Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
Volume:14 Issue: 1, Jan-Feb 2024

Increased body mass index (BMI) seems to be a risk factor for migraine attacks. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-obesity effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of cinnamon on anthropometric indices and headache-related disability of patients with migraine.

This study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 50 migraine patients. Patients were randomized to receive either 600 mg cinnamon powder or placebo capsules for two months. Height, body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were measured.Furthermore, Minimal or Infrequent Disability (MIDAS) and Headache Daily Result (HDR) Questionnaires were recorded.

At the end of the treatment period, BW and BMI did not change in the intervention group; however, both factors were significantly increased in the placebo group (p=0.001). The change of WC, HDR and MIDAS was significantly different between the intervention and placebo groups (p<0.001). Furthermore, HC and WHR significantly decreased (p=0.001).

Cinnamon seems to have beneficial effects on anthropometric indices and headache disability of migraine patients.

Studies have shown the complications of chemotherapy on learning and memory. Empirical evidence suggests that Nigella sativa (NS) has neuroprotective activities. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of NS on cisplatin-induced memory impairment.

This study was conducted on 40 male rats grouped as: control (saline: 2 ml/kg, intraperitoneally (IP), once weekly/2 weeks), cisplatin (Cis, 2 mg/kg, IP, once weekly/2 weeks), NS (200 mg/kg, IP, once weekly/2 weeks), Cis +NS 200 (2 mg/kg Cis + 200 mg/kg NS, IP, once weekly/2 weeks), and Cis +NS 400 (2 mg/kg Cis + 400 mg/kg NS, IP, once weekly/2 weeks). Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess spatial learning and memory. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated in the brain.

Cis significantly enhanced the traveled distance and time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM test. Additionally, MDA levels increased in the Cis group, while thiol and SOD decreased in this group. As a result of treatment with NS, behavioral results were reversed in the groups receiving NS compared to the Cis group. Also, NS reduced MDA level but improved SOD and thiol levels in brain tissue samples.

NS could improve memory impairment and oxidative stress in animals receiving Cis. Therefore, NS could be used as a potential food supplement to prevent neurotoxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Baicalin and baicalein are natural flavonoids reported for the first time from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Recently, attention has been paid to these valuable flavonoids due to their promising effects. This paper aims to have a comprehensive review of their pharmacological effects.

An extensive search through scientific databases including Scopus, PubMed, and ISI Web of Science was established.

According to literature, these compounds have been mainly effective in the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, hepatic and cardiovascular disorders, metabolic syndrome, and cancers through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways. Induction of apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibition of migration and metastasis are the main mechanisms for their cytotoxic and antitumor activities. Decreasing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, regulating the metabolism of lipids, and decreasing fibrosis, apoptosis, and steatosis are their main hepatoprotective mechanisms. Inhibiting the development of cardiac fibrosis and reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis are also the mechanisms suggested for cardioprotective activities. Decreasing the accumulation of inflammatory mediators and improving cognitive function and depressive-like behaviours are the main mechanisms for neurological and neurodegenerative activities.

The findings suggest the therapeutic potential of baicalin and baicalein. However, complementary research in different in vitro and in vivo models to investigate their mechanisms of action as well as clinical trials to evaluate their efficacy and safety are suggested.

Lead (Pb) poisoning affects multiple organs including the reproductive system. The experiment was performed to explore the protective effect of naringin on testicular apoptosis, neuronal dysfunction and markers of stress in cockerel chicks. Thirty-six cockerel chicks were used for this study, and randomly grouped into six chicks per group viz. control, Pb only (600 ppm), Pb and naringin (80 mg/kg), Pb and Naringin (160 mg/kg), naringin only (80 mg/kg) and naringin only (160 mg/kg), respectively, for eight weeks. Pb was administered via drinking water while naringin was administered via oral gavage. Oxidative stress indices in the brain and testes were assessed, and immunohistochemistry of TNF-α and caspase 3 was done in the brain and testes, respectively. Lead administration induced inflammatory and testicular apoptosis cascade accompanied with increased oxidative stress and upregulation of brain and testicular antioxidant enzymes in comparison to the control and Pb-only-treated cockerels. Immunohistochemistry showed significant immunoreactivity of testicular caspase 3 and TNF-α in the brain. Treatment of Pb-exposed chickens with naringin offered protection to Pb acetate-induced testicular oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation in cockerel chicks.

Astaxanthin (ASX) is a lipid-soluble keto-carotenoid with several biological effects. These effects may benefit polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients. Imbalanced apoptosis/anti-apoptosis signaling has been considered the major pathogenesis of PCOS. In a randomized clinical trial, we tested the impact of ASX on the apoptotic pathway in PCOS granulosa cells (GCs). The present study hypothesizes that ASX may improve apoptosis in PCOS patients. This trial recruited patients with confirmed PCOS. A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to take ASX (12 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks. Aspirated follicular fluid (FF) and blood samples were taken from both groups to measure BAX and BCL2 protein expression. Following FF aspiration, GCs from both groups were obtained; Real-Time PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the apoptotic pathway’s gene and protein expression levels in GCs.BAXBCL2 In GCs analysis, ASX reduced DR5 gene and protein expression after 8 weeks compared to placebo(p<0.05). Also, Caspase8 (p>0.05) and BAX (p<0.05) gene expression declined, although the difference was not statistically significant for Caspase8. Besides,ASX treatment contributed to an elevated BCL2 gene expression in GCs(p<0.05). In FF and serum analysis, a statistically significant increase was found in BCL2 concentration in the ASX group (p<0.05). Moreover, a reduction in BAX level was confirmed in both FF and serum of the ASX group; however, this change was not significant in the serum (p>0.05). It seems that ASX consumption among women with PCOS improved serum and FF levels of apoptotic factors and modulated genes and protein expression of the apoptosis pathway in GCs. Nevertheless, further investigations are needed to reveal the potential role of this compound in PCOS treatment.

Acrylamide (ACR) is a neurotoxic agent whose damage could be attenuated by antioxidants administration. Crocetin is a saffron-derived antioxidant that has neuroprotective effects. This study evaluates the protective effects of trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC) and its water-soluble derivative, Bis-N-(N-methylpyprazinyl) crocetinate (BMPC) against ACR neurotoxicity.

PC12 cells were treated with TSC and BMPC (1.95, 3.9, 7.81, 15.62, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 μM) for 24 hr. ACR was then added at a concentration of 6.5 mM (IC50), and cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. In the in vivo study, male Wistar rats were treated with ACR (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) for 11 days alone or in combination with TSC and BMPC (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) or vitamin E (200 IU/kg, i.p.). Motor impairments were then evaluated. The cerebral cortex of sacrificed rats was taken for the malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels measurement.

In vitro studies showed that TSC at a concentration of 7.81 μM and BMPC at concentrations of 3.9, 7.81, and 15.62 μM exhibited the lowest toxicity in acrylamide administration. In the in vivo study, pretreatment with 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of TSC ameliorated behavioral impairments, but BMPC could not attenuate them. GSH and MDA were improved by 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg TSC and 2.5 mg/kg BMPC.

TSC and BMPC administration improved behavioral index and oxidative stress injuries in Wistar rats exposed to ACR through MDA reduction and GSH content enhancement in the cerebral cortex.

Breast cancer is the main reason for cancer-related death in women. Britannin is a sesquiterpene lactone compound derived from Inula aucheriana with anti-tumor properties. We aimed to explore the impacts of britannin on apoptosis and autophagy in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The cytotoxic influences of britannin on MCF-7 cells were estimated by the MTT method. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes such as CASP3, BCL2, BCL2L1, STAT3, and JAK2 and transcripts of autophagy markers including ATG1, ATG4, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, BECN1, and MAP1LC3A were quantified using quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blotting method was used to evaluate the amount of caspase 3, phosphorylated JAK2, phosphorylated STAT3, ATG1, ATG4, ATG5, Beclin1, and LC-III.  Treatment of MCF-7 cells with various concentrations of britannin remarkably hindered the viability of these cells compared to the controls. This compound significantly elevated the expression of pro-apoptotic caspase-3 but did not influence the levels of anti-apoptotic BCL2 and BCL2L1. Britannin decreased the levels of phosphorylated forms of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins causing the blockage of the JAK/STAT pathway. Four autophagy factors expressions, including ATG4, ATG5, Beclin1, and LCIII, were reduced due to the effect of britannin on MCF-7 cells. Britannin triggered apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by a mechanism that led to the blockade of the JAK/STAT pathway. Moreover, britannin prohibited autophagy in these cancer cells. This may suggest britannin as an agent for the suppression of breast tumors or as an adjutant for the enhancement of anti-breast cancer drugs effect.

Disruption of lipid droplets (LDs) is associated with many metabolic diseases. Spirulina, as a natural bioactive dietary supplement, along with exercise training, may improve lipid metabolism; however, their effects on LDs-regulated genes in visceral adipose tissue are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of six-week Spirulina supplementation along with exercise training on LDs regulating gene expression. Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: saline (control), control+Spirulina (Spirulina), aerobic interval training (AIT), AIT+ Spirulina (AIT+Spirulina), resistance training and resistance+ Spirulina. The supplement groups consumed 500 mg/kg Spirulina five days per week. The training groups performed AIT (5 times per week) and resistance training (3 times per week) for 6 weeks. LDs regulating genes expression in visceral adipose tissue (Zw10, Bscl2, DFCP1, Rab18, Syntaxin 18, Acsl3, and Plin2) was analyzed by real-time PCR. Spirulina and exercise training had no significant effects on the gene expression of Syntaxin18 (p=0.69) and DFCP1 (p=0. 84), ACSL3 (p=0.98), or BSCL2 (p=0.58). In addition, Spirulina was found to significantly attenuate the expression of Plin2 (p=0.01) and Rab18 (p=0.01) genes compared to the control, AIT, and resistance training groups. However, Plin2 gene expression was higher in the resistance training than the AIT. Furthermore, Spirulina decreased ZW10 (p=0.03) gene expression in visceral adipose tissue compared to the control, AIT, and resistance training groups. Unexpectedly, Spirulina supplementation decreased the expression of these genes even more when taken without exercise training Spirulina supplementation and exercise training have significant effects on LDs-regulated genes in visceral adipose tissue.

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.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming (S) training in water at 5°C (S5C) and 35°C (S35C) along with cinnamon (Cin) supplementationon liver enzymes and thyroid hormones in streptozotocin (STZ(-induced diabetic rats.In this experimental trial, 48 diabetic rats (55 mg/kg STZ) were divided into (1) diabetic control (CD), (2) S5C, (3) S5C+Cin, (4) S35C, (5) S35C+Cin and (6) Cin groups.Eight rats were placed in the healthy control (HC) group to evaluate the effects of diabetes induction on the research variables. Swimming training was performed at 5±2°C and 35±2°C for eight weeks, 3 days a week.For Cin supplementation, 200 mg/kg/day of the aqueous extract of cinnamon was dissolved in the animals drinking water. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post- hoc test in Graphpad Prism software was used to analyze the findings.S5C and S35C significantly increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(p≤0.05). TSH levels in the S35C group were higher than the S5C group (p≥0.05); ALT levels in the S5C group were lower than the S35C group (p≥0.05). Also, Cin decreased AST and ALT levels (p≥0.05), while S35C+Cin decreased T3, ALP and ALT and S5C+Cin decreased ALP (p≥0.05).It seems that training at different temperatures and consumption of cinnamon synergistically lead to improvement of liver enzymes and modulation of thyroid hormones. However, the effect of training in cold water and its impact on thyroid hormones is still unknown and needs further research.

There is escalating evidence suggesting the beneficial effects of ellagic acid (EA) on the cardiovascular system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of EA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) against high glucose (HG)- induced endothelial dysfunction and to study the potential roles of adropin and nitric oxide (NO) in this regard. The experimental groups consisted of normal and HG (30 mM, 48 hr)-treated HUVECs incubated without or with 5 or 10 μM of EA (6 groups of at least 6 replicates, each). The cell count and viability were studied. Moreover, the markers of the redox state, including malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes, and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP), were assayed. The levels of adropin and eNOS gene expression were also studied using RT-qPCR. A high concentration of glucose reduced cell count and caused lipid peroxidation, reduced anti-oxidant capacity of the cells, decreased NO levels, and downregulated the expression of NOS3 (encoding eNOS) and ENHO (encoding adropin) genes. Ellagic acid reversed all these effects. These results suggest a significant protective effect for EA against HG-induced injury in HUVECs. The improved redox state and upregulation of NOS3 and ENHO genes seem to play critical roles in this regard.