Protective effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Nigella sativa L. and Portulaca oleracea L. on free radical induced hemolysis of RBCs

It has been shown that Nigella sativa L. and Portulaca oleracea L. have many antioxidant components. In the present study, the cytoprotective effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of N.sativa and P.oleracea against hemolytic damages induced by free radical initiator, AAPH [2, 2' azobis [2-amidinopropane] hydrochloride] was evaluated. Hemolysis was induced by addition of AAPH. To study the cytoprotective effect, aqueous [50, 200, 300, 400, 800 micro g/ml] and ethanolic [25, 100, 150, 200 and 400 micro g/ml] extracts of N. sativa and aqueous [25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 400 micro g/ml] and ethanolic [300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1800 micro g/ml] extracts of P. oleracea were employed. RBCs were incubated with both extracts and AAPH at 37 °C for 6 hrs. In order to evaluate the impact of the time of addition, extracts were added one and 2 hrs after AAPH. Samples of suspensions were removed at different times and the degree of hemolysis was assessed spectrophotometrically by reading the absorption of supernatants at 540 nm. Aqueous [300, 400 and 800 micro g/ml] and ethanolic [150, 200 and 400 micro g/ml] extracts of N.sativa and also, aqueous [100, 150, 200 and 400 micro g/ml] and ethanolic [1200, 1800 micro g/ml] extracts of P.oleracea showed concentration-dependent cytoprotective effects. Addition of extracts one hour after AAPH reduced but did not eliminate protective activities of extracts. Cytorotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. sativa and P. oleracea against AAPH-induced hemolysis may be related to antioxidant properties of these plants

Evaluation of effect of silymarin on granulosa cell apoptosis and follicular development in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization

To investigate the effects of silymarin on follicular development, we enrolled 40 healthy women undergoing in vitro fertilization [IVF] due to male factor infertility in this trial. They underwent ovulation induction and on a random and blind basis, patients were assigned to receive silymarin [70 mg X 3/day] or placebo from the beginning of the induction cycle. The number and quality of oocytes retrieved were evaluated and apoptosis of granolusa cells was studied. There was no significant difference between the groups for mean number of follicles >/= 18 mm [P = 0.131], mean number of oocytes retrieved [P = 0.209] or endometrial thickness [P = 0.673]. However, the proportion of total apoptosis in the study group was significantly lower than in the placebo group [P = 0.032]. These data suggest that administration of silymarin in IVF patients concomitantly with gonadotropin results in reduction of granolusa cell apoptosis but does not have any effect in promotion of follicular development, oocyte retrieval or endometrial thickness

[Anticonvulsant effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. in mice]

We studied the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum aerial parts in mice. The pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] and the maximal electroshock seizure [MES] tests were used for assessing the anticonvulsive effects of this plant. In the PTZ test, the extracts [0.1-1 g/kg, i.p.] delayed the onset of tonic convulsions and protected mice against mortality. In the MES test, both extracts did not show antiseizure activity. L-NAME [1-10 mg/kg, i.p.], a nitric oxide [NO] synthase inhibitor, reduced the anticonvulsant activity of the extracts. The results of this study indicate that the extracts of H. perforatum aerial parts could contribute to the control of petit mal seizure and this effect may be partially mediated by nitric oxide pathway