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Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is used in the management of autoimmune conditions and malignant illnesses. However, its therapeutic use is limited because of its severe side effects, especially hepatotoxicity attributed to oxidative stress. Nasturtium officinale R. Br (watercress or WC) has pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammation, and antioxidant activities. Therefore, the present study was design to assess effects of WC or its active ingredient, quercetin (QE), against CPA-induced hepatotoxicity. For this study, 49 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly selected and categorized into seven equal groups. The animals were pre- and post-treated with both hydroalcoholic extract of WC (500 mg/kg) and quercetin (75 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days, and intraperitoneal administration of CPA (200 mg/kg) was performed on only day 10, one hour before the last dose of WC or quercetin. On day 11, all the animals were sacrificed, and their blood and liver were gathered for evaluation of the liver enzyme, hepatic oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes activity, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. CPA significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and liver biomarkers. Otherwise, hepatic catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiol content (tSH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were considerably lower than the control group. Results showed that WC has the ability to reduce the changes (MDA, PCO, FRAP, CAT, ALT and AST) and QE (MDA, PCO, AST) induced by CPA (p < 0.05). Histopathological finding confirmed the indicated results. These findings propose that WC and QE have protective effect against the CPA-induced hepatotoxicity by decreasing oxidative stress.

Cholestatic liver disease is recognized by extreme collagen formation and deposition, which is mediated by free radicals. The aim of the current study was to investigate the probable hepatoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of watercress (WC) against oxidative stress and liver injury in bile duct ligation (BDL)- induced cholestatic rats. A total of 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups; sham control (SC), BDL, SC + hydroalcoholic extract of WC and BDL + hydroalcoholic extract of WC. WC-treated rats received daily WC 500 mg/kg/day for 10 days. Biochemical tests, hepatic oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant enzymes activity were estimated. Further, liver hydroxyproline content was assayed and histological analysis was made. The BDL model markedly elevated the protein carbonyl (PCO) and hydroxyproline contents and decreased the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Hydroalcoholic extract of WC significantly decreased the surge in liver PCO and hydroxyproline levels and increased the reduced GPx enzyme activity contents in the hepatic tissue. As determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining, BDL considerably induced hepatocyte necrosis. Moreover, these changes were significantly attenuated by the hydroalcoholic extract of WC treatment. Our data indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of WC extract attenuated liver damage in BDL rats by decreasing the hydroxyproline content and histopathological indexes. Also, it reduced oxidative stress by preventing the hepatic protein oxidation and enhancing the activity of the GPx enzyme via antioxidative effect and free-radical scavenging. Our findings suggest that hydroalcoholic extract of WC could be a beneficial new curative agent for cholestatic liver damage., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (DMSPE) technique was developed using manganese-oxide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Mn3O4-NPs-AC) as an effective sorbent combined with ultrasound for the extraction and determination of a trace amount of thymol and carvacrol in methanolic extracts of Thymus daenensis, Salvia officinalis, Stachys pilifera, Satureja khuzistanica and mentha, and water samples. Thymol and carvacrol phenolic compounds were extracted from real samples using acetonitrile (ACN) as the desorption solvent. Using central composite design (CCD), the effects of pH, ionic strength (NaCl), nano-sorbent mass, contact time, and desorption volume were investigated. Additionally, based on five-level variables, response surface methodology was used to determine the individual and interactive effects between factors on the process. The optimized extraction conditions included 12 mg of Mn3O4-NPs-AC as the sorbent, 300 μL of ACN as the desorption solvent, pH 3.0, 0.5 w/v% of NaCl, and 4.5 min sonication time. Under the optimized conditions, for all the samples, the limits of detection were 0.054-0.104 ng mL-1 and the limits of quantification were 0.178-0.345 ng mL-1. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were >0.985, i.e. in the range of 0.4-6000 ng mL-1. To validate the effects of the matrix, the recovery, reproducibility, repeatability, and overall uncertainty were calculated for the five methanolic extracts, at 50, 100, and 500 ng mL-1. The recovery ranged between 94.5% and 109.0% with a relative standard deviation of <8.0% for the repeatability and reproducibility precision, which strongly supports the favorable repeatability and reproducibility of the method. The presented method also has the excellent sorbent features of NPs for the sorption of the analyte, which is due to the use of ultrasound for dispersion of the material in the sample matrix.

Context: Stachys pilifera Benth (Lamiaceae) has long been used to treat infectious diseases, respiratory and rheumatoid disorders in Iranian folk medicine. Antitumor and antioxidant activity of the plant have been reported., Objective: The study was designed to assess the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Stachys pilifera in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatotoxicity in rats., Materials and Methods: The rats were randomly divided into six equal groups (n = 7). Group I was treated with normal saline; Group II received CCl 4 (1 mL/kg. i.p., twice a week) for 60 consecutive days; Groups III, IV and V were given CCl 4 plus Stachys pilifera (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d,p.o.); Group VI received the extract (400 mg/kg/d, p.o.). Histopathological analysis and measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were performed., Results: CCl 4 caused a significant increase in the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and MDA as well as decreased ALB, and TP serum levels (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) significantly normalized the CCl 4 -elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP and MDA (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also increased the serum levels of TP compared to CCl 4 group (p< 0.01). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also decreased the histological injuries (inflammation and fatty degeneration) by CCl 4 ., Discussion: The results revealed that the Stachys pilifera extract could provide considerable protection against CCl 4 hepatotoxicity in rats that may be related to its antioxidant properties.

Context: Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (watercress) has long been used in Iranian folk medicine to treat hypertension, hyperglycemia, and renal colic. Moreover, anticancer, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties of N. officinale have been reported., Objective: In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of the hydro-alcoholic extract from aerial parts of N. officinale was investigated., Materials and Methods: Oral administration of the hydro-alcoholic extract of N. officinale (250, 500 and 750 mg kg(-1)) was investigated on two well-characterized animal models of inflammation, including carrageenan- or formalin-induced paw edema in rats. Then, the topical anti-inflammatory effect of N. officinale (2 and 5 mg/ear) was studied on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema. Finally, biopsy of the paw or ear was performed for pathological evaluation., Results: Acute toxicity tests of N. officinale in rats established an oral LD50 of >5 g kg(-1). The extract of watercress (250, 500 and 750 mg kg(-1)) significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after carrageenan challenge (p < 0.001). The extract (500 mg kg(-1)) also showed considerable activity against formalin-evoked paw edema over a period of 24 h (p < 0.001). Furthermore, topical application of N. officinale (5 mg/ear) reduced TPA-induced ear edema (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, the extract decreased swelling and the tissue damage induced by carrageenan or TPA., Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings indicate potent anti-inflammatory activity of N. officinale in systemic and topical application and propose its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Background. Cisplatin (Cis) is an anticancer drug; however, it has dose-dependent renal toxicity. The current study aims to investigate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. hydroalcoholic extract (Z.M.B), carvacrol, and thymol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods. Forty-two Wistar male rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 7). Group I received normal saline; group II received Cis (7 mg/kg. ip); group III received the Z.M.B extract only (500 mg/kg/d, po); group IV received Z.M.B extract (500 mg/kg/d, po) + Cis; group V received carvacrol (50 mg/kg/d, po) + Cis; and group VI received thymol (50 mg/kg/d, po) + Cis. The levels of biochemical markers, oxidative stress parameters, and histopathological staining were determined in serum and renal tissues. Also, the chemical compositions (carvacrol and thymol) of the Z.M.B extract were assayed by HPLC analysis. Result. The results revealed that Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol markedly decreased the renal index as compared with the Cis-only group. Also, carvacrol and thymol significantly reduced the blood urea nitrogen level as compared with the Cis-only group. Furthermore, Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol significantly attenuated the Cis-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide metabolite. Additionally, histopathological examination showed that Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol markedly ameliorated Cis-induced renal tubular necrosis. Conclusion. The results showed renoprotective effects of Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol in Cis-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Therefore, Z.M.B extract can be considered as a potential candidate for the protection of nephrotoxicity induced by Cis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective properties of Otostegia persica (O. persica) ethanol extract on carbon tetrachloride- induced liver damage in rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group I served as normal control and was given only olive oil intraperitoneally (i.p.). Group II, III, IV, and V were administered CCl4 mixed with olive oil 1:1 (1 ml/kg) i.p., twice a week for 8 weeks. Group II was maintained as CCl4-intoxicated control (hepatotoxic group). Group III, IV, and V received O. persica extract at a dose of 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg for 8 weeks every 48 h orally, respectively. Biochemical parameters including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), and lipid peroxidation marker (Malonaldialdehyde, (MDA) were determined in serum. After 8 weeks, animals were sacrificed, livers dissected out, and evaluated for histomorphological changes. Results: The administration of CCl4 increased AST, ALT, ALP, TB, and MDA in serum but it decreased TP, and ALB compared with normal control. Treatment with O. persica extract at three doses resulted in decreased enzyme markers, bilirubin levels, and lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) and increased TP and ALB compared with CCl4 group. The results of pathological study also support the hepatoprotective effects which were observed at doses of 80 and 120 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that ethanol extract of O. persica may have hepatoprotective effect which is probably due to its antioxidant property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim. Fibrosis of the lungs is an interstitial lung disease whose diagnosis and treatment are not well-established. Stachys pilifera Benth. (Lamiaceae) has been proven to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was performed to determine the effect of S. pilifera extract on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods. In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats (120–180 g) were divided into five groups (n = 7) as follows: intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (BLM, 7.5 IU/kg) was administered to group II. The third and fourth groups received BLM plus Stachys pilifera hydroalcoholic extract (SPHE) (300 mg/kg/day, gavage). Vitamin E (500 mg/kg/day, gavage) was given to group V in addition to BLM. After 14 days, the animals were euthanized to assess biochemical parameters and lung histopathology. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total thiol (TSH), and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. In addition, hydroxyproline (HYP) levels along with histological changes in lung tissue were also assessed. Results. MDA, NO, and HYP elevations induced by BLM toxicity were significantly inhibited by SPHE (300 and 600 mg/kg), and Vit E. SPHE also significantly increased GSH and TSH levels in comparison to the BLM group.HPLC analyses showed the presence of thymol (55.47 ng/mL) and carvacrol (109.91 ng/mL) in SPHE as potential bioactive phenolic compounds. Conclusion. The results suggest that SPHE alleviates the development of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the proliferation of fibroblasts mediated by antioxidant pathways. Other mechanisms underlying this Effect of SPHE need to be clarified through further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Cholestasis is caused by malfunction of the hepatobiliary system. This disorder is the result of the accumulation of bile fatty acids and other toxins in the liver. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Origanum majorana L. (OM) on hepatic disorder and tissue damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Materials and methods. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including sham control group received vehicle (SC-V), bile duct ligation received vehicle (BDL-V), bile duct ligation group received OM extract (BDL + OM), and sham control group received OM extract (SC + OM). One day after surgery, the animals received vehicle or methanolic extract of OM 300 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days by oral gavage. Finally, the animals were anesthetized and the blood samples were collected from each animal. After sacrificing of animals, liver tissue from each rat was removed and divided into three parts: one part was used for preparing of homogenized tissue, one part was fixed in 10% neutral formalin for histopathology examination, and the third part was kept in liquid nitrogen for gene expression analysis. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in the liver tissue and serum, as well as histopathological changes of the liver, were assessed. Also, the gene expression of IL-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, and α-SMA has been measured. Results. The results showed that BDL-V significantly increased the activity of ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin compared to the SC-V group. The oxidative stress markers such as MDA and FRAP significantly increased due to BDL, while the CAT activity reduced in the BDL-V group compared to SC-V group. Oral treatment with OM reduced ALT and AST activity, although it was not statistically significant. OM treatment considerably increased the activity of CAT compared to BDL group. BDL-V induced a significant histological change in the liver, while treatment with OM at a dose of 300 mg/kg showed a minor effect on histopathological changes. In addition, the mRNA of IL-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, and α-SMA significantly increased in the BDL-V group, while treatment with OM only significantly reduced TGF-β in comparison with BDL-V rats. Conclusions. The results of the present study showed that oral administration of OM extract had a moderate protective effect on cholestasis due to BDL. Indeed, more studies with different doses of extract are needed to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Increased oxidative stress play an important role in the risk of cardiovascular disease, mortality, and mortality patients undergoing dialysis. Nasturtium officinale (watercress) contains numerous phytochemical compounds that act as an antioxidant by preventing oxidative damage to biomolecules. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the effect of the ethanolic extract of Nasturtium officinale (EENO) on antioxidant and biochemical markers of hemodialysis patients. Methods. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 46 hemodialysis patients were randomly recruited to consume either 500 mg/day EENO (n = 23) or placebo capsule (n = 23) for 4 weeks, at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Yasuj, Iran, in 2019. Biomarkers of oxidative stress including glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total sulfhydryl protein (T-SH) and biochemical parameters such as BUN, Hb, WBC, PLT, Ca, Ph, K, ALB, TChol, TG, LDL, and HDL were evaluated on days 0 and 28. Results. The serum levels of MDA and BUN significantly decreased after taking EENO supplementation P < 0.001 ; however, SOD activity increased during the same period P < 0.001 . The serum levels of TAC remained constant in the intervention group, while it significantly declined in the placebo group P < 0.09 . The extract also prevented elevation in the serum levels of LDL and TG compared to the placebo group, although it was not statistically significant. Conclusions. The data indicated that the consumption of EENO improved some of the antioxidant parameters and minimizes the change in TG and LDL in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, due to the role of these factors in mortality and morbidity of dialysis patients, EENO can improve the condition of dialysis patients. However, more studies with longer intervention times and different doses of EENO are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a common chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. One of the most devastating consequences of this inflammatory process is the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for oxidative stress. Nasturtium officinale commonly known as watercress has traditionally been applied in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and diseases mainly bronchitis and asthma. In accordance with these ethnopharmacological reports, through our previous in vivo experiment, we have confirmed significant effect of its hydroalcoholic extract in reducing lung inflammation and oxidative stress in an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rat model. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of N. officinale hydroalcoholic extract (NOE) in patients with asthma, in order to confirm our findings of the previous performed in vivo study. The NOE capsules (500 mg) were treated twice daily for 4 weeks as a supplementary treatment in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in asthmatics. The primary outcome was Asthma Control Test score. The blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the study. Then, the level of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. Treatment with NOE for one month caused a reduction in the levels of MDA, PCO and NO metabolite markers compared to the placebo group. In addition, FRAP levels as an indicator of total antioxidant capacity in the intervention group was significantly increased at the end of the treatment period compared to pre-treatment values. Findings demonstrated that NOE may have a therapeutic effect on asthma by improving oxidative stress. However, more studies are required to support these results. Moreover, bio-assay guided fractionation and isolation approach can be conducted to identify major bioactive compound/s. [Display omitted] • Nasturtium officinale has been well-known in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and ailments. • The efficacy of N. officinale on asthmatic patients was assessed through a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. • The hydroalcoholic extract of N. officinale reduced the levels of inflammatory markers and enhanced antioxidant enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]