Achillea wilhelmsii-Incorporated Chitosan@Eudragit Nanoparticles Intended for Enhanced Ulcerative Colitis Treatment.

Achillea wilhelmsii (A. wilhelmsii) contains several therapeutic phytochemicals, proposing a protective effect on inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its activities against UC encounter multiple obstacles. The current study aimed to formulate a colon-specific delivery of A. wilhelmsii for treating UC using chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) and Eudragit S100 as a mucoadhesive and pH-sensitive polymer, respectively. Core chitosan NP was loaded with A. wilhelmsii extract, followed by coating with Eudragit S100. Then, physicochemical characterizations of prepared NPs were conducted, and the anti-UC activity in the rat model was evaluated. The relevant physicochemical characterizations indicated the spherical NPs with an average particle size of 305 ± 34 nm and high encapsulation efficiency (88.6 ± 7.3%). The FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) analysis revealed the Eudragit coating and the extract loading, as well as the high radical scavenging ability of A. wilhelmsii was confirmed. The loaded NPs prevented the extract release in an acidic pH-mimicking medium and presented a complete release thereafter at a colonic pH. The loaded NPs markedly mitigated the induced UC lesions in rats, reflected by reducing inflammation, ulcer severity, and UC-related symptoms. Further, histopathological analysis exhibited reducing the extent of the inflammation and damage to colon tissue, and the determination of the involved pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum showed a significant reduction relative to free extract. The present results show that chitosan NPs containing A. wilhelmsii extract coated with Eudragit having proper physicochemical properties and substantial anti-inflammatory activity can significantly improve colonic lesions caused by UC.

Effect of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni extract on sexual dysfunction in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni has been used locally as a non-calorie sweetener in medicine and diabetic diet which claimed to have aphrodisiac properties, although no scientific data of this function have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of S. rebaudiana extract on sexual dysfunction, testosterone levels and number of Leydig cells in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. A total of 28 diabetic male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: diabetic group without any extract and 3 extract groups (5, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Seven normal control rats were treated with vehicle mount latency and frequency of (ML, MF), intromission latency and frequency (IL, IF), ejaculation latency and frequency of (EL, EF), the mount latency post ejaculation (MPE), the intromission latency post ejaculation (ILE), the intromission frequency post ejaculation (IFE) were recorded during 30 min on days 0, 14, 28. The serum testosterone levels, blood glucose, sex organs weight, number of leydig cells and histology of testicular tissue were measured. The stevia group (5 mg/kg) had a significant (p<0.05) increase in EF and IF. The number of Leydig cells in the diabetic group were significantly (p<0.05) reduced compared to the normal group and diabetic groups with extract (5 and 50 mg/kg). The serum testosterone levels and other sexual behaviors did not show any significant differences. The low- dose stevia extract with attention to antioxidant, vasodilator and anti-diabetic properties can be aphrodisiac in STZ- induced diabetic male rats.

Improving Animal Model of Induced Colitis by Acetic Acid in Terms of Fibrosis and Inflammation Incidence in the Colon.

METHODS: Fifty rats were randomly separated into five groups (n = 10) with different durations (30 s, 5, 10, and 20 min) of exposure of the colon to 4% acetic acid and colitis was investigated for 0-9 days. The extent of the mucosal ulcers, colon tissue thickening, and mucosal bleeding were scored by the Gerald classification system score. Slides of tissues were prepared for pathologic assay using the modified Wallace method. RESULTS: In all groups, inflammation was severe three days after the colitis induction, but no inflammation was observed in the 30 s group after five days. Acid contact with the colon surface did not result in fibrosis for the 30 s and the colon fibrosis was mild in 5 min group and severe in 10 and 20 min groups. The tissue damage was higher in groups of 20, 10, 5 min, and 30 s, respectively. Over time, the recovery rates in the 30 s and 5 min groups were higher than other groups. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the evaluation of the disease process from 3 days to nine days after a 10 min contact of acid to the colon is a suitable model that mimics the histological features of the disease.

Co-electrospun nanofibrous mats loaded with bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) extract as the wound dressing materials: in vitro and in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Interactive dressings are innovatively designed to interact with the wound surface and alter the wound environment to promote wound healing. In the current study, we integrated the physicochemical properties of Poly (caprolactone)/ Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Collagen (PCL/PVA/Col) nanofibers with the biological activities of Momordica charantia pulp extract to develop an efficient wound dressing. The electrospinning method was applied to fabricate the nanofibers, and the prepared wound dressings were thoroughly characterized. RESULTS: SEM imaging showed that the nanofibers were uniform, straight, without any beds with a diameter in the range of 260 to 480 nm. Increasing the concentration of the extract increased the diameter of the nanofibers and also the wettability characteristics while reduced the ultimate tensile strength from 4.37 ± 0.90 MPa for PCL/PVA/Col to 1.62 ± 0.50 MPa for PCL/PVA/Col/Ex 10% (p < 0.05). The in vivo studies showed that the application of the wound dressings significantly enhanced the healing process and the highest wound closure, 94.01 ± 8.12%, was obtained by PCL/PVA/Col/Ex 10% nanofibers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incorporation of the extract had no significant effects on nanofibers' porosity, water vapor permeability, and swelling characteristics. The in vitro evaluations showed that the fabricated nanofibers were hemocompatible, cytocompatible, and prevent bacterial penetration through the dressing. These findings implied that the PCL/PVA/Col/Ex nanofibers can be applied as the wound dressing materials.

Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Aloe Vera Gel on Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Acetic Acid in Rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal inflammation. Common clinical symptoms are weight loss, diarrhea, ulcers, and inflammation. Aloe vera (AV) has several medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory analgesic, and improvement of gastric and skin ulcers. This study aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of AV gel on acetic acid-induced UC in rats. UC was induced in 48 rats by injection of 4% acetic acid into the rectum. Protective and treatment groups received treatments 7 days before and after the induction of colitis, respectively. The negative control group, the positive control group, and AV groups received distilled water, sulfasalazine, and 50 and 300 mg/kg of gel extract, respectively. Water and food intake and body weight changes were recorded. The extent of the mucosal ulcers, colon tissue thickening, and mucosal bleeding were scored by the Gerald classification system score (microscopy observations). Slides of tissues were prepared for pathologic assay using the modified Wallace method (macroscopic observations). The results of the macroscopic and microscopic examination showed protective and therapeutic effects of 50 mg/kg dose of AV on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats which reduces the inflammation, ulcers and tissue damage compared with negative control (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the amount of water and food intake, body weight changes, and colon weight in protective and treatment groups. Based on the results, AV gel could be used to improve the symptoms of UC, as well as prevent people who are susceptible to the UC.

Anti-diabetic effect of a novel oligosaccharide isolated from Rosa canina via modulation of DNA methylation in Streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known clinical entity with various late complications. There is a surge of research aiming to use the medical herb in the management of DM. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the alleviation of DM by an isolated compound from Rosa canina is mediated by DNA methylation in STZ-diabetic rats. METHODS: Sixty adult Wistar male rats were classified into control, diabetic and treatment groups. Rats were treated with STZ (40 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg), and oligosaccharide fraction (OF; 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) isolated from Rosa canina. DNA was extracted from the blood and pancreas to determine DNA methylation using the Global DNA Methylation kit. The expressions of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), PDX1, Ins1, GCK and PTP1B2 were determined by using qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The significant blood glucose-lowering potential of OF was associated with a reduced level of global DNA methylation (p < 0.05). The expression levels of Dnmts 1 and 3α increased in the pancreas and blood from diabetic rats compared to control group which declined by OF treatment (p < 0.05). Paradoxically, the expression of Dnmt 3ß augmented in the pancreas and blood of OF group compared to diabetic ones (p < 0.05). Besides, the expressions of Pdx1, PTP1B2, Ins1 and GCK increased in OF-treated rats compared to diabetic groups. CONCLUSION: Results revealed that DNA methylation plays a causal role in the effectiveness of the isolated OF. Furthermore, the possible regenerative potential of oligosaccharide in diabetic rats may have contributed to the modulation of DNA methylation.

Characterization and anti-diabetic effects of the oligosaccharide fraction isolated from Rosa canina in STZ-Induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. There has been a surge of research studies aiming to use natural products in the management of diabetes. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize the structure and anti-diabetic mechanisms of the main ingredient from Rosa canina. The oligosaccharide was isolated from Rosa canina fruits and characterized by a combination of FTIR, NMR and Mass spectrometry. Wistar rats were divided into negative control, diabetic (type 2), isolated oligosaccharide (IO)-treated diabetic and positive diabetic controls. Oral glucose tolerance, gluconeogenesis and α-glucosidase inhibitory tests as well as immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time-PCR were performed to elucidate the molecular anti-diabetic mechanisms of IO. Structural analyses confirmed the oligosaccharide structure of isolated fraction. Gluconeogenesis and α-glucosidase activity were inhibited by IO in diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test was improved significantly in the group treated with the IO (P < 0.05). Pancreatic ß-cells and tissue pathological examination showed a significant improvement after the treatment period. In addition, the expression of Ngn3, Nkx6.1 and insulin increased in oligosaccharide-treated compared to untreated diabetic rats. Owing to the verified anti-diabetic effects and regenerative potential, isolated oligosaccharide could be considered as the promising drug in the management of diabetes.

Momordica charantia reverses type II diabetes in rat.

Diabetes, a disease with abnormal production or use of insulin, is a growing concern that affects many individuals globally. Although many attempts have been made, there is no satisfactory treatment for diabetes. Recently, scientists have been exploring a promising treatment of diabetes involving herbal medicine. In this line, we show that Momordica charantia, a tendril-bearing vine belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, permanently normalizes blood glucose levels comparable to healthy rats. Most importantly, M. charantia increases the expression of Insulin and Pdx1 genes while lowers the expression Glut2. Moreover, the number and size of the pancreatic islets have remarkably increased in treated animals. Liver ALT, AST, and ALP enzyme activities fell into normal range in treated animals suggesting the protective effect of M. charantia. These data indicate that M. Charantia improves the pancreas function by activating pancreatic beta cells and protecting liver tissue. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Owing to the effectiveness of Momordica Charantia extracts in management of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats, we have intention to evaluate the powder of Charantia to discover novel drug for treating diabetes. It is expected that the results could be translated in clinical trials.

Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Syrian Mesquite (Prosopis farcta) Root in High Cholesterol Diet-Fed Rabbits.

Prosopis farcta root has been proposed as an efficacious natural drug for cardiovascular disorders in traditional medicine. The present study evaluates the efficacy of aqueous extract of Prosopis farcta root on experimental atherosclerosis development in rabbits with high cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Serum lipid parameters were significantly increased in the high cholesterol diet groups in comparison with the normal control group (P < .050). Histopathological findings revealed that atheromatous plaques were formed in both thoracic and abdominal aorta of hypercholestrolemic rabbits. Treatment with Prosopis farcta root significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein levels compared to high cholesterol diet rabbits (P < .050). This finding may reflect a reduction of chest pain or the beneficial effects of this plant root extract on cardiovascular health. The present study can serve as a basis for future investigations on the other effects of this plant on cardiovascular health.