The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Foeniculum vulgare Mill on Leukocytes and Hematological Tests in Male Rats

Fenchone, a monoterpene: Toxicity and diuretic profiling in rats

Fenchone is a monoterpene present in the essential oils of various plants, including Foeniculum vulgare and Peumus boldus. Previous studies confirmed the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound-healing, antidiarrheal, antifungal, antinociceptive, and bronchodilator activities of fenchone. Owing to various pharmacological activities of Fenchone, the current research was designed to evaluate its diuretic activity along with toxicity profiling. For evaluating acute toxicity, OECD guideline 425 was followed in which a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was orally administered to rats. For evaluating the diuretic potential in rats, three doses of Fenchone (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were assayed in comparison to furosemide (15 mg/kg) as the standard drug, followed by measurements of urinary volume, urinary electrolytes, uric acid, and urinary creatinine in saline-loaded rats for 8 h. The acute toxicity study showed a significant increase in hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alkaline transaminase (ALT) along with a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and uric acid levels when compared with the control group. The oxidative stress parameter, superoxide dismutase (SOD), was increased in the heart and spleen. Nitrite (NO) and glutathione were significantly increased in the kidney. The acute diuretic effect of Fenchone (400 mg/kg) significantly increased the urinary output, electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca⁺⁺), urinary creatinine, and urinary uric acid in a dose-dependent manner. The Na⁺/K⁺ ratio was remarkably higher in the treatment group than that of the control group. The diuretic index, saluretic index, and Lipschitz value were also calculated from electrolyte concentration and urinary volume measurements, and the values were significantly increased in rats administered with fenchone at 400 mg/kg dose. The current study concluded that fenchone is safe and has remarkable diuretic action.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 as a dispersive solid phase extraction sorbent for simultaneous determination of 145 pesticide residues in polyphenol-rich plants

Many plants showed higher polyphenol content, which caused the matrix effect and made the analysis of trace pesticide residues highly challenging. A common approach to improving matrix effects is to purify pesticides through the use of sorbents, but this requires a combination of multiple sorbents and extensive use. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 is widely used for pesticide analysis due to its high porosity, large specific surface area and versatility. Here, We established and validated a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method based on a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 that was used to test the removal ability for polyphenols. And 145 pesticide residues in peppermint, perilla, fennel, and mulberry leaves were analyzed by the modified method coupled with LC-MS/MS. The mean recoveries of all pesticide residues were in the range of 74.3%-103.7%, with mean relative standard deviations≤ 9.1% at spiked concentrations of 1, 10, 50, and 100 μg kg^-1 for mulberry leaves. The limits of quantitation of the method ranged from 1 to 50 μg kg^-1 . This study offers a reliable approach for the accurate quantitative analysis of various trace substances in the polyphenol-rich plants. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Phytogenic compounds from avocado (Persea americana L.) extracts; antioxidant activity, amylase inhibitory activity, therapeutic potential of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a worldwide public health disease. Currently, the most effective way to treat diabetes is to mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes in the digestive system. Plant extracts are rich in bioactive compounds, which can be used in diabetes treatment. This study aims to evaluate the polyphenols content in ethanolic extracts of avocado fruit and leaves (Persea americana Mill.). Additionally, their antioxidant activity using DPPH, while the inhibition ability of α-amylase was examined by reacting different amounts of the extracts with α-amylase compared to acarbose as standard inhibitor. The active compounds were detected in the extracts by LC/MS. The obtained results showed that the leaf extract recorded a significant content of total phenolic compounds compared to the fruit extract (178.95 and 145.7 mg GAE /g dry weight, respectively). The total flavonoid values ​​ranged from 32.5 to 70.08 mg QE/g dry weight of fruit and leaves extracts, respectively. Twenty-six phytogenic compounds were detected in leaf and fruit extract by LC/MS. These compounds belong to fatty acids, sterols, triterpenes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of the extracts is due to the exist of phytogenic compounds, i.e., polyphenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity increased in a concentration dependant manner. Avocado fruit extract (1000 µg/mL) scavenged 95% of DPPḢ while leaf extract rummaged 91.03% of free radicals compared with Vit C and BHT. Additionally, higher α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed in fruit extract than the leaf extract, where the fruit and leaf extract (1000 μg/ml) inhibited the enzyme by 92.13% and 88.95%, respectively. The obtained results showed that the ethanolic extracts of avocado could have a significant impact on human health due to their high content of polyphenols.

In vitro anticancer activity of ethanol extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees on human ovarian cancer cell lines

Background

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system because there is no effective screening and most women are diagnosed at advanced stages. The probability of survival at 5 years is less than 30%, and the limitation is that it will not respond to chemotherapy protocol and surgery as well. Moreover, some evidence have shown potential anticancer properties of flavonoids, protective chemicals in plant foods, such as being an antioxidant, antiestrogenic, antiproliferative, and antiinflammatory. In this study, the anticancer activity of crude ethanol extracts of leaves from Adhatoda vasica was investigated.

Results

By the application of a cell-based assay, the LC 50 value of the A. vasica which showed anticancer effect was used for further studies. The cell line treated with LD 50 value of A. vasica extracts was observed for 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h to reveal the inhibition of the metastatic property in treated PA1 cells. The mRNA isolated from the teratocarcinoma PA1 cells treated with the A. vasica extract was further converted to cDNA and was amplified for the analysis of the p53 gene, p21 gene, and GAPDH gene expression. The expression in treated cells and the untreated control indicated the activity of the A. vasica extract against the ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

The present study suggested the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of medicinal plant A. vasica on PA1 cells.

Evaluation of expression and serum concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone as a follicle growth marker following consumption of fennel and flaxseed extract in first-generation mice pups

Background

The aim of the present study was to assess the expression and serum level of AMH in first-generation female mice pups following fennel and flaxseed consumption.

Methods

Twenty pregnant NMRI mice were allocated into four groups including control (CTL), fennel (FV), flaxseed (LU) and FV+ LU. Sixty-four female offsprings after lactation period, received the same regimen as their mothers for 56 and 240 days. The ovarian follicles development, serum concentration of AMH, as well as gene and protein expression of AMH were evaluated in the female offsprings at post-natal day 56 (PND56) and 240 (PND240).

Results

The number of total growing follicles were raised in the FV group in compression to the all experimental groups. In contrast, LU group showed a marked decrease in their numbers. The highest level of serum AMH was seen in the FV-diet mice, whereas LU negatively affected it. The expression level of AMH also increased in the FV and FV + LU groups, while a reduction was observed in the LU group. As well, IHC data showed that the number of AMH-positive cells in almost ovarian follicles of FV and FV + LU-treated mice was in compared to those of the LU group.

Conclusions

The overall effect of fennel treatment (alone and in combination with flaxseed) on ovary might be maintain primordial follicle storage through increased expression and serum level of AMH.

Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Vitamin E Effects on Serum Lipid Profile in Menopausal Women

BACKGROUND

Menopause is associated with changes in lipid profile and is a known risk factor for oxidative stress. Different therapeutical strategies have been used to control menopause complications. Vitamin E, an important anti-oxidant, can possibly affect lipid peroxidation in menopausal women. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the lipid profile of menopausal women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over, phase I/II trial study was designed in two 4-week intervention phases with an 8-day washout period in between. Eighty-three natural menopause women participated in the study. Randomized block allocation was used to divide women into group A (n = 41) and group B (n = 42). In phase I, one group received vitamin E capsule (400 IU/day) and another group received placebo capsule for 4 weeks. After an 8-day washout period, phase II was initiated for a period of 4 weeks, where the group that received vitamin E capsule was given placebo (E-P) and the group that received placebo was given vitamin E (P-E). Plasma lipid profile levels (LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and TG) were assessed before and after intervention separately in each phase and in each group. Lipid profile was measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. Data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The analysis indicated no significant difference in plasma TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG levels between P-E and E-P groups before intervention in phase I and II (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma lipid profile levels within the P-E and E-P groups before and after intervention in phase I and II. There was a significant difference in plasma TG within the E-P group before [141.74 ± 53.52, 138.50 (94-195)] and after [167.47 ± 71.32, 170 (108-202)] intervention in phase II (P = 0.010). There was no significant difference in terms of the mean changes in plasma lipid profile between the P-E and E-P groups in phase I and II (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study results revealed that vitamin E supplementation had no remarkable effect on the lipid profile in menopausal women.

Medicinal Plants in the Prevention and Treatment of Colon Cancer

The standard treatment for cancer is generally based on using cytotoxic drugs, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. However, the use of traditional treatments has received attention in recent years. The aim of the present work was to provide an overview of medicinal plants effective on colon cancer with special emphasis on bioactive components and underlying mechanisms of action. Various literature databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, were used and English language articles were considered. Based on literature search, 172 experimental studies and 71 clinical cases on 190 plants were included. The results indicate that grape, soybean, green tea, garlic, olive, and pomegranate are the most effective plants against colon cancer. In these studies, fruits, seeds, leaves, and plant roots were used for in vitro and in vivo models. Various anticolon cancer mechanisms of these medicinal plants include induction of superoxide dismutase, reduction of DNA oxidation, induction of apoptosis by inducing a cell cycle arrest in S phase, reducing the expression of PI3K, P-Akt protein, and MMP as well; reduction of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, and decrease of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin A, cyclin D1, cyclin B1 and cyclin E. Plant compounds also increase both the expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p53, p21, and p27, and the BAD, Bax, caspase 3, caspase 7, caspase 8, and caspase 9 proteins levels. In fact, purification of herbal compounds and demonstration of their efficacy in appropriate in vivo models, as well as clinical studies, may lead to alternative and effective ways of controlling and treating colon cancer.

Protective effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of foeniculum vulgare and linum usitatissimum on ovarian follicle reserve in the first-generation mouse pups

Objective

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of fennel and flaxseed during pre- and post-natal period until puberty and menopause on ovarian follicular reserve (OFR).

Methods

Pregnant NMRI mice received fennel (FV, 500 mg/kg/day), flaxseed (LU, 500 mg/kg/day), LU + FV (500 mg/kg/day) and no treatment was given to the controls. Female pups were studied on post-natal-days 1, 56 and 240 (PND1, 56, 240). Ovary weight and diameters, the number of primordial (PF), atretic (AF) and apoptotic (APF) follicles were determined. The expression of Bcl2 and STAT3 (apoptosis-related-genes), micoRNA-125a-5p, and also serum levels of sex hormones were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test.

Results

FV and FV + LU groups showed a marked rise in body and ovary weights and diameters as compared to the control group. The number of PF at PND1, PND56, and PND240 increased significantly in the FV and FV + LU groups but decreased in the LU group compared to the control mice. There was a significant reduction in the mean of AF in the FV and FV + LU group and a marked increase in the LU group compared to the controls. Also, more APF were observed in the LU group, whereas less apoptotic follicles were present in the FV group. FSH and estradiol serum levels increased significantly while LH decreased in the FV group. The anti-apoptotic-genes expression and pro-apoptotic microRNA, respectively, increased and decreased in the FV group versus control group.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that fennel alone and in combination with flaxseed could improve OFR during pregnancy, lactation, and afterwards until puberty and menopause.

The Confrontation between Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological Tests of Medicinal Plants Associated with Mental and Neurological Disorders

For neurological disorders, pharmacological tests have shown promising results in the reduction of side effects when using plants with known therapeutic effects in the treatment of some types of dementia. Therefore, the goals of this study are to gather data about the major medicinal plants used in the nervous system as described in ethnopharmacological surveys from South America and Brazil and to compare this data with the results from pharmacological tests on the active principles of those same plants found in the scientific literature. After collecting the data about each plant, their respective popular indication was compared with the results found through pharmacological tests. The discrepancy rate between the effects observed by ethnopharmacological and pharmacological methods in this study is greater than 50%. In conclusion, despite the importance of ethnopharmacological data, it is important to make comparisons with pharmacological tests for the same plants, since the pharmacological studies, although few, have shown a high rate of discrepancy in the results.

The immunoinhibitory and apoptosis-inducing activities of Foeniculum vulgare on human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare, Apiaceae) is an important plant currently used in folk medicine to treat various diseases including infections and inflammatory conditions. In this study we have investigated the immunomodulatory and apoptosis-inducing activities of the fractions from this plant. We prepared dichloromethane, hexane, butanol, and water fractions from the aerial parts of the plant. We examined the growth inhibitory effects of the fractions on proliferative lymphocytes by the BrdU incorporation assay. Cell viability was determined by the propidium iodide (PI) assay. AnnexinV/PI staining and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry was performed to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effects of the plant fractions. Cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All fractions reduced cell proliferation of the activated lymphocytes. The dichloromethane fraction with the highest inhibitory effect (IC₅₀, 19.8 μg/mL) significantly reduced cell viability. Although the butanol fraction inhibited cell growth (IC₅₀, 88.2 μg/mL) it did not affect cell viability. Annexin V/PI and cell cycle analysis showed the maximum apoptosis-inducing effect of the dichloromethane fraction at 200 μg/mL. Cytokines, that included interleukin (IL)-4 (22.8 ± 0.9 pg/mL, P < 0.05) and interferon (IFN)-γ (651 ± 37.5 pg/mL, P < 0.01) reduced the activated lymphocyte levels in cultures in the presence of 100 μg/mL concentration of butanol fraction compared to the untreated control. In conclusion, the dichloromethane fraction of F. vulgare had the capability of inducing apoptosis in the activated lymphocytes, whereas the butanol fraction reduced cell activation and cytokine secretion. These data suggested the potential of these examined fractions for more studies in terms of their beneficial effects on immune-mediated diseases.

A Review of the Antioxidant Activity of Celery ( Apium graveolens L)

Plants are an important source of natural active products that are different, based on mechanism and biological properties. Celery (Apium graveolens L) is a plant from the apiaceae family and phenolic and antioxidant compounds of this plant have been studied by several scientists. The aim of this study was to review systematically the antioxidant activity of celery. Required articles were searched from databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Springer. Keywords used in this study were Apium graveolens L, celery, antioxidant, free radical, leaf, and seed. Out of 980 collected articles (published in the period 1997-2015), 9 studies finally met the inclusion criteria and were considered. Celery, because of compounds such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, apigenin, luteolin, tannin, saponin, and kaempferol, has powerful antioxidant characteristics, to remove free radicals. It is clear that celery, with different compounds and diverse concentration can have varied healing effects. It is suggested that the next studies concentrate on other therapeutic and industrial attributes of celery.

Effective Medicinal Plant in Cancer Treatment, Part 2: Review Study

Cancer is the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. With due attention to rapid progress in the phytochemical study of plants, they are becoming popular because of their anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effective medicinal plants in the treatment of cancer and study their mechanism of action. In order to gather information the keywords “traditional medicine,” “plant compounds,” “medicinal plant,” “medicinal herb,” “toxicity,” “anticancer effect,” “cell line,” and “treatment” were searched in international databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus and national databases such as Magiran, Sid, and Iranmedex, and a total of 228 articles were collected. In this phase, 49 nonrelevant articles were excluded. Enhancement P53 protein expression, reducing the expression of proteins P27, P21, NFκB expression and induction of apoptosis, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway, and reduction of the level of acid phosphatase and lipid peroxidation are the most effective mechanisms of herbal plants that can inhibit cell cycle and proliferation. Common treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can cause some complications. According to results of this study, herbal extracts have antioxidant compounds that can induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation by the investigated mechanisms.

Anti-fertility effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed in male Wistar rats

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the anti-fertility effect of fennel (Foeniculim vulgare Mill) seed extract in male rats.

Material and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received distilled water and the experimental groups were orally administered 1 ml of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel seed in four doses of 35, 70, 140, and 280 mg/kg/b.w. daily for 60 days. After the last gavage, the rats were anaesthetised and the caudal part of the right epididymis was used for sperm counting. After fixation of the testes, microscopic sections were prepared and histological changes were evaluated.

Results: The number of spermatogonia after doses of 140 and 280 mg/kg and Sertoli cells after a dose of 140 mg/kg decreased significantly as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of primary spermatocytes and sperm count decreased significantly in the experimental groups (70, 140, and 280 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, thickening of the basement membrane, cell apoptosis, and irregular arrangement of the germinal epithelium were observed in the experimental groups.

Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic fennel seed extract at these doses could reduce reproductivity and has anti-fertility activity in male rats.

The Effect of Hemiscorpius lepturus (Scorpionida: Hemiscorpiidae) Venom on Leukocytes and the Leukocyte Subgroups in Peripheral Blood of Rat

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Hemiscorpius lepturus venom on leukocytes and the leukocyte subgroups in peripheral blood of rat.

METHODS

In this experimental study, sixty N-Mari rats were divided into three groups of 20 rats. Then the rats in each group were divided into four subgroups based on the blood sampling time that was 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours after the venom injection, respectively. The control group did not receive anything, however, the first and the second experimental groups received 0.1 and 0.01mg/kg of venom, subcutaneously. In accordance with a designated four sampling times, the blood sampling was carried out in three groups. After RBC lysis, the leukocytes and leukocyte sub-populations were determined and counted using appropriate hematological standard methods.

RESULTS

The leukocyte and the neutrophil count at two (P<0.05), six (P<0.01) and 24 (P<0.05) hours after the venom injection showed a significant decline compared with the control group, this decrease was significant at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg until 48 hours after the venom injection (P<0.05). The lymphocyte count showed a significant decline throughout the all hours of the experiment, compared with the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Leukocytes are probably affected by the cytotoxicity effect of the H. lepturus venom in a dose-dependent manner. This could be a wakeup call for the medical staff to perform quick and accurate treatment in the least time possible.