The effect of Zataria multiflora hydroalcoholic extract on memory and lung changes induced by rats that inhaled paraquat.

Objectives: The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on memory changes, as well as lung injury due to inhaled paraqut (PQ) in rat, were examined.Method: Control group of rat with saline aerosol administration, PQ groups with PQ aerosol (27 and 54 mg/m3) administration, PQ groups treated with two doses of the extract (200 and 800 mg/kg/day) and dexamethasone (0.03 mg/kg/day) were studied. Shuttle box and Morris Water Maze (MWM) tests were carried out as well as oxidant, anti-oxidant markers, total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts and cytokine levels in broncho-alveolar lavage (BALF).Results: Inhaled PQ significantly increased the escape latency and travelled distance in MWM test, but the time spent in the target quadrant on the probe day was significantly reduced (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The latency to enter the dark room at 3, 24, and 48 h after an electrical shock was reduced due to PQ (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Exposure to PQ significantly increased total WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts, IL-10, interferon gama (INF-γ), nitrite (NO2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, but catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiol levels were decreased (p < 0.05 to p < 0.00). Z. multiflora and dexamethasone treatment significantly improved all behavioral as well as lung changes induced by inhaled PQ (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01).Conclusion: Z. multiflora treatment improved learning and memory impairment as well as lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by inhaled PQ.

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.

The protective effect of Nigella sativa extract on lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Oxidative stress during inflammation can increase inflammation and damage tissue. Nigella sativa L. (NS) showed many pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, the preventive effect of NS on lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the rats was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were assigned to: Control, LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p.), LPS + NS (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, i.p.), (10 per group). Saline (1 ml/kg) was intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injected instead of LPS in the rats of the control group. LPS dissolved in saline and injected i.p. daily for 14 days. Treatment with NS extracts started two days before LPS administration and treatment continued during LPS administration. White blood cells (WBC), total and differential as well as oxidative stress index in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) and serum, TGF-ß1, IFN-γ, PGE2, and IL-4 levels in the BALF and lung histopathology were examined. RESULTS: LPS administration increased total WBC, eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes counts as well as oxidative stress markers in the BALF and serum as well as TGF-ß1, IFN-γ, PGE2, IL-4 levels in the BALF and pathological changes of the lung tissue. All of these effects were reduced by NS extract treatment dose-dependently. CONCLUSION: These results suggested the protective effects of NS extract on lung inflammation and oxidative stress as well as its effect on lung pathology induced by LPS dose-dependently.

Anti-diabetic properties and bioactive compounds of Teucrium polium L

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. Untreated or improperly-treated diabetes can be associated with several long-term complications that necessitate an effective way to manage diabetes. Due to the side effects of synthetic glucose-lowering agents, alternative therapeutic modalities such as medicinal plants have attracted notable attention. Teucrium polium L. is a medicinal herb with antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic properties. In vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted to characterize the anti-diabetic properties of Teucrium polium L. and its bioactive compounds. We conducted a literature study using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar including the keywords "diabetes" and "Teucrium polium". We also scanned all the references cited by the retrieved articles. According to this review, Teucrium polium administration displayed anti-diabetic effects by targeting different mechanisms and pathways, such as enhancement of insulin secretion and insulin level, improvement of oxidative damage, regeneration of pancreatic β-cells, and promotion of glucose uptake in muscle tissues by increasing GLUT-4 translocation as well as inhibiting α-amylase activity. Although Teucrium polium has been widely regarded as a traditional method, the pharmacological studies on anti-diabetic effects are not sufficient, most studies are either in-vivo or in-vitro. The preclinical and clinical studies are further required to confirm the efficacy of Teucrium polium.

The effects of soy on scopolamine-induced spatial learning and memory impairments are comparable to the effects of estradiol.

Background Modulatory effects of soy extract and estradiol on the central nervous system (CNS) have been reported. The effect of soy on scopolamine-induced spatial learning and memory in comparison to the effect of estradiol was investigated. Materials and methods Ovariectomized rats were divided into the following groups: (1) control, (2) scopolamine (Sco), (3) scopolamine-soy 20 (Sco-S 20), (4) scopolamine-soy 60 (Sco-S 60), (5) scopolamine-estradiol 20 (Sco-E 20) and (6) scopolamine-estradiol 60 (Sco-E 60). Soy extract, estradiol and vehicle were administered daily for 6 weeks before training in the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Scopolamine (2 mg/kg) was injected 30 min before training in the MWM test. Results In the MWM, the escape latency and traveled path to find the platform in the Sco group was prolonged compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Treatment by higher doses of soy improved performances of the rats in the MWM (p < 0.05 - p < 0.001). However, treatment with both doses of estradiol (20 and 60 µg/kg) resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the MWM (p < 0.01 - p < 0.001). Cortical, hippocampal and serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as an index of lipid peroxidation, were increased which was prevented by soy extract and estradiol (p < 0.001). Cortical, hippocampal as well as serum levels of the total thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in Sco group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001) while they were enhanced when the animals were treated by soy extract and estradiol (p < 0.01 - p < 0.001). Conclusions It was observed that both soy extract and estradiol prevented learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine in ovariectomized rats. These effects can be attributed to their protective effects on oxidative damage of the brain tissue.

The protective role of curcumin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a well-known pathological condition that is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. The main pathological manifestation of CAD is myocardial injury due to ischemia-reperfusion (I-R). Currently, no efficacious treatment of protecting the heart against myocardial I-R exists. Hence, it is necessary to discover or develop novel strategies to prevent myocardial-reperfusion injury to improve clinical outcomes in patients with CAD. A large body of experimental evidence supports cardioprotective properties of curcumin and the ability of this phytochemical to modify some cardiovascular risk factors. However, the detailed effects of curcumin in myocardial I-R injury are still unclear and there is a lack of evidence concerning which curcumin regimen may be ideal for myocardial I-R injury. This paper presents a brief review of the pathophysiology of myocardial I-R injury and the mechanisms of action of curcumin in reducing myocardial I-R injury.

Smooth muscle relaxant activity of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents: possible mechanisms.

Saffron, Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus) is rich in carotenoids and used in traditional medicine for treatment of various conditions such as coughs, stomach disorders, amenorrhea, asthma and cardiovascular disorders. These therapeutic effects of the plant are suggested to be due to its relaxant effect on smooth muscles. The effect of C. sativus and its constituents on different smooth muscles and the underlying mechanisms have been studied. Several studies have shown the relaxant effects of C. sativus and its constituents including safranal, crocin, crocetin and kaempferol on blood vessels. In addition, it was reported that saffron stigma lowers systolic blood pressure. The present review highlights the relaxant effects of C. sativus and its constituents on various smooth muscles. The possible mechanisms of this relaxing effect including activation of ß2-adrenoceptors, inhibition of histamine H1 and muscarinic receptors and calcium channels and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) are also reviewed.