An approach to the milestones of spine surgery in Persian traditional medicine.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders have been challenging for thousands of years in different nations and medical schools. Despite this long history, there are many information gaps in this regard. The current research deals with the milestones and progress of spine surgery from ancient times until now, emphasizing the innovations of sages in the Persian traditional medicine era. METHODS: The present study is based on searching original and library documents, data from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct, and search engines such as Google Scholar. RESULTS: In Persian traditional medicine, Rhazes (865-925 AD) was the first sage who applied spine surgery based on the innovative knowledge of Galen (second century AD) and Paulus Aegineta (seventh century AD). Hally Abbas (tenth century AD), by suturing two separated bones during spine surgery, and Albucasis (936-1013 AD), by inventing, describing, and drawing the surgical instruments involved in surgeries in this area, and also using cauterization in the treatment of children's hunchback, were the innovators of new methods. CONCLUSION: The modern knowledge of spine surgery is based on intelligent experiences and prominent thoughts from thousands of years worldwide. However, sometimes, these key points have remained hidden. This issue necessitates investigating this science in different schools and territories for comparative studies, identifying the firsts in the prominent points of this field, preserving the identity of sages and nations, and preventing scientific plagiarism.

Role of Farnesoid Receptors and Nrf2-mediated Genes in Gentamicin-induced Nephrotoxicity in Rat: A Time-course Study.

INTRODUCTION: Farnesoid-X-activated receptor (FXR) is considered as an upstream controller which could influence the other key regulatory genes encoding cellular antioxidant defense system. METHODS: Thirty-five male Wistar rats (240 ± 20 g) were randomly allocated into five groups: 1) control, 2) received gentamicin (100 mg/kg/d) for three days (GM-3d), 3) seven days (GM-7d), 4) 10 days (GM-10d), and 5) 14 consecutive days (GM-14d). Biochemical measurements of BUN and serum creatinine (SCr), histological assessment of renal samples as well as molecular analysis using real-time qRT-PCR were used to investigate the pattern of changes in different levels. RESULTS: Administration of gentamicin was associated with a significant increase in the BUN and SCr until the 10th day, which then suddenly dropped at the day 14. Meantime, the maximum histological distortion was also seen on the 10th day but in a similar pattern, 14th day was associated with clear improvement. Compared to the control value, the maximum reduction in the mRNA expression of Farnesoid X-activated receptor (FXR), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Glutathione cysteine ligase-modulatory subunit (GCLM), occurred at the 3rd and 7th days, respectively. Compared to the control, the mRNA expression of the mentioned genes significantly increased up to day 14. Apart from the 3rd day, the mRNA expression of alpha-glutathione S-transferase (α-GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a similar descending and ascending pattern at 7th and 10th days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The expression of FXR, as an upstream controller gene and its downstream pathways mediated by Nrf2, could play a role in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity but the pattern of expression was rather biphasic at the acute phase or the subacute ones.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7523.

The historical course of varicose vein surgery in the Persian medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Dawali (varicose veins) is the disease of chronic dilation of veins. The veins of the legs become dilated and blue due to excessive accumulation of blood. This disease and the effort to identify and treat it has a very long history. The condition may have first been described in the Ebers Papyrus more than 3500 years ago. The present study deals with the turning points and progress of varicose vein surgery since ancient times, emphasizing the innovations of the scholars of the Islamic period. METHODS: The present study is based on searching library documents and database data such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and search engines such as Google Scholar. In the end, the Prisma flow chart was drawn. RESULTS: Besides diagnosing different varicose veins (legs, thighs, abdomen, uterus, and testes), the scholars of the Islamic period were well-versed in their prevention, etiology, and treatment. In treating varicose veins, these physicians used methods such as cleansing, phlebotomy, compression, leech therapy, and surgery, and some of them were the founders of new treatments. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of varicose veins in the past was similar to modern surgical therapies. What distinguishes yesterday's varicose vein surgery from today's surgery is a more advanced tool. There is no denying the remarkable progress in using health principles, treatment techniques, and surgical instruments to facilitate surgery and reduce the disease's complications and recurrence. However, the treatment framework and foundation, such as phlebectomy and compression, were all invented and introduced in the distant past.

Cannabidiol interacts with the FXR/Nrf2 pathway and changes the CB1/CB2 receptors ratio in gentamicin-induced kidney injury in rats.

Objectives: Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity was used as an experimental model of kidney disease. The present study was performed to assess the therapeutic role of cannabidiol (CBD) against gentamicin-induced renal damage. Materials and Methods: Forty two male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups (n=7), including: (1) Control, (2) Vehicle, (3) Gentamicin-treated group (100 mg/kg/day) for 10 days (GM), (4-6) 3 Gentamicin-CBD-treated groups (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day) for 10 days (GM+CBD2.5, GM+CBD5, GM+CBD10). Serum levels of BUN and Cr, renal histology as well as real-time qRT-PCR were used to investigate the pattern of changes at different levels. Results: Gentamicin increased serum BUN and Cr (P<0.001), down-regulation of FXR (P<0.001), SOD (P<0.05) and up-regulation of CB1 receptor mRNA (P<0.01). Compared to the control group, CBD at 5 decreased (P<0.05) and at 10 mg/kg/day increased the expression of FXR (P<0.05). Nrf2 expression in CBD groups was increased (P<0.001 vs. GM). The expression of TNF-α compared to the control and GM groups, was significantly increased in CBD2.5 (P<0.01) and CBD10 (P<0.05). Compared to the control, CBD at 2.5 (P<0.01), 5 (P<0.001) and 10 (P<0.001) mg/kg/day significantly increased the expression of CB1R. Up-regulation of CB1R in the GM+CBD5, was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the GM group. Compared to the control group, the most significant increase in CB2 receptor expression was observed at CBD10 (P<0.05). Conclusion: CBD particularly at 10 mg/kg/day might be of significant therapeutic benefit against such renal complications. Activating the FXR/Nrf2 pathway and counteracting the deleterious effects of CB1 receptors via CB2 receptors scale-up could be part of the protective mechanisms of CBD.

Cauterization's history in the Persian medicine school.

BACKGROUND: Cauterization has been used in various medical schools to prevent and treat diseases. Its application dates back to shortly after the invention of fire. Despite its long history, different aspects and the importance of cauterization in various medical schools have remained elusive. The present study addressed the milestones and progress of cauterization from ancient times to the present, emphasizing the innovations of the Persian medicine school. METHODS: The present study is based on searching in the library documents of famous Persian medicine scholars and data from databases such as Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar search engines. RESULTS: Persian Medicine scholars used various cauterization methods such as hot metals and corrosive drugs to stop bleeding, prevent the development and spread of infection, and treat hydrocephalus and rabies. Cauterization has been associated with considerations to prevent irreversible tissue damage and whether or not it is internal or external. CONCLUSION: Cauterization has been associated with different practical purposes. With evolutionary progress and the use of different techniques and tools throughout history, the tools such as Electrocautery or Galvanocautery are some manifestations of new applications of cauterization. Numerous studies have indicated the continuation of newer applications, indicating the inexhaustible human interest in this ancient technique.

Comparison of the effects of alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Anvillea garcinii and atorvastatin on the lipid profile and thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Objective: Decreased thyroid hormones along with increased blood fats and overweight, lead to atherosclerosis and eventually cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Anvilea garcinii and atorvastatin on the lipid profile and thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemic rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8): control, hypercholesterolemic vehicle and three experimental groups. The control group, received water and normal food daily, the hypercholesterolemic vehicle group received drug solvent (atorvastatin dissolved in distilled water) and three experimental groups received alcoholic extract of A. garcinii (100 and 300 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) as gavage. At the end of the 45- day period, blood samples were prepared from all groups and the amount of desired factors was measured and analyzed. Results: The amount of lipid profiles (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL,TG) and thyroid stimulating hormone in the vehicle group were increased compared to the control group, while the amount of these factors were decreased in the experimental groups compared to the vehicle group. Furthermore, the level of thyroid hormones in the hypercholesterolemic vehicle group was decreased compared to the control group, while the level of these hormones was increased in the experimental groups receiving the extract compared to the vehicle group. Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of A. garcinii aerial parts, may increase thyroid hormones, and sequentially reduce blood lipids; thus, it could be a good candidate for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hypothyroidism.

The physiological and pharmacological effects of Ziziphoratenuior L.: A review study.

OBJECTIVE: Many reports have revealed preventive and therapeutic effects of Ziziphoratenuior; however, few systematic reviews have evaluated such effects. The present study reviews the physiological and pharmacological effects of Z. tenuior extract and its components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: English articles were searched in international databases, such as Embase, Scopus, and PubMed; Persian studies were also searched in national databases such as SID and Magiran. RESULTS: Pulegone is one of the most important effective compounds of Z. tenuior, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress properties as it affects serotonergic and opioidergic systems and decreases the gastric acid secretion. Moreover, this compound inhibits cholesterol absorption and synthesis, resulting in hyperlipidemic effects and weight loss. In addition to its antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial properties, this herb contains an antidiabetic effect mediated by increasing the number of pancreatic beta cells and insulin secretion, and inhibiting alpha-amylase. Although its effective dosage has no side effects, the overuse of its effective compounds, such as pulegone, may raise some liver and pulmonary disorders. CONCLUSION: Z. tenuior and its extract can have preventive and therapeutic effects on diabetes and hyperlipidemia-associated diseases. Since most studies on this herb were in vivo, it is necessary to design clinical trials to evaluate its effects.

The glycocalyx, a novel key in understanding of mechanism of diabetic nephropathy: a commentary.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that usually causes disrupts the function of the body's organs and can eventually lead to cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease and causes chronic structural changes in different parts of the affected kidney. Glycocalyx layer is one of the most important components of the vascular base found in the endothelium throughout the body's arteries and it has been shown that glycocalyx is also damaged during diabetic nephropathy. Our goal is to conduct this systematic review study is to find the cause-and-effect relationship between glycocalyx and diabetic nephropathy and also to clarify the role of the endothelial renal glycocalyx in understanding of mechanism of the course of diabetic nephropathy, and to provide an accurate background for further important studies. METHODS: All databases included MEDLINE (PubMed), Science Direct, Scopus, Ovid and Google Scholar were systematically searched for related published articles. In all databases, the following search strategy was implemented and these key words (in the title/abstract) were used: "diabetes" AND "glycocalyx" OR "diabetic nephropathy" AND "glycocalyx". RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 19 articles were retrieved from all databases using search strategy. After screening based on the title and abstract, number of 17 of them selected for full text assessment. Finally, after extracting the key points and making connections between the articles, we came up with new points to consider. It can be said that diabetes with the action of reactive oxygen species through oxidative stress, increases ICAM-1 and TNF-α and decreases heparanase enzyme, it affects the glomerular endothelium and eventually leads to albuminuria and destruction of the Glx layer. CONCLUSION: Diabetes causes super-structural changes in the kidney nephrons at the glomerular level. The glomerular filter barrier, which includes the epithelial cell called the podocyte, endothelial pore cells, and basal membrane of the glomerulus, plays a major role in stabilizing the selective glomerular function in healthy individuals. Diabetic nephropathy also causes changes in endothelial glycocalyx.

Abu Al Qasim Al Zahrawi (Albucasis) and types of his used surgical knives.

BACKGROUND: Surgical incisions require surgical knives. Different surgical knives have been used for surgical practice since its first appearance in surgical science, and evolved according to its progress. Albucasis, Spanish physician (936-1013 AD), is one of the surgical science pioneers whose initiatives in therapeutic and surgical methods are appreciable, as are his surgical instruments including numerous surgical knives. This study aims at thoroughly investigating the appearance, specifications, innovations, and applications of knives in specific surgical techniques. METHODS: Volume 30 of the Al-Tasrif li-man ajaza'an al-ta'lif (Al-Tasrif) of Albucasis was complemented with findings in Google Scholar, Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus databases to assess the types of surgical knives used by Albucasis and individualized for different diseases. RESULTS: The majority of the knives in Al-Tasrif have special names such as Mesbar, Maghdah, and Meshel. He chose a special knife dependent on the type of surgery and the incision needed, and adapted the shape of each knife to its use. CONCLUSIONS: Albucasis, more than previous physicians, such as Paulus Aegineta (625-690 AD), has invented surgical knives on basis of his own experiences and observations. His accurate knowledge of surgical techniques has resulted in appropriate designing and making functional knives.

The effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on renal function and histopathology in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVES: It has been shown that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) have protective effects in acute kidney injury (AKI). This study was conducted to assess the therapeutic effects of AD-MSC in rats subjected to acute kidney injury by 45 min of renal ischemia followed by 48 hr of reperfusion (I/R). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, including control, 48-hr sham, 48-hr I/R, and 48-hr I/R receiving AD-MSC. After 48 hr of reperfusion, blood samples were taken from rats' hearts, and 24-hr urines were collected using a metabolic cage. Serum creatinine level (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance (Ccr), absolute sodium excretion (UNaV°), fractional sodium excretion (FENa), absolute potassium excretion (UKV°), factional potassium excretion (FEK), and urine osmolarity were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) levels were measured in the right kidney, while the left kidney was used for histologic study after Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. RESULTS: Renal I/R significantly increased serum Cr, BUN, UNaV°, FENa, FEK, and tissue MDA, and significantly decreased Ccr and urine osmolarity as compared with the sham group. Moreover, histologic studies showed that I/R increased Bowman capsule area, tubular necrosis, vascular congestion, and caused formation of intratubular casts. Administration of AD-MSC at the time of I/R completely or partially protected kidneys from these I/R induced injuries. CONCLUSION: Our results show that injection of AD-MSC can reduce degree of renal injury caused by 45 min of ischemia followed by 48 hr of reperfusion in rats.

The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ceratonia Silique L. on spermatogenesis index in rats treated with cyclophosphamide: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of Ceratonia extract on improving the toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) on spermatogenesis. Materials and Methods: 54 male Wistar rats (4 months old) weighing 200-250 gr were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 9/each). OBJECTIVE: "group 1 (control) underwent the normal diet and water; group 2 (sham) received 2 ml/day normal saline; group 3 (positive control) received 300 mg/kg/day Ceratonia extract; group 4 (Ceratonia + CP) received Ceratonia extract (300 mg/kg/day) + 5 mg/kg/day CP (Endoxan, baxter oncology gmbh, Germany) after 4 hr; group 5 (CP) received 5 mg/kg/day CP + normal saline 4 hr after it; and group 6 (CP + Ceratonia) received Ceratonia extract (300 mg/kg/day) 4 hr after 5 mg/kg/day CP." 24 hr after the last gavage, heart blood sampling was performed to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant power, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. The left caudal epididymis was cut in the Ham's F10 and the released spermatozoa were used to analyze sperm parameters. The histology of the right testes was studied using stereological techniques and the left testes were used to measure the level of tissue MDA and ferric reducing antioxidant power. RESULTS: A significant increase in the mean level of MDA (p = 0.013) was seen in the CP compared to the control group. Sperm motility (p = 0.001) and count (p = 0.002), serum and tissue total antioxidant (p ≤ 0.001) and serum testosterone levels (p = 0.019) decreased in the CP compared to the control group. Ceratonia extract could significantly prevent the adverse effects of CP on sperm motility (p < 0.001), the mean levels of tissue MDA (p = 0.018), serum total antioxidant (p = 0.045), and testosterone (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Ceratonia extract can modify the reproductive toxicity of CP in rat due to the presence of antioxidant compounds.

Stem Cell Therapy Ameliorates Ischemia-reperfusion Induced Kidney Injury After 24 Hours Reperfusion.

INTRODUCTION: The mortality rate in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model in rats. METHODS: In this study 28 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of control, sham, I/R24h+PBS, and I/R24h+AD-MSC. Blocking the renal arteries for 45 minutes induced renal I/R and then reperfusion was conducted for 24 hours. Parameters including urine volume, osmolarity, plasma creatinine (Crp), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated and values of creatinine clearance (CCr), absolute sodium excretion (UNaV°), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), absolute potassium excretion (UKV°) and fractional excretion of potassium (FEK) were calculated. The right kidney was removed to measure the malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), as well as the left kidney for histological evaluation. RESULTS: I/R caused a significant increase in Crp, BUN, UNaV°, FENa, FEK, MDA, and tissue damages. In addition, the values of CCr, urine osmolarity, and FRAP level decreased significantly (P < .05). Following AD-MSC treatment, values of FENa, Crp, FEK, MDA, and tissue damages decreased significantly, while urine osmolarity increased significantly in the I/R24h + AD-MSC group compared to the I/R24h + PBS group. Furthermore, FRAP values increased significantly (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Treatment with AD-MSC reduced tissue damage and oxidative stress while increasing antioxidant activity. In addition, it improved kidney function after 45 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion.

Protective Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Nephrotoxicity Induced by Captopril and Gentamicin in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Nephrotoxicity is an important side effects of captopril and gentamicin. This study investigated the prophylactic and protective effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) on the kidney exposed to nephrotoxicity induced by these medications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar male rats received drinking water (groups 1 to 3) or PJ at doses of 4 mL/kg (group 4), 10 mL/kg (groups 5 and 7), and 15 mL/kg (group 6) for 14 days. Captopril and gentamicin were administrated on days 10 and 14 to groups 1 and 2, respectively, while groups 3 to 6 received both. Group 7 did not receive anything. The serum, urine, and renal tissue parameters were measured after the experiment. RESULTS: Group 1 (captopril) had a higher malondialdehyde level than groups 4, 5, 6, and 7 with PJ (P <0.05), and group 3 (captopril and gentamicin) showed the most significant malondialdehyde level compared to other groups (P < .001). Group 5 (captopril, gentamicin, and PJ, 10 mL/kg) had the most significant sodium excretion compared to other groups (P < .001), and group 2 (gentamicin) showed the highest potassium absolute excretion (P < .001). The instability of the renal index was observed during the experiment for the groups receiving drinking water, while no significant changes were observed in the groups receiving PJ. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic consumption of PJ for 14 days could show nephroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and potassium depletion. It could also lead to the stabilization of kidney function during this period despite using captopril and gentamicin.

Protective effect of Malva sylvestris L. extract in ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney and remote liver injury.

Mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) has had medicinal and therapeutic uses in addition to its oral consumption. The present study was conducted to examine the protective effect of Malva sylvestris L. extract on ischemia-reperfusion-induced kidney injury and remote organ injuries in the liver. Before ischemia-reperfusion, rats in the different groups received intraperitoneal normal saline or mallow extract at the doses of 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg of body weight. After 30-minutes of bilateral renal ischemia followed by 24-hours of reperfusion, tissue damage in the kidney and liver samples were determined through studying H&E-stained slides under a light microscope. The degree of leukocyte infiltration and tissue mRNA expressions of TNF- and ICAM-1 were then measured to examine the degree of renal inflammation. The renal tissue MDA and FRAP levels were measured for determining the amount of oxidative stress. Plasma concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALT and ALP were also measured. Ischemia-reperfusion led to a significant increase in plasma concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALT and ALP, and renal tissue MDA, and a significant decrease in renal tissue FRAP. The expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the kidney tissue, the level of leukocyte infiltration and the amount of tissue damage in the kidney and liver also increased. Pretreatment by mallow extract led to a significant improvement in all the variables measured. The 200- and 400-mg doses yielded better results in most parameters compared to the 600-mg dose. The findings showed that mallow extract protects the kidney against ischemia-reperfusion and reduces remote organ injury in the liver.

Antioxidant activity of omega-3 derivatives and their delivery via nanocages and nanocones: DFT and experimental in vivo investigation.

The antioxidant properties of omega-3 were investigated via experimental in vivo and theoretical methods. For experimental evaluation, oxidative stress was induced by 30 min bilateral renal ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion in male Sprague Dawley rats. The oxidative stress was evaluated through measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) levels in renal tissue. In theoretical methods, the reaction enthalpies of antioxidant mechanisms of omega-3 were calculated and the effects of NHMe, OMe, OH, Cl, and Me substituents on its antioxidant activity were investigated. Moreover, the omega-3 delivery potential by carbon and boron nitride nanocages and naocones were evaluated. The experimental results showed that omega-3 administration decreases MDA and increases FRAP levels after their changes by ischemia/reperfusion. Theoretical results indicated that NHMe and OMe substituents can significantly improve the antioxidant activity of omega-3. Also, boron nitride nanocone (BNNC) has higher |∆Ead| values, so it has higher potential for omega-3 delivery. Taken together, the new findings presented here indicate that omega-3 has anti-oxidative properties and NHMe and OMe substituents can improve its antioxidant activity. Moreover, adsorption of omega-3 on the surface of the studied nanostructures was exothermic, and BNNC with higher |∆Ead| values has higher potential for omega-3 delivery. Graphical abstract The interaction and adsorption of BNNC with omega-3 is exothermic and experimentally possible from the energetic viewpoint, so the BNNC with higher |∆Ead| and |∆Gad| values has higher potential for omega-3 delivery.

Pimpinella anisum L. ethanolic extract ameliorates the gentamicin- induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

AIM: Gentamicin (GM) is one of the commonest causes of drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Moreover, oxidative stress plays an important role in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. The current study aimed to explore the antioxidant and protective effects of Pimpinella anisum (P. anisum) on the alleviation of GM-induced damage. METHODS: Forty male wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, sham that was administrated normal saline orally and intraperitoneally (i.p.), GM that received 100 mg/kg bw/day i.p., GM and ethanolic extract of P. anisum that was administrated at an oral dose of 300 mg/kg bw/day for 8 days. Creatinine, Na+ , K+ and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured. The levels of ferric-reducing-antioxidant-power (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to evaluate the oxidative stress induced by GM. Kidney tissues were stained to determine the degree of tissue damage. RESULTS: The plasma levels of creatinine, BUN, MDA and the absolute excretion of sodium and potassium were increased in the GM group, while FRAP level was reduced compared to the sham group. In addition, congestion of renal Vessels and tubular cell necrosis was observed. We found that 300 mg/kg bw/day P. anisum significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of renal function markers in the group receiving GM (P < 0.05). Additionally, gentamicin-induced tubule damage was improved by P. anisum. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the potential therapeutic impact of P. anisum to attenuate GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the simultaneous use of ethanolic extract of P. anisum during GM administration is recommended to reduce its nephrotoxicity effects.

A quick overview on some aspects of endocrinological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris L.

Many herbaceous plants contain compounds that have biological effects in addition to their medicinal properties. They have compounds with numerous properties, including hypo lipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and hepato protective ones, which have been analyzed at different levels. One of these plants, with the scientific name of Berberis vulgaris, is barberry. The most important compounds identified in this plant are berberine, oxycontin, palmatine, bervulcine, berbamine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, and berbamine. In addition to alkaloids, organic acids such as chelidonic acid, citric acid, malic acid, resin, tannin, pectinic, and mucilagic substances are among the ingredients of barberry. In this paper, it was attempted to determine the role and effect of the extract of barberry on various body organs. The results showed that berberine actually increases insulin sensitivity and is capable of inhibiting alpha glucosidase, adipogenesis, and thus acts as an anti-obesity and hypoglycemic agent. Berberine reduces the density of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and can improve the function of liver enzymes, therefore, it can be suggested as a hypo lipidemic and hepato protective plant extract. The hepato protective effects of this extract are probably due to its antioxidant properties. Studies showed that barberry have numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory ones. Moreover, it can be used as a medicinal herb to treat a variety of disorders, such as diabetes, liver disease, gallbladder pain, digestive, urinary tract diseases, and gallstones. However, more studies on this issue and doing more focused and intensive researches in this field are recommended.