PMID: 

J Perinat Med. 2014 Nov ;42(6):725-9. PMID: 24698820

Abstract Title: 

Mercury exposure in pregnancy: a review.

Abstract: 

Mercury exposure in pregnancy has been associated with both pregnancy complications and developmental problems in infants. Apart from industrial accidents and contaminated food, mercury exposure is likely to arise from predatory fish consumption, environmental contamination and dental amalgam restorations placed before or during pregnancy. It would be prudent to recommend that pregnant women avoid these potential problems and minimize any risk. The available literature indicates a linear relationship with mercury levels and IQ deficit, and therefore a safe limit of mercury cannot be calculated.

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PMID: 

Neurochem Res. 2013 Nov ;38(11):2268-75. Epub 2013 Aug 29. PMID: 23990223

Abstract Title: 

Hydroxysafflor yellow A protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by anti-apoptotic effect through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway in rat.

Abstract: 

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the major active chemical component of the flower of the safflower plant, Carthamus tinctorius L. Previously, its neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury was reported by anti-oxidant action and suppression of thrombin generation. Here, we investigate the role of HSYA in cerebral I/R-mediated apoptosis and possible signaling pathways. Male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h, followed by 24 h reperfusion. HSYA was administered via tail-vein injection just 15 min after occlusion. The number of apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL assay, apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK3β in ischemic penumbra were assayed by western blot. The results showed that administration of HSYA at the doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg significantly inhibited the apoptosis by decreasing the number of apoptotic cells and increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in rats subjected to I/R injury. Simultaneously, HSYA treatment markedly increased the phosphorylations of Akt and GSK3β. Blockade of PI3K activity by wortmannin dramatically abolished its anti-apoptotic effect and lowered both Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation levels. Taken together, these results suggest that HSYA protects against cerebral I/R injurypartly by reducing apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway.

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PMID: 

Drug Saf. 2003 ;26(14):1011-25. PMID: 14583063

Abstract Title: 

Aluminium in over-the-counter drugs: risks outweigh benefits?

Abstract: 

In the early 1970s, aluminium toxicity was first implicated in the pathogenesis of clinical disorders in patients with chronic renal failure involving bone (renal osteomalacia) or brain tissue (dialysis encephalopathy). Before that time the toxic effects of aluminium ingestion were not considered to be a major concern because absorption seemed unlikely to occur. Meanwhile, aluminium toxicity has been investigated in countless epidemiological and clinical studies as well as in animal experiments and many papers have been published on the subject. It is now commonly acknowledged that aluminium toxicity can be induced by infusion of aluminium-contaminated dialysis fluids, by parenteral nutrition solutions, and by oral exposure as a result of aluminium-containing pharmaceutical products such as aluminium-based phosphate binders or antacid intake. Over-the-counter antacids are the most important source for human aluminium exposure from a quantitative point of view. However, aluminium can act as a powerful neurological toxicant and provoke embryonic and fetal toxic effects in animals and humans after gestational exposure. Despite these facts, the patient information leaflets from European antacids that are available OTC show substantial differences regarding warnings from aluminium toxicity. It seems advisable that all patients should receive the same information on aluminium toxicity from patient information leaflets, in particular with regard to the increased absorption through concomitant administration with citrate-containing beverages and the use of such antacids during pregnancy.

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PMID: 

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2013 Jan ;35(1):82-7. Epub 2012 Nov 26. PMID: 23274174

Abstract Title: 

impact of aluminum exposure on the immune system: a mini review.

Abstract: 

Aluminum (Al) is widely used in daily life and will lead to environmental release and exposure. The toxicity of Al had been documented, and which attracted a growing concern on human and animal health. The immune system appears to be sensitive to Al exposure. But few studies focused on the potential immunological responses induced by Al. It is imperative to study the effects of Al on the immune function and this review discusses the effects of Al on autoimmunity, oral tolerance, expression of the immune cells, hypersensitivity and erythrocyte immune function. It will provide evidence to study the association between Al and immune function.

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PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Feb 3 ;151(2):944-50. Epub 2013 Dec 11. PMID: 24333963

Abstract Title: 

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract and two isolated flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) has been long used both in the traditional system and folk medicine as an analgesic anti-inflammatory agent in China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and two isolated kaempferol glycosides of Carthamus tinctorius L. to provide experimental evidence for its traditional use.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antinociceptive effects of HE, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (K-3-R) and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (K-3-G) were assessed in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin test and cinnamaldehyde test. The anti-inflammatory effects of HE, K-3-R and K-3-G were determined in two animal models: carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema.RESULTS: The HPLC analysis showed the presence of K-3-R and K-3-G in Carthamus tinctorius L. HE (500 and 1000mg/kg) as well as K-3-R and K-3-G (150, 300 and 600mg/kg) produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid and formalin. Oral treatment of HE, K-3-R and K-3-G at all doses significantly reduced both the nociceptive response and cinnamaldehyde-induced paw edema, effect that was superior to aspirin. In anti-inflammatory tests, HE and K-3-G significantly inhibited the paw edema during the both phases of carrageenan-induced inflammation while K-3-G suppressed the late phase inflammation only. HE (400 and 800mg/kg) and K-3-G (200, 400, 800mg/kg) produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of xylene-induced ear edema development. K-3-R only suppressed ear edema formation at a high dose (800mg/kg).CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that Carthamus tinctorius L. extract possess remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities which may be due to K-3-R and K-3-G at least in part, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory and pain diseases.

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PMID: 

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Nov ;1005:404-8. PMID: 14679101

Abstract Title: 

Vaccinations may induce diabetes-related autoantibodies in one-year-old children.

Abstract: 

Vaccinations have been discussed as one among many environmental candidates contributing to the immune process that later may lead to type 1 diabetes. ABIS (All Babies in Southeast Sweden) is a prospective cohort study following a nonselected birth cohort of general population. In a randomly selected sample collection from 4400 children, GADA and IA-2A have been determined at the age of 1 year. The information on vaccinations was collected from questionnaires answered by the parents and was related to beta cell autoantibodies. When studying the induction of autoantibodies using the autoantibody level of 90th percentile as cutoff level, hemophilus influenza B (HIB) vaccination appeared to be a risk factor for IA-2A [OR 5.9 (CI 1.4-24.4; p = 0.01)] and for GADA [OR 3.4 (CI 1.1-10.8; p = 0.04)] in logistic regression analyses. Furthermore, the titers of IA-2A were significantly higher (p

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2014 Jul ;28(7):1030-6. Epub 2013 Dec 11. PMID: 24338940

Abstract Title: 

Hair growth-promoting effect of Carthamus tinctorius floret extract.

Abstract: 

The florets of Carthamus tinctorius L. have traditionally been used for hair growth promotion. This study aimed to examine the potential of hydroxysafflor yellow A-rich C. tinctorius extract (CTE) on hair growth both in vitro and in vivo. The effect of CTE on cell proliferation and hair growth-associated gene expression in dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes (HaCaT) was determined. In addition, hair follicles from mouse neonates were isolated and cultured in media supplemented with CTE. Moreover, CTE was applied topically on the hair-shaved skin of female C57BL/6 mice, and the histological profile of the skin was investigated. C. tinctorius floret ethanolic extract promoted the proliferation of both dermal papilla cells and HaCaT and significantly stimulated hair growth-promoting genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor. In contrast, CTE suppressed the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 that is the hair loss-related gene. Furthermore, CTE treatment resulted in a significant increase in the lengthof cultured hair follicles and stimulated the growth of hair with local effects in mice. The results provided the preclinical data to support the potential use of CTE as a hair growth-promoting agent.

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PMID: 

Curr Med Chem. 2007 ;14(11):1189-97. PMID: 17504139

Abstract Title: 

Microglial activation and its implications in the brain diseases.

Abstract: 

An inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS) is believed to play an important role in the pathway leading to neuronal cell death in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, multiple sclerosis and HIV-dementia. The inflammatory response is mediated by the activated microglia, the resident immune cells of the CNS, which normally respond to neuronal damage and remove the damaged cells by phagocytosis. Activation of microglia is a hallmark of brain pathology. However, it remains controversial whether microglial cells have beneficial or detrimental functions in various neuropathological conditions. The chronic activation of microglia may in turn cause neuronal damage through the release of potentially cytotoxic molecules such as proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen intermediates, proteinases and complement proteins. Therefore, suppression of microglia-mediated inflammation has been considered as an important strategy in neurodegenerative disease therapy. Several anti-inflammatory drugs of various chemical ingredients have been shown to repress the microglial activation and to exert neuroprotective effects in the CNS following different types of injuries. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these effects occur remain unclear. In recent years, several research groups including ours have attempted to explain the potential mechanisms and signaling pathways for the repressive effect of various drugs, on activation of microglial cells in CNS injury. We provide here a comprehensive review of recent findings of mechanisms and signaling pathways by which microglial cells are activated in CNS inflammatory diseases. This review article further summarizes the role of microglial cells in neurodegenerative diseases and various forms of potential therapeutic options to inhibit the microglial activation which amplifies the inflammation-related neuronal injury in neurodegenerative diseases.

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PMID: 

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Mar ;27(2):377-80. PMID: 24577929

Abstract Title: 

Effect of Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) on fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.

Abstract: 

Diabetes mellitus is a major threat to present and future generations. The role of herbal medication has emerged as a safe alternative to currently available medication due to its decreased potential to produce side effects, hence effect of Carthamus tinctorius was observed on fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Thirty five healthy male rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 7 rabbits in each (Normal control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with glibenclamide, diabetic treated with Carthamus tinctorius extract at doses of 200 and 300mg/kg of body weight). Drug and extract were given orally for 30 days and the values for blood glucose levels were observed after 15(th) and 30(th) day of treatment by using standard reagent kits provided by Human Germany. While insulin levels were checked at the end of the study by using Architect i1000 by Abbott Diagnostics USA. Animals were also observed for any gross toxicity during the study. Results revealed that Carthamus tinctorius has significant hypoglycemic effect at 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg doses as compared to diabetic control group. Insulin levels were significantly increased in Glibenclamide treated as well as Carthamus tinctorius treated groups as compared to diabetic control.

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PMID: 

Mol Med Rep. 2015 Jun ;11(6):4611-6. Epub 2015 Feb 6. PMID: 25673029

Abstract Title: 

Safflower polysaccharide inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of MCF-7 breast cancer cell.

Abstract: 

Breast cancer accounts for 22.9% of all types of cancer in females worldwide. Safflower polysaccharide (SPS) is an active fraction purified from safflower petals (Carthamus tinctorius L). The present study investigated the effects of safflower polysaccharide on the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Cell viability was analyzed using an MTT assay following treatment of the MCF‑7 cells with increasing concentrations of SPS. The results demonstrated that the SPS compound significantly inhibited the proliferation of the MCF‑7 human breast cancer cell line and these inhibitory effects increased in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of SPS on breast cancer cells, following treatment for 72 h, was detected using an MTT assay and was calculated as 0.12 mg/ml. The apoptotic rate was detected using flow cytometry in the MCF‑7 human breast cancer cell line and the results revealed that SPS induced cell apoptosis. The apoptotic rate of the MCF‑7 cells treated with SPS was significantly higher compared with that of the untreated cells and increased in a dose‑dependent manner. The expression of B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) was downregulated and the expression of Bcl‑2‑associated X protein was upregulated in the MCF‑7 cells treated with SPS in a time‑dependent manner. Additionally, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‑9 was significantly reduced and the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‑1 was increased in the MCF‑7 human breast cancer cell treated with SPS. These results demonstrated that SPS inhibited the metastasis of MCF‑7 breast cancer cells and understanding the underlying mechanisms may provide novel strategies in breast cancer therapy.

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