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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that has a high prevalence worldwide. Apigenin is a flavonoid present in several vegetables and fruits and has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-MetS properties. This study aims to systematically review the effects of apigenin against MetS and the relevant molecular and cellular mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics features, and potential structure-activity relationship. Electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Cochrane Library were searched for in vivo, and in vitro, and human studies with the following keywords: "apigenin" and "metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome", "fatty liver", "hypertension or blood pressure", "diabetes or blood glucose", "dyslipidemia", "heart or cardiovascular" and "obesity" in title/abstract. Data were collected from 2000 until 2021 (up to April). Only papers published in the English language were included. Forty-six full-text articles out of 1016 retrieved papers were reviewed and underwent quality assessment by investigators. Antiobesity activity of apigenin is mainly through attenuating adipocyte differentiation by suppressing the mitotic clonal expansion and the adipogenesis-related factors. Its anti-diabetic effects can be exerted through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase1B expression, maintaining the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, reducing intracellular ROS production, cellular DNA damage, protein carbonylation, and attenuating ß-cell apoptosis. Moreover, apigenin could attenuate dyslipidemia and subsequent atherosclerotic conditions through down-regulating sterol regulatory elementbinding proteins (SREBP)-1c, SREBP-2, stearyl-CoA desaturase-1, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl- CoA reductase. Apigenin as a dietary bioactive compound would be a promising candidate for improving MetS and its components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) chronic disease in which axons are demyelinated and signal conduction is slowed or blocked. Unfortunately, current drugs that are used to treat MS have limited efficiency and considerable side effects. The use of bioactive natural products for treating neurodegenerative diseases has become of great interest due to their multimodal mechanism of action and potential safety. However, pharmacokinetic parameters such as bioavailability, absorption, metabolic pathways, and elimination routes are essential for evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of herbal medicines and herbal preparations in the clinic. In this review, we have summarized different pharmacokinetic parameters of neuroprotective natural products with anti-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) effects and recent developments in strategies to improve their bioavailability and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Epidemiological studies support the important role of diet in prevention and improvement of AD. In Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM), there is multiple dietary guidelines to prevent and alleviate dementia and memory impairment. Pharmacological studies have been shown that most of the TPM-recommended dietary items can improve memory and cognitive decline and possess antiamyloidogenic, etc. activities. Among them, garlic (Allium sativum) and its compounds, S-allyl-cysteine and diallyl-disulfide, coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil, saffron (Crocus sativus) and crocin and crocetin, honey, fish, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and its major compounds rosmarinic acid, raisin and resveratrol, rose flowers (Rosa damascna) and geraniol, ginger (Zingiber officinale) and its 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and its main component cuminaldehyde have been found to possess stronger anti-AD activities. Most of these items exhibited antioxidant and AChE inhibitory activities and decreased lipid peroxidation. They also possessed anti-amyloidogenic effects, reduced cerebral plaques and Aβ-species, suppressed cerebral inflammation and alterations in tau protein and inhibited Aβ-induced apoptosis through various mechanisms. Noticeably, there are similarities between TPM anti-AD diet and the typical Mediterranean diet whose beneficial effects on AD have been widely demonstrated. Given the importance of traditional medicine systems in discovering new medicines and nutraceuticals for curing ailments, considering TPM anti-AD dietary recommendations in future research would be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypertension is an important cause of cardiovascular disorders. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension; therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of chronically elevated blood pressure is an important therapeutic approach. In the current review, we have provided information from Persian Traditional Plants described by Avicenna in the Canon of Medicine and a number of more current scientific databases, with a focus on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity of the following six plants: Allium sativum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Jasminum grandiflorum, Tribulus terrestris, Vaccinium myrtillus and Vitis vinifera. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted and information on different traditional plants used for hypertension was collected from the Canon of Medicine and several other databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Results: The present article highlights the antihypertensive potential of the above-noted six plants. Administered doses, manner of consumption, types of extracts, preparations and derivatives, personal habits, and other geographic and epidemiologic variables have an important role in the potential efficacy of these plants. Conclusion: Recent studies indicated a significant correlation between the traditional use of Persian plants to reduce blood pressure and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the second leading cause of death with profound socio-economic consequences worldwide. Growing evidence suggests the crucial role of diet on cancer prevention and treatment. In Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) there is a major focus on contribution of special diet and foods to cancer management. In the present article, the cytotoxic and antitumor activities of several food items including plants and animal products recommended by TPM as anticancer agents are discussed. Strong evidence supports the anticancer effects of beetroot (Beta vulgris) and its major compound betanin, cinnamon and cinnamaldehyde, barley (H. vulgare) and its products, extra-virgin olive oil, black pepper (P. nigrum) and its piperine, grapes (V. vinifera) and its compound resveratrol, ginger and its compound 6-gingerol, whey protein, fish, and honey. However, additional pharmacological studies and clinical trials are needed to elucidate their molecular and cellular mechanisms of actions, frequency, and amount of consumption, possible adverse effects, and optimum preparation methods. Moreover, studying mechanisms of actions of the bioactive compounds present in the discussed food items can be helpful in identifying and development of new anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]