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Objective: Allergic asthma is a complex inflammatory disorder that affects the airways. As an ancient medical system, Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) recommends a polyherbal formula called “Monzej-e-balgham” for the treatment of asthma. In the present investigation, the antiasthmatic effects of “Monzej-e-balgham” were examined in a murine model of allergic asthma.Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight Balb/c mice weighing 15-20 g were allocated into 4 groups. As negative and positive controls, groups I and II received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and ovalbumin (OVA) solutions, respectively. Groups III and IV were first sensitized with OVA and then respectively treated with “Monzej-e-balgham” (63 mg/kg) and budesonide. Finally, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues of the animals were collected and used for eosinophil counting, Th2 type interleukins (IL-5, IL-13, and IL-33) measurement, and histological examinations.Results: “Monzej-e-balgham” significantly reduced the number of eosinophils and the levels of IL-5, IL-13, and IL-33 in BALF specimens compared to OVA-sensitized group (p

Background and Objectives: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways which has become prevalent globally. There are reports about the immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds; so, in this study, we explored the suppressive effects of aqueous P. anisum L. seeds extract on ovalbumin-induced asthma in a mouse model. Methods: The seeds were extracted with water and the extract was dried by freeze-drying method. Twenty-eight BALB/c male mice weighing 15–20 g were divided into four groups of seven animals. Ovalbumin was used to trigger allergic asthma in these animals. Negative and positive control mice received phosphate-buffered saline and ovalbumin, respectively. The remaining two groups were challenged with ovalbumin and then received budesonide and the seed extract, respectively. Thereafter, the eosinophils count and expression of IL-5, -13, and -33 were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice. Histopathological changes of the lung tissues were also analyzed. Results: Aqueous extract of P. anisum seeds hindered ovalbumin -stimulated asthmatic complications by declining eosinophils number and expression of IL-5, -13, and -33 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice. It also inhibited the hyperplasia of goblet cells, hypersecretion of mucus, and inflammation in peribronchial and perivascular spaces, which were consequences of ovalbumin exposure. The activity of the extract in suppressing inflammatory responses of asthma in our murine model was comparable to budesonide. Conclusion: Our data underscored the effect of aqueous P. anisum seeds on the suppression of inflammatory responses of allergic asthma, proposing a promising suggestion for the treatment of the disease.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by irregular menstruation, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian cysts. Iranian traditional medicine products can be effective in treatment of this syndrome. This study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of compound honey syrup on the polycystic ovary syndrome induced by estradiol valerate in female rats. Methods: In this experimental study conducted by traditional medicine and matria medica research center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in animal laboratory of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences on female rats in 2017, the compound honey syrup (Ma-ol-asal) (containing honey, cinnamon, ginger, saffron, cardamom, galangal, nutmeg, mace and mastic) was used. Thirty female rats were classified into five groups of cases: negative control, positive control, and three treatment groups (receiving two doses of compound honey syrup (1ml/kg and 2ml/kg) and metformin). Polycystic ovary syndrome was induced by injection of Estradiol valerate. At the end of intervention, the rats were euthanized, hormones were measured, and the ovarian histology was examined. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 24) and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn-Bonferroni tests. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: At the end of the study, weights of ovaries in the metformin and Ma-ol-asal 2 groups were higher than the untreated group. There was no change in body weight or abdominal fat. There was a significant increase in levels of progesterone in three treatment groups (P=0.002) and significant reduction of estrogen in the metformin group compared to the untreated group (P=0.021). There was significant reduction of number of ovary cysts in Ma-ol-asal 1 group (P=0.001), and significant increase in the number of Corpus luteum, and antral follicles in Ma-ol-asal 1 and 2 groups compared to the untreated group (P=0.010). The number of graph follicles did not differ significantly in the groups (P=0.083). Conclusion: Compound honey syrup was effective in improving hormonal and histological status in polycystic ovary syndrome as much as metformin and was more effective in some cases.