Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune, genetic and environmental factors. We were interested to examine the effect of total extract from Zataria multiflora Boiss, a folk medicinal plant on prevention and treatment of experimental IBD. Z. multiflora was administered (400, 600, 900 p.p.m.) through drinking water to IBD mice induced by intrarectal administration of acetic acid. Prednisolone was used as the standard drug for comparison. Biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic examinations of colon were performed. Biochemical evaluation of inflamed colon was done using assay of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration as indicators of free radical activity and cell lipid peroxidation. The activity of MPO and lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) increased in acetic acid-treated groups while recovered by pretreatment of animals with Z. multiflora (400–900 p.p.m.) and prednisolone. Z. multiflora (600 and 900 p.p.m.) and prednisolone-treated groups showed significantly lower score values of macroscopic and microscopic characters when compared with the acetic acid-treated group. The beneficial effect of Z. multiflora (900 p.p.m.) was comparable with that of prednisolone. The antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potentials of Z. multiflora might be the mechanisms by which this herbal extract protects animals against experimentally induced IBD. Proper clinical investigation should be carried out to confirm the activity in human.

Satureja khuzestanica is an endemic plant of Iran that is widely distributed in the Southern part of the country. It has antioxidant properties and thus it seems to be useful in diseases related to oxidative stress such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The present study investigates the effect of S. khuzestanica supplement in metabolic parameters of hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-one hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized in a double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial to receive either S. khuzestanica (tablets contain 250 mg dried leaves) or placebo once a day for 60 days. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. Samples were analyzed for levels of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as marker of lipid peroxidation and ferric reducing ability (total antioxidant power, TAP). Treatment of patients by S. khuzestanica for 60 days induced significant decrease in total cholesterol (P = 0.008) and LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.03) while increased HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.02) and TAP (P = 0.007) in comparison with the baseline values. S. khuzestanica did not alter blood glucose, triglyceride, creatinin and TBARS levels. In comparison with baseline values, no significant change was observed in blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, TBARS and TAP in placebo-treated group. Usage of S. khuzestanica as a supplement to drug regimen of diabetic type 2 patients with hyperlipidemia is recommended.

The essential oil from Satureja Khuzestanica Jamzad (SKEO), an endemic plant from Iran, was evaluated for its activity against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). SKEO was examined on the experimental mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease, which is acetic acid-induced colitis. Prednisolone was used as the standard drug for comparison. Biochemical, macroscopic, and microscopic examinations of colon were performed. Lipid peroxidation significantly increased in acetic acid-treated mice in comparison to the normal group (4.88 vs. 3.02 mumol/g) and was significantly restored by SKEO (500, 1000, 1500 ppm) and prednisolone treatment. The mean percentage of decreases of lipid peroxidation in SKEO (500, 1000, 1500 ppm)- and prednisolone-treated groups were 10.5, 28.5, 42.85, and 33.33 of control, respectively. The myeloperoxidase activity significantly increased in acetic acid-treated mice in comparison to the normal group (4.1 vs. 0.8 U/g) and significantly restored in SKEO (1000 and 1500 ppm)- and prednisolone-treated groups. The mean percentage of decreases of myeloperoxidase activity in SKEO (1000 and 1500 ppm)- and prednisolone-treated groups were 24.56, 50, and 52.63 of control, respectively. SKEO (1000 and 1500 ppm)- and prednisolone-treated groups showed significantly lower score values of macroscopic and microscopic characters when compared to the acetic acid-treated group. The beneficial effect of SKEO (1500 ppm) was comparable to that of prednisolone. Known antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and antispasmodic potentials of Satureja Khuzestanica may be the mechanisms by which this plant protects animals against experimentally induced IBD. Proper clinical investigation should be carried out to confirm the activity in human disease.

The present study was undertaken to explore antioxidant potential of Teucrium polium (Lamiaceae) in vivo. Antioxidant activity was measured by three tests including inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, total antioxidant power (TAP), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in serum. Rats received dry extract of T. polium in 80% ethanol by intragastric intubation at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) daily for 14 days. Treatment of rats with T. polium extract showed significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH test as compared to the control. T. polium extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) significantly increased rats TAP and decreased TBARS compared to the control. Administration of T. polium at a dose of 200 mg kg(-1) per day did not significantly alter serum TAP and TBARS. Antioxidant activities of T. polium at a doses of 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) were in all experiments comparable to that of alpha-tocopherol (10 mg kg(-1)).

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune, genetic and environmental factors. We were interested in examining the effect of a total extract from Ziziphora clinopoides, an Iranian folk herbal medicine, in the prevention and control of experimental mouse IBD. Z. clinopoides was administered (75, 150, 300 mg/kg) through drinking water to mice, which dispensed a toxic dose of acetic acid intrarectally. Prednisolone was used as the standard drug for comparison. Biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the colon were performed. Biochemical evaluation of the inflamed colon was carried out using assays of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) as indicators of free radical activity and cellular lipid peroxidation. Results indicated that the activity of MPO and lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) increased in acetic acidtreated groups, while recovered by pretreatment of animals with Z. clinopoides (75-300 mg/kg) and prednisolone. All doses of Z. clinopoides and prednisolonetreated groups showed significant lower score values of macroscopic and microscopic characters when compared to the acetic acid-treated group. The beneficial effect of Z. clinopoides (300 mg/kg) was comparable to that of prednisolone. It is concluded that Z. clinopoides inhibits acetic acid toxic reactions in the mouse bowel through inhibition of cellular oxidative stress. Proper clinical investigation should be carried out to confirm the same activity in human.

No abstract

Carica papaya is widely cultivated throughout the world and is used as a food and also as a traditional medicine, particularly as an antiseptic and contraceptive. The present study was designed to explore the toxicological and antioxidant potential of dried C. papaya juice in vitro and in vivo. The oral LD(50) of the juice of C. papaya was determined, and the antioxidant potentials determined by DPPH and FRAP tests. In vivo examination was performed after oral administration of dried papaya juice to rats for 2 weeks at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. Blood TBARS and FRAP assays were used to determine the potential of the juice to act against oxidative stress. The acute toxicity test (LD(50)) demonstrated that papaya juice is not lethal up to a dose of 1500 mg/kg after oral administration and thus is considered nontoxic. In treated groups, no sign of toxicity was observed. In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant effects of papaya showed that the highest antioxidant activity (80%) was observed with a concentration of 17.6 mg/mL. Blood lipid peroxidation levels decreased significantly after administration of all doses of papaya juice (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day) to 35.5%, 39.5% and 40.86% of the control, respectively, compared with a value of 28.8% for vitamin E. The blood total antioxidant power was increased significantly by all doses of papaya juice (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day) to 11.11%, 23.58% and 23.14% of the control, respectively. The value for vitamin E was 18.44%. This preliminary study indicates the safety and antioxidative stress potential of the juice of C. papaya, which was found to be comparable to the standard antioxidant compound alpha-tocopherol.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune genetic and environmental factors. The authors were interested in examining the protective effect of Ziziphora clinopoides methanolic extract, an Iranian folk herbal medicine, on inflammatory mediators in experimental colitis. Colitis in NMRI mice was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 3%). Z. clinopoides was administrated orally at doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days. The level of lipid peroxidation (LP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiol molecules (TTM), antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of nitrosative stress, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) as a mediator of inflammation and apoptosis were measured in the colon homogenate. Treatment by DSS increased bowel LP, NO, and TNF-alpha while decreasing TAC, SOD, CAT, and TTM. All measured parameters were improved by Z. clinopoides treatment and reached close to normal levels. The present study further supports the role of oxidative/nitrosative stresses and TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of colitis and protective effects of this herb. The data are promising for further preclinical studies directed towards understanding mechanism of action and cross-species and cross-model comparisons for potential protective effects.