The effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. whole fruit on the sex hormone profile in menopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Effect of PCL/nHAEA nanocomposite to osteo/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

Purpose

The green synthesis of nanoparticles has recently opened up a new route in material production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) synthesized from Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) extract in polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers (PCL/nHAEA) to odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and their potential applications for dentin tissue engineering.

Methods

Green synthesis of nHA via EA extract (nHAEA) was done by the sol–gel technique. Then electrospun nanocomposites containing of PCL blended with nHA (P/nHA) and nHAEA (P/nHAEA) were fabricated, and the characterization was evaluated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the contact angle. The morphology of nanofibers and the cell adhesion capacity of DPSCs on nanofibers were evaluated using SEM. Cytocompatibility was assessed by MTT. Osteo/odontogenic differentiation ability of the nanocomposites were assessed using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red S (ARS) staining, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique.

Results

Viability and adhesion capacity of DPSCs were higher on P/nHAEA nanofibers than PCL and P/nHA nanofibers. ARS assay, ALP activity, and qPCR analysis findings confirmed that the nHAEA blended nanofibrous scaffolds substantially increased osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.

Conclusion

PCL/nHAEA nanocomposites had a noticeable effect on the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and may help to improve cell-based dentin regeneration therapies in the future.

The Effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. on the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate, Prolactin and Cortisol Levels in Post-Menopausal Women: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Study

Menopause is the last menstrual period associated with a decline in ovarian steroid secretion and follicular loss. Hormone profile changes during menopause include a decrease in the production of estrogen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and prolactin (PRL), and an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and cortisol. Herbal medicines are considered as alternatives to hormone therapy. The studies on postmenopausal women have shown that Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (called "Senjed" in Persian) has some efficacy in improving sex hormone and lipid profiles, joint pain, and cardiovascular function, as the decrease in luteinizing hormone, low-density lipoprotein, and heart rate was significant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of E. angustifolia on TSH, DHEA-S, PRL, and cortisol levels and their ratios in postmenopausal women. It is assumed that the eventual effects of hormones on the brain and other tissues are determined by the balance between interdependent hormones. In the present randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial (https://en.irct.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20170227032795N4), fifty-eight postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of two medicinal herb (15 g of the whole E. angustifolia fruit powder) and placebo (7.5 g isomalt + 7.5 g cornstarch) groups. After 10 weeks of the treatment, the serum levels of TSH, DHEA-S, PRL, cortisol hormones, and their ratios were measured. The increase in the TSH, and cortisol levels, and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio and the decrease in prolactin and DHEA-S and the PRL/TSH, PRL/cortisol, and DHEA-S/TSH ratios after E. angustifolia consumption were significant only based on within-group but not on the between-group analysis. Based on between-group analyses, the changes in the hormone profile were not significant in the placebo group. According to Iranian tradition and folklore, E. angustifolia fruit is a symbol of female fertility. Therefore, its consumption is highly recommended to maintain health in the elderly, especially women. However, the observed outcomes about the effect of E. angustifolia on menopause were not completely in line with the Iranian folklore. E. angustifolia consumption did not significantly affect the hormone profile and ratios at the end of the ten-week trial, possibly due to the small sample size, short time, and the fact that our participants were postmenopausal women.

The effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. on lipid and glycaemic profiles and cardiovascular function in menopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

AIMS

The reduced production of ovarian hormones is considered to be the cause of an increase in the incidence of heart disease in women after menopause. Phytoestrogens are found in various herbal sources and are considered as an alternative to hormone therapy because of structural similarity with oestrogen. Elaeagnus angustifolia L., known as Senjed in Persian, is used in Iranian traditional medicine with various medicinal properties, contains valuable compounds, including two types of phytoestrogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of E. angustifolia fruit on the cardiovascular function, lipid and glycaemic profiles in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 58 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into two experimental groups of medicinal herb (15 g/day of the whole E. angustifolia fruit powder) and placebo (15 g/day of isomalt + corn starch). Before the trial and after 10 weeks of the treatment, cardiovascular function (heart rate, blood pressure), serum glycaemic profile (fasting blood glucose; glycated haemoglobin, HbA1C), insulin and lipid profile (total cholesterol, TC; triglyceride, TG; LDL-C and HDL-C) were measured.

RESULTS

Heart rate, and serum level of LDL-C and HDL-C significantly decreased after treatment with E. angustifolia. Changes in glycaemic profile were not clinically significant. In addition, some studied biochemical parameters significantly changed in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

E. angustifolia was somewhat effective in improving cardiovascular function and lipid profile, as well as the overall health of postmenopausal women. However, the use of isomalt and corn starch in menopausal women needs further investigation.