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Epilepsy is a disorder in brain in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, occasionally signal abnormally and cause strange emotions, sensations, and behavior, or sometimes muscle spasms, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Neurotransmitters in central nervous system greatly affect and play a very important part in neuronal excitability. Traditional treatments are still a component of health care system in many communities despite the fact that well-established alternatives are available. In this review article, we addressed epilepsy and its treatments with emphasis on medical plants and introduction of antiepileptic plants and their action mechanisms. Relevant articles published since 2010 were retrieved using the search terms including epileptic seizure, anticonvulsant, medicinal plants, and oxidative stress. Most plants/herbal preparations that are ethnomedically used to treat epilepsy or those which have been tested for anticonvulsant activity were reported. Overall, the results of the published articles show that the symptoms of epilepsy seizure can be inhibited or treated by active ingredients derived from medicinal plants.
ABSTRACT
Brain ischemia and reperfusion is the leading cause of serious and long-range disability in the world. Clinically significant changes in central nervous system function are observed following brain ischemia and reperfusion. Stroke patients exhibit behavioral, cognitive, emotional, affective and electrophysiological changes during recovery phase. Brain injury by transient complete global brain ischemia or by transient incomplete brain ischemia afflicts a very large number of patients in the world with death or permanent disability. In order to reduce this damage, we must sufficiently understand the mechanisms involved in brain ischemia and reperfusion and repair to design clinically effective therapy. Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion is known to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species that can lead to oxidative damage of proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids. A decrease in tissue antioxidant capacity, an increase in lipid peroxidation as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation inhibitors have been demonstrated in several models of brain ischemia. This paper reviews the number of commonly used types of herbal medicines effective for the treatment of stroke. The aim of this paper was to review evidences from controlled studies in order to discuss whether herbal medicine can be helpful in the treatment of brain ischemia and reperfusion.
ABSTRACT
Brain ischemia and reperfusion is the leading cause of serious and long-range disability in the world. Clinically significant changes in central nervous system function are observed following brain ischemia and reperfusion. Stroke patients exhibit behavioral, cognitive, emotional, affective and electrophysiological changes during recovery phase. Brain injury by transient complete global brain ischemia or by transient incomplete brain ischemia afflicts a very large number of patients in the world with death or permanent disability. In order to reduce this damage, we must sufficiently understand the mechanisms involved in brain ischemia and reperfusion and repair to design clinically effective therapy.Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion is known to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species that can lead to oxidative damage of proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids. A decrease in tissue antioxidant capacity, an increase in lipid peroxidation as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation inhibitors have been demonstrated in several models of brain ischemia. This paper reviews the number of commonly used types of herbal medicines effective for the treatment of stroke. The aim of this paper was to review evidences from controlled studies in order to discuss whether herbal medicine can be helpful in the treatment of brain ischemia and reperfusion.
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Objective: To investigate the effect of Thymus vulgaris (. T. vulgaris) on learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Memory enhancing activity in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze and passive avoidance paradigm. Methods: A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follow: control group: received water, scopolamine treated group: received scopolamine 1 mg/kg for 15 days, two scopolamine + T. vulgaris treated groups: received scopolamine and T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, two intact groups: received T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days. Results: Administration of T. vulgaris extract significantly restored memory and learning impairments induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. Conclusions: T. vulgaris extract has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders produced by scopolamine and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Objective: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of chamomile on balance and motor learning in rats receiving scopolamine and intact rats. Methods: Fourty-two rats were divided into 6 groups ( n = 7). Control group received distilled water. Rats in Group 2 were given 1 mg/kg scopolamine. Groups 3 and 4 received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and scopolamine simultaneously for 20 days. Intact groups (Groups 5 and 6) only received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Motor coordination of rats was assessed with rotarod apparatus. Results: According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, scopolamine significantly decreased time spent on rotarod performance (. P < 0.001). Compared with scopolamine group, the strength and staying on rotarod apparatus in Group 3 significantly increased ( P < 0.05). The results of this research showed that intact groups that received only chamomile extract at doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly increased time spent on rotarod, compared with scopolamine group ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated the high antioxidant property and protective effect of chamomile extract on motor coordination in the groups that received scopolamine.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the protective effect of Lavandula officinalis (L. officinalis) extract against blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke.@*METHODS@#Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 h in rats. Lavender extract (100, 200 mg/kg i.p.) was injected for 20 consecutive days. BBB permeability and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated using standard methods.@*RESULTS@#The results of this study showed that L. officinalis ethanolic extract significantly reduced the BBB permeability in experimental groups when compared with ischemia group. The lavender extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels of plasma and brain tissue in intact group when compared with control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#L. officinalis extract reduced blood brain barrier permeability and alleviated neurological function in rats, and the mechanism may be related to augmentation in endogenous antioxidant defense and inhibition of oxidative stress in the rat brain.
ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs the person's memory and ability to learn, reasoning, judgment, communication and daily activities. AD is characterized clinically by cognitive impairment and pathologically by the deposition of β amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and the degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain. During the progression of AD patients may produce changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations and also to experience delusions and fantasies. The first neurotransmitter defect discovered in AD involved acetylcholine as cholinergic function is required for short-term memory. Oxidative stress may underlie the progressive neurodegeneration characteristic of AD. Brain structures supporting memory are uniquely sensitive to oxidative stress due to their elevated demand for oxygen. The neurodegenerative process in AD may involveβ amyloid toxicity. Neurotoxicity of β amyloid appears to involve oxidative stress. Currently, there is no cure for this disease but in new treatments, reveals a new horizon on the biology of this disease. This paper reviews the effects of a number of commonly used types of herbal medicines for the treatment of AD. The objective of this article was to review evidences from controlled studies in order to determine whether herbs can be useful in the treatment of cognitive disorders in the elderly.
ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs the person's memory and ability to learn, reasoning, judgment, communication and daily activities. AD is characterized clinically by cognitive impairment and pathologically by the deposition of β amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and the degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain. During the progression of AD patients may produce changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations and also to experience delusions and fantasies. The first neurotransmitter defect discovered in AD involved acetylcholine as cholinergic function is required for short-term memory. Oxidative stress may underlie the progressive neurodegeneration characteristic of AD. Brain structures supporting memory are uniquely sensitive to oxidative stress due to their elevated demand for oxygen. The neurodegenerative process in AD may involve β amyloid toxicity. Neurotoxicity of β amyloid appears to involve oxidative stress. Currently, there is no cure for this disease but in new treatments, reveals a new horizon on the biology of this disease. This paper reviews the effects of a number of commonly used types of herbal medicines for the treatment of AD. The objective of this article was to review evidences from controlled studies in order to determine whether herbs can be useful in the treatment of cognitive disorders in the elderly.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of Lavandula officinalis (L. officinalis) extract against blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke. Methods: Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 h in rats. Lavender extract (100, 200 mg/kg i.p.) was injected for 20 consecutive days. BBB permeability and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated using standard methods. Results: The results of this study showed that L. officinalis ethanolic extract significantly reduced the BBB permeability in experimental groups when compared with ischemia group. The lavender extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels of plasma and brain tissue in intact group when compared with control group. Conclusions: L. officinalis extract reduced blood brain barrier permeability and alleviated neurological function in rats, and the mechanism may be related to augmentation in endogenous antioxidant defense and inhibition of oxidative stress in the rat brain.
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Antioxidants are effective in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Lavandula officinalis possesses antioxidant activity, therefore, in this study; the effects of Lavandula officinalis extract were investigated on serum lipids levels of rats. Experimental mature male Wistar rats were treated with 100, 200 or 400 mg/Kg/day of lavender ethanolic extract or distilled water for 25 days via gastric gavage [n=8 each group]. At the end of 25[th] day, the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL levels, as well as atherogenic indices were determined in rats' serum. The ethanolic extract of lavender decreased serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL levels in 100 mg/Kg group [p=0.03, p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively]. Serum HDL level increased in 100 mg/Kg/day group [p=0.01]. Lavender extract decreased LDL/HDL level at doses of 100 and 200 mg/Kg/day [p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively]. The TG/HDL levels decreased in experimental groups with doses of 100 and 200 mg/Kg/day [p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively]. Lavandula officinalis extract exerts hypolipidemic effect in rats and might be beneficial in hyperlipidemic patients
ABSTRACT
Brain injury by transient complete global brain ischemia [cardiac arrest] and regional incomplete brain ischemia [ischemic stroke] afflicts a very large number of patients with death or permanent disability. Recent studies suggest that olive extracts suppress inflammation and reduce stress oxidative injury. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary Olive Leaf Extract [OLE] on brain cholesterol, cholesterol ester and triglyceride levels as well as brain edema in rat stroke model. Five groups, each consisting of 12 male Wistar rats, were studied. First and second groups [control and sham] received distilled water, while three treatment groups received oral olive leaf extract [OLE] for 30 days [50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively]. Two hours after the last dose, each main group was subdivided to Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion [MCAO]-operated [n=6] and intact subgroups [n=6] for assessment of neuropathology [brain edema] and brain lipid analysis. The brain cholesterol, cholesterol ester and triglyceride levels were greater in experimental groups when compared to controls. Olive leaf extracts reduced brain edema in experimental groups of 75 and 100 mg/kg/day. Our data suggest that OLE may be cerebroprotective in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion. Further work is required to extend these observations
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Plant Leaves , Plant Extracts , Brain , Cholesterol , Cholesterol Esters , Triglycerides , Brain Edema , Rats, Wistar , StrokeABSTRACT
Recent studies suggest that olive extract can suppress inflammation and reduce stress oxidative injury. We sought to extend these observations in an in vivo study of rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this experimental study, five groups, each consisting of 12 male Wistar rats, were studied. First group [control] received distilled water, while three treatment groups received oral olive leaf extract [OLE] for 30 days [50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively]. The last group [sham] underwent surgery without ischemia and did not receive OLE. Two hours after the last dose, each group was subdivided into two subgroups. In the first subgroup middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO] was induced during an operation, in order to assess neuropathology [blood brain barrier permeability], while the second subgroup remained intact and was used for brain lipid analysis. The brain cholesterol levels in 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg/day OLE group were 34.4 +/- 4.7, 35.9 +/- 5.8, and 38.3 +/- 2.1 mg/g brain tissue weight, respectively; the cholesterol ester levels in them were 15.2 +/- 1.8, 15.8 +/- 3.1 and 16.3 +/- 3.6 mg/g brain tissue weight, respectively. These numbers were greater than the controls. Brain triglyceride levels in the 50 mg/kg/day group were similar to that in controls; but it was higher in the 75 and 100 mg/kg/day groups [34.1 +/- 0.5 And 34.5 +/- 1.1 mg/g brain tissue weight, respectively]. The OLE reduced blood brain barrier permeability in 75 and 100 mg/kg/day group when compared to controls [p< 0.000, p< 0.000, respectively]. There was significant difference between right and left hemisphere in control group and 50 mg/kg/day group [p< 0.000]. Our data suggest that OLE reduced the blood brain barrier permeability and changed brain lipids which may be cerebroprotective in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion. Further work is required to extend these observations