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

Rutin: A Flavonoid as an Effective Sensitizer for Anticancer Therapy; Insights into Multifaceted Mechanisms and Applicability for Combination Therapy.

Rutin is a unique antioxidant flavonoid that is mainly found in fruit, vegetables, cereals, and many other plant-based human diets. This review aims to highlight the in vitro anticancer properties of rutin including combination therapeutic strategies. Literature resources were gathered through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases that cover the period of 1995-2021. Rutin is demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers and other tumors. Furthermore, rutin alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents has been shown to regulate several signalling pathways involving the Ras/Raf and PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TGF-ß2/Smad2/3Akt/PTEN, etc., which are related to the processes of carcinogenesis and induction of apoptosis. The combination of rutin with other chemotherapy drugs may benefit on prevention of tumor cells by decreasing drug resistance and chemotherapy side effects. Moreover, rutin induces apoptosis synergistically with the therapeutic agent. More in vivo and clinical data are however needed to evaluate the true potential of rutin as an anticancer agent as an adjuvant. The present review highlights the effects of rutin which can be a promising candidate in combination with other antitumor drugs or alone for cancer treatment in vitro. Also, rutin can lead to decrease in drug resistance and chemotherapeutic side effects.

Effect of White Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract on Skin Wound Healing Process in Rats.

BACKGROUND: White tea (Camellia sinensis) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and a protective effect against wrinkles, sunburn and UV damages on the skin. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of white tea extract on the healing process of skin wounds in rats. METHODS: This study was done in the Research Center of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran in 2019. Excisional skin wounds were created on five groups of healthy male Wistar rats (200-250 g, n=21) including control group, Eucerin-treated group, white tea 5% ointment (Eucerin) treated group, gel-treated group, white tea 5% gel treated group. Treatment was begun on day 1 and repeated every day at the same time until day 15. Pathologic samples were taken on days 4, 7 and 15 for histopathological examinations. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze data by SPSS. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS: Wound closure rate of control group was more than other groups on day 4 (P<0.05). On day 7, reepithelisation and granulation tissue of control group were more than white tea 5% ointment-treated and its inflammation was less than others (P<0.05). Neo-vascularization of white tea 5% ointment-treated group was more than control group on days 4 and 15 (P<0.05). On day 4, intact mast cells of control group were more than white tea treated groups (P<0.05). Degranulated mast cells of white tea 5% gel treated group was significantly (P<0.05) more than control group on days 4 and 15. CONCLUSION: Five percent white tea extract could not help the skin wound healing process.

Ruta graveolens and rutin, as its major compound: investigating their effect on spatial memory and passive avoidance memory in rats.

Context: There are numerous pharmacological activities for Ruta graveolens and its bioactive constituent, rutin, on learning and memory.Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of R. graveolens and rutin on memory in rats.Materials and methods: In this study animals were treated with the hydroalcholic extract of R. graveolens and rutin by IP injection for 10 days. Behavioural and biochemical tests as well as HPLC analysis and antioxidant activity of extract have been evaluated.Results: R. graveolens extract and rutin significantly increased learning and improved spatial memory, as well as secondary latency; moreover, there were significant increases in the serum and brain antioxidant capacity as well as the level of TBARS in serum and brain tissues. Results also showed that R. graveolens has significant DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50: 159.17 ± 1.56 µg/mL). The HPLC analysis of extract showed that caffeic acid (19.92 ± 0.01), rutin (40.15 ± 0.01), and apigenin (0.84 ± 0.01) mg/g of dry extract are the main components of the extract.Discussion and conclusion: Regarding the effects of R. graveolens extract and rutin on animal brain cells, memory function, and learning, additional studies, including clinical trials, might be beneficial in producing natural supplementary drugs from this herb.

Effect of hydroalcoholic Allium atroviolaceum L. on the pathology of testicular tissue in cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

BACKGROUND: The most important side effects of Cyclophosphamide, as an anticancer broad-spectrum drug, are the negative effects on the reproduction and fertility because of oxidative stress. Considering the antioxidant properties of medicinal plants, especially those of the Allium genus, this paper studied the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium atroviolaceum L. on the pathology of testicular tissue in CP-treated mice. METHODS: Groups of this experimental study consisted of normal saline recipients; three groups receiving A. atroviolaceum extract at 50, 100, 200 mg/kg; three groups receiving A. atroviolaceum extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/g and 6.6 mg/kg of Cyclophosphamide; and a group given Cyclophosphamide at 1.6 mg/kg. All injections were performed intra-peritoneally. After 30 days, the testicular histological profile as well as the number of spermatozoa, the number of primary and round spermatocytes, and the number of spermatogonia were investigated. RESULTS: Cyclophosphamide treatment significantly reduced the lumen diameter, the seminiferous tubule diameter, the epithelial thickness, as well as decreased the quantity of spermatozoa and round and primary spermatocytes compared to the control group. Cyclophosphamide groups treated with A. atroviolaceum extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg in a significant manner improved these variables (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A. atroviolaceum extract can significantly improve Cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity and pathological process on testicular tissue. It seems that this plant, with high antioxidant capacity, can be considered a complementary therapy for Cyclophosphamide to prevent undesirable effects on the reproductive system.

Astragalus fascicolifolius manna abortifacient risk and effects on sex hormones in BALB/c mice.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus fascicolifolius manna is used to treat different diseases. Because pregnant women tend to use Astragalus. fascicolifolius and Iranian traditional medicine emphasizes the abortifacient potential of this plant, this study aimed to investigate Astragalus fascicolifolius manna abortifacient property and effects on estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH levels in BALB/c mice. METHOD: This experimental study was conducted with 70 female BALB/c mice assigned to seven groups: Nonpregnant, untreated; nonpregnant, Astragalus. fascicolifolius extract (400 mg/kg)-treated; pregnant, Astragalus. fascicolifolius extract (400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg)-treated; and two pregnant control groups. On 18 and 19 days of pregnancy, cesarean section performed on mice, resorbed embryos counted; then Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen and progesterone levels were measured by the ELISA. RESULTS: Astragalus. fascicolifolius extract caused a significant increase abortion in mice. The levels of progesterone, FSH and LH were significantly different among the groups such that mean progesterone level was lower and mean LH and FSH levels were higher in the Astragalus. fascicolifolius extract-treated groups than the pregnant, untreated group. CONCLUSION: This extract has abortifacient properties and this plant can be used cautiously in pregnancy. Decreasing progesterone, increasing FSH and LH feedback in response to decreased progesterone by this extract is one of the potential mechanisms involved in abortion.

Comparative study of the effect of Thymus daenensis gel 5% and diclofenac in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a syndrome characterized by joint pain and reduced performance and efficien- cy in patient. Thymus daenensis has been used since old times for the treatment of bone and joint deformities and pain in traditional medicine. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine traditional usages and pharmacological features of T. daen- ensis with respect to the effect of the plant in patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS: 120 patients with osteoarthritis were divided into 3 groups. Patients in each group were treated by 5% Thymus daenensis gel, 1% diclofenac gel, or placebo for 6 weeks, along with oral celecoxib capsules. Patients were assessed in different intervals, based on the VAS score for assessment of pain in the joint and different dimensions of WOMAC questionnaire. RESULTS: Pain level (P < 0.005), stiffness during the day (P < 0.05), morning stiffness (P < 0.05) and physi- cal performance (P < 0.05) were significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thymus daenensis gel improves the symptoms in patients equal and without significant difference than diclofenac group. It can be argued that its use can produce a satisfactory effect on patients with osteoarthritis due to its low cost, easy access, the plant's natively occurring in Iran.