Antidiabetic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius L. in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae) has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes. In this study, anti-diabetic effect of its hydroalcoholic extract was compared with that of glibenclamide. METHODS: MALE WHITE WISTAR RATS WERE RANDOMLY ALLOCATED INTO FOUR GROUPS OF SIX EACH: nondiabetic control; diabetic control; diabetic treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius (200 mg kg(-1) BW); diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (0.6 mg kg(-1) BW). Alloxan was administered (120 mg kg(-1) BW), intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. Fasting blood samples were collected three times, before injection of alloxan, two weeks and six weeks after injection of alloxan and fasting blood sugar (FBS), Hb A1C, insulin, cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured each time. RESULTS: FBS, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and VLDL-C had a meaningful decrease in diabetic rats treated with Carthamus tinctorius and diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide as compared with diabetic rats with no treatment. Insulin level increased significantly in diabetic groups received treatment (glibenclamide or Carthamus tinctorius L) in comparison with diabetic group with no treatment. The histological study revealed size of islets of Langerhans enlarged significantly consequentially as compared with diabetic rats with no treatment. The extract appeared non toxic as evidenced by normal levels of AST, ALP and ALT. Effects of administrating glibenclamide or extract of Carthamus tinctorius L on all biochemical parameters discussed above showed no difference and both tend to bring the values to near normal. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius possesses beneficial effect on treatment of diabetes.

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.

Comparative Study of Berberis vulgaris Fruit Extract and Berberine Chloride Effects on Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of anthocyanins are abundant in berberry fruits suggesting that they may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-colitic effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract (BFE) compared to berberine chloride (BEC) and corticosteroids using an animal model of acetic acid induced experimental colitis. BFE with three different doses (375, 750, and 1500 mg/Kg) was administered orally or rectally prior to ulcer induction. BEC (10 mg/Kg), prednisolone (5 mg/Kg), hydrocortisone acetate enema (20 mg/Kg) and normal saline (5 mL/Kg) were considered as respective controls. The tissue was assessed macroscopically for damage scores, area, index and weight/length ratio. They were also examined histopathologically for inflammation extent and severity, crypt damage, invasion involvement and total colitis index. Results indicated that greater doses of oral BFE (750, 1500 mg/Kg) as well as BEC (10 mg/Kg) were effective to protect against colonic damage. By rectal pretreatment, the extract was only effective to diminish the ulcer index and the efficacy was not significant for mucosal inflammation parameters. In conclusion BFE, which is nearly devoid of berberine, was effective to protect against colitis and this might be attributed to its anthocyanin constituents.

Effectiveness of budesonide-succinate-dextran conjugate as a novel prodrug of budesonide against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Anti-inflammatory drugs with high potency and low systemic adverse effects, such as budesonide, are drugs of choice for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Budesonide controlled-release formulations are now being used to induce and maintain clinical remission of Crohn's disease. Budesonide-dextran conjugates were synthesized as novel prodrugs of budesonide for oral controlled delivery of the major part of the drug to the colon without needing to coat the pellets of the drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of this conjugate against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental UC was induced by rectal instillation of 4% solution of acetic acid to rats. After induction of colitis, rats were treated with vehicle (dextran solution), mesalasine (120 mg/kg), budesonide suspension (300 microg/kg) and BSD-70 (equivalent to 300 microg/kg of budesonide), prednisolon (4 mg/kg), hydrocortisone acetate enema (20 mg/kg), and 5-ASA enema (Asacol) (400 mg/kg) for 5 days and then colon macroscopic and microscopic sections were examined for inflammatory response. RESULTS: Vehicle-treated rats presented bloody diarrhoea and gross lesions. The effective formulations for attenuating the damage were BSD-70, oral prednisolon and hydrocortisone acetate enema. Rats treated with BSD-70 showed huge improvement in macroscopic and histological scores of colitis compared to the negative control group and mesalasine and budesonide suspension. CONCLUSION: Data indicated that budesonide-dextran conjugate is effective in improving signs of inflammation in experimental model of colitis through selective delivery of the drug to the inflamed area.

Endoscopic polypectomy resection of blue rubber bleb nevus lesions in small bowel.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disorder characterized by cutaneous and gastrointestinal (GI) venous malformations. The treatment of BRBNS is primarily supportive and ablative. Ablative therapy involves endoscopic or surgical treatment of GI venous malformations. We describe a 20-year-old woman who had multiple venous malformations all over the GI tract as well as cutaneous lesions. She had suffered from several episodes of melena, chronic anemia and fatigue for 10 years, which were treated temporarily by iron supplementation and blood transfusion. The endoscopic examination of the GI tract and total colonoscopy revealed multiple bluish sessile and polypoid venous malformations 2-3 cm in size throughout the GI tract. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) and polypectomy was done for all gastric and colonic lesions, respectively. Ileoscopy showed a large wide base vascular polypoid lesion at about 70 cm from the ileocecal valve with active bleeding; this was removed by snare polypectomy. One week later, she was discharged in good condition. At about 6 months' follow up she did not report any bleeding attack. Endoscopic polypectomy can be useful in patients with large and polypoid lesions of BRBNs which are not controlled with supportive therapy. Further experience is needed to evaluate the risks versus benefits of this approach.

Effect of ethanolic extract of Juglans regia L. on blood sugar in diabetes-induced rats.

Walnut is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Iranian medicine as a treatment for diabetes, but little scientific documentation supports its antidiabetic action. This study is designed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic walnut leaf extract. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: nondiabetic rats, alloxan-induced diabetic rats with no treatment, alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with ethanolic extracts of Juglans regia (200 mg/kg), and alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg). Fasting blood sugar decreased meaningfully in diabetic rats treated with J. regia and diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide. Insulin level increased and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased significantly in diabetic groups receiving either glibenclamide or J. regia compared with the diabetic group with no treatment. The histological study revealed that the size of islets of Langerhans enlarged consequentially as compared with diabetic rats with no treatment. Effects of administering glibenclamide or extract of J. regia on all parameters discussed above showed no difference, and both tended to bring the values to near normal. Our data show the ethanolic extract from leaves of J. regia has a dramatic antidiabetic effect on diabetes-induced rats.