Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Volume:16 Issue: 1, Feb 2021

Nowadays, searching for natural bioactive compounds with potential use in food industries is a major issue. Because of simple purification, natural compounds from microbial sources attract more attention. These encompass antioxidant and antibacterial materials derived from probiotics.

In this study, Lactobacillus strains were isolated from kefir specimens. The antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of the supernatants was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-picyril hydrazil (DPPH) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods, respectively. In order to increase the antioxidant properties, a minimum medium fermented aerobically was used.

Antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus supernatant increased against E. coli ATCC 11303 in case of minimum medium (25.32 mg/mL) compared to MRS broth (32 mg/mL); however, aerobic condition decreased antibacterial production (65.44 mg/mL). After fractionation by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), this value reached the highest level (500 µg/mL). Production analysis at different times showed that maximum antibacterial activity was obtained in the middle of the logarithmic growth phase until the beginning of the stationary growth phase. The antioxidant traits increased significantly in minimum culture media and anaerobic condition (492.1 ± 0.25 µg/mL) compared to the similar condition in MRS broth (880.96 ± 0.05 µg/mL). The highest antioxidant production was observed in the stationary growth phase of the aerobically fermented minimum medium (266.82 ± 0.17 µg/mL).

The findings of this study showed that the best antibacterial and antioxidant-producing isolate, L. casei strain K1C (accession no.: KU954559), could be useful as a natural preservative in food industries.

Cadmium toxicity is an environmental health menace in developing countries, which can result in damage to the male reproductive system. The mechanisms of cadmium toxicity include an increase in lipid peroxidation, depletion of glutathione, reduction in protein-bound sulfhydryl groups, and increase of oxidative stress. Agnus castus has been differently reported for its strong antioxidant potential and reproductive-enhancing properties. These two properties make the plant viable for the possible amelioration of cadmium toxicity.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Agnus castus aqueous leaf extract on the testicular function indices in cadmium chloride-treated rats.

Twenty-five male Wistar rats (100 - 160) g, Rattus norvegicus strain, were randomly distributed into five different groups, each containing five animals. The animals were grouped as follows. Group A (control group) received distilled water, and group B received 6.5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride. Groups C, D, and E received 6.5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride each together with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Agnus castus, respectively. The administration was done by oral gavage, once daily for 21 days. The animals were finally sacrificed on day 22. The serum was collected, and the testis was excised for testicular function indices, hormonal assays, and antioxidant activities.

Exposure to cadmium chloride caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the weight of the testes and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) compared to the control group. However, co-treatment with cadmium chloride and Agnus castus leaves resulted in the amelioration of cadmium-induced reduction in testicular weight and antioxidant enzymes. Exposure to cadmium chloride caused a significant decrease in testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone when compared to the control group. Co-treatment with cadmium chloride and Agnus castus increased the levels of glycogen, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone in the rats’ testes.

The aqueous leaf extract of Agnus castus displayed a protective role in testicular function and antioxidants in Wistar rats against cadmium chloride toxicity, compared to control rats that received distilled water only

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most disabling neurological disease and has been studied for decades, but there are still many unproven treatments. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a well-known herb and has many therapeutic applications.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cinnamon on inflammatory factors, pain, and anthropometric indices in patients with progressive-relapsing MS.

In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients suffering from progressive-relapsing MS were randomly recruited from Shiraz MS Center. Four capsules of cinnamon were taken every day for eight weeks by each participant in the intervention group (500 mg in each capsule) and four capsules of wheat flour by the control group (500 mg in each capsule). A 3-day 24-h food recall and physical activity questionnaire was filled out by interviewing before and after the intervention. Pain level was evaluated by using a Visual Analog scale (VAS). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in blood samples before and after the intervention. Participants underwent anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, and waist and hip circumference.

Thirty-six (87.80%) participants were female, and twenty-six patients were married (63.41%). IL-6 and hs-CRP levels decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). According to the VAS results, the pain level also decreased significantly (P = 0.003) in the intervention group in comparison to the control group.

Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating inflammatory disease, and cinnamon may help improve inflammatory markers and pain in MS patients.

Herbal antioxidants have beneficial effects on health and performance. Meanwhile, medicinal plants and their derivations are utilized as growth and immunity promoter.

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of garlic powder and Satureja Khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) on broiler performance, blood lipid profile, immune responses, intestinal microflora, and morphology.

In total, 400 male chickens were randomly divided into five groups. Treatments included garlic powder (2 and 4%) and SKEO (400 and 500 mg/kg). Those in the control group received no intervention. On the 35th day of the experiment, the immune system of subjects was investigated, and at the end of the study, performance and blood lipid profile were analyzed. Also, the jejunal and ileal contents were separated to investigate the intestinal morphology and microflora.

Administration of herbal extracts was associated with improved performance, such as feed intake, BWG, and FCR (P < 0.05). Treatments could diminish the serum concentrations of lipid profile, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the number of harmful intestinal bacteria was reduced by garlic (4% of diet) and SKEO (500 mg/kg) treatments (P < 0.05). Also, morphological characteristics of the intestine were improved (P < 0.05). Herbal plant supplement remarkably increased the villus length, villus length to crypt depth, and villus area (P < 0.05), but did not affect the immune responses (P > 0.05).

This study demonstrated that dietary inclusion of herbal extracts is potentially an effective strategy for improving health and performance in broiler chickens.

The halophyte Lotus creticus L. (creta trefoil, Fabaceae) belongs to a family and genus containing several medicinal species, and is considered a promising crop for saline Mediterranean areas. However, to the best of our knowledge, information regarding the biological properties of this species that could increase its biotechnological value is particularly scarce.

We aimed to evaluate the potential use of creta trefoil collected in Southern Portugal (Algarve) as a source of bioactive products.

Food-grade extracts (water, acetone, ethanol) were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction from aerial parts (stems and leaves) and fruits (pods), and evaluated for acute toxicity on mammalian cells. In vitro enzymatic inhibition was appraised on enzymes related to neurodegeneration (acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase: AChE and BuChE), type-2 diabetes (T2DM,α-glucosidase, and α-amylase), and hyperpigmentation/food browning (tyrosinase). In vitro, antioxidant activity included radical scavenging towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and metal chelating activity on iron and copper. Chemical composition was established by liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS).

Samples were not toxic and were active towards AChE (especially acetone extracts) and BuChE (particularly ethanol and acetone fruits’ extracts). Acetone and water fruit extracts and ethanol extract from aerial organs displayed significant inhibition on α-glucosidase, but low capacity towards amylase. All extracts exhibited a high capacity to inhibit tyrosinase, except water extract from aerial organs. Fruit extracts had, in general, the highest antioxidant capacity, especially ethanol. Fruits exhibited the highest diversity of polyphenols, especially flavonols, catechins, quercetin, myricetin, and its derivatives.

Overall, our results suggested that creta trefoil should be further explored as a source of natural products for the management of T2DM, hyperpigmentation disorders, or food additive to prevent food oxidation and browning.

It has been proposed that increased levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines play a key role in radiationinduced lung injury. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 are two pro-fibrotic cytokines that promote the production of free radicals through stimulation of Duox1 and Duox2. In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of IL4Ra1, Duox1, IL13Ra2, and Duox2 genes following rat’s lung irradiation.

Also, we detected the modulatory effect of a combination of curcumin and L-selenomethionine on the expression of these genes.

Twenty male rats were divided into four groups as G1: control (no treatment or radiation); G2: treatment with a combination of curcumin and L-selenomethionine; G3: radiation; G4: radiation plus a combination of curcumin and L-selenomethionine. sixty-seven days after irradiation, rats were killed for detecting the expression of IL4Ra1, IL13Ra2, Duox1, and Duox2.

The results showed no detectable expression for IL13Ra2, while the expression of IL4Ra1, Duox1, and Duox2 was increased. Treatment with a combination of curcumin and L-selenomethionine could attenuate the expression of these genes.

This study proposes that upregulation of Duox1 and Duox2 may be involved in radiation-induced lung injury. Treatment with a combination of curcumin and L-selenomethionine may be useful for the mitigation of lung injury through modulation of these genes.

Natural isopropyl cresols, such as thymol and carvacrol, have been known to have antifungal activities.

The current study aimed to investigate the anti-adherence and antifungal activities of thymol, carvacrol, fluconazole, and voriconazole against oral isolates of Candida albicans (C. albicans), C. glabrata, and C. krusei.

The susceptibility assay for the test compounds was performed using the disk diffusion method against all Candida isolates. Also, anti-adherence activity was examined using a rapid and highly reproducible 96 well microtiter-based method.

Both natural phenols and antifungal drugs revealed various efficacies against studied Candida species. The susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole were 100% for C. albicans, 50% and 90% for C. glabrata, and 0% and 100% for C. krusei isolates, respectively. The mean diameter of the inhibition zone was greater for thymol than carvacrol in C. albicans (19.89±0.80 mm versus 17.05± 0.61 mm), C. glabrata (18.87 ± 0.71 mm versus 15.77 ± 0.57 mm), and C. krusei (15.11 ± 0.91 mm versus 13.91 ± 1.04 mm) isolates tested. Thymol showed more effective inhibition on adherence of all Candida species than other treatments. The mean relative adherence ratios for C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. krusei were 0.50, 0.60, and 0.64, respectively.

This study demonstrated significant inhibitory properties of thymol and carvacrol on the adherence and growth of azole susceptible- and -resistant Candida isolates. Also, thymol was more effective for preventing the adherence of yeast cells to polystyrene in comparison to carvacrol.

The present study assessed the effects of cinnamon on the activity of the liver CYP2D1 enzyme and hepatic clearance in the rat model of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

Male Wistar rats were randomly categorized into 8 groups. Fourteen days after induction of diabetes type 1 and 2, type 1 groups received cinnamon and insulin plus cinnamon and type 2 groups received cinnamon and metformin plus cinnamon daily for 14 days. On day 28, rats were subjected to liver perfusion by buffer containing dextromethorphan as the CYP2D1 enzyme activity probe. Perfused samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence (FL) detection to evaluate the CYP2D1 activity and hepatic clearance.

In the control group, enzyme activity and hepatic clearance changed from 0.0081 ± 0.00009 and 6.09 ± 0.2 mL/min to 0.0059 ± 0.0001 and 3.71 ± 0.07 mL/min in the untreated type 1 diabetic rats and to 0.0006 ± 0.0001 and 5.19 ± 0.02 mL/min in untreated type 2 ones. These pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters changed to 0.0069 ± 0.0005 and 6.27 ± 0.06 mL/min in treated type 1 and 0.0115 ± 0.0003 and 5.79 ± 0.11 mL/min in the treated type 2 rats with only cinnamon administration. Treatment with cinnamon plus insulin or metformin modulated these PK parameters to 0.0039 ± 0.00006 and 4.88 ± 0.13 mL/min in type 1 and 0.0092 ± 0.0005 and 6.13 ± 0.01 mL/min in type 2 diabetic rats.

Cinnamon can act as an effective complementary medicine in order to normalize the metabolism and clearance processes in diabetes mellitus.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of tarragon make it known as an antidiabetic plant. Diabetes mellitus, an endocrine, metabolic disease, is a leading global health emergency and associated with serious complications.

This study aimed to assess the effects of tarragon powder supplementation on glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in the diabetic population.

Patient screening and selection for this clinical trial lasted one month. Tarragon supplement consumption by patients lasted 2 months (8 weeks); meanwhile, they were followed up. Sixty male and female patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to the tarragon receiver group (n = 30) and placebo receiver group (n = 30). The intervention group received a tarragon capsule (500 mg) 3 times a day, and the control group received placebo capsules. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), two-hour postprandial glucose (2-hpp), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, lipid, and antioxidant profile were evaluated at the start and the end of the research.

In the tarragon receiver group, FBG, 2-hpp, HbA1c%, insulin resistance, lipid, and antioxidant profile significantly improved, compared to the placebo group, after adjuvant therapy with tarragon (P < 0.05).

Supplementation with tarragon powder in type II patients with diabetes for 2 months exerts a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile, lipid profile, and antioxidant status.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most debilitating kinds of stroke. Recent evidence shows that the proper initiation of neuroprotective agents might save at risk neurons and improve the outcome.

The focus of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on patients with hemorrhagic stroke.

Forty adult patients with confirmed nontraumatic ICH, who were admitted to the ICU within 24 hours of the stroke onset were enrolled in this study. Subjects in the melatonin group received 30 mg of melatonin every night for 5 consecutive nights. In order to evaluate the intensity of the neuronal injury, S100B was assessed once on day 1 and, day 5 post ICU admission. Additionally, the length of ICU stay, mortality, and the duration of mechanical ventilation were also recorded.

Forty patients completed the study. In both groups the plasma concentrations of S100B decreased after 5 days compared with their baseline values. However, this reduction was more significant in the melatonin compared to the control group (P-value < 0.05). The duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay was shorter in the melatonin group, and this difference was statistically significant for the length of ICU stay (P-value < 0.05), and marginally significant for the duration of mechanical ventilation (P-value = 0.065). The in-ICU mortality rate of the melatonin group was 15%, almost half of that of the control group (30%). However, this difference was not statistically significant.

In conclusion, melatonin can be considered as a harmless and effective nueroprotective agent with some unique features which has made it an appropriate adjunctive medicine for critically ill intubated patients.

Several plants are used as analgesic in traditional medicine. Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) is widely used for the treatment of gout and rheumatic arthritis. The previous studies have reported the antinociceptive effects of this plant.

The study was aimed at examining the C. spinosa’s gastric-ulcerogenecity effect in comparison to indomethacin.

The percolated extract of C. spinosa and Indomethacin were orally administered to the rats at 50,100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses, which were slaughtered after 4 hours. The stomach was detached, and 10 mL of 2% formalin was injected into it to fix the gastric wall internal layer. The stomach was then split by cutting along the greater curvature, and the lacerations in the glandular section examined. J-score was used to determine ulcer index.

The results indicated that percolated extract of C. spinosa administered orally in antinociceptive dosage and even 2,4 and 8 folds did not cause a gastric ulcer (J-score = 0) compared to indomethacin (J-score = 46 to 253) (P < 0.05).

Concerning the favorable analgesic effect of C. spinosa and lack of gastric ulcerogenecity effects, it seems to be a suitable choice for more pharmacological and toxicology examinations to use as analgesic.

Wounds represent a major global problem for health care systems, clinicians, patients, and their families. Cinnamic Acid (CA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that possesses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of CA on skin wound-healing in the animal model.

Full-thickness wounds were created on the back of white New Zealand rabbits of both sexes. Animals were divided into six groups (six animals and 12 wounds in each group). Negative control received no treatment, while positive control was treated with phenytoin cream, vehicle group with eucerin, and test groups with 0.1, 1, and 10% CA ointments. The healing activity of CA was evaluated by determining the wound closure rate and hydroxyproline content of wound tissue samples. In addition, the histopathological study of tissue samples of different groups was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining.

The rate of wound closure and hydroxyproline levels of tissue samples in animals treated with CA 0.1% were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of no-treatment and vehicle-treated groups. Histological study revealed the increased number of fibroblasts and hair follicles, increased reepithelialization rate, and enhanced neovascularization in CA 0.1%-treated group when compared to no-treatment and vehicle groups.

Cinnamic acid at low concentrations (< 1%) is potent for skin wound-healing and could be used as a safe and effective topical healing agent. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.