Melamine exposure during the weaning period negatively affects ovarian reserve.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of melamine exposure since the weaning period on ovarian tissue and ovarian reserve. Melamine is illegally added to milk and formula to provide high false protein positivity. Female rats (the weaning period = 21 days old, n = 18) were divided into 3 groups. 0.1 mL saline was applied to the control group by gavage for 21 days. Fifty mg/kg and seventy-five mg/kg melamine was dissolved in 0.1 mL of saline and applied by gavage for 21 days, respectively. At the end of the experiment, plasma anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was measured, follicle count and ovarian diameter measurement were performed in the right ovaries, and flow cytometric analysis for apoptosis was performed in the left ovaries. While a statistically significant decrease was not observed in the number of the follicle and ovarian diameter between the control and melamine-treated groups (p > 0.05), a significant decrease in the corpus luteum and a significant increase in the number of atretic follicles were observed (p < 0.05). Apoptosis (Annexin V) increased in both melamine groups and AMH plasma level decreased significantly in the 75 mg/kg group (p < 0.05). Melamine exposure from the weaning (early postnatal) period may cause a decrease in ovarian reserve in parallel with a dose increase.

The effects of melatonin on possible damage that will occur on adipocytokines and liver tissue by coadministration of fructose and bisphenol a (BPA).

BPA, one of the environmental endocrine disruptors, and fructose, reason of liver steatosis which is frequently encountered in the daily diet, contribute to the formation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study examines the possible effects of concurrent fructose and BPA administration on MetS and determines the effects of melatonin on this process. In the seven identified groups, a total of forty-two adult male Sprague Dawley rats were treated by following fructose, BPA, and melatonin amounts, separately and together: group 1 (control), group 2 (10% aqueous fructose), group 3 (25 mg/kg BPA), group 4 (10% fructose + 25 mg/kg BPA), group 5 (10% fructose + 20 mg/kg melatonin), group 6 (25 mg/kg BPA + 20 mg/kg melatonin), and group 7 (10% fructose + 25 mg/kg BPA + 20 mg/kg melatonin). At the end of 60 days, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and biochemical procedures were performed on liver tissue. As a result, it was seen that BPA and fructose + BPA induced morphological alteration and inflammation and increased intracellular lipid quantity and amount of collagen and reticular fibers. The percentage of apoptotic liver cells stained by annexin V-FITC/PI was lower in group 7 compared to the group 4 (p < 0,001) and also in group 6 compared to the group 3 (p = 0.014). Both BPA and fructose application caused an increase in lipid peroxidation level due to the increase of oxidative stress. Application of melatonin induced antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced lipid peroxidation level. Our results indicate that fructose and BPA administration triggered the formation of MetS, whereas melatonin healed these variations, although not entirely.

Bioactive contents, In vitro antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of rhubarb (Rheum ribes L.) extracts.

Rheum ribes L. (rhubarb) is belonging to Polygonaceae, and its roots and fresh shoots are consumed as vegetable in Turkey. This plant is considered to be one of the most important pharmaceutical raw materials in Middle East. In this study, the antiradical, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and bioactive properties of water, ethanol, and methanol extracts of R. ribes stems were determined. R. ribes stems water, ethanol and methanol extracts are better scavenged ABTS•+ (99.27, 99.91, and 99.88%), DPPH• (83.11, 81.42, and 83.26%), and OH• radicals (93.49, 94.21, 95.86%) than standard antioxidant BHA (95.32, 80.49, and 93.78%). Stems of R. ribes abundantly include bioactive compounds, dominated by rutin, catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, α-tocopherol and vitamin D. These extracts show effective cytotoxic properties against PC-3, A2780, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines at 24h. It is found that R. ribes contain high amount important bioactive contents, and has effective antiradical and cytotoxic properties.

Phytochemical compounds and antiradical, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of the extracts from Hypericum scabrum L. Flowers.

Hypericum scabrum L. has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases just as the other Hypericum species. In the present study, the antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanol extracts of H. scabrum flowers were investigated. Their phytochemical contents and composition were also determined. The water and ethanol extracts are better scavenged ABTS (97.89 and 98.99%) and OH radicals (96.36 and 97.33%); the water extract is better scavenged DPPH radicals (91.66%) than the standard antioxidant BHA (94.33, 85.19, 90.16%, respectively). Flowers of H. scabrum contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamins and phytosterols, dominated by catechin, vanillic acid, vitamin K and ergosterol. The extracts exhibit a strong cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HCT-116, and LNCaP cancer cell lines. It is found that their antimicrobial activities are higher than the standard antibiotics. These results indicate that H. scabrum flowers have potent antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

Screening of total phenolic, antiradical and antioxidant activities of Wiedemannia orientalis.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate total phenolic, antioxidant and antiradical activities of water and ethanolic extracts of the Wiedemannia orientalis (W. orientalis). In order to investigate the antiradical capacities, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activates were employed in the evaluation process. For the evaluation of antioxidant capacities, activities of phosphomolybdenum assay, reducing power and metal chelating were investigated.  In the evaluations, the amounts of total phenolics were determined to be 11.95±0.02-17.27±0.09 mg Gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in W. orientalis extracts, respectively. Additionally, the amount of reducing power and total antioxidant capacity of leaf ethanol extract of W. orientalis were determined to be higher compared to the other extracts of W. orientalis. While the highest activity was observed in flower ethanol extract on the DPPH radical scavenging activity, flower water extract demonstrated better results in metal chelating activity. In the ABTS radical chelating activity, no significant differences were observed. As a result, it was suggested in our study that extracts of W. orientalis could be regarded as a natural and alternative source in pharmacology and medicine and food sectors. Such results can be put to use in pharmaceutical formulations and may lead to the developments of new human drugs from this medicinal plant.

Possible effects of melatonin against rat uterus exposure to bisphenol A during neonatal period.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of melatonin on rat uterine tissue against exposure with bisphenol A (BPA) in the neonatal period. Twenty-four female rats were divided into four groups, (n=6) per group. Group I was used as a control (sesame oil + ethanol), group II was injected daily with (100 mg/kg) BPA by subcutaneously (sc) daily postnatal days (PND 0-10), group III was injected daily with (10 mg/kg) melatonin by sc for 10 days (PND 20-30), and group IV was injected daily with (100 mg/kg) BPA (PND 0-10) and (10 mg/kg) melatonin (PND 20-30). All rats were sacrificed in the same day of metestrus cycle, approximately PND 70. Histological analyses, immunostaining of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and cytochrome c and TUNEL assays were performed. According to our results, neonatal exposure to BPA accelerates onset of puberty, causes degenerative and morphometric changes on rat uterus, and increases apoptotic reaction rates. The immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 was decreased after BPA administration. In addition, immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 showed an increase after melatonin treatment. However, cytochrome c immunoreactivity was decreased after melatonin administration. Our results suggest that melatonin may have positive effects against BPA-induced degenerative changes on rat uterus.

The investigation of some bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna subsp. monogyna Jacq).

AIM: The antioxidant and pharmacological effects of hawthorn have mainly been attributed to the polyphenolic contents. The aim of this research is to determine some bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of hawthorn aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves, flowers, and ripened fruits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, antioxidant activities of extracts were assessed on DPPH•, ABTS•+, superoxide scavenging, reducing power and ferrous metal chelating activity assays and phenolic content of extracts was determined by Folin-Cioacalteu's reagent. RESULTS: The flavonoids including rutin, apigenin, myricetin, quercetin, naringenin and kaempferol, were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography in the hawthorn extract. CONCLUSION: It was observed the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Crataegus monogyna subsp. monogyna fruits showed the highest activity in reducing power and metal chelating activity assays. In addition, it was determined that the aqueous flower extract showed higher flavonoid content than aqueous leaves extract. The antioxidant and pharmacological effects of hawthorn have mainly been attributed to the polyphenolic contents.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Maden (Elazig-Turkey).

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to identify wild plants collected for medical purposes by the local people of Maden County, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, and to establish the uses and local names of these plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field study was carried out over a period of approximately 2 years (2008-2010). During this period, 131 vascular plant specimens were collected. Demographic characteristics of participants, local plant names, utilized parts and preparation methods of the plants were investigated and recorded. In the scope of the study, the plant species were collected; herbarium materials were prepared; and the specimens were entitled. The Zazas are of the major ethnic group in the region. In addition, the relative importance value of the species was determined and informant consensus factor (FIC) was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 88 medical plants belonging to 41 families were identified in the region. 4 plants out of 88 were recorded to be used for curative purposes for the first time. It was determined that the local names of four different kinds of plants used in Maden were same as the different kinds of plants used in different regions. The most encountered medicinal plant families were Urticaceae (>21%), Rosaceae and Lamiaceae (>17% of use-reports), Asteraceae (>13%), Fabaceae (>8%), Brassicaceae (>7%), Poaceae (>4%); the most common preparations were decoction and infusion. Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, Rosa canina L. and Urtica dioica L. was the plants most used by the local people. Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. and Mey., Bunium paucifolium DC. var. brevipes (Freyn & Sint.) Hedge & Lam., Tchihatchewia isatidea Boiss., Thymus haussknechtii Velen. were found to be the endemic plants used for medical purposes in Maden, Turkey. The medicinal uses of Bunium paucifolium DC. var. brevipes (Freyn & Sint.) Hedge & Lam., Hippophae rhamnoides L. subsp. caucasica Roussi, Gladiolus atroviolaceus Boiss., Ixiolirion tataricum (Pallas) Herbert subsp. montanum (Labill.) Takht. were recorded for the first time. CONCLUSION: Herbal treatment has become a tradition for the residents of the study region. These plants, which are used in the treatment of many diseases. Comparison of the data obtained in this study from the plants growing in Maden with the experimental data obtained in the previous laboratory studies proved most of the ethnobotanical usages. Literature review showed that curative plants of Maden are used in different parts of the world in the treatment of the same or similar diseases. If a plant is used to treat the same disease in different places across the world then its pharmacologic effect could be accepted. It would be beneficial to conduct pharmacologic studies on such plants. These plants, used in the treatment of many different diseases, are in this region at abundant amounts. Drying enabled local people to use medicinal plants during all seasons of the year. This study identified not only the wild plants collected for medical purposes by local people of Maden County in the Eastern Anatolia Region, but also the uses and local names of these plants. It is tried to generate a source for persons studying in ethnobotany, pharmacology and chemistry sciences by comparing knowledge gained from traditionally used herbs with previous laboratory studies.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Sivrice (Elazig-Turkey).

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to identify wild plants collected for medical purposes by the local people of Sivrice County, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, and to establish the uses and local names of these plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field study was carried out over a period of approximately two years (2005-2006). During this period, 146 vascular plant specimens were collected. In addition, the relative importance value of the species was determined and informant consensus factor (FIC) was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 81 medical plants belonging to 32 families were identified in the region. 9 plants out of 81 were recorded to be used for curative purposes for the first time. It was determined that the local names of five different kinds of plants used in Sivrice were same as the different kinds of plants used in different regions. The most encountered medicinal plant families were Asteraceae (>19% of use-reports), Rosaceae and Urticaceae (>17%), Lamiaceae and Fabaceae (>11%), Polygonaceae (>8%), Poaceae (>5%); the most common preparations were infusion and decoction. Urtica dioica L. was found out to be the plant most commonly used by the local people. Thymus haussknechtii Velen, Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, Malva neglecta Wallr., Rosa canina L., Hypericum perforatum L., Rheum ribes L., Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees, Portulaca oleracea L. were the other plants commonly used for curative purposes. The medicinal uses of Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpiana (Guss.) Tutin, Onopordum tauricum Willd., Vaccaria pyramidata Medik. var. grandiflora (Fisch. ex DC.) Cullen, Astragalus gummifer Lab, Quercus pubescens Willd, Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hérit. subsp. cicutarium, Scutellaria orientalis L., Rumex scutatus L., Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees were recorded for the first time. CONCLUSION: These plants, used in the treatment of many different diseases, are freely harvested in this region at abundant amounts. Plants which are used in different parts of the world for the treatment of similar diseases may be deemed to be effective in pharmacological terms.