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  Background & Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Crocin on rat high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis model.

  Methods: For this purpose, male rats were given either standard diet as control, high fat diet for induction of hepatic steatosis and high fat diet plus Crocin through gavage at different doses (25, 50 and 100 mg kg^-1/day) for protection of liver steatosis, at a period of 4 weeks in different experimental groups and compared considering serum lipid profile, serum biomarkers of liver tissue injury, hepatic antioxidant activity and liver histopathological changes. The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein for determination of deleterious metabolic effects, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase for determination of hepatocyte injury, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin for assessment of biliary function, malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione content for assessment of liver free radical activity, the enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase as indicators of antioxidation in liver tissue, were measured. Finally, the biochemical findings were matched with histopathological verifications.

  Results: After 4 weeks, high fat diet caused deleterious metabolic effects, including hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and liver dysfunction. Rats fed high fat diet alone showed increased activities of hepatocellular enzymes in plasma, significant decline in antioxidants, and elevated lipid peroxidation indices in liver. Crocin treatment significantly reduced elevated markers of liver tissue injury and malondialdehyde , and brought back the liver antioxidants and the over accumulation lipids in serum towards normal. Histopathology of the liver confirmed the changes induced by high fat diet and the heptoprotective effect of Crocin.

  Conclusions: Crocin exerts protective effects against hepatic steatosis in rats fed with high fat diet possibly through its antioxidant actions.

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 Background & Objectives: The intake of antioxidant supplementations can have key role in prevention of oxidative stress in healthy individuals. Pomegranate has antioxidant effects and may play a role in reduction of oxidative stress in healthy males. Therefore, this study examined the effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on oxidative stress in young healthy males.

 Methods : In semi-experimental study, 14 healthy students living in Dormitories of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences were included. Subjects were given one cup of pomegranate juice supplementation per day for two weeks . Fasting blood samples were taken both at the start and the end of 2-week period to measure the antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase , glutathione peroxidase , paraoxonase - 1, aryl esterase , and the values ​​of serum total antioxidant capacity , glutathione, and lipid profiles . Data were analyzed using descriptive and paired t - test s.

 Results: T he level of serum total antioxidant capacity and activities of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, arylesterase, and standardized arylesterase activity were significantly increased at the end of two weeks (p<0.05). The serum level of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased after intervention (p<0.05). Changes were not significant, although the serum levels of glutathione and HDL- cholesterol increased and LDL- cholesterol decreased at the end of two weeks period.

 Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the pomegranate juice supplementation had beneficial effects in helping body's antioxidant defense system and reduction of oxidative stress in young healthy males . This study suggests that the pomegranate juice supplementation can be useful against oxidative stress included in dietaries of young healthy males.

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  Background & Objectives: Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by derangement in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Most of hypoglycemic agent used in medicine for diabetes treatment are reported to have side effects for long run. On the other hand, increase in oxidative stress is effective in the genesis of diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of alcoholic extract of Euphorbia cyparissias on serum glucose and antioxidant enzymes level in diabetic male rats.

  Methods : In this study, 40 adult male Wistar rats weighting 250±20 grams divided into four groups randomly: control, diabetic animals, treatment 1 and treatment 2 which received 500 and 250 mg/kg of E.cyparissias extract for 21 days by gastric gavage, respectively. At the end of the treatment, level of antioxidant enzymes including TAC, MDA, SOD and GPX and also blood glucose were determined in animal's serum.

  Results : The blood glucose levels were significantly lowered in the group of treatment 1 compared to diabetic group (p<0.05). Results showed that MDA level of serum was increased significantly in diabetic group in comparison with control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the TAC, SOD and GPX level were increased significantly in the group of treatment 1 compared to diabetic group (p<0.05).

  Conclusion : This study showed that oral administration of E.cyparissias extract has antidiabetic and antioxidant activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

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  Background &objectives: Glutamine has antioxidant properties and can be used to treat some diseases. This study was conducted to assess the effect of one-week glutamine supplementation on oxidative stress indices in young healthy men.

  Methods: Nineteen active healthy men volunteered for this study. This study was conducted in biochemistry lab of Ardabil branch of Islamic Azad University in Spring 2014. Participants were randomized in a double-blind placebo-controlled method into two groups: Glutamine (n = 9) and placebo group (n = 10). The participants took supplement (0.15 g/kg glutamine + 15g sweetener + 250ml water) or placebo (15g sweetener + 250ml water) daily for 7 days before main trial.Fasting blood samples were taken before and after supplementation. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plasma, reduced glutathione (GHS) level of serum, and malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were measured.

  Results: GHS significantly increased after treatment compared with pre-treatment in Glutamine group (p<0.05). There were no other within and between group significant differences in any indices (p>0.05).

  Conclusions: These results showed that one-week daily oral supplementation of glutamine has been able to increase GHS probably because of greater glutamine availability .

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Background & objectives: Some herbs contain compounds with antioxidant activity and can be used to protect or cure damages caused by chemical toxins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on total antioxidants in various tissues and Tanacetum parthenium impacts on reducing devastating effects of carbon tetrachloride.

Methods: A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of six animals in each group: normal control, damaged control, three groups that treated with 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg of Tanacetum parthenium extract 14 days before CCl4 injection and two groups served as post-treatment groups that received 80 and 120 mg/kg extract 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after CCl4 injection. At the end of study  the liver, kidney, testis, and heart were removed and then homogenized and then the antioxidant activity of the tissues assessed using FRAP method. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test.

Results: The results showed that the injection of carbon tetrachloride significantly decreasestotal antioxidant in both liver (p<0.001) and kidney (p<0.05) tissues. Administration of extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the total antioxidant of liver and kidney.
Conclusion: Protective effect of Feverfew against CCl4 induced damages is more effective in liver and kidney than testis and heart..

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Background & objectives: Terfezia boudieri (TB) has more than 15 types of proteins, gallic acid, catechins, flavonoids, tannins and other compounds such as beta-carotene and linoleic acid. Some of these compounds have antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia effects. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the antioxidant and protective effects of this fungus on the liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.

Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (each group containing 6). Group 1 (normal control group) and group 2 (control CCl₄) were given normal saline for 14 days. Group 3, 4 and 5 received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/ kg doses of methanol extract of TB for 14 days, respectively before the injection of carbon tetrachloride. In the fourteenth day, all groups except group 1 were given 1.5 ml/kg of carbon tetrachloride (V / V 1: 1 dissolved in olive oil). Group 1, instead of carbon tetrachloride, received 1.5 ml/kg of olive oil on the fourteenth day.

Results: Injection of carbon tetrachloride in rats increased serum activity of ALT, AST, ALP and serum degrees of triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, glucose, and reduced HDL and total antioxidant capacity (TAC); while pre-treatment with methanol extract of TB significantly reversed the changes.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that methanol extract of TB can protect the liver against oxidants and free radicals produced by carbon tetrachloride metabolism.

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Background & aim: Nowadays because of difficulty in the supply and injection of insulin and blood sugar reducing drugs and considering the side effects of chemical drugs, researcher’s attention is drawn to using herbal medicines. Liver is one of the organs affected by diabetes in different functional aspects. The purpose of this research was studying the effect of Rosa canina extract on reducing the adverse effects and improving diabetes symptoms related to histophysiology, amount of biochemical serum factors and liver enzymes in male rats.

Methods: 32 male Wistar rats, weighed 200-220 gr, were divided into 4 groups. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60mg/kg). The period of experiments was 4 weeks. At the end of experiments, the rats were sacrificed and their serums were collected for measurement of liver enzymes. Also, histological sampling of liver was done. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA).

Results: The results of this study showed that treatment with ethanol extract of Rosa canina led to significant reduction of liver enzymes in the Rosa extract-treated groups in comparison with the diabetic group, indicating the protective effect of alcoholic extract of Rosa canina on liver tissue against diabetes-induced damages. In liver histopathology, a distinct fat change in the lobular center areas was created in the diabetic group. Pathological changes were not significant in the liver of the Rosa extract-treated groups; liver in this group was relatively healthier than in diabetic group.

Conclusions: Rosa extract improved this organ's function in STZ-induced diabetic rats by reducing serum biomarkers of liver pathology and reducing histological damages.

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Background & objectives: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its prevention is expected to increase in the future appreciably. Following the emergence of the new field of nutritional genetics and investigations about the effect of natural antioxidants on the hypermethylation of genes, this study was performed to measure the effect of  Vaccinium arctostaphylos poly phenols and anthocyanins on PC-3 cell line as well as methylation and expression changes of GSTP1 gene.
Methods:  In order to evaluate the survival potency of PC-3 cell line in a completely randomized design, MTT test was used and these cells were treated with different concentrations of Vaccinium arctostaphylos extract (4500, 2250, 1125, 562.5, 140.62, 70.31, 35.15, 17.57, 8.78, 4.39 µg/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Expression level of GSTP1 gene was analyzed by Q-RT-PCR method in 2500, 1250, 625, 312 and 156 µg/ml concentrations of Vaccinium.
Results: Statistical results showed that Vaccinium arctostaphylos poly phenolic extract at 35-70 ppm concentration  significantly reduced the survival rate of  PC-3 cells. Moreover, compared to control cells, the expression level of GST gene significantly increased in PC-3 cells treated with 1250ppm extract.
Conclusion: Anthocyanin- polyphenolic extract from Vaccinium arctostaphylos can decrease the survival rate of cancerous cells and GST gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. This may be explained by changes in cell carcinogenesis pathway or CpG demethylation process.
Keywords: Vaccinium arctostaphylos; Antioxidant; Cancerous Cells; Prostate.
  Background & objectives: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its prevention is expected to increase in the future appreciably. Following the emergence of the new field of nutritional genetics and investigations about the effect of natural antioxidants on the hypermethylation of genes, this study was performed to measure the effect of  Vaccinium arctostaphylos poly phenols and anthocyanins on PC-3 cell line as well as methylation and expression changes of GSTP1 gene.
Methods:  In order to evaluate the survival potency of PC-3 cell line in a completely randomized design, MTT test was used and these cells were treated with different concentrations of Vaccinium arctostaphylos extract (4500, 2250, 1125, 562.5, 140.62, 70.31, 35.15, 17.57, 8.78, 4.39 µg/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Expression level of GSTP1 gene was analyzed by Q-RT-PCR method in 2500, 1250, 625, 312 and 156 µg/ml concentrations of Vaccinium.
Results: Statistical results showed that Vaccinium arctostaphylos poly phenolic extract at 35-70 ppm concentration  significantly reduced the survival rate of  PC-3 cells. Moreover, compared to control cells, the expression level of GST gene significantly increased in PC-3 cells treated with 1250ppm extract.
Conclusion: Anthocyanin- polyphenolic extract from Vaccinium arctostaphylos can decrease the survival rate of cancerous cells and GST gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. This may be explained by changes in cell carcinogenesis pathway or CpG demethylation process.

 
 
 
 
  

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Background & objectives: Curcumin has antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of curcumin on bax, bcl-2, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation of sperm after freezing procedure.
Methods: In this experimental study, semen samples were collected from four mature Holstein bulls, twice a week in eight innings. Semen samples were divided into four groups. Zero (control), 10 (Experimental group one), 20 (Experimental group two) and 30 (Experimental group three) mg/ml of curcumin with diluents were added to the semen samples. After thawing, Bax, Bcl-2 and malondialdehyde levels as well as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes were measured in sperm samples using ELISA.
Results: According to the results, Bcl-2, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels  in sperm samples treated with 20 and 30 mg/ml curcumin significantly increased and Bax and malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased compared to control groups (p<0.05). This difference was not significant for sperm samples treated with 10 mg/ml curcumin.
Conclusion: Dose-dependent administration of curcumin decreased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and increased anti-apoptosis proteins in freeze-thawing sperms.

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Infertility, especially in the last decade, has been rising as a global problem, affecting approximately 10-15% of the world's population. The abundance and origin of various types of infertility are different. Studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in infertility, in particular in male infertility. Although ROS is essential for normal physiological functions of sperm such as capacitation, hyper activation, acrosome reactions, and binding to the oocyte, excessive levels can be one of the main causes of defective sperm function, which not only impairs the health of sperm DNA, but also affects fertilization via oxidation of proteins, in particular the fatty acids of the sperm cell membrane. Also, the elevated ROS levels facilitate sperm DNA damage, which leads to activation of apoptotic pathway and cell death. Therefore, the quality of semen is functionally reduced. Since the oxidative damage to sperm DNA is associated with both miscarriage and development abnormalities in the offspring, it is essential to find new strategies to recognize the cellular and molecular biology of sperm. Therefore, considering different mechanisms of oxidative stress affecting sperm can contribute significantly to the etiology of male infertility

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Background & objectives: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - induced peptic ulcer disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting many people worldwide. Rosa canina L. is a member of Rosa species that has been widely used as an herbal medicine in many countries. Rosa canina has therapeutic effects against various disorders through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effect of Rosa canina on indomethacin-induced ulceration in mice.
Methods: Experiments were performed on male Swiss albino mice. Indomethacin (80 mg/kg, orally) was used to induce gastric ulceration. The extract of Rosa canina fruits (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) was given orally five days before the administration of indomethacin. Normal mice were used as a normal control group.
Results: Macroscopic evaluation of gastric mucosa revealed that indomethacin administration (80 mg/kg) produced apparent gastric mucosal ulcers, while pretreatment with Rosa canina (200 and 400 mg/kg) effectively protected gastric mucosa against indomethacin induced ulcers. Rosa canina significantly increased the level of glutathione (GSH) and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the gastric tissues compared with those in the control group.
Conclusion: Oral treatment with the Rosa canina fruit extract decreased the gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms

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Background & objectives: Paraquat is a toxic herbicide that is widely used in many countries. Paraquat selectively accumulates in the lung tissue and leads to severe pulmonary injury through the oxidative and inflammatory processes. The plant Rosa canina L. has been used for long years as an herbal medicine throughout the world. Rosa canina L. is a member of Rosacea family and shows therapeutic effects against numerous disorders by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Rosa canina fruits on the paraquat induced lung injury in a mouse model.
Methods: Animal experiments were performed on male NMRI mice. Paraquat was injected at a single dose (20 mg/kg, ip) to induce pulmonary damage in mice. The extract of Rosa canina fruits (200 and 400 mg/kg/day, orally) administered by gavage for four days after the injection of paraquat. The treated mice were compared to normal mice as a control group. At the end of the experiment, lung tissue samples were collected for biochemical analysis.
Results: The results showed that administration of paraquat caused an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the lung tissue. However, treatment with Rosa canina increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) antioxidants and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the lung tissues compared with those in the paraquat group.
Conclusion: Treatment of paraquat-exposed mice with the extract of Rosa canina fruits improved oxidant-antioxidant balance in the lung tissue of mice. In other words, the present study demonstrated that Rosa canina has remarkable antioxidant effects against paraquat induced oxidative damage.
 

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Background & objectives: Toluene as a systemic toxin and industrial solvents has different effects on vital organs of the body. There is little mechanistic study of the interactions between toluene and human lymphocytes. In this study, the direct toxicity of toluene and the potential of agents with antioxidant, mitochondrial/lysosomal protective effects to reduce its possible toxicity in human lymphocytes were studied.
Methods: Blood lymphocytes were isolated from healthy male volunteer's blood, using Ficoll Paque Plus followed by gradient centrifugation. In this study, cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, lipid peroxidation (LPO), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lysosomal membrane damage, glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels, were determined in blood lymphocytes after incubation with toluene and antioxidant, mitochondrial and lysosomal protective compounds.
 Results: Results showed that toluene reduced lymphocyte viability, increased ROS levels, LPO content, damage to lysosomal membranes, mitochondrial damages and GSH depletion, which these damages were significantly inhibited by dibutyl hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a synthetic antioxidant, cyclosporine A (Cs. A) as an inhibitor of mitochondrial pores, and chloroquine as a lysosomotropic agent.
Conclusion: Results of our study suggest that using of antioxidants, mitochondrial and lysosomal protective agents can be effective in reducing toluene-induced toxicity in exposed individuals.

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Background & objectives: Research on intelligent nanomaterials that accelerate the process of nerve regeneration and treatment by different methods such as antioxidant effects, stimulation of nerve cell proliferation, modulation of the immune system and inflammatory factors is great importance. The aim of this study was to prepare cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles and evaluate its antioxidant and cytotoxicity effects on PC12 cell line.
Methods: Cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles were prepared and their structural properties were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To evaluate the antioxidant properties of the compounds, free radical trapping methods 2 and 2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl were used. Cell viability in the presence of compounds was measured by a toxicity test (MTT) [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.
Results: FTIR spectra and TEM images showed the processing of nanoparticles with an average size of less than 100 nm with cinnamon coating on their surface. Also, the antioxidant capacity of cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles was significantly higher (*p<0.038) than extracts and nanoparticles alone at similar concentrations. Evaluation the results of cytotoxicity showed that the lowest toxicity was observed in the cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles group.
Conclusion: Results showed higher antioxidant properties and low cytotoxic effects of cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles compared to other groups, which leads to better efficacy, proliferation, longer cell survival, its green synthesis and coverage by cinnamon

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Background& objectives: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) damage occurs during renal transplantation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients which activate immune responses. Inflammatory responses by increased levels of cytokines can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) that contributes to the loss of renal grafts and graft dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to review the therapeutic effects of nanoparticles in AKI.
Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was identified relevant studies on AKI models, using the Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, from 2000 until 2020. The search strategy included keywords like ischemia-reperfusion and nanoparticles.
Results: Oxygen free radicals are produced during the reperfusion phase, which cause lipid peroxidation and promote tissue damage. Oxidative damage to DNA and proteins and lipid membrane peroxidation can cause cell death and apoptosis. Some strategies to reduce the tissue damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion are nanoscale materials. Antioxidant nanoparticles reduce oxidative stress in tissues. Also, they have flexibility in the delivery of therapeutic agents and drugs to the ischemic cells, and imaging of the ischemic regions at the molecular or cellular level.
Conclusion: This potential of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of renal ischemic regions is an innovation in the development of new therapies and a unique achievement in recent medical advances.
 

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Background & objectives: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the most ancient and well-known medicinal plants, and its useful role has been well - established in treating of many diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Fenugreek on spermatogenesis, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in male diabetic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200±20 gram were used. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of six. group1: control group, Group2: diabetic, Group3: diabetic+Fenugreek (8gram /kg diet), group4: diabetic+Fenugreek (2gram /kg diet). This treatment continued for 4 weeks. Blood glucose, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and sperm profiles were determined.
Results: Blood glucose in diabetic rats which received Fenugreek significantly reduced compared with diabetic animals. Fenugreek also reduced body weight and MDA level of semen (p<0.05).On the other hand, Fenugreek increased the total antioxidant capacity of semen (p<0.05) and normalized sperm profiles (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the present results, it can be concluded that consumption of Fenugreek extract probably reduced MDA level, body weight, and normalized sperm profile thus, Fenugreek extract can be used to treat sexual dysfunction in males.