cornus mas

This study aimed to assess the protective impact of Cornus mas extract and treadmill exercise on hormonal and metabolic parameters in adult rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Forty female Wistar rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was further divided into 5 subgroups, namely PCOS control group (G1), PCOS group treated with C. mas extract (100 mg/kg/orally/daily) (G2), PCOS group treated with scheduled treadmill exercise (G3), PCOS group treated with both extract and exercise (G4), and PCOS group treated with C. mas extract and treadmill exercise (G5). PCOS was induced in G1 by a single injection of estradiol valerate (16 mg/kg, IM). After a 3-week treatment period, all rats were anesthetized and their blood samples were collected for testing the levels of glucose, insulin, aromatase, and hormones (LH, FSH, testosterone, and estrogen). Then their ovaries were removed for histopathological examination.

Serum levels of FBS, insulin, luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], and testosterone were significantly increased in PCOS compared to the control group (P < 0.05); however, these levels were significantly decreased in the treated groups compared to PCOS (P < 0.05). Serum estrogen levels and aromatase activity were significantly decreased in PCOS compared to the control (P < 0.05); however, they were significantly increased in the treated groups compared to PCOS (P<0.05). PCOS led to a reduction in the number of follicles, which was prevented by C. mas extract.

In sum, C. mas extract and treadmill exercise had a positive impact on LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol, aromatase, FBS, and insulin levels compared to the PCOS group.

Diabetes mellitus decreases reproductive and sexual function in men by causing oxidative stress in testis cells and decreasing antioxidant enzymes. Several recent studies have found the effects of Cornus mas and Galega officinalis extracts on improving spermatogenesis dysfunction caused by diabetes. This meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the impact of G. officinalis and C. mas extract on testicular oxidative stress indices and sperm parameters in diabetic laboratory animals compared to healthy animals.

A search using Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted on studies that investigated the effects of plant extracts of C. mas and G. officinalis on testicular tissue and sperm indices in diabetic animals. The first part included the investigation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (nmol/mg), rate of catalase antioxidant activity, and superoxide dismutase. In contrast, the results of the second part included total sperm count (×106 ), total sperm motility (%), and immobility. The mean difference (MD) (95% confidence interval [CI]) was selected to express the effect size.

Out of 154 identified articles, four studies on mice were included in the meta-analysis. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for MDA (6.96) with a 95% confidence interval [-6.09; 20.00]. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for SOD of -0.5076 with a 95% confidence interval [-0.62; -0.40]. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for CAT of -1.68 with a 95% confidence interval [-1.88; -1.47]. Also, a significant decrease in total sperm count showed the random effect size yielded an overall effect size of -24.74 with a 95% confidence interval [-30.73; -18.74]. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for sperm motility of -26.65 with a 95% confidence interval [-29.54; -23.76]. A significant increase was demonstrated in sperm immobile in diabetic animals compared to the control group. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for this indicator is 6.5157 with a 95% confidence interval [-1.96; 14.99].

G. officinalis or C. mas extracts have reduced effects on MDA levels and tissue damage and increased antioxidant enzymes in laboratory animals with diabetes.

Cisplatin (Cis) has serious adverse side-effects that limit its clinical use. The mechanism underlying the effects is complex, including mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation. This study investigated whether Cornus mas, a fruit with high antioxidant contents, hydro-methanolic extract (CME) can modulate the cisplatin-induced changes. Forty Wistar rats were divided into a control group, Cis group, CME group, CME 300 Cis group, and the CME 700 Cis group. After the intervention, blood samples were taken for biochemical and hematological analysis. CME analysis showed noticeable total phenol and total antioxidant contents. The plasma glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels were significantly decreased and malondialdehyde and blood hemoglobin levels were significantly increased in the Cis group, which were reversed to the control levels in the CME Cis groups. In the CME group, the red blood cell count was significantly lower and the red cell distribution width and hemoglobin distribution width levels were significantly higher. In the Cis-treated group, white blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, and large unstained cells were significantly increased and lymphocytes were significantly decreased when compared with the control group that was reached to non-significant levels in CME 700 Cis group. The blood cholesterol and high density lipoprotein in all CME-treated groups were significantly decreased. The eosinophils increased in the CME group significantly. The results showed considerable total antioxidant and total phenol contents and relative protective effects of CME against Cis-induced antioxidant and hematologic changes in rats.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common and the second leading infections, after respiratory tract infections, in women. Currently, various chemical drugs are used to prevent the UTIs. Chemical drugs may cause antibiotic resistance and cause resistant strains likely grow in the long-term treatment with antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cornus mas in preventing recurrent UTIs in women aged 15-45 years referring to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital Clinic in Shahrekord.
This experimental study (Parallel Design and Triple-blind) was conducted on 42 women aged 15-45 years referring to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital Clinic of Shahrekord and diagnosed with chronic cystitis. The exclusion criteria were neurogenic bladder, genitourinary system anatomical abnormalities (hydronephrosis, ureterocele stone, etc), and bacterial resistance. The women were randomly assigned to 2 groups. At baseline, the women were examined for any functional and anatomical disorders and if it was necessary, they underwent ultrasound. After the current UTIs were treated and the women clinically recovered, one group was administered with Cornus mas tablet 500 mg and another group administered with placebo for 6 months. All the women were followed up for 6 months. Every 2 months, the patients were clinically examined and their urine cultures were investigated for the clinical signs of cystitis. As the symptoms of the UTIs occur, the patients were recommended to refer for repeated urine culture. All patients (42 women) completed the study.
In our study, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of recurrent UTI recurrence, although there were differences (P>0.005). Positive urine culture in Cornus mas group was 19% and in placebo was 33.4%. In terms of dysuria in 6 months and the second time, there was a significant difference between placebo and Cornus mas (P=0.004) Dysuria in Cornus mas group was 14.2% and in placebo was 56.2%.
Cornus mas can decrease dysuria and frequent urination in patients with recurrent UTIs, so it can be used in the treatment of these patients.

Nowadays attention to use herbs such as cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is increasing, which contains high levels of antioxidants and anthocyanins. Cornus mas fruits have been used for gastrointestinal and excretory disorders for many years in traditional medicine, also may improve liver and kidney functions, and have protective effects such as anti-allergic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihistamine and antimalarial properties.. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of Cornus mas fruits extract on serum biomarkers in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats.. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administration of carbon tetrachloride (1 mL/kg i.p.) in 1:1 dilution with olive oil. To evaluate the effect of Cornus mas fruits extract on disease progression, serum marker enzymes, serum total protein and albumin and liver lipid peroxidation were determined in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.. Oral administration of Cornus mas fruits extract to rats for 14 days provided a significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing elevated serum level of enzymes, total serum protein, albumin and liver lipid peroxidation content.. Cornus mas fruit extract effect may be due to including some antioxidant components, which caused membrane stabilizing and normalization of fluctuated biochemical profiles induced by CCl4 exposure. Our results validated the traditional use of Cornus mas in the treatment of liver disorders..