Cytotoxic effect of methanolic extracts of Fritillaria imperialis bulbs and Eryngium caucasicum leaves on hepatoma and colon cancer cells

Objective: To evaluate antitumor activities of Fritillaria imperialis and Eryngium caucasicum methanolic extracts on human hepatoma (HepG2) and colon cancer (HCT116) cell lines in comparison to human foreskin fibroblasts as the normal cells. Methods: Methanolic extracts of Fritillaria imperialis and Eryngium caucasicum were prepared by the maceration method. The effect of the extracts at various concentrations (100, 200, 400, 600, and 800 μg/mL) on cell survival was evaluated using the MTT method. Besides, fluorescence staining was used to evaluate death patterns of the cells. Results: MTT assay showed that Fritillaria imperialis significantly decreased the viability of all cell lines after 24 and 48 hours of treatments. However, Eryngium caucasicum extract did not show any significant cytotoxicity effect on the cell lines. Fluorescence staining revealed that Fritillaria imperialis induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells at 550 μg/mL. Conclusions: Fritillaria imperialis extract has antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on HCT116 and HepG2 cancer cells and therefore, may serve as an anticancer agent.

Effect of Sambucus ebulus extract on neural stem cell prolifration under oxidative stress condition

Background and Aim: Recently, several studies have indicated that the central nervous system has the capacity for endogenous repair. But, the proliferation capacity of endogenous neural stem cells [NSCs] isn't sufficient for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. So, it sounds that stimulation of endogenous NSC proliferation is essential for neuroregeneration. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Sambucus ebulus extract on the proliferation of neonatal rat hippocampus-derived neural stem cells [NSCs] under oxidative stress condition induced by H2O2

Material andmethods: The NSCs were isolated from neonatal rat hippocampus. To confirm neural characteristics of neural stem cells, the expression of neural-specific marker, Nestin was investigated by immunocytochemistry technique. 5×104 cells were cultured in every well of a 96 well plate and H2O2 was added to induce oxidative stress condition. Then NSCs were exposed to 50 microgram Sambucus ebulus extract for 24 hours, at various concentrations [25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 500 microgram/ml]. The cell proliferation rate was assessed by MTT colorimetry assay before and after treatment with the extract

Results: Immunofluorescent studies showed that neural stem cells expressed specific neural marker; Nestin. The proliferation rate of NSCs increased in the treated groups in comparison to that in the control group. The highest rate of survival was observed when Sambucus ebulus was used at the concentration of 500 microgram/ml. [P<0.05]

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis patients

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis in Yazd, Iran

Design: A cross sectional study conducted among Iranian patients with psoriasis and age and sex - matched controls

Setting: Department of Dermatology, Burn and Accident Hospital, Yazd, Iran

Subjects: A total of 110 patients with psoriasis and 110 nonpsoriasis patients were enrolled in this study

Intervention: Data on age, sex, weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure of all participants were obtained. Severity of psoriasis was assessed using Body Surface Area [BSA] as mild [< 2% BSA], moderate [3-10% BSA] and severe [>10% BSA]. Fasting venous blood samples were collected and the fasting glucose and lipid levels were measured

Main Outcome Measure: We assessed fasting glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure and metabolic syndrome

Results: The mean ages of the cases and controls were 14.80 +/- 39 years and 14.25 +/- 39 years, respectively. The results showed that hypertension is significantly more common in psoriatic patients compared with controls. There was no significant difference in BMI, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia between two groups. Metabolic syndrome was detected in 27.3% of patients with psoriasis and 20.9% of the patients in control group but this difference was not statistically significant [P value = 0.270]

Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that there is no close association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome in Yazd

Familial amyloidosis cutis dyschromica: a case report

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica [ACD] is a rare form of macular amyloidosis characterized by hypo and hyperpigmented macules. Here we described a 20 year old girl with diffuse hypo and hyperpigmentation since she was four years old. Five other members of her family are also involved. Biopsy of hyperpigmented lesions revealed increase of melanin in the basal layer, pigment incontinence and amorphous eosinophilic masses stained positive with Congo red in the papillary dermis. The histopathologic findings were consistent with amyloidosis cutis dyschromica. Other investigations were normal. Dermatologists should consider amyloidosis cutis dyschromica when visit a patient with diffuse hypo and hyperpigmentation

Correlation between sun protection factor and antioxidant activity, phenol and flavonoid contents of some medicinal plants

Long exposure of UV radiation increases risk of skin diseases such as cancer and photoallergic reactions. UV-B [280-320 nm] radiation is mainly responsible for inducing skin problems. Skin protection is a suitable method in the fight against ultraviolet radiation induced damage. Various synthetic agents have been used as photo protective but because of their potential toxicity in humans, they have limited use. Natural substances have been recently considered as potential sunscreen resources because of their absorption in the UV region and their antioxidant activity. In the present study, the UV protective effects of 20 extracts from four common medicinal plants were evaluated. Their phenol and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities were determined and correlation between SPF and these contents were evaluated. SPFs were between 0.102 and 24.470. The highest value was reached with ultrasonic extract of Crataegus pentagyna [SPF = 24.47] followed by methanolic extract of Feijoa sellowiana [SPF = 1.30]. Good correlation was found between SPF and phenolic contents [Correlation Coefficient = 0.55 and p = 0.01] but no correlations were found between SPF and flavonoid contents or antioxidant activity. These extracts can be used alone or as additives in other sun screen formulations to enhance their SPF

Treatment of paederus dermatitis with sambucus ebulus lotion

Paederus dermatitis is an irritant contact dermatitis due to accidental contact by a beetle belonging to the genus paederus. In this study, clinical efficacies of S. ebulus fruit extract solution in patients affected by paederus dermatitis were evaluated. A randomized double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 62 patients with clinical symptoms and sings of dermatitis due to paederus beetles. The patients received either a topical solution of palemolin [a 5% S. ebulus fruit extract in ethanol 70%] or ethanol 70% topical solution thrice a day. Topical hydrocortisone ointment was prescribed for all patients. Palemolin was statistically more effective in controlling of burning, pain, inflammation, drying the wound, infections and acceleration of healing than control group [p

[Effects of reversible inactivation of the ventral tegmental area on the firing rate of neurons in the shell sub-region of the nucleus accumbens and on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in the rat]

The mesolimbic dopaminergic system that projects from the ventral tegmental area [VTA] to the nucleus accumbens [NAc] is critical for initiation of opioid reinforcement and reward-related effects of drugs of abuse. In the present study, the effects of reversible inactivation of VTA on firing rate of nucleus accumbens neurons and on acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference [CPP] were investigated in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were used in these experiments. In behavioral study, the reversible inactivation of VTA was done through bilateral intra-VTA microinjection of 2% lidocaine during the acquisition and expression of morphine [5 mg/kg; s.c.]-induced CPP and in electrophysiology section, it was done through unilateral intra-VTA microinjection of 2% lidocaine during single unit recording from the NAc neurons. Conditioning score and locomotor activity were recorded by Ethovision software. Firing rate of neurons was recorded by single unit recording technique. The results showed that bilateral intra-VTA administration of lidocaine significantly decreases the acquisition [P<0.01] and expression [P<0.05] of morphine-induced CPP compared to their respective saline-microinjected groups. Moreover, intra-VTA administration of lidocaine had no effect on locomotor activity in these experiments. Also, unilateral intra-VTA administration of lidocaine significantly increased the firing rate of nucleus accumbens neurons. Our results further support the idea that VTA may play an important role in the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced CPP

Capsazepine, a transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 [TRPV1] antagonist, attenuates antinociceptive effect of CB1 receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2, in the rat nucleus cuneiformis

Introduction: Nucleus cuneiformis [NCF], as part of descending pain inhibitory system, cooperates with periaqueductal gray [PAG] and rostral ventromedial medulla [RVM] in supraspinal modulation of pain. Cannabinoids have analgesic effects in the PAG, RVM and NCF. The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1[TRPV1] can be activated by anandamide and WIN55, 212-2 as a cannabinoid receptor agonist. The aim of the current study is to investigate the possible interplay between the cannabinoid and vanilloid systems for modulation of pain at the NCF. Methods: In this study, a cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55, 212-2 [15 µg/0.3 µl DMSO], and selective TRPV1 receptor antagonist, capsazepine [10, 25, 50 and100 nmol/0.3 µl DMSO], were microinjected bilaterally into the NCF, and tailflick and formalin tests were used to assess the animal's pain-related behaviors at 5-min intervals for a 60-min period. Results: Our findings demonstrated that analgesic effect of WIN55, 212-2 were dose-dependently attenuated by capsazepine in both tests. In the tail-flick test, capsazepine at both doses of 50 [P<0.01] and 100 [P<0.001] nmol could significantly prevent the antinociceptive effect of WIN55, 212-2 while capsazepine, in formalin test, could decreased its antinociceptive effect at the dose of 50 nmol [P<0.05] as well. On the other hand, solely administration of the highest dose of capsazepine in both tests did not alter the pain-related behaviors. Discussion: It suggests a possible role for TRPV1 receptors in NCF-mediated cannabinoid-induced antinociception

Contribution of the nucleus cuneiformis to the antinociceptive effects of systemic morphine on inflammatory pain in rats

The role of midbrain reticular formation, which includes the nucleus cuneiformis [NCF], as a crucial antinociceptive region in descending pain modulation has long been investigated. In this study, we tried to highlight the role of NCF in morphine-induced antinociception in formalin-induced pain model in rats. A total of 201 male Wistar rats weighing 260-310 g were used in this study. The effective dose of morphine in systemic administration [intraperitoneal; i.p.] was determined after a dose- and time-response protocol. In consequent groups, bilateral electrolytic lesion [500 microA, 30 sec] or reversible inactivation [lidocaine 2%] were used in the NCF before systemic administration of morphine, and then, the nociceptive test was immediately carried out. The results showed that administration of 6 mg/kg morphine, 30 min before the formalin test, is the best dose- and time-response set in these experiments. The obtained data also indicated that bilateral electrical destruction or reversible inactivation of the NCF significantly decreased antinociceptive responses of systemic morphine [6 mg/kg; i.p.] during the second phase of formalin test [P<0.05]. Therefore, it seems that opioid receptors located in the NCF may be involved in modulation of central sensitization which occurred in inflammatory pain in rats