The radioprotective effect of hydroalcholic Zataria multiflora (Avishan-e shirazi) extract was investigated against genotoxicity induced by γ irradiation in human lymphocytes. Peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers and incubated with Z. multiflora extract at different concentrations (5, 10, and 50 μg/mL) for 1 hour. At each dose point, the whole blood was exposed in vitro to 150 cGy of cobalt-60 γ irradiation, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine number of the micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. The treatment of lymphocytes with extract showed a significant decrease in the incidence of micronuclei binucleated cells, compared with similarly irradiated lymphocytes without extract against γ irradiation. The maximum protection and decrease in frequency of micronuclei was observed at 50 μg/mL of Zataria extract by 32% reduction. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of extract showed that it contains high amounts of thymol. Zataria extract exhibited concentration-dependent radical-scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radicals. These data have an important application for the protection of human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side-effects induced by γ irradiation in personnel exposed to radiation.

People are exposed to a number of environmental, occupational, and therapeutic toxic agents which may be natural or man made. These hazardous substances may manifest as direct side effects on the function of organs or indirectly induced alteration of gene expression, cancer‐associated metabolic pathways, and/or alter homeostasis. Lycopene, as a one of the most potent antioxidant, is found in fruits and vegetables. High‐intake of lycopene has been shown to be effective in decreasing the risk of both natural toxins including mycotoxins, bacterial toxins, and chemical toxins including heavy metals, pesticides as well as herbicides. Recently, there is growing attention in understanding the mechanisms of the phytochemicals and carotenoids as antioxidative, antiapoptotic, radical scavenging, and chelating agents and their roles in the modulation of inflammatory pathways. This review summarizes available data from several recent studies about lycopene and its role against chemical and natural toxicants. © 2018 BioFactors, 45(1):5–23, 2019

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of multiple conditions that includes hypertension, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, and hyperglycemia disorders. Most studies revealed that the MetS is accompanied with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. It can be said that, in treating or preventing the MetS and its components, lifestyle adjustment and weight loss have a vital role. According to various studies, among natural compounds, celery (Apium graveolens) is one of the most important sources of phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta‐carotene (Provitamin A), and manganese. These antioxidants have a role in decreasing the oxidative damage. The phytochemicals in celery decrease the activity of proinflammatory cytokines and prevent inflammation. Also, flavonoids in celery suppress cardiovascular inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood stream are the main risk factors in increasing cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis. Celery phthalides leads to expanding of smooth muscle in the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. As a result, the most active ingredients in celery (A. graveolens (have shown hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, and hypotensive properties. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of celery components on insulin action, glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure.

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