Dill seed oil as a possible contraceptive agent: antiangiogenic effects on endothelial cells

Abstract Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oil is wide spread in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Dill is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. It has the following biological activities: antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antihypercholesterolemic, antispasmodic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory. Aqueous extract of dill seed has reported effects on sex hormones and infertility potential. Moreover, boiled dill seed has an impact on reducing labor duration in giving birth. Implantation and placentation are necessary for a healthy pregnancy in the early stages. Angiogenesis is responsible for these essential processes. This study aimed to investigate dill seed oil's cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects on rat adipose tissue endothelial cells (RATECs). Dill seed oil showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity on RATECs. It disrupted endothelial tube formation and depolymerized F-actin stress fibers. According to this study, depolymerization of F-actin stress fiber by dill seed oil could inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation and motility. In other words, dill seed oil can be a new anti-angiogenic agent and a novel contraceptive.

Efficacy of an herbal compound in decreasing steatosis and transaminase activities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Hepatoprotective effects of many herbal agents have been reported in animal studies and clinical trials. In this study, five hepatoprotective plants with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic effects were chosen to prepare a polyherbal compound for managing NAFLD. Sixty patients with NAFLD were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (2:1 ratio). Both group were advised to take healthy diet and exercise. The treatment group also received herbal capsules containing 400 mg of the mixture of Anethum graveolens, Citrus aurantium, Cynara scolymus, Portulaca oleracea, and Silybum marianum (2 capsules, thrice daily, for two months). The liver ultrasound and biochemical markers including the serum lipids, liver enzymes, and glucose were evaluated before starting the study and at the end of the treatment. Thirty patients in the treatment group and sixteen patients in the control group completed the study. The herbal compound significantly decreased the serum level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total cholesterol. Treatment with the herbal compound significantly improved the grade of the fatty liver, but no significant change was found in the control group. In conclusion, the formulated herbal compound appeared to be effective in biochemical improvement and decreasing the grade of the fatty liver in the patients with NAFLD.

Investigation of morphological, phytochemical, and enzymatic characteristics of Anethum graveolens L. using selenium in combination with humic acid and fulvic acid

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selenium trace element supplemented with fulvic acids andhumic acids on some trait of Anethum graveolens L. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomizedblock design with three levels of fulvic acids and humic acids (0, 15, and 50 mmol/l) and selenium application infive levels (0, 6, 8, 12, and 16 mg/l) with three replications in the greenhouse at Tehran municipality. The resultsof this experiment showed that the effect of selenium at different acids on morphological traits was significant.So that the dry weight of shoot and root, plant height, ion leakage, chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzymes wereaffected by increasing Se, humic and fulvic acids levels. Results indicated that selenium along with acidsincreased some major oil components, including ɑ-Pinene, β-Myrcene, ɑ-Phellandrene, and Carvone.

Dill tablet：a potential antioxidant and anti-diabetic medicine

To evaluate the antiglycation and antioxidant properties of the dill tablet, an herbal product used in Iran as a hypolipidemic medicine. Methods: In this descriptive study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of dill tablet at different concentration (0.032, 0.065, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL) were measured. The total phenolic, flavonols and flavonoid, alkaloids, anthocyanin, tannin and saponin contents in dill tablet were determined. Furthermore, antiglycation properties of dill tablet were assayed. In the in vivo experiments, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): Group 1:normal rats; Group 2: diabetic rats; Group 3: diabetic rats + 300 mg/kg dill tablet, and Group 4: diabetic rats + 100 mg/kg dill tablet. After 2 months, the blood glucose was measured enzymatically and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was determined using a fluorometric method. Results: Our results illustrated that different concentrations of dill tablet had significant antioxidant activity. Dill tablet markedly declined AGEs formation and fructosamine levels (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. Oxidation of protein carbonyl and thiol group was significantly reduced by dill tablet in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.001). Formation of amyloid cross-β and fragmentation were markedly inhibited by dill tablet (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. After 2 months, fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.001) and AGEs formation (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced by dill tablet in diabetic animals. Conclusions: Dill tablet exhibited significant antiglycation and antioxidant activities. This study provides a scientific basis for using dill in treatment of diabetic patients.

Dill tablet: A potential antioxidant and anti-diabetic medicine

Objective: To evaluate the antiglycation and antioxidant properties of the dill tablet, an herbal product used in Iran as a hypolipidemic medicine. Methods: In this descriptive study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of dill tablet at different concentration (0.032, 0.065, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL) were measured. The total phenolic, flavonols and flavonoid, alkaloids, anthocyanin, tannin and saponin contents in dill tablet were determined. Furthermore, antiglycation properties of dill tablet were assayed. In the in vivo experiments, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): Group 1: normal rats; Group 2: diabetic rats; Group 3: diabetic rats + 300 mg/kg dill tablet, and Group 4: diabetic rats + 100 mg/kg dill tablet. After 2 months, the blood glucose was measured enzymatically and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was determined using a fluorometric method. Results: Our results illustrated that different concentrations of dill tablet had significant antioxidant activity. Dill tablet markedly declined AGEs formation and fructosamine levels (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. Oxidation of protein carbonyl and thiol group was significantly reduced by dill tablet in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.001). Formation of amyloid cross-β and fragmentation were markedly inhibited by dill tablet (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. After 2 months, fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.001) and AGEs formation (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced by dill tablet in diabetic animals. Conclusions: Dill tablet exhibited significant antiglycation and antioxidant activities. This study provides a scientific basis for using dill in treatment of diabetic patients.

Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Anethum graveolens Leaves on Seizure Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in Mice

Background: In this study, the aqueous extract of Anethum graveolens (dill) leaves was studied for its effects on treating convulsions and epilepsy, by using a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling model. The evaluated plant has a traditional medical reputation for profound anticonvulsant activities, additionally, dill has been claimed to exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Methods: For the PTZ kindling induction, mice were given a dose of PTZ (37 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) every other day, and seizure stages were precisely recorded. During and after kindling, the effects of the non-toxic doses of the aqueous extracts (100, 250, and 400 mg/kg) on seizure latency in stage 2 (S2L), seizure latency in stage 4 (S4L), and seizure duration in stage 5 (S5D) were measured. Results: The aqueous extract of dill leaves had a noticeable anticonvulsant effect. The 400 mg/kg dose of the extract sample decreased with S5D (P < 0.05), and increased with S2L and S4L significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The obtained data shows that the aqueous extract possesses anticonvulsant activity against seizure induced by PTZ. The presence of anticonvulsant compounds in this medicinal herb suggests further activity and guided fractionation studies in order to introduce this plant as a valuable source of anticonvulsant agents.

Efecto del extracto de Anethum graveolens, Melissa officinalis y Calendula officinalis sobre espermatozoides humanos / Effect of extracts from Anethum graveolens, Melissa officinalis y Calendula officinalis on the human spermatozoa

Introducción: aunque existe una amplia disponibilidad de métodos anticonceptivos, la tasa de embarazos no deseados parece no disminuir. Uno de los métodos contraconceptivos empleados son los espermicidas. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del extracto de tres plantas: Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) y Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) sobre la movilidad y la viabilidad de los espermatozoides humanos. Métodos: las muestras de semen de voluntarios sanos se incubaron con el extracto de cada planta a diferentes concentraciones, posteriormente se evaluó su efecto sobre la movilidad y la viabilidad espermática. Resultados: el extracto de Anethum graveolens redujo la movilidad y la viabilidad en 65,3 % y 16 % (p< 0,05, 5 min vs. control), respectivamente; el extracto de Melissa officinalis generó un descenso en la movilidad de 78,2 % y 22,3 % en la viabilidad (p< 0,05, 5 min vs. control). Por último, el extracto de Calendula officinalis redujo la movilidad y la viabilidad en 55,3 y 48,4 % (p< 0,05, 5 min vs. control), respectivamente. Conclusión: ninguno de los extractos de las plantas a las concentraciones empleadas en este ensayo tiene efecto espermicida sobre los espermatozoides humanos.

Introduction: there is wide availability of contraceptives; however unwanted pregnancy rate is not decreasing. One of the contraceptive methods employed are spermicides. Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts from three plants extract: Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae), and Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) on the motility and viability of the human spermatozoon. Methods: semen samples from healthy volunteers were incubated with each plant extract at different concentrations, and the effects on spermatozoon motility and viability were evaluated. Results: Anethum graveolens extract reduced motility and viability by 65.3 and 16 % (p< 0.05, 5 min vs. control), respectively; Melissa officinalis extract decreased motility by 78.2 % and viability by 22.3 % (p< 0.05, 5 min vs. control). Finally, Calendula officinalis extract reduced motility and viability by 55.3 and 48.4 %, respectively (p< 0.05, 5 min vs. control). Conclusions: none of the plant extracts at concentrations used in this assay has spermicidal effect on human sperm.