PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2008 Jul ;29(5):345-52. PMID: 18240289

Abstract Title: 

Is fertility reduced among men exposed to radiofrequency fields in the Norwegian Navy?

Abstract: 

The effects of radiofrequency fields on human health are not well understood, and public concern about negative health effects has been rising. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between workers exposed to electromagnetic fields and their reproductive health. We obtained data using a questionnaire in a cross-sectional study of naval military men, response rate 63% (n = 1487). We asked the respondents about exposure, lifestyle, reproductive health, previous diseases, work and education. An expert group categorized the work categories related to electromagnetic field exposure. We categorized the work categories"tele/communication,""electronics"and"radar/sonar"as being exposed to electromagnetic fields. Logistic regression adjusted for age, ever smoked, military education, and physical exercise at work showed increased risk of infertility among tele/communication odds ratio (OR = 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.85), and radar/sonar odds ratio (OR = 2.28, 95% confidence interval 1.27-4.09). The electronics group had no increased risk. This study shows a possible relationship between exposure to radiofrequency fields during work with radiofrequency equipment and radar and reduced fertility. However, the results must be interpreted with caution.

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PMID: 

J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Sep ;10(9):BC18-BC22. Epub 2016 Sep 1. PMID: 27790424

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts ofagainst Pathogenic Bacterial and Fungal Strains.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: is a newly identified edible medicinal plant of genus. The plant is used to treat various diseases on traditional levels in Kashmir Valley, India.AIM: To evaluate the phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antifungal potential of aqueous and methanolic extracts of, a traditionally used edible medicinal plant.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanolic and aqueous extracts ofwere tested for their antimicrobial activities against six bacterial strains namely,,,,andand four fungal strains,,andThe susceptibility of microbial strains to the two extracts was determined using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening was carried out by using various standard procedures.RESULTS: Methanolic extract showed potent antimicrobial activity as compared to aqueous extract at the concentrations of 10, 30, 50, 80 and 100mg/ml. The most susceptible bacterial strains werewith zone of inhibition (25±0.10mm),(23±0.25mm),(22±0.10mm) at the concentration of 100mg/ml. Aqueous extracts at the higher concentration were found effective againstandwith zone of inhibition (17±0.24mm) and (17±0.10mm), respectively. Among fungal strains the most susceptible were(21±0.10mm),(20±0.20mm) and(17±0.15mm) at the concentration of 100mg/ml methanol extract. The zone of inhibition for aqueous extract against fungal strains ranged between 14±0.13mm to 16±0.19mm at the highest concentration of plant extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites like flavonoids, saponins, volatile oils, phenols, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that this plant has enough potential to serve as an excellent candidate for obtaining antimicrobial compounds to combat bacterial and fungal infections.

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2012 ;7(5):e37455. Epub 2012 May 18. PMID: 22624036

Abstract Title: 

Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and sleep quality: a prospective cohort study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: There is persistent public concern about sleep disturbances due to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate whether sleep quality is affected by mobile phone use or by other RF-EMF sources in the everyday environment.METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 955 study participants aged between 30 and 60 years. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness was assessed by means of standardized questionnaires in May 2008 (baseline) and May 2009 (follow-up). We also asked about mobile and cordless phone use and asked study participants for consent to obtain their mobile phone connection data from the mobile phone operators. Exposure to environmental RF-EMF was computed for each study participant using a previously developed and validated prediction model. In a nested sample of 119 study participants, RF-EMF exposure was measured in the bedroom and data on sleep behavior was collected by means of actigraphy during two weeks. Data were analyzed using multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders.RESULTS: In the longitudinal analyses neither operator-recorded nor self-reported mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness. Also, exposure to environmental RF-EMF did not affect self-reported sleep quality. The results from the longitudinal analyses were confirmed in the nested sleep study with objectively recorded exposure and measured sleep behavior data.CONCLUSIONS: We did not find evidence for adverse effects on sleep quality from RF-EMF exposure in our everyday environment.

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PMID: 

World J Gastroenterol. 2016 Oct 7 ;22(37):8322-8333. PMID: 27729739

Abstract Title: 

Rhubarb extract partially improves mucosal integrity in chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis.

Abstract: 

AIM: To investigate the effects of orally gavaged aqueous rhubarb extract (RE) on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis in rats.METHODS: Female Dark Agouti rats (= 8/group) were gavaged daily (1 mL) with water, high-dose RE (HDR; 200 mg/kg) or low-dose RE (LDR; 20mg/kg) for eight days. Intestinal mucositis was induced (day 5) with 5-FU (150 mg/kg)intraperitoneal injection. Intestinal tissue samples were collected for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histological examination. Xenopus oocytes expressing aquaporin 4 water channels were prepared to examine the effect of aqueous RE on cell volume, indicating a potential mechanism responsible for modulating net fluid absorption and secretion in the gastrointestinal tract. Statistical significance was assumed at

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PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2018 ;9:1029. Epub 2018 Sep 13. PMID: 30271345

Abstract Title: 

Rhubarb Protect Against Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGF-β/Smad Pathway and Improving Abnormal Metabolome in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Abstract: 

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the final common pathway for all kidney diseases leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway plays a key role in renal fibrosis. Previous studies have revealed that rhubarb extracts attenuated the increase of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1) in CKD rats. To gain an in-depth insight into the mechanism of the anti-fibrotic activities of the rhubarb extracts,we investigated the influence of rhubarb extracts on TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the influence on metabolome in a rat model of CKD with adenine-induced chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, including control, CKD, CKD + petroleum etherextract, CKD + ethyl acetate extract, and CKD +-butanol extract groups. Kidneys harvested on the week three were evaluated for renal fibrosis, the expression of proteins in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and metabolomic study. We found rhubarb extracts suppressed TGF-β/Smad3-mediated renal fibrosis by reducing the TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGF-β RI), transforming growth factor-β receptor II (TGF-β RII), Smad2, p-Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad3, and Smad4,meanwhile increased Smad7. In addition, rhubarb extracts mitigated renal injury and dysfunction, and either fully or partially reversed the abnormalities of tissue metabolites. Thus, rebalancing the disorder of TGF-β/Smad signaling and metabolic dysfunction by treatment with rhubarb extracts may represent as an effective therapy for CKD associated with fibrosis.

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PMID: 

Avicenna J Phytomed. 2018 Nov-Dec;8(6):488-497. PMID: 30456196

Abstract Title: 

Protective effect ofroot against mercuric chloride-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats.

Abstract: 

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract ofagainst HgClhepatorenal toxicity in rats.Materials and Methods: Animals were randomly divided into five groups (n= 6 in each group) and received HgCland plant's extract, intraperitoneally. Group1 received saline (1 mL/kg/day), group 2 received extract (200 mg/kg/day), group 3 was treated with HgCl(5 mg/kg/day,) and groups 4 and 5 received the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively), 1 hr before HgCladministration. All injections last for 3 days. Blood samples and specimens of the liver and kidney were collected 24 hr after the last injection.Results: Data showed that HgClsignificantly increases liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reduces total sulfhydryl content and increases serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, compared to control group. The histopathological changes such as inflammatory cells infiltration was observed in HgCl-treated group while plant's extract partially improved histological changes. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) improved the liver functions as reflected by significant reductions in AST and ALT levels in serum, MDA decreased and the content of total sulfhydryl elevated. Also, the extract improved necrosis and atrophy of the kidney induced byHgCl. Pretreatment with the extract reduced creatinine and urea in serum, and glucose and protein concentrations in urine, compared to HgCl- treated group (group III). The extract significantly reversed HgCl-induced depletion in thiol content and elevation in MDA content.Conclusion: Therefore, oxidative stress may play an important role in HgCl-induced hepatorenal injury andextract may be regarded as a useful to protect the kidney and liver against HgCl-induced oxidative damage.

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PMID: 

Biomedicine (Taipei). 2018 Dec ;8(4):24. Epub 2018 Nov 26. PMID: 30474605

Abstract Title: 

Study of the effect of the essential oil (extract) of rhubarb stem (shoot) on glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type II diabetes.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that can damage the heart, arteries, eyes, kidneys and nerves, leading to death and early disability. Before the discovery of insulin as well as common anti-diabetes drugs, patients with diabetes were treated with medicinal herbs and traditional treatments. One of these effective medicinal herbs is Rhubarb. Rhubarb is prescribed in traditional medicine for various patients, including patients with diabetes. But its effect has not been scientifically reported so far.PURPOSE: This study was conducted with the aim to determine the effectiveness of Rhubarb stem extract on HbA1C and fasting blood glucose in patients with type II diabetes.METHOD: In this experimental study, 80 patients with type II diabetes mellitus in Zabol diabetes center, aged 30-60 years old with fasting blood glucose greater than 140 mg/d/ were selected. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 40) of treatment with capsules of Rhubarb stem and placebo after matching the oral medications. The patients in both groups were studied for fasting blood glucose and HbA1C before and after 1 month of conducting the study.RESULTS: The mean FBS and HbA1C in rhubarb group before the intervention were 288.80± 94.49 and 9.62 ± 1.58, respectively, and after the intervention were 226.42 ± 88.89 and 7.83 ± 1.50, respectively. According to the statistical paired f-test and Wilcoxon test a significant reduction was found in FBS and HbA1C with rhubarb intervention (p

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PMID: 

Int J Cancer. 2004 Jan 20 ;108(3):450-5. PMID: 14648713

Abstract Title: 

Incidence trends of adult primary intracerebral tumors in four Nordic countries.

Abstract: 

Brain tumors are some of the most lethal adult cancers and there is a concern that the incidence is increasing. It has been suggested that the reported increased incidence can be explained by improvements in diagnostic procedures, although this has not been totally resolved. The aim of our study was to describe the incidence trends of adult primary intracerebral tumors in four Nordic countries during a period with introduction of new diagnostic procedures and increasing prevalence of mobile phone users. Information about benign and malignant primary intracerebral tumor cases 20-79 years of age was obtained from the national cancer registries in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden for the years 1969-98 and estimates of person-years at risk were calculated from the information obtained from national population registries. Annual age standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated and time trends analyses were carried out using Poisson regression. The overall incidence of all intracerebral tumors ranged from 8.4-11.8 for men and 5.8-9.3 for women, corresponding to an average annual increase of 0.6% for men (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4, 0.7) and 0.9% for women (95% CI = 0.7, 1.0). The increase in the incidence was confined to the late 1970s and early 1980s and coinciding with introduction of improved diagnostic methods. This increase was largely confined to the oldest age group. After 1983 and during the period with increasing prevalence of mobile phone users, the incidence has remained relatively stable for both men and women.

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PMID: 

Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Oct 1 ;164(7):637-43. Epub 2006 Jul 3. PMID: 16818464

Abstract Title: 

Mobile phone use and risk of parotid gland tumor.

Abstract: 

Handheld mobile phones were introduced in Denmark and Sweden during the late 1980s. This makes the Danish and Swedish populations suitable for a study aimed at testing the hypothesis that long-term mobile phone use increases the risk of parotid gland tumors. In this population-based case-control study, the authors identified all cases aged 20-69 years diagnosed with parotid gland tumor during 2000-2002 in Denmark and certain parts of Sweden. Controls were randomly selected from the study population base. Detailed information about mobile phone use was collected from 60 cases of malignant parotid gland tumors (85% response rate), 112 benign pleomorphic adenomas (88% response rate), and 681 controls (70% response rate). For regular mobile phone use, regardless of duration, the risk estimates for malignant and benign tumors were 0.7 (95% confidence interval: 0.4, 1.3) and 0.9 (95% confidence interval: 0.5, 1.5), respectively. Similar results were found for more than 10 years' duration of mobile phone use. The risk estimate did not increase, regardless of type of phone and amount of use. The authors conclude that the data do not support the hypothesis that mobile phone use is related to an increased risk of parotid gland tumors.

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PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Mar 25 ;232:62-72. Epub 2018 Dec 13. PMID: 30553869

Abstract Title: 

Rheum palmatum extract exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most common malignancies. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), with abnormal expression and constitutive activation, has been reported to promote proliferation, metastasis, survival and angiogenesis of HCC cells. Rheum palmatum (RP), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, exhibited tumor-suppressing effects in multiple human cancers, but its potential functions in HCC remain unexplored.
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to examine the involvement of STAT3 signaling in the anti-HCC effects of RP extract.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: SMMC-7721 and HepG2 HCC cell lines were treated with RP extract for 24 h, and then viability, migration, and invasion of HCC cells and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were analyzed using MTS, wound-healing, Transwell invasion and tube formation assays, respectively. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to examinethe activation of key molecules in STAT3 signaling, including STAT3, JAK2, and Src. Additionally, we explored the in vivo antitumor effects of RP extract in a xenograft tumor nude mouse model of HCC.
RESULTS: The result showed that RP extract reduced viability, migration, and invasion of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells and angiogenesis of HUVECs. It suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3 and its upstream kinases including JAK2 and Src. In addition, RP extract treatment downregulated STAT3 target genes, including survivin, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, Cyclin D1, CDK4, c-Myc, and VEGF-C. Furthermore, RP extract suppressed the xenograft tumor growth and activation of STAT3 in xenograft tumor mice.
CONCLUSION: Collectively, the results showed that RP extract prevented HCC progression by inhibiting STAT3, and might be useful for the treatment of HCC.