Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of thiamin supplements in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thiamin supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 patients with GDM. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 100 mg/day thiamin supplements (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Thiamin supplementation significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (ß - 0.98 mg/L; 95% CI, -1.54, -0.42; p = .001) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (ß - 0.86 µmol/L; 95% CI, -1.15, -0.57; p < .001) when compared with the placebo. In addition, thiamin supplementation downregulated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (p = .002) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with GDM. Thiamin supplementation did not affect other biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: Overall, thiamin supplementation for 6 weeks to patients with GDM significantly reduced hs-CRP and MDA levels, and gene expression of TNF-α, but did not affect other biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical Trials.govIdentifier no. http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N58.

Effect of biotin supplementation on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve in the rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropathic pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain that is very difficult to treat. Numerous studies have shown the potential role of vitamins in relieving both hyperalgesia and allodynia. Based on the convincing evidence, this study was designed to evaluate the possible antinociceptive effect of biotin on neuropathic pain in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: This study was performed on male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200-300 g. Neuropathic pain was induced by tying the sciatic nerve. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve resulted in hyperalgesia and allodynia. To measure the thermal hyperalgesia, the plantar test was used. Also to evaluate the cold and mechanical allodynia, acetone test and von Frey test were applied. Biotin (4, 8, and 16 mg/kg) was administered orally as two different treatment regimens, acute and chronic. FINDINGS/RESULTS: Acute oral administration of biotin (4, 8, and 16 mg/kg p.o.) on the 7th, 14th, and 21st postoperative days couldn't reduce pain sensitivity compared to the CCI group. However, following the oral administration of biotin (8 and 16 mg/kg p.o.) from the first day after the surgery until day 21, mechanical allodynia (P < 0.001) and heat hyperalgesia (P < 0.05) significantly relieved. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results suggest that biotin can be considered as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and supplementation with this vitamin could reduce the required doses of analgesic drugs. However, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Vitamin D supplementation attenuates the behavioral scores of neuropathic pain in rats.

Objective(s): Neuropathic pain due to lesion or dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system is often refractory to the conventional analgesics. Currently, there is no proven treatment to prevent or cure neuropathic pain. A recent surge of new data suggests the potential effects of vitamin D in the medical community. This study was designed to determine whether acute or chronic vitamin D administration was effective in alleviating symptoms of neuropathic pain in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in the rats that resulted in thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical, and cold allodynia. Results: Acute vitamin D injections (250, 500, and 1000 unit/kg i.p.) on the 7th, 14th, and 21st postoperative days could not attenuate mechanical and cold allodynia as well as heat hyperalgesia compared to CCI group. But when vitamin D (1000 unit/kg i.p.) administration was started on the first day after surgery and given daily until the 21st day, cold allodynia and heat hyperalgesia considerably were attenuated. However, no differences in paw withdrawal thresholds were observed. Conclusion: These results indicate that chronic vitamin D administrations can attenuate the behavioral scores of neuropathic pain in rats.

Neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties of Salvia Reuterana: A mini review.

OBJECTIVES: Herbal medicine is known as a valid alternative treatment. Salvia Reuterana, which has been used in the Iranian traditional medicine, is mostly distributed in the central highlands of Iran. Salvia Reuterana is a medicinal herb with various therapeutic usages. The aim of the present review is to take account of pharmacological properties of Salvia Reuterana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present review summarizes the literature with respect to various pharmacological properties of Salvia Reuterana. RESULTS: Salvia Reuterana possesses neurological, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties. CONCLUSIONS: Salvia Reuterana can be used as an alternative for treatment of several disorders.

Effect of Echium amoenum Fisch. et Mey a Traditional Iranian Herbal Remedy in an Experimental Model of Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is a morbid inflammatory condition of pancreas with limited specific therapy. Enhanced oxidative stress plays an important role in induction and progression of acute pancreatitis. So reducing oxidative stress may relieve this pathogenic process. Echium amoenum Fisch. and Mey has been implemented in Iranian folk medicine for several centuries. Antioxidant, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and anxiolytic properties of E. amoenum suggest that this plant may have beneficial effects in the management of acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of petals of E. amoenum extract (EAE) on a murine model of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced by five intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cerulein (50 µg/kg) with 1h intervals which was characterized by pancreatic inflammation and increase in the serum level of digestive enzymes, in comparison to normal mice. EAE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was administered i.p., 30 minutes before induction of pancreatitis. Pretreatment with EAE (400 mg/kg) reduced significantly the inflammatory response of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by ameliorating pancreatic edema, amylase and lipase serum levels, proinflammatory cytokines, myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and pathological alteration. These results show that EAE attenuates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis with an anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects.

Preventive Effect of Cichorium Intybus L. Two Extracts on Cerulein-induced Acute Pancreatitis in Mice.

OBJECTIVES: Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of pancreas with sudden onset, high mortality rate and multiple organ failure characteristics. It has been shown that oxygen free radicals have an important role in development of pancreatitis and its complications. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxicity and gastroprotective properties of Cichorium intybus L. suggest that this plant may have beneficial effects in the management of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Five intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cerulean (50 µg/ kg at 1 h intervals) in mice resulted in acute pancreatitis, which was characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, as well as increases in the serum levels of amylase and lipase in comparison to normal mice. Different doses of C. intybus root (CRE) and aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract (CAPE) orally (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) and intraperitoneally (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) were administrated 1.0 and 0.5 h respectively before pancreatitis induction on separate groups of male mice (n=6). Control groups treated with normal saline (5 ml/ kg) similarly. RESULTS: Both extracts in greater test doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) were effective to decrease amylase (23-36%) and lipase (27-35%) levels. In oral route, the dose of 200 mg/ kg showed a significant decrease in levels of amylase (16%) and lipase (24%) activity while the greatest dose (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was only effective to diminish inflammatory features like edema and leukocyte infiltration in pancreatitis tissue (P<0.01). Vacuolization was not significantly reduced in extracts treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that C. intybus hydroalcoholic extracts were effective to protect against experimental acute pancreatitis and the efficacy was partly dependent to the dose and was more significant after parenteral administration.