Evaluating the effect of Myrtus communis on programmed cell death in hydatid cyst protoscolices

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the possible involvement of programmed cell death strategy in hydatid cyst protoscolices following treatment with Myrtus communis (M. communis) as an herbal medicine.@*METHODS@#Protoscolices were aseptically collected from sheep liver hydatid cysts. Evaluating the effect of M. communis extract on programmed cell death and increased activity of caspases 3, 8, and 9 in hydatid cyst protoscolices was conducted by treating the protoscolices with different concentration (5, 50, and 100 mg/mL) of M. communis extract at 37 °C and 5% CO for 4 h by using the Bradford test and ELISA commercial kits.@*RESULTS@#The extract of M. communis at all concentrations led to initiation of programmed cell death in protoscolices and this effect, was only significant at 50 and 100 mg/mL concentrations, compared to the negative control (P < 0.05). Also, the activity of caspases 3, 8, and 9 in hydatid cyst protoscolices, was shown that the extract at all 3 concentrations could only increase the activity of caspases 3 and 9. Moreover, a significant increase in the activity of caspase 3 was only observed at concentrations 50 and 100 mg/mL by 37.00% and 66.19% while a significant increase in the activity of caspase 9 at the same concentrations was observed by 20.89% and 63.67%, respectively (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The extract of M. communis at different concentrations could increase the activity of caspases 3 and 9 and caused programmed cell death in hydatid cyst protoscolices however, this effect was significant at high concentrations of the extract.

Evaluating the effect of Myrtus communis on programmed cell death in hydatid cyst protoscolices

Objective To evaluate the possible involvement of programmed cell death strategy in hydatid cyst protoscolices following treatment with Myrtus communis (M. communis) as an herbal medicine. Methods Protoscolices were aseptically collected from sheep liver hydatid cysts. Evaluating the effect of M. communis extract on programmed cell death and increased activity of caspases 3, 8, and 9 in hydatid cyst protoscolices was conducted by treating the protoscolices with different concentration (5, 50, and 100 mg/mL) of M. communis extract at 37 °C and 5% CO

Protoscolicidal and immunomodulatory activity of Ziziphora tenuior extract and its fractions

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the scolicidal and immunomodulatory effect of the Ziziphora tenuior (Z. tenuior) extract and its fractions.@*METHODS@#Protoscolices were treated with six concentrations (3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL) of Z. tenuior extract and its fractions (ethanol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and chloroform) in periods of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min, and viability of protoscolices was evaluated using the 1.0% eosin. To examine the immunomodulatory effects of Ziziphora and its fractions on macrophage cells, the non-toxic concentration of extract and different fractions determined by MTT assay, and the Griess reaction was used to measure the level of nitrite as an indicator of nitric oxide by the macrophage cells in 10, 100 and 200 μg/mL in 24 h at 37 °C.@*RESULTS@#In this study, the Z. tenuior extract at 10 mg/mL concentration was able to kill all protoscolices during 20 min. By increasing the concentration to 25 mg/mL, the scolicidal time reduced to 10 min. Regarding the effect of different fractions of Z. tenuior, the ethanolic fraction showed the highest scolicidal activity. The extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the activity of macrophages and reduced nitric oxide production. Although the petroleum ether and ethanolic fractions of the extract reduced nitric oxide production, nevertheless, this effect was only significant at 10 and 100 μg/mL concentrations (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The Z. tenuior extract and its fractions were effective against protoscolices yet the effect of total extract was considerable. Our findings indicates that the extract and its ethanolic and petroleum ether fractions could have anti-inflammatory properties.

Protoscolicidal and immunomodulatory activity of Ziziphora tenuior extract and its fractions

Objective To evaluate the scolicidal and immunomodulatory effect of the Ziziphora tenuior (Z. tenuior) extract and its fractions. Methods Protoscolices were treated with six concentrations (3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL) of Z. tenuior extract and its fractions (ethanol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and chloroform) in periods of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min, and viability of protoscolices was evaluated using the 1.0% eosin. To examine the immunomodulatory effects of Ziziphora and its fractions on macrophage cells, the non-toxic concentration of extract and different fractions determined by MTT assay, and the Griess reaction was used to measure the level of nitrite as an indicator of nitric oxide by the macrophage cells in 10, 100 and 200 μg/mL in 24 h at 37 °C. Results In this study, the Z. tenuior extract at 10 mg/mL concentration was able to kill all protoscolices during 20 min. By increasing the concentration to 25 mg/mL, the scolicidal time reduced to 10 min. Regarding the effect of different fractions of Z. tenuior, the ethanolic fraction showed the highest scolicidal activity. The extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the activity of macrophages and reduced nitric oxide production. Although the petroleum ether and ethanolic fractions of the extract reduced nitric oxide production, nevertheless, this effect was only significant at 10 and 100 μg/mL concentrations (P < 0.05). Conclusion The Z. tenuior extract and its fractions were effective against protoscolices yet the effect of total extract was considerable. Our findings indicates that the extract and its ethanolic and petroleum ether fractions could have anti-inflammatory properties.

randomized clinical trial study: anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of olibanum gum in type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes is a common metabolic disease in the world that has many adverse effects. Olibanum gum resin [from trees of the genus Boswellia] has traditionally been used in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes. The aim of this study was the comparison of Olibanum gum resin effect with placebo on the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Inclusion criteria was diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar [FBS] =140-200 mg/dL. This study has been designed as double-blined clinical trial on 71 patients with type 2 diabetes and the patients randomly were divided to interventional and placebo groups. The patients on standard anti-diabetic therapy [metformin] treated with Olibanum gum resin [400 mg caps] and placebo tow times per day for 12 weeks, respectively. At the end of 12 weeks the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, total Cholesterol [Chol], LDL, Triglyceride [TG], HDL and other parameters were measured. The Olibanum gum resin lowered the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, Chol, LDL and TG levels significantly [p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003, p 0.05] compared with the placebo at the endpoint. Moreover, this plant showed anti-oxidant effect and also no adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that Olibanum gum resin could be used as a safe anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent for type 2 diabetic patients

Salivary soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio in periodontal disease and health

PURPOSE: The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system plays a significant role in osteoclastogenesis, activation of osteoclasts, and regulation of bone resorption. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the salivary soluble RANKL (sRANKL)/OPG ratio as a diagnostic marker for periodontitis in nonsmokers. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with chronic periodontitis and 25 individuals with a healthy periodontium were enrolled in this study. Samples containing 5 mL of unstimulated saliva were obtained from each subject. Salivary sRANKL and OPG concentrations were determined using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 18.0. RESULTS: The levels of sRANKL and OPG were detectable in all of the samples. Positive relationships were found between the plaque index and clinical attachment level and both the salivary concentration of sRANKL and the salivary sRANKL/OPG ratio (P<0.05). The salivary concentration of sRANKL and the sRANKL/OPG ratio were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the healthy group (P=0.004 and P=0.001, respectively). In contrast, the OPG concentration showed no significant differences between the groups (P=0.455). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the salivary sRANKL/OPG ratio may be helpful in the screening and diagnosis of periodontitis. However, longitudinal studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these results.

Immunomodulatory effects of astragalus gypsicolus hydroalcoholic extract in ovalbumin-induced allergic mice model

Several studies have demonstrated that herbal extracts possess various biological effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of the Astragalus gypsicolus [AG] hydroalcoholic extract in early allergic sensitized mice induced by ovalbumin. Phytochemical assay was used to recognize the main active constituents in the AG hydroalcoholic extract. Mice were immunized with subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide. Efficiency of sensitization was assessed by serum IgE levels and eosinophil count. After sensitization, two doses of extract [250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg] were injected intrapritoneally. On day 14, mice were challenged with intrapritoneal injection of ovalbumin. IL-4 and IFN gamma levels in broncoalveolar lavage fluid, which had been collected on day 15, were assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA] kit. Our results indicate two main active constituents including flavonoids and terpenoids are present in the AG.hydroalcoholic extract. Intrapritoneal injection of the AG hydroalcoholic extract was able to decrease IL-4 and increase IFN gamma. It seems the AG hydroalcoholic extract has the potential to modulate the balance of Thl/Th2 cytokines in allergy

Heat-treated tumor lysate loaded lymphoide dendritic cells: Evaluation of cytotoxic effect in the tumor bearing mice

Dendritic cells [DCs] are essential for the activation and polarization of T cells during an adaptive immune response. In this research we investigated the effect of the Lymphoide DCs pulsed with heat-treated tumor lysate [HTL] as a vaccine in tumor immunotherapy. The Balb/c mice were injected subcutaneously in the right flank with Wehi-164 fibrosarcoma cells 10 days before immunization with the DCs. Then hsp70 expression in the HTL was detected by using western blot analysis. The mice Lymphoide DCs subset were isolated by magnetic cell sorting [MACS], Then the HTL pulsed Lymphoide DCs, TL pulsed Lymphoide DCs and unpulsed Lymphoide DCs were subcutaneously injected. Tumor growth rate, survival, cytotoxic assay measured. The results showed that HTL-Lymphoide DCs vaccine significantly induced the tumor growth suppression and longer survival than the other immunized mice. Immunotherapy with HTL-Lymphoide DCs led to a significant increase in the activity of cytotoxic T cells in the tumor tissue. The current study suggests that specific anti-tumor immune responses against the fibrosarcoma can be induced by HTL-Lymphoide DCs and may provide a useful therapeutic approach for cancer treatment

Stimulatory effects of euphorbia cheiradenia on cell mediated immunity and humoral antibody synthesis

Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts possess various biological characteristics including immunomodulatory activity. Euphorbia cheiradenia Boiss et Hohen [Euphorbiaceae], a medicinal herb native to Iran was investigated for its immunomodulatory effects. The methanolic extract of the plant was prepared and added to mitogen-induced human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures at different concentrations. Effect of E. cheiradenia on in vivo cell-mediated immunity was measured by delayed type hypersensitivity [DTH] reaction. The effect of the extract on humoral antibody synthesis was also measured in immunized mice treated with different extract concentrations. The stimulation index [SI] for cultures treated with 0.01 to 200 pg/mi of the extract ranged from 1.3 +/- 0.04 to 2.4 +/- 0.06, [p < 0.01] showing a significant stimulatory effect of E. cheiradenia on the lymphocytes. IL-2 secreted from lymphocytes treated with the extract was significantly higher than that from the non-treated cells [p < 0.001]. Cell cycle analysis on mitogen-treated lymphocytes exposed to different concentrations of the extract showed an increase in the percentage of cells at G2M phase with increases in the concentration of the extract, but the results was not significant. In DIII skin test, the mean footpad thickness of all mice groups treated with 1, 50 and 100 mg/kg of the extract at 24 hours after immunization with antigen was 3.5 +/- 0.6 mm compared to 2.5 +/- 0.5 ni.in for the non-treated group [p = 0.005]. Moreover, an increase in production of specific antibody in mice immunized with different extract concentrations was also demonstrated. Results of this study showed the ability of the E. cheiradenia extract to induce proliferation of lymphocytes and enhance both cellular and humoral specific immune responses

Haussknechtia elymatica: a plant with immunomodulatory effects

Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodu-latory properties. To study the immunomodulatory functions of the methanol extract of Haussknechtia elymatica [Apioideae], an herb native to south-western Iran. Delayed type hypersensitivity [DTH] skin test and measurement of antibody titer after immunization with Sheep-RBC was performed. [[3]H]-thymidine incorporation assay on the human lymphocytes stimulated with PHA and determination of IL-2 production using ELISA method was carried out. Treatment of mice with increasing concentrations of the extract decreased the footpad thickness indicating a dose-related inhibitory effect of H. elymatica on delayed hypersensitivity. The mean antibody titers for all concentrations of the extract at primary and secondary responses were significantly less than the control. Addition of the extract to the culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence of mitogen decreased cell proliferation dose-dependently. A dose related decrease in production of IL-2 in extract-treated cells was also observed. The decline of antibody titer and DTH response indicates that H. elymatica, by acting on the lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion, inhibits both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses