Salvia officinalis and cisplatin effects on pentylenetetrazole induced seizure threshold

Studies have shown that cisplatin have neuropathic effects and Salvia officinalis [SO] could have therapeutic effects on nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SO hydroalcoholic extract and cisplatin on pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] induced seizure in mice. This is an experimental interventional study. For this purpose first group received normal saline, second group received SO extract, third group received cisplatin, in the fourth group received SO extract plus cisplatin and the subsequent seizure threshold was determined for each group. The results showed that SO extract significantly [p<0.05] increased and in cisplatin group significantly [p<0.05] decreased seizure threshold. Simultaneous uses of cisplatin and SO extract caused to significantly increased seizure threshold [p<0.05] compared with cisplatin group. Considering different types of ingredients in SO extract which have beneficial effects on nervous system, it might be used to reduce cisplatin induced neuropathic effects. It seems that SO extract could be useful in cisplatin-induced seizure but further investigations are needed

Protective effect of turmeric extract on ethotrexate-induced intestinal damage and oxidative stress / 中国天然药物

AIM@#The most important side effect of methotrexate (MTX) is mucositis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of turmeric extract on intestinal damage and oxidative stress in rats receiving methotrexate.@*METHODS@#Experiments were performed on male Wistar albino rats divided into six groups. First group received normal saline orally, the second group received turmeric extract (100 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days, the third group received turmeric extract (200 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days, the fourth group received a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg·kg(-1)) i.p. at day 30, the fifth group received turmeric extract (100 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days and a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg·kg(-1)) i.p. at day 30, and the sixth group received turmeric extract (200 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days and single dose of methotrexate (20 mg·kg(-1)) i.p. at day 30. Four days after methotrexate injection, animals were anesthetized, blood samples were taken to determine total antioxidant status (TAS) and jejunum samples were taken for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aldehyde malondialdehyde (MDA), and histopathological assessment.@*RESULTS@#Microscopic evaluation from intestinal tissues of the MTX treated group, showed severe villus shortening and blunting, inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhage in lamina propria, along with epithlial cell necrosis. Levels of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT decreased in the MTX received group, but increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the turmeric + MTX groups. MTX increased lipid peroxidation, however, turmeric decreased peroxidation significantly (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#These results suggest that turmeric extract may protect the small intestine of rats from methotrexate-induced damage. Turmeric effects could result from its antioxidant properties.

[Study of apoptosis induced by calendula officinalis extract on experimental colon carcinoma in rats]

In vitro studies have demonstrated the anticancer effect of Calendula officinalis extract on tumor cell line derived from colorectal cancers. The inhibition ranged from 70-100%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the apoptosis in epiththelial displastic colon cells following treated with Calendula officinalis extract. In this experimental study, 56 wistar male rats with age of 12 weeks and 200-300g weight were allocated into two equal groups of treatment and control. For induction of colorectal carcinoma, these two groups were given 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine [40mg/kg], as subcutaneous injection, twice a week for two weeks. Treatment group also was treated with Calendula officinalis extract [200mg/kg/day] orally for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks, distal parts of colon tissue were biopsied in both groups and 3-4 micron tissue section was prepared through TUNEL staining method. Immunohistopathological study reveals that apoptotic cells of displastic colon epithelial cells in treatment group were higher than control group. Mean difference between treatment and control groups were statistically significant [p<0.01]. This study indicated that Calendula officinalis extract would be induced apoptosis of displastic colon cells in experimental colorectal carcinoma of rats