Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) as Leukemia Therapeutic Agents: Review.

Leukemia or blood cancer was initially discovered in 1845 and this malignancy was reported in patients who had an amplified number of blood cells, in particular, White Blood Cells (WBC), due to this disease. The event of leukemia was further identified as a malignant hematopoietic disorder due to both uncontrolled and unlimited proliferation in combination with a lack of differentiation of the leukemic stem cells. Furthermore, 75 to 80% of the global population use herbal remedies as primary therapy, mainly because of their better efficiency and satisfaction, which elevate the human body symmetry with the minimum unwanted adverse effects. For the control of cancer, plant products, and fruits have been considered promising tools and are being consumed for centuries. Several plant extracts are also being used for the therapy and prevention of different types of known cancers. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a natural material obtained from Brassica diversity of vegetables and has been reported to serve as a promising cancer preventative agent. In the present review, the authors mainly tried to focus on and emphasize I3C applications in leukemia treatment.

The therapeutic effect of PEGlated nanoliposome of pistachio unsaturated oils and its efficacy to attenuate inflammation in multiple sclerosis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial phase I.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PEGlated nanoliposome of pistachio unsaturated oils (PEGNLPUOs) and their efficacy to attenuate inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial phase I. The level of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid was significantly increased and the level of matrix metallopeptidase-9 was significantly decreased in MS patients treated with PEGNLPUOs. The level of cytokine showed a Th2-biased response with attenuation of inflammation after treatment with PEGNLPUOs. The number of relapses, disability scores, and T2 lesions was significantly decreased after treatment with PEGNLPUOs.

Investigation of the Effect of Prunus Amygdalus Amara on the Expression of some Genes of Apoptosis and Immortality in Breast Cancer Cells (MCF- 7).

BACKGROUND: Anti-cancer effects of almond nuts or oil have been approved, but there are a few pieces of research that have evaluated, in detail, almond and other seeds' effects on cancer. Therefore, in the present project, the aim was to explore the regulatory effect of the bitter almond extract (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) on the apoptotic and anti-cancer potency of MCF-7 cells. OBJECTIVE: In the current experimental research, the almond effect on MCF7 cells was evaluated by investigating the expression and the balance between Bcl-2, Bax genes to unmark the potential molecular mechanism. METHODS: For 24 and 48h, the MCF7 cells were treated with the bitter almond extract (187.5-3000 µg/mL). MTT assay was used to assess the viability, and Real-time-PCR was applied to determine the expression of Bax and Bcl-2, facing ß-actin. RESULTS: Our results revealed a significant difference between different extract concentrations on the viability of MCF7 cell lines in 24 and 48 h; cell viability decreased time-dependently (P < 0.05). After 24 and 48h of extract facing MCF7 cells, the evaluated IC50 value was 3000 and 1500 µg/mL, respectively. Based on Real-Time-PCR analysis, after 24 and 48 h, the mRNA levels of BCL-2 decreased by the extract, whereas Bax was in the MCF-7 cell line. CONCLUSION: From the results, it can be concluded that bitter almond extract has anti-cancer properties that may influence the apoptotic pathways by regulating relative gene expression.

Attenuation of inflammatory response in the EAE model by PEGlated nanoliposome of pistachio oils.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PEGlated nanoliposome of pistachio unsaturated oils (PEGNLPUOs) to attenuate the inflammatory response in the EAE model by modulating of NFKB and oxidative stress signaling pathway. Real-time PCR demonstrated that the administration of 10%v/v PEGNLPUOs significantly decreased the expression level of AKT1, MAPK, and NFKB genes from NFKB signaling pathway and MGST1, NOS2, and HO-1 genes from oxidative stress signaling pathway. This study showed that the administration of pistachio oil and PEGNLPUOs at a concentration of 10%v/v decreased the number and percentage of Th1(CD4+) and increased Th2(CD8+) cells.

Effect of aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice.

OBJECTIVE: Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) is widely used as an anti-inflammatory remedy in traditional and herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract from A. millefolium on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and on the serum cytokine levels in C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EAE was induced in 63 C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-25 g (8 weeks old). Following immunization, the treatment protocol was initiated by using different doses of an aqueous extract from A. millefolium (1, 5, and 10 mg/mouse/day). Histopathologic assessments were performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining. Behavioral disabilities were recorded by a camera. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: On average, mice developed classical behavioral disabilities of EAE, 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. Treatment of mice with A. millefolium led to delay the appearance of behavioral disabilities along with reduced severity of the behavioral disabilities. Treatment with A. millefolium prevented weight loss and increased serum levels of TGF-ß in immunized mice with MOG35-55. EAE-induced mice, which were treated with A. millefolium, had less cerebral infiltration of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that treatment with aqueous extract of A. millefolium may attenuate disease severity, inflammatory responses, and demyelinating lesions in EAE-induced mice. In addition, following treatment with A. millefolium, serum levels of TGF-ßwere increased in EAE-induced mice.

The regulatory impacts of Morus Alba leaf extract on some enzymes involved in glucose metabolism pathways in diabetic rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Many traditional therapies have been proposed as alternative regimens for treatment of diabetes mellitus. The Morus Alba (MA) leaf is a natural therapeutic compound which is shown to have antidiabetic properties. The aim of the present study was to determine whether MA leaf extract is capable of regulating liver enzymes that are involved in glucose metabolism pathways in normal and Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty healthy adult male Wistar rats (eight weeks old) weighing about 250 +/- 10 g were taken for this experiment. The rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group and treated through a gavage tube for a period of two months as follows: group I: non diabetic control rats with distilled water; group II: non diabetic rats with 1.0 g/kg per day; group III: diabetic control rats with distilled water and group IV: diabetic rats with MA 1.0 g/kg per day. At the end of the 8th week, serum glucose, insulin and hepatic glucokinase activity were measured using standard methods and compared between diabetic and healthy rats. We also assessed the expression of phosphofructokinase-1 enzyme at the level of mRNA, using a Real Time-PCR method. RESULTS: Findings of the present study demonstrated that MA leaf extract can significantly increase liver glucokinase activity and serum insulin levels in diabetic rats (p < 0.05). It also significantly attenuated the serum glucose level in rats compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). Also, the body weight of diabetic rats was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased as compared to their initial weight. However, the body weights of diabetic rats treated with MA increased in the same way as normal control rats. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that the antihyperglycemic action of MA is mediated by increasing liver glucokinase activity and serum insulin level. These results are additional, definite evidence supporting MA as traditional medicine for diabetic patients.

Impact of opium on the serum levels of TGF-ß in diabetic, addicted and addicted-diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Several cells of immune system such as regulatory T cells and macrophages secrete transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in response to different stimuli. This cytokine has inhibitory effect on immune system and diminished production of this cytokine is associated with autoimmune disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of opium addiction on serum level of TGF-ß in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. METHODS: This experimental study was performed on normal, opium addicted, diabetic and addicted-diabetic male and female rats. Serum level of TGF-ß was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The results of our study indicated that the mean serum level of TGF-ß in female addicted rats was significantly increased compared to control group (p<0.004). Conversely, in male addicted rats the mean serum level of TGF-ß was lower compared with control (p<0.065). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that opium and its derivatives have differential inductive effects on the cytokine expression in male and female rats.