BackgroundThe present study was conducted to examine the antidiabetic effects of Scrophularia striata ethanolic extract and to evaluate its effects on oxidative stress markers and RAGE and S100A8 gene expressions in the kidney of type 1 diabetic rats.MethodsA total of 36 rats (weight 200–250 g) were randomly assigned into six groups as follows: Cnt, Cnt + S. striata 100, and Cnt + S. striata 200 that received normal saline, 100 mg/kg bw, and 200 mg/kg bw of ethanol extract of S. striata, respectively; and group Dibt, Dibt + S. striata 100, and Dibt + S. striata 200 that received normal saline, 100 mg/kg bw, and 200 mg/kg bw of ethanol extract of S. striata, respectively. Type 1 diabetes was induced in rats by a single injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg bw). After 60 days of treatment, biochemical factors and oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were measured using spectrophotometric methods. RAGE and S100A8 gene expressions were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsDiabetes significantly impairs serum and urine fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, creatinine, urea, and albumin parameters. After the treatment with S. striata extract, these parameters are close to the normal range. It was shown that the S. striata extract significantly decreased the kidney expression levels of RAGE and S100A8 genes and improved oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) in the kidney tissues when compared with the diabetic control group. It was also found that the beneficial effects of the S. striata were dose dependent.ConclusionsThe ethanolic extract of S. striata has beneficial antidiabetic effects. Moreover, by reducing RAGE and S100A8 gene expressions and by improving oxidative stress, S. striata might be used as adjuvant treatment for diabetic complications.
Natural health products containing Echinacea have been used by many patient populations and although there are reports of adverse effects with products containing Echinacea, few clearly characterized the nature of the product with respect to constituent content, the nature of the products and the mechanism underlying the interaction. The objective of this study was to examine blended and single-entity Echinacea products containing ground plant material or extracts in commercial capsules, herbal teas, tablets, tinctures and soft gel liquid-filled capsule formulations in an attempt to correlate biomarker constituent content and effects on cellular and subcellular parameters of interest. HPLC analysis indicated significant variability in the major biomarker constituent content in extracts from these Echinacea products. These extracts were also examined for their potential to affect cytochrome P450 CYP1A1/2, 2C9*1, 2C9*2, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4, 3A5, 3A7, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3); CYP3A5-mediated metabolism, and expression of CYP3A4 and ABCB1. The extracts of some products were also examined for their effect cellular processes such as cell proliferation, nitric oxide formation as a marker of immunostimulatory capacity, and lactate dehydrogenase release as a marker for cell toxicity. The present study indicated that key Echinacea constituents varied widely within and between the products tested and that these levels did not correlate with the ability of these products to markedly affect the cellular processes studied.
We want to evaluate the effect of Allium noeanum Reut. ex Regel (Bonsor) known (traditional medicine agent) in calcium oxalate stones in kidney. 36 male rats were divided into 6 groups. I: healthy model + water, II: negative model + 1% ethylene glycol in water, III: 750 mg/kg of total extract +1% of ethylene glycol in water(Prevention), IV: 250 mg/kg flavonoid extract +1% of ethylene glycol in water (Prevention), V: 1500 mg/kg of total extract from 15th day+ 1% of ethylene glycol in water (Treatment), VI: 500 mg/kg of flavonoid extract from 15th of the study + 1% of ethylene glycol in water (Treatment).24-hour urine and blood samples were collected in 30th day for analysis. Pathology of kidneys was checked. Serum urea, uric acid, creatinine and urine calcium and oxalate were significantly increased, urine citrate was decreased in group II Vs I. (P < .05). Extract administration significantly decreased serum creatinine, urea and uric acid. Urine calcium and oxalate significantly decreased in treated groups. Urine calcium levels were significantly decreased in treated rats, but urine citrate levels were increased Vs group II. (P < .05). No crystal accumulation and tubular cast were observed in prevention groups. Hydroalcholic extract of Allium noeanum was able to reduce urine oxalate.
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