Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Volume:16 Issue: 2, May 2021

 Colchicum is a genus of the Colchicaceae family with various isolated compounds, especially tropolone alkaloids and flavonoids, which are used for osteoarthritis, gout, cancer, inflammatory diseases, jaundice, and sexual impotence in different societies.

 The current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and physicochemical properties and anti-inflammatory activities of three Colchicum species.

 Total tropolone alkaloid, total phenolic/total tannin, and total flavonoid contents were determined using acidic potassium dichromate, Folin-Ciocalteu, and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Moreover, the HPLC method was used for identification and quantitation purposes of tropolone alkaloids. Physicochemical properties of three Colchicum species, including macroscopic and organoleptic properties, solubility, foreign matter, ash values, and heavy metal contents, were evaluated. Besides, in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the corms also were determined using the protein denaturation technique as a rapid screening method.

 The highest levels of tropolone alkaloid, phenolic compounds, tannins, and flavonoids were observed in C. autumnale, C. speciosum, and C. robustum, respectively. HPLC analysis indicated the presence of colchicine, demecolcine, 2-demethyl colchicine, 3-demethyl colchicine, colchicoside, colchifoline, cornigerine, and N-deacetyl-N-formyl colchicine in these Colchicum species. The physicochemical properties of C. speciosum and C. robustum corms are appropriate compared to the standard Colchicum autumnale corm. Moreover, all Colchicum species exhibited high anti-inflammatory activities compared to standard drugs.

 This study demonstrated that the corm of the Colchicum species contained similar main compounds with different amounts, as well as appropriate physicochemical properties. Moreover, the valuable biological effects of these plants stimulate the cultivations on a large scale.

 Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Anethum graveolens (dill) is one of the recommended herbs to reduce bleeding.

 This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of rectal suppository of Anethum graveolens on the postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

 Following a randomized clinical design, 70 eligible pregnant women admitted for vaginal delivery to Umm-al-Banin Hospital in Mashhad (Iran) in 2018 were recruited in this trial. Subjects were selected by available method and randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control. Both groups, immediately after the delivery, received routine hospital interventions. Instantly after the expulsion of the placenta, the intervention group received the first dose of rectal suppository and the subsequent doses up to five doses at intervals of 30 min. PPH was measured by weighing the blood bags and pads for 4h after labor. Data were collected using a sample selection checklist, demographic and pregnancy information forms, birth, infant, and placenta information forms, and partograph sheets. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 using an independent t-test or the Mann-Whitney test.

 The two groups were homogeneous in terms of mediating variables. The mean bleeding rate at the end of the first fourth after delivery was 306.2 ± 11.2 cc in the control group and 282.4 ± 9.6 cc in the intervention group. Therefore, there was a statistically significant difference concerning post-delivery bleeding between the two groups (P = 0.001).

 Based on the findings, the rectal suppository of Anethum graveolens could effectively reduce the PPH without any adverse effects. Therefore, this efficient herbal approach is suggested to overcome the PPH.

 Chromium and its salts, as well as chromium-containing compounds, play a major role in numerous manufacturing processes and have been contraindicated in carcinogenic, toxic, and mutagenic conditions in people involved in these processes.

 This study investigated the ameliorative role of Acacia nilotica aqueous leave extract (ANLA) on potassium dichromate-induced liver and blood toxicity in male and female rats. Phytochemical screening and nutrient composition of ANLA were also evaluated.

 Phytochemical and proximate analysis of ANLA were carried out. Twenty adult male and female rats each were divided into four groups (n = 10): (1) control; (2) potassium dichromate (PDC; 0.625 mg/kg body weight); (3) PDC co-treated with ANLA after seven days (650 mg/kg bwt); and (4) PDC co-treated with ANLA (650 mg/kg bwt) simultaneously for 21 days. Biomarkers of liver injury, lipid, and hematological imbalance were assessed. Tissue histology and toxicant retention were done.

 Various plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, and anthraquinones) and nutrients (protein = 67.41 ± 2.44%; carbohydrate = 9.87 ± 1.87%; fiber = 10.01 ± 1.21%; mineral = 6.41 ± 1.08%; fat and oil = 6.63 ± 0.93%) were identified in the leave. Exposure to chromium significantly (P < 0.05) increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with a concomitant decrease in the activity of these enzymes in the liver of both male and female rats. The exposure also altered protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in the plasma and liver as well as hematological indices. Organ chromium retention and pathological changes were also observed. ANLA modulated these chromium-induced alterations in the rats.

 Based on the results, ANLA possesses ameliorative property against PDC-induced toxicity in rats. Thus it may be used to combat chromium poisoning. The nutritive potential of A. nilotica leaves may also be maximized.

 Arabica coffee ground nanoparticles gel is known to possess good physicochemical properties and high phenolic contents in which the phenolics are famous for their anti-inflammatory activities.

 : This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the arabica coffee ground nanoparticles gel on carrageenan-induced male mice for 6 h. The positive control was commercial medicine (Voltaren gel), and the control negative was base gel.

 The inflammatory inhibition of arabica coffee ground nanoparticles gel is determined by measuring the edema volume of the carrageenan-induced mice foot using a plethysmometer. Anti-inflammatory activities of arabica coffee ground nanoparticles gel were optimized using Box-Behnken Design of the response surface methodology.

 The anti-inflammatory activities or inflammatory inhibition of arabica coffee ground nanoparticles gel was determined by measuring the edema volume of the carrageenan-induced mice foot. The increase of edema volume of the mice foot from the first to 180th min was caused by the release of inflammation mediator such as histamine, prostaglandins, bradykinins, and serotonin on the tissue; meanwhile, at the 240th min, the edema of the mice foot experienced a decrease due to the inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis to the tissue. The obtained results indicated that the arabica coffee ground nanoparticles gel has average value of anti-inflammatory activities of 27.75%. The obtained optimum formulation is 0.500% Carbopol 940, 0.400% triethanolamine, and 2.313% nanoparticle, giving 29.360% and 29.670% for the predicted and experimental inflammatory inhibition values, with 0.812 desirability value, respectively.

 The Box-Behnken design can be used to determine the optimal gel formulation of arabica coffee grounds for inflammatory inhibition.

 Malaria is a well-recognized parasitic disease and a serious public health problem worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas.

 This study was conducted to investigate the antimalarial properties of extracts with different polarities from the various parts of Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich. (or wild cucumber) as a perennial herbaceous plant growing in Gilan and Azerbaijan provinces of Iran.

 The air-dried and powdered fruits, seeds, and roots of E. elaterium were extracted using three solvents with different polarities, n-Hexane (n-Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH). The MeOH extract of roots was subjected to fractionalizing by a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. All extracts and fractions with different polarities were assessed for their antimalarial activity using the cell-free beta-hematin formation test, and the structural groups of the fractions were identified by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC).

 According to our results, the MeOH extracts of the plant’s roots presented considerable antimalarial effects with an IC50 value of 0.124 ± 0.0002 mg/mL. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of root MeOH extract by solid phase extraction (SPE) afforded six fractions. The 20% fraction showed the most potent antimalarial effect with an IC50 value of 0.167 ± 0.002 mg/mL. Moreover, the three fractions of 80%, 60%, and 100% methanol/water demonstrated considerable antimalarial activities. Phytochemical analysis of potent fractions of E. elaterium suggested the presence of flavonoids in 20% and 60% fractions and flavonoids and triterpenoids in 80% and 100% fractions.

 According to our primary phytochemical investigation on the six SPE fractions, it is recommended to purify the active constituents of the most effective fractions and investigate their biological effects in animal models.
 

 Blood-brain barrier (BBB), as well-known protection for the brain, plays an active role in normal homeostasis. It might be changed by a range of inflammatory mediators to have a role in sickness behaviors.

 Regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of thymoquinone (TQ), its protection against BBB permeability, as a possible mechanism for protective effects against sickness behaviors elicited by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was evaluated in rats.

 The animals were grouped as follows and treated (n = 10 in each): (1) control (saline); (2) LPS 1 mg/kg, was injected two hours before behavioral tests for two weeks; (3-5) 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg TQ, respectively was injected 30 min before LPS injection. Open-field (OF), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and Forced Swimming test (FST) were done. Finally, the animals were anesthetized to evaluate for BBB permeability using Evans blue (EB) dye method.

 Compared with control, LPS decreased the peripheral distance and crossing and also total crossing and distance in OF, (P < 0.01 - P < 0.001). The central crossing and distance and central time in all three treatment groups were more than LPS (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). LPS also reduced the entries and the time spent in the open arm while increased the time spent in the closed arm in EPM (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). The effects of LPS were reversed by TQ (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). In FST, the immobility time and active time were increased and decreased by LPS compared with control (P < 0.001), respectively. In all three TQ-treated groups, the active and climbing times were more while the immobility time was fewer than the LPS (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). The animals of the LPS group showed more EB dye content in their brain tissue than the control group (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). TQ significantly reduced EB dye content of the brain tissues (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001).

 According to this study, protection against BBB permeability as a possible mechanism for the protective effects of TQ against sickness behaviors induced by LPS might be suggested.

 Hydatidosis is a disease, caused by the larval phase of Echinococcus granulosus. It is considered a serious condition, as cyst rupture can release protoscolices into the host body, leading to the formation of secondary cysts. Surgery is the main approach for the treatment of this disease. Some natural compounds, which are safe options with few side effects, have been assessed for their scolicidal activities.

 Allium noeanum is a native herb of Markazi Province, Iran, which has been used for the traditional treatment of certain diseases. However, its anti-parasitic property has not been investigated so far. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-parasitic property of this plant by evaluating the scolicidal and apoptotic effects of two types of this herbal extract (crude and flavonoid) on hydatid cysts.

 The hydatid cysts were obtained from abattoirs, and protoscolices were drained under sterile conditions. The protoscolices suspension and cyst walls were used for scolicidal and immunohistochemical evaluations. In addition, A. noeanum was collected from Shazand Mountains. The crude and flavonoid extracts of this plant were prepared by maceration and chromatography methods, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was conducted for the detection of caspase-3 activity using a commercial kit. Data were analyzed in Excel and SPSS, and statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

 The 100% concentration (0.49 gr/mL) of the crude A. noeanum extract caused the death of 100% of protoscolices. On the other hand, all concentrations of the flavonoid extract led to the death of 100% of parasites. According to the statistical analyses, each type of the extract showed different dose- and time-dependent rates of scolicidal activity (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry showed lower caspase-3 activity in cyst walls exposed to flavonoids, compared to those exposed to the crude extract.

 In the present study, the scolicidal activity of the flavonoid extract of A. noeanum against protoscolices was confirmed. It was also found that the apoptotic effect of the crude extract of this herb was more than its flavonoid extract.
 

 Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fatal disease affecting the lung, and currently there is no efficient therapy for this condition. Curcumin, as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, could repress the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) caused by Bleomycin (BLM).

 The aim of the research was to evaluate the protective activity of a nano-formulation of curcumin administered by inhalation on BLM-induced PF in rats.

 Eighty rats were randomly divided into eight experimental groups. Group one (control) that received saline intratracheally (IT) and subjected to vehicle inhalation. Group two to eight each received a single dose of BLM (5 IU/kg, IT) along with vehicle inhalation, oral prednisolone, oral curcumin, curcumin inhalation, and nano-curcumin inhalation with the doses of 50, 100, and 200 µg/kg, respectively. In the control and other groups, BLM was injected intratracheally on the first day of the experiment. In the treatment groups, curcumin suspension was prepared in distilled water and applied through nebulization for 21 consecutive days after BLM intratracheal administration. Then the rats were euthanized, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β, PDGF), hydroxyproline, and IL-10 (as a protective cytokine) were measured. Also, lung histopathological features were examined.

 The synthesized nano-formulation reduced the overall hydroxyproline content of lungs in BLM-treated rats (P < 0.002). In addition, TNF-α, TGF-β, and PDGF levels significantly increased in the lungs of BLM-instilled rats (P < 0.001). However, the nano-formulation of curcumin (200 µg/kg) significantly decreased the levels of these inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001) and increased IL-10 level (P = 0.0144) compared with the control group.

 The nebulization of nano-curcumin is suggested as a novel approach for the treatment of PF induced by BLM in rats. Our findings revealed that the inhalation (as a safe local drug delivery system approach) of the nano-curcumin at a dose of 200 µg/kg (formulated by cyclodextrin) could effectively protect the lung against PF.

 Plant essential oils (EOs) as natural agents have broad activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, and repel activities because of their chemical compositions.

 The objective of this study was to increase the stability of Origanum vulgar subsp. viride EOs by encapsulation in chitosan-carbomer nanoparticles by ionic gelation method.

 The EOs from dried leaves of O. vulgar subsp. viride were extracted by hydro-distillation method, and EO components were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Besides, OEO-loaded chitosan (CS) nano-capsules were prepared using the ionic gelation method. The molecular structure and morphology of nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC) of the OEO-loaded CS nanoparticles, and their release profiles were determined using UV/Vis spectrophotometry.

 The major components of OEO were thymol (20.53%), 4-terpinenol (20.28%), and γ-terpinene (12.22%). The percentages of EE and LC of OEO ranged from 99.25 ± 0.74 to 93.84 ± 0.71 and 38.02 ± 0.18 to 66.73 ± 0.51, respectively, with increasing the OEO to chitosan ratio from 1:0.01 to 1:0.04 W/V. The nanoparticles were regular, uniform, and spherical in shape with an average size of 134 to 181 nm, which were dispersed throughout the solution. The zeta potential values for blank chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and OEO-loaded CSNPs were +23.4 and +38.5 mV, respectively.

 The results confirmed the suitability of the CS-carbomer complex for OEO- CSNPs formation. It is recommended to evaluate the antimicrobial, insecticidal and insect repel activities of developed OEO nanoparticles in laboratory and field studies.

 Recent studies indicate that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression is associated with neurological and cognitive disorders, but physical activity and medicinal plants have favorable effects on physiological and psychological factors in these patients.

 Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of endurance training (ET) with saffron (S) on miR133bFC, miR29aFC in the hippocampus tissue and depression of rats with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

 Forty AD rats with the mean age of eight weeks and mean weight of 250 ± 30.65 g were randomly divided into five groups of eight rats including: (1) control (C), (2) ET, (3) ET + S, (4) S, and (5) sham (normal saline) (Sh). During eight weeks, groups 2 and 3 ran on a treadmill for three sessions per week, each session lasting for 15 - 30 minutes, at a speed of 20 - 15 m/min, and groups 3 and 4 received 25 mg/kg daily aqueous extract of S peritoneally. Depression was evaluated by the forced swim test.

 The levels of miR29aFC were higher in the ET + S group than in the C (P = 0.002), Sh (P = 0.003), ET (P = 0.003), and S (P = 0.001) groups. The levels of miR133bFC in the S (P = 0.02) and ET (P = 0.005) groups were lower than the C group. The mobility time in the ET (P = 0.001), S (P = 0.001), and ET + S (P = 0.001) groups was higher than the C group; in the ET + S group, the mobility time was higher than in the ET (P = 0.001) and S (P = 0.001) groups, and in the S group the mobility time was higher than in the ET group (P = 0.001).

 It seems that ET and S administration alone do not have favorable effects on miR29aFC and miR133bFC expression levels, but both can decrease depression; however, the simultaneous administration S and ET has interactive effects on improving miR29aFC expression and reducing depression.

 Pistacia is a genus of flowering plants from the Anacardiaceae family that grows in different parts of Iran. This genus has different pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

 In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic effect of different extracts and essential oil from unripe fruits of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica on B16F10 cell line.

 The inhibitory effect was determined on the synthesis of melanin, cellular tyrosinase, mushroom tyrosinase activity, and oxidative stress by the colorimetric and fluorometric methods.

 The data showed that all different concentrations of various P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica extracts had no cytotoxic effect on B16F10 cells compared to the control group. Kojic acid as positive control had significant decreasing effects on tyrosinase activity, melanin content, and ROS production (P < 0.001). Different concentrations of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica extracts decreased all measured parameters, including cellular tyrosinase and melanin content, as well as ROS production. Also, the essential oil concentration had no significant effect in this study. The major essential oil components were α-pinene 60.1%, myrcene 8.0%, and β-pinene 5.2%.

 The melanogenesis inhibitory and antioxidant effects of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica on B16F10 cells may suggest this plant as a new pharmaceutical agent in reducing skin pigment and aging in the cosmetic industry.

Arginine metabolism is an important factor involved in tumorigenesis, progression, and survival of tumor cells. Besides, other metabolites produced in the arginine metabolism process, such as polyamines, nitric oxide, argininosuccinate, and agmatine, play key roles in different stages of tumor development. On the other hand, herbal metabolites are widely used to treat cancer. One of these herbal flavonoids is quercetin.

In this study, according to MTT assay data, two concentrations of quercetin flavonoid were selected (57.5 and 115 µM) to treat human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Then RNA was extracted from the cells and used as a template for cDNA synthesis. Using real-time PCR, the expression of key enzymes involved in arginine metabolism was evaluated, including arginase 2 (Arg2), ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OTC), agmatinase (AGMAT), arginase 1 (Arg1), nitric oxide synthase 1 (nNOS), arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC), ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT), spermidine synthase (SRM), spermine synthase (SMS), argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1), and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL). The Student t-test was used to analyze the data considering a P value of < 0.05 as the significance level.

Our results indicated significant changes in the expression of arginine metabolism enzymes after quercetin exposure, confirming a role for quercetin plant flavonoid in regulating arginine metabolism in HEK293 cells.

Quercetin could alter the gene expression of the key enzymes involved in arginine metabolism. This was the first study investigating the effects of quercetin on arginine metabolism in HEK293 cells.