Abstract The effects of Rheum ribes on lead acetate levels and hepatic biochemical factors due to lead acetate toxicity were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats were designated into four groups: Control; lead acetate (receiving in drinking water at 0.6 g/L, daily); hydroalcoholic extract groups (200 and 400 mg/kg doses, gavage, once daily). Treatments were conducted for 10 days. On the 11th day, blood samples were collected to measure lead acetate levels and biochemical factors. Liver tissue samples were examined for histopathological changes. Lead serum levels were increased in lead acetate-treated rats (p<0.001). Lead acetate treatment was associated with a significant increase in liver tissue damage (p<0.001), while R. ribes extract prevented liver tissue damage (p<0.05). The levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly lower in the groups lead acetate + extract (two doses) than in the lead acetate group (p<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively), but alkaline phosphatase level, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio were not different between the lead acetate + extract groups and the lead acetate group. The results showed the inhibitory role of R. ribes on lead-induced hepato-toxicity. The results make Rhubarb a good candidate to protect against the deleterious effect of chronic lead intoxication after complementary studies.

RESUMO: A dor é um sentido com efeitos essencialmente protetores. Ouso de drogas químicas e plantas medicinais é um método convencional para gerenciar a dor, no entanto, seus efeitos colaterais têm causado uma maior tendência para o uso de ervas medicamentosas entre os pacientes. Este estudo nos levou a investigar as ações antinociceptivas do extrato de sementes de Ricinus communis (RCE) em camundongos machos. Neste estudo experimental, foram utilizados 72 camundongos machos com peso de 25±30gr. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em seis grupos de 12 cada: grupo controle, três grupos tratados separadamente com 100, 200 e 400mg/kg de extrato de sementes de R. communis hidroetanolico, grupo tratado com morfina (1mg/kg) e naloxona (0,1mg/kg) + R. Grupo tratado com extrato de semente de communis (200mg/kg). Para avaliar o efeito analgésico do extrato, utilizaram-se testes de contorção e cauda. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA e pelo teste de Tukey. P<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significante. Dose de 200 e 400mg/kg de extrato aumentou significativamente o limite de dor em comparação com o grupo controle em testes de retorção e cauda (P<0,01). Além disso, 400mg/kg de extracto apresentaram efeito antinoceptivo mais forte especialmente no teste de contorção em comparação com o controle e outros grupos tratados (P <0,001). Os efeitos analgésicos do extrato de semente de R. communanolanol foram observados no teste da cauda e nos testes de contorção. Este efeito provavelmente está relacionado à ativação do sistema opioide.

ABSTRACT: Pain is a normal protective response to tissue injury caused by physical trauma, noxious chemicals and microbiological agents. Use of chemical drugs and medicinal plants is a conventional method to manage pain; however, their side effects have caused increased tendency to the use of herbal medicines among patients. This study was conducted to investigate antinociceptive action of Ricinus communis seed’s extract (RCE) in male Balb/C mice. In this experimental study, 72 male mice weighing 25-35gr were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups of 12 mice each, including: Control group, three groups separately treated respectively with 100, 200, and 400mg/kg hydroethanolic R. communis seed extract, morphine (1mg/kg)-treated group, and naloxone (0.1mg/kg) + R. communis seed extract (200mg/kg)-treated group. All animals received extract and drugs intraperitoneally. To evaluate the analgesic effect of the extract, writhing and tail flick tests were used. The 200 and 400mg/kg of the extract significantly increased pain threshold compared to the control group in writhing and tail flick tests (P<0.01). Moreover, 400mg/kg of the extract showed a stronger antinociceptive effect especially in writhing test compared to the control and other treated groups (P<0.001). Analgesic effects of hydroethanolic R. communis seed extract observed in the tail flick and writhing tests are probably related to activation of opioid system. Results may suggest that this plant extract might be beneficial in relieving human pain.

Abstract Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality and disability in industrial countries. Treatment with herbs with antioxidant properties has been reported to be an alternative to the conventional treatments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Anchusa italica extract on hippocampal injury induced by transient global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in the rat. To do so, 50 rats were randomly assigned to five groups; control, sham, ischemia, and 50 or 100 mg/kg of Anchusa italica treated animals. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of carotid artery for 30 minutes. Afterward, behavioral tests and biochemical analyses were conducted. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decline in learning and passive avoidance memory in rats. Moreover, Anchusa italica caused an increase in learning and improved the passive avoidance memory. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the brain and serum as well as an increase in the malondialdehyde of the brain and serum. Anchusa italica led to an increase in the antioxidant capacity of the brain and serum and decrease in the malondialdehyde of the brain and serum. Overall, because of its protective effects on spatial memory, passive avoidance learning, antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation during ischemia/reperfusion, Anchusa italica might be beneficial in ischemic patients.

The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of the human body and is vulnerable to different diseases. Available drugs often have low efficacy or are associated with many adverse effects. Therefore, alternative drugs are necessary to treat gastrointestinal complications. This study intended to identify medicinal plants in Urmia, Iran, that can affect common gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Data was collected from public resources via interviews and questionnaires applied from April to June 2013. Herbarium specimens were collected from the region and authenticated by a botanist. A total of 41 indigenous medicinal plants from the Urmia region, belonging to twenty families, have a traditional medicinal role in the treatment of parasitic and infectious diseases, diarrhea, reflux, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcer, constipation, bloating, among other gastrointestinal tract disorders. Analysis showed that most plants affecting the gastrointestinal tract belonged in the Asteraceae family (24%). The most used part of the plants was the seed at 17%. Decoction at 65% was the most popular form of treatment used. Some of the medicinal plants discussed in this article have new implications presented for the first time. Pharmacological studies on the therapeutic effects of the indigenous plants mentioned in this study are necessary in order to investigate their claimed clinical effects and the use of their effective compounds to produce natural and useful drugs. Currently, there is no data on the herbal plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in northwestern Iran. Therefore, these findings are important for the management of gastrointestinal disorders and to conduct future studies on traditional medicine for drug development.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Reduzir a ansiedade é muito importante antes da operação. A visita no pré-operatório e a utilização de pré-medicação são os métodos mais populares para se atingir esse objetivo, mas o papel da pré-medicação ansiolítica permanece incerto e os efeitos colaterais no pós-operatório podem partir de uma pré-medicação de rotina. Citrus aurantium é usado como medicina alternativa em alguns países para tratar a ansiedade. Recentemente, o papel ansiolítico dessa planta medicinal foi estabelecido em um estudo realizado em modelo animal. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito ansiolítico da flor de Citrus aurantium sobre a ansiedade pré-operatória. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 60 pacientes ASA I submetidos a uma pequena cirurgia. Em um desenho randomizado e duplo-cego, dois grupos de 30 pacientes receberam uma das seguintes MPA oral duas horas antes da indução da anestesia: 1) Citrus aurantium destilado 1 mL.kg-1 (Grupo C); 2) solução salina 1 mL.kg-1 como placebo (Grupo P). A ansiedade foi medida antes e após pré-medicação com o Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE) e a Escala de Ansiedade e Informação Pré-Operatória de Amsterdam (APAIS) antes da operação. RESULTADOS: Após pré-medicação, tanto o IDATE quanto as escalas APAIS estavam diminuídos no Grupo C (p < 0,05), embora não tenham apresentado alterações significativas no Grupo P. CONCLUSÕES:Citrus aurantium pode mostrar-se eficaz na redução da ansiedade pré-operatória em cirurgias de pequeno porte.

ACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reducing anxiety is very important before operation. Preoperative visit and use of premedication are popular methods to achieve this goal, but the role of anxiolytic premedication remains unclear and postoperative side-effects may result from routine premedication. Citrus aurantium is used as an alternative medicine in some countries to treat anxiety, and recently the anxiolytic role of this medicinal plant was established in an animal model study. The aim of this study was to assess the anxiolytic effect of Citrus aurantium blossom on preoperative anxiety. METHODS: We studied 60 ASA I patients undergoing minor operation. In a randomized double-blind design, two groups of 30 patients received one of the following oral premedication two hours before induction of anesthesia: 1) Citrus aurantium blossom distillate 1 mL.kg-1 (C-group); 2) Saline solution 1 mL.kg-1 as placebo (P-group). Anxiety was measured before and after premedication using the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-state) and the Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) before operation. RESULTS: After premedication, both the STAI-state and the APAIS scales were decreased in C-group (p < 0.05); while exhibiting no significant changes in P-group. CONCLUSIONS: Citrus aurantium blossom may be effective in terms of reduction in preoperative anxiety before minor operation.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Reducir la ansiedad es algo muy importante antes de la operación. La visita en el preoperatorio y la utilización de premedicación, son los métodos más populares para alcanzar ese objetivo, pero el rol de la premedicación ansiolítica permanece como incierto y los efectos colaterales en el postoperatorio pueden originarse de una premedicación de rutina. El Citrus aurantium es usado como medicina alternativa en algunos países para tratar la ansiedad. Recientemente, el papel ansiolítico de esa planta medicinal quedó establecido en un estudio realizado en un modelo animal. El objetivo de este estudio, fue evaluar el efecto ansiolítico de la flor del Citrus aurantium sobre la ansiedad preoperatoria. MÉTODOS: Fueron estudiados 60 pacientes ASA I sometidos a una pequeña operación. En un proyecto randomizado y doble ciego, dos grupos de 30 pacientes recibieron una de las siguientes MPA oral dos horas antes de la inducción de la anestesia: 1) Flor del Citrus aurantium destilado 1 mL.kg-1 (Grupo C); 2) solución salina 1 mL.kg-1 como placebo (Grupo P). La ansiedad se midió antes y después de la premedicación con el Inventario de Ansiedad Trazo-Estado (IDATE), y la Escala de Ansiedad e Información Preoperatoria de Ámsterdam (APAIS) antes de la operación. RESULTADOS: Después de la premedicación, tanto el IDATE como las escalas APAIS se habían reducido en el Grupo C (p < 0,05), aunque no hayan presentado alteraciones significativas en el Grupo P. CONCLUSIONES: El Citrus aurantium puede ser eficaz para la reducción de la ansiedad preoperatoria en las cirugías menores.