Evaluation of Juniperus communis L. seed extract on benign prostatic hyperplasia induced in male Wistar rats

Background

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease which causes various health problems for elderly men such as urinary retention, recurring urinary tract infection and bladder stones. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Juniperus communis L. seed extract (JCS) on BPH in male Wistar rats.

Methods

To this end, 30 rats were divided into 5 groups (N = 6): group 1 (vehicle), group 2 (disease control), group 3 (standard medicine; 10 mg/kg finasteride), and groups 4 and 5 were treated with 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic JCS seed extract, respectively. Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 received testosterone enanthate to induce prostatic hyperplasia. At the end of experimental period (28 days), prostate glands were cut off under anesthesia. Histopathological examination was done and biochemical parameters such as Malondialdehyde, Glutathione and protein carbonyl were also measured. Their body weights were also observed during the study. At the end of the experiment, prostate weights and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were measured. Prostate index, inhibition prostate weight and inhibition prostate index were also calculated.

Results

Both histopathological examination and biochemical parameter results showed significant improvements in rats treated with finasteride and 600 mg/kg JCS extract (p < 0.01). In addition, PSA levels showed significant decrease in comparison with the disease group. But acute toxicity test indicated that using JCS extract resulted in an increase in liver enzymes (ALP, LDH, SGOT, SGPT). As a result, the extract should be used with caution.

Conclusions

Oral administration of JCS extract is effective on preventing testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Effect of Prunus Mahaleb L. Seed Extract on Ethylene glycol- and Ammonium Chloride-Induced Urolithiasis in BALB/c Mice

BACKGROUND

Kidney stone disease can be quite painful, recurrent, and affects many people. Despite advances in drug therapy, there is still a need to find effective drugs with fewer complications for long-term treatment of kidney stones and to prevent its recurrence. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Prunus Mahaleb L. seed extract on ethylene glycol- and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis in BALB/c mice.

METHODS

The Prunus Mahaleb L. seeds were collected in Mashhad (Iran) in June 2017. Urolithiasis was induced in male BALB/c mice by adding ethylene glycol (EG) 0.75% (v/v) and ammonium chloride (AC) 2% (w/v) to their drinking water for 21 consecutive days. A total of 72 animals were randomly divided into six groups of twelve animals each. Group 1 received purified water as control; group 2 received EG+AC in drinking water; groups 3-5 received the extracts by gavage in dosages of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively; and group 6 received 888 mg/kg Sankol by gavage. Note that urolithiasis was induced in groups 3-6 in the same manner as in group 2. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism Software (version 5.01).

RESULTS

The group receiving Prunus Mahaleb L. extract in a 500 mg/kg dose responded better to the treatment and less damage to the kidney tissue was observed. The serum parameters remarkably decreased in the calculi-induced animals. Besides, the acute toxicity test showed that the use of the extract was safe in animals.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the use of Prunus Mahaleb L. extract effectively prevented the formation of kidney stones.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in COVID-19 Patients and Control Group and Relationship with Disease Prognosis

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to compare the complete blood count (CBC) indices between COVID-19 patients and the control group, and assess the relationship of these indices with COVID-19 prognosis.

METHODS

COVID-19 patients (confirmed by PCR or CT-Scan) who visited Imam Hospital in Sari were selected in this case-control study. The control group was selected from Tabari cohort population matched with the case group in terms of gender and age. CBC, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and outcome of the disease (in the case group) were assessed in this study.

RESULTS

The number of participants were 527 in both case and control groups, of which, 232 (44%) were females in each arms. Platelet count, lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin concentration were also higher in the control group (P=0.000). NLR and PLR were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group (P=0.000). NLR had a significant relationship with the severity of the disease. NLR was two times higher in the patients who died of COVID-19 than those who recovered (P=0.000). ROC curve analysis for diagnostic values of NLR and PLR showed that the areas under the ROC curves for NLR and PLR were 0.703 (95% CI: 0.64-0.76) and 0.535 (95% CI: 0.46-06), respectively.

CONCLUSION

NLR can be used as a prognostic marker for COVID-19 given the significant difference of NLR between those who died and recovered from COVID-19.