Jujube and green tea extracts protect human fibroblast cells against UVB-mediated photo damage and MMP-2 and MMP-9 production.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation are known as principal inducers of DNA damage and modulators of gene expression in aging process and skin photoaging, which are associated with upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Because of the antioxidant capacity of jujube and green tea, we decided to determine their protective effects of human fibroblast cells against UVB-induced photo-damage and reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We exposed human fibroblast cells to different doses of UVB (0-20 mJ/cm2) with or without different concentrations of jujube and green tea extracts. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity of cell supernatant were assessed using FRAP and DPPH methods, respectively. The concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the samples were determined by ELISA kits. RESULTS: Fibroblast cells viability, 24 hr after UVB irradiation, reduced about 70% compared to the controls. Pre-treatment of the cells with jujube extract (8 mg/ml) increased the cell viability by almost 85% while green tea (0.5 mg/ml) protected the irradiated cells by 71%. Also, MMP-2 and MMP-9 content decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the cells pre-treated with jujube and green tea extracts. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that jujube and green tea could be useful to attenuate solar UVB light-induced oxidative stress and skin photoaging and can be suggested as a potential candidate for the development of new anti-UVB medicines and cosmetic products.

Co-administration effects of aqueous extract of turnip leaf and metformin in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: There is a variety of experimentally proven medicinal plants having antidiabetic properties but data on herb-drug interaction are very limited. Earlier studies indicated that aqueous extract of turnip leaf (AETL) has hypoglycemic potential in diabetic animals. The present study was conducted to evaluate co-administration effects of AETL and metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, in diabetic rats. METHODS: Metformin at the two different doses (50,100 mg/kg) and AETL at the dose of 400 mg/kg (separately or concurrent with metformin) were orally given to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 4 weeks daily. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured at the times 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after investigation. At the end of study, liver enzymes activity [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] as well as liver histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: Both treatments could significantly decrease FBG levels when they administrated separately. Interestingly, co-administration of AETL and metformin in a dose dependent manner significantly improved hypoglycemic activity of metformin. While neither metformin nor AETL could ameliorate liver alterations alone, but in concomitant therapy they efficiently attenuated liver enzymes elevation and histological damages. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate that combination of metformin with AETL enhance the prior effectiveness and reduced the latter adverse effects by a synergistic interaction.

Effects of aqueous extract of turnip leaf (Brassica rapa) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Turnip leaf has been used in folk medicine of Iran for the treatment of diabetes. However,so far no scientific study has been done to support its use in traditional medicine. The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible hypoglycemic efficacy of aqueous extract of turnip leaf (AETL) in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were orally treated with AETL at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for 28 days. In order to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity, fasting blood glucose concentrations were determined on the 1(st), 14(th) and 29(th) days. Moreover,at the end of the study, plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), aspartate amino transfarase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were measured by the use of standard kits and auto-analyzer. RESULTS: Both doses of AETL significantly decreased (p<0.001) blood glucose and ALT levels in diabetic rats after 28 days of administration. AETL at both doses decreased (p<0.05) plasma total cholesterol and LDL-c in diabetic rats, but they significantly decreased (p<0.05) HDL-c and increased triglycerideand AST levels in a-dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The results showed that AETL has a dose- dependent decrease in the blood glucose in diabetic rats. However,we should not be unaware of adverse effects of AETL on lipid profiles and liver enzymes activity, especially decrease of HDL and increase of TG and AST.

Comparison of serum free testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels in diabetics and non-diabetics men- a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic men have been claimed to have lower serum free testosterone (FT) concentrations than non-diabetic men. The aim of this study was to investigate if serum FT, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations are different in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with healthy men and to identify factors associated with low serum testosterone concentrations in men with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Serum FT, LH and FSH concentrations in 65 men with type 2 diabetes between 50 and 55 years compared with 65 non-diabetic men in Valye-Asr Hospital in Birjand, Iran during October 2009 to August 2010. In addition, the relationships between serum FT concentrations with LH and FSH concentrations as well as other factors including age, fast blood sugar and glycemic control (HbA1C) were investigated. RESULTS: Serum FT concentrations were significantly lower in type 2 diabetic patients (2.53±1.68 pg/ml) than in healthy men (4.29±2.43 pg/ml) (P<0.001). There were not any significant differences in LH and FSH concentrations between the two groups. There was a significant negative relationship between serum FT and HbA1C, but this relation for LH and FSH was positive and non-significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum FT concentration is lower in type 2 diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic men suggesting further research to better understand the underlying biologic mechanisms.

Cardioprotective effect of whole fruit extract of pomegranate on doxorubicin-induced toxicity in rat.

CONTEXT: Cardioprotective effects of various plants are generally attributed to their antioxidant activity. The whole fruit extract of pomegranate (WFEP), Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae), has a potent antioxidant activity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate cardioprotective effect of WFEP against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups of eight rats each: control (water, 5 mL/kg); Dox (10 mg/kg i.v.) and WFEP (100 mg/kg). Dox was administered in Dox and WFEP groups. After anesthetizing the animals on the last day, electrocardiogram was recorded and blood was analyzed for creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. Determinations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and histopathology of the heart tissues were carried out. RESULTS: The WFEP group showed decreased QT and increase in heart rate (p < 0.05) compared to the Dox group. Significant decrease in CK-MB (p < 0.01), LDH (p < 0.05) and no such significant decrease in AST were observed as compared to the Dox group. There was significant increase in the level of GSH (p < 0.05), whereas inhibition of LPO and increase in SOD concentration was not significant in the WFEP group compared to the Dox group. Histopathological study of the WFEP-treated group showed slight protection against myocardial toxicity induced by Dox. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that WFEP has cardioprotective effect against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.