Vitamin D and potential effects on cancers: a review.

Cancer is characterized by the abnormal and uncontrollable division and growth of cells that can infiltrate tissues and alter normal physiological function, which will become crucial and life-threatening if left untreated. Cancer can be a result of genetics, such as mutations or environmental causes, including smoking, lack of physical activity, as well as nutritional imbalance in the body. Vitamin D is one of the foremost nutrients that play a crucial role in a variety of biochemical pathways, and it is an important key factor in several diseases. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for preventing malignancies and a complementary treatment for cancer through direct and indirect biochemical pathways. In this article, we summarized the correlation between vitamin D and various cancers using an extensive search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This paper reviews the role of vitamin D in different types of cancer.

Inhibitory effects of Ficus carica and Olea europaea on pro-inflammatory cytokines: A review.

Objectives: Ficus carica (fig) and Olea europaea (olive) are valuable nutritional plants that are widely used in diet and traditional medicine. Different parts of the plants such as fruit and leaves contain beneficial compounds with diverse pharmacological properties, among which anti-inflammatory activities are remarkable. The purpose of this review is to discuss the anti-inflammatory effects of F. carica and O. europaea with emphasis on their impact on pivotal pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. Materials and Methods: To prepare the present review, the sites utilized included Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar and studied relevant articles from 2000 until 2021. Results: As a result, we observed that most of the compounds in fig and olive including polyphenols, flavonoids, etc., exert their anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting or decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, some natural antioxidants are common between these two plants. Conclusion: We suggest that consuming figs and olives simultaneously or alone can be useful in the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Protection of CCl4-induced hepatic and renal damage by linalool.

The aim of the current study is to determine the protective and therapeutic effects of linalool against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Six-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control group (a regular diet); CCl4 group (1 ml/kg dissolved in olive oil, intraperitoneally at 14th day); pretreatment group (25 mg/kg linalool daily + CCl4 14thday); post-treatment group (25 mg/kg linalool 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after the injection of CCl4 at 14th day); and linalool group (25 mg/kg linalool daily, orally). All animals were sacrificed, tissue and blood samples were collected to analysis. Administration of CCl4 resulted in a marked increase in hepatic (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase) and renal (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) markers. Also, CCl4 resulted in pathological damages, a significant increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde , tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and Interleukin 6 , expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and a significant decrease in the levels of serum total protein, serum albumin, and antioxidants. However, in pretreatment and post treatment groups, linalool significantly inhibited CCl4- induced hepatic and nephric damages. These results demonstrate that linalool has protective and therapeutic effects in an in vitro model of CCL4-induced hepatic and nephric damage, proposing linalool as a potential therapeutic agent against chemical and drug induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Linalool reverses benzene-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and lysosomal/mitochondrial damages in human lymphocytes.

Benzene exposure results in bone marrow suppression, leading to a decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells, an increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and aplastic anemia. Since the mechanism of induction of benzene toxicity is due to active metabolites through cytochrome p450 enzymes and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we hypothesized that natural compound such linalool with anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties could be effective in reducing its toxicity. Lymphocytes isolated from healthy individuals were simultaneously cotreated with different concentrations of LIN (10, 25 and 50 µM) and benzene (50 µM) for 4 h at 37 °C. After incubation, the toxicity parameters such cytotoxicity, ROS formation, lysosomal membrane integrity, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) collapse, oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed using biochemical and flow cytometry evaluations. Our data showed that benzene (50 µM) induced a significant increase in cytotoxicity, ROS formation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress while LIN with antioxidant potential reversed the toxic effects of benzene on isolated human lymphocytes. Our results suggest that LIN reduces and reverses benzene-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and lysosomal/mitochondrial damages in human lymphocyte. This study demonstrated that cotreatment of LIN with benzene can reduce several parameters indicative of oxidative stress. As such, LIN could represent a potential therapeutic agent in reducing certain aspects of benzene-induced toxicity.

The protective effect of cinnamon and ginger hydro-alcoholic extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced testicular damage in rats.

Sexual dysfunction of men is one of the most serious problems in human society. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of cinnamon and ginger extract on testicular damages induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6): 1. Normal control; 2. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4); 3. CCl4 + Cinnamon; 4. CCl4 + Ginger; 5. CCl4 + Cinnamon and Ginger; and 6. Cinnamon + Ginger. CCl4 (1 ml/kg) was injected intraperitoneally on the 14th day, and cinnamon (50 mg/kg, orally) and ginger (250 mg/kg, orally) were administered daily for 14 days. Fifty hours after the CCl4 injection, the testicles and epididymis were separated and examined as to histological alterations and oxidative stress markers. CCl4 significantly increased malondialdehyde level and decreased total antioxidant capacity when compared to the normal control group (p < .05). In addition, degenerative alterations in the testicular and epididymal tissue were observed in CCl4 group. The pre-treatment with ginger and cinnamon extract significantly improved these parameters when compared to the CCl4 group (p < .05). The results of this study indicated that co-treatment of ginger and cinnamon reduces the damages induced by CCl4 in testicular tissue by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing lipid peroxidation.

The role of hormones in renal disease and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The patients with renal diseases, especially end-stage renal disease (ESRD), are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disturbances. Some hormones such as brain natriuretic peptide appear to be important serum biomarkers in predicting cardiac death in ESRD patients. Renal diseases cause inflammation, anemia, uremic toxins, fluid overload, and electrolyte disturbance. Kidney transplantation is considered the choice treatment for patients with ESRD. Ischemia-reperfusion (IR), which occurs during renal transplantation is one of the factors that affect the outcome of renal transplantation. Renal graft rejection is the result of IR injury and there is no effective treatment to prevent IR injury. Reperfusion after ischemia may cause injury through generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, inflammatory responses by increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL), and apoptotic processes, and leads to acute kidney injury (AKI). Thus, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory hormones, which inhibit these pathways, can protect against IR injury and improve transplanted renal function in patients with ESRD.

Renoprotective effects of the methanolic extract of Tanacetum parthenium against carbon tetrachloride-induced renal injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated that carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in many tissues including the kidney, heart, lung, brain, and liver. The major aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective activity of Tanacetum parthenium extract (TPE) in renal tissues of CCl4-intoxicated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were divided into seven groups of six rats. Group 1 was the control group that was not treated with CCl4. The rats in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 (1.5 ml/kg, 1:1 in olive oil) on day 14. Rats in the groups bTPE40, bTPE80, and bTPE120 were gavaged with 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg of TPE, respectively for 14 constitutive days on a daily basis, before CCl4 administration. Rats in groups aTPE80 and aTPE120 were gavaged with 80 and 120 mg/kg of TPE, respectively, 2, 6, 24 and 48 hr after receiving CCl4. Blood samples were collected at the end of the 16th day through an intracardiac puncture and then serums were separated. RESULTS: CCl4 increased urea, creatinine, uric acid and creatinine: albumin (C/A) ratio level in serum and decreased total antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) when compared to the control group (p<0.001). But administration of TPE to rats either before or after exposure to CCl4, attenuated these changes when compared with CCl4 control group (p<0.05 - p<0.001). CONCLUSION: TPE had potent nephroprotective effects against oxygen free radicals produced through CCl4 metabolism.

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in patients with COPD.

Background: Natural antioxidants in foods may be used in prevention and treatment of oxidative stress and inflammation in COPD. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplement as natural antioxidants on oxidative stress levels, and MMP2 and MMP9 serum levels in COPD patients. Materials and methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 90 (supplement group=45 and control group=45) COPD patients in Ardabil city, Iran, in 2015. After obtaining written consent, general information was collected from each patient using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Supplement group received 3.2 g of CLA and those in the control group were given 3.2 g of placebo for 6 weeks on a daily basis. Fasting blood samples were taken from all of the patients for testing of malondialdehyde (MDA), MMP2, and MMP9 levels at the beginning and end of the study. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent samples t-test, paired sample t-test, chi-square test, and ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to mean age, smoking status, and serum level of MDA at the beginning of the study. In the supplement group, the serum level of MDA decreased significantly at the end of the 6th week compared to that in the beginning of the study (p=0.0004), while in the placebo group, the difference was found to be insignificant. The serum level of MMP9 decreased significantly in the supplement group, while in the placebo group its level increased significantly as compared to that at the beginning of the study (p<0.05). The serum levels of MMP2 indicated no significant differences between the two groups neither at the beginning nor at the end of the study. Conclusion: These findings indicated that CLA supplementation may be helpful for COPD patients through inhibiting the production of oxidative stress and controlling MMP9 serum levels.

Hepatoprotective effect of methanolic Tanacetum parthenium extract on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Tanacetum Parthenium Extract (TPE) on Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes in the rats damaged by Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4). 54 male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups each consisting of 6 rats. Two of the groups were control groups (normal and damage control groups), 4 of them were exposure groups which were respectively administered with 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg of TPE and silymarin for 14 days before being damaged by CCl4, and the other 3 groups were post-treatment groups which received 80 and 120 mg/kg of TPE and silymarin 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after being injected with CCl4. At the end of the study, biochemical factors, serum liver enzymes, malondialdehyde level, antioxidant enzymes, and liver morphology were assayed. Pre- and post-treatment with TPE could significantly decrease ALT, AST, ALP, TG, LDL, TC, and glucose levels and increase HDL, and albumin levels and catalase, SOD, and GPx activities compared to the CCl4-damaged control group. The results of this study are indicative of the antioxidant activity of TPE, its potential hepatoprotective effects, and its probable therapeutic properties for laboratory animals damaged by CCl4.

Antibacterial effect of different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms in root canals.

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution in reducing bacterial growth in Enterococcus faecalis biofilms in root canals. Methods. The root canals of maxillary central incisors of 104 subjects underwent chemomechanical debridement. In order to remove the smear layer, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution was used for 3 minutes in the root canals. Then, the samples were immersed in 1 mL of 17% EDTA for 3 minutes. Finally, the root canals were irrigated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. After removing the smear layer, the samples were sterilized. Then E. faecalis biofilms formed within the root canals at 4-, 6-, and 10-week intervals were evaluated. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups in terms of the antibacterial treatment: group 1: 1% NaOCl solution; group 2: 2.5% NaOCl solution; group 3: 5.25% NaOCl solution; and group 4: PBS solution. After preparation of root canal filings, the counts of live bacteria were calculated through the classic method of counting, i.e. colony forming units (CFU), followed by the analysis of data. Results. In groups 2 and 3, there was no bacterial growth due to complete removal of E. faecalis biofilms (P<0001), while the bacterial counts in group 1 at 4-, 6- and 10-week intervals decreased compared to the control group. Conclusion. The bacterial cells in mature and old biofilms have higher resistance to 1% NaOCl solution compared to the young biofilms. However, the 2.5% and 5.25% NaOCl solutions caused complete inhibition of the growth of E. faecalis biofilm in all the stages of development.

Effect of Cichorium intybus L. seed extract on renal parameters in experimentally induced early and late diabetes type 2 in rats.

Blood and urine biochemistry screening tests are important for initial detection of diabetes, determination of severity of its complications, and monitoring of therapy. We evaluated the effects of aqueous chicory seed extract (CSE), on renal biochemical parameters, histology, and Na+/glucose cotansporters, SGLT1 and SGLT2 expression levels using metformin, and aspirin as controls. Late stage type 2 diabetes (LT2D; FBS, >300 mg/dl) and early stage type 2 diabetes (ET2D; FBS, 140-220 mg/dl) were induced in rats by streptozotocin (STZ group) and a combination of STZ and niacinamide (NIA/STZ group), respectively. A non-diabetic group was included as control. Treatment included daily intraperitoneal injections of either CSE (125 mg/kg b.w.) or metformin (100 mg/kg b.w.) and oral aspirin (120 mg/kg b.w.) for 21 days. At the end, blood and 24 h urine samples were collected; and kidneys were saved at -80 ËšC. CSE reduced urinary α1-microgobulin excretion in ET2D (p = .043), and serum uric acid (p = .045), and glomerular diameter (p < .01) in LT2D. Metformin appeared to be more effective in LT2D with respect to serum uric acid, urea, and BUN (< .05). Both CSE and metformin improved histology. Aspirin improved several blood and urine variables, but appeared to aggravate morphological damages to the kidney tissue. The absolute values of albumin, α1-microglobulin or total protein in urine rather than their creatinine ratios seemed more useful in the detection of early kidney damage; CSE was able to repair the kidney damage and α1-microglobulin was sensitive enough to allow monitoring of the improvements caused by the treatment.

Effect of Cichorium intybus L. on the expression of hepatic NF-κB and IKKß and serum TNF-α in STZ- and STZ+ niacinamide-induced diabetes in rats.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is an early event in the development of diabetes type 2 (T2D). Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) possesses anti-inflammatory action. We compared the anti-inflammatory aspect of aqueous chicory seed extract (CSE) in early and late stage T2D in rats. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into nine final groups (n = 6). Three main groups consisted of non-diabetic (Control), early stage diabetes (ET2D; niacinamide/streptozotocin, i.e., NIA/STZ), and late stage diabetes (LT2D; STZ). Within each main group, a subgroup was treated with CSE (125 mg/kg; i.p.); within each diabetic group (STZ and NIA/STZ) a subgroup received metformin (100 mg/kg; i.p.); another subgroup in STZ group received aspirin (120 mg/kg; oral). After 21 days, fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin, and TNF-α level were measured in serum; IKKß and NF-κB (p65) mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by real time PCR and Western blotting; p65 DNA binding activity was determined by ELISA, in liver tissue. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of IKKß, and P65 genes increased in both stages of T2D (p < 0.01); CSE decreased their expression (p < 0.001, mRNAs; p < 0.05, proteins). The increased DNA-binding capacity of NF-κB (p < 0.0001) in diabetes was lowered by CSE (p < 0.001). The effect of CSE was limited to ET2D requiring insulin. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory action of CSE is due to a direct modulation of cytokine expression. The dependency of chicory action on the presence of insulin indicates its usefulness in the early stages of diabetes and for the purpose of preventing and delaying diabetes onset.