A comprehensive study to evaluate the wound healing potential of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fruit.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Okra fruit (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) has been extensively used for the treatment of skin damage and subcutaneous tissue abscess for many years in Turkish folk medicine. AIM OF STUDY: In this study, we aimed to investigate the wound healing potential of okra fruit by in vitro and in vivo experimental models in detail. Furthermore, based on the results of experiments, a wound healing formulation was developed and its activity profile was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, the phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents and chemical profile of aqueous and ethanolic extracts prepared from okra fruits cultivated in two different locations of Turkey, i.e. Aegean and Kilis regions, were comparatively determined and the tryptophan levels, which is known to be an influential factor in wound healing, were measured. Antioxidant activity of the okra fruit extracts was determined by DPPH test, ABTS radical scavenger activity, iron-binding capacity, total antioxidant capacity and copper reduction capacity assays. Moreover, antibacterial activity potentials of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of okra fruits were determined. The protective effect of the extracts against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activity were assessed in HDF (human dermal fibroblast) cells and in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, respectively. The biocompatibility of the gel formulations prepared with the best performing extract were evaluated by human Epiderm™ reconstituted skin irritation test model. Wound-healing activity was investigated in rats by in vivo excision model and, histopathological examination of tissues and gene expression levels of inflammation markers were also determined. RESULTS: According to our findings, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of okra fruits were found to possess a rich in phenolic content. Besides, isoquercitrin was found to be a marker component in ethanolic extracts of okra fruits. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant activity with significant protective effect against H2O2-induced damage in HDF cells by diminishing the MDA level. Also, the highest dose of ethanolic extracts has displayed a potent anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Besides, both water and ethanolic extracts were shown to possess antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, the formulations prepared from the extracts were found non-irritant on in vitro Epiderm™-SIT. In vivo excision assay showed that tissue TGF-ß and IL-1ß levels were significantly decreased by the 5% okra ethanolic gel formulation. The histopathological analysis also demonstrated that collagenisation and granulation tissue maturation were found higher in 5% (w/v) okra ethanolic extract-treated group. CONCLUSION: 5% of okra ethanolic extract might be suggested as a potent wound healing agent based on the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory tests. The proposed activity was also confirmed by the histopathological findings and gene expression analysis.

Can Coenzyme Q10 supplementation protect the ovarian reserve against oxidative damage?

PURPOSE: We investigated antioxidant effects of CoQ10 supplementation on the prevention of OS-induced ovarian damage and to evaluate the protective effect of such supplementation against OS-related DNA damage. METHODS: Twenty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats per group): group 1 (control): saline, ip, and orally; group 2 (cisplatin group): cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg ip, two times with an interval of 7 days; and group 3 (cisplatin + CoQ10 group): cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg ip, two times with an interval of 7 days, and 24 h before cisplatin, 150 mg/kg/day orally in 1 mL of saline daily for 14 days. Serum concentrations of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), number of AMH-positive follicles, the assessment of the intensity of 8'OHdG immunoreactivity, the primordial, antral and atretic follicle counts in the ovary were assessed. RESULT(S): The mean serum AMH concentrations were 1.3 ± 0.19, 0.16 ± 0.03, and 0.27 ± 0.20 ng/mL in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p < 0.01). Serum AMH levels were significantly higher in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in AMH-positive follicle count between the groups (p < 0.01). Group 1 showed higher numbers of AMH-positive granulosa cells compared to group 2 (p = 0.01). A significant difference was found in the primordial, the atretic, and antral follicle counts between the three groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). The atretic follicle count was significantly lower in the cisplatin plus CoQ10 group compared to the cisplatin group (p < 0.01). The antral follicle counts were significantly higher in the cisplatin plus CoQ10 group compared with the cisplatin group (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in the intensity of staining of the follicles that were positive for anti-8'OHdG between the groups (p = 0.02). Group 1 showed a significant lower intensity of staining of the follicles positive for anti-8'OHdG compared with group 2 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION(S): CoQ10 supplementation may protect ovarian reserve by counteracting both mitochondrial ovarian ageing and physiological programmed ovarian ageing although the certain effect of OS in female infertility is not clearly known.

The effects of letrozole and melatonin on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of letrozole and melatonin on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat endometriosis model. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental study. SETTING: Experimental Research Center of Yeditepe University (YUDETAM). ANIMAL(S): Thirty female, nonpregnant, nulligravid Wistar-Hannover albino rats. INTERVENTION(S): Surgical induction of endometriosis, administration of estrogen for 2 weeks, and laparotomy; administration of letrozole or melatonin for 2 weeks after induction of endometriosis, and laparotomy; administration of estrogen for 2 weeks and necropsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The volume and histopathologic scores of endometriotic foci, and levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde in the peritoneal fluid. RESULT(S): The mean volumes of the endometriotic foci were 99.6 +/- 18.8 mm(3), 21.5 +/- 7.4 mm(3), and 29.2 +/- 17.5 mm(3), and histopathologic scores were 2.5 +/- 0.7, 2.0 +/- 0.8, and 1.7 +/- 0.9 in the melatonin group at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth weeks, respectively. The mean volumes of the endometriotic foci were 75.9 +/- 26.3 mm(3), 29.8 +/- 14.7 mm(3), and 121.2 +/- 35.1 mm(3) and the histopathologic scores were 2.5 +/- 0.5, 2.2 +/- 0.8, and 2.7 +/- 0.4 in the letrozole group at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth weeks, respectively. In the melatonin group, peritoneal fluid superoxide dismutase and catalase levels increased statistically significantly. CONCLUSION(S): Melatonin caused more pronounced regression of endometriotic foci when compared with letrozole in a rat model. After the cessation of melatonin treatment, the recurrence rate was lower than that observed after the cessation of letrozole treatment.