Development and Evaluation of Vaginal Suppository Containing Althaea officinalis L. Polysaccharide Extract

Abstract Intrauterine adhesions cause several gynecological problems. Althaea officinalis L. roots known as marshmallows contain polysaccharides (M.P.) which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities also can form a bio-adhesive layer on damaged epithelial membranes prompting healing processes. Vaginal formulations of herbal origin are commonly applied to relieve cervico-uterine inflammation. Herein, we aim to develop and evaluate vaginal suppositories containing polysaccharides isolated from the A. officinalis root. Six formulations (four P.E.G.-based and two lipid-based suppositories containing 25% and 50% M.P.) met standard requirements, which were then subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation. All suppositories exhibited acceptable weights, hardness, content uniformity, melting point, and disintegration time, which fall within the acceptable recommended limits. Higher concentrations of M.P. in PEG-bases moderately increased the hardness (p<0.05). PEG-formulations showed content uniformity>90% of the average content while it was 75-83% for suppocire formulations. All formulations disintegrated in<30minutes. In-vitro release test revealed that M.P. release from 25%-MP formulations was higher than that of 50%-M.P. suppositories. Overall, results revealed the feasibility of preparing P.E.G.-or lipid-based suppositories containing M.P., which met the B.P. quality requirement

Fingerprint and molecular identification of rbcL sequence of Mongolian medicine Althaeae Roseae Flos by HPLC / 中草药

Objective: To establish the fingerprint of Althaeae Roseae Flos by HPLC and the molecular identification method of DNA barcode of rbcL sequence. Methods: The fingerprint establishment of Althaeae Roseae Flos was performed on Welchrom Column C18 (300 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with acetonitrile - 0.1% formic acid solution as mobile phase for gradient elution, with flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, column temperature of 35 ℃, detection wavelength of 365 nm, injection volume of 10 μL. DNA barcode molecular identification method was used for PCR amplification and determination of rbcL sequence. Results: The fingerprints of 11 samples were established, 21 common peaks were obtained, their similarities were calculated, and four components (hyperoside, quercetin, apigenin and kaempferide) were determined. The total length of rbcL sequence of 11 samples was measured, and the G + C content was 44.10%-44.40% and genetic distance (K2P) was 0.001 4. There were 10 ectopic points and the similarity was 99.00%. Conclusion: The two methods are stable and reliable, which can provide basis for the identification and quality control of A. rosea.

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Some Medicinal Plants on Obesity

Aims: Obesity is a significant cause of disability and death. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of some medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity and its complications. Study Design: Male Wistar rats were treated in different groups. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, Arak University of Medical Sciences (Iran), December 2015 to July 2017. Methodology: The groups were defined as the control, the high-fat diet and the high-fat diet with hydroalcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis, Rosa canina, Althaea officinalis, Plantago major and Orlistat in their food, for 48 days. In the serum, the profiles of the liver enzymes and the thyroid hormones were measured as parameters of their appetite. Results: The lowest increase in appetite happened in the Camellia sinensis group and the lowest levels of blood glucose and creatinine were in the Plantago primary group. The lowest cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were seen in the Camellia sinensis group (P<0.05). The amount of alanine aminotransferase (ALP) and the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the Plantago major group were significantly lower than the positive control group (P<0.05). In Althaea officinalis group were higher Orlistat and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) than the control group (P<0.05). The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in control group was significantly lower than the positive control, Camellia sinensis and Rosa canina groups (P<0.05). The level of thyroxin in Althaea officinalis, Rosa canina and Camellia sinensis groups were significantly lower than the positive control group, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis, Rosa canina, Althaea officinalis, and Plantago major are effective in reducing the damages caused by high-fat diet through decreasing lipid profiles, liver enzymes, without causing side effects on thyroid and renal functions.

Anti-influenza properties of herbal extract of Althaea rosea in mice / 대한수의학회지

Althaea rosea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous diseases, but no studies have investigated its anti-influenza properties to date. In this study, we investigated the anti-influenza effects of Althaea rosea. BALB/c mice orally pretreated with Althaea rosea (200 µL, 0.1 mg/mL concentration in phosphate-buffered saline) and followed by infection of influenza A virus nasally showed higher survivability and lower lung virus titer against divergent subtypes of influenza A virus infection. We also found that oral administration of Althaea rosea elicited antiviral innate immune responses in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, small intestinal fluid, and the lungs. Taken together, these findings suggest that aqueous extracts of Althaea rosea are a potential candidate for use as an anti-influenza drug.

Management of acute cough by Zataria multiflora Boiss as an alternative treatment / 中西医结合学报

Cough, as a defensive reflux mechanism, removes foreign objects and secretions from bronchi and bronchioles of airways. Zataria multiflora is a popular plant for treatment of cough in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this review was to evaluate the potency of Z. multiflora as an alternative treatment in management of acute cough and its possible mechanisms of action. Here the authors compiled information about Z. multiflora in the treatment of cough from all accessible resources and books. The results of this investigation showed that there were five clinical studies that evaluated the efficacy of Z. multiflora essential oil or extract alone (n = 1), in combination with Althaea officinalis (n = 2) or Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (n = 1), in the form of syrup (n = 3), oral drop (n = 1) and soft capsule (n = 1), for the treatment of acute cough in comparison with placebo or synthetic drugs (bromhexine, dextromethorphan and clobutinol). All clinical studies confirmed the efficacy of Z. multiflora in the amelioration of acute cough in pediatric (n = 1) and adult patients (n = 4) without any adverse effects. Different mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, relaxant and immune-enhancement, may be responsible for the efficacy of Z. multiflora in cough relief. Other clinical trials can be performed with Z. multiflora in combination with ivy leaf extract or primrose root extract on patients with cough.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Althaea officinalis Linn. seed extracts and essential oil against respiratory tract pathogens.

In present study, Althaea officinalis seed extracts and essential oil were screened for antimicrobial activity against five bacteria and one fungi responsible for dominant, lethal or opportunistic infection of respiratory regions. The maximum inhibition was noted by essential oil against Streptococcus pyogenes (21.3±0.28 mm) and Haemophilus influenzae (19.0±0.50 mm) at 200 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for methanol extract was 3.12-12.5 mg/ml. The antifungal activity noted highest with 41.28% by essential oil and 36.27% inhibition by aqueous extract represented by dosage-response curve.

Wound healing potential of Althaea ofifcinalis lfower mucilage in rabbit full thickness wounds

Objective:To evaluate and practically demonstrate the influence of Althaea ofifcinalis flower mucilage as a plant known in Iran’s and other Middle Eastern countries’ traditional medicine for its wound healing properties. Methods:Animals were divided into 6 groups of 5 cases including a non-treated group as the negative control group receiving no treatment, a group treated with eucerin as the positive control group, a phenytoin 1%group as a standard group treated topically with phenytoin 1%hand-made ointment, and treatment groups treated with hand-made Althaea ofifcinalis flower mucilage (AFM) ointment in a eucerin base with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%). Results:Among the treatment groups, the AFM 15%ointment showed the best result. Wound healing duration was reduced by the surface application of these groups. Wound closure was completed on Days 14 and 15 in the AFM 15% ointment and phenytoin 1% groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed in healing period between these groups. Conclusions:In conclusion, AFM 15%ointment was found to reduce wound healing time without any significant difference with the phenytoin 1% ointment. The authors suggest increased AFM effectiveness in when combined with phenytoin or other effectual plants.

Wound healing potential of Althaea officinalis flower mucilage in rabbit full thickness wounds

Objective: To evaluate and practically demonstrate the influence of Althaea officinalis flower mucilage as a plant known in Iran's and other Middle Eastern countries' traditional medicine for its wound healing properties. Methods: Animals were divided into 6 groups of 5 cases including a non-treated group as the negative control group receiving no treatment, a group treated with eucerin as the positive control group, a phenytoin 1% group as a standard group treated topically with phenytoin 1% hand-made ointment, and treatment groups treated with hand-made Althaea officinalis flower mucilage (AFM) ointment in a eucerin base with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%). Results: Among the treatment groups, the AFM 15% ointment showed the best result. Wound healing duration was reduced by the surface application of these groups. Wound closure was completed on Days 14 and 15 in the AFM 15% ointment and phenytoin 1% groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed in healing period between these groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, AFM 15% ointment was found to reduce wound healing time without any significant difference with the phenytoin 1% ointment. The authors suggest increased AFM effectiveness in when combined with phenytoin or other effectual plants.

Effects and Mechanism of Alcea Rosea Roots in Ethylene Glycol Induced Nephrolithiasis in Rats / 天津医药

Objective To study the beneficial effect and mechanism of Alcea rosea roots in nephrolithiasis model in-duced by 1%ethylene glycol in rats. Methods We randomly divided 60 male Wistar rats into six groups,including control group, model group, Alcea rosea roots lower-dose preventive group, Alcea rosea roots high-dose preventive group, Alcea ro-sea roots lower-dose curative group, Alcea rosea roots high-dose curative group. Control group was free to access food and water;model group was given 1%ethylene glycol drinking water and was fed with normal diet, preventive group was given 1%ethylene glycol drink and Alcea rosea roots in low (250 mg/kg) or high dose (500 mg/kg) each day, curative group re-ceived 1%ethylene glycol drink each day and Alcea rosea roots in low or high dose from day 15 to day 28. At the end of the experiment, various renal functional and injury markers such as urine volume, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, urea, creati-nine, and oxalate were evaluated using urine, serum, and kidney homogenates. The kidneys were removed and prepared for histological evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits. Results In model groups, urine output, urea, creatinine, 24 h urine Ca2+, and oxalate and MDA were increased compared to those in control group(P＜0.05). GSH and SOD were increased in preventative and curative groups compared to those in the model group(P ＜ 0.05). The urea, creatinine, 24 h urine Ca2+, urine oxalate, MDA were reduced in preventive and curative groups compared to those in the model group(P＜0.05). The number and size of calcium oxalate crystal deposits were also less and smaller, and the kidney damage was less severe in pre-ventive and curative groups compared to in the model group. Conclusion The extract of Alcea rosea roots can prevent and treat calcium oxalate urinary stone formation in rats and protect renal function.

Protective effect of Sunset Abelmoschus on podocyte injury in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To explore the effect of Sunset Abelmoschus on podocyte injury in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats.Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham operation group (n=10),model group (n=10),Sunset Abelmoschus low dose group (0.5 g·kg-1· d-1 n=10),middle dose group (1.0 g· kg-1· d-1,n=10) and high dose group (2.0 g· kg-1· d-1,n=10).Unilateral nephrectomy combined repeated adriamycin injection were performed to establish adriamycininduced nephropathy models.The rats were administered with the corresponding dose of Sunset Abelmoschus during the experiment period.Urinary protein,urinary N-acetyl glucose aminotransferase (NAG),serum albumin,serum creatinine and blood lipid were measured before operation and 2,4,6,8 weeks after operation.The rats were sacrificed on week 8 for the renal histological examination,including light microscope and electron microscope.Expression of nephrin was examined by immunofluorescence assays.Results As compared to model group,urinary protein and NAG significantly decreases in Sunset Abelmoschus groups in each time point,especially in high dose group (P＜0.01),meanwhile the serum albumin increased and the disturbance of lipid metabolism was improved in Sunset Abelmoschus groups (P＜0.05).Compared with sham group,Scr increased significantly in model group and Sunset Abelmoschus groups at the 4th week.At the 8th week,Scr in high dose group was lower than that in model group (P＜0.05),and the ratio of glomerular globe sclerosis and segmental sclerosis,tubulointerstitial damage reduced in Sunset Abelmoschus groups,especially in high dose group.The podocyte damage and the extent of foot process fusion were improved in Sunset Abelmoschus groups compared with model group.Expression of nephrin increased in Sunset Abelmoschus groups than that in model group.Conclusion Sunset Abelmoschus can ameliorate proteinuria and renal tissue damage of adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats,whose mechanism may be associated with the improvement of podocyte injury.