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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder impacting the central nervous system, with cytokines significantly influencing its pathogenesis. This study investigates the effect of curcumin and its semisynthetic derivative F-curcumin on cytokine gene expression in autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse models of MS. We assessed the expression levels of specific cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), alongside key transcription factors for helper T cells (T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt, and FoxP3) in both the spinal cord and spleen. Treatment with curcumin and F-curcumin significantly ameliorated the severity and onset of EAE. Notably, mice administered with either compound showed a substantial decrease in the expression of genes encoding IL-1 (2 folds), IFN-γ (2 and 4 folds), and IL-17 (2.5 and 3.5 folds), alongside a marked increase in TGF-ß (7 folds) and IL-10 (4 and 6 folds) levels. Additionally, the gene expression of T cell-derived transcription factors nearly mirrored the changes observed in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines across the groups. The F-curcumin-treated group exhibited more pronounced results. In conclusion, curcumin and F-curcumin significantly modulate cytokine gene expression during EAE induction, potentially alleviating inflammation in MS, with F-curcumin showing a more substantial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Jollab monzej (JMZ), a Traditional Persian compound medicine, on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (MSRF). Methods: We did a double-blind randomized controlled phase3 clinical trial on the JMZ syrup in fifty-six relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients aged 18-55 years with moderate to severe fatigue using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 6. We randomly assigned (1;1) participants to the JMZ syrup or placebo syrup groups treated for one month. Participants, investigators, and assessors were unaware of the assignments. The primary outcome was changes in the fatigue score on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), at baseline and one month after treatment using the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. The secondary outcomes were changes in the score of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Outcomes were measured at baseline, one month after treatment, and 2-week follow-up. Safety was detected in all participants. Results: We randomly assigned 56 participants to the JMZ group (n=28) and placebo group (n=28). Fatigue scores significantly changed in both groups; however, the JMZ group had a greater reduction in FSS score in the ITT analysis. The adjusted mean difference was 8.80 (Confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.90-14.70, P = 0.00). The mean difference of VAS, BDI, and global PSQI scores were statistically significant (P=0.01, P₌0.00, P₌0.01; respectively). Regarding safety, mild adverse events (AEs) were reported. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that the administration of JMZ syrup alleviated MSRF and also could improve depression and sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased incidence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) calls for supporting complementary therapies in this field. Persian Medicine (PM) specialists present various assumptions to help patients through Mizaj (temperament) modification, but its confirmation requires scientific evidence. This study aimed at identifying the Mizaj of MS patients, and comparing it with their Mizaj before the onset of the disease, and with that of healthy people. Forty-two MS and fifty-four healthy subjects participated in the study as case and control groups. General and brain Mizaj in patients were identified by five PM specialists before and after the onset of the disease. Mojahedi Mizaj Questionnaire (MMQ) was completed by the two groups. The validity of MMQ was assessed using Mizaj diagnosis by PM specialists as the gold standard. T-test, McNemar-Bowker, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square (χ2) tests were used to compare the Mizaj of patients before and after the onset of the disease, and between the two groups (p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of MMQ for Hotness (75, 81%) and Coldness (75, 65%) were acceptable. There were no significant differences between patients and healthy subjects in terms of general Mizaj. But general and brain Mizaj of patients after developing MS inclined to coldness and dryness, although merely inclination of general Mizaj to coldness was significant (p=0.03). According to our results, the Mizaj of MS patients has an inclination toward coldness and dryness; Also, MMQ can be used as a validated scale for identifying the Mizaj of MS patients in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is some inconclusive evidence for the role of fish consumption in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study aimed to systematically review and determine the association between dietary fish intake and risk of MS. Methods: A systematic search with related keywords was carried out in PubMed-MEDLIN, Scopus-EMBASE, and OVID-MEDLINE from inception up to September 2019 to find observational studies that evaluated the association between dietary fish intake and the risk of MS. Random effect and subgroup analyses were performed to calculate pooled estimates at 95% CIs. Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria for systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of this study indicated that the consumption of fish decreases the risk of MS [OR (95% CIs): 0.77 (0.64, 0.92); p-value = 0.004; I2 = 54.7%] compared with controls. Discussion: Dietary intake of at least 0.5 servings of fish per week during adolescence and after might reduce the risk of MS; however, further studies are required to prove this preventive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A natural compound of marine herbal origin has been used in Persian Traditional Medicine to relieve some symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The present study investigated the antiinflammatory effects of a patented extracts of the traditional receipt (MS14). In this preliminary experiment, we used seven groups of six rats: the control group received vehicle, the two positive control groups were treated with either sodium salicylate (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneal (i.p.) or methyl prednisolon (MPN 10 mg/kg) i.p., while the test groups were treated with a solution centrifuged MS14 (SANT 100 mg/kg) and suspension of MS14 (SUSP 100, 150, 300 mg/kg) i.p. After thirty minutes, paw volume was measured by plethysmometer and immediately formalin solution was injected subcutaneously into the hind paw and after an hour, inflamed paw volume was measured. In days 2-8, the inflamed paw volume was measured and immediately drugs were injected i.p. The anti-inflammatory effect of MPN was significant only on days 5 and 6. The anti-inflammatory effect of SS was significant only on the 6th day, while the anti-inflammatory effect of SANT MS14 (100 mg/kg) was also significant only on the 6th day. SUSP MS14 (150 mg/kg) significantly reduced edema from second to 6th day. Intra-peritoneal injection of SUSP MS14 with 300 mg/kg was toxic, so excluded from the study. This research indicates that the MS14 possesses an anti-inflammatory effect after intra-peritoneal administration. Comparative anti-inflammatory effects of MS14 with Glucocorticoids in this study, may justify a possible mechanism for its action in multiple sclerosis, if further studies will provid strong statistically confirmatory effects in animals and safety human trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]