Protective effects of vanillic acid on letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome: A comprehensive study in female wistar rats.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the known causes of anovulatory fertility in the world. Previous research has linked oxidative stress could contribute to PCOS, and vanillic acid has shown antioxidant potential. Hence, the present study evaluated the effect of vanillic acid on letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in female rats. Materials and methods: PCOS was induced in Wistar female rats with letrozole (1 mg/kg, orally) in carboxymethoxycellulose (1 % w/v), administered for 21 days. After induction, the standard group received clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg, orally) while other treatment groups were administered with vanillic acid at doses 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, orally for 15 days, and without treatment was considered a negative control group. Different parameters studied were body weight, ovary weight, blood glucose, lipid profile, hormonal levels [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone], markers for oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, catalase, and malonaldehyde), and histopathology of the ovary. Statistical analysis was done for the results and p < 0.05 was considered to indicate the significance. Results: Vanillic acid-treated animals showed a concentration-dependent activity on the tested parameters. The highest tested dose (100 mg/kg) produced a more prominent effect in significantly (P < 0.001) decreasing the body weight, and ovary weight and improving the hormonal imbalance. Also, vanillic acid significantly (P < 0.01) reduced elevated blood sugar and lipid levels. Additionally, vanillic acid reduced oxidative stress significantly (P < 0.001) in the ovaries of female rats. Histopathological reports showed a reduction in cystic follicles and appearance of normal healthy follicles at different stages of development after the administration of vanillic acid. Furthermore, these effects were observed to be comparable with those recorded for standard drug, clomiphene. Conclusion: The current study data suggests that vanillic acid has protected the letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome. In the event of several side effects associated with conventional treatments used for PCOS, the findings of this study suggest the promising role of vanillic acid. More research in this direction might identify the true potency of vanillic acid in the treatment of PCOS.

Comparative evaluation of the potential anti-spasmodic activity of Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula, and Zingiber officinale in experimental animals.

Background: Spasm of muscle is one of the frequent complaints seen by most of the population worldwide. The present study evaluated the efficacy of some of the commonly used herbal extracts against known spasmogens, such as histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Material and methods: The study was conducted on isolated guinea pig ileum and rat uterus preparations using histamine and 5-HT, respectively. Five herbal extracts such as Piper longum (P.L), Piper nigrum (P.N), Terminalia bellerica (T.B), Terminalia chebula (T.C), and Zingiber officinale (Z.O) were tested. Herbal extracts at doses 50, 150, 500, 1500, and 5000 mcg/ml were pretreated to the isolated tissue preparation, and the contractile response of histamine and 5-HT was recorded. The efficacy and the inhibitory concentration (IC50) were calculated and statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results: The study indicated that all five herbal extracts produced a concentration-dependent suppression of histamine and 5-HT-induced responses. A significant (p < 0.05) non-competitive antagonism was observed against the known spasmogen induced smooth muscle contraction for P.L, P.N, T.B, and Z.O in both guinea pigs and rat uterus preparation. Moreover, P.L and P.N completely abolished (100%) the contractile response induced by histamine and 5-HT. Although, T.C produced a concentration-dependent reduction in known spasmogen-induced contraction but the response was found to be statistically non-significant (p greater than 0.05). Conclusion: The finding suggested that P.L. and P.N. have better activity in terms of reducing the spasmogenic contractions compared to other extracts. Additionally, T.B. and Z.O. can lessen the uterine and intestinal contractions brought on by spasmogens. Although P.L and P.N demonstrated better efficacy against the spasmogenic activity of histamine and 5-HT, more research, particularly on isolated phytochemicals of the extracts and involving different experimental models, is required before establishing the precise safety and efficacy against spasmogenic-induced disorders.

Evaluation of solid-lipid nanoparticles formulation of methotrexate for anti-psoriatic activity.

Background & Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used to manage psoriasis. The drug has erratic absorption characteristics and shows several complications. The present study uses different experimental models to evaluate the solid-lipid nanoparticles of MTX (SLN-MTX) for the anti-psoriatic effect. Methods: A prepared SLN-MTX formulation was used and its permeability studies were conducted on Wistar rat abdominal skin. The organ-level distribution of the drug in the formulation was tested in mice and the in-vitro anti-psoriatic activity was determined in CL-177; XB-2 keratinocytes cell lines. The efficacy of SLN-MTX formulation was compared with standard MTX and marketed MTX preparations. The results are analyzed statistically using the student's t-test. Results: The data suggested that MTX from the formulation was slowly released and completely (80.36%) permeated through the skin. The flux and permeation data were found to be maximum for SLN-MTX compared to marketed and standard preparations. MTX in the formulation was found to be distributed more in the liver (67.5%) and kidney (2.34%). Further, SLN-MTX formulation showed dose-dependent inhibition on the growth of keratinocytes, and the cytotoxic concentration (CTC50) was found to be the least (518 mcg/ml). Interpretation & Conclusion: The findings suggested that MTX in solid-lipid nanoparticles could be a promising formulation for the management of psoriasis since the drug was slowly released, progressively inhibited the growth of keratinocytes, and distributed mostly in organs meant for elimination. More studies in this direction might establish the precise safety and efficacy of SLN-MTX formulation in psoriasis.

Total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and biological activities of stem extracts of Astragalus spinosus (Forssk.) Muschl. grown in Northern Border Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective: Genus Astragalus belongs to the family Fabaceae and is one among the largest genera consisting of around 3000 species. The plants have been used traditionally in treatment of various ailments in folklore. The study was planned to assess the analgesic and inflammatory activity of Astragulus spinosus (Forssk.) Muschl extract of the stem. Materials and methods: Course powder of stems of Astragulus spinosus was extracted using chloroform and methanol as solvents. Folin ciocalteu method was employed for determination of the phenolic acid content. Aluminum chloride colorimetric procedure was followed for estimating the flavonoid content. Both chloroform and methanolic extracts at 250 and 500 mg/kg, were tested for the analgesic activity, however, only methanolic extract was selected for anti-inflammatory property based on the results of analgesic activity. The analgesic effect was executed on male rats by the hot plate model. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied in the carrageenan rat paw edema model. The experimental information was interpreted statistically using one-way ANOVA and p < 0.05 was used to express importance of the results. Results: The total phenolics of the methanol extract was 420 µg and that of chloroform extract was 265 µgwhile total flavonoid content in terms of quercetin was found to be 68 µg and 17.5 µg for methanol and chloroform extract respectively. Only methanolic extract exhibited significant (p < 0.001) analgesic activity by elevating the pain threshold starting from 15 min. The methanolic extract inhibited (p < 0.001) the edema in carrageenan induced model. The performance of higher dose (500 mg/kg) was better with reference to lower dose (250 mg/kg). Conclusion: Outcome of the results show that the methanolic stem extracts exhibited significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory-like activity with reference to chloroform extract. Credit of which is given to flavonoids and phenolic content present in the methanolic extract. However, more research is suggested to establish the safety and effectiveness of the herbal drug to manage diseased states including pain and inflammation.

COVID-19: A Review on the Role of Trace Elements Present in Saudi Arabian Traditional Dietary Supplements.

The novel coronavirus infection is also called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). The infection has affected millions of people worldwide and caused morbidity as well mortality in patients with pre-existing chronic conditions such as metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. The severity of the disease is mostly seen in people with low immunity and chronic sufferers of respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. To date, there is no specific treatment available for COVID-19. Precaution and prevention are the most recommended options followed for controlling the spread of infection. Trace elements such as zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium play an important role in boosting the immunity of the host system. These components assist in the development and functioning of lymphocytes, cytokines, free radicals, inflammatory mediators and endothelial functioning. This review summarizes the common dietary supplements that are regularly consumed in Saudi Arabia and are known to contain these vital trace elements. Data available in Google Scholar, NCBI, PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science about COVID-19, micronutrients, trace elements and nutritional supplements of Saudi Arabia was collected. By highlighting the traditionally used dietary components containing the essential elements, this review could provide useful knowledge crucial for building immunity in the population.

Anti-obesity potential of almond (Prunus dulcis) in experimental animals under cafeteria and atherogenic diets.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Natural dietary supplements are progressively getting famous to supplant synthetic substances particularly in chronic morbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of almond on the normal, Cafeteria, and Atherogenic diets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parameters such as change in body weight, body temperature, lipid profile, organ weights, and fat pad weights were assessed. Central Nervous System related studies (Despair Swim test and Elevated Plus maze test) were also performed to comprehend the effect of the diets, and almond on the brain. All of the experimental animals were randomly assigned to one of three diet categoriesregular, cafeteria, or atherogenic, and fed those diets for 40 days. Each diet had the control group, standard drug group and three almond groups (low dose: 50; medium dose: 100 and high dose: 200 mg/kg body weight). Body weight was recorded every alternate day. On 40th day, body temperature was measured. On day 41, lipid parameters, organ weights, fat pad weights and the CNS parameters were evaluated. ANOVA followed by Duncans Multiple Range Test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Treatment of animals with either a low or high dose of almond as well as a standard herb prevented a rise in body weight significantly (p = 0.01) in all three diet groups. When a regular diet was replaced with a cafeteria and atherogenic diet, the serum levels of triglycerides and LDL increased significantly, while HDL levels decreased significantly. Overall, almond preparation reduced lipid parameters, organ weights, fat-pad weights, and stabilized CNS parameters substantially. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The almond high dose was the most effective of all the almond preparations. Our study suggests that chronic administration of almond independently reduces the body weight in experimental animals.