Protective effect of Rheum ribes extract against lead-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats

Abstract The effects of Rheum ribes on lead acetate levels and hepatic biochemical factors due to lead acetate toxicity were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats were designated into four groups: Control; lead acetate (receiving in drinking water at 0.6 g/L, daily); hydroalcoholic extract groups (200 and 400 mg/kg doses, gavage, once daily). Treatments were conducted for 10 days. On the 11th day, blood samples were collected to measure lead acetate levels and biochemical factors. Liver tissue samples were examined for histopathological changes. Lead serum levels were increased in lead acetate-treated rats (p<0.001). Lead acetate treatment was associated with a significant increase in liver tissue damage (p<0.001), while R. ribes extract prevented liver tissue damage (p<0.05). The levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly lower in the groups lead acetate + extract (two doses) than in the lead acetate group (p<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively), but alkaline phosphatase level, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio were not different between the lead acetate + extract groups and the lead acetate group. The results showed the inhibitory role of R. ribes on lead-induced hepato-toxicity. The results make Rhubarb a good candidate to protect against the deleterious effect of chronic lead intoxication after complementary studies

Antinociceptive activity of Ricinus communis seed's hydroethanolic extract on male Balb/C mice / Atividade antinociceptiva do extrato hidroetanolico de sementes de Ricinus communis em ratos machos

ABSTRACT: Pain is a normal protective response to tissue injury caused by physical trauma, noxious chemicals and microbiological agents. Use of chemical drugs and medicinal plants is a conventional method to manage pain; however, their side effects have caused increased tendency to the use of herbal medicines among patients. This study was conducted to investigate antinociceptive action of Ricinus communis seed's extract (RCE) in male Balb/C mice. In this experimental study, 72 male mice weighing 25-35gr were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups of 12 mice each, including: Control group, three groups separately treated respectively with 100, 200, and 400mg/kg hydroethanolic R. communis seed extract, morphine (1mg/kg)-treated group, and naloxone (0.1mg/kg) + R. communis seed extract (200mg/kg)-treated group. All animals received extract and drugs intraperitoneally. To evaluate the analgesic effect of the extract, writhing and tail flick tests were used. The 200 and 400mg/kg of the extract significantly increased pain threshold compared to the control group in writhing and tail flick tests (P<0.01). Moreover, 400mg/kg of the extract showed a stronger antinociceptive effect especially in writhing test compared to the control and other treated groups (P<0.001). Analgesic effects of hydroethanolic R. communis seed extract observed in the tail flick and writhing tests are probably related to activation of opioid system. Results may suggest that this plant extract might be beneficial in relieving human pain.

RESUMO: A dor é um sentido com efeitos essencialmente protetores. Ouso de drogas químicas e plantas medicinais é um método convencional para gerenciar a dor, no entanto, seus efeitos colaterais têm causado uma maior tendência para o uso de ervas medicamentosas entre os pacientes. Este estudo nos levou a investigar as ações antinociceptivas do extrato de sementes de Ricinus communis (RCE) em camundongos machos. Neste estudo experimental, foram utilizados 72 camundongos machos com peso de 25±30gr. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em seis grupos de 12 cada: grupo controle, três grupos tratados separadamente com 100, 200 e 400mg/kg de extrato de sementes de R. communis hidroetanolico, grupo tratado com morfina (1mg/kg) e naloxona (0,1mg/kg) + R. Grupo tratado com extrato de semente de communis (200mg/kg). Para avaliar o efeito analgésico do extrato, utilizaram-se testes de contorção e cauda. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA e pelo teste de Tukey. P<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significante. Dose de 200 e 400mg/kg de extrato aumentou significativamente o limite de dor em comparação com o grupo controle em testes de retorção e cauda (P<0,01). Além disso, 400mg/kg de extracto apresentaram efeito antinoceptivo mais forte especialmente no teste de contorção em comparação com o controle e outros grupos tratados (P <0,001). Os efeitos analgésicos do extrato de semente de R. communanolanol foram observados no teste da cauda e nos testes de contorção. Este efeito provavelmente está relacionado à ativação do sistema opioide.

Anchusa italica extract: phytochemical and neuroprotective evaluation on global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

Abstract Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality and disability in industrial countries. Treatment with herbs with antioxidant properties has been reported to be an alternative to the conventional treatments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Anchusa italica extract on hippocampal injury induced by transient global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in the rat. To do so, 50 rats were randomly assigned to five groups; control, sham, ischemia, and 50 or 100 mg/kg of Anchusa italica treated animals. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of carotid artery for 30 minutes. Afterward, behavioral tests and biochemical analyses were conducted. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decline in learning and passive avoidance memory in rats. Moreover, Anchusa italica caused an increase in learning and improved the passive avoidance memory. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the brain and serum as well as an increase in the malondialdehyde of the brain and serum. Anchusa italica led to an increase in the antioxidant capacity of the brain and serum and decrease in the malondialdehyde of the brain and serum. Overall, because of its protective effects on spatial memory, passive avoidance learning, antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation during ischemia/reperfusion, Anchusa italica might be beneficial in ischemic patients.

Leishmaniosis phytotherapy：Review of plants used in Iranian traditional medicine on leishmaniasis

Many native plants in traditional medicine have been used for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis and the recent clinical trials have proven the efficacy of some of them. Researches conducted on these plants have shown that garlic, shallots, wormwood, yarrow, walnuts, thyme, henna plant, mimosa, aloe, wood betony, medlar, periwinkle, yeah, savory, black beans, etc. are effective on cutaneous leishmania. Synthetic agents in Iranian market have some disadvantages such as high cost and side effects and are painful in injections. Given the effectiveness of these plants, they can be a source of natural and safe compounds for the treatment of Leishmania. Therefore, more clinical researches should be done to determine the effectiveness and safety of these medicinal plants, their active ingredients and their possible toxic substances which can lead to the production of effective and safe drugs for leishmaniasis. It also might be an effective way to prepare herbal ointment on wound healing.

Effects ofMatricaria chamomilla extract on motor coordination impairment induced by scopolamine in rats

Objective:To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of chamomile on balance and motor learning in rats receiving scopolamine and intact rats. Methods: Fourty-two rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 7). Control group received distilled water. Rats in Group 2 were given 1 mg/kg scopolamine. Groups 3 and 4 received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and scopolamine simultaneously for 20 days. Intact groups (Groups 5 and 6) only received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Motor coordination of rats was assessed with rotarod apparatus. Results:According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, scopolamine significantly decreased time spent on rotarod performance (P Conclusions: The results of this study indicated the high antioxidant property and protective effect of chamomile extract on motor coordination in the groups that received scopolamine.

Inhibitory effect ofThymus vulgaris extract on memory impairment induced by scopolamine in rat

Objective:To investigate the effect ofThymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) on learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Memory enhancing activity in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze and passive avoidance paradigm. Methods:A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follow: control group: received water, scopolamine treated group: received scopolamine 1 mg/kg for 15 days, two scopolamine+T. vulgaris treated groups: received scopolamine andT. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, two intact groups: receivedT. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days. Results: Administration ofT. vulgaris extract significantly restored memory and learning impairments induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. Conclusions:T. vulgaris extract has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders produced by scopolamine and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Identiifcation of medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases in Urmia, northwest of Iran

Objective:To identify the medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases. Methods: Initially, we obtained a list of herbalists and traditional healers from Food and Drug Deputy. Direct observations and interviews as well as collection of herbarium specimens of indigenous medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases of urinary tract, reproductive, digestive, respiratory and skin systems were performed. This study was conducted through questionnaires and interviews; the questionnaires were distributed among traditional healers and simultaneous interviews were also run. The plants were herbariumized, herbarium specimens were authenticated, and their species were determined by using reliable flora and other sources. Finally, the data were input into Excel 2010 and analyses were performed. Results: Out of the studied plants, 35 native medicinal plants belonging to 17 families were effective in the treatment of various diseases and infections. In this study, the Lamiaceae family had the highest frequency of plants for the treatment of infections. Traditional healers of Urmia in 24% of cases used the leaves of medicinal herb to treat patients. In 68% of cases, they prescribed medicinal herbs in the boiled forms. Most medicinal herbs showed therapeutic effect on the digestive system. Conclusions: Traditional medicinal sources, valuable knowledge of traditional healers in Urmia, the scientific investigation of the effects of the herbs offered in this study and their effects in traditional medicine may provide a good source for new drugs in modern medicine.

Identification of medicinal plants of Urmia for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of the human body and is vulnerable to different diseases. Available drugs often have low efficacy or are associated with many adverse effects. Therefore, alternative drugs are necessary to treat gastrointestinal complications. This study intended to identify medicinal plants in Urmia, Iran, that can affect common gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Data was collected from public resources via interviews and questionnaires applied from April to June 2013. Herbarium specimens were collected from the region and authenticated by a botanist. A total of 41 indigenous medicinal plants from the Urmia region, belonging to twenty families, have a traditional medicinal role in the treatment of parasitic and infectious diseases, diarrhea, reflux, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcer, constipation, bloating, among other gastrointestinal tract disorders. Analysis showed that most plants affecting the gastrointestinal tract belonged in the Asteraceae family (24%). The most used part of the plants was the seed at 17%. Decoction at 65% was the most popular form of treatment used. Some of the medicinal plants discussed in this article have new implications presented for the first time. Pharmacological studies on the therapeutic effects of the indigenous plants mentioned in this study are necessary in order to investigate their claimed clinical effects and the use of their effective compounds to produce natural and useful drugs. Currently, there is no data on the herbal plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in northwestern Iran. Therefore, these findings are important for the management of gastrointestinal disorders and to conduct future studies on traditional medicine for drug development.

Metabolic effects of berberine on liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in rats fed on high lipogenic diet：an additional mechanism for the hypolipidemic effects of berberine

Objective: To evaluate the effects of berberine (BBR) on the liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and plasma lipids in rats fed on high lipogenic and normal diet.Methods:diet. Group II received standard diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and Groups IV received lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) without treatment. Groups III and V received lipogenic diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and 30 mg/kg gemfibrozil, respectively. On Day 60 of the experiment, blood samples were collected and PAP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, malondialdehyde, plasma antioxidant, and liver histopathology assessments were conducted.Results:Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group I (control) received standard malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in Group III compared to Group IV (24.94%, 36.11%, 21.18%, 36.86% and 19.59%, respectively). The liver triglyceride and cholesterol in Groups III and V had a remarkable decrease (P<0.001) compared with Group IV (24.94% and 49.13%, respectively). There was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in atherogenic index in Groups III compared with Group IV. PAP, plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, and Conclusions: These results clearly suggested that BBR could be effective in reducing liver PAP, lipid abnormality, liver triglyceride and lateral side effects of hyperlipidemia.

White Rice Consumption and CVD Risk Factors among Iranian Population.

Association between white rice intake and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases remained uncertain. Most of the previous published studies have been done in western countries with different lifestyles, and scant data are available from the Middle East region, including Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the structure of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) to assess the association between white rice consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, 3,006 men were included from three counties of Isfahan, Najafabad, and Arak by multistage cluster random-sampling method. Dietary intake was assessed with a 49-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Laboratory assessment was done in a standardized central laboratory. Outcome variables were fasting blood glucose, serum lipid levels, and anthropometric variables. Socioeconomic and demographic data, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) were considered covariates and were adjusted in analysis. In this study, Student’s t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Means of BMI among those subjects who consumed white rice less than 7 times per week and people who consumed 7-14 times per week were almost similar—24.8±4.3 vs 24.5±4.7 kg/m2. There was no significant association between white rice consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as fasting blood sugar and serum lipid profiles. Although whole grain consumption has undeniable effect on preventing cardiovascular disease risk, white rice consumption was not associated with cardiovascular risks among Iranian men in the present study. Further prospective studies with a semi-quantitative FFQ or dietary record questionnaire, representing type and portion-size of rice intake as well as cooking methods and other foods consumed with rice that affect glycaemic index (GI) of rice, are required to support our finding and to illustrate the probable mechanism.

Flor de Citrus aurantium e ansiedade pré-operatória / Citrus aurantium Blossom and Preoperative Anxiety / Flor del Citrus aurantium y la Ansiedad Preoperatoria

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Reduzir a ansiedade é muito importante antes da operação. A visita no pré-operatório e a utilização de pré-medicação são os métodos mais populares para se atingir esse objetivo, mas o papel da pré-medicação ansiolítica permanece incerto e os efeitos colaterais no pós-operatório podem partir de uma pré-medicação de rotina. Citrus aurantium é usado como medicina alternativa em alguns países para tratar a ansiedade. Recentemente, o papel ansiolítico dessa planta medicinal foi estabelecido em um estudo realizado em modelo animal. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito ansiolítico da flor de Citrus aurantium sobre a ansiedade pré-operatória. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 60 pacientes ASA I submetidos a uma pequena cirurgia. Em um desenho randomizado e duplo-cego, dois grupos de 30 pacientes receberam uma das seguintes MPA oral duas horas antes da indução da anestesia: 1) Citrus aurantium destilado 1 mL.kg-1 (Grupo C); 2) solução salina 1 mL.kg-1 como placebo (Grupo P). A ansiedade foi medida antes e após pré-medicação com o Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE) e a Escala de Ansiedade e Informação Pré-Operatória de Amsterdam (APAIS) antes da operação. RESULTADOS: Após pré-medicação, tanto o IDATE quanto as escalas APAIS estavam diminuídos no Grupo C (p < 0,05), embora não tenham apresentado alterações significativas no Grupo P. CONCLUSÕES:Citrus aurantium pode mostrar-se eficaz na redução da ansiedade pré-operatória em cirurgias de pequeno porte.

ACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reducing anxiety is very important before operation. Preoperative visit and use of premedication are popular methods to achieve this goal, but the role of anxiolytic premedication remains unclear and postoperative side-effects may result from routine premedication. Citrus aurantium is used as an alternative medicine in some countries to treat anxiety, and recently the anxiolytic role of this medicinal plant was established in an animal model study. The aim of this study was to assess the anxiolytic effect of Citrus aurantium blossom on preoperative anxiety. METHODS: We studied 60 ASA I patients undergoing minor operation. In a randomized double-blind design, two groups of 30 patients received one of the following oral premedication two hours before induction of anesthesia: 1) Citrus aurantium blossom distillate 1 mL.kg-1 (C-group); 2) Saline solution 1 mL.kg-1 as placebo (P-group). Anxiety was measured before and after premedication using the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-state) and the Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) before operation. RESULTS: After premedication, both the STAI-state and the APAIS scales were decreased in C-group (p < 0.05); while exhibiting no significant changes in P-group. CONCLUSIONS: Citrus aurantium blossom may be effective in terms of reduction in preoperative anxiety before minor operation.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Reducir la ansiedad es algo muy importante antes de la operación. La visita en el preoperatorio y la utilización de premedicación, son los métodos más populares para alcanzar ese objetivo, pero el rol de la premedicación ansiolítica permanece como incierto y los efectos colaterales en el postoperatorio pueden originarse de una premedicación de rutina. El Citrus aurantium es usado como medicina alternativa en algunos países para tratar la ansiedad. Recientemente, el papel ansiolítico de esa planta medicinal quedó establecido en un estudio realizado en un modelo animal. El objetivo de este estudio, fue evaluar el efecto ansiolítico de la flor del Citrus aurantium sobre la ansiedad preoperatoria. MÉTODOS: Fueron estudiados 60 pacientes ASA I sometidos a una pequeña operación. En un proyecto randomizado y doble ciego, dos grupos de 30 pacientes recibieron una de las siguientes MPA oral dos horas antes de la inducción de la anestesia: 1) Flor del Citrus aurantium destilado 1 mL.kg-1 (Grupo C); 2) solución salina 1 mL.kg-1 como placebo (Grupo P). La ansiedad se midió antes y después de la premedicación con el Inventario de Ansiedad Trazo-Estado (IDATE), y la Escala de Ansiedad e Información Preoperatoria de Ámsterdam (APAIS) antes de la operación. RESULTADOS: Después de la premedicación, tanto el IDATE como las escalas APAIS se habían reducido en el Grupo C (p < 0,05), aunque no hayan presentado alteraciones significativas en el Grupo P. CONCLUSIONES: El Citrus aurantium puede ser eficaz para la reducción de la ansiedad preoperatoria en las cirugías menores.