Efficacy of Elaeagnus angustifolia Topical Gel in the Treatment of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus

Identification of the promising oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) genotypes based on fruit quality-related characters

The fruits of oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) are rich in nutritional value and contain protein, sugar, vitamins, and minerals. The present investigation was performed to evaluate the morphological variability of the naturally grown accessions of this species. There was considerable variation among the accessions based on all the traits measured. The range of fruit weight was from 0.32 to 3.04 g, with an average of 1.48. Fruit yield was significantly and positively correlated with tree growth vigor, canopy density, branching, branch density, and leaf density. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated nine components of data accounted for 74.93% of the total variance. Ward cluster analysis using Euclidean distance classified the accessions into two main clusters and showed significant differences among the accessions studied. Among the area studied, 14 accessions showed the highest value of fruit quality-related characters, which are suitable for fresh consumption and health benefits. The results provided important information useful for selecting the preferred accessions for commercial cultivation and breeding programs.

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.

Elaeagnus angustifolia Plant Extract Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Induces Apoptosis via HER2 Inactivation and JNK Pathway in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) is a medicinal plant used for treating several human diseases in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the outcome of EA extract on HER2-positive breast cancer remains nascent. Thus, we herein investigated the effects of the aqueous EA extract obtained from the flowers of EA on two HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and ZR75-1. Our data revealed that EA extract inhibits cell proliferation and deregulates cell-cycle progression of these two cancer cell lines. EA extract also prevents the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important event for cancer invasion and metastasis; this is accompanied by upregulations of E-cadherin and β-catenin, in addition to downregulations of vimentin and fascin, which are major markers of EMT. Thus, EA extract causes a drastic decrease in cell invasion ability of SKBR3 and ZR75-1 cancer cells. Additionally, we found that EA extract inhibits colony formation of both cell lines in comparison with their matched control. The molecular pathway analysis of HER2 and JNK1/2/3 of EA extract exposed cells revealed that it can block HER2 and JNK1/2/3 activities, which could be the major molecular pathway behind these events. Our findings implicate that EA extract may possess chemo-preventive effects against HER2-positive breast cancer via HER2 inactivation and specifically JNK1/2/3 signaling pathways.

Treatment of oral lichen planus with mucoadhesive mycophenolate mofetil patch: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology which is known as a premalignant disease. A complete cure has not been found for this condition. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new drug that seems to be effective in improving OLP lesions. But there are no studies on the efficacy of mucoadhesive form of MMF in ulcerative OLP. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the therapeutic effect of MMF mucoadhesive on OLP lesions.

Material and methods

Twenty‐seven patients with OLP, were enrolled in two groups. All the patients were instructed to place the MMF 2% mucoadhesive on the lesion twice daily for 4 weeks. Lesion size was measured by a sterile digital caulis (mm) and the severity of burning sensation and pain by visual analogue scale (VAS; cm) at baseline and weekly follow‐ups.

Results

There was no significant difference in burning sensation and lesion size at Weeks 1, 2, and 3 in both groups. In Group A, at Week 4, there was significant reduction in pain and burning sensation and lesion size on both sides (p = .048, .012). The difference in lesion size on control sides was not significant. In Group B, at Week 4, there was significant reduction in pain and burning sensation and lesion size (p = .004). No side effects were reported by the patients.

Conclusions

Based on the results, 2% MMF mucoadhesive was effective in decreasing burning sensation and pain severity and ulcer size of ulcerative OLP and the effect was time‐dependent.

Biochemical, hematological, and pathological related healing effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia hydroalcoholic extract in 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in male golden hamster

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the cancer chemotherapy-related side effects which can affect the quality of life of affected patients. This study was designed to investigate the healing effect of Elaeagnus angustifolia in 5-flurouracil (5-FU)-induced OM in golden hamster. Fifty-six adult male golden hamsters received three intraperitoneal injections of 5-FU at a dose of 60 mg/kg on days 0, 5, and 10. The cheek pouch mucosa was scratched superficially under local anesthesia. Then, two horizontal scratches were made across the everted cheek pouch on days 3 and 4. All treatments were started on day 12 for equal number of animals in control group with no treatments, gel base group that was treated with carboxy methyl cellulose as gel base which used in preparation of the topical gel, topical gel group that used gel containing 10% hydroalcoholic extract of E. angustifolia (HEEA) topically, and dietary group which was treated with 300 mg/kg HEEA. At 2 and 5 days after treatment, blood and pouch tissue sampling were done and analyzed for blood composition, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities plus histopathological evaluations. Both topically and orally HEEA-treated groups showed a significant relief in OM compared to the control and base gel groups. However, the systemic form had higher efficiency in some parts especially decreasing the MPO (0.27 ± 0.17 vs. 0.56 ± 0.17 IU/L) and increasing SOD (6.46 ± 0.15 vs. 5.36 ± 0.18 IU/L) activities in pouch tissue in comparison to topical form mostly at 5 days after treatment. It seems that hydroalcoholic extract of E. angustifolia can be used as an appropriate drug choice for the treatment of oral mucositis based on its healing stimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) as a herbal healer

Introduction:Elaeagnus spp. is one in the family of riparian trees growing near the rivers or water corridors. In this family, Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian olive) is famous because of its medical applications.

Methods: A comprehensive review was performed to extract the related data from published literature.

Results: Traditionally, it has been used as an analgesic, antipyretic and diuretic herbal medicine. A large number of compounds have been derived from Russian olive and made this plant a source of flavonoids, alkaloids, minerals and vitamins. Although the purpose of most studies is to use this plant for preparation of herbal medicines and as an ingredient for drug formulation, there is no available drug dosage form commercially.

Conclusion: This review aimed to provide the most important documentary information on the active components of Elaeagnus spp. and their relation to the pharmacological properties and compare them with reported medicinal effects.

Review of Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Medicines

Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites are progressively used in the treatment of diseases as a complementary medicine. Inflammation is a pathologic condition that includes a wide range of diseases such as rheumatic and immune-mediated conditions, diabetes, cardiovascular accident, and etcetera. We introduce some herbs which their anti-inflammatory effects have been evaluated in clinical and experimental studies. Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Rosmarinus officinalis, Borago officinalis, evening primrose, and Devil's claw are some of the introduced medicinal herbs in this review. Since the treatment of inflammation is not a one-dimensional remedy, this review tries to reach a multidimensional therapeutic approach to inflammation with the help of herbal medicine and modification in lifestyle.

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.): From a variety of traditional medicinal applications to its novel roles as active antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and analgesic agent

Elaeagnus angustifolia L., which is commonly known as oleaster or Russian olive, is a deciduous plant from Elaeagnacea family. This plant can tolerate and survive a wide variety of environmental conditions. Different parts of E. angustifolia plant, especially the fruits and flowers, have been used traditionally in treating a variety of common illnesses such as nausea, cough, asthma, fever, jaundice, and diarrhea. The use of fruit powder and extract of E. angustifolia L. have shown to be effective in alleviating pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and also in reducing the healing time of wounds in injured person. In addition, some recent reports have indicated the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and some other properties of oleaster plant. The other important property of this plant would be its role in bio-monitoring the environment for some toxic elements and also its action as a bio-fertilizer agent in distressed lands. It seems that with more advanced studies on E. angustifolia L. and its bioactive components, this plant might be potentially effective and can be used as a natural alternative resource in pharmaceutical industries for treating chronic and serious problems, Fig. 1.

Effect of cedar honey in the treatment of oral lichen planus

INTRODUCTION

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease with an immunological etiology. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cedar honey in the treatment of erosive- atrophic OLP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with a confirmed clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of OLP participated in this randomized clinical trial in Mashhad Dental School. Patients were randomly allocated into one of two groups. Both groups received standard OLP treatment (dexamethasone mouthwash 0.5 mg three times daily and fluconazole capsule 100 mg daily). The intervention group received cedar honey (20 ml three times daily, via a swish and swallow technique) in addition to standard treatment. The patients were followed for 4 weeks. The pain and severity of the lesions were recorded at the initial visit and follow ups. All recorded data were analyzed using the chi-square test, T-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 11.5. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Both groups had a marked reduction in pain, size of erosive area, and atrophic lesions, particularly in the first follow-up period, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Honey was effective in the healing of ulcerative lesions (average recovery in the experimental group was 69% while the average relief of ulcerative lesion in the control group was 50%), but the difference was not significant (P=0.896).

CONCLUSION

No significant difference was found in the treatment of atrophic and erosive lesions of OLP through use of honey as an alternative treatment. However, this approach may be effective in managing ulcerative lesions of OLP; although more research with a larger sample size is necessary.

A study on antimicrobial, antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. leaves

BACKGROUND

[corrected] The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antimutagenic potentials of methanol extracts from E. angustifolia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methanol extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against different species of 4 Gram positive and 3 Gram negative bacteria and one fungus. These bacteria included food pathogens. The leaf extract was tested using disc diffusion assay.

RESULTS

The methanol extract of E. angustifolia showed maximum inhibition zone of 16 mm against Yersinia enterocolitica. Whereas, the inhibition zone was not determined by methanol extract against Escherichia coli ATCC 1122 and Candida albicans RSKK 02029. The MIC was evaluated on plant extracts as antimicrobial activity. All of bacterial strains showed the lowest sensitivity to methanol extract of E. angustifolia (3.5 mg/mL), except Yersinia enterocolitica NCTC 11174. In addition, the plant extracts were tested against the stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free-radical. Finally, the methanol extract displayed a strong antioxidant activity (Trolox equivalent = 1.49 mM). Also, E. angustifolia methanol extracts were screened for their antimutagenic activity against sodium azide by Ames test in absence of rat microsomal liver enzyme (-S9). The results showed that E. angustifolia methanol extracts can inhibit mutagenic agents of sodium azide. The plant leaf extracts with the inhibition of 36% sodium azide showed moderate potential in decreasing mutagenic agents in Salmonella typhimurium TA100.

CONCLUSION

E. angustifolia methanol extracts have antimicrobial, antioxidant and antimutagenic potential.