Research Journal of Pharmacognosy
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Spring 2024

The high incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer indicates that managing this disease is still problematic. A number of studies have shown that sea cucumbers, marine invertebrates, contain anticancer compounds. This study aimed to determine the effects of Holothuria scabra (sea cucumber) methanol extract on histopathological features, interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression in the breast cancer mice model. The body of H. scabra without internal organs was extracted with methanol. Thirty female Mus musculus C57BL6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a breast cancer mice model  group, and three treatment groups, which were breast cancer mice models administered with three various doses H. scabra methanol extract (0.33 (T1); 0.66 (T2); and 0.99 g/Kg BW (T3)) for 12 weeks. The breast cancer mice model was treated with a high-fat diet and 1 mg/kg BW 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene subcutaneous injection into one of the breasts. Examination of IL-6 concentration was conducted by ELISA and NF-κB gene expression by qRT-PCR. The results showed an improvement in histopathological features as revealed by the lower Nottingham scores in the T2 (5.17±0.75) and T3 groups (3.00±0.89) compared to positive control group 7.00±1.26 (p<0.05). Holothuria scabra methanol extract reduced IL-6 concentration in treatment groups dose-dependently and was significantly lower than the positive control  group (p<0.01). The T2 and T3 groups showed significantly lower NF-κB expression than the positive control  group (p<0.05). The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra methanol extract is a therapeutic candidate for breast cancer by suppressing IL-6 concentration and NF-κB gene expression.

Previous research has demonstrated the antidepressant potential of Avena sativa; however; its mode of action is still unknown. Hence, the role of the monoaminergic system in the antidepressant-like activity of A. sativa was investigated by using the tail suspension test in the present study. The mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) received the hydroalcoholic extract of A. sativa (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) 30 min before the tail suspension test. The participation of the monoaminergic system in the antidepressant-like activity of A. sativa (200mg/kg) was assessed by administration of several receptor antagonists, 60 min before the administration of the extract in the test. Moreover, the effect of A. sativa on animals’ locomotion was examined by using open-field test. All doses of the A. sativa extract caused a significant antidepressant-like effect (p<0.001) in the tail suspension test, without any significant change in the mice locomotion in the open-field test (p>0.05). In addition, pre-treatment of the animals with sulpiride, haloperidol, SCH23390, p-chlorophenylalanine, ketanserin, WAY100135, reserpine, yohimbine, and prazosin abolished the antidepressant-like activity of A. sativa. Furthermore, the joint administration of sub-effective doses of A. sativa with fluoxetine and imipramine produced a synergistic antidepressant-like effect. Avena sativa induced an antidepressant-like effect in tail suspension test that is dependent on the monoaminergic system; however; clinical studies are required for showing the beneficial effects of the extract in humans.

Pistacia vera fruit is a popular nut belonging to Anacardiaceae family. Traditionally, the hulls have been used as herbal remedies for treatment of oral and skin wounds,peptic ulcers and hemorrhoids. In this study, anacardic acid (13:0) was elucidated by EI-MS, FTIR, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR data analysisfrom active fraction. Cytotoxic activity was assessed against normal NIH/3T3 cells, and several cancerous human cells, including human breast cancer (MCF-7), hepatocarcinoma (HepG-2) and gastric cancer (MKN-45) using MTT assay. The wound healing activity of this compound was evaluated using in vitro scratch-wound healing assay on NIH/3T3 cells. Anacardic acid (13:0) was toxic at the concentrations tested against all cell lines (6.25-100 µg/mL). Theselectivity index showed no selective cytotoxicity (SI< 2); however, anacardic acid (13:0) revealed significant wound healing effects through the migration of NIH/3T3 cells at the concentrations of 1.25-5 µg/mL. These results suggested that anacardic acid (13:0) from P. verahull has cytotoxic activity on human cancer cell lines and can also be useful as a bioactive molecule in wounds treatment. However, more in vitro and in vivo studies need to be done to confirm the efficacy and cytotoxicity of anacardicacid (13:0).

Acetamiprid, a widely used neonicotinoid pesticide in agriculture, acts as a stimulant on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, potentially causing neurotoxicity. Quercetin, a neuroprotective flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, shows promise in mitigating neurological disorders. This study investigated quercetin's protective potential against acetamiprid-induced memory impairment. Male rats were divided into four groups: control, acetamiprid (40 mg/kg), quercetin (20 mg/kg), and a combination of acetamiprid and quercetin, administered orally for 28 days. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Morris water maze test; oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus were evaluated, along with histological analysis. Rats exposed to 40 mg/kg acetamiprid exhibited significant memory impairment. Notably, co-treatment with quercetin reversed this effect. Acetamiprid induced oxidative stress, as indicated by increased lipid peroxidation, reduced thiol content, and decreased catalase (CAT) enzyme activity. Simultaneous quercetin and acetamiprid administration effectively mitigated these oxidative stress markers. Histological analysis demonstrated quercetin's ability to prevent acetamiprid-induced hippocampal neuronal damage. Quercetin shows promise in ameliorating acetamiprid-induced memory deficits and neuronal damage, making it a potentially valuable nutraceutical, especially for individuals exposed to pesticides like agricultural workers.

Several wild mushroom species occur in southern Tanzania and are used as food by the local tribes. Experience shows that some of them could contain phytochemical compounds with therapeutic potential for treating various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate wild mushrooms used by indigenous communities living near the Selous- Niassa corridor in Namtumbo district, in Southern Tanzania for safety and antimycobacterial activity. Wild mushroom samples were collected randomly during the wet season and extracted by cold maceration. Dried extracts were evaluated for safety using the brine shrimp lethality test and for antimycobacterial activity using a twofold microdilution method against non-pathogenic Mycobacterium madagascariense, Mycobacterium indicus pranii, and Mycobacterium aurum. The mushroom extracts exhibited a good safety profile against brine shrimp larvae with LC50 values ranging from 20.28 µg/mL (moderately toxic) to 465.97 µg/mL (nontoxic). The extracts exhibited variable antimycobacterial activity against M. madagascariense, M. indicus pranii, and M. aurum with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) between 0.78 and 12.5 mg/mL against M. madagascariense, 0.098 and 6.25 mg/mL against M. indicus pranii and 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL against and M. aurum. Nineteen wild mushroom species (59.4%, n = 32) exhibited antimycobacterial activity against all three mycobacterial species used. Preliminary investigation has provided evidence that some of the mushrooms locally available are not toxic. Some of these mushrooms have the potential to yield antimicobacterial active compounds. Further studies to determine the therapeutic and nutritional value of these mushrooms are needed.

Ajuga genus is used as wound healing in traditional Persian medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella ointment on healing pressure ulcers in patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 131 patients with grade 1 or 2 pressure ulcers were randomly assigned into one of two groups through simple randomization. The study group received 3% Ajuga ointment, containing 17.26 µg/mL of 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone) as the main compound, while the control group received placebo twice a day for 14 days in addition to the standard care for pressure ulcers Changes in the degree and size of wounds were considered as the primary outcomes of the study based on the 2-digit Stirling scale.

Forty patients in each group completed the research. Mean (95% confidence interval) difference values, for wound degree, between two groups on day 7 vs. day 0 was -0.88 (-1.01 to -0.76, p<0.001), and on day 14 vs. day 0 was -1.57 (-1.78 to -1.36, p<0.001). Mean (95% confidence interval) difference values, for wound area, between two groups on day 7 vs. day 0 was -1.730(-1.979 to -1.48, p<0.001), and on day 14 vs. day 0 was -3.142(-3.563 to -2.72, p<0.001).

Topical application of Ajuga ointment significantly improved pressure ulcers  on days 7 and 14 compared to placebo. Evaluation of the effects of this plant on a larger sample size, for a longer period of time and in different medical centers is recommended.

Ulcerative colitis is a challenging inflammatory bowel disease that requires new treatments. Pinus eldarica can be a suitable candidate for this disease due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative and antioxidant properties. Pinus eladarica aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of barks were standardized according to the total phenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents. Three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) of both extracts were separately administered to rats with acetic acid-induced colitis for a period of five days. Reference groups received dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) or mesalazine (150 mg/kg, p.o.) while control groups were treated with normal saline. Both extracts reduced the macroscopic parameters of colitis (weight of colon, ulcer area, ulcer severity and ulcer index) significantly compared with control groups, especially in lower doses (100, 200 mg/kg). Similarly, the extracts improved the microscopic parameters (severity and extent of inflammation, leukocyte infiltration, crypt damage, and total colitis score) except for the dose of 400 mg, which was not effective. The decrease in myeloperoxidase activity and malondeladehyde values ​​was also significant for both extracts at all doses. Pinus eldarica bark extracts are effective in treating and reducing the damage caused by colitis, although it is necessary to adjust the effective dosage. Lower doses of extracts, especially hydroalcoholic one showed better therapeutic effects. Further studies are necessary to identify effective compounds, particularly in the hydroalcoholic extract, for producing an herbal drug for the clinical setting.

Considering the different side effects of the long-time conventional anti-rheumatic drugs prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, numerous studies have focused on herbal medicines to reduce inflammation in autoimmune diseases. Although the beneficial properties of evening primrose on rheumatoid arthritis have been determined, the results of the studies have not been systematically reported. The present review has investigated the effects of evening primrose on rheumatoid arthritis systematically. We searched the following electronic databases until March 2023: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar electronic databases, allied and complementary medicine database (AMED), and scientific information database (SID) databases for relevant studies. We excluded non-English articles and those not meeting our criteria. We chose all of the correlated original clinical, animal, and in vitro studies. Each article was assessed critically for the possible risk of bias. Thirteen articles were analyzed. Animal and in vitro research confirmed the desired effects of evening primrose on clinical, inflammatory, oxidative, and immunologic factors in rheumatoid arthritis. Also, the results of clinical studies showed the change and improvement of inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis. Evening primrose could control rheumatoid arthritis in multiple ways such as decreasing inflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, and modulating the immune system. This article provides convincing evidence to support the efficacy of evening primrose in rheumatoid arthritis and explains the significance of future clinical trials. Further large-scale high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of evening primrose on rheumatoid arthritis as a primary outcome variable are recommended.