Effect of Zataria multiflora Extract on Total and Differential White Blood Cell Count and Endothelin Level in Blood of Ovalbumin Sensitized Guinea Pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on endothelin level, total and differential white blood cells (WBC) count of sensitized guinea pigs. METHODS: Five groups of guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of Z. multiflora (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL as groups S+Z1, S+Z2 and S+Z3) and dexamethasone (group S+D), n=6 for each group. The endothelin levels as well as total and differential WBC count in blood of sensitized and control guinea pigs were evaluated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method, and hemocytometer and Wright-Giemsa's staining of blood sample smear respectively. RESULTS: Blood endothelin levels, total and most differential WBC count were increased but lymphocytes decreased in sensitized animals compared to controls (allP <0.01). In groups S+D, S+Z2 and S+Z3 endothelin level, total and differential WBC counts were significantly improved compared with group S (P <0.01). Although, all measured parameters in group S+Z1 was lower than group S+D (P <0.01), some parameters in group S+Z3 were greater than in group S+D (P <0.05 toP <0.01). CONCLUSION: The results showed an anti-inflammatory effect of Z. multiflora extract in sensitized guinea pigs, which may suggest a therapeutic potential for the plant on asthma.

Effects of Chrysin on Serum Corticosterone Levels and Brain Oxidative Damages Induced by Immobilization in Rat.

BACKGROUND: Chrysin (CH) is one of the main flavonoids of vegetables, fruits, and plants, the neuroprotective effect of which has been demonstrated in this study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current investigation is the evaluation of the impact of chrysin (CH) on serum corticosterone level. Additionally, depression due to chronic stress was studied in animal models. METHODS: The rats were restrained for 1 hour daily for 3 weeks. During these weeks, all animals were daily injected with either vehicle or CH (10, 20, 30 µg/kg). RESULTS: Present data indicated that the serum corticosterone levels markedly elevated in the stressed group versus the non-stressed group (p<0.001). The serum corticosterone levels were significantly lower in the stress-exposed rats administered with CH versus the stress-exposed non- CH-treated rats (p<0.05). In addition, immobility time significantly increased in the rats submitted to restraint stress versus the non-stressed group (p<0.001). Also, the number of crossing significantly decreased in the rats submitted to restraint stress versus non-stressed rats (p<0.001). The immobility time and the number of crossing were also reduced in the CH-administrated stressed rats (30 mg/kg) versus non-treated stressed group (p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). CH also ameliorated the MDA and GSH content as well as antioxidant enzymes activities in stressed rats (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that CH might be useful for the management of depressant-like effects induced by chronic stress via decreasing oxidative damage in the brain.

The extract of Zataria multiflora affect tracheal responsiveness, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine in sensitized Guinea pigs.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Different therapeutic effects for Zataria multiflora have been described in Iranian traditional medicine. In addition anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of this plant were previously described. The effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness (TR) and inflammatory mediators of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone, drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract and dexamethasone. TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were measured (n=6, for each groups). RESULTS: TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were increased in sensitized animals compared to control group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Treatment of sensitized animals with dexamethasone and most concentration of the extract lead to significantly decrease in all measured parameters compared to sensitized group (p<0.05 to p<0.001) except TP and histamine levels in treated group with dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: These results showed a preventive effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness, serum level of NO, nitrite, total protein, PLA2 and histamine in sensitized guinea pigs which was equal or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations.

The effect of carvacrol on serum cytokines and endothelin levels of ovalbumin sensitized Guinea-pigs.

OBJECTIVE(S): Different pharmacological effects of carvacrol including relaxant effect, its inhibitory effect on muscarinic and histamine (H1) and stimulatory effect on ß-adrenoceptors have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains in previous studies. In the present study, the effect of carvacrol on blood IL-4, IFN- γ and endothelin levels of sensitized guinea pigs is examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) were given pure drinking water (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol (40, 80 and 160 µg/ml)) and dexamethasone. The blood IL-4, IFN- γ and endothelin levels of sensitized and control guinea pigs were evaluated (n=6, for all groups). RESULTS: Blood IL-4 and IFN-γ levels (P<0.001 for both cases) as well as endothelin (P<0.01) were increased but IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio decreased (P<0.05) in sensitized animals compared to controls. The treatment of S animals by dexamethasone (P<0.01) and two higher concentrations of carvacrol (P<0.001 for both cases) significantly decreased IL-4 level. The treatment of S animals with dexamethasone did not changed IFN-γ levels but treatment with high concentration of carvacrol significantly increased its level (P<0.001). In addition, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was significantly increased in S groups, who were treated with dexamethasone (P<0.05) and two higher concentrations of carvacrol (P<0.001 for both cases). Treatment of S animals by dexamethasone (P<0.01) and all concentrations of carvacrol also significantly decreased endothelin level (P<0.01 to P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results show that carvacrol causes the reduction of IL-4 and endothelin, but it increases IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in the blood of sensitized guinea pigs. The results also suggest more specific effect of carvacrol compared to dexamethasone due to the absence of the effect of later on IFN-γ.

The impact of Zataria multiflora Boiss extract on in vitro and in vivo Th1/Th2 cytokine (IFN-γ/IL4) balance.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and effect of Zataria multiflora on Th1/Th2 balance were previously described. Different therapeutic effects of this plant have been described in Iranian traditional medicine. To evaluate the immune modulatory effects of Zataria multiflora on Th1/Th2 balance, which may be implicated in inflammatory disorders, in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of three concentrations of the extract, dexamethasone, and saline on interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) gene expression were evaluated in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated and non-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). RNA was extracted from the hPBMCs to make cDNA for real time PCR relative quantification. Furthermore, the effect of the extract on serum level of IL-4 and IFN-γ was assessed in ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs (n=6 for each group). RESULTS: Dexamethasone showed significant inhibitory effect on both IFN-γ and IL-4 gene expression and serum level of the cytokines and significantly enhanced IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (p<0.05-p<0.001). The extract inhibited IL-4 and enhance IFN-γ gene expression and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio too (p<0.05-p<0.001). In sensitized animals also serum level of IL-4 were significantly decreased after treatment with both dexamethasone and extract, but serum level of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were significantly increased due to extract treatment (p<0.01 for medium and p<0.001 for high concentration). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated consistent in vitro and in vivo data for selective immune modulatory effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora which increased IFN-γ, decreased IL-4, and enhanced the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 (Th1/Th2 balance). Therefore, the extract of Zataria multiflora may have therapeutic value in inflammatory responses such as allergy, autoimmunity and infectious diseases associated with Th1/Th2 imbalance.

Effect of carvacrol on tracheal responsiveness, inflammatory mediators, total and differential WBC count in blood of sensitized guinea pigs.

The effects of carvacrol on tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine and ovalbumin (OA), serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration, total and differential white blood cells (WBC) in blood of sensitized guinea pigs were examined. Five groups of guinea pigs sensitized to OA were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol (40, 80 and 160 µg/mL) and dexamethasone (50 µg/mL). TR to methacholine and OA, serum NO concentration, total and differential WBC in blood of sensitized and control guinea pigs were measured (n = 6, for each group). TR to methacholine and OA, serum level of NO and nitrite, total WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil counts were increased but lymphocyte decreased in group S compared with control group (P < 0.01 for NO and nitrite and P < 0.001 for other cases). Treatment of S animals with dexamethasone and two higher concentrations of carvacrol significantly improved all measured parameters except TR to OA in treated group with dexamethasone (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Treatment of S animals with low concentration of carvacrol also improved TR to methacholine and OA, total WBC count and nitrite level (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The effects of two higher concentrations of carvacrol on TR, NO and nitrite and the effects of its highest concentration on total and differential WBC count were significantly higher than those of dexamethasone (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). In addition, the effects of highest concentration of carvacrol on all parameters and its medium concentration on some parameters were significantly higher than its low concentration (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). These results showed a preventive effect of carvacrol on tracheal responsiveness, serum level of NO and nitrite, total and differential WBC in the blood of sensitized guinea pigs which was equal or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations.