Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Volume:19 Issue: 1, Feb 2024

 Impaired wound healing is one of the complications of diabetes. Carvacrol, a natural substance, shows promising results in diabetic wound healing despite the fact that its therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood.

 The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular alterations caused by carvacrol intervention in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) cultured at a high-glucose condition.

 The HDFs were incubated in different glucose concentrations, and cell viability was assessed. In addition, carvacrol cytotoxicity was determined. Then, the HDFs were incubated in 50 mM glucose prior to treatment. After that, the cells were divided into 4 groups: Controls, high-glucose (50 mM), carvacrol-treated (9 µM), and high-glucose carvacrol-treated for 24 h. Cell proliferation and migration were examined. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD) production, collagen deposition, and RNA levels of TGFβ1, ACTA2, and miR-155 were investigated.

 The in vitro scratch assay revealed that the fibroblast migration, which was reduced at high-glucose concentration, was reversed due to the carvacrol intervention during 12 h and 24 h (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Collagen deposition and SOD synthesis showed an increase in treated cells (P < 0.001). Both TGFβ1 and ACTA2 mRNA expressions were elevated due to the carvacrol treatment, while the miR-155 level decreased (P < 0.001).

 A high level of glucose impaired the cellular function of human dermal fibroblast. Carvacrol reversed the adverse effects of high-glucose stress and promoted wound healing through greater cell migration, collagen deposition, and levels of TGFb1 and ACTA2 gene expression. It showed inhibitory effects against miR-155, which is known for its negative role in diabetic wound healing.

In light of the escalating global concern over antibiotic resistance, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Allium atroviolaceum and compare it with 0.2% chlorhexidine using the well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods against Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 6249), Streptococcus mutans (PTCC 16836), Streptococcus sanguinis (PTCC 1449), and Streptococcus salivarius (PTCC 1448). The well diffusion method revealed the inhibitory effect of the extract, with the highest activity observed against Streptococcus salivarius. Subsequently, MIC and MBC values were determined, indicating that the hydroalcoholic extract had MIC and MBC values of 3.12 mg/mL against Streptococcus sanguinis and 6.25 mg/mL against other strains (Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus salivarius). Chlorhexidine exhibited significantly lower MIC and MBC values of 0.0003%. Based on literature reviews, Allium species exhibit antimicrobial properties. The findings highlight the potential of Allium atroviolaceum extract as an alternative or complementary antimicrobial agent and warrant further investigation to identify its bioactive components and explore their mechanisms of action. This study contributes to understanding natural antimicrobial agents and their potential applications against bacterial infections.

Ricinus communis L, commonly known as the castor oil plant, is a valuable traditional medicine that has been used for thousands of years around the world. The plant contains a diverse range of phytochemicals with various medicinal properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, central analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and wound healing activities. Its many beneficial compounds make it a valuable natural remedy for numerous health conditions.

The present study investigated the preventive effect of castor oil on malathion-induced Parkinson's disease (PD)-like behaviors in rats.

Rats were divided into 8 groups: Control (normal saline), malathion (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injection (IP)), castor oil (0.05, 0.1, or 0.5 mL/kg/day, orally) plus malathion, levodopa (10 mg/kg/day, IP) plus malathion, castor oil (0.5 mg/kg/day, orally), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (vehicle of levodopa) groups. All treatments were administered for 28 days, after which neurobehavioral tests such as open field, rotarod, and catalepsy were performed. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in serum and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interleukin (IL)-6 in the striatum were measured at the end of the treatment period to assess the potential effects of castor oil.

The finding of this study indicated that malathion-induced neurobehavioral toxicity was together with the increase of MDA, TNFα, and IL-6 levels, a decrease of GSH, and AChE activity that was reversed by treatment with castor oil.

Overall, these results suggest that castor oil may have potential therapeutic effects for PD by improving antioxidant status and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are both factors that can contribute to the toxicity of pesticides like malathion. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential protective effects of castor oil in this context.

 Salvia is one of the most important genera belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has been used in various applications in folk medicine and the pharmaceutical and food industries.

 This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Salvia mirzayanii Rech. f. and Esfand. and Salvia hypoleuca Benth. essential oils (EOs). Additionally, the enzyme inhibitory activity of the mixture of compounds was evaluated to find whether the synergistic effect is responsible for the desired activity or not.

 The constituents of S. mirzayanii and S. hypoleuca EOs collected from Fars and Alborz provinces, Iran, were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. They were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by the determination of para-nitrophenol (pNP), derived from the enzymatic degradation of para-nitrophenol-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) as the substrate. The activity of the selected components was also tested. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of EOs was evaluated based on the radical scavenging capability (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH]) assay, and their total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method in terms of gallic acid equivalent (GAE).

 In total, 66 compounds were detected in the S. mirzayanii and S. hypoleuca EOs. The results showed that S. mirzayanii EO had more potent antioxidant activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.77 ± 0.00 mg/mL), higher TPC (78.26 ± 1.26 mg GAE/g EO), and a greater inhibitory effect toward α-glucosidase (IC50 = 55.15 ± 1.60 mg/mL) than S. hypoleuca EO. Furthermore, caryophyllene oxide (IC50 = 19.94 ± 0.26 mg/mL), α-pinene (IC50 = 17.59 ± 0.19 mg/mL), and linalool (IC50 = 38.00 ± 0.22 mg/mL) showed high levels of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity among the major constituents. In addition, the combination of linalool: 1,8-cineole: α-terpineol (40: 35: 25) inhibited this enzyme synergistically (combination index [CI] < 1).

 The findings indicated that S. mirzayanii EO had a high potential for developing efficient anti-type 2 diabetes agents.

 The association between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases has been documented. Besides, there is evidence that antidepressant agents, such as fluvoxamine maleate (Flv), can ameliorate neurotoxicity. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pollen (DPP) contains various compounds with antioxidant capacity; however, its underlying mechanism of function has not been fully understood.

 The present study aimed to compare the neuroprotective effects of DPP and Flv on H2O2-induced oxidative damage and their effects on Nrf2, SIGMAR1, and Bcl2 gene expression in PC12 cells.

 First, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay examined the toxicities of DPP, Flv, and H2O2 at various concentrations on the PC12 cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) measured the expression of Nrf2, SIGMAR1, and Bcl2 in PC12 cells in the presence or absence of DPP or Flv after 4 h of treatment with 100 μM H2O2.

 Based on the MTT results, DPP at concentrations of 200 - 1000 µg/mL had no toxic effect on PC12 cells. The IC50 was evaluated at 57.26 μM and 109.5 μM under treatment with Flv and H2O2. Real-time PCR analysis showed a decrease in the expression of Nrf2 and SIGMAR1 in PC12 cells treated with 100 μM H2O2, an indicator of oxidative stress recruitment in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with DPP and Flv (500 µg/mL and 10 µM, respectively) for 24 h resulted in the upregulation of Nrf2 relative to the vehicle control. In addition, pretreatment with DPP increased the level of SIGMAR1 in PC12 cells compared with H2O2-exposed cells. Considering the role of SIGMAR1 in endoplasmic reticulum oxidative stress, the SIGMAR1 level should be evaluated at the translational level. Compared to the untreated cells, the expression of Bcl2 decreased in all the experimental cases, and the difference in Bcl2 expression was not significant between the co-treatment experimental cases.

 Taken together, DPP and Flv have neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage in PC12 cells. Exposure of PC12 cells to 500 μg/mL DPP and 10 μM Flv for 24 h protected the morphology and function of PC12 cells under H2O-induced oxidative stress via regulating oxidative stress-involved genes.

 Nowadays, the use of over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen (APAP) may cause severe liver injury, which can occur not only in high doses but also in therapeutic doses due to nutritional deficiency, alcoholism, or using cytochrome p450 inducers.

 In this study, the protective effect of epicatechin (EPC) was evaluated against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity to find an effective and inexpensive therapy.

 The animals were divided into preventive and therapeutic groups. In the preventive study, the animals received EPC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day) for five days, and the last dose was administered 1 hour before APAP (400 mg/kg). In the therapeutic groups, the animals received EPC just before and 2 hours after the APAP injection. All the animals were killed, and blood and liver samples were taken for further analysis. The liver pathology, enzymes, and oxidant, antioxidant, inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory factors were evaluated.

 EPC significantly decreased the serum activity level of the liver biomarkers ALT and AST in the APAP-treated mice. Furthermore, the hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were noticeably lowered, and the levels of total thiol and catalase activity increased significantly with EPC. Histopathological results were strongly consistent with those of the biochemical estimations. The most effective dose was observed at EPC 100 mg/kg, and the therapeutic groups showed better results than the preventive groups.

 EPC attenuated the liver toxicity in the mice by suppressing oxidative stress and can be considered a preventive and therapeutic agent for inhibiting and resolving the liver damage induced by APAP.

 Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) has garnered scientific attention for its beneficial effects on various chronic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus.

 The current study was designed and conducted to assess the influence of whole okra fruit powder on the serum levels of specific biochemical parameters in individuals with pre-diabetes.

 Seventy pre-diabetic patients, aged 30 - 55 years, were divided into two groups: The okra group (n = 35, fasting plasma glucose: 116.26 ± 6.02) and the placebo group (n = 35, fasting plasma glucose: 112.26 ± 5.8). The okra group received 3000 mg of okra capsules daily for eight weeks, while the placebo group received placebo capsules. Liver function, renal markers, and lipid profiles were assessed at both the baseline and the end of the experiment using a spectrophotometer. The impact of the okra intervention on biochemical parameters was determined using parametric or non-parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

 The serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, liver transaminases, and uric acid were significantly lower in the okra group compared to the placebo group. Conversely, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the okra group than in the placebo group. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding triglycerides, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and alkaline phosphatase levels.

 The consumption of okra effectively improved the lipid profile and certain serum parameters (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and uric acid) related to liver and kidney health in pre-diabetic participants.

Dear Readers, We wish to inform you of the withdrawal of this article recently published in our journal (1). This decision comes after careful consideration and in accordance with the request of the authors. The authors have provided the following statement regarding their decision (Ticket #512394): "Considering that the authors of the article have realized that the reported results require further review to ensure their accuracy, we request the withdrawal of the article." The integrity and accuracy of the research we publish are of utmost importance to us. In line with this commitment, we respect the authors' decision to withdraw their article for a thorough review and verification of its results. We appreciate the authors' proactive approach to maintaining the quality and reliability of their work and the scientific record. We understand that the withdrawal of an article may cause inconvenience to our readers, and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. We thank you for your understanding and continued support of our journal's dedication to the highest standards of scientific publishing. Sincerely, Masood Fereidoonnezhad EIC

 Changes in the intestinal microbial flora may contribute to the occurrence and intensification of functional constipation (FC). Probiotics have shown promise as a potential alternative treatment for constipation.

 The main goal of this study is to assess the effects of an Iranian multispecies synbiotic supplement on FC.

 This randomized controlled trial (RCT) recruited 115 adult patients who met the Rome IV criteria for FC after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to receive either psyllium (n = 57) or psyllium plus synbiotic (n = 58) daily for 4 weeks. The treatment response was evaluated based on changes in stool consistency (based on the Bristol scale), bloating severity, and constipation intensity (based on the Wexner Constipation Scoring System), and those with a partial to excellent response were considered treatment successes.

 The two groups did not differ in terms of sex, age, and BMI. The downward trend of stool consistency, bloating, as well as, constipation intensity was significant after 2 weeks of synbiotic-containing intervention. Treatment success after 4 weeks was 75.44% in the synbiotic group, compared to 30.91% in the psyllium-alone group (P < 0.001), indicating the superior efficiency of the synbiotic. Neither treatment exhibited adverse effects (P = 0.924), although psyllium was found to be less tolerable than the synbiotic (P = 0.026).

 Multispecies synbiotic intake for 4 weeks may be a promising treatment option for FC, given its striking favorable effects on constipation severity, safety, and tolerability.

 Sambucus Ebulus L. (SE) is known as an anti-inflammatory herb in traditional medicine. Nasosinusal polyposis is a common type of chronic nose and paranasal sinus inflammation. It is more common in patients with asthma and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory diseases.

 This study aimed to investigate the apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of SE fruit extract on NP.

 The extract of SE fruit was prepared and subjected to total phenolic, anthocyanin, and flavonoid content measurement. The antioxidant activity was tested using the DPPH radical scavenging method. Nasal polyp (NP) tissue samples were collected from patients. Different concentrations of the SE extract were exposed to NPT samples for 24 hours. The expression of BAX and BAD proapoptotic markers, IL-5 and GM-CSF levels, and cell apoptosis were evaluated by real-time PCR, ELISA, and TUNEL assay, respectively.

 The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were 38.44 (mg GAE/g extract) and 8.62 ± 0.12 (mg QE/g extract), respectively. Moreover, the total anthocyanin content was 0.56 ± 0.01 (mg C3GE/g extract). The IC50 of SE fruit extract in the DPPH radical scavenging assay was 190.78 ± 0.55 µg/mL. Also, BAX and BAD markers and TUNEL-positive cells were observed to increase in NP tissue samples in vitro after treatment with SE fruit extract (P < 0.05). The level of GM-CSF in the treated groups was reduced (P < 0.05).

 Our results showed that SE fruit extract was a good source of phenolic compounds that can induce anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic events in NP tissues, at least partly through increasing the expression of BAD and BAX apoptotic markers and reducing GM-CSF levels. The clinical applicability of SE fruit extract in the treatment of nasal polyps should be investigated in the future.

 Melanoma, which ranks as the deadliest among all skin cancers, is the third most common type of skin cancer. Given the rapidly increasing incidence of this disease, there is a pressing need for new treatments. Allium species are known for their robust antioxidant properties, sulfur content, and numerous phenolic compounds, which have garnered significant attention in the realm of cancer research.

 The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential anticancer properties of Allium jesdianum on melanoma cells (A375) and normal human fibroblast cell lines (AGO-1522).

 Initially, a hydroalcoholic extract of the plant was prepared, and the total phenolic and flavonoid content was assessed using spectrophotometry. Subsequently, the study examined cell viability, cytotoxic activity, cytochrome c (CYT-C) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and lipid peroxidation.

 The hydroalcoholic extract of the plant contained 157.6 mg of phenolic compounds and 114.7 mg of flavonoids per gram of dry extract. The plant extracts significantly improved melanoma cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P < 0.01), enhanced ROS production (P < 0.01), and increased CYT-C levels (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, an equivalent amount of the extract had no significant impact on normal fibroblast cells, indicating its safety.

 The hydroalcoholic extract of A. jesdianum exhibited notable cytotoxic effects on human melanoma cell lines. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to explore the potential of A. jesdianum as a promising anti-cancer drug.

 Natural pigments from microbial sources are a class of compounds with various structures and a wide range of uses, which have become an important source of antibiotic production.

 This study aimed to screen and identify a new type of pigment-producing microorganism from purple soil in the Sichuan Basin. At the same time, this study aimed to purify and identify the produced pigment, preliminarily optimize its fermentation conditions, and characterize its antibacterial activity.

 Through morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular sequencing, the strain LS-2 was identified. The pigment was purified by column chromatography, and its antibacterial activity was characterized by a disc diffusion assay. Through the analysis of the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectrum, infrared (IR) absorption spectrum, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the yellow pigment was identified.

 An actinomycin D-producing Streptomyces parvulus was isolated from the purple soil in the Sichuan Basin. Its optimal fermentation conditions were culture at 34°C on Gause’s synthetic medium with pH 6.5, and the yield reached 540 mg/L after 48 hours. The actinomycin D produced by the strain has excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli).

 A new actinomycin D-producing strain of Streptomyces parvulus LS-2 was isolated and identified. The strain has a high production of actinomycin D, which has excellent antibacterial activity.

 Low-cost, soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers enhance the efficacy of herbal formulations with established antimicrobial properties.

 This study investigates the healing process of Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds using PVA loaded with herbal extracts, including Arnebia euchroma, Allium sativum, and Echinacea purpurea.

 minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, Disk Diffusion Method (DDM) tests, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses were conducted on herbal extract samples. Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into G1: Negative control group (healthy mice), G2: Wound model + S. aureus (Positive control), G3: wound model + S. aureus + Povidone-iodine, and G4: Wound model + S. aureus + PVA/formulation. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunofluorescent staining were employed to assess wound healing.

 The ethanolic herbal extract exhibited potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus, with MIC and MBC values in the 1.87 mg/mL range. The PVA/formulation displayed a zone of inhibition with a diameter of 7 mm against S. aureus. Histopathological investigations indicated that the infected wound treated with nanofibers extract experienced a significant reduction in inflammation between days 7 and 14. Notably, the increased CD3 expression at this site was remarkable for the healing process.

 Consequently, this experimental study suggests combining PVA and herbal extracts enhances antibacterial properties and promotes CD3 expression and re-epithelialization effects.