direct comparison of anti-ulcer effects of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin C on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rat: a controlled experimental study

Indomethacin increases generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species [ROS] which have a crucial role in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. Coenzyme Q10 has an antioxidant activity on mitochondria and cell membranes and protects lipids from oxidation and is essential for stabilizing biological membranes. Superoxide dismutase [SOD] acts as one of the defense mechanisms against free radicals. When the generation of ROS overwhelms, the antioxidant defense, lipid peroxidation of cell membrane occurs and cause cell damage. Male adult Wistar rats were divided into A and B groups. The rats in group A were then further divided into three subgroups of 6 animals each and received one of the following treatments: Animals in the first subgroup received saline. Animals in the second subgroup received saline and indomethacin. Animals in the third subgroup received vitamin C and indomethacin. The rats in group B were also further divided into 3 subgroups of 6 rats each and treated with one of the following treatments: Animals in first subgroup received 1% Tween 80 as vehicle. Animals In second subgroup received 1% Tween 80 and indomethacin. Animals in third subgroup received CoQ10 and indomethacin. Four hours after the last treatment, animals were killed by an overdose of ether and 2 ml blood was drawn from left ventricle into syringe containing EDTA [1mg/ml] and the stomachs removed were cut and gastric mucosal lesions were examined. Ulcer indexes were determined and SOD activity measured in plasma. Pre-treatment with both vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 was associated with attenuation of ulcer index and increased SOD activity comared with animals treated with indomethacine alone [p<0.001]. This effect of CoQ10 may be due to its electron donating property that inhibits the decrease in SOD activity in gastric tissue [replenishment of endogenous SOD] and inhibiting lipid peroxidation

[Antibacterial activity native medicinal plants extracts in Lorestan, Iran]

There is an increasing interest in substitution of natural products for synthetic chemicals in drugs and foodstuff. Reports of antibiotic resistant bacteria and side effects of chemical food preservatives suspected to be carcinogenic have drawn attention towards application of herbal and natural substances. Towards this end, edible plants are more safe and therefor have priority for investigation. In this study, antibacterial activities of six medicinal plants including Thymus [T.] eriocalyx and T. persicus, Allium [A.] haementhaides, Fumaria [F.] parviflora Lam, Buxus [B.] hyrecana pojark, and Tragopon [Tr.] carcifolus Lorestan province in Iran were examined. In this study, flowers and leaves from T.persicus, T. eriocalyx, and leaves from other plants were collected from Zagros highlands, dried and soaked in hexan for 48. The solvent was separated then evaporated under reduced pressure. The concentrated extracts were shaken and foze at -10oC. Then it was centrifuged and the solvent was evaporated. The extracts were finally resuspended in sterile PBS containing DMSO. Antibacterial activities were examined by disk diffusion and broth microdillution technique, using standard [ATCC] gram positive and negative bacteria and standard [Muller Hinton agar and broth or Isosensitest agar] media in order to determine Minimum Inhibitory [MIC] or Bactericidal [MBC] concentration. Strong antibacterial activities were observed against both gram positive and negative bacteria including E.coli, S. aureous and P. aeroginosa by T.eriocalyx and F. parviflora. Also B. hyrecana pojark showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus at a concentration of MIC=320 g/ml and MBC=80 g/ml. This study showed that T.eriocalyx, F. parviflora and B. hyrecana pojark have antibacterial effects in vitro. Therefore it is suggested the application of these extract in medicine and food industings could be helpful