Stereological assessment of normal Persian squirrels (Sciurus anomalus) kidney

An illustrated review on herbal medicine used for the treatment of female infertility

Infertility is one of the significant global issues that affects approximately 15-17 % of couples worldwide, with around 50 % of cases being attributed to female infertility factors. The exploration of herbal extracts and their effects on female infertility has been limited, particularly regarding the underlying mechanisms beyond hormonal and oxidative stress influences. In this study, the herbal medicines with potential effects such as antioxidative properties, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, and modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis have been reviewed. Several herbal extracts were found to exhibit significant antioxidant properties and demonstrate phytoestrogenic effects on reproductive factors and hormonal levels. Antioxidants are essential in mitigating oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals, which in turn helps to lower insulin resistance, total cholesterol, fat accumulation, and the proliferation of cancerous cells. Furthermore, this review highlights that certain parts of specific plants are rich in polyphenolic compounds, including isoflavones and flavonoids, along with other advantageous substances that support women's reproductive health. These compounds not only modulate female endocrine systems but also alleviate menopausal symptoms and effectively address a range of reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), endometriosis, hyperprolactinemia, and hypothalamic dysfunction. Turning to the other side, the plants and herbal extracts with suppressive effects on female fertility have been reviewed. These findings indicated that herbal extracts could be exploited to develop natural products as supplements for supporting the female reproductive system.

Protective effects of Althaea officinalis L. extract against N-diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in male Wistar rats through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, mitochondrial apoptosis and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth cause of death due to cancer and includes 90% of liver tumors. Therefore, in this study, it was tried to show that Althaea officinalis L. flower extract (ALOF) can protect hepatocytes against N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Totally, 70 Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10/group) of sham, DEN, treatment with silymarin (SIL; DEN + SIL), treatment with ALOF (DEN + 250 and 500 ALOF), and cotreatment with SIL and ALOF (DEN + SIL + 250 and 500 ALOF). At the end of the study, the serum levels of liver indices (albumin, total protein, bilirubin, C-reactive protein, ALT, AST, and ALP), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α), and oxidants parameters (glutathione peroxidase [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] activity along with nitric oxide [NO] levels) were evaluated. The level of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, p53, PI3K, mTOR, and AKT genes were measured. ALOF in cotreatment with SIL was able to regulate liver biochemical parameters, improve serum antioxidant indices, and decrease the level of proinflammatory cytokines significantly (p < .05). ALOF extract in both doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg in cotreatment with SIL caused a significant (p < .05) decrease in the p53-positive cells and a significant (p < .05) increase in Bcl-2-positive cells. Therefore, ALOF was able to modulate the proliferation of cancer cells and protect normal cells through the regulation of Bax/Bcl-2/p53 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. It seems that ALOF can be used as a prodrug or complementary treatment in the protection of hepatocytes in induced damages caused by carcinogens.

Hepato-Nephroprotective Actions of Salvia officinalis Decoction Extract Against Extraintestinal Alterations Induced with Acetic Acid-Colitis Model in Rats

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with multiple extraintestinal disorders, including hepato-nephrological disruptions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepato-nephroprotective effect of Salvia officinalis leaf decoction extract (SLDE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis accompanied with liver and kidney injuries. Wistar albinos rats were pretreated with SLDE (50, 100, and 200 mg kg^-1, b.w., p.o.) during 10 days and intoxicated for 24 h by acute rectal administration of AA (3%, v/v, 5 mL kg^-1, b.w.). Our results showed that S. officinalis treatment protected against AA-induced liver and kidney injuries by plasma transaminase activities and preservation of the hepatic and renal tissue structures. The level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was also reverted back to near normalcy by treatment. Lipid peroxidation was decreased significantly by officinal sage supplementation. Treatment with SLDE increased enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (-SH groups and reduced glutathione) antioxidants in liver and kidney tissues. Also, SLDE treatment significantly protected against inflammation markers and reversed all intracellular mediator perturbations. This study suggests that the S. officinalis has a beneficial effect in controlling kidney and liver injuries by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and nonenzymatic contents, which reduce the risk of developing extraintestinal complications.

Female infertility and herbal medicine: An overview of the new findings

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a successful pregnancy after 12 months' sexual activity that affects 15%-17% of couples in the world and about 50% of them are related to female infertility factors. In this study, using the PRISMA checklist and MeSH keywords, 128 articles were extracted from various databases (PubMed, Cochrane library, WHO, Iranmedex, Science Direct, SID, and Google Scholar search engine) without language and time restrictions, and 128 articles were selected after eliminating duplicate studies. In this review, we present some solid evidence for role of herbal medicine in the treatment of female infertility. The results of this study showed that different parts of some plants are rich in polyphenolic compounds (isoflavones and flavonoids) and other compounds which are beneficial to in reproductive health in women. The compounds in these plants, along with regulating the female endocrine pathways, and improving symptoms of menopause, treat female reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), endometriosis, hyperprolactinemia, and hypothalamic dysfunction; moreover, because of their anticancer, antioxidant, and antidepressant properties, they can be used in traditional medicine or in the pharmaceutical industry as safe compounds in women's health.

Doxorubicin and Trifolium pratense L. (Red clover) extract synergistically inhibits brain and lung metastases in 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice

Trifolium pratense L. (Red clover-T. pratense) commonly consumed as a healthy beverage has been demonstrated to have various biological activities including antioxidant and anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimetastasis effects of doxorubicin (DOX) and T. pratense extract in 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. In this study, 56 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 8/group) to receive DOX and T. pratense extract in three different doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) for 35 days. On day 36 after starting treatments, serum cytokines (IL-8 and IL-6) were measured. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed for GATA-3 in the brain and lung, and for CK5/6 in tumor tissues. Metastasis-related gene (matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2] and sirtuin-1 [SIRT-1]) expressions were also measured by real-time PCR. Our results showed that cotreatment with DOX and T. pratense extract improved stereological parameters (i.e., reduction in the volume of metastatic tumors) in the lung and brain and decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and IL-6). DOX and T. pratense extract synergistically down-regulated MMP-2 and up-regulated SIRT-1 genes, decreased the number of CK5/6-positive cells in tumor tissues, and inhibited metastasis of GATA-3-positive cells into the lung and brain. The combination of T. pratense extract and DOX synergistically inhibited the metastasis of 4T1 xenograft cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Trifolium pratense L. (red clover) extract and doxorubicin synergistically inhibits proliferation of 4T1 breast cancer in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice through modulation of apoptosis and increase antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related pathways

Therapeutic strategies against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are associated with drug-induced toxicities. The tropical edible red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is rich in polyphenolic compounds which confer the plant potential anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of T. pratense and doxorubicin (DOX) on the apoptosis and proliferation of 4T1 tumor cells in an allograft model of tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. Fifty-six female 4T1-tumor bearing- BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 8/group) to receive different doses and combinations of DOX and T. pratense extract for 35 days. On the 36th day, serum estradiol (E2), IL-12 and IFN-γ cytokines, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured. Tumor's ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the expressions of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) were also evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and p53 were performed. Our results showed that the co-treatment of DOX and T. pratense (100-400 mg/kg) inhibited the proliferation of 4T1 tumor cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. The co-treatment of DOX and T. pratense (especially at the dose of 400 mg/kg) decreased the serum level of E2 (as a stimulant for breast tumor growth) and increased the serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ along with significant increments in serum GPx and tumor FRAP activities. The co-administration of DOX and T. pratense also decreased the expression of Ki-67 proliferation marker and increased the number p53 positive (i.e., apoptotic) cells within tumors. This was accompanied with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic and down-regulation of antiapoptotic genes. The key findings indicated the synergistic effects of DOX and T. pratense against TNBC xenografts.

The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. on sperm parameters, oxidative injury and apoptotic changes in oxymetholone-induced testicular toxicity in mouse

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) such as oxymetholone (OM) used for athletic enhancement, but increased free radicals damage and changes in hormonal levels, lead to serious and irreversible organ damage. Vaccinium arctostaphylos(V. arctostaphylos( has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. The aim of present study was to investigate V. arctostaphylos effect on OM-induced oxidative injury in mouse testis and sperm parameters. In this experimental study, 30 BALB/c mice were divided into five groups, including healthy, positive control(5 mg/kg OM) and three treatment groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of V. arctostaphylos extract + 5 mg/kg OM). At the end of the study, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were measured. Testis stereological and sperm parameters were calculated. Antioxidant status was measured using nitric oxide (NO) and FRAP assay, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, the expression of p53, caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 was measured. V. arctostaphylos decreased the serum level of testosterone, increased the LH and FSH, and improved the stereological and sperm parameters and down-regulated the p53, caspase-3 and Bax and up-regulated Bcl-2 genes. Furthermore, this dose decreased serum levels of NO and increased testis FRAP and MDA levels in treated groups compared with OM group. V. arctostaphylos extract has protective effects against testicular toxicity caused by OM.

Lengths of nephron tubule segments and collecting ducts in the CD-1 mouse kidney: an ontogeny study

The kidney continues to mature postnatally, with significant elongation of nephron tubules and collecting ducts to maintain fluid/electrolyte homeostasis. The aim of this project was to develop methodology to estimate lengths of specific segments of nephron tubules and collecting ducts in the CD-1 mouse kidney using a combination of immunohistochemistry and design-based stereology (vertical uniform random sections with cycloid arc test system). Lengths of tubules were determined at postnatal day 21 (P21) and 2 and 12 mo of age and also in mice fed a high-salt diet throughout adulthood. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify individual tubule segments [aquaporin-1, proximal tubules (PT) and thin descending limbs of Henle (TDLH); uromodulin, distal tubules (DT); aquaporin-2, collecting ducts (CD)]. All tubular segments increased significantly in length between P21 and 2 mo of age (PT, 602% increase; DT, 200% increase; TDLH, 35% increase; CD, 53% increase). However, between 2 and 12 mo, a significant increase in length was only observed for PT (76% increase in length). At 12 mo of age, kidneys of mice on a high-salt diet demonstrated a 27% greater length of the TDLH, but no significant change in length was detected for PT, DT, and CD compared with the normal-salt group. Our study demonstrates an efficient method of estimating lengths of specific segments of the renal tubular system. This technique can be applied to examine structure of the renal tubules in combination with the number of glomeruli in the kidney in models of altered renal phenotype.