Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Uterus Inflammation: Implications from Iranian Folk Medicine

Amirhossein Sahebkar,Seyed Ahmad Emami 사단법인약침학회 2013 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.6 No.1

Reversal of Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity by Using Phytotherapy: A Review

Azar Hosseini,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.4

Doxorubicin as a chemotherapeutic drug is widely used for the treatment of patients with cancer. However, clinical use of this drug is hampered by its cardiotoxicity, which is manifested as electrocardiographic abnormalities, arrhythmias, irreversible degenerative cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The precise mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin are not clear, but impairment of calcium homeostasis, generation of iron complexes, production of oxygen radicals, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell membrane damage have been suggested as potential etiologic factors. Compounds that can neutralize the toxic effect of doxorubicin on cardiac cells without reducing the drug's antitumor activity are needed. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that herbal medicines and bioactive phytochemicals can serve as effective add-on therapies to reduce the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin. This review describes different phytochemicals and herbal products that have been shown to counterbalance doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Reversal of Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity by Using Phytotherapy: A Review

Hosseini, Azar,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.4

Doxorubicin as a chemotherapeutic drug is widely used for the treatment of patients with cancer. However, clinical use of this drug is hampered by its cardiotoxicity, which is manifested as electrocardiographic abnormalities, arrhythmias, irreversible degenerative cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The precise mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin are not clear, but impairment of calcium homeostasis, generation of iron complexes, production of oxygen radicals, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell membrane damage have been suggested as potential etiologic factors. Compounds that can neutralize the toxic effect of doxorubicin on cardiac cells without reducing the drug's antitumor activity are needed. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that herbal medicines and bioactive phytochemicals can serve as effective add-on therapies to reduce the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin. This review describes different phytochemicals and herbal products that have been shown to counterbalance doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of Aloe vera and Olive Oil Combination Cream versus Topical Betamethasone for Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial

Panahi, Yunes,Rastgar, Nassim,Zamani, Ali,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2020 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.23 No.3

Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent and chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin condition that can influence all age groups. AD is associated with a poor health-related quality of life. This randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of Olivederma (combination of aloe vera and virgin olive oil) or betamethasone regarding disease severity, quality of life, serum IgE and eosinophil count. Methods: Thirty-six AD patients were randomly allocated to topical Olivederma or betamethasone, and were followed for 6 weeks. Results: Total SCORAD severity scores showed significant decrease in both groups, while it was more prominent in Olivederma group (64.5% improvement in Olivederma vs. 13.5% improvement in Betamethasone, p-value < 0.001). Quality of life (DLQI questionnaire) of AD patients was significantly improved after 6 weeks treatment with Betamethasone (22.3%, p < 0.001) and Olivederma (60.7%, p-value < 0.001). Olivederma group showed a significantly lower DLQI score in comparison with Betamethasone treated patients after 6 weeks of therapy (p < 0.001). Improvements in eosinophil count and serum IgE was observed. Conclusion: In summary, this study shows that Olivederma is superior to topical Betamethasone after 6 weeks of therapy with regard to disease severity, quality of life and eosinophil count.

A New Document on Smallpox Vaccination

Zahra Tayarani-Najaran,Nilufar Tayarani-Najaran,Amirhossein Sahebkar,Seyed Ahmad Emami 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.6

Modern medicine owes much to the invaluable heritage of the practices of past generations and their achievements that have now become medical rules. In the case of vaccination, there is evidence that the nomads of Baluchistan (Southeast Iran) demonstrated natural immunization against cowpox, a practice that was later introduced to the medical community by Edward Jenner. Although the discoveries of scientists cannot be ignored, they are certainly based on the traditional and indigenous experiences that have been transferred from generation to generation until reaching us.

Effects of Spinal-Z in Patients with Gastroesophageal Cancer

Panahi, Yunes,Saadat, Alireza,Seifi, Maghsoud,Rajaee, Mahdi,Butler, Alexandra E.,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.1

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of spinal-Z, derived from Peganum harmala seeds and Dracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss leaves, in patients with esophageal and stomach adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were randomly assigned to one of two groups (treatment or control) in a double-blind fashion. Six capsules of Spinal-Z were prescribed to the patients with the regimen of 600 mg/m2/day, and placebo to the control group, for six months. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, duration of cancer, type of cancer and family history of cancer. There were significant differences in abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation and vomiting between the two groups, following spinal-Z therapy. Evaluation of drug side effects showed no difference in cough or other respiratory symptoms, itching, headache or dizziness between the two groups, both before and after treatment. Conclusion: This study indicates that Spinal-Z is safe and efficacious in the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Crocin Improves Oxidative Stress by Potentiating Intrinsic Anti-Oxidant Defense Systems in Pancreatic Cells During Uncontrolled Hyperglycemia

Habib Yaribeygi,Ali Noroozadeh,Mohammad Taghi Mohammadi,Thomas P. Johnston,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.2

Introduction: Oxidative stress (OS) during uncontrolled hyperglycemia has a pivotal role in pancreatic dysfunction. Our study aimed to demonstrate that crocin can potentiate anti-oxidant defense systems of pancreatic cells to improve oxidative stress. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: a normal group, a normal-treated group, a diabetic group and a diabetic-treated group (n = 6 rats per group). Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg/IV). The treated groups received crocin daily for 8 weeks (40 mg/kg/IP). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and pancreas tissue was obtained. Subsequently, the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate and glutathione as well as the enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in all animals. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with appropriate post hoc testing and a probability value of P < 0.05was considered to represent a statistically significant difference in mean values. Results: Uncontrolled hyperglycemia weakened the anti-oxidant system by decreasing SOD and catalase enzyme activity in pancreatic tissues and induced OS by increasing the MDA content in diabetic non-treated animals. Crocin potentiated the anti-oxidant defense system by increasing the activity of both SOD and catalase, and improved OS by diminishing MDA production in pancreatic cells of rats contained in the diabetic-treated group. Conclusion: Based on our results, it is concluded that uncontrolled hyperglycemia can weaken the anti-oxidant defense system and cause the development of OS. Also, crocin can improve OS in pancreatic cells by potentiating the anti-oxidant defense system.

Opuntia dillenii: A Forgotten Plant with Promising Pharmacological Properties

Shirazinia, Reza,Rahimi, Vafa Baradaran,Kehkhaie, Ashrafali Rezaie,Sahebkar, Amirhossein,Rakhshandeh, Hassan,Askari, Vahid Reza KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.1

Generative and vegetative parts of the cactuses have had a long-lasting position in folk medicine and their effects could partly be confirmed in scientific experiments. Nowadays, the cactus, fruits, and cladodes are the focus of many studies because of their desirable properties. Therefore, the summarized reports of valuable properties of medicinal plants may be a good way to familiarize researches with a new source of drugs with lower side effects and higher efficacy. Opuntia dillenii, a well-known member of the Cactaceae family, is used as a medicinal plant in various countries and grows in the desert, semi-desert, tropical and sub-tropical areas. It shows diverse pharmacological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive etc. OD fruit also possesses valuable constitutes for instance: betalains, ascorbic acid, total phenol, protein as well as essential elements which suggest the significant potential of this plant as a complementary therapy against several pathological conditions. This review describes experimental evidence about pharmacological and therapeutic potential of OD in order to give the basis of its application in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. More studies on OD can help better understanding of its pharmacological mechanism of action to explain its traditional uses and to identify its potential new therapeutic applications.

Opuntia dillenii: A Forgotten Plant with Promising Pharmacological Properties

Reza Shirazinia,Vafa Baradaran Rahimi,Ashrafali Rezaie Kehkhaie,Amirhossein Sahebkar,Hassan Rakhshandeh,Vahid Reza Askari 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.1

Generative and vegetative parts of the cactuses have had a long-lasting position in folk medicine and their effects could partly be confirmed in scientific experiments. Nowadays, the cactus, fruits, and cladodes are the focus of many studies because of their desirable properties. Therefore, the summarized reports of valu-able properties of medicinal plants may be a good way to familiarize researches with a new source of drugs with lower side effects and higher efficacy. Opuntia dillenii, a well-known member of the Cactaceae family, is used as a medicinal plant in various countries and grows in the desert, semi-desert, tropical and sub-tropical areas. It shows diverse pharmacological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive etc. OD fruit also possesses valuable constitutes for instance: betalains, ascorbic acid, total phenol, protein as well as essential elements which suggest the significant potential of this plant as a complementary therapy against several pathological conditions. This review describes experimental evidence about pharmacological and therapeutic potential of OD in order to give the basis of its application in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. More studies on OD can help better understanding of its pharmacological mechanism of action to explain its traditional uses and to identify its potential new therapeutic applications.

Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Turning Strong Rationale into Strong Evidence?

Hamid Reza Sodagari,Zahra Aryan,Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari, Nima Rezaei,Nima Rezaei,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.4

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two types of chronic and relapsing intestinal inflammation conditions including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis [1]. Although the exact etiology of IBD remains elusive, the interaction of host’s immune system with diet and microbiome of intestinal tract in genetically susceptible individuals seems to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of IBD [2]. Encoding regions for nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and interleukin 23 T helper 17 (Th17) pathway are the most prominent genetic components of IBD pathogenesis [3,4]. NOD2 recognizes bacterial peptidoglycan and triggers the inflammatory cascade [5], and interleukin 23 is integral to immune defense against non-self-antigens and chronic intestinal inflammation [6]. On the other hand, breakdown and alteration of normal microbiome increases the risk of intestinal colonization with pathogenic organisms and inflammatory diseases [7]. Dietary factors are known to influence gut microbiome and have the potential to shape the interplay between gut microbiome and immune responses involved in the pathogenesis of IBD [2]. Dietary factors can affect gut colonization of microorganisms in long term; they can mimic pathogenic antigens and trigger intracellular transduction and transcription pathways leading to modulation of inflammatory responses [8,9]. Exposure to stimuli such as reactive oxygen species, bacterial antigens and even innocent antigens activate nuclear factor (NF)-κB. This cascade results in the production of chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and infiltration of lymphocytes to the intestinal mucosa and disturbance of epithelial barrier leading to chronic intestinal inflammation. Phytochemicals including ellagic acid, curcumin, flavonoids, quercetin and green tea polyphenols can modulate NF-κB pathway [10-14]. Besides cytokine overproduction, overexpression of COX-2, the rate-limiting enzyme of prostaglandin production, is also involved in either acute or chronic intestinal inflammation. Phytochemicals such as grape juice and black raspberry powder have the ability to inhibit COX-2 and prostaglandin production [15,16]. Research on immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities of phytochemicals in preventing and treating intestinal inflammation, and in modulating the gut microbiome and colitis symptoms is still at its infancy. Most of the evidence have come from animal studies [10-16], thus evidence from well-designed randomized controlled trials in this area are lacking. The shortcomings of available drugs to treat IBD and their side effects highlight a real need to additional therapies that could confer, either as alternative or adjunct, a better control of disease. In this context, phytochemicals are interesting candidates owing to their multimechanistic mode of action, potential safety, and wide availability [1,2]. Moreover, limited bioavailability of phytochemicals which is generally considered as an obstacle against their maximal systemic effects is less of a problem in IBD, as the site of action is intestine where the phytochemical is almost completely bioavailable upon oral use. While all these points emphasize the great therapeutic potential of phytochemicals for the treatment of IBD, important questions as to the dose-response association, clinical efficacy, precise mechanism(s) of action, and long-term tolerability still remain to be answered.