Comparison of the cytotoxic effects of Juniperus sabina and Zataria multiflora extracts with Taxus baccata extract and Cisplatin on normal and cancer cell lines

Host-mediated beneficial effects of phytochemicals for prevention of avian coccidiosis

Both in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of green tea extract (GT), cinnamon oil (CO), and pomegranate extract (PO) on avian coccidiosis. In experiment (EXP) 1, an in vitro culture system was used to investigate the individual effects of GT, CO, and PO on the proinflammatory cytokine response and integrity of tight junction (TJ) in chicken intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), on the differentiation of quail muscle cells and primary chicken embryonic muscle cells, and anticoccidial and antibacterial activities against Eimeria tenella sporozoites and Clostridium perfringens bacteria, respectively. In EXP 2 and 3, in vivo trials were carried out to study the dose-dependent effect of blended phytochemicals (GT, CO, PO) on coccidiosis in broiler chickens infected with E. maxima. For EXP 2, one hundred male broiler chickens (0-day-old) were allocated into the following five treatment groups: Control group for non-infected chickens (NC), Basal diet group for E. maxima-infected chickens (PC), PC group supplemented with phytochemicals at 50 (Phy 50), 100 (Phy 100), and 200 (Phy 200) mg/kg feed diets for E. maxima-infected chickens. For EXP 3, one hundred twenty male broiler chickens (0-day-old) were allocated into the following six treatment groups: NC, PC, PC supplemented with phytochemicals at 10 (Phy 10), 20 (Phy 20), 30 (Phy 30), and 100 (Phy 100) mg/kg feed for E. maxima-infected chickens. Body weights (BW) were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 20, and 22, and jejunum samples were used to measure cytokine, TJ protein, and antioxidant enzyme responses at 8 days post-infection (dpi). Fecal samples for oocyst enumeration were collected from 6 to 8 dpi. In vitro, CO and PO reduced LPS-induced IL-1β and IL-8 in IEC, respectively, and GT enhanced the gene expression of occludin in IEC. PO at 1.0 and 5.0 mg/mL exerted antimicrobial effect against E. tenella sporozoites and C. perfringens bacteria, respectively. In vivo, chickens fed a diet supplemented with phytochemicals showed enhanced BW, reduced oocyst shedding, and decreased proinflammatory cytokines following E. maxima challenge. In conclusion, the combination of GT, CO, and PO in the diet of broiler chickens infected with E. maxima induced enhanced host disease resistance including innate immunity and gut health, which contributed to improved growth and reduced disease responses. These findings provide scientific support for the development of a novel phytogenic feed additive formula that enhances the growth and intestinal health of broiler chickens infected with coccidiosis.

Effects of standardized Zataria multiflora extract and its major ingredient, Carvacrol, on Adriamycin-induced hepatotoxicity in rat

Background

Zataria multiflora extract and carvacrol affect cardiotoxicity induced by Adriamycin in rat

Background Because of the antioxidant effects of Zataria multiflora (ZM) and carvacrol (CAR) and also the role of oxidative stress in the induction of cardiotoxicity induced by Adriamycin (ADR), the aim of this study was to investigate the improvement effects of ZM extract and CAR on cardiotoxicity induced by ADR in rats. Methods Twenty-eight male rats were randomly assigned to four groups including (1) the control group; (2) the ADR group, which received ADR intravenously at the beginning of the study and the (3) ZM+ADR and (4) CAR+ADR groups, which received ZM and CAR by gavage for 28 consecutive days and ADR as single dose. Blood samples were collected on days 0 and 28 to determine serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, cardiac tissue was removed for redox marker evaluation. Results In the ADR group, malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total thiol contents significantly reduced, as compared with the control group, while CAR administration significantly improved this condition. Treatment with ZM significantly increased the SOD activity and total thiol content, as compared with the ADR group. The level of LDH significantly increased on day 28 in the ADR group compared to the control group, and administration of ZM and CAR significantly decreased it. The SGPT and SGOT levels in the ADR group significantly increased, and CAR administration significantly reduced them. Conclusion The results indicate that the administration of ZM hydroalcoholic extracts and its active ingredient, CAR, could reduce the oxidative stress damage through promotion of the cardiac and systemic antioxidant system. Also, CAR administration demonstrated better improvement in cardiotoxicity with ADR in rats.

Anti-arthritic Effects of Total Flavonoids from Juniperus sabina on Complete Freund's Adjuvant Induced Arthritis in Rats

Context:

Twigs and leaves of Juniperus sabina L. have been traditionally used as the medicinal herb in China for the treatment of many ailments including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Aims:

To confirm the therapeutic effect of total flavonoids from J. sabina (JSTF) on RA-induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in rats.

Settings and Design:

Wistar rats (200 ± 20 g) were immunized by intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of CFA into the right hind metatarsal footpad. JSTF was administered orally at the dose of 125,250 and 500 mg/kg on 14 days after the induction of adjuvant arthritis. Tripterygium glycoside (20 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. Paw swelling, arthritic score, body weight loss, serum cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and histological change were measured.

Results:

We found that JSTF could ameliorate paw swelling of CFA rats, and significantly inhibit arthritic score (P < 0.05). The overproduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1beta were remarkably suppressed in the serum of JSTF (125,500 mg/kg) treated rats (P < 0.05). Histopathological studies also showed a marked decrease of synovial inflammatory infiltration and synovial lining hyperplasia in the joints of JSTF-treated animals. Six flavonoids were isolated and from JSTF by various chromatographic methods and identified as follows: Catechin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranose-(1 → 3)-α-L-rhamnoside, and rutin.

Conclusions:

These results suggest the potential therapeutically effect of JSTF as an anti-arthritis agent toward CFA-induced arthritis in rats, and verified therapeutic applications of J. sabina on RA in folk medicine.

SUMMARY

Twigs and leaves of Juniperus sabina L. have been traditionally used as the medicinal herb in China for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

JSTF could ameliorate paw swelling of CFA rats, and significantly inhibit arthritic score

Histopathological studies showed a marked decrease of synovial inflammatory infiltration and synovial lining hyperplasia in the joints of JSTF-treated animals

Six flavonoids were isolated and from JSTF including: Catechin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranose-(1 → 3)-α-L- rhamnoside, and rutin.

Abbreviations used: JSTF: Total flavonoids from Juniperus sabina; CFA: Complete Freund's Adjuvant; TG: Tripterygium glycoside; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-1β: Interleukin 1beta; IL-6: Interleukin 6; H and E: Hematoxylin and eosin.

Antileishmanial Activities of Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb.) Against Leishmania major Promastigotes

Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb. from the family Cupressaceae) were evaluated for antileishmanial activities against Leishmania major promastigotes compared to meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime). In vitro toxicity assay was performed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and microplate ELISA reader. Extracts were prepared in ethanol/dimethyl sulfoxide (80/20) at 10 to 0.62 mg/mL. The standard was prepared in phosphate-buffered saline at 500 to 15.62 mg/mL. Both leaf and fruit extracts and related fractions showed strong inhibitory effects against promastigotes, significantly different from that of the standard. The leaf extract and the respective petroleum ether fraction showed maximum effectiveness compared to other fractions and also fruit extract and fractions (IC₉₀ = 1.89 ± 0.03 and 0.90 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively). Regarding the potent activities of nonpolar fractions of Greek juniper leaf extract, these fractions can be suggested for further investigation.

Cytotoxicity of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Cucurbitapepo and Solanum nigrum on HepG2 and CT26 cancer cell lines

Plants are used worldwide for the treatment of diseases, and novel drugs continue to be developed through research from plants. There are more than 20,000 species of plants used in traditional medicines, and these are all potential reservoirs for new drugs. Cucurbitapepo has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat cold and alleviate ache. Previous pharmacological tests have shown that it possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Also, Solanum nigrum has been used as a diuretic and an antipyretic agent and it has also been used to cure inflammation, edema, mastitis and hepatic cancer. In this investigation, cytotoxicity of specific concentrations of hydro-alcoholic extracts of C. pepo and S. nigrum was studied on normal [Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO) and rat fibroblast] and cancer (HepG2 and CT26) cell lines. The cytotoxic effects and IC₅₀ of the extracts on the selected cell lines were studied followed by colonogenic assay method. The results showed that IC₅₀ of S. nigrum extract was significantly lower than that of the C. pepo extract on all four cell lines (P < 0.05). On the other hand, IC₅₀ of S. nigrum extract was significantly higher than the extract of Taxus baccata and Cisplatin, herbal and chemical control positive anticancer compounds, respectively, on all four cell lines (P < 0.05). As a result, it is concluded that the extract of S. nigrum has almost similar cytotoxicity to the extract of T. baccata on cancer cells.