Lorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21446220210501Effects of Saffron on Serum Zinc, Copper and Superoxide Dismutase in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial434922119410.22087/hmj.v6i2.818ENMaryamSaberi-KarimianVascular and Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSusanDarroudiInternational UNESCO Center for Health Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, IranFatemehShaghiInternational UNESCO Center for Health Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, IranShimaTavallaeiMetabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHamideSafarian-Bananternational UNESCO Center for Health Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, IranGordonA. FernsBrighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9PH, UKMajidGhayour-MobarhanInternational UNESCO Center for Health Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, IranTayyebehKermanyDepartment of Anatomy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IranMaryamShemshianInternational UNESCO Center for Health Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, IranJournal Article20250519Background and Aim: The prevalence pervasiveness of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide. We aimed to examine the effects of saffron supplements on serum levels of Cu, Zn and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in subjects with MetS. Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial comprised 70 subjects with MetS, aged 18-75 years, who referred to the Nutrition Clinic in Ghaem Hospital from April to June 2014. They were randomly divided into 2 groups: a saffron group taking a capsule of saffron 100 mg/kg/day (50 mg twice a day) (n=35); and a placebo group taking a capsule of placebo (twice a day) (n=35), for a period of 12 weeks. We used atomic absorption spectrophotometry in order determine serum zinc and copper levels in all subjects. Serum SOD activity determined using pyrogallol indirect spectrophotometric assay. Results: Fifty-six subjects completed the study. There were significant differences in baseline characteristics between the saffron and placebo groups (p> 0.05). The change in mean serum zinc levels at baseline and following 12 weeks of intervention were significantly different between the saffron and placebo groups (p=0.041). However, there were no significant changes in serum copper, ZN/Cu and SOD1 between the study groups before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Saffron supplementation for a period of 12 weeks was associated with a significant increase in serum Zn level in individuals with MetS (p<0.05). However, there were no significant effects on copper, Cu/Zn ratio, and superoxide dismutase. Only a single dose of saffron was used for a short period of time in this study, and the sample size was limited. It would be useful to investigate the effects of other doses and longer durations in larger subject samples. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221194_7926cb7d7716e20bfb777fe344e25f1f.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21446220210501Triple Therapy with Garlic, Silymarin and Curcumin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial506422119710.22087/hmj.v6i2.917ENZahraAtaeeDepartment of internal medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranMaryamVahabzadehMedical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.Seyedeh ShabnamMazloumi KiapeyDepartment of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHamid RezaRahimi4Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHoomanMosannen MozaffariGastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranMalihehZiaeeDepartment of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of
Medical Sciences, Gonabad, IranJournal Article20250519Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the world. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a mixture of garlic, silymarin, and curcumin on hepatic parameters and overall improvement of NAFLD. Materials and Methods: Individuals between 18 and 70 years of age with altered liver enzymes and confirmed pattern of fatty liver in their hepatic ultrasound were entered into this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial and assigned to two groups. They received either capsules containing curcumin, silymarin and garlic or an identical placebo. After 3 months, the patients were re-evaluated for laboratory tests, clinical evaluation, and liver fibroscan. Data were analyzed in consistent with the intention-to-treat approach. Results: After randomization and blinding, 50 individuals entered this study. The mean age of the participants was 42.51 ± 11.13 (mean± SD) years of old, and 80% of the participants were men. After triple therapy, no significant differences were observed in laboratory tests between the two groups, except for the triglyceride level (188.86 ± 90.66 vs. 146.23 ± 70.38, p-value=0.04). However, hepatic fibroscans were noticeably ameliorated in the treatment group compared to the control (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: We observed no significant amelioration in the majority of biochemical indices of the patients, but patterns of NAFLD in fibroscans were considerably improved. Although we cannot entirely attribute this finding to our therapy with silymarin, curcumin, and garlic, a healthy lifestyle combined with these supplements can help improve the state of NAFLD. Further studies with larger sample size and different doses are recommended. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221197_74e35f74129a8768f5da17a94844bfbc.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21446220210501Protective Effects of Aju Mbaise Extract against Dutasteride-Induced Biochemical and Haematological Changes in Rats657622119910.22087/hmj.v7i2.961ENRobertIkechukwu UrokoDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NigeriaPaul ChukwuemakaNweje-AnyalowuDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State, NigeriaChinonsoFriday AaronDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological and Physical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, NigeriaObiwuruIkennaDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological and Physical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, NigeriaElishaUko OgwoDepartment of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, NigeriaObinnaJoseph MbaDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NigeriaJournal Article20250519Background and Aim: Aju Mbaise is a nutraceutical food supplement taken by nursing mothers within their first three months of delivery due to its health advantages. This study evaluated the protective potentials of Aju Mbaise extract on the renal functions, lipid profile, and haematological indices of Dutasteride-induced rats. Materials and Methods: This study had sham control, dutasteride control, an extract group that received 1000 mg/kg of Aju Mbaise only, and Dutasteride induced groups treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of Aju Mbaise orally for 28 consecutive days. Results: Dutasteride induction caused a remarkable increase in the serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions and a considerable reduction in the serum bicarbonate ions in the Dutasteride control compared to the sham control. The lipid profile indicated a significant increase in the total serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with a substantial decline in the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of the Dutasteride control relative to the sham control. The haematological parameters, including red blood cell, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and neutrophils, decreased significantly in the Dutasteride control relative to the sham control. In contrast, the Dutasteride control showed a significant increase in the mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell, platelet, and lymphocyte counts compared to the sham control. The treatment of Dutasteride-induced rats with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of Aju Mbaise extract significantly restored the serum urea, creatinine, serum electrolytes, lipid profile, and haematological parameters to normal levels compared to the Dutasteride control. None the rats had any observable alteration in the kidney histo-architecture. Conclusion: Our findings showed that Aju Mbaise extract could attenuate changes in renal functions, lipid profile, and haematological indices associated with Dutasteride toxicity in rats. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221199_e7df52219b6450a9f074aefb07cc7fd9.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21446220210501Anti-Tumor Effects of the Methanol Extract of Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich Fruits on Human Gastric (MKN-45) and Breast (MCF-7) Cancer Cell Lines7785221201ENSamanehKeshavarzMedical Biotechnology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranFatemehYousefbeykDepartment of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranMahsaRamezanpourMedical Biotechnology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranSaghi JaniKargar MoghaddamMedical Biotechnology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranPuyanDaeiMedical Biotechnology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranSaeedGhasemiDepartment of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranMasoudHamidiMedical Biotechnology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranJavadKhalili Fard4Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
5Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranJournal Article20250519Background and Aim: The Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is a Mediterranean medicinal herb with a medicinal background. In the present study, following our previous research, we aimed to evaluate the expression profile of certain significant genes involved in the process of apoptosis in human gastric (MKN-45) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines treated with the methanol extract of E. elaterium fruits. Materials and Methods: The real-time PCR method was employed to calculate the expression levels of p53, bax, and bcl-2 genes in both MKN-45 and MCF-7 cell lines. Moreover, the bax/bcl-2 mRNA ratio was calculated in both cell lines. Results: Real-time PCR revealed that E. elaterium fruit extract-treated MKN-45 cells underwent a strong reduction in the mRNA levels of bcl-2 (0.04-fold) (p < 0.0001) together with an increase in p53 (18.23-fold) (p < 0.0001) and a significant reduction in bax (0.31-fold) (p <0.01). However, the up-regulation of bax (55.51-fold) (p< 0.0001) and bcl-2 (17.68-fold) (p< 0.05) genes with a concomitant revealed no significant result for p53 (2.32-fold) gene observed in MCF-7 cells. This extract had strong apoptotic activity on MKN-45 cells. The bax/bcl-2 mRNA ratio in E. elaterium fruit extract-treated MKN-45 cells was significant in comparison with the control group (7.24-fold higher and p= 0.0133), but this ratio was not remarkable in E. elaterium fruit extract-treated MCF-7 cells compared with the control group (3.95-fold higher and p= 0.0811). Conclusion: The results of this research indicated that E. elaterium fruit extract could be a promising therapeutic option against gastric cancer. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221201_920362e1b3265882a6da3742c7334d59.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21446220210501An Overview of the Effects of Some Herbs on Tick-Borne Disorders in Humans and Animals869222120310.22087/hmj.v6i2.793ENEbrahim Alinia-AhandaniAlinia-AhandaniDepartment of Biochemistry, Payame Noor University, Tehran, I.R. IranZahraAlizadeh-TerepoeiDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Gilan, Rasht, IranMiladSheydaeiFaculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, IranJournal Article20250519As we know, many researches have shown positive reaction face to various disorders which have been aiming its location in the health programming. A rising tide of tick-borne spirochete, rickettsial, and viral infectious diseases are causing substantial misery around the world. In this paper, the terms such as tick-bone, disorder, herbs, traditional medicine, and curing the tick-bone disorder, both separately and combined, were utilized in order to search in the databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Islamic World Science Citation Center, and Magiran, and then relevant articles were detected. Duplicate articles and articles in non-English languages were excluded from this analysis. We found 20 potential herbs (Cissus grandifolia, Arcangelisia flava, Commiphora spp., Cistus creticus, Elaeocarpus nitidus, Achillea millefolium, Curcuma zanthorrhiza, Camellia sinensis, Ficus sycomorous, Acacia drepanolobium, Adansonia digitata, Acacia nubica, Terminalia brownie, Dicrostachys cinerea, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Kigelia Africana, Citrus x paradisi, Curcuma zedoaria, Salvadora persica,m, Agave sisala) which are locally applied around the world. Subsequently, some characteristics like used parts, properties and human or animal effectiveness were demonstrated separately. etreat this disorder, prevention is the best strategy. It is highly recommended to take precautionary measures, including refraining from having any contact with ticks. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221203_e2085718ae464b1ffc88dd52fddc4c59.pdf