Therapeutic potentials of the natural plant flavonoid apigenin in polycystic ovary syndrome in rat model: via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant activity.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, which is associated with increased androgens, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Current research aims at determining the effect of flavonoid apigenin on the level of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors in ovarian tissue of rats with PCOS. In this study, 32 female Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): control, PCOS control, and treated groups (20 and 40 mg/kg apigenin). After 21 days of intervention, the serum levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins were measured. The ovarian tissue was removed for biochemical and histological studies. Research findings indicated that apigenin causes significant decrease in estrogen, testosterone levels, LH and LH to FSH ratio, and significant increase in progesterone and FSH levels in serum of treated groups compared to PCOS control group. Different doses of apigenin significantly decreased the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and total oxidative status (TOS). The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased in treated groups compared to the PCOS control group. The histological results indicated that the number of cysts and theca layer thickness significantly decreased and the number of corpora lutea and granulosa layer thickness significantly increased in the rats receiving the apigenin as compared to the PCOS control group. Flavonoid apigenin through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can be used as an alternative method for treating patients with PCOS.

The effect of silymarin (Silybum marianum) on human skin fibroblasts in an in vitro wound healing model.

CONTEXT: Silymarin, a flavonolignan from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae), has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to study the effect of silymarin on wound healing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of silymarin on human fibroblast cells in an in vitro model of wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human fibroblast cells were treated with different concentrations (4.5, 9, 18, 36 µg/mL) of silymarin. The effects of silymarin on cell viability, proliferation, collagen synthesis, and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine, hydroxyproline analysis and real-time PCR, respectively. The effect of silymarin on cellular antioxidant status was determined by protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell injury and free radical scavenging activity (ABTS assay) of the cells. RESULTS: Results of the present study indicate that pretreatment of fibroblast cells with silymarin significantly protected cells against H2O2-induced injury (p < 0.05). After an 18 h treatment of cells with 36 µg/mL silymarin, total antioxidant capacity of cells significantly increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, pretreatment of human fibroblast cells with silymarin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis between treatment and control groups (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Silymarin may be useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cutaneous wounds through its antioxidation and anti-inflammation effects.