Marham-Mafasel decrease joint inflammation and IL-1ß gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis animal model.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic disease with synovial membrane, tendon and articular tissue inflammation. Current treatments of RA have many side effects and are quite expensive. Today, new treatments procedures and inexpensive herbal drugs are developed. Marham-Mafasel is mainly made out of two traditional herbs (Arnebia euchroma and Martricaria chamomilla). OBJECTIVE: In this study, for the first time, the impact of Marham-Mafasel on joint inflammation, histopathological changes and IL-1ß gene expression was evaluated in RA animal model. METHODS: The RA was induced by a single s.c. injection of 0.1 ml Freund's complete adjuvant into the left hind footpad. In continuous, 15 RA male Wistar rats were used in three groups: I: Control; II: Treatment I (Piroxicam) and III: Treatment II (Marham-Mafasel). The volume of the hind paw was measured every day from 0 to 19 using water changed volume approach. The inflammation in the joint was evaluated using histopathology assay and gene expression of IL-1ß was evaluated with use of Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: Hind paw swelling of Marham-Mafasel at days 10th and 19th was reduced compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically difference in histological degrading and changes index in three groups (p ≥ 0.05). Relative expression of IL-1ß in Marham-Mafasel group was significantly decreased compared with other groups. CONCLUSION: The co-administration of M. Chamomile and A. euchroma, called Marham-Mafasel, decreases IL-1ß gene expression that leads to a reduction in inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) animal model.

In vitro cytotoxic effect of garlic extract on malignant and nonmalignant cell lines.

Cancer is one of the major causes of death in the world and despite many years of research, the treatment of cancer is still a problem. Epidemiological observations and laboratory studies have indicated anticarcinogenic potential of garlic, which has been traditionally used for various human diseases around the world. In this study the cytotoxicity of garlic extract against three malignant cancer cell lines including gastric (AGS), breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) and a nonmalignant cell line (L929) were evaluated by the MTT assay. The results of this study reveal MCF-7 and AGS cells were sensitive to garlic extract. Despite a many reports on inhibitory effects of garlic on cancer cell line, our data showed these effects are tumor specific and dose dependent. Further studies on animal models and humans are needed to clarify the important molecules and their mechanisms.

Immunomodulatory effects of Aloe vera and its fractions on response of macrophages against Candida albicans.

Natural products are important resources in traditional medicine and have been long used for prevention and treatment of many diseases. Medicinal plants have immunomodulatory properties. Aloe is one of the herbal medicines widely used in natural treatment and alternative therapy for various types of diseases. Aloe vera has been shown to modulate the immune response. Macrophages have been shown to play an essential role as the first line of defense against invading pathogen. Candida albicans is a communal and opportunistic pathogen in humans. In this study, we investigated the effect of A. vera extract and its fractions on infected macrophages with C. albicans. Viability of intraperitoneal macrophages was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Cell viability of infected macrophages was increased by the extract and dose of some isolated fractions dependently. The extract as well as R100, R50, R30, and R10 fractions of A. vera significantly increased cell viability of macrophages in most doses. R5 and F5 fractions showed no significant difference in comparison with control group. Further studies in animal models and human are necessary to clarify the modulatory effects of A. vera on macrophage function. Isolation and purification of A. vera components are also needed to find out the effective molecules.

The effect of MS14 on innate and cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice.

MS14 is an Iranian natural preparation of herbal-marine source with no obvious toxicity in oral administration, which possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, the effect of oral administration of MS14 on nitric oxide (NO) production of peritoneal macrophages and lymphocyte Th1 cytokines and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) test in BALB/c mice were investigated. Peritoneal macrophages were cultured and NO production was measured by Griess method. Viability of macrophages was assayed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethy-2-lthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) test. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and INFγ levels in supernatant of spleen lymphocytes culture were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. For DTH test the mice were immunized with sheep red blood cell and DTH was measured 24 h after the last immunization of mice. NO production of macrophages has been diminished significantly in MS14 treated group (about 40%) at the presence or absence of stimulators. Macrophage viability had no significant alteration after MS14 administration. However, interferon-γ production of lymphocytes was significantly decreased in MS14 group both at the absence or presence of concanavalin A (ConA; about 50%); IL-2 production declined about 20% at the presence of ConA. In comparison with the control group, MS14 had no statistically significant effect on DTH test. The results have pointed that MS14 may have immunomodulatory potentials at least through its decreasing effect on NO production of macrophages and level of Th1 cytokine pattern.

The effect of MS14 on Th2 cytokines pattern in Balb/C mice.

The tendency of immune response toward either Th1 or Th2 cytokine pattern can cause a number of pathologic conditions. Multiple sclerosis is postulated to be a Th1-type cell-mediated autoimmune disease. MS14--an Iranian natural product--seems to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, we studied the effect of orally administered MS14 on Th2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL-10) in normal Balb/C mice (100 mg/kg; 5 days). The result indicated that activated splenocytes of MS14 group produced significantly more IL-5 and IL-10 (3-4 times in comparison with control group mice). MS14 could upregulate Th2 cytokine and thereby it may possess immunoregulatory properties probably useful in treatment of some diseases.

Immunomodulatory affect of R10 fraction of garlic extract on natural killer activity.

Naturally occurring modulators of carcinogenesis, including dietary compounds, can either stimulate or inhibit cancer development. Mechanisms responsible for these effects are unknown. Garlics used in this study were freshly prepared, and their effectiveness in augmenting natural killer (NK) activity was evaluated. Administration of 20 mg/kg produced an optimum augmentation of NK activity. A glycoprotein with MW of about 14 kDa was isolated from garlic extract and its activity was assessed. It could induce NK augmentation against K562 tumor cell line. In vivo studies also confirmed that Fraction Residue 10 (R10) of garlic extract partially purified by ultra filtration and further purified by chromatography could induce a resistance to the growth of spontaneous mammary carcinoma in Balb/c mice. NK cytotoxic activities were evaluated by flowcytometry.