Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine最新文献

{"title":"Immunosuppressant activity and morphological changes in <i>Leishmania amazonensis</i> treated with extracts from seeds of <i>Lonchocarpus cultratus</i>.","authors":"Fernanda Weyand Banhuk, Izabela Virginia Staffen, Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier, Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti, Wander Rogério Pavanelli, Thaís Soprani Ayala, Rafael Andrade Menolli","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26025","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The first-line drugs used for treating leishmaniasis are highly costly and aggressive. Extracts from <i>Lonchocarpus cultratus</i> have trypanocidal activity and possess several compounds with biological activities. This study sought to observe the <i>in vitro</i> anti-<i>Leishmania amazonensis</i> action of extracts from seeds of <i>L. cultratus</i>. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory and antioxidant characteristics of the extracts were determined.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Sequential extraction with hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol was performed to obtain extracts from <i>L. cultratus</i> seeds, which were characterized via ¹H NMR. Promastigotes, intracellular amastigotes, and murine macrophages were treated with increasing concentrations of the extracts, and the inhibition rates were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the extracellular forms of the extracts. The immunomodulatory activity of the extract was determined against stimulated RAW macrophages.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Isocordoin and lonchocarpine were identified in dichloromethane and hexane extracts. Dichloromethane (LDS), hexane (LHS), and methanolic (LMS) extracts inhibited promastigote cell growth (IC₅₀ values of 5.18±1.18, 5.25±1.47, and 33.89±1.62 μg/ml, respectively) and decreased the number of amastigotes in the macrophages (IC₅₀ values of 1.41±0.31, 6.33±1.42, and 5.87±1.37 μg/ml, respectively). Hexane and methanolic extracts showed low toxicity in macrophages, resulting in a high selectivity index against promastigotes and amastigotes. In addition, the three extracts immunomodulated macrophages, reducing nitric oxide (NO) secretion.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results revealed that the activities of the <i>L. cultratus</i> extracts included leishmanicidal effects, low cytotoxicity to macrophages, and immunosuppression <i>in vitro</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"78-93"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872069/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123388","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":"<i>Panax notoginseng</i> flower extract ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress -induced depression-like behaviors in mice by reducing neuroinflammation.","authors":"Feiya Zhu, Jiayu Xie, Yang Zhao, Yiting Wang, M G Matsabisa, Minke Tang","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26164","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate whether <i>Panax notoginseng</i> flower extract (PNF) can alleviate depression-like behavior caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice and to explore its relations to neuroinflammation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>C57BL/6J mice were subjected to CUMS for 7 weeks to induce depressive-like behaviors. Then PNF 1.7 or 3.4 g/kg was administered via intragastric gavage once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. After behavioral assessment, the systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation were investigated by detecting inflammatory factors in serum and brain with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and glucocorticoids (GC) were also determined. The activation of microglia and astrocyte was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The chemical components in PNF were analyzed with Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/MS (UPLC/MS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PNF 1.7 and 3.4 g/kg treatment alleviated depressive behavior in CUMS mice in various behavioral studies. In both serum and brain, PNF treatment significantly counteracted the CUMS-induced enhancement of typical pro-inflammatory factors, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 and counteracted the CUMS-induced decrease of anti-inflammatory factorIL-10. Treatment with PNF also attenuated the CUMS-induced serum ACTH and GC elevation. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PNF treatment significantly reduced the number of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive cells in the brains of CUMS mice, indicating an inhibition of microglial and astrocytic activation. UPLC/MS study suggest that ginsenoside Rh1 is the main ginsenoside in the extract.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PNF ameliorates CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors in mice, which may be mainly related to reducing neuroinflammation in the brain.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"94-107"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872064/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123730","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":"Study of Royal Jelly effect on serum levels of IL-4, TNF- α, TGF-B, and IFN-γ in multiple sclerosis patients in comparison with Omega-3; A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.","authors":"Nastaran Majdinasab, Ali Aghaei, Amir Siahpoosh, Rezvan Motamedi, Seyed Ahmad Hosseini, Alireza Malayeri","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26210","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disorder related to damage to the central nervous system (CNS). MS incidence in about 2.3 million people worldwide. Royal jelly (RJ) is a white material with many medicinal properties. Omega-3 (ω-3) is a natural substance that its beneficial effects were demonstrated in several studies performed on MS patients.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>60 patients referring to the MS Society of Iran were randomly divided into two groups (1:1 ratio) receiving 1-gram RJ and 1-gram ω-3 capsule 1 gr capsules of RJ and 1 gr ω-3 daily in addition to receiving their daily treatment. Then, their information was recorded. Blood samples of all subjects were collected to evaluate the level of IL-4, INF-Y, TGF-B, and TNF-α with Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method twice; first, before the intervention and then, received supplements for one month. The duration of treatment was one month, and the patients returned to the center.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated that RJ, similar to ω-3, could improve the cytokines levels in MS patients. RJ significantly improved TNF-α (p<0.05), and ω-3 significantly decreased TGF-β levels (p<0.05). Both decreased IFN-γ and increased IL-4, but it was more in the group receiving RJ.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to the findings, it is hoped that using RJ and ω-3 could be helpful in MS patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"122-129"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872062/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123373","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":"<i>Allium saralicum M. Fritsch</i> extract improves cognitive function in male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes cognitive impairment.","authors":"Shima Mohammadi, Leila Karimi-Zandi, Parviz Dousti Kataj","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26350","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26350","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The chronic metabolic disease diabetes mellitus (DM) dramatically increases the risk of mental illness and cognitive decline. <i>Allium saralicum M. Fritsch</i> (ASRMF) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ASRMF on memory impairment, Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) expression, and inflammation in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of cognitive dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 7): Control, Sham, STZ, ASRMF extract, and STZ+ASRMF. Memory impairment and hypoglycemia were induced following a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Twenty-eight days later, animals in the treated groups received oral administration of ASRMF extract (250 mg/kg) daily for 15 consecutive days. Hyperglycemia confirmation occurred through blood glucose measurements on days 3 and 28 post-inductions, and at the end of the experiment in all groups. Spatial learning and memory performance was evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM). Brain tissue was fixed in formalin and analyzed via immunohistochemical staining to assess IGF-1 and NF-κB levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results demonstrated that ASRMF extract treatment significantly improved memory performance, which correlated with increased IGF-1 expression and reduced NF-κB in the hippocampus and blood glucose levels. These findings suggest that ASRMF exerts a neuroprotective effect in the diabetic rat model, likely through its anti-inflammatory properties.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study underscores the therapeutic potential of ASRMF in alleviating cognitive impairment associated with diabetes mellitus. However, further investigations are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"142-154"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872068/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123686","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":"Attenuation of diabetes linked testicular co-morbidity by <i>Aloe vera</i>: A dose-dependent transection study.","authors":"Dibya Pal, Sukriti Hazra, Puja Das, Debidas Ghosh","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26911","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26911","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study demonstrated the management efficacy of <i>Aloe vera</i> leaf gel extract against diabetes induced testicular co-morbidity in rat.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Healthy and fertile rats were allowed for diabetes induction by streptozotocin injection at 40 mg dose/kg of somatic weight. Diabetic rats were treated for 28 days at 10, 20, 40 mg doses of hydro-ethanol (40:60, v/v) extract of <i>Aloe vera</i> gel or metformin at 2 mg/100 g of somatic weight as positive-control. On 29^th day, rats were euthanized and sacrificed. The ameliorative effects were assessed covering glycemic, androgenic, spermatogenic, oxidative stress, histological, genomic and toxicity parameters following established methods. This recovery was compared against diabetic and positive-control groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, antioxidant and key androgenic enzyme activities, serum testosterone level and values of sperm parameters were diminished, confirming testicular co-morbidity in diabetes. Simultaneously, fasting blood sugar level, glucose-6-phosphatase activity, seminal vesicular fructose, testicular cholesterol, lipid peroxidation metabolite's level and toxicity sensors were elevated in diabetic group. Significant amelioration (p < 0.05) in these parameters along with improved gene expression of testicular Δ⁵,3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, Bax, and Bcl2 were observed in extract or metformin treated positive-control group, supported by histoarchitectures of testis, pancreas, and liver. The recovery percentages of the sperm parameters were 15-30% more in 20 mg, the maximum effective dose treated group than the positive-control group. The phytocompounds were characterized by GC-MS study.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>Aloe vera</i> extract may be used as an alternative to the gold standard anti-diabetic drug from the view point of cafeteria choice.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 5","pages":"887-901"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592759/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149015501","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 effect of cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, on the migratory properties of triple-negative breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.","authors":"Meriana Barreto Amaral, Hamad Ali Hamad, Soumya V Menon, Mandeep Kaur, Gv Sivaprasad, Wesam R Kadhum, Subasini Uthirapathy, Muhammad Ikram Ullah, Mohammed Abed Jawad, Yasser Fakri Mustafa","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.25894","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.25894","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most metastatic type of breast cancer. Cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, shows potential anticancer effects. This study evaluated cynaropicrin's impact on metastasis and angiogenesis in TNBC cells.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines were exposed to incrementing concentrations of cynaropicrin. The proliferation of the cell lines was assayed using the MTT method. A wound scratch technique was chosen to appraise the migratory properties of cells following cynaropicrin treatment. The transcript levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and pro-angiogenic factors were quantified via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The western blotting technique estimated the amount of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Fibronectin, Vimentin, and VEGFA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells was significantly lowered due to cynaropicrin in a concentration-associated way. Results of the wound healing method uncovered that cynaropicrin could mitigate the migration of breast-derived MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Cynaropicrin also upregulated E-cadherin and hindered the protein expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin 1, and VEGFA in breast-derived MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present findings indicated the anti-metastatic capacity of cynaropicrin against TNBC by a mechanism that implicated the inhibition of the EMT and pro-angiogenic factor VEGFA. These outcomes suggest cynaropicrin as an anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic sesquiterpene lactone against TNBC.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"66-77"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123445","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":"Multi-target healing mechanisms of <i>Hippobroma longiflora</i> for diabetic wounds: A comprehensive network pharmacology study, molecular docking, and experimental insights.","authors":"Happy Elda Murdiana, Retno Murwanti, Hernawan Hernawan, Nanang Fakhrudin, Zullies Ikawati","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26885","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26885","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This research investigated the multi-target mechanisms of <i>Hippobroma longiflora</i> (HL) in promoting diabetic wound healing using an integrated approach involving network pharmacology, molecular docking, and both in vitro and in vivo evaluations.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The bioactive compounds of HL leaves' 70% ethanol extract were detected using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), and potential targets were predicted via the SwissTargetPrediction. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using DAVID. Molecular docking was predicted using MOE version 2015.10. In vitro assays using HaCaT cells evaluated proliferation and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels via ELISA. In vivo measurement in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (n = 9 per group), with histopathological analysis conducted on days 7, 14, and 21.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HL extract exhibited anti-inflammatory and pro-proliferative effects, primarily mediated by syringic acid (P41) and vanillactic acid (P43). These compounds upregulated AKT1, MAPK3, and HIF-1α. HL treatment significantly enhanced HaCaT cell proliferation (p < 0.0001) and reduced TNF-α level at 31.25 ppm (p < 0.05). In vivo, HL treatment decreased inflammatory cell infiltration from day 7, with significant tissue regeneration observed by day 14 (p < 0.01) relative to base control.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HL and its bioactive constituents demonstrate promising potential for diabetic wound healing by modulating inflammatory mediators (TNF-α) and enhancing key regenerative pathways (AKT1, MAPK3, and HIF-1α).</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 5","pages":"873-886"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149015446","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":"Evaluation of anti-gonadal activity of chloroform fraction of <i>Thevetia peruviana</i> leaves in male albino rats.","authors":"Prabir Mondal, Sayandev Midya, Parag Ranjita Bera, Chhanda Mallick Mukherjee","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26923","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26923","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Anti-gonadal activity of chloroform fraction of <i>Thevetia peruviana</i> leaves (Ch-TPHmL) in male rat was evaluated in this study.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The Ch-TPHmL (5 mg/100 g of body-weight (BW)/day) and standard antiandrogenic agent cyproterone acetate (CyPA) at the dose of 2.5 mg/100 g of BW were given to male rats for 28 days. Sperm profile, serum gonadotrophins and testosterone were measured. Testicular superoxide-dismutase, catalase activities and zygomorphic-expression, malondialdehyde, conjugated-diene, TNF-α levels and immunohistochemical markers were evaluated. Testicular steroidogenic enzyme activities and androgen receptor (AR), StAR, HSD, Bcl2, P53, caspase-3 and BAX gene expressions were observed. LC-MS study was done for Ch-TPHmL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sperm profile, gonadotrophins, testosterone as well as testicular steroidogenic key enzyme activities were reduced significantly (p<0.05) and StAR, AR, HSD genes expressions were downregulated in Ch-TPHmLE and CyPA treated groups compared to the control group. Testicular anti-oxidant enzyme activities and zygomorphic-expression patterns were reduced significantly and malondialdehyde, conjugated-diene, TNF-α were increased significantly in the Ch-TPHmLE and CyPA treated groups. Testicular caspase-3 gene and proapoptotic genes P53, and BAX expressions were upregulated but anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 was downregulated as confirmed by elevated number of apoptotic germ cells in immunostaining. The bio-active phyto-compounds γ-Sistosterol, Stigmasterol, Dehydroergosterol, β-Amyrin, Lupenol, and α-Amyrone were identified by LC-MS analysis of Ch-TPHmLE.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is concluded that the synergistic action of these phyto-molecule(s) of chloroform fraction of <i>Thevetia peruviana</i> (TPHmLE) shows anti-gonadal activity by alteration of serum gonadotrophins, and androgen levels and generation of excess oxidative free-radicals that trigger testicular germ-cell apoptosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 5","pages":"902-918"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592756/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149015480","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":"Therapeutic potential of polyphenols in managing thalassemia: A comprehensive review.","authors":"Sajjad Jamali, Behzad Jamali, Marjan Golabi, Mehdi Rostami, Zahra Yousefi, Reza Dabbaghipour, Nahid Eskandari, Behrooz Ghezelbash, Sercan Karav, Amirhossein Sahebkar","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26013","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to review the potential effects of polyphenols on iron overload and inflammation in patients with β-thalassemia.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A literature search in electronic databases was carried out to identify studies exploring the therapeutic effects of flavonoids in thalassemia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients with thalassemia suffer from excess iron in their bodies. In these patients, splenectomy is usually performed as an effective method to reduce the iron load and the need for blood transfusion. However, since the removal of the spleen in these patients to reduce the excess iron load is faced with serious side effects, it has been suggested to harness iron-chelators. Dietary polyphenols and polyphenol-rich products such as quercetin, curcumin, and silymarin prevent iron overload by reducing the serum levels of iron and ferritin. Polyphenols also reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by reducing tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde, and increasing total antioxidant capacity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The iron-chelating capacity of polyphenols and flavonoids which may have fewer side effects in patients with thalassemia, has garnered significant attention and holds a promise for therapeutic purposes.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"48-65"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872065/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123402","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":"Herbal adjuvant therapy with a combination of Green Tea, Persian Borage, and Purslane to reduce antipsychotic-induced weight gain in Schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Hamideh Naghibi, Mohammad Reza Fayyazi Bordbar, Mahdi Yousefi, Majid Khadem-Rezaiyan, Mohammad Reza Ghanbarzadeh, Seyed Kazem Farahmand, Roshanak Salari","doi":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26041","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ajp.2025.26041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Second-generation antipsychotics can lead to metabolic problems. This study investigated whether an herbal compound with green tea, Persian borage, and purslane extracts could help in antipsychotic-induced weight management in schizophrenia patients.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This triple-blind, placebo-controlled study at Hijazi Psychiatry Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, involved 73 schizophrenia patients. Participants received either an herbal compound or a placebo, alongside their antipsychotic medication. The primary outcome was changes in body mass index (BMI), with secondary outcomes including waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, lipid profile, blood pressure, appetite, quality of life, and psychotic symptom severity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The herbal compound significantly reduced BMI (p<0.001), WHR (p<0.001), HbA1c (p=0.042), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration (p=0.009), and systolic blood pressure (p=0.015) compared to the placebo. No significant differences were observed in FBS or lipid profile (except LDL) between the two groups. The intervention group had significantly lower appetite levels than the placebo group at weeks four and eight (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score at any time. Participants reported no serious adverse effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adding herbal compound to antipsychotics significantly lowered BMI, WHR, HbA1c, LDL levels, systolic blood pressure, and appetite in schizophrenia patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":8677,"journal":{"name":"Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"108-121"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872063/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123186","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}