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Shahrajabian MH, Sun W. The Power of the Underutilized and Neglected Medicinal Plants and Herbs of the Middle East. Rev Recent Clin Trials 2024; 19:159-175. [PMID: 38409705 DOI: 10.2174/0115748871276544240212105612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The Middle east and North Africa harbour many native species with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. Since the beginning of history, food and herbal medicinal plants have been an essential part of human lives and the traditional Middle Eastern healthcare system. The notable medicinal plants that have been mentioned in the Bible, which are common in West Asia and some regions of North Africa, are Aloe vera, anise, balm, cassia, cinnamon, cumin, flax, and fig. Chemical components of Aloe vera are aloin, sinapinic acid, catechin, chromone, myricetin, quercitrin and syringic acid. Anethole, safrole, and estragole are the main chemical components of anise. The chemical components of cassia are coumarin, emodin, cinnamyl alcohol, and cinnamaldehyde. The major chemical ingredients of cumin are terpinene, cuminaldehyde, sabinene, thujene, and thymoquinone. The goal of this article is to review the considerable health benefits and pharmaceutical benefits of medicinal herbs and plants that have been neglected and underutilized in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as to promote their utilization. On the basis of the results, the experimented neglected medicinal plant can offer various advantages when used together with conventional medicinal treatments for various health conditions, such as palliative care in managing the side effects of conventional treatments, access to a wider range of treatments, increased patient satisfaction, and improved emotional and mental well-being. Moreover, consuming medicinal plants may help to manage and prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease with notable anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenli Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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Sørnes EØ, Risal A, Manandhar K, Thomas H, Steiner TJ, Linde M. Use of medicinal plants for headache, and their potential implication in medication-overuse headache: Evidence from a population-based study in Nepal. Cephalalgia 2021; 41:561-581. [PMID: 33435708 PMCID: PMC8047708 DOI: 10.1177/0333102420970904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background In Nepal, traditional treatment using medicinal plants is popular. Whereas
medication-overuse headache is, by definition, caused by excessive use of
acute headache medication, we hypothesized that medicinal plants, being
pharmacologically active, were as likely a cause. Methods We used data from a cross-sectional, nationwide population-based study, which
enquired into headache and use of medicinal plants and allopathic
medications. We searched the literature for pharmacodynamic actions of the
medicinal plants. Results Of 2100 participants, 1794 (85.4%) reported headache in the preceding year;
161 (7.7%) reported headache on ≥15 days/month, of whom 28 (17.4%) had used
medicinal plants and 117 (72.7%) allopathic medication(s). Of 46 with
probable medication-overuse headache, 87.0% (40/46) were using allopathic
medication(s) and 13.0% (6/46) medicinal plants, a ratio of 6.7:1, higher
than the overall ratio among those with headache of 4.9:1 (912/185). Of 60
plant species identified, 49 were pharmacodynamically active on the central
nervous system, with various effects of likely relevance in
medication-overuse headache causation. Conclusions MPs are potentially a cause of medication-overuse headache, and not to be
seen as innocent in this regard. Numbers presumptively affected in Nepal are
low but not negligible. This pioneering project provides a starting point
for further research to provide needed guidance on use of medicinal plants
for headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Øien Sørnes
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ajay Risal
- Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.,Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
| | - Kedar Manandhar
- Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.,Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
| | - Hallie Thomas
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Timothy J Steiner
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mattias Linde
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Na K, Lkhagva‐Yondon E, Kim M, Lim Y, Shin E, Lee C, Jeon M. Oral treatment with Aloe polysaccharide ameliorates ovalbumin‐induced atopic dermatitis by restoring tight junctions in skin. Scand J Immunol 2019; 91:e12856. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kwangmin Na
- Translational Research Center Department of Molecular Biomedicine IRIMS, and College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
| | - Enkhmaa Lkhagva‐Yondon
- Translational Research Center Department of Molecular Biomedicine IRIMS, and College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
| | - Minha Kim
- Translational Research Center Department of Molecular Biomedicine IRIMS, and College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
| | - Yu‐Ree Lim
- Translational Research Center Department of Molecular Biomedicine IRIMS, and College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
| | | | - Chong‐Kil Lee
- College of Pharmacy Chungbuk National University Cheongju Republic of Korea
| | - Myung‐Shin Jeon
- Translational Research Center Department of Molecular Biomedicine IRIMS, and College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
- Convergent Research Center for Metabolism and Immunoregulation Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
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The hepatoprotective effect of Aloe vera on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. North Clin Istanb 2018; 6:203-209. [PMID: 31650105 PMCID: PMC6790936 DOI: 10.14744/nci.2018.82957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Aloe vera is known for its antioxidant properties. In this experimental study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of Aloe vera in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) liver injury in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups, where the sham group (n=7) underwent no medication or surgical procedures, the I/R group (n=7) was the control group that received 45 minutes of applied abdominal aorta ischemia and rats were sacrificed 24 hours after reperfusion, and the I/R+AV group (n=7) was the treatment group that was given Aloe vera (30 mg/kg) every day followed by gastric lavage for a month before applying ischemia and performing sacrifice as in the previous group. Before sacrifice, all the liver tissues were removed. Tissues were examined for histopathological investigation, iNOS immunoreactivity and tissue biochemistry, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. RESULTS: The SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px levels of the I/R+AV group were not significantly different from the sham group (p>0.05) but were significantly higher when compared to the I/R group. MDA levels of liver tissues were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the I/R+AV group as compared to the I/R group. Disrupted hepatic cords, sinusoidal dilatation, hemorrhage, cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes, and intensive iNOS immunoreactivity were detected in the I/R group. Decreased histopathological change score and iNOS immunoreactivity score were noticed in the I/R+AV group as compared to the I/R group. CONCLUSION: It was found that Aloe vera showed a hepatoprotective effect against I/R injury. Further research is required to determine the effective dose, administration method, and effects of Aloe vera for liver transplantation.
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Ganji A, Farahani I, Palizvan MR, Ghazavi A, Ejtehadifar M, Ebrahimimonfared M, Shojapour M, Mosayebi G. Therapeutic effects of walnut oil on the animal model of multiple sclerosis. Nutr Neurosci 2017; 22:215-222. [PMID: 28891414 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2017.1371389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Therapeutic approaches for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), are accompanied by various undesirable side effects. Owing to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of walnut, we investigated its effects on the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS. METHODS After EAE induction in mice, the treated group was gavaged daily with walnut oil. The weights and clinical symptoms were monitored daily for 21 days following the onset of symptoms. The spleens and brains of the mouse were removed and used for ELISA and histological studies. RESULTS The average disease severity and plaque formation in the brains of the walnut oil-treated group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the untreated group. Stimulated splenocytes of the treated group expressed significantly less INF-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 than the untreated group with no significant differences in IL-10 or IL-5 production. In serum from the treated group, IL-17 expression was also significantly less than in the untreated group, while IL-10 was greater (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Walnut oil significantly reduced disease severity, inhibited plaque formation, and altered cytokine production. More studies are required to identify the mechanism of action of walnut oil as a valuable supplement in the treatment of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ganji
- a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC) , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran.,b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Iman Farahani
- a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC) , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Palizvan
- c Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Ali Ghazavi
- a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC) , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran.,b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Mostafa Ejtehadifar
- a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC) , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Mohsen Ebrahimimonfared
- d Department of Neurology, Valiasr Hospital, School of Medicine , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Mana Shojapour
- e Molecular and Medicine Research Center , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
| | - Ghasem Mosayebi
- b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran.,e Molecular and Medicine Research Center , Arak University of Medical Sciences , Iran
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Afraei S, D’Aniello A, Sedaghat R, Ekhtiari P, Azizi G, Tabrizian N, Magliozzi L, Aghazadeh Z, Mirshafiey A. Therapeutic effects of D-aspartate in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. J Food Drug Anal 2017; 25:699-708. [PMID: 28911655 PMCID: PMC9328824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2016.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis. EAE is mainly mediated by adaptive and innate immune responses that leads to an inflammatory demyelization and axonal damage. The aim of the present research was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) on a mouse EAE model. EAE induction was performed in female C57BL/6 mice by myelin 40 oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55) in a complete Freund's adjuvant emulsion, and D-Asp was used to test its efficiency in the reduction of EAE. During the course of study, clinical evaluation was assessed, and on Day 21, post-immunization blood samples were taken from the heart of mice for the evaluation of interleukin 6 and other chemical molecules. The mice were sacrificed, and their brain and cerebellum were removed for histological analysis. Our findings indicated that D-Asp had beneficial effects on EAE by attenuation in the severity and delay in the onset of the disease. Histological analysis showed that treatment with D-Asp can reduce inflammation. Moreover, in D-Asp-treated mice, the serum level of interleukin 6 was significantly lower than that in control animals, whereas the total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher. The data indicates that D-Asp possess neuroprotective property to prevent the onset of the multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Afraei
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Antimo D’Aniello
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zoological Station of Naples “Anton Dohrn”, Villa Comunale, Napoli,
Italy
| | - Reza Sedaghat
- Departments of Anatomy and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Parvin Ekhtiari
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Gholamreza Azizi
- Imam Hassan Mojtaba Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj,
Iran
- Research Centre for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Centre of Excellence, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Nakisa Tabrizian
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Laura Magliozzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples, “Federico II” Via Cinthia, MSA Campus, bldg. 7, Naples,
Italy
| | - Zahra Aghazadeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Abbas Mirshafiey
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
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The effect of aloe vera on ischemia—Reperfusion injury of sciatic nerve in rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 79:201-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Serum markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic opium (Taryak) smokers. Immunol Lett 2013; 153:22-6. [PMID: 23850638 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A relationship between the expression of inflammation markers, oxidative stress and opium use has not been clearly established. This study was done to determine serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), quantity of C3 and C4 complement factors, immunoglobulins, nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in opium smokers and non-drug-using control participants. The present study was done on 44 male opium smokers and 44 controls of the same sex and age (20-40 years). The control group was healthy individuals with no lifetime history of drug abuse or dependence. All of the opium abusers were selected from those who had a history of opium use, for at least one year, with a daily opium dosage not less than 2g. Addicts known to abuse alcohol or other drugs were excluded. Serum hs-CRP concentration was measured using ELISA method and serum C3, C4 and immunoglobulins concentration were determined by Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) method. NO production was estimated through Griess reaction and TAC was assessed by Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) test. Serum hs-CRP, complement factors (C3 and C4) and FRAP levels were significantly higher in the opium smokers (8.93 ± 1.93; 138.47 ± 13.39; 68.79 ± 7.02 and 972.75 ± 11.55, respectively) relative to the control group (0.72 ± 0.09; 93.36 ± 8.73; 33.08 ± 7.39 and 761.95 ± 18.61, respectively). These results permit us to conclude that opium smokers indeed present with a low to moderate grade inflammation, which is defined by an increase in acute phase proteins.
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