Sara Zakerin; Homa Hajimehdipoor; Seyed Alireza Mortazavi; Masoumeh Sabetkasaei; Rasool Choopani; Shirin Fahimi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Herbal medicines are preferred over chemical medications for a wide range of mental disorders such as depression. "Monzej-e soda" is a polyherbal combination that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for several years to cure different mood disorders with similar signs to depression. ...
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Background: Herbal medicines are preferred over chemical medications for a wide range of mental disorders such as depression. "Monzej-e soda" is a polyherbal combination that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for several years to cure different mood disorders with similar signs to depression. Traditional formulations should be reformulated to reach pharmacopoeial standards as modern medicines.
Objectives: In this study, "Monzej-e soda" was reformulated and its quality control and antidepressant evaluations were performed to present a standard and efficacious formulation.
Methods: The aqueous extract of the mixture of Echium amoenum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Ziziphus jujuba, Cordia myxa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Fumaria parviflora, Adiantum capillus-veneris, and Alhagi spp. manna was dried with the spray drying method. Dried extract and various ingredients at different ratios were used to produce 13 experimental tablet formulations and several pre- and post-formulation tests were performed to select the best formulation. The formulation was evaluated physico-chemically. The accelerated stability test was performed on the tablets, as well. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of tablets was evaluated by the forced swimming test. The serum levels of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were measured in rats. Finally, histopathological examinations were performed on the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Results: Among different formulations, the best one was a combination of dried extract (490 mg), maltodextrin (189 mg), colloidal silicon dioxide (21 mg), and croscarmellose sodium (2%). The hardness, weight, friability, disintegration time, dissolution percentage, and total phenolic content were 6.98 kg/cm2, 715.76 mg, 0.7%, 12.0 min, 97.46% in one hour, and 31.4 mg/tab, respectively. No significant changes were seen in the product in the accelerated stability test. The polyherbal tablet produced significant antidepressant effects through the decrease in immobility time, which was mediated via an increase in NA and 5-HT levels. It had no effect on the BDNF level. In addition, tablets had no toxic effects on the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Conclusions: "Monzej-e soda" tablet can be considered a suitable antidepressant drug and used in patients after passing clinical trial tests.
Ladan Akbarzadeh; Taraneh Moini Zanjani; Masoumeh Sabetkasaei; Yalda Khazaei
Volume 19, Issue 1 , January 2017, , Pages 1-5
Abstract
Background: Amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is involved in cell proliferation, is observed to be over expressed in human cancer. Thus, it is crucial to investigate its role in cancer and suggest treatment strategies to alter its effects on cell growth.Objectives: The main purpose of this study ...
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Background: Amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is involved in cell proliferation, is observed to be over expressed in human cancer. Thus, it is crucial to investigate its role in cancer and suggest treatment strategies to alter its effects on cell growth.Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to determine APP concentrations in colon cancer SW480 cell line after treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), namely valproic acid (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ).Methods: In the present experimental study, carried out during the period 2014 - 2016 in Iran, 1000000 cells were seeded and incubated in a six-well plate for each sample preparation. The cells were then treated with drugs and APP was evaluated. The concentration of this protein was detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.Results: We found that treatment with CBZ (P < 0.001) and VPA (P < 0.001) reduced the APP levels significantly compared to controls. The APP level reduction by CBZ was 41.6% more than that by VPA.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that APP reduction by HDACIs can apparently play an important role in the treatment of colon cancer.
