Effects of garlic [Allium sativum] extract on the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: receptor for advanced glycation end products [RAGE] plays a causative role in diabetes. Garlic [Allium sativum] belongs to compounds with anti-glycation activity that can be considered as probable therapeutic approaches in delaying or preventing the onset of diabetes complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of garlic on the RAGE expression and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Materials and Methods: the PBMCs were isolated from 20 patients with fasting blood sugar level above 126 mg/dl and treated with R10 fraction and whole garlic extract in presence or absence of glycated albumin. The expression of RAGE was detected using flow cytometry and the proinflammatory cytokines secretion was evaluated by ELISA

Results: glycated albumin increased RAGE expression and proinflammatory cytokines secretion. Treatment with whole garlic extract significantly reduced TNF-alpha and IL-1beta secretion and RAGE expression by PBMCs but R10 fraction augmented the proinflammatory cytokines and RAGE expression in absence or presence of glycated albumin

Conclusion: downregulation of RAGE expression was associated with decreased secretion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha from PBMCs after treatment with whole garlic, while R10 fraction of garlic significantly augmented RAGE expression and proinflammatory cytokines secretion. These data indicates that modulation of RAGE expression may be one plausible reason for the garlic effects on proinflammatory cytokines secretion

[Immunomodulatory effects of aloe vera on of the fungus Candida albicans in animal model]

Natural products are important resources in herbal medicines and have been long used for prevention and treatment of many diseases. Aloe vera has been shown to modulate the immune response. Candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections and Candida albicans has become the fourth most common cause of hospital infections, so in this article the effects of Aloe vera plant extracts on macrophage activation has evaluated. First of all we infected the 5 groups of the mice with Candida Albicans and then allowed the Candida to activate in one week .Then the Aloe Vera extract [has] injected to mice. Then intraperitoneal macrophages of mice has got and in the end MTT test [has been] performed in order to evaluate the viability of intraperitoneal macrophages. In vivo results show that all of doses of the Aloe Vera extract 100mg/kg, 50, 20, 10 significantly increased cell viability in presence of mitogen. This study showed Aloe Vera extracts in the In vivo in presence of immune stimulator has an effective role in stimulating the immune system [in]. In Further studies, processing such as isolation and purification of aloe vera components, are necessary to clarify the modulatory effects of aloe vera on macrophage function

Purified protein fraction of garlic extract modulates cellular immune response against breast transplanted tumors in BALB/c mice model

Garlic [Allium sativum] has anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenesis, and immunomodulatory properties that modulate anti-tumor immunity and inhibit tumor growth. In this study we have examined the effect of a protein fraction isolated from fresh garlic on anti-tumor response and intra-tumor lymphocyte infiltration. In this experimental study a protein fraction was purified from fresh garlic bulbs using ultra filtration, followed by chromatofocusing, and SDS-PAGE analysis. Anti-tumor activity was assessed by intra-tumor injection of the protein fraction and garlic extract, itself, into groups of 5 mice each. The percentage of peripheral blood and intra-tumor CD4[+] and CD8[+] cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Un-paired student's t test using the SPSS program was applied for all statistical analyses. Garlic extract included different type of proteins with different molecular weight. One of protein's fraction was immunomodeulator and was composed of three single polypeptides, with molecular masses of -10-13 kDa and different isoelectric points [pI]. These molecules augmented the delayed type hypersensitivity [DTH] response compared to the control group. Intratumor injection of the fraction provoked a significant increase in the CD8[+] subpopulation of T-lymphocytes, as well as a decrease in tumor size. The fraction increased peripheral blood CD8[+] T-lymphocytes in treated animals. The data confirms that protein fractions purified from fresh garlic bulbs augment CD8[+] T-cell infiltration into the tumor site, inhibiting tumor growth more efficiently than garlic extract. These findings provide a basis for further investigations on the purified polypeptide as a useful candidate for immunomodulation and tumor treatment

clinical randomized trial on endocervical inflammatory cytokines and betamethasone in prime-gravid pregnant women at risk of preterm labor

There are strong evidences suggesting the secretion of different cytokines in cervical fluid during preterm labor. Betamethasone is widely administered for several reasons in preterm conditions. To Investigate the possible effect of betamethasone on endocervical cytokine concentration of women at risk of preterm labor. In a randomized clinical trial of 80 prime-gravid women in preterm labor between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation, cervical fluid was collected. Endocervical concentration of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed before and 48 hours after betamethasone treatment for the evaluation of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were employed for statistical analysis. chi2 and Student's t tests were used whenever needed. All the measured cytokines showed significant changes in the betamethasone treated group. IL-17 [p=0.001], IL-8 [p=0.001], and IFN- gamma [p<0.05] decreased significantly, while TGF-beta had a significant increase [p<0.05]. In the patients who delivered before or on the 7[th] day of admission, IL-17, IL-8, and IFN-gamma levels were all significantly higher. However, TGF-beta decreased significantly in the same samples in the betamethasone treated group [p<0.05]. Betamethasone significantly decreases the endocervical pro-inflammatory cytokine oncentrations in patients with preterm labor.

[Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of fractions from pleurotus florida on HT-29 colon cancer cells]

Edible mushroom, Pleurotus florida [P.florida] has been used by mankind in ancient times because of its nutritional values and medicinal benefits. Cytotoxicity of fractions isolated from P.florida has been reported. The aim of this study was to isolate some fractions from P.florida and evaluate its cytotoxicity effects on colon cancer cells. In this basic study, R5, R10, R30 and R100 fractions were prepared from P.florida and their cytotoxicity activity were evaluated on HT-29 and HGF cell lines. Also, pattern of cell death was determined. Tumoral [HT-29] and non-tumoral [HGF] cells were treated with various concentrations of isolated fractions. MTT assay was used for the evaluation of cell viability. Pattern of cell death was determined using annexin V and propidium iodine staining followed by FACS analyses. Obtained results were analyzed by SPSS software using ANOVA test. R5, R10, R30 and R100 fractions inhibited cell viability of HT-29 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but had less cytotoxicity on normal fibroblast-like cells [HGF]. Their IC50 values were 46%, 46%, 8% and 4%, respectively. R30 and R100 had the most anti-inhibitory effect. These fractions inhibited cell viability mostly via induction of early apoptosis in colon cancer HT-29 cells at 18%, 49%, 64% and 72%.Our results showed less sensitivity to R5, R10, R30 and R100 fraction in normal cells in comparison to tumoral cells. These fractions also had significant cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells. Thus, isolated fractions may be considered candidates as chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment in future

[Evaluation treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with garlic extract and R10 fraction in BALB/c, C57BL/6 and outbred SW mice]

Leishmaniasis is one of the six most common parasitic infections in tropical regions. There are different therapeutic modalities. However therapeutic resistance is developed and resulted in numerous problems. So evaluation of other therapeutic modalities is performed extensively. We compared the therapeutic response of cutaneous leishmaniasis with Glucantime and Garlic extract and it'R10 in animal model. This experimental study was conducted in Shahed University. The therapeutic response of cutaneous leishmaniasis to Glucantime and Garlic extract and R10 in animal model was studied in BALB/c, outbred SW mice and C57BL/6 mice. These three races were divided in four groups according to receiving either one of these three agents or no treatment [control]. The therapeutic response was evaluated according to parasitic load before and after treatment and also with measuring the size of the lesions. The results showed that R10 had good therapeutic efficacy in treatment of lesions in mice [P<0.05] that this efficacy was significant in sixth, seventh and eighth weeks after the treatment. There was also a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the parasitic load [P<0.05]. According to the results, it may be concluded that R10 extract would have a good efficacy in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis that is comparable with glucantime

Substance P potentiates TGF-beta1 production in lung epithelial cell lines

Transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-Beta] is one of the most important cytokines implicated in growth, differentiation, repair and also the pathogenesis of the lung fibrosis by its stimulatory effect on extracellular matrix deposition. Pulmonary epithelial cells are considered as a source of TGF-Beta in lung. Substance P [SP], as a neuroimmunomodulator has elevated levels in inflamed airways and although it has significant role in the pathogenesis of the lung fibrosis, but its effect on transforming growth factor -beta [TGF-Beta] production of the lung epithelial cells [and so its regulatory potential] remains unclear. In this study TGF-Beta1 levels in supernatants of the normal [BEAS-2B] and cancerous [A549] lung epithelial cell line cultures at the presence of various concentrations of SP were examined and MTT assay was performed to evaluate cells viability. We have observed that SP [without any other stimulator] significantly augments TGF-Beta production of both BEAS and A54 cells and this effect is inhibited by NK1-receptor antagonist [CP-96345]. We have also observed that the viability of cells did not significantly affect at the presence of SP. It can be concluded that SP can directly modulate the release of TGF-Beta from human bronchial epithelial cell line and thereby participates in various lung functions or pathologic conditions

14kDa protein molecule isolated from garlic suppresses indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase metabolites in mononuclear cells in vitro

A wide range of biological activities of garlic in vitro and in vivo have been verified including its antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase [IDO] is an enzyme widely distributed in mammals and is inducible preferentially by IFN-?. IDO degrades the essential amino acid tryptophan to form N-formyl kynurenine. In the present in vitro study, the modulatory effect of 14kDa molecule isolated from garlic on IDO induction was tested. Cultures of mononuclear cells were exposed to 14kDa garlic fraction. Then, their proliferation responses and IDO metabolites were measured. A significant down-regulatory effect of garlic on IDO activity was found and also the proliferation responses of mononuclear cells increased. If these results are verified in vivo, an explanation will be provided on how garlic may interfere in IDO induction, which paves the way for elucidating its specific therapeutic effect in preventing tumor progress

Immunobiological consequences of sulfur mustard contamination

Sulfur mustard has been employed in chemical warfare in certain regions including Iran. The short and long term biological effects of sulfur mustard contamination have been studied in both basic and clinical aspects. Sulfur mustard has been shown to induce a vast array of pathological effects in affected persons. In addition to skin, lung, eyes and gastrointestinal disturbances, sulfur mustard has been shown to induce hematological complications and a severe suppression of the immune system. The short and long term immunological [both cellular and humoral], hematological, genetic and biochemical consequences of persons exposed to sulfur mustard are extensively reviewed here. The long term complications of these patients indicate the need to develop effective preventive and therapeutic strategies in the clinic. These strategies may be based upon immunopotentiating intervention and therapy