione and catalase activity as well as liver tissue microvesicular steatosis [MVS] and pericentral coagulation necrosis [PCN] were determined after three days. The serum ALT, AST and ALP and liver tissue MVS were significantly reduced in both the C. scolymus and C. intybus groups at the doses of 900 and 450 mg/kg/day respectively while liver tissue PCN significantly reduced in C. scolymus 900 mg/kg/day group only as compared to control group. In present study administration of the C. scolymus leaf [900 mg/kg/day] and C. intybus root [450 mg/kg/day] extracts ameliorated CCl[4] induced rat serum liver enzyme changes and liver tissue histopathological damage

[Anti-nociceptive activity of regenerated drosera spatulata aqueous extract by rat formalin test]

The use of regenerated plants provides a new era in herbal medicine production. In this study, the analgesic effect of aqueous extracts from aerial part of regenerated Drosera spatulata [Droseraceae] was examined on Sprague Dawley rats by formalin test. The D. spatulata cultured on hormone-free solid Murashige and Skoog [MS] medium supplemented with 3% [w/v] sucrose and 0.7% [w/v] agar for 3 months. The aqueous extract prepared from aerial part of regenerated plant. The extract [0.05 mg/kg, i.p.] significantly [p<0.05] and in a dose-dependent [0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 mg/kg, i.p.] manner reduced rat flinching responses. Sodium salicylate [300 mg/kg] was used as a positive control. Sodium salicylate [300 mg/kg, i.p.] and extract [0.05 mg/kg, i.p.] alleviated rats nociception in the second phases, while in the first phase, only the extract caused an anti-nociceptive effect [p<0.05]. The results suggested that analgesic effect of D. Spatulata extract may be dependent on central and peripheral analgesic mechanisms. Our results indicate analgesic effect of regenerated plant extract was effective as sodium salicylate effective dose

Effect of pomegranate fruit juice and seed oil on serum lipid levels and atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Pomegranate [Punica granatum L.] is a drought tolerant fruit-bearing deciduous shrub native to Iran. It is widely cultivated in dry areas of Iran. Pomegranate fruit juice contains a wide range of polyphenolic metabolites, especially punicalagins with powerful antioxidative properties. Pomegranate seed oil is a unique natural product and a rich source of conjugated fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of fruit juice and seed oil of pomegranate on serum lipid levels of hypercholesterolemic rabbits and development of atherosclerosis on their aortas. Fourthly two males and six months aged white New Zealand rabbits [1.7 -2 kg] were randomly assigned to six equal groups and caged in the same environmental condition. One group was fed on regular animal house rabbit chew. Five other groups fed with high cholesterol diet [1% cholesterol]. One group kept as control and other 4 groups fed on same diet supplemented with 1% and 2% doses of pomegranate fruit juice or seed oil. The whole experiment lasted 2 months. At the end of the study [after 2 months] the biochemical analysis of serum lipids and pathological evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque of aortas were performed. Results of biochemical analyses showed that administration of fruit juice and seed oil at both doses did not significantly affect the level of serum lipids profile of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Pathological data analysis showed that treatments of rabbits with fruit juice and seed oil at both doses significantly reduced aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation. Pomegranate fruit juice and seed oil administration inhibited atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic rabbit's aortas without any significant effects on lipid profile

Effect of silymarin, The seed extract of cultivated and endemic silbum marianum [L.] gaertn., On serum lipid levels and atherosclerosis development in hypercholestrolemic rabbits

Silymarin, the seed extract of silybum marianum [L] gaertn., contains flavonolignan compounds with powerful antioxidant properties. The favourable effects of herbal medicine with antioxidant properties on lipid profile have been reported in several experimental studies. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of cultivated and endemic silymarins and levostatin with antioxidant properties on serum lipoproteins levels and atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Hypercholesterolemic foods were fed to 5 groups of 8 rabbits each for 60 days one group negative control, second group received levostatin [10mg/kg] and other two groups received cultivated and endemic silymarins [200 mg/kg] daily one hour before feeding. The last group did not receive any drugs [positive control] The fasting blood total cholesterol LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triglyicride levels were determind before starting the experiments and also after 30 and 60 days during the study. At the end of the study rabbits were killed and the extent of aortic atherosclerotic plaque were determined. Results showed that, levostatin. Cultivated and endemic silymarins caused a significant decrease in fasting serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol compared to control group. HDL-cholestrol increased and triglyceride level was significant decreased in cultivated and endemic silymarins treated groups, as compared to positive control group. In addition, atherosclerotic plaque development was significantly decreased in levostatin, cultivated and endemic silymarins treated groups. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic rabbits with levostatin, cultivated and endemic silymarins showed favourable effects on serum lipid profile, as well as atherosclerotic plaque development