Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology
Volume:7 Issue: 4, Oct 2018

Turmeric is a widely used spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Having been used as a dietary spice, it has drawn scientists’ attention to the possible medicinal benefits of its active compounds called curcuminoids which consist of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcmin. Considering wide range of pharmacological properties that curcumin offers, numerous studies have investigated its potency as a therapeutic agent in various diseases such as autoimmune, cardiovascular, neoplastic, pulmonary, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. With regard to its wide array of health benefits and published data on the underlying mechanisms of its action, a complex interaction between three main events including inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity, seems to contribute to different therapeutic roles of this compound. Hence, this review discusses the current knowledge on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory roles of curcumin with the hope of recruiting curcumin as a therapeutic agent in future therapeutic regimen in order to enhance the efficacy of the treatment, as well as decreasing the adverse effects of synthetic chemical drugs.

Previous studies have shown the analgesic, anticonvulsant, spasmolytic, and anti-inflammatory effects of Urtica dioica (UD). In the present study the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of UD on morphine withdrawal signs were investigated. Acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract was also assessed. In an experimental study, 48 male NMRI mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 each, consisting of control (10 mL/kg), clonidine (3.5 mg/kg), and different doses of UD extract (25, 50,100 and 200 mg/kg). Morphine dependency was induced by administration of different doses of morphine (50, 50, 75, and 50 mg/kg) within a four-day schedule (1st-4th day, respectively). On the last day, after administration of a single dose of morphine, naloxone (5 mg/kg) was injected and the withdrawal signs were recorded within 30 minutes. To assess acute toxicity (LD50), 12 extra rats were used and toxic effects of different doses of the extract were evaluated by Lorke’s method. All doses of the UD extract, compared to control group, significantly decreased the number of jumping, grooming, teeth chattering, rearing, wet dog shakes, diarrhea, writing and climbing. In addition, the LD50 of the extract was 2.9 g/kg. UD extract could decrease the morphine withdrawal signs and might be beneficial in addicted patients. However, further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of its action.

Aqueous Tinospora cordifolia stem extract (Aq.Tc) and arabinogalactan (AG), its bioactive polysaccharide, which are antioxidant remedies were evaluated on pulmonary cancer and associated tumor markers. Mice were randomly segregated into 6 groups. Group I: animals served as control. Group II: animals which were administered Aq.Tc extract (200 mg/kg, orally), thrice a week. Group III: animals which received AG (7.5 mg/kg, orally) thrice a week. Group IV: animals which were instilled with benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) (50 mg/kg, orally) twice within an interval of 2 weeks. Group V: animals which received Aq.Tc extract as in group II, along with B(a)P after 2 weeks of Aq.Tc administration. Group VI: animals which received AG as in group III along with B(a)P after 2 weeks of AG administration. As expected, B(a)P treated mice exhibited high tumor incidence and multiplicity with concomitant increase in serum/plasma markers like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and tumor necrosis factor. However, Aq.Tc and AG supplementation to B(a)P abused animals significantly attenuated these parameters at different stages of cancer, depicting their anti-cancer effects in lung carcinogenesis. Also, treatment of Aq.Tc and AG to tumor bearing mice reduced the degree of histopathological alterations as compared to B(a)P installed mice. The apoptotic index in case of Aq.Tc and AG fed mice treated with B(a)P was higher as compared to only B(a)P treated mice. Further it was observed that Aq.Tc could induce higher degree of apoptosis when compared to AG group, suggesting Aq.Tc as a more effective modulator of tumorigenesis. Overall, these findings substantiate the chemopreventive potential of Aq.Tc and AG against lung tumorigenesis. Aq.Tc was found to be more effective than AG in modulating the process of lung carcinogenesis as reflected by various observations.

The limited option to combat fungal threat has raised the interest in seeking alternative anti-fungal compounds. This study aimed to determine the antifungal property of aqueous-extracted shallot (Allium ascalonicum) against Candida albicans, a medically important yeast pathogen. The anti-biofilm property of A. ascalonicum aqueous extract was also investigated. The antifungal effect of A. ascalonicum aqueous extract on C. albicans was screened using disc diffusion assay and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using broth macrodilution. Subsequently, the anti-biofilm property of A. ascalonicum aqueous extract was investigated using 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2 H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay, crystal violet (CV) assay, and microscopic examination. A zone of C. albicans growth inhibition was observed at 10 and 20 g/mL of A. ascalonicum aqueous extract. The MIC of A. ascalonicum aqueous extract was found at 10 g/mL. Significant differences were found between A. ascalonicum aqueous extract -treated and non-treated C. albicans in term of biofilm formation activity (XTT assay) and the quantity of biofilm formed (CV assay). Using a simple and inexpensive extraction procedure, this study revealed the antifungal property of A. ascalonicum aqueous extract, which could be useful in exploring novel antifungal compound.

The present study was designed to isolate Fucoidan from Sargassum wightii Greville and to evaluate its in-vitro anti cataract potential against galactose induced cataract in isolated goat lenses. Fucoidan was isolated from S. wightii Greville and its sulfate content was estimated through barium chloride method. Isolated goat lenses were divided into 5 groups as group-I (normal control- vehicle treated), group-II (disease control- galactose treated 55 mM), group-III (galactose 55 mM + standard-ascorbic acid 20 μg/mL), group-IV (galactose 55 mM + Fucoidan-20 μg/mL) and group-V (galactose 55 mM + Fucoidan 40 μg/mL) and incubated for 72 hours, respectively, and subjected to biochemical estimations. The opacity of lenses was also noted prior to biochemical estimation. The percentage yield of isolated Fucoidan was found to be 0.65%. The extent of sulfation in the isolated Fucoidan was found to be as high as 33%. In high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) studies, Peak 3 with Rf value of 0.18 matched with the standard D-glucose Rf value. Galactose induced cataractous lenses showed significant oxidative stress when compared to normal lenses whereas treatment with Fucoidan 20 and 40 μg/mL significantly combated oxidative stress and prevented the development of cataract when compared to cataractous lenses. The results obtained with the treatment of Fucoidan were dose dependant and comparable to standard. The present study substantiates the claim of anti-cataract potential of Fucoidan, which may be correlated to its anti-oxidant property.

Dysregulated apoptosis is associated with a number of disease conditions. Traditionally, Calliandra portoricensis is used in the management of prostate enlargement. This study investigates the in vivo effect of potent methanol fraction of C. portoricensis (MFCP) on mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore, an important pharmacological target in treatment of various diseases, and examines the toxicities associated with its oral administration. Forty-two male Wistar strain rats (70-80 g) were divided into 6 groups of 7 animals each. Each group was orally administered 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg MFCP and the control group received distilled water for 21 and 30 days, respectively. mPT, assay for serum enzymes and hematological parameters were assessed spectrophotometrically while activation of caspases 3 and 9 was done by ELISA technique. Histological assessment of vital organs (liver, kidney, prostate) was carried out according to standard procedures. There were no significant effects on mPT pore at all doses administered after 21 days of oral administration. However, after 30 days of administration, MFCP induced mPT pore opening at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg with induction folds of 2.6 and 3.3, respectively while there was no induction of mPT pore opening at lower doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. Furthermore, significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum enzymes (ALT, AST) were observed at all doses administered when compared with control after 30 days of oral administration. Cell counts (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC) were adversely affected at the highest dose (200 mg/kg) compared with control and other treated groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) after 30 days of administration. Similarly, activation of caspases 9 and 3 were observed in rat liver homogenate at high doses of the fraction while histological evaluation showed degeneration and distortion of organs at the highest dose. MFCP contains phytochemicals that elicit the opening of the pore and induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. This would be relevant in treatment of degenerative diseases that results from down-regulation of apoptosis. However, caution should be exercised in using high doses of the plant.

Root of dietary ginger considerably improves the activity of antioxidant enzymes in reproductive system and reduces the signs of cell damage in testis tissues. The present study conducted numerous sperm, hormonal, bio-chemical analysis and gene expression in order to evaluate the reproductive damages caused by exposure to formaldehyde (FA) and to investigate the ameliorative properties of co-administration of FA and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) in mice model. Forty-eight male NMRI mice were randomized into 6 groups of 8 animals each, including control group, control sham (received distilled water by gavage), FA group (10 mg/kg twice per day), intraperitoneally (i.p) and 3 FA groups (10 mg/kg i.p) + Ginger (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/d by gavage, respectively). Sperm parameters, sexual hormones, antioxidant activity and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes were analyzed after 35 days. FA significantly diminished sperm parameters, sexual hormones and antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05). Also, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes had significant (P < 0.05) increase and decrease, respectively in FA group. Co-administration of Ginger extract significantly recovered the above parameters. Co-administration of Ginger extract ameliorates reproductive damages of FA by its androgenic, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. Hence, it might be beneficial in these patients.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Descurainia sophia seed extract on paracetamol-induced oxidative stress and acute liver injury in mice. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were divided into 6 groups, group I: as control group received NaCl 9%. Group II: as paracetamol group received paracetamol intraperitoneally (i.p.) (500 mg/kg). Groups III to VI as treatment groups received different doses of D. sophia seed extract (T1 = 50, T2 = 100, T3 = 200 and T4 = 300 mg/kg, respectively). Twenty-four hours after the paracetamol administration, the mice were sacrificed under mild anesthesia and their blood samples were collected to estimate serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Their livers were also removed for histopathological examinations. Pretreatment of mice with D. sophia seed extract, significantly prevented the paracetamol induced elevation in the levels of serum ALT, AST and ALP, total bilirubin and MDA (P < 0.05). The results of histopathologic studies were consistent with the above findings. Descurainia sophia seed extract has a protective effect against paracetamol induced oxidative damage and acute hepatotoxicity in mice.

The severe inflammatory responses that occurs after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is with great strength related to the further tissue damage. As such, developmental strategies have been investigated, aimed at restricting inflammation and encouraging regeneration of injured neural tissue. One of those encouraging strategies is administration of traditional medicinal plants. The current study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Boswellia serrata extract on the neuronal tissue inflammation and white blood cells (WBCs) responses in rats with SCI. Forty adult female rats were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups as experimental and control groups. Under general inhalation anesthesia, in both groups, SCI was created, at T9-10 level of the column. On the third day after the operation, an oral supplement of B. serrata extract was administered to the experimental group at 100 mg/kg/d. The histology of the site of injury and changes in the WBCs were examined in both groups at different pre-surgical and post-surgical times. The total population of WBCs in the current study was significantly less in the experimental group, compared to the control group at third and fourth weeks of the study which could be related to the anti-inflammatory effects of B. serrata extract. Histopathological evaluation of lesion sites confirmed the reduced inflammatory responses in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The decrease in the number of inflammatory cells after oral consumption of B. serrata extract and the histopathological results confirm the neuroprotective effects of this extract.

The purpose of this study was evaluating the effect of Smyrnium cordifolium extract (SCE) and curzerene (Cur) on withdrawal syndrome in mice compared with clonidine. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the active ingredients of S. cordifolium. To evaluate the effects of SCE and Cur, 64 mice were divided into 8 equal groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated Cur (0.03, 0.06, 0.12 mg/kg, respectively). Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with SCE (100, 200, 300 mg/kg, respectively). The seventh group received just morphine. Group 8 received morphine and clonidine (0.2 mg/kg). The results of this study showed that Cur was the most important ingredient in the extract of the plant, and the hydroalcoholic extract yield of S. cordifolium was 17.55% (w/w). The dose of 100 mg/kg of extract (SCE100) and 0.03 mg/kg curzerene (Cur1) (P < 0.05), dose of 200 mg/kg of extract (SCE200) and dose of 0.06 mg/kg curzerene (Cur2), (P < 0.01), dose of 300 mg/kg of extract (SCE300) and dose of 0.12 mg/kg of curzerene (Cur3) (P < 0.001) decreased the symptoms compared to clonidine. Doses higher than 300 mg/kg of extract and 0.12 mg/kg of Cur had fatal effects. All doses of SCE and Cur in comparison with the control group at significant level (P < 0.001) reduced the number of jumping, rearing and teeth chattering in morphine-dependent mice. The findings suggest that SCE and Cur are capable of reducing the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome and their effectiveness may be more than clonidine in reducing the addiction withdrawal syndrome, which may have human therapeutic potential.

Antifungal resistant is one of the causes of high mortality rates during invasive candidiasis. Since development of new antifungal agents is limited, researchers have focused on natural products including essential oils (EOs) with antifungal properties. In immunocompromised patients fungicidal activity is of benefit. This study was designed to evaluate chemical composition and fungicidal/fungistatic activities of five Iranian EOs and against fluconazole resistant Candida species. To determine chemical composition of EOs gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was employed. Fluconazole resistant Candida species were chosen and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of studied EOs were determined by broth microdilution method. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration with no fungal growth on solid media. Fungicidal activity was calculated by MFC/MIC ratio. The results showed that C. albicans and C. tropialis isolates were susceptible to itraconazole (ITC) and voriconazole (VRC) while one species of C. glabrata and C. krusei each was resistant to itraconzaole; and itraconazole resistant C. glabrata isolate was resistance to voriconzaole as well. Among tested EOs, the ones from Cinnamomum cayennense, Origanum majorana var. majoranoides and Andropogon citratus had the highest anti-Candida activity. Artemisia aromatica A. Nelson had the highest MIC value against Candida isolates. All EOs in this study had fungicidal activity. In general, the tested natural compounds are suitable to be used as anti-Candida. However more studies are needed on each chemical compound to evaluate its antifungal activity alone or in combination with other agents.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases that causes damage to different tissues through oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Crataegus monogyna on oxidative stress, hyperglycemia and pancreatic tissue damage in diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were equally divided into 5 groups including control (normal saline), diabetic control (streptozotocin), intervention (streptozotocin plus C. monogyna extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). After treatment, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), Ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and glucose were determined. Histological sections of the pancreas were also prepared for histological examination. Treatment of diabetic rats with C. monogyna extract significantly reduced blood glucose level (P < 0.05). Compared with control group MDA was increased and TCA was decreased in diabetic rats (P < 0.05). Treatment of diabetic rats with C. monogyna extract significantly increased TCA and reduced MDA (P < 0.05). In the pancreas of diabetic rats, degeneration of pancreatic acinar cells and formation of dermato space, damage of lobules and Acinii and edema were observed and treatment with C. monogyna extract ameliorated them. The results confirm the role of C. monogyna extract in the treatment of hyperglycemia, stress oxidative indices and pancreatic tissue damage in diabetic rats. Therefore, it might be beneficial in diabetic patients.

Hypothyroidism is an important endocrine disorder determined by some depressed symptoms. Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) is a medicinal plant which has been traditionally used for treatment of a wide range of decreased functions of different organs. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of U. dioica on thyroid hormones in propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism in rats. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups including control, PTU, different doses of Urtica dioica hydroalcoholic extract (UDHAE) treated and levothyroxine treated groups. The animals in various groups received water (control group) or water containing 0.1% W/V PTU and then injected saline (control group) or 25, 50, 100, 150 mg/kg UDHAE, respectively for 4 weeks. Positive control group was fed levothyroxine 0.5 mg/kg during the PTU treatment. Then, the blood samples were collected and the levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measured via the Elisa method. The data showed that PTU decreased the blood level of thyroid hormones but increased TSH, significantly. The 50 or 100 mg/kg doses of UDHAE remarkably increased the blood level of T3 and FT3. The 50 mg/kg doses of UDHAE increased the blood level of T4. None of the UDHAE doses showed significant change in the TSH levels. 25 and 150 mg/kg doses of UDHAE did not change the PTU- diminished level of thyroid related hormones. The findings suggest that 50 mg/kg dose of UDHAE has stimulatory effect on thyroid gland function and raises plasma T3 & T4 & FT3 levels. UDHAE at the dose of 50 or 100 mg/kg could enhance blood level of T3 and FT3 perhaps by increase in T4 to T3 transformation. Higher doses of UDHAE could not increase the level of these hormones probably due to the presence of inhibitory materials.

Fertility in men mainly depends on the number, quality, motility, and morphology of the sperms, and disruption of each of these factors leads to infertility. A large number of couples suffer from infertility problems. Among the various therapies, medicinal herbs are used in many countries to treat male infertility. Current systematic review was conducted to study the effects of garlic on male fertility. The information of this systematic review was collected by searching the key words: treatment, fertility, infertility, male, herbal medicine, garlic, Allium sativum, medicinal plant, sperm, sex hormones, testis and spermatogenesis in international databases such as: Web of Science (ISI), PubMed, Scopus and Embase until March 2018. This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement for systematic reviews and meta- analysis. and the SYRCLE risk of bias tool was used for qualitative assessment. A total of 18 experimental studies were included in the study. Thirteen studies evaluated garlic and 5 studies compared garlic effect with adriamycin, titanium dioxide, furan, vitamin E, N-acetylcysteine and cadmium. All studies were conducted in in vivo condition. The results of the studies indicated the potential effect of garlic on enhancing fertility and spermatogenesis, increasing the level of testosterone and improving the testicular structure. Garlic can increase fertility probably due to its antioxidant properties. However, more clinical trials are recommended.