Berberis vulgaris is a well-known herb in Iran that is widely used as a medicinal plant and a food additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Barberry and its main compounds. This narrative review was conducted by searching keywords such as B. vulgaris, Barberry, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, medicinal herbs, plants, and extract, separately or combined in various databases, such as Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, just English language articles, which reported effective whole plants or herbal compounds, were included. 21 articles were reviewed in this study. In the in vivo models (mice, rats, and human cells) and in the in vitro models (some organ cells such as the spleen, kidney, blood, and brain), B. vulgaris and its main components showed anti-inflammatory effects in both models. The main mechanisms were the shift of cell immune response to Th2, T reg induction, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF, and IFN-γ), and stimulation of IL-4 and IL-10. The induction of apoptosis in APCs and other effector cells was another important mechanism.
Objective:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central
nervous system. The most common disease phenotype is Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). Beta interferons
are the first line of RRMS patients’ treatment. Interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) as a DNA
sensing molecule and its downstream complex stimulator of interferon genes (STING) play a critical
role in the activation of type I interferons. Hence we aimed to evaluate the expression rate of IFI16 and
STING in RRMS patients’ blood under a different type of IFNβ treatment.
Methods:
In the present study, 99 individuals participated. The participants were divided into 4 groups:
28 control subjects, 25 new cases of RRMS patients, 25 RRMS patients treated with IFNβ-1a (B1a), 21
RRMS patients treated with IFNβ-1b (B1b). The EDTA-treated blood samples were taken and transferred
at standard conditions to the Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Shahrekord University
of Medical Sciences, RNA was extracted and converted into cDNA. To evaluate the expression of
IFI16 and STING, the Real-Time PCR method using SYBR Green/ROX qPCR master mix was performed
done. The level of genes expression was measured using 2–ΔΔCt method. The obtained data
were analyzed using SPSS v22 software.
Results:
Comparison of the IFI and STING mRNA expression in blood samples in association with
gender and age showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Also, the evaluation of IFI16 mRNA level
revealed that the IFI16 genes’ expressions were remarkably higher in the new case group compared to
the control group, however, STING expression did not show any significant difference. The mRNA
levels of IFI16 and STING in IFNβ-treated groups were significantly lower than the new case group
(p<0.001). Also, the genes’ expressions in both the IFNβ-treated groups were significantly lower compared
to the control group (p<0.001). In the assessment of the correlation of IFI16 and STING expressions
with age and sex in different research groups, no statistically significant differences were seen
(p>0.05).
Conclusion:
Perhaps the IFNβ therapy decreases the IFI16 and STING expression in a STINGdependent
pathway as a negative feedback mechanism for regulation of the immune system and suppression
of pro-inflammatory cytokines production. The important role of DNA sensing molecules and
STING-dependent pathway in MS gives a new insight into future treatment based on STING-direct
therapies.
Background. Pharmacotherapy with medicinal plants is a promising approach to treat cancer. Cinnamon is a medicinal plant whose properties have been proven in various fields of medical sciences. Among its biological activities, its antioxidant and antiviral effects can be mentioned. In this study, the antitumor effects of Cinnamon with a focus on glucose metabolism in bladder cancer carcinoma cell-line 5637 were investigated. Methods. Aqueous extract of Cinnamon was prepared from Cinnamon bark. Bladder cancer 5637cell line were treated with different concentrations of aqueous extract of Cinnamon. MTT was used to evaluate cell viability at 24, 48, and 72 h. The concentration of 1.25, 2.50, and 5 mg/ml was used. Apoptosis was assessed with Hochest33258 staining. For evaluating of aqueous extract of Cinnamon effect on glycolysis, the gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB2), heat shock protein transcription factor1 (HSF1), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), as well as protein levels of HSF1 and LDHA, LDH activity, glucose consumption, and lactate production, were measured. Results. Aqueous extract of Cinnamon significantly decreased ErbB2, HSF1, and LDHA gene expression and also decreased the protein level of HSF1 and LDHA, LDH activity, glucose consumption, and lactate production dose-dependently (
p
<
0.05
). Conclusion. Our finding showed that the aqueous extract of Cinnamon can inhibit proliferation in 5637 cells by inhibition of glycolysis and induction of apoptosis.
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