Carvacrol attenuated neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and depression and anxiety like behaviors in lipopolysaccharide-challenged rats.

Objective: The beneficial effect of carvacrol on neuroinflammation, oxidative damage of brain tissue, and depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration were evaluated in rats. Materials and Methods: Vehicle (1% Tween 80), 1 mg/kg of LPS, and carvacrol (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg administered prior to LPS) were injected and behavioral and biochemical tests were done. Results: The results of forced swim test revealed that carvacrol attenuated immobility time and increased activity and climbing times (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The results of elevated plus maze also revealed that treatment by carvacrol prolonged the open arms time and entries and decreased the time and entries in the closed arms (p<0.05 to p<0.01). Carvacrol enhanced crossing, time, and traveled distance in the central segment of the open field and increased total crossing and distance while attenuating the peripheral zone time (p<0.05 to p<0.001). All doses of carvacrol attenuated TNF- α (tumor necrosis factor α) and NO (nitric oxide) in the brain (p<0.01 to p<0.001). The 50 and the 100 mg/kg doses of carvacrol decreased malondialdehyde (p<0.001 for both), and the 100 mg/kg dose of carvacrol increased the content of the thiol (p<0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, carvacrol improved the behavioral consequences of LPS challenge and attenuated neuroinflammation and brain tissue oxidative stress in rats.

Protective Effect of Portulaca oleracea on Streptozotocin-Induced Type I Diabetes-Associated Reproductive System Dysfunction and Inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Type-one diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune disease with marked inflammatory responses, is associated with infertility complications and implications. Based on the anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic potential of Portulaca oleracea (PO), this study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of this plant extract on streptozotocin-induced type-I-diabetes-associated reproductive system dysfunction and inflammation. METHODS: Male rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: control, diabetic, and treatment/s (PO extract at 100 or 300 mg/kg/daily). Then food and water consumption, body, testis and epididymis weights, histopathological evaluation, seminiferous tubules diameter, sperm count and motility, glucose levels, sex hormones, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that streptozotocin-induced diabetes significantly increased food and water consumption; increased glucose, MDA, TGF-ß1, and TNF-α levels; and decreased the seminiferous tubules diameter, sperm count and motility, levels of LH, testosterone, total thiol, VEGF, and SOD activity. Interestingly, PO extract (phytochemically characterized by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect bioactive molecules) significantly ameliorated these parameters and histopathological indexes' damage in rats. CONCLUSION: Even if more preclinical assessments are needed to better characterize the mechanism/s of action, the results of this study will pave the way for the rational use of PO on diabetic-associated clinical complications and implications.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity assessment of the standardized extract of Sanguisorba minor in vivo.

Although Sanguisorba minor has been used as herbal medicine, no study has ever examined its potential toxicity. This study investigated acute and subacute toxicities of S. minor hydroalcoholic extract (SE). In the acute toxicity test, a single oral dose (300, 2,000, and 3,000 mg/kg) of SE was given to mice. The oral administration of SE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for 4 weeks) was performed to evaluate subacute toxicity. After the treatments, neurobehavioral, histopathology, hematological, and biochemical parameters were monitored. In vitro cytotoxicity was also assessed. Moreover, high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint was done for the standardization of SE. The no-observed-adverse-effect level of SE was up to 2,000 mg/kg, and the LD50 of the prepared extract was over 3,000 mg/kg. The rats exposed to the extract did not show any marked change in their body weight. The extract at used doses did not affect neuromuscular coordination. According to the hematological, biochemical, and histological examinations, no significant treatment-related adverse effect of the extract was observed, even at 400 mg/kg. Only 48 h exposure to 400 µg/mL of SE reduced the viability of PC12 cells. The findings revealed that this plant could be well-tolerated, regarded safe, and used as herbal medicine.

Protective effects of a standardized extract of Iris germanica on pancreas and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hypolipidemic activities of Iris germanica. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Iris germanica rhizomes on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups including a normal control group, diabetic control group, diabetic groups treated for 4 weeks with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of the Iris germanica extract (IGE). FINDINGS/RESULTS: Induction of diabetes significantly decreased the body weight gain and considerably increased the serum levels of glucose, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Diabetes also diminished the antioxidant capacity of the liver (decrease of thiol groups) and significantly degenerated pancreatic islands. The IGE at both doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of glucose, triglyceride, AST, ALT, and ALP. Moreover, IGE increased the total antioxidant capacity of the liver and ameliorated pancreatic island morphology. The extract had no significant effect on body weight and BUN level. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: These findings suggest that Iris germanica rhizomes inhibits the progression of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia and has protective effects against diabetes-induced injury of the liver and pancreas. Therefore, this plant has the potential to be used as a natural product for controlling diabetes.

Morus nigra L. extract prolongs survival of rats with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Morus nigra is a rich source of anthocyanins, phytochemicals that have anticancer effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of M. nigra extract (MNE) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into four groups (n = 10): control, DEN, and DEN +100 or 400 mg/kg of MNE. After 4 months, the DEN group showed a significant mortality rate, hepatic lipid peroxidation, dysplastic nodules in the cirrhotic liver, and an increase of blood bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Also, the body weight gain, blood albumin and glucose, liver antioxidant capacity (thiol groups), and some hematological parameters (RBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet) were significantly decreased in the DEN group. MNE significantly increased survival, reduced the size of HCC nodules, improved liver oxidant/antioxidant status, and prevented the above-mentioned changes in the blood (except ALP, glucose, and platelet). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that MNE decreased the expression of Wnt4 and ß-catenin, while had no significant effect on PI3K, Akt, and PTEN expression. The MNE did not exhibit antiproliferative activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells. In conclusion, MNE exhibits a hepatoprotective effect through inhibiting oxidative stress and Wnt4/ß-catenin pathway and therefore prolongs the survival of rats with HCC.