Extracts from Rhois aromatica and Solidaginis virgaurea inhibit rat and human bladder contraction

Since extracts from the plants Rhois aromatica and Solidaginis virgaurea are being used in the phytotherapy of bladder dysfunction including the overactive bladder syndrome, and since muscarinic receptors are the main pharmacological target in the treatment of bladder dysfunction, we have investigated whether these extracts can inhibit carbachol-induced, muscarinic receptor-mediated contraction of rat and human bladder. In vitro contraction experiments were performed with rat and human bladder strips. Radioligand binding and inositol phosphate accumulation studies were done with cells transfected with human M₂ or M₃ muscarinic receptors. Both extracts concentration-dependently (final concentrations 0.01–0.1%) inhibited carbachol-induced contraction of rat and human bladder with insurmountable antagonism. Radioligand binding experiments and inositol phosphate accumulation studies with cloned receptors demonstrated direct but non-competitive effects on muscarinic receptors. Reductions of KCl-induced bladder contraction demonstrated that inhibition by the higher extract concentrations also involved receptor-independent effects. We conclude that extracts from Rhois aromatica and Solidaginis virgaurea inhibit muscarinic receptor-mediated contraction of rat and human bladder. While this could contribute to the beneficial effects of these extracts in patients with bladder dysfunction, such therapeutic effects remain to be demonstrated in controlled clinical studies.     

Phytotherapy: emerging therapeutic option in urologic disease

Phytotherapy belongs to the area of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the definition of phytotherapy is the use of plants or plant extracts for medicinal uses. Interest in phytotherapy is growing in both Asian and western countries for its use in the prevention and management of disease, improvement of general health and anti-aging. And also, there are several studies about the efficacy of phytotherapy in urologic diseases like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), erectile dysfunction (ED), late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) and infertility in males. Phytotherapy for BPH including saw palmetto, pygeum, and nettles, is under vigorous research for the therapeutic effect. No solid evidence showing better effective treatment modality for ED than placebo has been found yet for phytotherapy. Recently, a potent NO donor, L-arginine is under research with promising results. Phytotherapy is used by a number of patients with urological disease, and urologists need to have accurate knowledge about phytotherapy as well as keep a cautious approach. The possible effects and side effects should be defined and related to urologic patients by urologists.     

Effects of a nanocomposite containing Orbignya speciosa lipophilic extract on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common complaint among aging men and are usually caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). A number of medical treatments for LUTS/BPH exist, such as α-blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, phytotherapeutical drugs and combination therapies. Babassu is the common name of a Brazilian native palm tree called Orbignya speciosa, whose kernels are commonly used (eaten entirely or as a grounded powder), in parts of Brazil for the treatment of urinary disorders. This study investigates the effects of Orbignya speciosa nanoparticle extract, a newly developed phytotherapic formulation derived from the kernels of babassu, in the treatment of BPH.

Materials and methods

Orbignya speciosa extract was obtained from the kernels, a nanoparticulate system was developed and acute toxicity test was performed. BPH primary stromal cell and tissue cultures were established and treated with 300 μg/mL Orbignya speciosa nanoparticle (NanoOse) extract in order to evaluate its effects on apoptosis induction, cytotoxicity, cell morphology and proliferation.

Results

Our results indicated that NanoOSE shows no toxicity in animals and acts incisively by promoting morphological cell changes, reducing cell proliferation as well as inducing necrosis/apoptosis on BPH cells and tissues.

Conclusions

This study provided the first report of the successful use of NanoOSE on BPH treatment which corroborates with the popular use of the kernels of this plant. The results also suggest the potential of NanoOSE as a candidate new phytotherapeutic agent on the management of BPH.     

Plant-derived natural agents as dietary supplements for the regulation of glycosylated hemoglobin: A review of clinical trials

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Phytotrapy of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic drug that can suppress both humoral and cellular immunity. Combining traditional medicinal herbs and chemotherapy drugs are used to improve immunity and quality of life performance status. In this paper, the effects of plant extracts, active components and their derivatives on immunosuppression of CP are discussed.Appropriate keywords were used to search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Sciverse. All relevant results published from 1990 to date were chosen for final review.Over 50 references were found in which plant extracts, active components and their derivatives have been tested for their immune protective effects against CP-induced immune toxicity. Although there are several plants shown to be effective in animal models, no study was carried out on human subjects. According to the results; we can claim that plants and their active ingredients are good candidates for alternative adjuvant chemotherapy in reducing the immunotoxicity of CP.     

消肿止痛膏对腓肠肌损伤大鼠MEF2 mRNA与蛋白表达的影响

目的:基于微小RNA表达机制,探讨消肿止痛膏对大鼠骨骼肌损伤后重塑和修复的影响。方法 :通过钝挫伤模型的方法建立大鼠腓肠肌损伤模型,观察消肿止痛膏对大鼠损伤后4、7、14、21 d大鼠定量PCR检测腓肠肌MEF2 mRNA与蛋白质的表达水平,探讨消肿止痛膏对大鼠腓肠肌钝挫伤模型的肌肉重塑与修复的作用机制。结果:治疗组MEF2的表达水平高于空白组与模型组,进一步证实了MEF2在外用药物中引起骨骼肌重塑及修复过程中的重要作用。MEF2在损伤后7 d上升,其后表达一直维持在较高水平,至损伤后21 d仍可以表达出较高水平。与模型组相比较,其表达的高峰期在14 d左右,其后则基本回归到一般状态。结论:MEF2的表达水平呈现上升趋势,即使至损伤后21 d,其表达仍未见明显下降,可见消肿止痛软膏可以促进MEF2的表达。同时,消肿止痛膏可以调节骨骼肌的再生修复,因此,消肿止痛膏可以通过基因调控,发挥对骨骼肌损伤后的再生修复作用。     

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. in vitro and in vivo

AIM: To investigate the bactericidal effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.(CAL) against Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) both in vitro and in vivo.METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the inhibitory activity of CAL was tested using an agar dilution method; H.pylori strain NCTC11637 was incubated on Columbia blood agar plates containing serial concentrations of CAL.The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) was determined by the absence of H.pylori colonies on the agar plate.Time-kill curves were used to evaluate bactericidal activity; the average number of colonies was calculated at 0, 2, 8 and 24 h after liquid incubation with concentrations of CAL at 0.5, 1, and 2 × MIC.For in vivo experiments, H.pylori-infected mice were randomly divided into CAL, triple therapy(lansoprazole, metronidazole, and clarithromycin), blank control, or H.pylori control groups.The eradication ratios were determined by positive findings from rapid urease tests(RUTs) and by histopathology.RESULTS: In vitro, the MIC of CAL against H.pylori was 16 mg/L.The time-kill curves showed a stable and persistent decreasing tendency with increasing CAL concentration, and the intensity of the bactericidal effect was proportional to dose; the 1 and 2 × MIC completely inhibited the growth of H.pylori at 24 h.In vivo, the eradication ratios in the CAL group were60%(6/10) by RUT and 50%(5/10) by histopathology.Ratios in the triple therapy group were both 70%(7/10), and there was no difference between the CAL and triple therapy groups.Histopathologic evaluation revealed massive bacterial colonization on the surface of gastric mucosa and slight infiltration of mononuclear cells after inoculation with H.pylori, but no obvious inflammation or other pathologic changes in gastric mucosa of mice from CAL and triple therapy groups.CONCLUSION: CAL demonstrates effective bactericidal activity against H.pylori both in vitro and in vivo.