Background. The antioxidant system in islets of Langerhans is weak, which can lead to diabetes. Meanwhile, the main component of cloves that produce antioxidant effects is eugenol. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant effect of eugenol on oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in islets of Langerhans isolated from the male mice. Materials and Methods. In this experimental study, adult Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice (20-25 g) were prepared. The collagenase digestion method was used for dissecting the islets of Langerhans. H2O2 50 μM was administered for 30 min to induce oxidative stress, with 50, 100, and 200 μM of eugenol employed for 2 hours before the administration of H2O2. The experimental groups were divided into five groups: (control, H2O2, and H2O2+eugenol 50, 100, and 200 μM). Finally, the islet’s lipid peroxidation and antioxidants levels were measured by the ELISA assay method. Results. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) increased in all groups when compared to the control ( P < 0.05 ). MDA diminished in H2O2+eugenol 50, 100, and 200 μM ( P < 0.01 ) groups versus the H2O2. TAC was elevated when eugenol 50, 100, and 200 μM was administered in oxidative stress-induced islets ( P < 0.001 ). Also, CAT increased in the H2O2+eugenol 50 ( P < 0.05 ) group in comparison with the H2O2 group. Conclusions. In conclusion, H2O2 induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the islets, and administration of eugenol recovered these alterations by raising the level of TAC and CAT, while reducing MDA as a lipid peroxidation biomarker.

Context: Statins are administered to decrease atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease. These drugs enhance the risk of diabetes by affecting islets insulin secretion. Objectives: Therefore, this systematic review investigates the effect of statins on insulin secretion of islets of Langerhans in the related original studies. Methods: A preliminary search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases. The search strategy terms were statin (hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors), insulin secretion, and islets of Langerhans. The search elements were evaluated using the Mesh term system. Limits were used to include only review articles and no limits were set on language. The quality of the method and risk of bias was assessed by its tool. Results: After removing irrelevant articles to the subject, 20 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In vivo studies revealed that pravastatin and rosuvastatin increase and decrease islets insulin secretion, while atorvastatin and fluvastatin reduced this variable, and pitavastatin had no effect. The results of in vitro studies showed that pravastatin and induced both increasing and decreasing effects on insulin secretion from the pancreatic islet cells. Also, administration of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin decreased islet insulin secretion in the medium. Conclusions: Pravastatin could enhance pancreatic islet insulin secretion while other statins reduced this variable. Finally, the contradictory effect of statins on islets’ insulin secretion can indicate the existence of laboratory and clinical research in this regard.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Seidlitzia rosmarinus on reproductive hormones, sperm variables, and antioxidant enzymes level in the mice testis.Methods: In this experimental study, 24 three-monthold male NMRI mice weighing (25-30g) were divided into three groups: control, aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Seidlitzia rosmarinus 100mg/kg. Dissolved extracts were gavaged orally for 35 days. One day after receiving the last dose of the extract, the blood sample, testis, and the epididymis tail were taken for plasma hormonal, testicular antioxidants level, sperm count, and vitality assessments.Results: Testicular level of malondialdehyde increased in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts groups (p=0.04); total antioxidant capacity decreased in aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts groups (p=0.008); and the consumption of aqueous (p<0.001) and hydro-alcoholic (p=0.03) extracts decreased catalase in comparison with the control group. The plasma level of luteinizing hormone decreased in the aqueous extracts administrated group (p=0.009); the follicle-stimulating hormone increased in aqueous (p=0.03), and hydro-alcoholic extracts administered mice; and the testosterone level decreased in aqueous extracttreated animals versus the control group (p<0.001). The sperm count was increased in aqueous (p=0.04) and hydro-alcoholic (p=0.009) extracts groups, but its vitality was decreased (p=0.008) in comparison with the control group.Conclusions: In conclusion, Seidlitzia rosmarinus has an adverse effect on male reproductive hormones and sperm viability via increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant defense system performance.

The present study investigated the total content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of water extracts oat (Avena sativa) and basil (Ocimum basilicum), medicinal plants. The Folin-ciocalteu reagent assay was used to estimate the total phenolic content of plants extract. The antioxidant capacity of the plants extract was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power Assay (FRAP) and ferric reducing scavenging activity using DPPH method, and the antimicrobial activity was measured against [Staphylococcus epidermidis; Staphylococcus aureus; Proteus spp.; Klebsiella spp.; Escherichia coli; Candida albicans] as tester strains. The total phenolic content of Avena sativa and Ocimum basilicum extracts revealed that the mixture of plants showed higher content. The mixture of Avena sativa and Ocimum basilicum extracts showed the highest antioxidant capacity followed by Avena sativa extract and Ocimum basilicum extract with FRAP and DPPH assay. However, mixture of Avena sativa and Ocimum basilicum extracts exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity when compared to the other extracts. Thus the study revealed that the consumption of mixture herbs may enhance the immune power of our body against diseases due to free radicals.

Background and Objectives: Appearance of multidrug-resistant bacteria has created significant clinical problems in treatment of infectious diseases. Sonchus oleraceus plant with many medicinal properties can be a potential source of antibacterial effects. Methods: Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of S. oleraceus were prepared by maceration and antibacterial effect of these extracts as well as latex on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated by micro broth dilution method and MIC/ MBC according to CLSI. Results: Minimum lethal concentrations in latex and aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts for E. coli respectively 7.8, 15.6 and 7.8 mg / ml and for S. aureus, respectively. 3.9, 7.8 and 62.5 mg / ml were obtained. The highest antibacterial effect was observed in plant latex on S. aureus according to the diameter of inhibition zone. Conclusion: This study presents the first results of the antibacterial effects of latex and aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of S. oleraceus in Iran. The highest inhibitory effect was related to latex at 3.9 mg / ml on S. aureus. Further studies can help us understand the antimicrobial potential of this plant.