Preparation and physicochemical characterization of N-succinyl chitosan-coated liposomes for oral delivery of grape seed extract and evaluation of its effect on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an oral succinyl chitosan-coated liposomal formulation containing grape seed extract and assess its therapeutic efficacy in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Materials and Methods: N-succinyl chitosan was synthesized, and the liposomal formulations were prepared and characterized regarding phenolic content assay and morphology. Size, zeta potential, in vitro drug release, and stability. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal bleomycin injection, and hydroxyproline measurements, lung weight, animal body weight, as well as histopathological studies were performed. Results: Succinyl chitosan increases the physical stability of the formulation, especially in acidic conditions. Drug release studies revealed that 66.27% of the loaded drug was released from CF2 in an acidic medium in 2 hr, but 92.31% of the drug was released in 8 hr in a pH=7 medium. An in vivo study demonstrated that rats exposed to bleomycin significantly lost weight, while those treated with CF2 (400 mg/kg) partially regained weight. Bleomycin treatment increased the mean lung weight and the amount of hydroxyproline in the lungs; these values were significantly decreased in the group treated with 400 mg/kg CF2 (P<0.05). Histopathological examination confirmed that treatment with 400 mg/kg CF2 improved lung fibrosis. Conclusion: In rats, oral administration of N-succinyl chitosan-coated liposomes containing grape seed extract at the 400 mg/kg dose ameliorates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Determination of the effectiveness of Dorema ammoniacum gum on wound healing: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: For a long time, natural compounds have been used to accelerate wound healing. In this study, the topical effects of ammoniacum gum extract on wound healing were investigated in white male rats. METHOD: Following skin wound induction in aseptic conditions, 48 Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups; phenytoin cream 1% (standard), untreated (control), Eucerin (control), and 5%, 10% and 20% ointments of Dorema ammoniacum gum extract (treatment groups). All experimental groups received topical drugs daily for 14 days. The percentage of wound healing, hydroxyproline content, histological parameters, and growth factors (endothelial growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-α) were measured in experimental groups. RESULTS: The areas of the wounds in the treatment groups were significantly decreased compared with the wound areas of control groups at 5, 7 and 10 days after wounding. On the 12th day, the wounds in the treatment groups were completely healed. Hydroxyproline contents were significantly increased in the treatment groups compared with the control groups (p<0.001). In histological evaluation, the re-epithelialisation, increasing thickness of the epithelial layer, granulation tissue and neovascularisation parameters in the treatment groups showed significant increases compared with the control groups. Also, serum levels of TGF-ß, PDGF, EGF and VEGF in the treatment groups were significantly increased compared to the control groups. CONCLUSION: The topical application of ammoniacum gum extract significantly increases the percentage of wound healing in rats and reduces the time of wound closure.

Gallic acid ameliorates di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular injury in adult mice.

Background: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a well-known endocrine-disrupting compound inducing degeneration of testes. Gallic acid (GA) is a polyphenol with various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.Purpose: This research evaluated effects of different doses of GA on DEHP-induced testicular injury in adult mice.Research Design: Male mice were randomly divided into five groups and treated with agents for two weeks; group (I) received normal saline and corn oil (5 mL/kg/day, p. o.), group (II) received DEHP (2 g/kg/day, dissolved in corn oil, p. o.), groups (III, IV, and V) received DEHP + GA (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, p. o.). Body and testes weights, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were evaluated. The number of sperms and sperm motility and viability were analyzed in the cauda epididymis. Histological changes, oxidative/nitrosative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines levels were examined in testes.Results: Body and testes weights, the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte and early spermatid, and late spermatid and sperm vitality, and progressive motility were significantly reduced in mice exposed to DEHP. Serum testosterone level decreased and serum LH and FSH levels increased in DEHP-exposed mice. These alterations were associated with the increased oxidative stress level and inflammatory responses in testicular tissue. Treatment with GA (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) attenuated DEHP-induced alterations in oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines and reversed abnormality in sperm characteristic and number, tissue structure, and serum hormones levels.Conclusions: Results indicated that GA might be a promising agent against male gonadal toxicity induced by endocrine disrupting chemicals including DEHP.

The effects of add-on therapy of Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) on laboratory confirmed COVID-19 Cases: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effect of Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) as an add-on therapy on COVID-19_ related biomarkers and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: In this RCT, sixty-one patients were randomly assigned into two arms [the intervention (n=31) and control arms (n=30)]. The effect of Amla on diagnostic Reverse-transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test results between the first and the last days of the study, the length of stay (LOS) in hospital, the percentage of lung involvement on CT scans, changes in the clinical symptoms, and the laboratory markers were assessed. RESULTS: The two study groups had similar baseline demographics and characteristics in terms of medical history. The mean of LOS in the intervention arm (4.44 days) was significantly shorter than in the control arm (7.18 days, P < 0.001); RT-PCR results were not significantly different between the two arms (P = 0.07). All clinical variables decreased over time in the two groups (P < 0.001). However, the difference between the two groups in terms of fever (P = 0.004), severity of cough (P = 0.001), shortness of breath (P = 0.004), and myalgia (P = 0.005) were significant, but this intergroup comparison was not significant with regard to respiratory rate (P = 0.29), severity of chills (P = 0.06), sore throat (P = 0.22), and weakness (P = 0.12). Out of the eight evaluated para-clinical variables, three variables showed significant improvement in the intervention arm, including the mean increase in oxygen saturation (SpO2) level (P < 0.001), the reduction in the mean percentage of lung involvement on CT (P < 0.001), and the improvement in C-reactive protein test results (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Organic herbal Amla tea cannot significantly affect the RT-PCR results and or degree of lung involvement. Nevertheless, it showed an ameliorative effect on the severity of clinical signs and CRP levels. Also, Amla tea may shorten the recovery times of symptoms and LOS in COVID-19 patients.

The ameliorative effect of ellagic acid on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular structural alterations, oxidative stress, inflammation and sperm damages in adult mice.

BACKGROUND: Phthalates such as di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are well known exogenous substances, disrupting reproductive system function and structure. The current research demonstrated the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on DEHP-induced testicular injury in mice. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy adult male mice were randomly divided to five groups; normal saline receiving group, DEHP (2 g/kg/day, dissolved in corn oil, p.o.) receiving group, DEHP (2 g/kg/day, dissolved in corn oil, p.o.) and EA receiving groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Treatment duration of animals was 14 days. Body and testes weights and sperm characteristics and histological changes of testes were evaluated. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were analyzed. In the testicular tissue, oxidative/nitrosative stress markers and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured. RESULTS: Ellagic acid significantly reduced DEHP-induced reduction of body and testes weights. The DEHP-induced reduction of spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte and sertoli cells numbers as well as reduction of sperm vitality and progressive motility were reversed by EA. Furthermore, EA inhibited DEHP-induced alterations in serum hormone levels. These effects were associated with the reduction of DEHP-induced increased level of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: Ellagic acid considerably inhibits testicular toxicity of DEHP through reducing oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory responses. Our data suggest that EA may be considered as a promising agent to inhibit male reproductive toxicity induced by endocrine disrupting chemicals such as DEHP.

Zingerone Mitigates Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation Through Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Inflammation is the body's response against various pathogens and has a critical role in numerous diseases. Zingerone (Zing), a bioactive substance derived from ginger root, has a variety of pharmacological properties, such as reducing inflammation, and antioxidant effects. We aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of Zing in a carrageenan-induced inflammation model. Paw edema induced by carrageenan (100 µl of 1%) was used to induce acute inflammation in rats. Different doses of Zing (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally. Paw tissue levels of MDA, NO, CAT, SOD, GPx, GSH, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1ß were estimated. Our results showed that Zing, especially at the highest dose of 40 mg/kg, significantly reduced paw swelling in carrageenan-injected animals. Zing significantly increased paw enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants except CAT. It also decreased paw levels of MDA, NO, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1ß. The results of this study show that Zing may provide an alternative for the clinical control of inflammation through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Attenuation of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Wistar Rats by Combination Treatment of Two Natural Phenolic Compounds: Quercetin and Gallic Acid.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of two potent natural antioxidants, gallic acid and quercetin as single or combination treatment against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 and 2 intratracheally received saline and bleomycin (7.5 UI/kg), respectively, on day 7, accompanied by oral saline administration for 28 day. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received a single dose of bleomycin on day 7, accompanied by oral administration of gallic acid, quercetin, and their combination, respectively, for 28 day. Finally, the lungs were removed for biochemical and histopathological tests. The combination treatment demonstrated a remarkable decrease in lung hydroxyproline and TNF-α level and increase in catalase activity as compared with both single phytochemical-treated groups. The combination treatment significantly enhanced lung SOD activity and GSH level and decreased NO and IL-6 levels as compared with quercetin-treated group. However, only combination treatment could decrease the lung index and completely reversed histopathological changes in the bleomycin-treated group. In sum, when compared to a single exposure, the combination treatment might be a more effective approach for PF treatment because of its superior efficacy in reversing lung histological changes in the bleomycin-treated group.

The Effect of Chilgoza Pine Nut (Pinus gerardiana Wall.) on Blood Glucose and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats.

PURPOSE: Diabetes can increase oxidative stress in various tissues of the body, and the progress of this process is associated with intensification of the complications of diabetes. The current study purposed to evaluate the protective effect of Pinus gerardiana (PG) seed on oxidative stress induced by diabetes in the liver and serum of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This interventional study was performed on 36 male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (healthy controls, healthy treated with 3% and 6% (PG), diabetic control, diabetic treated with 3% and 6% (PG) doses). After 6 weeks of intervention, weight, glucose, and oxidative stress parameters in serum and liver including total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, total thiol and superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Data analysis was done by statistical software version 16 and Tukey's one-way ANOVA tests. RESULTS: Diabetic rats showed significantly higher malondialdehyde and fasting glucose levels (12±1.2 mmol/L) and significant reductions in fasting insulin serum, weight (-37%), and activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes, total thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver (about +49% in liver and +16% in serum) (p < 0.001) compared with the healthy groups. Oral administration of PG nuts to diabetic rats caused a significant reduction in malondialdehyde and fasting glucose levels (-43%) and weight loss (+15%), and a significant increase in activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes, total thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that PG can decrease fasting blood glucose, improve insulin resistance, reduce weight loss, and improve oxidative stress indices in the serum and liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats. It is a potential therapeutic food supplement for the treatment and prevention of hyperglycemia and high oxidative stress of diabetes.

Crocin: a protective natural antioxidant against pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and fibrotic lung disease of unknown causes. Given the crucial role of oxidative stress in the progression of IPF, antioxidant therapy may be speculated to be an efficient therapeutic approach. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Crocin as a potent, natural antioxidant against Bleomycin-induced PF in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 received intratracheal saline on day 7 and oral gavage of saline for 28 days. Group 2 received a single dose of Bleomycin on day 7 and oral gavage of saline for 28 days. Groups 3 received a single dose of Bleomycin on day 7, accompanied with oral administration of Crocin for 28 days. Group 4 orally received Crocin for 28 days. Finally, the lungs were removed for measuring the biochemical and histopathological markers. RESULTS: The results showed that Crocin therapy remarkably decreased TNF-α, MDA and NO levels in the lungs of Bleomycin-exposed rats. Furthermore, a significant increase was seen in lung GSH content, catalase, and GPx activities in the Crocin/Bleomycin-treated group as compared with Bleomycin-treated group. However, Crocin could not markedly change the lung index and SOD activity. Histopathological changes, fibrosis and hydroxyproline content of lungs also significantly decreased by Crocin therapy in the Crocin/Bleomycin-treated group. CONCLUSION: In sum, Crocin therapy could modulate biochemical and histological changes induced by Bleomycin; therefore, it might be considered as an effective therapeutic approach against IPF.

Chemical composition and antibacterial effects of some essential oils individually and in combination with sodium benzoate against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica.

Side effects of chemical preservatives and drug resistance have raised interest in use of herbal products. This study aimed to examine the chemical composition and antibacterial effects of Cuminum cyminum, Mentha spicata, and Mentha longifolia essential oils individually and in combination with sodium benzoate against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Disc diffusion and microdilution assays were used for in vitro antimicrobial screening. The main components were cumin aldehyde, carvone, and pulegone in C. cyminum, M. spicata, and M. longifolia essential oils, respectively. Antibacterial data analysis showed significant differences between different antibacterial effects of essential oils individually and in combination with sodium benzoate. In terms of individual effects, antibacterial effect of M. longifolia and C. cyminum essential oils were the highest against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Y. enterocolitica, respectively. The antibacterial effects of sodium benzoate combined with essential oils showed significant differences with the individual effect of sodium benzoate in most cases. The results indicated that the combined effect of these essential oils with sodium benzoate could reduce the use of sodium benzoate as an antimicrobial agent, which could decrease its possible side effects. Thus, for more significant effects, these essential oils could be combined with other agents for the preservation of drug and food products.

Effect of ointment-based egg white on healing of second- degree wound in burn patients: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial study.

OBJECTIVE: Burn wound healing is one of the problems of medical sciences and it is of great importance to find a drug or substance that can heal burn wounds with minimum complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ointment-based egg white on healing second-degree burn wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present triple-blind clinical trial, a total of 90 patients from Taleghani hospital, Ahvaz, Iran were selected and randomly divided into two groups based on the inclusion criteria. The intervention group was dressed with egg white formulation + silver sulfadiazine cream and the control group was treated with placebo + silver sulfadiazine cream. The burn wound healing process was evaluated on days 1, 7 and 15 by the Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool. RESULTS: The mean scores of wound healing were decreased (13.75±1.83) in the intervention group when compared to the control (21.51±5.7) on day 15 (p<0.001). The mean duration of wound healing, wound depth, edges, undermining, necrotic tissue, amount of necrosis, exudate type and amount, surrounding skin color, wound induration, peripheral edema, granulation, and epithelialization were significantly decrease in intervention group in comparison with control (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of this research showed that egg whites formulation is an appropriate treatment for burn wound healing, reduced above-noted burn wounds' variables. It seems that this treatment, along with the common medicine, improves chronic wound recovery rate and patients' health status.

Protective Effect of Ellagic Acid Against Sodium Arsenite-Induced Cardio- and Hematotoxicity in Rats.

Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic constituent in certain fruits and nuts with wide range of biological activities, including potent antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimutagen properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of EA on sodium arsenic (SA)-induced cardio- and hematotoxicity in rats. Animals were divided into five groups. The first group was used as control. Group 2 was orally treated with sodium arsenite (SA, 10 mg/kg) for 21 days. Group 3 was orally treated with EA (30 mg/kg) for 14 days. Groups 4 and 5 were orally treated with SA for 7 days prior to EA (10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively) treatment and continued up to 21 days simultaneous with SA administration. Various biochemical, histological and molecular biomarkers were assessed in blood and heart. The results indicate that SA-intoxicated rats display significantly higher levels of plasma cardiac markers (AST, CK-MB, LDH and cTnI) than normal control animals. Moreover, an increase in MDA and NO with depletion of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD and GPx occurred in the heart of rats treated with SA. Furthermore, SA-treated rats showed significantly lower WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT and PLT and significantly higher MCV and MCH. Administration of EA (30 mg/kg) resulted in a significant reversal of hematological and cardiac markers in arsenic-intoxicated rats. These biochemical disturbances were supported by histopathological observations of the heart. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that EA treatment exerts a significant protective effect on SA-induced cardio- and hematotoxicity.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Capparis spinosa L. fractions and Quercetin on tert-butyl hydroperoxide- induced acute liver damage in mice.

The present study investigates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Capparis spinosa L. and Quercetin in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced acute liver damage. Different fractions of C. spinosa were examined for total phenolic content and antioxidant property. Among these fractions, hydroalcoholic extract was used to assess the hepatoprotective effect in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced hepatotoxicity model by determining serum biochemical markers, sleeping time and antioxidant assay such as reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as histopathological examination of liver tissues. The total phenolic and Quercetin contents of hydroalcoholic fraction were significantly higher than other fractions. It also showed high antioxidant activity. Pretreatment with hydroalcoholic fraction at the dose of 400 mg/kg and Quercetin at the dose of 20 mg/kg showed liver protection against t-BHP induced hepatic injury, as it was evident by a significant decrease in serum enzymes marker, sleeping time and MDA and an increase in the GSH, SOD and CAT activities confirmed by pathology tests. The final results ascertained the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of C. spinosa and Quercetin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, this study suggests that possible mechanism of this protection may be associated with its property of scavenging free radicals which may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Thymus daenensis extract and essential oils effects on morphine withdrawal signs in mice.

BACKGROUND: Thymus species are well known medicinal plants which the previous studies suggested the involvement of the opioid system in them. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of methanolic extract and essential oil of aerial parts of Thymus daenensis (TD), an endemic aromatic medicinal plant of Iran, on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were performed in two groups of five, each group treated with extracts or essential oils of TD. Dependency was induced by subcutaneous injection of morphine for three consecutive days. On the fourth day, the last dose of morphine was injected two hours prior to intraperitoneal injection of naloxone while the extract or essential oil of TD was administered 30 minutes before naloxone. A period of 20 minutes after naloxone injection was considered the critical period of the withdrawal syndrome. The number of jumps, standing, leaning, and the weight of stools were recorded as withdrawal signs. RESULTS: The 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses of extract and all doses of essential oil decreased significantly the number of jumps, standing, leaning and the weight of stool. Administration of 100 mg/kg of extract only decreased the weight of stool and had no effect on the other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Extract and essential oil of TD attenuates morphine withdrawal behaviors in mice and may be useful in alleviating the signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal syndrome in human.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of some medicinal and aromatic plants used as herbal teas and condiments in Iran.

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of four Iranian herbs (Lamiaceae) were investigated. The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak.), Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bung.), dragonhead (Dracocephalum multicaule Montbr & Auch), and woundwort (Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.) was evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). A comparison of all plant extracts in the DPPH assay indicated that dragonhead and thyme were the most effective free radical scavenging agents. Thyme demonstrated a relatively strong antioxidant activity in both the FRAP and TEAC assays. The total phenolic content of all the extracts ranged from 99 to 208 mg TAE/g extract with thyme exhibiting the highest phenolic content. The flavonoid content of the extracts, which ranged from 10.1 to 22.2 rutin equivalents/g of extract, was highest in dragonhead. A positive correlation was noted between the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in both the FRAP and TEAC assays, while no significant correlation was observed between the DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP assay and total flavonoid, suggesting that the level of antioxidant activity in these plants varies greatly, but the total phenolic in the plant extracts provided a substantial antioxidant activity. Experimental results indicate that thyme and dragonhead extracts could be an important dietary source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity.

The Effect of Date Seed (Phoenix dactylifera) Extract on Paraoxonase and Arylesterase Activities in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a high- density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme, displaying esterase and lactonase activity. The PON1 is involved in a variety of inflammatory diseases, metabolizing toxic oxidized lipids and detoxifying of organophosphorus insecticide compounds and nerve agents. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methanolic date seed extract (DSE) on paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in hypercholesterolemic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were conducted in two groups of normal and hypercholesterolemic rats and continued for four weeks. Two weeks after receiving the normal and hypercholesterolemic diet, different dosages of DSE were administered during the last two weeks of the treatment. Blood samples were taken from animals before administration of DSE (at day 14) and at the end of the experimental period (at day 28). Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities of PON1 enzyme were assayed by kit using paraoxone and phenylacetate as the substrates. Relative changes in serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were compared between the two groups during this interval. RESULTS: Administration of DSE significantly increased serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in treated hypercholesterolemic groups compared to untreated ones. There was a significant difference in the TAOC of serum between the normal diet and hypercholesterolemic groups. However, DSE did not change the TAOC in hypercholesterolemic groups significantly. CONCLUSIONS: DSE increases serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities. These beneficial effects may be subjected to the presence of natural antioxidants such as phenolic compounds in the date seed. Despite this, DSE did not increase TAOC in treated hypercholesterolemic groups compared to the untreated ones based on ABTS (2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid) radical reduction assay. This indicates that the hypercholesterolemic diet, apart from DSE and atorvastatin effects, may be responsible for the serum TAOC reduction. However, it is concluded that DSE may be useful in decreasing the symptoms of diseases resulting from the low activity of paraoxonase.

Evaluation of contextual and demographic factors on licorice effects on reducing hot flashes in postmenopause women.

Menopause is an important stage in the life of every woman. Hot flashes are the most common climacteric symptom and a major cause of suffering in postmenopausal women. Licorice is one of the plants that is used to relieve menopausal symptoms. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of licorice on hot flash symptoms in menopausal women. The participants of this randomized, double blind, clinical trial study were 60 menopausal women randomly allocated to licorice or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) groups. The participants in this trial received licorice (1140 mg/day) or HRT (a conjugated estrogen 0.312 mg/day and Medroxyprogesterone 2.5 mg/day) for 90 days. In this study we observed that licorice is not very different from hormones in terms of reducing the number and duration of hot flashes, but that HRT can reduce the severity of hot flashes significantly better than licorice can. In addition, there was no significant difference between age, education level, marital status, occupation, income, number of pregnancies, time from cessation of menstruation, and severity of hot flashes in the two groups. We observed that licorice seems more effective than HRT in improving hot flash duration, but that HRT can reduce the duration and severity of hot flashes more than licorice.

In vitro activity of green tea extract against Leishmania major promastigotes.

BACKGROUND: Systemic and topical treatment options against Leishmaniasis are limited to a few drugs with inconsistent efficacy and unacceptable side effects and none of them is suitable for all forms of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to search the in vitro activity of green tea extract against L. major promastigotes and compare it with glucantime. METHODS: Extract was prepared by percolation method. The extract was dried and dissolved in DMSO 1% solvent. Leishmania major promastigotes treated with 6 concentrations (3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 mg/ml) of the extract. As control positive group glucantime 85 mg/ml and additional untreated control group were included in this study. All cultures were performed in triplicate. The promastigotes were also counted and their flagellate's motilities were assessed microscopically. RESULTS: Ethanolic extract of green tea showed significant leishmanicidal activity against L. major promastigotes in different concentrations. Notably there was a concordance in anti-leishmanial effect of the ethanol extract with the increasing of the dosage (3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 mg/ml). In comparison with glucantime the mean alive promastigotes in 12 mg/ml concentration of green tea was almost as same as 85 mg/ml glucantime and higher green tea extract concentrations were higher effective than glucantime. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a novel pharmacological activity against promastigotes of L. major and suggests that green tea extract has the potential of being used in leishmaniasis but more studies are needed to find out its activity against amastigote and appropriate route of application.

Comparison of the effects of fresh leaf and peel extracts of walnut (Juglans regia L.) on blood glucose and ß-cells of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

There is some report about the hypoglycemic effect of Juglans rejia L. leaf in alloxan induced diabetic rats and hypoglycemic effect of its fruit peel administered intra peritoneally. Thirty male Wistar rats divided into five groups, to evaluate the hypoglycemic and pancreas ß-cells regenerative effects of oral methanolic extracts of leaf and fruit peel of walnut. Rats were made diabetic by intravenous (IV) injection of 50 mg kg(-1) streptozotocin (STZ). Negative control group did not get STZ and any treatment. Positive control, leaf extract, peel extract and insulin groups were treated orally by extract solvent, 200 mg kg(-1) leaf extract, 200 mg kg(-1) peel extract and 5 IU kg(-1) of subcutaneous neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, respectively. Four weeks later, blood was collected for biochemical analysis and pancreases were removed for ß-cells counts in histological sections. Diabetes leads to increase of fast blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1c, and decrease of ß-cell number and insulin. FBS decreased only in leaf extract group. HbA1c decreased in leaf extract and insulin groups. The ß-cells number increased in leaf and peel extract groups. Insulin increased moderately in all treatment groups. We showed the proliferative properties of leaves and peel of Juglans regia L. methanolic extract in STZ- induced diabetic rats, which was accompanied by hypoglycemic effect of leaf extract.

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Aqueous Extract of Echium amoenum for Patients with General Anxiety Disorder.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the aqueous extract of Echium amoenum in combination with SSRIs in patients with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The study was an 8-week double-blind randomized clinical trial. Thirty-seven adult outpatients who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for GAD based on the structured clinical interview participated in the trial. In this study, patients were randomly assigned to receive the aqueous extract (500 mg) plus fluoxetine or fluoxetine (20 mg/day) plus placebo. The results showed significant difference between the two groups in the treatment of GAD. Moreover, there was not any significant difference between the two groups in terms of observed side effects. E. amoenum is effective on anxiety disorder, especially in higher dosage, without any serious side effects.