The protective effect of methanolic extract of Verbascum cheiranthifolium and Biebersteinia multifida DC on hippocampus damage induced by diazinon in male Wistar rats: An experimental study.

Diazinon (DZN) an organophosphate (OP), with the most important mechanism of action of DZN being induction of oxidative stress (OS) and inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Verbascum cheiranthifolium (VER) and Biebersteinia multifida (BM) belong to the Scrophulariaceae and Biebersteiniaceae family respectively. These plants are widely used in Iranian traditional medicine due to their beneficial effects. Thus, this research aimed to appraise the protective effects of the methanolic extract of the VER and BM on changes in the level of expression of α7 and α4 subunits of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in hippocampus (HPC) of DZN-treated rats. In this research, 36 male Wistar rats were used and randomly divided into six groups: Control, DZN (40 mg/kg), VER (1 g/kg), DZN+VER (40 mg/kg+1 g/kg), BM (150 mg/kg), and DZN+BM (40 mg/kg+150 mg/kg). At the end of treatment periods, the animals of all groups underwent the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The rats were anesthetized, and blood sampling was performed. Eventually, the brain was removed for histological study and evaluation of OS parameters. The results indicated that DZN increased the extent of expression of nAChRs in the HPC and significantly inhibited cholinesterase (ChEs) activity plus OS parameters. Also, in MWM, the time to find the platform was significantly longer in the DZN group, while the time and the distance in the probe test were lower than in the control groups. VER and BM extract in the treatment groups simultaneously improved the extent of expression of nAChRs, ChEs activity, as well as the parameters of OS and spatial memory significantly. In conclusion, our results support the neuroprotective properties of VER and BM extract versus DZN in rats. Accordingly, the extracts of VER and BM may be useful as an approach for the treatment of learning disorders and memory enhancement.

Zataria multiflora and its constituent, carvacrol, counteract sepsis-induced aortic and cardiac toxicity in rat: Involvement of nitric oxide and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Zataria multiflora and carvacrol showed various pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. However, up to now no studies have explored its potential benefits in ameliorating sepsis-induced aortic and cardiac injury. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Z. multiflora and carvacrol on nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress indicators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced aortic and cardiac injury. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to: Control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)), and Z. multiflora hydro-ethanolic extract (ZME, 50-200 mg/kg, oral)- and carvacrol (25-100 mg/kg, oral)-treated groups. LPS was injected daily for 14 days. Treatment with ZME and carvacrol started 3 days before LPS administration and treatment continued during LPS administration. At the end of the study, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), NO, thiols, and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. RESULTS: Our findings showed a significant reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thiols in the LPS group, which were restored by ZME and carvacrol. Furthermore, ZME and carvacrol decreased MDA and NO in cardiac and aortic tissues of LPS-injected rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest protective effects of ZME and carvacrol on LPS-induced cardiovascular injury via improved redox hemostasis and attenuated NO production. However, additional studies are needed to elucidate the effects of ZME and its constituents on inflammatory responses mediated by LPS.

The effects of the combination of Cyperus rotundus, Crocus sativus, Piper nigrum, and Boswellia serrata on learning and memory deficit and oxidative damage in brain tissue of hypothyroid rats.

In the present study, the impact of a combination of four memory-enhancer herbs on cognitive impairment and brain tissue oxidative damage due to hypothyroidism was evaluated. Propylthiouracil (PTU; 0.05%) was administrated in drinking water. Rats were treated with a combination of four herbal products (Cyperus rotundus, Crocus sativus, Piper nigrum, and Boswellia serrata) mixed with honey at two doses (640 and 1,280 mg/kg) or donepezil (0.5 mg/kg), for 6 weeks. Memory performance on the Morris water maze (MWM) and avoidance behavior in passive avoidance was impaired by hypothyroidism, and brain tissue oxidative damage occurred. Herbal combination and donepezil significantly improved memory impairment, reduced malondialdehyde concentration, and nitric oxide metabolites while increased the thiol contents and catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes activity in the brain. Our findings suggest that the mixture of herbal products improves learning and memory deficits caused by hypothyroidism, probably by reducing the brain tissue oxidative damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Learning and memory impairment is a common feature of thyroid hormones deficiency. Several studies are showing that hypothyroidism in juvenile and mature rats induces significant cognitive impairment. Likewise, in humans, a close relationship between thyroid hormone deficiency and cognitive impairment has been reported. We used a mixture of herbal products, including Cyperus rotundus, Crocus sativus, Piper nigrum, and Boswellia serrata, to treat hypothyroidism-induced memory impairment. All these herbs are widely used as a food additive across the world. In Iranian traditional medicine, this herbal combination traditionally used to treat cognitive impairments. Numerous studies have indicated that these herbs show neuroprotective and memory-enhancing properties. Our finding indicated that a traditionally used herbal combination could potentially use as a treatment of cognitive impairment induced by thyroid hormone deficiency.

Vitamin D3 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive impairment in rats by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress.

AIMS: Vitamin D is a well-known endocrine regulator of calcium/phosphate homeostasis and has been reported as having a wide range of activities that are potentially beneficial for human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pretreatment of vitamin D3 (100, 1000, and 10,000 IU/kg) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive impairment in rats. MAIN METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The passive avoidance test and Morris water maze (MWM) test were conducted to evaluate the learning and memory function. Oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total thiol content as well as interleukin (IL)-6 were evaluated in the hippocampus tissue. KEY FINDINGS: The intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (1 mg/kg) correlates with deficits in passive avoidance and spatial learning in the systemic inflammation model. However, pretreatment with vitamin D3 improved LPS-induced cognitive impairment. In addition, vitamin D3 decreased IL-6 and MDA levels, whereas the activities of CAT, SOD, and total thiol content in the hippocampus tissue were significantly increased. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, our results suggest that vitamin D3 plays a protective role against memory dysfunction caused by LPS-induced inflammation through inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus. Vitamin D may be a promising potential therapeutic supplement for the treatment or prevention of learning and memory disorders.