Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine最新文献

{"title":"Thyme honey reduced hyperglycemia in male rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress: Possible involvement of GLUT4 protein and circulating irisin.","authors":"Maedeh Ghasemi, Forouzan Sadeghimahalli, Hassan Jamali, Azadeh Yazdi, Mohammad Reza Seyedi Moqadam","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.25486","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.25486","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Chronic stress is a common and fundamental problem in human life all over the world which threatens the health. Stress-induced metabolic disorders are attenuated by natural honey feeding. So, we examined protective impact of thyme honey in the regulation of blood glucose via measuring the expression level of muscle GLUT4 protein in chronic unpredictable mild stressed (CUMS) male rats.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Six groups of adult male Wistar rats were designed in this study; control group that received water; unstressed groups that were treated with honey (0.2 and 2 g/kg/day) for 38 days; stressed group that received CUMS for 4 weeks; treated stressed groups that were gavaged by honey (0.2 and 2 g/kg/day) for 38 days (from 10 days before induction of stress until the end of stress period). A day after the experiment period (39^th day), in non-fasting status, rats were sacrificed to measure glucose, insulin, irisin, lipid profile at serum level and GLUT4 protein content in muscle tissue via western blotting method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Honey reduced hyperglycemia induced by CUMS, significantly increased serum irisin and non-significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) which were decreased by CUMS, but did not affect other serum lipids and insulin. CUMS down-regulated GLUT4 protein level. Honey feeding (2 g/kg) in stressed rats interestingly increased level of GLUT4 protein and maintained it at a normal level.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Together, it may be concluded that honey administration protects glycemic control system from chronic stress-induced dysregulation via an increase in production of irisin and maintaining the GLUT4 protein levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1379-1390"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244951/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methanolic extract of <i>Justicia secunda</i> ameliorates the cyclophosphamide-induced hepatic and renal failures in rats.","authors":"Winner Oyidiya Kalu, Chinedum Ogbonnaya Eleazu, Ngozi Kalu Achi, Mercy Amarachi Iroaganachi, Duru Majesty","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25237","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study determined the effect of the methanolic extract of <i>Justicia secunda</i> against cyclophosphamide-instigated hepatic and renal toxicities in rats and analyzed the bioactive constituents of the extract using gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Twenty male albino Wistar rats were assigned into four groups of five rats each: Group 1 received rat feeds and tap water for 14 days. Group 2 received rat feeds and water for 14 days and cyclophosphamide (CPH, 100 mg/kg.BW) on day 15. Group 3 received rat feeds and 200 mg/kg.BW of the extract for 14 days and CPH on day 15 while Group 4 received rat feeds and 400 mg/kg.BW of the extract for 14 days and CPH on day 15.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CPH induction altered the final body weights, hepatic and renal total proteins, antioxidant markers, liver and kidney weights, and serum transaminases, urea, and creatinine concentrations of the rats, inducing lipid peroxidation in them which was mitigated following supplementation with <i>J. secunda</i>. GC-MS assay showed the presence of twenty compounds in <i>J. secunda</i> extract and acute toxicity study (using mice to determine the safety profile of the extract) showed the safety of the usage of the plant at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>J. secunda</i> has protective effects against CPH-induced hepatic and renal toxicities which could be attributed to its bioactive compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1298-1312"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244949/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methanol leaf extract of <i>Azadirachta</i> <i>indica</i> mitigates isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction through the modulation of oxidative stress, and PPARα and BCL2 signaling in rats.","authors":"Amirah Folashade Yusuf, Temitayo Olabisi Ajibade, Oluwaseun Olarenwaju Esan, Racheal Ebunoluwa Asenuga, Moyinoluwa Onoja, Matthew Obot Akpan, Joseph Ayotunde Badejo, Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale, Ademola Adetokunbo Oyagbemi, Adeolu Alex Adedapo, Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju, Momoh Audu Yakubu","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25277","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evaluation of <i>Azadirachta indica</i>'s potential on the modulation of blood pressure parameters, antioxidant defense status, as well as immunohistochemical expressions of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) in rats exposed to isoproterenol was the objective of this study.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Fifty rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>) of the Wistar strain were used, with myocardial infarction induced by intraperitoneal administration of isoproterenol (ISO) for two consecutive days. Cardiac and renal biomarkers of oxidative stress, blood pressure parameters, electrocardiography, and immunohistochemical staining of PPARα and BCL2 were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ISO toxicity heightened blood pressure parameters, aggravated oxidative processes, declined antioxidant defense system, and decreased immunohistochemical expressions of PPARα and BCL2. Interestingly, <i>A. indica</i> improved antioxidant status, lowered free radical generation, mitigated serum myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activities, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mitigation of oxidative mechanisms and antihypertensive effects of <i>Azadirachta indica</i> suggest a positive modulatory role for the medicinal plant in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1328-1340"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244948/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of royal jelly consumption on inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Shaghayegh Taheri, Hossein Bahari, Farshad Mirzavi, Pegah Rahbarinejad, Zohreh Sajadi Hezaveh, Armin Doostparast, Asghar Zarban, Elyas Nattagh-Eshtivani","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25139","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the impact of royal jelly (RJ) on inflammation and oxidative stress. By synthesizing existing research, it aims to provide valuable insights into the potential health benefits of RJ.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched until the end of December 2023. This meta-analysis included all randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of RJ supplements on serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). A random-effects model was utilized to calculate the pooled mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven suitable datasets from 6 trials were considered eligible. RJ supplementation significantly reduced MDA (WMD, -1.79 (-3.00 to -0.58), p=0.004; I² = 97.4%) and increased TAC (WMD, 0.98 (0.24 to 1.71), p=0.009, I² = 98.5%), but it did not significantly change hs-CRP levels (WMD: -0.24; 95% CI: -0.60, 0.10; p=0.17). RJ supplementation in higher doses and in participants with normal body mass index (BMI) could induce a greater elevation in TAC, and in participants with normal BMI, a stronger reduction in MDA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although this meta-analysis confirmed that RJ could be a useful intervention to reduce oxidative stress, this research should be updated in future due to the restricted number of trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1264-1278"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244952/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the immune-boosting and hepatoprotective potential of <i>Allium jesdianum</i> against cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in mice: A promising approach for immunomodulation.","authors":"Alireza Rezaei, Bahareh Sadat Yousefsani, Ameneh Omidi, Kobra Shirani","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25258","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25258","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a potent chemotherapy drug for treating cancer, but its use is limited due to its toxic effects on healthy human tissues. This study aimed to explore the <i>in vivo</i> immunomodulatory effects of <i>Allium jesdianum</i> on CTX-induced toxicity in Nordic Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Hydroalcoholic extract of the whole plant of <i>A. jesdianum</i> (AJE) was obtained using the maceration technique, and its total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured. Mice were orally administered with the extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg for 14 days, either as a standalone treatment or combined with an intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg CTX. The effects of the extract on body and relative organ weight, white blood cell (WBC) count<b>,</b> liver biochemical test, serum antibody titer hemagglutination (HA), delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR), lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production, and spleen and liver histopathological features were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>AJE effectively restored various parameters in immunosuppressed mice, including body and organ weight, WBC counts, liver biochemical markers, HA, DTHR, lymphocyte proliferation ability, and cytokine production. Notably, AJE significantly stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, enhanced both cellular and humoral immunity, restored the levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4, and reversed the splenic white pulp atrophy in the immunosuppressed mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Analyses have shown that AJE exerts protective effects on the immune system of CTX-treated animals by boosting both cellular and humoral immunity, with no observed hepatoxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1366-1378"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244955/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review of silymarin and silibinin mechanisms for attenuating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injuries.","authors":"Hossein Mardani-Nafchi, Saeid Heidari-Soureshjani, Sahar Rostamian","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25370","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25370","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) can lead to a range of impairments and even permanent disability.This systematic review was designed to comprehensively investigate the biological effects of silymarin and silibinin in mitigating CI/RI.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>To find studies published before January 02, 2024, a comprehensive electronic search was carried out across multiple databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data including study characteristics, methods, and biological mechanisms were extracted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Silymarin and silibinin potentially improved endogenous antioxidants and reduced lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. They also enhances the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and upregulated HO-1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). They also protected the activity of Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase, activating mitochondrial membrane potential that suppresses mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP). Moreover, they upregulated proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and reduced inducible-NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression. They inhibited transcription factors, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and IκB-α degradation. They also attenuated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. Anti-apoptotic properties were revealed by increasing protein Bcl-2 and reducing p53, Bax, caspase-3, and 9 expressions. silymarin improves pathological changes, behavioral tests, and decreases cerebral infarct size.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Silymarin and silibinin indicated promising effects on CI/RI through various mechanisms. However, well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate these findings in human subjects.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1279-1297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244950/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protective effect of Henna (<i>Lawsonia inermis</i> L.<i>)</i> fixed oil (a Persian medicine preparation) on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.","authors":"Raheleh Zareshahi, Samane Jahanabadi, Sadaf Rafiyan, Maryam Yadegary, Roohollah Edalatkhah, Hamed Mahmoodian","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25298","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Ulcerative colitis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology. The anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant characteristics of Henna <b>(</b> <i>Lawsonia inermis</i>) fixed oil (HFO) imply that it may be advantageous for the treatment of colitis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this research, the effect of HFO in a Wistar albino rat model of acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis, was examined. The animals received daily oral administration of either normal saline (10 ml/kg), HFO (100, 400, and 1600 µl/kg), or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) for 5 days. A single intracolonic injection of 2 ml of a 4% (v/v) acetic acid solution was used to induce colitis. The levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The administration of HFO at doses 400 and 1600 μl/kg showed a significant enhancement in the weight-to-length ratio of colon tissue in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, the increased amounts of HFO (400 and 1600 μl/kg) were associated with a significant reduction in ulcer severity, area, and index. However, examination of tissue samples revealed a decrease in the overall colitis index suggesting fewer inflammatory cells invaded the colonic regions of rats treated with HFO at doses of 400 and 1600 μl/kg. Moreover, the elevated MPO levels and TNF-α were significantly decreased following the administration of the fixed oil at these doses.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings indicate that HFO could potentially decrease the manifestations of experimental colitis in a dose-dependent manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1241-1251"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The relaxant effect of the extract of <i>Crocus sativus</i> petal on Wistar rats airway smooth muscle and its possible mechanisms.","authors":"Sepide Behrouz, Arghavan Memarzia, Mohammad Hossein Eshaghi Ghalibaf, Amir Hossein Yazdi, Mohammad Hossein Boskabady","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25150","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Obstructive pulmonary diseases are characterized by airflow limitation secondary to airway wall thickening, airway narrowing and increased mucus secretion. Saffron (<i>Crocus sativus</i> L.) has shown different effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties and promising effects for treating multiple disorders. In this study, the contribution of calcium and potassium channels, muscarinic and histamine (H₁) receptors in the relaxant effect of the <i>C. sativus</i> petal extract on tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) was assessed.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Fifty-four male Wistar rats divided in 8 groups, were studied. TSM was contracted by 10 μM methacholine or 60 mM KCl for 5 min, and the relaxant effects of cumulative concentrations of <i>C. sativus</i> petal extract (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml), theophylline (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mM) or 1 mL normal saline were tested. In non-incubated TSM and in TSM groups incubated with diltiazem, chlorpheniramine, propranolol, glibenclamide, atropine and indomethacin, the relaxant effects of the extract were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The concentration-dependent relaxant effects of <i>C. sativus</i> petal extract on non-incubated TSM contracted by methacholine or KCl, were observed (for all, p<0.001). The relaxant effects of <i>C. sativus</i> petal extract in TSM incubated with chlorpheniramine and indomethacin, were significantly reduced compared to non-incubated tissues (p<0.05 to p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results showed an obvious relaxation effect of the petal of <i>C. sativus</i> extract on TSM and suggest that inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway and histamine receptors contribute to the extract relaxant effect of the extract.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1358-1365"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244953/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extracts of <i>Apium graveolens</i> (Celery) attenuate hepato-renal injury induced by chronic administration of gentamicin in mice through activation of Nrf2-antioxidant signaling pathways.","authors":"Arnaud Fondjo Kouam, Mayelle Mepa Mokam, Eleonore Ngounou, Ferdinand Elombo Kouoh, Rodrigue Fifen, Kerinyuy Juliene Kongnyuy, Elisabeth Menkem Zeuko'o, Nembu Erastus Nembo, Pascal Dieudonné Chuisseu Djamen, Frédéric Nico Njayou, Paul Fewou Moundipa, Emmanuel Acha Asongalem","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25338","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25338","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed at investigating the protective effect of extracts from <i>Apium graveolens</i> against gentamicin-induced hepato-renal toxicity.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts of <i>A. graveolens</i> designated respectively as WAG and HAG were tested for their <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant activities. Then, their cytoprotective effects were assessed against gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in primary mouse hepatocytes. Finally, mice were administered with gentamicin (20 mg/kg) and co-treated with HAG for 14 days, and histopathology, biochemical and molecular parameters related to gentamicin-induced toxicity were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HAG exhibited outstanding chemical antioxidant activities and preserved hepatocytes from gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity. HAG relieved liver and kidney histopathological and biochemical changes, and enhanced the mRNA level of Nrf2 and its target gene HO-1 in gentamicin-intoxicated mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HAG attenuates hepato-renal injuries induced by 14-days administration of gentamicin in mice through the activation of Nrf2-antioxidant signaling pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1341-1357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244956/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Licorice extract and carbenoxolone protect PC12 cells against serum/glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis through modulation of caspase-3 and PARP activation.","authors":"Hossein Hosseinzadeh, Elham Ramazani, Soheyla Bakhshi, Zahra Tayarani-Najaran","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25252","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2024.25252","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Serum/glucose deprivation in cultured PC12 cells is considered an appropriate model for investigating detailed mechanisms of ischemia-induced brain injury. Here, we aimed to study the anti-apoptotic effects of licorice (<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra </i>L.) root extract and carbenoxolone on PC12 cells cultured in the serum/glucose deprivation (SGD) condition.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Cells were incubated with the different concentrations of the <i>G. glabra</i> methanol extract (5-320 µg/ml) and carbenoxolone (0.5-32 µM) for 2 hr before being deprived of serum/glucose. Protection against cytotoxicity, increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis was analyzed with resazurin, dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), and western blot, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Serum/glucose deprivation induced cell death and apoptosis in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with the <i>G. glabra</i> methanol extract at 5-20 µg/ml and carbenoxolone at 0.5-2 µM for 2 hr significantly decreased the cytotoxicity (p<0.05), and pretreatment with the <i>G. glabra</i> methanol extract (5-160 µg/ml) and carbenoxolone (0.5 μM) significantly decreased the ROS content. Pretreatment with the <i>G. glabra</i> methanol extract and carbenoxolone at 5-20 µg/ml significantly prevented from the Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 cleavage.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Taken together, this study confirms the protective and free radical-scavenging potency of licorice extract and carbenoxolone in <i>in vitro</i> model of ischemia. Overall, it seems that pretreatment with the licorice extract and carbenoxolone may potentially slow the progression of brain ischemia.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"1252-1263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244954/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}