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Medicago sativa (M. sativa) has been traditionally used for treating anemia; therefore, M. sativa hydro-ethanolic extract therapeutic effects against cyclophosphamide (CP) -induced hematologic and liver toxicity were examined.

Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided to control (saline); CP (100 mg/kg, day 1-3, subcutaneously); CP+ M. sativa 200 mg/kg (MS 200); CP+ M. sativa 400 mg/kg (MS 400); CP+ dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg), (all groups n=6). Treated animals received M. sativa or dexamethasone by gavage from days 7-14. On days 0, 7, and 14, hematologic parameters, and on the 14th day, serum and liver tissue oxidative stress markers including nitric oxide, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiol levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, serum lipids, and liver enzymes were measured.

Animal weight, platelet, white blood cells, and red blood cells counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit as well as thiol, SOD, and CAT activities in serum and liver tissue were significantly reduced, but serum nitric oxide, MDA, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins levels, and liver enzymes were increased in the CP group compared to the control group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Administering M. sativa extract (400 mg/kg) significantly enhanced platelet count, and SOD and CAT activities and inhibited all of the CP toxic effects, while dexamethasone improved platelet count and oxidative stress markers compared to the CP group (p<0.05 to p<0.001).

The extract of M. sativa (400 mg/kg) showed therapeutic effects against the CP-induced myelosuppression and thrombocytopenia and improved oxidative stress markers which were comparable to the effect of dexamethasone.

It seems necessary to understand the association of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with its entering bronchoalveolar and brain cells, which have a high concentration of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Although the virus infects healthy people, the rate of infection and mortality is higher and significant in vulnerable people, such as drug users and addicts who have acute and chronic respiratory disease. It also places a heavy economic burden on families and societies around the world. Thus, researchers are aiming to provide prevention and treatment strategies to people at risk. The purpose of the present study was to collect studies on the rate of infection with coronavirus in people who abuse drugs. Besides, the role of the ACE2 receptor as a key factor in coronavirus infectivity in these people was investigated. Our narrative review on the relationship between COVID-19 and opioid abuse and smoking, with consideration of ACE2's role, contains original and human studies. According to the results of the current study, those who smoke or are dependent on opioids are much more likely to experience COVID-19-related respiratory side effects or even pass away.

Oxidative stress has a crucial role in epileptic seizures. Several studies have shown the protective effect of Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) against neuronal damage and oxidative stress. In the current research, the effect of A. absinthium on oxidative stress indicators in an animal model of seizure provoked by injecting pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) was estimated in mice. The mice were allocated into the following groups: a control group in which vehicle was administered; PTZ group (a single dose of 100 mg kg-1, ip); and other groups, which daily received 6.25-200 mg kg-1 of the A. absinthium extract during 3 consecutive days before PTZ. The first recorded MCS and minimal clonic seizure and the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) latencies were analyzed. The brain segments, including the cortex and hippocampus of the animals, were then removed and harvested for oxidative stress evaluation. The extract significantly postponed the onsets of the MCS and GTCS when injected before PTZ. The seizure attacks provoked by PTZ also increased MDA in the cortex and hippocampus to levels greater than the control (P<0.001). In addition, the extract had an ameliorative effect on MDA concentration in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05-P<0.001). A lower concentration of total thiol was observed in the brain of the PTZ injected mice than the control ones (P<0.01- P<0.001). Pretreatment with the extract corrected the thiol level in the brain tissue (P<0.05- P<0.001). The current research shows that A. absinthium hydro-ethanolic extract has considerable anti-oxidant properties in a PTZ-induced seizure model in mice.

Liver is an important player in regulation of body homeostasis. Study investigated the effects of hydro-alcohol extract of Zataria multiflora (ZM) on oxidative damage, level of IL-6 and enzymes of liver in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. The rats were distributed into 5 groups: 1) Control; 2) LPS; and 3-5) ZM-Extract (Ext) 50, ZM-Ext 100, and ZM-Ext 200. ZM-Ext groups received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of extract 30 min before LPS. Drugs were injected intraperitoneally. The entire period of this project was 17 days. In first three days, only extract was injected and then, ZM was injected along with LPS. LPS increased the level of ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate aminotransferase ), ALK-P (Alkaline Phosphatase), IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and lowered thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) concentration. ZM extract not only reduced ALT, AST, ALK-P, IL-6, MDA, and NO metabolites concentrations but also increased thiol content, and SOD and CAT levels. Extract of ZM prevented LPS-induced hepatotoxicity. This protective effect was associated with reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress.

 Inflammation and oxidative stress are contributed to cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D (Vit D) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the current research, the effect of Vit D on cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, and oxidative stress indicators in cardiovascular tissues was studied in lipopolysaccharides(LPS) injected rats.

 Rats were distributed into 5 groups and were treated for 2 weeks. Control: received vehicle(saline supplemented with tween-80) instead of Vit D and saline instead of LPS, LPS: treated by 1 mg/kg of LPS and was given vehicle instead of Vit D, LPS-Vit D groups: received 3 doses of Vit D (100, 1000, and 10000 IU/kg) of Vit D in addition to LPS. Vit D was dissolved in saline supplemented with tween-80 (final concentration 0.1%) and LPS was dissolved in saline. The white blood cell (WBC) was counted. Oxidative stress markers were determined in serum, aorta, and heart. Cardiac tissue fibrosis was also estimated using Masson’s trichrome staining method.

 WBC and malondialdehyde (MDA) were higher in the LPS group than the control group, whereas the thiol content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were lower in the LPS group than the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001). Administration of Vit D decreased WBC (P<0.001) and MDA (P<0.05 and P<0.001) while enhanced thiol (dose 10000 IU/Kg) (P<0.001), SOD (dose 10000 IU/kg) (P<0.001), and CAT (P<0.05 and P<0.001) compared to the LPS group. All doses of Vit D also decreased cardiac fibrosis compared to the LPS group (P<0.001).

 Vit D protected the cardiovascular against the detrimental effect of LPS. This cardiovascular protection can be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Vit D.

The present study examined the effects of Artemisia absinthium L. on scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction and brain tissue oxidative damage in rats. Fifty rats were used in five groups: Control: received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/saline, Scopolamine: scopolamine (2 mg/kg) was administered along with DMSO/saline, and Scopolamine-Ext 50, Scopolamine-Ext 100, and Scopolamine-Ext 200 groups: A. absinthium hydroalcoholic extract 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg were administered before scopolamine. The Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tasks were used for assessment of behavioral parameters. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, total thiol, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in the cortex and hippocampus. A. absinthium decreased the delay time and distance traveled to reach the platform in the MWM test (p<0.05-p<0.001). Besides, the extract increased the delay time to pass in the dark and the light time while decreasing the number of entrances and the dark time in the PA task (p<0.05-p<0.001). In biochemical assessments, A. absinthium attenuated NO metabolites (p<0.001) and MDA (p<0.05- p<0.001) while enhanced total thiol (p<0.001), CAT and SOD (both p<0.05-p<0.001). This study revealed that A. absinthium improved memory and learning impairment and brain tissue oxidative damage in scopolamine-treated rats.

 Datura stramonium L. is a medicinal herb from the family of Solanaceae. It has been used in herbal remedies for promoting health and treating several diseases. The current study was set up to compare the effects of Datura stramonium L. extract on the naloxone-precipitated opiate-withdrawal in mice.

 Male BALB/c mice (30–35 g, n = 40) were arbitrarily separated into 4 groups. The control group received morphine and normal saline and other groups received three doses of D. stramonium extract (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p.). Physically dependent was made by the administration of morphine in increasing doses (50-75 mg/kg, i.p.). The withdrawal signs were elicited by intraperitoneal injections of naloxone (5 mg/kg) 2 h after the last injection of morphine.

 Administration of D. stramonium extract in doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg markedly diminished the jumping numbers compared to the control group (P<0.05). All three doses of D. stramonium extract could significantly suppress the increase in climbing (P<0.05, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively) and diarrhea (P<0.001). D. stramonium in higher doses (20 or 30 mg/kg) significantly decreased rearing and itching (P<0.001).

 The study findings suggest that D. stramonium extract is effective in alleviating the signs of morphine withdrawal. Additional research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms underlying D. stramonium for inhibiting morphine withdrawal syndrome.

The beneficial effect of carvacrol on neuroinflammation, oxidative damage of brain tissue, and depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration were evaluated in rats.

Vehicle (1% Tween 80), 1 mg/kg of LPS, and carvacrol (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg administered prior to LPS) were injected and behavioral and biochemical tests were done.

The results of forced swim test revealed that carvacrol attenuated immobility time and increased activity and climbing times (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The results of elevated plus maze also revealed that treatment by carvacrol prolonged the open arms time and entries and decreased the time and entries in the closed arms (p<0.05 to p<0.01). Carvacrol enhanced crossing, time, and traveled distance in the central segment of the open field and increased total crossing and distance while attenuating the peripheral zone time (p<0.05 to p<0.001). All doses of carvacrol attenuated TNF- α (tumor necrosis factor α) and NO (nitric oxide) in the brain (p<0.01 to p<0.001). The 50 and the 100 mg/kg doses of carvacrol decreased malondialdehyde (p<0.001 for both), and the 100 mg/kg dose of carvacrol increased the content of the thiol (p<0.001).

In conclusion, carvacrol improved the behavioral consequences of LPS challenge and attenuated neuroinflammation and brain tissue oxidative stress in rats.

The effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on oxidative stress imposed by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) was examined in mice brain tissues. Animals were divided into five groups as follows: 1- control group which received saline; 2- PTZ group (100 mg/kg, ip); and groups 3 to 5 which received (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of C. zeylanicum for seven days prior to PTZ injection. The latencies of the first minimal clonic seizure (MCS) and the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) and levels of oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers were measured. Treatment with the two higher doses of the extract significantly increased the MCS and GTCS latencies (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were increased, but superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thiol were decreased in both cortical and hippocampal tissues of the PTZ group compared to the controls (p<0.001). Pretreatment with the two higher doses of C. zeylanicum significantly led to a significant correction in NO, MDA, SOD and CAT levels in the hippocampus and cortex compared to the PTZ group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Antioxidant and anticonvulsant effects of C. zeylanicum in PTZ-injected animals may suggest its potential therapeutic effect on nervous diseases such as seizures.

The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro-ethanol extract Zataria multiflora on the brain tissue oxidative damage, and hippocampal interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as learning and memory capacity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - challenged rats. The rats were randomized into five groups as follow: Control group: Rats were treated with saline, LPS group: Rats were treated with LPS 1.00 mg kg-1, ZM50, ZM100 and ZM200 groups in which the rats were treated with Z. multiflora extract (50.00, 100 or 200 mg kg-1 per day, respectively). The treatments including extract or vehicle were administered intraperitoneally ‎and given three days before the behavioral tests and were continued within a6-day behavioral experiment. Injection of LPS was daily done before the behavioral tests. Finally, the brains were collected for biochemical evaluations. Although LPS administration prolonged the latency in Morris water maze and shortened the latency to enter the dark chamber in passive avoidance test, ZM extract restored these changes to approach control group values. Also, LPS increased IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites levels and lowered thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels in the brain, however, Z. multiflora extract reduced IL-6, MDA and NO metabolites concentrations, but increased thiol content, SOD, and CAT levels. The results of this study showed that Z. multiflora ameliorated learning and memory dysfunction in LPS - challenged rats by alleviating of inflammatory responses and brain tissue oxidative damage.

Medicinal plants are used for different purposes in traditional medicine. Boswellia serrata (B. serrata) from Burseracea family has been widely used for human medical purposes. This plant known as frankincense or olibanum has a resin with therapeutic properties. The main constituent of this resin is boswellic acid that plays an important role in various fields. From past to present, many studies had been shown that olibanum and its main constituent, boswellic acid, have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic effects. In addition, many findings about effects of B. serrata and its ingredients on central nervous system (CNS) are available. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review in vivo and in vitro evidence attributed to this plant and its constituents on CNS. Databases including Web of Sciences, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar were explored for entries from the beginning of January 2000 until the end of November 2020. Findings reveal that B. serrata and its constituents have neuroprtotective effects and ameliorate learning and memory malfunction. These effects mainly are attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant.

Onion or Allium cepa (A. cepa) is one of the most important condiment plants grown and consumed all over the world. This plant has various therapeutic effects attributed to its constituents, such as quercetin, thiosulphinates and phenolic acids. In the present article, various pharmacological and therapeutic effects of A. cepa were reviewed. Different online databases using keywords such as onion, A. cepa, therapeutic effects, and pharmacological effects until the end of December 2019 were searched for this purpose. Onion has been suggested to be effective in treating a broad range of disorders, including asthma, inflammatory disorders, dysentery, wounds, scars, keloids and pain. In addition, different studies have demonstrated that onion possesses numerous pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-platelet properties as well as the effect on bone, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory, and urogenital systems effects such as osteoporosis, anti-hypertensive, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheal, neuro-protective, asthma and diuretic effects. The present review provides detailed the various pharmacological properties of onion and its constituents and possible underlying mechanisms. The results of multiple studies suggested the therapeutic effect of onion on a wide range of disorders.

It seems necessary to do any research on the new Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or its mutant version, which causes acute respiratory syndrome by inducing cytokine storm in individuals and has imposed a great burden on the world during the last year. Smoking is one of the most important known risk factors for severe respiratory diseases and even death. According to studies, about 1.4 to 18% of COVID-19-induced hospitalizations are related to smokers, so both the upper and lower respiratory tract in smokers are more prone to COVID-19 infection. They are also more likely than non-smokers to have more severe respiratory symptoms from COVID-19. Therefore, in recent year, the main goal of researchers is to recommend prevention and treatment strategies for vulnerable people with underlying diseases.This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of irreversible effects of smoking on the respiratory system and exacerbation of the emerging infectious disease COVID-19 and compare it with non-smokers.

Olibanum (OLIB) and its component boswellic acid (BOSA) are suggested to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects. In the present work, we examined effect of OLIB, and BOSA on the synaptic plasticity impairment and oxidative stress indicators in a rat model of neuro-inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Forty rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) Control, (2) LPS, (3) OLIB (200 mg/kg), and (4) BOSA (10 mg/kg). The animals were pre-treated with OLIB extract, BOSA or the vehicle 30 min before LPS (1 mg/kg) administration, for 6 days. On the 6th day, electrophysiological recording was done. Long-term potentiation (LTP) from CA1 area of hippocampus was assessed. The animals were then sacrificed and their brains were removed for evaluation of the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, malondialdehyde (MDA), thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the cortex. Administration of LPS decreased amplitude (p <0.001) and slope (p <0.01) of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP). Pre-treatment enhanced these parameters (p The results showed that OLIB and BOSA could improve synaptic plasticity impairment induced by LPS as shown by a decrease in an inflammation indicator along with the anti-oxidant effects.

Kainic Acid (KA) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist. KA can induce neuronal overactivity and excitotoxicity. Rosmarinic Acid (RA) is a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to assess the effect of RA on apoptosis, nNOS-positive neurons number, as well as Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoreactivity, following intrahippocampal Kainic acid injection in rats. 

The study rats were randomly assigned to three groups of sham, KA (KA was injected into the right side of the hippocampus) and KA+RA (a dose of 10 mg/kg/day through a gavage needle for one week before KA injection). Then, histopathological changes, including apoptosis [Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay], nNOS-positive neurons number, as well as COX-2 and MAPK immunoreactivity were evaluated in the hippocampus. 

In the RA pretreated group, nNOS-positive neurons and TUNEL- positive cells were significantly reduced compared to the KA group (P<0.05). COX-2and MAPK immunoreactivity demonstrated no significant changes compared to the KA group. They indicated a significant higher reactivity for COX-2 (P<0.01) and MAPK (P<0.005) versus the sham group. 

RA had neuroprotective effects, compared to KA, through reduced apoptosis and nNOS-positive neurons, but not MAPK and COX-2.

Neuro-immune mediators play an important role in the development of sickness behaviors. In the present study, the effect of captopril on sickness behaviors caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied in the rats. The animals were randomized into the following groups: control, sham, 10 mg kg-1 captopril - LPS (Capto 10-LPS), 50 mg kg-1 captopril - LPS (Capto 50-LPS), and 100 mg kg-1 captopril - LPS (Capto 100-LPS). Behavioral tests including open-field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming (FS) test were performed, and the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was assessed. In OF, the number of crossings in the central zone in Capto 10-LPS, Capto 50-LPS, and Capto 100-LPS groups was higher than that of the sham group. In EPM, the open arm entry numbers in the sham group were lower compared to the control group. Furthermore, pretreatment by captopril increased the entries to the open arms. In FS test, the immobility time of the sham group was longer than that of the control group. In Capto 10-LPS, Capto 50-LPS, and Capto 100-LPS groups, immobility was shorter compared to the sham group. In addition, the IL-6 level was higher in the sham group compared to the control group, and treatment with 50 and 100 mg kg-1 of captopril restored the IL-6 level in comparison with the sham group. Results confirmed that pretreatment with captopril ameliorated LPS-caused sickness behaviors and attenuated IL-6 as an inflammatory marker in the rats.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of Allium cepa (A. cepa) have been previously shown. In this study, the effects of A. cepa aqueous-alcoholic extract on tracheal responsiveness, lung inflammatory cells and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) level in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) of asthmatic rats were examined. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (C), asthmatic group (A), asthmatic group (A) treated with A. cepa extract (AC, 0.175, 0.35, and 0.7 mg/mL) and dexamethasone (D, 1.25 μg/mL). The extract of A. cepa and dexamethasone were added to animal's drinking water during sensitization period. Tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and ovalbumin, lung inflammatory cells and PLA2 level in BALF were assessed. Tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and ovalbumin, PLA2 level, total and most differential WBC count were increased but lymphocytes was decreased in asthmatic animals compared to group C (p