Synergistic Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract and the Conventional Systemic Therapeutics of Atopic Dermatitis in a Murine Model

The synergistic effects of Korean Red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) on conventional systemic therapeutics of atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been studied yet. To analyze the synergistic effects of KRG extract and the conventional systemic therapeutics of AD in TNCB-induced AD mouse model, we determined the change in modified scoring of index, the transepidermal water loss, the skin pathology, serum IgE, and the expression of various cytokines after combination treatment to the five-week-old NC/Nga female mice. The severity of AD was significantly decreased in the KRG + hydroxyzine (AH) group than AH group, and in the KRG + evening primrose oil (EPO) group than EPO group. A significant decrease in dermal inflammation was observed in the KRG + AH group than that in the AH group, and in the KRG + EPO group than that in the EPO group (p = 0.008), respectively. A decrease in CD1a expression was observed in the KRG + AH group when compared to the AH group (p = 0.008), and KRG + EPO group when compared to the EPO group. Compared to the CS group, the KRG + CS group showed a significant decrease in IL-17 expression. A combination of KRG and conventional systemic therapeutics can safely and effectively manage the AD.

Evening primrose oil for cervical ripening in term pregnancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Induction of labor by using available, inexpensive and non-invasive methods with the least side effects is particularly important. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effect of evening primrose oil on cervical ripening in term pregnancies. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials, a search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid, Scopus, Clinical Trials.gov, Google Scholar and Persian databases (Magiran, SID, and IRCT.ir) for published related articles without any time limit. The Cochrane handbook was used to determine the risk of bias of the included articles. The obtained data were analyzed in RevMan and reported in forest plots. The Odds Ratio (OR) was used to find the effect of the dichotomous data and the Mean Difference (MD) for the continuous data. The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using I2, T2 and Chi2. The random effect was used instead of fixed effect if I2 >40%. A total of 28 titles and abstracts were extracted, 9 articles entered into the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed significant differences between EPO and control groups in terms of bishop score (MD=1.32; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.66), reducing caesarean section rate (OR= 0.61; 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.86), duration of first stage of labor (MD= -98.67; 95% CI: -140.98 to -56.38) and duration of second stage of labor (MD= -10.98; 95% CI: -21.86 to -0.09). There were no significant differences in terms of birth weight (MD= 100.97; 95% CI: -11.91 to 213.84) and the frequency of induction with oxytocin (OR= 0.53; 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.01). It seems evening primrose oil be effective for cervical ripening, reducing cesarean section rate and shortening the duration of labor. Due to the high heterogeneity of the studies, the researchers recommend further researches on the subject using a standard tool based on the CONSORT statement.

The Effect of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) on the Some Biochemical Parameters in Rats with Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on some biochemical parameters on nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin (GM) in rats. The rats used in the study were randomly divided into 4 groups each consisting of 8 rats. The control group, EPO group, GM group and GM+ EPO group. The blood samples were taken 24 hours after the 8-day trial and kidneys were removed and saved for histopathological and PGE2 analysis. The serum creatinine, BUN, calcitriol, Ca, Na, Cl, K and P analyzes were performed via autoanalyser. PGE2 analysis was performed in kidney tissue via ELISA. Histopathological examination of the kidney tissues was performed. The levels of creatinine, BUN and Cl were significantly decreased and PGE2 and Ca increased in GM + EPO compared to GM group. The changes in the biochemical parameters examined and the histopathological findings obtained, it can be said that the EPO weakens the nephrotoxic damage caused by GM and has the protective effects on the kidney.

The Enhanced Beneficial Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Over Evening Primrose Oil on Oxidative Stress, and Liver Function in Male Arthritic Rats

Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the onset of oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the enhancing of extra virgin olive (EVOO) and Evening primrose oil (EPO) on oxidative stress and liver enzymes in male Wistar rats and compare between them. Place and Duration: Faculty of Science biochemistry department, Between July 2018 and August 2018. Methodology: A Subcutaneous injection of 200 µl of Freund's complete adjuvant into a footpad of the right hind leg of Wistar male rats at two consecutive days induced RA. Rats received EVOO and EPO daily by oral gavage needle with gauge 18 at doses of 5 mg/kg b.wt./day. for 10 and 21 days. No loss was recorded in the experimental rats. Results: A significant depletion in serum Reduced glutathione content (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione s transferase activities (GST) in arthritic rats compared to normal rats after 10 and 21 days of induction which improved significantly after 10 and 21 days of EPO and EVOO treatments. EPO and EVOO treatments for 21 days increased the GSH and GPX compared to 10 days treatments while no difference in GST activity. EVOO treatment improved GSH and GPX after 10 and 21 days than EPO treatment. The elevated uric acid levels in arthritic rats were markedly ameliorated as a result of EVOO and EPO treatment administration. Increased lipid peroxidation products (MDA), rheumatoid factor, and liver enzyme (Alanine transaminase ALT and Aspartate transaminase AST) were recorded in arthritic rats and they significantly progressed after EPO and EVOO treatments for 10 and 21 days but EVOO had the best effect at 21 days. Conclusion: EVOO and EPO showed significant antioxidant efficacies and improved affected liver enzymes due to rheumatoid arthritis onset. When comparing olive oil has more antioxidant properties than evening primrose oil, so we recommend more studies on olive oil combination with anti-arthritic medications to improve their efficacies with less toxicity.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil for Mastalgia Treatment

Mastalgia, or breast pain, is common among women which can lead to significant impairment in daily living. Hence, finding an effective treatment that can alleviate the symptom is very important. Thus, we carry out this study to determine the efficacy of evening primrose oil (EPO) for mastalgia treatment in women. The review included published randomised clinical trials that evaluated EPO used for treating mastalgia against a placebo or other treatments, irrespective of the blinding procedure, publication status, or sample size. Two independent authors screened the titles and abstracts of the identified trials; full texts of relevant trials were evaluated for eligibility. Two reviewers independently extracted data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias. The random-effects model was used for estimating the risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen trials with 1752 randomised patients were included. The results showed that EPO has no difference to reduce breast pain compared to topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E. The number of patients who achieved pain relief was no different compared to the placebo or other treatments. The EPO does not increase adverse events, such as nausea, abdominal bloating, headache or giddiness, increase weight gain, and altered taste compared to a placebo or other treatments. EPO is a safe medication with similar efficacy for pain control in women with mastalgia compared to a placebo, topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E.