Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Lugol's Solution in Rats Poisoned with Aluminum Phosphide (Rice Tablets).

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is the main component of rice tablets (a pesticide), which produces phosphine gas (PH3) when exposed to stomach acid. The most important symptoms of PH3 toxicity include, lethargy, tachycardia, hypotension, and cardiac shock. It was shown that Iodine can chemically react with PH3, and the purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effects of Lugol solution in poisoning with rice tablets. Five doses (12, 15, 21, 23, and 25 mg/kg) of AlP were selected, for calculating its lethal dose (LD50). Then, the rats were divided into 4 groups: AlP, Lugol, AlP + Lugol, and Almond oil (as a control). After 4 h, the blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded, and blood samples were obtained for biochemical tests, then liver, lung, kidney, heart, and brain tissues were removed for histopathological examination. The results of the blood pressure showed no significant changes (P > 0.05). In ECG, the PR interval showed a significant decrease in the AlP + Lugol group (P < 0.05). In biochemical tests, LDH, Ca2+, Creatinine, ALP, Mg2+, and K+ represented significant decreases in AlP + Lugol compared to the AlP group (P < 0.05). Also, the administration of Lugol's solution to AlP-poisoned rats resulted in a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and a significant increase in catalase activity (P < 0.05). Histopathological evaluation indicates that Lugol improves changes in the lungs, kidneys, brain, and heart. Our results showed that the Lugol solution could reduce tissue damage and oxidative stress in AlP-poisoned rats. We assume that the positive effects of Lugol on pulmonary and cardiac tissues are due to its ability to react directly with PH3.

Effect of saffron, black seed, and their main constituents on inflammatory cytokine response (mainly TNF-α) and oxidative stress status: an aspect on pharmacological insights.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an inflammatory cytokine, is produced by monocytes and macrophages. It is known as a 'double-edged sword' because it is responsible for advantageous and disadvantageous events in the body system. The unfavorable incident includes inflammation, which induces some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. Many medicinal plants have been found to prevent inflammation, such as saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and black seed (Nigella sativa). Therefore, the purpose of this review was to assess the pharmacological effects of saffron and black seed on TNF-α and diseases related to its imbalance. Different databases without time limitations were investigated up to 2022, including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science. All the original articles (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) were collected on the effects of black seed and saffron on TNF-α. Black seed and saffron have therapeutic effects against many disorders, such as hepatotoxicity, cancer, ischemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver, by decreasing TNF-α levels based on their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Saffron and black seed can treat a variety of diseases by suppressing TNF-α and exhibiting a variety of activities such as neuroprotective, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antitussive, bronchodilator, antidiabetic activity, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. To uncover the beneficial underlying mechanisms of black seed and saffron, more clinical trials and phytochemical research are required. Also, these two plants affect other inflammatory cytokines, hormones, and enzymes, implying that they could be used to treat a variety of diseases.

Enhanced wound-healing efficacy of electrospun mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-loaded chitosan nanofiber developed using pluronic F127.

One of the goals of wound repairing is to mimic the function and architecture of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). To this end, for the first time, we used pluronic F127 and mesoporous rod-like hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (mr-HAP NPs) simultaneously to prepare a novel low-diameter electrospun ECM-mimicking wound dressing based on a mixture of chitosan and polyethylene oxide. F127 is used as a surface tension regulator of the polymer solution. In addition, F127 has the special ability to reduce the size of nanofibers. mr-HAP NPs are used as cell proliferation accelerators which also improve the mechanical properties and water uptake capacity of the as-prepared dressing. The average size of nanofibers in the presence of F127 was about 110 nm which was more than 2.5 times lower than nanofibers prepared without F127. The water uptake capacity was evaluated to investigate the wound exudate absorption capacity of the wound dressing. It was observed that the incorporation of mr-HAP NPs into wound dressing structure increases the water uptake capacity by more than 2.5 times. Alongside the evaluation of cytocompatibility through in vitro cell viability assay, the wound healing efficacy was also determined in full-thickness skin wounds in a rat model for 15 days. The cytocompatible wound dressing showed significantly higher wound closure efficacy than the control group so the wounds healed entirely on the last day of the treatment period. As well, the pathology analysis proved better granulation tissue development and greater re-epithelialization. These findings are by virtue of the improved mechanical properties, accelerated cell migration and proliferation, proper environment for oxygen exchange, and enhanced exudate uptake of the wound dressing. These all are due to the presence of F127 and mr-HAP.

Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its constituent (curcumin) on the metabolic syndrome: An updated review.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) involves people with the following risk factors: obesity, hypertension, high glucose level and hyperlipidemia. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of MS in the world's adult population is about 20%-25%. Today, there is much care to use medicinal plants. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as well as curcumin which is derived from the rhizome of the plant, has been shown beneficial effects on different components of MS. Thus, the purpose of this manuscript was to introduce different in vitro, in vivo and human studies regarding the effect of turmeric and its constituent on MS. Moreover, different mechanisms of action by which this plant overcomes MS have been introduced. Based on studies, turmeric and its bioactive component, curcumin, due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have antidiabetic effects through increasing insulin release, antihyperlipidemic effects by increasing fatty acid uptake, anti-obesity effects by decreasing lipogenesis, and antihypertensive effects by increasing nitric oxide. According to several in vivo, in vitro and human studies, it can be concluded that turmeric or curcumin has important values as a complementary therapy in MS. However, more clinical trials should be done to confirm these effects.