In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-parasitic Activity of Sambucus ebulus and Feijoa sellowiana Extracts Silver Nanoparticles on Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites.

BACKGROUND: Current chemical treatments for toxoplasmosis have side effects, researchers are looking for herbal remedies with minimal side effects and the best effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-toxoplasmic effects of silver nanoparticles based on Sambucus ebulus (Ag-NPs-S. ebulus) and Feijoa sellowiana (Ag-NPs-F. sellowiana) fruit extracts, in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Vero cells were treated with different concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 µg/mL) of extracts and pyrimethamine as a positive control. Vero cells were infected with T. gondii and treated with extracts. The infection index and intracellular proliferation of T. gondii were evaluated. The survival rate of infected mice with tachyzoites of T. gondii was examined after intraperitoneal injection of the extracts at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 5 days after infection. RESULTS: The Ag-NPs-S. ebulus and Ag-NPs-F. sellowiana, almost similar to pyrimethamine, reduced proliferation index when compared to untreated group. Also, high toxoplasmicidal activity was observed with Ag-NPs-S. ebulus extract. Mice in the treatment groups of Ag-NPs-S. ebulus and pyrimethamine achieved better results in terms of survival than the others. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that Ag-NPs-F. sellowiana and S. ebulus have a significant growth effect on T. gondii in vitro and in vivo. Ag-NPs-S. ebulus extract has a more lethal effect on the parasite than Ag-NPs-F. sellowiana. It is suggested that in future investigate the induction of Toxoplasma-infected cell apoptosis using nanoparticles.

Sida rhombifolia Exerts Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in Human Liver Cancer HepG2 Cells in Vitro.

PURPOSE: Modern research revealed that plants belonging to the Sida rhombifolia family (Malvaceae) contain biologically active compounds that make them prone to discovering and developing anticancer drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the apoptosis effects of S. rhombifolia extracts in HepG2 Cell Line was performed. METHODS: The extractions were prepared, and an MTT assay was applied to evaluate its role in decreasing the viability of HepG2 and HFF cells. Phenolic compounds were analyzed using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). FlowCytometry and RT-qPCR evaluated apoptosis was performed to measure the mRNA expression of pro-and anti-apoptotic mediators. RESULTS: The results can be summarized as EtOAc extract was more cytotoxic against the HepG2 cells (IC50= 364.3 µg/mL) compared to MeOH and HEX extracts (720.2 µg/mL) (560.4 µg/mL) with less cytotoxicity in HFF cells (353.2 µg/mL). The HPLC analysis results revealed most phenolic compounds, such as Epicatechin(1.3 mg/g). The EtOAc extract (300 µg/mL) induced 34% apoptosis in HepG2 cells. RT-qPCR data showed upregulation of the proapoptotic gene (Bax) and increased Bax/BCL-2 ratio by S. rhombifolia EtOAc extract (300 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the EtOAc extract of S. rhombifolia is capable of inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells through modulation of the mitochondrial pathway, which explains their antitumor activity.

Topical administration of Juglans regia L. leaf extract accelerates diabetic wound healing.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic wounds are one of the most important issues in diabetic patients. It seems that Juglans regia L. leaf with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials can be profitable for healing of diabetic wounds. The aim of present study was to investigate the topical administration of Juglans regia L. leaf extract in diabetic wound healing. METHODS: Seventy-five diabetic male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 15), including: untreated (Control) group, Eucerin group, 2% Juglans regia L. ointment (JRL 2%) group, 5% Juglans regia L. ointment (JRL 5%) group, and Phenytoin group as a reference drug. Sampling was performed at days 7, 14, and 21 after surgery. Evaluation tests included stereology, immunohistochemistry, molecular, and biomechanical. RESULTS: Our results showed that the wound closure rate, volumes of newly formed of epidermis and dermis, density of fibroblasts and blood vessels, collagen deposition, density of proliferation cells, expression levels of TGF-ß and VEGF genes, and biomechanical characteristics were significantly higher in extract groups compared to control and eucerin groups, however, these changes were considerable in the JRL 5% group (P < 0.05). This is while that the density of neutrophils and expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß genes in the extract groups, especially in the JRL 5% group, were significantly reduced compared to control and eucerin groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Topical administration of Juglans regia L. leaf extract, especially in 5% concentration, considerably accelerates diabetic wound healing.

The effects of Feijoa sellowiana fruit extract on wound healing in rats: a stereological and molecular study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing potential of Feijoa sellowiana fruit extract using stereological and molecular methods in experimental rat models. MATERIALS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups: non-treated, vehicle, Feijoa sellowiana fruit extract ointment (5% weight/weight) and the reference drug (madecassol). All animals were treated topically once per day. At the end of the study, wound samples were harvested for histological, stereological, immunohistochemical and molecular assessments to determine the in vivo healing potential and anti-inflammatory activity. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed for the characterisation of the phenolic acids in the extract. RESULTS: The study included 64 rats in total. Our results showed that the wound closure, volume of new epidermis and dermis, density of fibroblasts and blood vessels, and the deposition of collagen were significantly higher in both extract and madecassol groups compared to the non-treated and vehicle groups, with superior healing in the extract group. The transcript for the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß gene was significantly upregulated in both extract and madecassol groups compared to non-treated and vehicle groups and was highest for the extract group. The density of inflammatory cells and expression levels of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene in the extract and madecassol groups, especially in the extract group, were significantly reduced compared to non-treated and vehicle groups. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that the Feijoa sellowiana fruit extract is a valuable source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and can allow for damaged tissue in wounds to recover markedly.

Stereological and molecular studies on the effects of Ferula persica extract on wound healing in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ferula persica is one of the most important traditional medicinal plants that is used to treat various diseases such as diabetes, backache and rheumatism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and wound healing potential of F. persica using stereological and molecular methods in experimental models. METHODS: In the present study, two wound models (circular excision and linear incision) were used. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 16), including control, vehicle treated, treated with F. persica extract ointment (5% w/w) and treated with the reference drug (Madecassol). All the animals were treated topically once a day. The circular and linear wounds were treated for 9 and 17 days, respectively. At the end of the study, samples from wounds area were harvested for histology, stereology, immunohistochemistry and molecular assessments to determine the in vivo healing potential and anti-inflammatory activity. RESULTS: We observed significant recovery in macroscopic evaluation of wound healing in the F. persica extract treated group compared with the control and vehicle treated groups (p < 0.05). Histological and stereological assessments showed complete repair of the epidermal layer, increasing fibroblast cells and collagen density, decreasing inflammatory cells and a remarkable degree of neovascularization by determining length density of blood vessels in the extract group, which were significant as compared to the control and vehicle treated groups (p < 0.05). Expressions of TNF-α and TGF-ß were found to be decreased and increased (p > 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively), in the extract treated group as compared to the control and vehicle treated groups. Also, greater COX-2 expression could be detected in the control and vehicle treated groups, which was significantly attenuated in the extract group. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that the F. persica extract is a valuable source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and can allow damaged tissue in wounds to recover markedly.

O-Glycoside quercetin derivatives: Biological activities, mechanisms of action, and structure-activity relationship for drug design, a review.

Quercetin as a valuable natural flavonoid has shown extensive biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, antifungal, antiviral, antithalassemia, iron chelation, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antihypertension, and antiphospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities, by the modulation of various targets and signaling pathways that have attracted much attention. However, the low solubility and poor bioavailability of quercetin have limited its applications; therefore, the researchers have tried to design and synthesize many new derivatives of quercetin through different strategies to modify quercetin restrictions and improve its biological activities. This review categorized the O-glycoside derivatives of Quercetin into two main classes, 3-O-glycoside and other O-glycoside derivatives. Also, it studied biological activities, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and the action mechanism of O-glycoside quercetin derivatives. Overall, we summarized past and present research for discovering new potent lead compounds. HIGHLIGHTS: Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with a valuable scaffold. O-Glycoside quercetin derivatives represents broad-spectrum biological activities. The structure-activity relationship investigation is discussed after modifying the scaffold of quercetin. This review can help researchers to rationally design/develop various drugs.

Effectiveness of Pistacia atlantica on older adult knee osteoarthritis, a randomized triple blind clinical trial.

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability and aging is the major risk factor. One of the low-risk herbal medicines for reducing pain and inflammation in persian medicine is Pistacia atlantica gum. A triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of P. atlantica gum ointment on knee osteoarthritis in elderly people. A total of 60 patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The intervention group used 4% P. atlantica ointment and the control group used placebo, topically applied three times a day, for 8 weeks. The patients were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale. There were significant differences (p < .001) between two the groups in terms of joint stiffness and pain as well as function. Within groups, regarding the effect size (EF) in joint stiffness was 2.82 and 0.74 in the Pistacia and placebo groups, respectively. Regarding pain, the effect size of the intervention and placebo groups were 3.90 and 0.99, respectively. In addition, regarding function, the effect size of the intervention and the placebo groups were 4.33 and 1.17, respectively. Therefore, it seems that topical P. atlantica is significantly better than the placebo in the old patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methanolic Extract of Sambucus ebulus Ameliorates Clinical Symptoms in Experimental Type 1 Diabetes through Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Actions.

OBJECTIVE: Sambucus ebulus (SE), a famous traditional Iranian medicine, is grown in the north of Iran. As a traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory effects, SE has been utilized against inflammatory joint diseases, insect bites, infectious wounds, edema, and eczema. Type1 diabetes, is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells by the immune system. For the first time, we investigated the effect of methanolic extract of SE on CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cells in experimental type 1 diabetes (T1D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, fifty-six C57BL\6 mice in 8 groups (G1-G8), were enrolled. Diabetes was induced by a multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS) protocol and mice were daily treated with SE extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, for 35 days. Fasting blood glucose was weekly measured by a glucometer. Islets insulin content was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Percentage of CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cells and cytokines production levels were evaluated by flow cytometer and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms of diabetes were significantly alleviated in G2 group mice which received 400 mg/ kg SE extract. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the insulin content of islets increased in G2 group mice. Immunophenotyping analysis indicated that the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in G2 group mice was significantly decreased. SE extract significantly increased the percentage of regulatory T cells. The extract in G2 and G4 groups mice significantly decreased IFN-γ and IL-17levels. The extract significantly increased IL-10 in G2 group mice. CONCLUSION: The protective effect of SE extract in MLDS-induced diabetes could be partly due to a decrease of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and an increase of Treg cells resulting in an inflammation reduction in the pancreatic islets.

Enhanced catalytic and antibacterial efficiency of biosynthesized Convolvulus fruticosus extract capped gold nanoparticles (CFE@AuNPs).

Scientists are interested in biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles owing to their catalytic and biological features. In this research, the extract of Convolvulus fruticosus (C. fruticosus; CFE) extract was applied to synthesize spherical-like gold nanoparticles (CFE@AuNPs). As-prepared CFE@AuNPs was characterized by TEM, FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, EDS, UV-Vis and DLS analysis. Identification analysis revealed that the properties of as-prepared CFE@AuNPs with spherical morphology were homogeneous, regular, high dispersibility and low agglomeration. The particle size of biogenic gold nanoparticles (about 35 nm) was obtained using FE-SEM, TEM and DLS techniques. Photocatalytic experiment of CFE@AuNPs determined by degradation of basic violet 10 (BV10), basic blue 9 (BB9) and acid red 51 (AR51) pollutants with percent degradation of 94.3%, 90.2%, 85.4% under UV and 80.6%, 79.8%, 73.3% under visible light irradiation, respectively. As well as, as-prepared CFE@AuNPs illustrated as a significant inhibitory influence against ATCC strain for both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Owing to the antibacterial results, CFE@AuNPs enhanced antibacterial activity against E. coli, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, K. pneumonia, P. mirabilis and E. faecalis with MIC of 0.075, 0.075, 0.075, 0.075, 0.15, 0.075 and 0.037 mg/ml, respectively. All in all, results of the findings showed that C. fruticosus capped gold nanoparticles can find applications in the various arena including biological and removal of toxic pollutants for water purification.

Biogenic Silver and Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles by Feijoa: Biosynthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Green nanotechnology is an interesting method for the synthesis of functional nanoparticles. Because of their wide application, they have set up great attention in recent years. OBJECTIVE: The present research examines the green synthesis of Ag and zero-valent iron nanoparticles (AgNPs, ZVINPs) by Feijoa sellowiana fruit extract. In this synthesis, no stabilizers or surfactants were applied. METHODS: Eco-friendly synthesis of Iron and biogenic synthesis of Ag nanoparticles were accomplished by controlling critical parameters such as concentration, incubation period and temperature. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and UV-Vis were applied to characterize NPs. The cytotoxicity of NPs was investigated in two cell lines, MCF-7 (breast cancer) and AGS (human gastric carcinoma). A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was also performed for characterization of phenolic acids in the extract. RESULTS: Both NPs displayed powerful anticancer activities against two tumor cell lines with little effect on BEAS-2B normal cells. Synthesized AgNPs and ZVINPs inhibited the growth of all selected bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli have been studied in two stages. We initially examined the ATCCs followed by clinical strain isolation. Based on the results from resistant strains, we showed that nanoparticles were superior to conventional antibiotics. DPPH (diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay and iron chelating activity were used for the determination of antioxidant properties. Results showed a high antioxidant activity of scavenging free radicals for ZVINPs and powerful iron-chelating activity for AgNPs. Based on the HPLC data, catechin was the major phenolic compound in the extract. CONCLUSION: Our synthesized nanoparticles displayed potent cytotoxic, antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Urtica dioica Extract Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in HepG2 and HTC116 as Gastrointestinal Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays the use of plant-derived products has been extensively examined in the treatment of many types of gastrointestinal cancers such as hepatocarcinoma and colon cancer. Urtica dioica is a traditional herb that has many pharmacological effects and wildly used as a therapeutic agent in cancer. Herein, we have evaluated the effects of the different concentrations of Methanolic Extract of Urtica dioica (MEUD) on viability, death pattern, and expression of the apoptosis-related gene in normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (HDF), hepatocarcinoma cell lines (HepG2) and colon-cancer cell line (HCT116). METHODS: A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to simultaneously separate 3 phenolic acids in MEUD. HepG2 and HCT116 cell lines as well as HDF normal cell line were cultured in suitable media. After 24 and 48h, in the cultured cell with different concentrations of MEUD, cells viability was assessed by MTT assay, and apoptosis was also evaluated at the cellular level by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry analyzing and AO/EB staining. BCL2 and BAX gene expressions were assessed by TaqMan real-time PCR assay. RESULTS: MEUD showed antiproliferative effects on HepG2 and HTC116 cells after 48h with an IC50 value of about 410 and 420µg/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Apoptotic cells were observed in HepG2 and HTC116 cells but not in HDF. Furthermore, the increased level of BAX/BCL-2 ratio was observed in HepG2 and HTC116 cells under the treatment of different concentrations of MEUD. CONCLUSION: The MEUD may influence hepatocarcinoma and colon-cancer cell lines at specific doses and change their proliferation rate by changing the expression of BAX and BCL2.

Green and facile synthesis of Ag nanoparticles using Crataegus pentagyna fruit extract (CP-AgNPs) for organic pollution dyes degradation and antibacterial application.

In this work, a cost-effective/green/high-efficient/facile process for the preparation of silver nanoparticles using C. pentagyna (CP-AgNPs) fruit extractas as reducing agent and capping agent was reported. The influence of different parameters including temperature, pH, concentration and time were studied to reach optimum conditions. The as-synthesized CP-AgNPs were characterized using UV/Vis, XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS and DLS analysis. Regular, spherical morphology and homogeneous of CP-AgNPs with a mean particles size of 25-45 nm was determined from TEM images. The CP-AgNPs in presence of sunlight catalyzed the degradation of the organic contaminant dyes, rhodmine b (RhB), eosin (EY) and methylene blue (MB) with percent degradation of 85% and 70% and 78%, respectively. In addition, CP-AgNPs exhibit antibacterial activities against seven ATCC strains of bacteria and eight strains of drug-resistant bacteria. Due to the results, CP-AgNPs enhanced antimicrobial potential against S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and E. coli with MIC and MBC of (0.11, 7.1 µg/ml), (0.11, 1.7 µg/ml), (0.11, 0.22 µg/ml), (0.11, 0.22) and (0.11, 0.44 µg/ml), respectively. Generally, CP-AgNPs have excellent potential application for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant and in the development of antibacterial materials.

Attenuation of brain mitochondria oxidative damage by Albizia julibrissin Durazz: neuroprotective and antiemetic effects.

Medicinal plants, as new drugs, are considered for treatment of insomnia, anxiety, depression, confusion, nausea, and vomiting symptoms. The current study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective and antiemetic effects of Albizia. julibrissin Durazz. flower extract in the chickens. Emesis was induced by copper sulfate and ipecac (60 and 600 mg/kg, orally, respectively) and the methanolic extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). Mitochondrial function, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl (PC) content, and catalase activity as biomarkers of oxidative damage were evaluated in the brain mitochondria. All doses of extract showed significant (p < 0.001) antiemetic activity against induced emesis by copper sulfate and ipecac. Brain mitochondria function (by 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of extract) were increased 48%, 85%, and 90% against emesis induced by ipecac and 32%, 18%, and 24% against emesis induced by copper sulfate, respectively. LPO and PC contents were significantly decreased after the administration of extract in emesis induced by copper sulfate and ipecac. A significant decrease (p < 0.01) of CAT activity was observed in the extract (200 mg/kg) group in emesis induced by copper sulfate in chickens brain mitochondria. The present study suggests that the extract had antiemetic effects against emesis induced by copper sulfate and ipecac in young chickens via peripheral and central mechanisms. Neuroprotective effect of the extract could be due to the increase in bioactive compounds, plasma antioxidants, or direct free radical scavenging that could prevent lipid and protein alteration and impede the formation of oxidative damage.

Effects of Aloe vera and Eucalyptus methanolic extracts on experimental toxoplasmosis in vitro and in vivo.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is most commonly treated by pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. However, this treatment presents several adverse side effects; Thus, new drugs with lower toxicities are urgently needed. In this study the anti-T. gondii activity of A. vera and Eucalyptus extracts were evaluated in vitro using a MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and in vivo by measuring the survival rates of mice infected with 2 × 103 tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii and then injected intraperitoneally by different concentrations of extracts for 4 days. Biochemical parameters such as Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay were also evaluated. As results, in the in vitro assay, the IC50 values were 13.2, 24.7, 2.63 µg/ml, and the selectivity indexes were 3.3, 2.4, 3.03 for the A. vera, Eucalyptus and pyrimethamine, respectively. The mice treated with Eucalyptus showed a better survival rate than others (P < 0.05). The increased weight of liver and spleen, due to infection, was reduced by treatments. In FRAP assay Eucalyptus showed a better antioxidant activity than the other extracts. MDA levels in both liver and spleen were reduced by treatment. The results show that A. Vera and Eucalyptus possess anti-T. gondii activities in vitro and in vivo, in addition, Eucalyptus shows antioxidant activity with a higher survival rate. Therefore, Eucalyptus may be a useful candidate for treating Toxoplasma infection. Moreover, further studies are required to investigate the fractionations of this plant against T. gondii.

Effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia (walnut) leaves on blood glucose and major cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia L. leaves on blood glucose level and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group (2 arms) clinical trial, 50 diabetic patients were divided into two groups: treatment group (receive the capsules containing 100 mg J. regia leaf extract) and control group (receive the capsules containing placebo, microcrystallin cellulose). Baseline participant data were matched between the two arms of the study. We administered the prepared capsules to the patients twice daily for 8 weeks. Blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profile, serum insulin, and insulin resistance were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: After excluding eleven patients, 20 received J. regia leaf extract and 20 patients received placebo. The J. regia leaf extract did not significantly change the blood glucose and insulin resistance condition. However, in this group, body weight, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased compared with the baseline measurements (P = 0.028, P = 0.030, and P = 0.005, respectively). The lipid profile did not change significantly compared with the baseline measurements. In the control group, postprandial glucose and HbA1c levels significantly decreased after the intervention (P = 0.030 and P = 0.028, respectively). The other variables were not significantly different in this group. At the end of the study, the variables were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this double-blind study, 200 mg/d of J. regia leaf extract had no significant effect on blood glucose level and HOMA-IR score in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the J. regia leaf extract was effective in reducing body weight and blood pressure. An accidental finding of our study was that microcrystalline cellulose, a widely used placebo in clinical trials, led to a reduction in blood glucose level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT: 138901203180 N2 , 2010/6/6); retrospectively registered.

Anti-inflammatory effects of the Portulaca oleracea hydroalcholic extract on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: Portulaca oleracea, known as Purslane, is an annual growing herb with wide distribution around the world and traditionally used to manage several diseases. Different therapeutic properties as an anti-fever agent as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects have been attributed to P. oleracea. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of P. oleracea aerial extract on production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: Aerial parts of P. oleracea (stems and leaves) were collected and extracted by percolation using methanol. The optimal and non-cytotoxic dose of hydro-alcoholic extract for cell culture analysis was determined by MTT assay. To assess the antiinflammatory effects of P. oleracea, PBMCs obtained from 12 normal volunteers were cultured in RPMI complete medium and cotreated with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and P. oleracea hydro-alcoholic extract. Following 18-hour incubation, culture supernatants were harvested for measurement of secreted TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 by ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS v.20, and data analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and post Hoc tests. P-values<0.05 were considered significant. Results: The optimal non-cytotoxic concentration of P. oleracea aerial extract was defined as 100 µg/ml based on MTT viability assay. P. oleracea hydro-alcoholic extract significantly decreased the concentration of both pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated PBMCs (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). However, the concentration of IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, did not show any statistically significant change (p=0.390). Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the potential anti-inflammatory properties of P. oleracea in herbal medicine. Future analysis on different constituents of total extract may confirm its therapeutic effects as a promising anti-inflammatory compound.

A Review of Herbal Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disorder which characterized by demyelination and axonal loss in the central nervous system (CNS). Several evidences indicate that some new drugs and stem cell therapy have opened a new horizon for multiple sclerosis treatment, but current therapies are partially effective or not safe in the long term. Recently, herbal therapies represent a promising therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis disease. Here, we consider the potential benefits of some herbal compounds on different aspects of multiple sclerosis disease. The medicinal plants and their derivatives; Ginkgo biloba, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Hypericum perforatum, Valeriana officinalis, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Nigella sativa,Piper methysticum, Crocus sativus, Panax ginseng, Boswellia papyrifera, Vitis vinifera, Gastrodia elata, Camellia sinensis, Oenothera biennis, MS14 and Cannabis sativa have been informed to have several therapeutic effects in MS patients.

Antihypoxic activities of Crataegus pentaegyn and Crataegus microphylla fruits-an in vivo assay

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-hypoxia activity of polyphenolic extracts of Crataegus microphylla and Crataegus pentaegyn on mice. Three experimental models of hypoxia were considered, including asphyctic hypoxia, haemic hypoxia, and circulatory hypoxia. Polyphenolic extract of both plants exhibited significant anti-hypoxic activity and prolonged animal survival time. Anti-hypoia activity of C. pentaegyn was found to be superior to that of C. microphylla in circulatory and asphyctic hypoxia. Antihypoxic activity of these extracts may be attributed to their phenolic compounds.

Anti-Inflammatory and Wound-Healing Potential of Golden Chanterelle Mushroom, Cantharellus cibarius (Agaricomycetes).

The golden chanterelle mushroom, Cantharellus cibarius, is an edible mushroom with medicinal value. Given that this species has good radical scavenging activity and strong antioxidant potential and bactericidal effects, this study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity of C. cibarius extract in rats. For this experimental study, circular excision and linear incision wound models were used in 4 groups of male Wistar rats: nontreated, vehicle-treated, treated with C. cibarius extract ointment (2% w/w), and treated with the reference drug (Madecassol). All the animals were treated topically once a day. The circular and linear wounds were treated for 9 and 17 days, respectively. At the end of the study, samples from healing wounds were taken for histopathological assessment to determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and investigate immunohistochemistry by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Significant wound-healing activity in each wound model was observed in the C. cibarius extract-treated and Madecassol-treated groups compared with the nontreated and vehicle-treated groups (P < 0.05). Histological assessment showed complete repair of the epidermal layer, increased collagen production, and a remarkable degree of neovascularization and epithelization in the extract group, which were significantly different from those in the other groups (P < 0.05). In addition, a significantly lower rate of COX-2 expression was detected in the extract group than in the nontreated and vehicle-treated groups (P < 0.0001). Therefore, the experimental data reveal that C. cibarius extract showed significant wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects, which could be the scientific rationale for the medicinal use of the golden chanterelle mushroom in treating wounds.

Investigation of composition extracts, biological activities and optimization of Solanum nigrum L. extraction growing in Iran.

Raw materials including medicinal plants are gaining popularity for the production of reliable and safe medicines suitable for human. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a collection of mathematical and statistical techniques used for solving the optimization problems. Using the RSM method, compounds, extracts, antioxidant and antibacterial agents of methanol, hexane, chloroform and water extracts of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) found in Iran, had been studied for this research. GC and GC/MS had been used to determine the composition of the extracts from the aerial parts of S. nigrum. The major components of these varieties are alkane and alkane acid derivatives. The research has shown significant results that the maximum antioxidant activity was achieved in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, and significant differences were also observed between the extracts and solvents in this respect (P<0.05, R2adj=99.97%). As regards the antibacterial activity, the chloroform extract has the largest zone of growth inhibition diameter in which the gram-positive bacteria were cultured.