title: Improvement in The Function of Isolated Rat Pancreatic Islets through Reduction of Oxidative Stress Using Traditional Iranian Medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pancreatic islets have fewer antioxidant enzymes than other tissues and thus are vulnerable to oxidative stress. In the present study, the effects of nine specifically selected Iranian medical plants on the mitochondria function and survival of isolated rat islets were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, following laparotomy, pancreases of rats were removed and the islets isolated and incubated in vitro for 24 hours. Logarithmic doses of plant materials were added to the islets and incubated for an additional 24 hours after which the viability of the cells and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Levels of insulin production in relation to static and stimulated glucose concen- trations were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tested compounds markedly increased survival of the islet cells, their mi- tochondrial activity, and insulin levels at the same time as reducing production of ROS. Greatest effects were observed in the following order: Peganum harmala, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Satureja hortensis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Teucrium scordium, Aloe vera, Zingiber officinale, Silybum marianum, and Hypericum perforatum at doses of 10, 10(3), 10(4), 10, 10(2), 10(2), 10(-1), 10 and 10(3)μgmL(-1), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these results, we suggest that pretreatment with these select- ed Iranian medical plants can improve the outcomes of pancreas transplants and grafts through the control of oxidative stress damage.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Payame Noor University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.|Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahban
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahimifard
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navaei-Nigjeh
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Branch, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mahroui
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Branch, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sanaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirzaei
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Payame Noor University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Siahpoosh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Payame Noor University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Pharm
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nili-Ahmadabadi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadirad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baeeri
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutics Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hajiaghaie
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdollahi
keywords: In Vitro; Iranian Traditional; Islets of Langerhans; Medicine; Oxidative Stress