Background:Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women which affect fertility. Clomiphene citrate is used as first-line treatment for this disorder, which is associated with some complications and therapeutic resistance. Objective:In this research, we compare the effectiveness of ginger with clomiphene on sexual hormones such as Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and progesterone in order to treat PCOS effectively with fewer side effects.Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, 63 adult female rats (170-200 gr) were studied and divided randomly into 9 groups as control (not received any interventional substance for 60 and 89 days), sham (were given distilled water and ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally daily for 60 and 89 days), and 7 experimental groups receiving estradiol valerate (PCOS inducing agent, intramuscular) alone and with 100 mg/kg clomiphene or different doses of ginger extract (175 and 350 mg/kg) orally daily for 60 and 89 days. Sexual hormones were analyzed and compared in different groups. Results:Our results showed that in the PCOS-induced group, LH and estrogen concentration increased while progesterone and FSH concentration decreased remarkably (p<0.05) as compared to control group. Furthermore, in groups receiving clomiphene and ginger extract, we demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvement in hormonal secretion as compared to the PCOS-induced group. Clomiphene, compared with the lower dose of ginger extract, had a better improving effect on balancing sexual hormones in PCOS. Moreover, ginger extract at higher doses has better effects in improving PCOS. Conclusion:As the long-term administration of clomiphene citrate has some side effects, the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving PCOS.
AIMTo evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Salep on Paraquat-mediated liver injury.METHODSIn this experimental study, 56 adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly to 7 groups as control, sham, and 5 experimental groups. In control group, rats did not receive any substance during experiment. In Sham group, rats were given distilled water according to their body weight and in experimental groups, Paraquat alone and with different doses of Salep aqueous extract (40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneal daily for 14 d. After that, liver biochemical parameter and histologic changes were analyzed and compared in different groups.RESULTSParaquat compared to control and sham groups, significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant capacity (TOC); while level of total protein, albumin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were remarkably decreased by Paraquat. Salep at doses of 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg significantly decreased serum level of ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, MDA and TOC and significantly increased total protein, albumin and TAC level as compared to Paraquat exposed group in dose dependent manner. Aqueous extract of Salep at doses of 40 mg/kg made no significant changes in serum level of mentioned biochemical parameters. Liver microscopic observation revealed that Paraquat could cause hepatocyte necrosis, degenerative changes, proliferation and activation of Kupffer cells (sporadically) which were reduced by Salep treatment.CONCLUSIONSalep possesses remarkable hepatoprotection activity against Paraquat-induced hepatic injury by having antioxidant activity and reducing lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.
Backgrounds: Targeting breast cancer stem cells with the CD44+/CD24-phenotype is critical for complete eradication of cancer cells due to its Self-renewal, differentiation, and therapeutic resistance ability. Quercetin is a popular flavonoid with lower adverse effects and has anti-tumor properties. Therefore, we assessed the anticancer activity of Quercetin and Doxorubicin alone and in combination in the T47D cells of human breast cancer and their isolated Cancer stem cells (CSCs). Materials and Methods: The human breast cancer cell line T47D was used for this experiment. T47D CSCs were isolated by magnetic bead sorting using the MACS system. The anticancer activity of Quercetin and Doxorubicin alone and in combination were evaluated using MTT cytotoxicity assay and cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction by flow cytometry analysis. Results: We have shown that almost 1% of T47D cell populations are made up of CD44+/CD24-cells, which considered as cancer stem cells. Quercetin and Doxorubicin alone or in combination inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in breast cancer T47D cells and in lower extent in CD44+/CD24-cells. Quercetin significantly strengthened Doxorubicin's cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in both cell populations. Quercetin and Doxorubicin and their combination induced G2/M arrest in the T47D cells and to a lesser extent in isolated CSCs. A value of p < 0.05 was considered as indicating a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: These outcomes suggested that CSCs are a minor population of cancer cells, which play a significant role in drug resistance by being quiescent, slow cycling and resistance to apoptosis. Furthermore, our data showed that adding Quercetin to Doxorubicin is an effective approach for the treatment of both CSCs and bulk tumor cells.
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