[Pharmacology of Teucrium polium preparations].
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BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is thought to be a major cause of retinal injury after I/R. The present study was aimed at investigating the protective role of antioxidant application. METHODS: Four commonly used antioxidants (vitamin E=alpha tocopherol, lutein, fenugreek=Trigonella foenum-graecum and germander=Teucrium multicaule) were applied in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the right retinae of 51 adult pigmented rats. Each of the antioxidants was administered every 6 h, beginning 6 h before the ischemia. After 60 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion, we assayed (1) oxidative damage by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), (2) apoptosis by measuring activated caspase-3 (using immunoblots), and (3) intrinsic antioxidative capacity by measuring glutathione (GSH) levels in the retinae. RESULTS: In the order of lutein>Trigonella>vitamin E>Teucrium, all four compounds were effective in preventing retinal damage by I/R, as (1) they significantly decreased the formation of MDA (8.83, 16.48, 17.24, 18.5 nmol/100 mg tissue wet weight, respectively) compared with I/R without protection (23.29 nmol/100 mg tissue wet weight; controls: 8.0 nmol/100 mg tissue wet weight); (2) they significantly inhibited the activation of caspase-3 [0.01, 0.02, 0,02, and 0.04 arbitrary units (AU), respectively, versus control, 0.0, and I/R, 0.08 AU]; and (3) they significantly decelerated the loss of GSH (from control levels of 36.04 nmol/100 mg tissue wet weight) to 30.4, 15.98, 18.1, 15.02 nmol/100 mg tissue wet weight, respectively (lutein, Trigonella, vitamin E, Teucrium), compared with unprotected I/R (12.84 nmol/100 mg tissue wet weight). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that lutein, Trigonella, Teucrium and vitamin E exert protection against in vivo retinal I/R injury in rats; this may recommend these compounds (in particular, lutein) for clinical use in patients with different types of ocular I/R injuries.
The effects of seven medicinal plants including Artemisia herba-alba, Ferula hermonis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Nigella sativa, Teucrium polium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Allium sativum on protein degradation, lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte deformability and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes exposed in vitro to 10 mM H(2)O(2) for 60 min at 37 degrees C have been examined. Preincubation of erythrocytes with Nigella sativa and Allium sativum protected erythrocytes against protein degradation, loss of deformability and increased osmotic fragility caused by H(2)O(2), while the other plants failed to protect erythrocytes against these damages. Artemisia herba-alba did not protect erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation, while Trigonella foenum-graecum unexpectedly increased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes exposed to H(2)O(2). Ferula hermonis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Nigella sativa, Teucrium polium and Allium sativum protected erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation. The results indicate the importance of oxidatively damaged cellular proteins in compromising the rheologic behaviour of the erythrocytes, and that the medicinal plants which have anti-protein-oxidant activity (e.g. Nigella sativa and Allium sativum) could be rheologically useful, particularly in pathological conditions related to free radicals.
The development of herbal medicine has follow in line with increased popular interest in ecology. Emphasis has been placed on the safety of natural herbs in contrast with the risks involved with "classical" medicines. But recent publications have revealed that several herbal medicines are toxic for the liver. For example, in France we have observed cases of hepatitis after ingestion of germander (Teucrium chamaedrys). Clinicians should also be aware of other well documented toxic effects of herbs used in popular medicines in Africa, Asia or Central America. The toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids was recognized over 40 years ago. More than 300 plant species, including Heliotropium, Crotalaria, Senecio and Symphytum, are implicated. In Africa or Central America, intoxication is sometimes endemic since these plants are often used for making tea. In Western countries, cases of herb-induced hepatitis have been observed after use of preparations containing Symphytum or Chinese herbs. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause obstruction of the hepatic venous system and can lead to hepatonecrosis. Clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, ascitis, hepatomegaly and raised serum transaminase levels. Prognosis is often poor with death rates of 20 to 30% being reported. Atractylis gummifera is another example of herbal toxicity. Twenty-six species of this plant are used for medicinal purposes or for chewing gum. Intoxication usually occurs in the spring and is related to chewing the roots of these plants. Severe hepatocellular lysis may occur less than 24 hours after ingestion. Clinical manifestations are related to the induced hypoglycemia and neurovegetative disorders or subsequent renal failure. These compounds have an inhibitor effect on the Krebs cycle and can lead to severe or fatal liver failure. Other similar cases of fatal liver accidents have been reported after ingesting Callilepis laureola, a herb used by the Zoulous in Natal for medicinal purposes or after use of products containing extracts of Teucrium chamaedrys, which was nevertheless authorized in France in 1986 for use in preparations for weight loss. These examples emphasize the importance of remembering that herbal medicine is not harmless. Faced with the extensive distribution of many herbal preparations and the risk of self-medication, consumers and clinicians alike should be increasingly vigilant with these potentially hepatotoxic products.
The claimed hypoglycemic activities of Paronychia argentea Lam. (Caryophyllaceae) and Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae), two traditionally widely used medicinal plants in Jordan were evaluated using normoglycemic and alloxan induced hyperglycemic rabbits by intranasal administration of the plant crude extracts (10%) in a vehicle containing 5% (w/w) Pluronic F127. No significant difference was observed between the extract treated and non-treated control animals receiving only water.