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Effects of cornelian cherry (Cornus Mas L.) fruit on plasma lipids, cortisol, T3 and T4 levels in hamsters

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Alireza Lotfi at Islamic Azad University
Alireza Lotfi
Habib Aghdam Shahryar at Islamic Azad University Shabestar Branch
Habib Aghdam Shahryar
H. Rasoolian
H. Rasoolian
H. Rasoolian
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The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of dietary cornelian cherry fruit (CCF) on plasma lipids, cortisol, T3 and T4 levels. Thirty six male hamsters were divided into four groups; Group1 (control) fed basal diet without CCF supplementation, group 2 which fed 5g CCF only at first daily meal, group3 which fed 10g CCF, at first and second daily meals and group 4 which fed 15g CCF, at first, second and third daily meals, for 20 continuous days. Dietary CCF caused significant changes in plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) (P<0.01); TC and LDL-C are decreased in groups 2, 3 and 4, when compared with control (group 1), whereas triglyceride was increased in CCF supplemented groups (groups 2, 3, and 4). HDL-C was greater in groups 3 and 4, when it compared with control and group 2. The cortisol level was lower for groups 2, 3 and 4, when compared with control. But there were no any significant changes for thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) between experimental groups. It was concluded that dietary cornelian cherry fruit supplementation has hypolipidemic effect due to declining total cholesterol and LDL-C levels. Also, it can increase HDL-C (good cholesterol) and decrease cortisol level, without any considerable effect on thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) level. Dietary supplementation of cornelian cherry fruit for two meals daily is suggested to more efficient hypolipidemic effect.
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Lotfi et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci. 24(2):2014
459
EFFECTS OF CORNELIAN CHERRY (CORNUS MAS L.) FRUIT ON PLASMA LIPIDS,
CORTISOL, T3AND T4LEVELS IN HAMSTERS
A. Lotfi*, H. Aghdam Shahryar** and H. Rasoolian***
*Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
**Department of Animal Science, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
***Young Researchers and Elite Club, Ilkhchi Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilkhchi, Iran
Corresponding author’s email: arlotfi@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of dietary cornelian cherry fruit (CCF) on plasma lipids, cortisol,
T3and T4levels. Thirty six male hamsters were divided into four groups; Group1 (control) fed basal diet without CCF
supplementation, group 2 which fed 5g CCF only at first daily meal, group3 which fed 10g CCF, at first and second
daily meals and group 4 which fed 15g CCF, at first, second and third daily meals, for 20 continuous days. Dietary CCF
caused significant changes in plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) and low
density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) (P<0.01); TC and LDL-C are decreased in groups 2, 3 and 4, when compared with
control (group 1), whereas triglyceride was increased in CCF supplemented groups (groups 2, 3, and 4). HDL-C was
greater in groups 3 and 4, when it compared with control and group 2. The cortisol level was lower for groups 2, 3 and 4,
when compared with control. But there were no any significant changes for thyroid hormones (T3and T4) between
experimental groups. It was concluded that dietary cornelian cherry fruit supplementation has hypolipidemic effect due
to declining total cholesterol and LDL-C levels. Also, it can increase HDL-C (good cholesterol) and decrease cortisol
level, without any considerable effect on thyroid hormones (T3and T4) level. Dietary supplementation of cornelian
cherry fruit for two meals daily is suggested to more efficient hypolipidemic effect.
Key words: Cornelian cherry fruit, glucose, insulin, Syrian hamster.
INTRODUCTION
The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a
medicinal plant with hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic
effects (Seymour et al., 2009; Mirbadal and Shirdel,
2010; Shamsi et al., 2010). It has extensive grown in
Eastern Europe and some Asian countries including Iran
(Tetera, 2006). Iranian strain of cornelian cherry fruit
(CCF) has greater concentrations of ascorbic acid (183.25
to 299.5 mg/100g), phenolic compounds (2695.75 mg
gallic acid/ 100g fresh fruit) and antioxidant capacity
upto 82.37% (Hassanpour et al., 2011). The glucose and
sucrose of CCF are in low concentration, and Fe, Ca,
vitamins (α-tocopherol, biotin, riboflavin and ascorbic
acid) are in high concentration in fresh CCF (Zargari,
1997). The nutrients contents of CCF are presented as
table1.
Table1: Concentrations of some nutrients in fresh and dried cornelian cherry fruit (CCF), according to Craita-
Maria et al., (2011) analysis.
Compound
Moisture
(% DM)
Ascorbic acid
(mg/100g DM)
Carotenes
(mg/100g DM)
Total sugar
(mg/100g DM)
Total protein
(mg/100g DM)
Fresh fruit
327.53
419.08
6.58
48.41
0.5
Dried fruit
9.12
228.82
0.77
63.22
0.27
DM: dry matter.
About medicinal aspects of fruit and its
application in ethno-pharmacology or novel medicine, the
published reports have listed various and multifunctional
characteristics for cornelian cherry. Results obtained
from related studies shown antioxidative (Ersoy et al.,
2011), antimicrobial (Dulger and Gonduz, 2004; Krisch
et al., 2008), hypo-lipidemic, hyper-insulinemic and
weight losing effects (Jayaprakasam et al., 2006;
Seymour et al., 2009; Shamsi et al., 2010; Mirbadal and
Shirdel, 2010). In traditional medicine, CCF was used for
treatment of diarrhea, fever, and kidney and urinary
bladder dysfunctions (Zargari, 1997; Dulger and Gonduz,
2004). Phytotherapeutics for thyroid dysfunction and
optimization of releasing of T3and T4has an important
role in helping to supports thyroid therapies (Dehghani et
The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 24(2): 2014, Page: 459-462
ISSN: 1018-7081
Lotfi et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci. 24(2):2014
460
al., 2010; Shekar-Foroosh et al., 2012). In published
studies, hypoglycemic and hypolypidemic effects of CCF
are investigated in obesity and diabetic individuals, but
the relation of this effect with endocrine hormones is
somewhat unclear. The thyroid-cholesterol connection
and its relation with possible hypothyroidism and
hypercholesterolemia are stated by Feld and Dickey,
(2001). Also, because of considerable role of cortisol and
thyroid hormones in cholesterol metabolism (Fraser et
al., 1999; Boone, 2009), it was suggested that the
hypolipidemic effect of CCF is due to its effect on
present endocrine hormones. In other hand, most of
published studies in relation with CCFs hypo-lipidemic
effect were investigated in diabetic or obesity conditions
(Jayaprakasam et al., 2006; Mirbadal and Shirdel, 2010;
Rafieian-Kopaei et al., 2011). The aim of present
experiment was to investigate the possible effects of
dietary supplemented CCF (one, two or three meals
daily) on cortisol, thyroid hormones and plasma lipids of
experimental model in healthy condition.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Present study was conducted during Dec. 2011
to Apr. 2012 at animal rooms and laboratories of Islamic
Azad University. Thirty six one-month-old male hamsters
(Mesocricetus auratus) were divided into four
experimental groups or treatments (9 animals in each
treatment). All of experimental groups had one week pre-
experiment adaptation period with same dietary regimen
and environmental condition. Then, the dietary treatments
were started by supplementation of dried CCF for one,
two or three meals daily:
- Group1 (control): fed basal diets without CCF
supplementation
- Group2: basal diets supplemented daily 5g CCF only
for first daily meal.
- Group3: basal diets supplemented 10g CCF, for first
and second daily meals.
- Group4: basal diets supplemented 15g CCF, for first,
second and third daily meals.
The milled CCF was mixed with diets. At end of
experiment (day- 20), three animals from each group
were selected randomly and blood samples were taken
via injection into heart, with regard to animal ethics
recommendation of veterinary department-Islamic Azad
University. The blood samples were centrifuged, and then
separated serum was analyzed by Auto-analyzer (Alsyon
300, Abott-USA) and its commercial kits at Rastgoo bio-
pathology laboratory (Tehran) for determining plasma
lipids and hormonal parameters. Thyroid hormones were
determined by Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
method.
Statistical analysis: The experiment was arranged in
completely randomized design and the data obtained
were subjected to analysis of variance technique through
SAS software (Ver. 9.1) and Duncan multiple range test
was applied for detection of possible significant
difference between means. Results were recorded as
significant, when the P-value was less than 0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The obtained results from laboratory analyze and
statistical comparisons were presented in table1 and 2.
Plasma lipids: Supplementation of CCF caused
significant changes in plasma total cholesterol (TC),
triglyceride, HDL-C and LDL-C (P<0.01); TC and LDL-
C were decreased in groups 2, 3 and 4, when compared
with control (group1), whereas triglyceride was increased
in CCF supplemented groups (groups 2, 3, and 4). HDL-
C was greater in groups 3 and 4, when it compared with
groups 1 or 2 (P<0.01; Table 2).
Table 2: Plasma lipid profile of animals fed cornelian cherry fruit, supplemented in daily meal.
Groups
Number of daily
supplementation
Total cholesterol
(mg/ml)
Triglyceride
(mg/ml)
HDL-cholesterol
(mg/ml)
LDL-cholesterol
(mg/ml)
1 (control)
0
136.7a
190.0
51.0b
27.5a
2
1
109.2b
190.8
52.0b
20.3b
3
2
103.7c
194.5
53.6a
20.7b
4
3
108.3b
191.7
54.0a
21.0b
P value
<.0001
0.901
<.0001
<.0001
SEM*
1.070
1.800
0.707
0.276
Different letters (a,b or c ) show significant differences between means of groups (P<0.05).
*The standard error of difference between the mean.
Hormonal measures: The supplementation of CCF
caused significant effect on cortisol levels (P<0.05).
Cortisol level was lower in groups 2, 3 and 4 in
comparison with control. But there was no any significant
difference for the thyroid hormones (T3and T4) between
experimental groups (table 3).
Investigation on diabetic animal models shows
hypolypidemic effects of CCF more efficient than similar
effect of chemical drugs (Mirbadal and Shirdel, 2010). In
Lotfi et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci. 24(2):2014
461
the literatures, there is reported considerable
hypolipidemic or anti-obesity effect for cherry family of
fruits. In this regard, Seymour et al. (2009) reported that
in obese laboratory rats fed a high-fat diet,
physiologically relevant tart cherry consumption reduced
various phenotypes of metabolic syndrome and reduced
systemic and local inflammation, considerably. Also, in
Ataie-Jafari et al., (2008) report, TC and LDL-C were
decreased significantly following dietary supplementation
of sour cherry juice in diabetic individuals.
Table 3: Plasma cortisol, T3and T4levels of animals fed cornelian cherry fruit supplemented in daily meal.
Groups
Number of daily
supplementation
Cortisol
(ng/ml)
T3
(pg/ml)
T4
(ng/ml)
1 (control)
0
45.8a
0.70
6.8
2
1
30.3b
0.72
6.8
3
2
34.0b
0.71
6.9
4
3
28.8b
0.70
6.8
0.010
0.981
0.115
2.821
0.030
0.129
Different letters (a,b or c) show significant differences between means of groups (P<0.05).
*The standard error of difference between the mean.
In present study, decreased TC and LDL-C, and
also increased HDL-C following CCF supplementation
may indicates inflammatory reactions and its effects on
arachidonic acid and decline free radicals production and
specially effect on oxidation of LDL-C (Thakur et al.,
2001). Anthocyanin is a bioactive compound of CCF
that can affect activity of hepatic enzymes in lipid
metabolism (Lila, 2004). Flavonoids have significant
hypolipidemic effect and they can decrease plasma TC
(Borradaile et al., 2002). More total flavonoid (669 mg
catechin equivalent per 100 g fresh weight basis) content
in Iranian genotype of CCF (Hassanpour et al., 2011)
may be able to declining TC and LDL-C in CCF fed
animals. So, findings of present study (table 2) were in
accordance with Seymour et al., (2009) and Mirbadal and
Shirdel, (2010) findings in obese and diabetic animal
models. Relationship between cortisol and TC has been
documented in an earlier study (Schwertner et al., 1984).
But, between cortisol level and HDL-C was a significant
negative or inverse correlation (Fraser et al., 1999). The
cortisol affect cholesterol metabolism to HDL-C
formation, and Long-term elevation in glucocorticoids
releases explain in part the risk associated with
hypercholesterolemia (Fraser et al., 1999). The lowest
HDL-C levels are noted in subjects with the highest
cortisol releasing rate (Fraser et al., 1999). The findings
of present study (tables 2 and 3), declined TC and cortisol
level following CCF supplementation are in agreement
with suggested relation by Schwertner et al., (1984).
Since cholesterol is a precursor to cortisol, it is equally
possible that declined TC can cause a subsequent decline
in cortisol concentration. Also, greater HDL-C level in
groups with lower cortisol level (tables 2 and 3) is in
agreement with Fraser et al., (1999).
However the thyroid hormones have
considerable role in cholesterol metabolism, there was no
any changes in T3or T4in groups with different TC
concentrations (Tables 2 and 3). So, differences in TC,
HDL-C and LDL-C rates in experimental groups are not
associated with thyroid hormones level.
In this regard, studies on different animal modes
had indicated that there are no correlations between
thyroid hormones and plasma lipids (Nazifi et al., 2002,
2007; Eshratkhah et al., 2012). It shows that the
hyperlipidemia caused by CCF supplementation is not
due to changes in thyroid hormone.
It was concluded that cornelian cherry fruit
supplementation has hypolipidemic effect via declining
total cholesterol and LDL-C levels. Also, it could
increase HDL-C (good cholesterol) and decrease cortisol
level, without any considerable effect on thyroid
hormones (T3and T4) level. The hypolipidemic effect of
cornelian cherry fruit can be expressed following
supplementation only for one meal daily. But
supplementation for two meals daily is suggested to more
efficient hypolipidemic effect.
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Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a medicinal plant with a range of biological features. It is often used as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Our study was aimed to first investigate the effects of Cornelian cherry pulp on bone quality parameters in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Moreover, lipid-lowering properties of this fruit were also evaluated. Adult rats (n = 28) were assigned into four groups of seven individuals each: L group (non-diabetic lean rats), C group (diabetic obese rats), and E1 and E2 groups (diabetic obese rats receiving 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Cornelian cherry pulp, respectively, for 10 weeks). Significantly lower levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined in the E2 group versus the C group. A higher dose of Cornus mas also had a beneficial impact on femoral weight, cortical bone thickness, relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness. We observed elevated density of Haversian systems and accelerated periosteal bone apposition in both treated groups (E1 and E2). Our results clearly demonstrate that Cornelian cherry pulp has a favorable effect on lipid disorder and impaired bone quality consistent with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a suitable animal model.
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... Daily consumption of different doses of CM fruits (5, 10 and 15 g/d) for 20 days in hamsters showed a decrease in serum TC (mg/mL: 136.7 for control, 109.2 for 5 g CM, 103,7 for 10 g CM and 108.3 for 15 g CM), LDL (mg/ mL: 27.5, 20.3, 20.7, 21.0, respectively) and cortisol (ng/mL: 45.8, 30.3, 34.0, 28.8, respectively), while increasing HDL levels (mg/mL: 51.0, 52.0, 53.6, 54.0, respectively). 10 g/d CM fruits supplement were found to have a more efficient hypolipidemic effect than other doses (Lotfi, Shahryar, & Rasoolian, 2014). Asgary, Rafieian-Kopaei, Shamsi, Najafi, and Sahebkar (2014) found that treatment with either glibenclamide or CM fruits with 2 g/d for 4 weeks exhibited significantly lower serum glucose, TG, LDL, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in diabetic rats while showing no significant difference between glibenclaminde and CM fruits (for diabetic control, glibenchlamide and CM treated groups (mg/dL), blood glucose: 316.40 ± 66.56, 105.50 ± 21.09 and 96.72 ± 38.40;TG: 149.60 ± 19.13, 47.66 ± 14.17 and 46.45 ± 19.21;LDL: 25.20 ± 1.64, 21.20 ± 4.65 and 19.12 ± 2.79;AST: 190.40 ± 35.19, 114.16 ± 56.64 and 142.77 ± 57.73;ALP: 1374.80 ± 381.73, 904.40 ± 399.88 and 698.27 ± 270.88;ALT: 69.00 ± 18.37, 53.16 ± 15.03 and 44.22 ± 11.81, respectively). ...
Bioactive components and biological properties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.): A comprehensive review
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2020
Today, medicinal plants are very popular due to preventing many diseases and associated complications. Cornus mas L. (CM), is a member of Cornaceae family, is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide range of diseases such as diabetes, digestive ailments, anemia, liver and renal diseases, among others. The aim of this review is to present an overview of CM's biological properties and usefulness as a nutritional supplement. CM fruits contain high levels of anthocyanins and iridoids while the leaves contain higher phenolic acids. The therapeutic effects of CM include anti (-oxidant,-microbial,-diabetic,-atherosclerosis,-obesity,-glaucoma); (cyto-, neuro-, cardio-, liver-, renal-) protective; hypo (-lipidemia and-tensive) have been found in reported studies, but clinical studies are limited. CM is rich in polyphenols, vitamin C and minerals, resulting in it being a "superfood". Large-population and long-term clinical studies are needed to evaluate the biological activities of CM.
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... The application of cornelian cherry fruit extract proved to be effective in hypoglycaemia (Narimani-Red et al., 2013). Cornelian cherry fruits are also attributed antiatherosclerotic properties (Lotfi et al., 2014). ...
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) – characteristics, nutritional and pro-health properties [pdf]
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2019
The cornelian cherry Cornus mas L. belongs to the Cornaceae family (Cornaceae). It can be found naturally in the central and south-eastern regions of Europe. Its fruits are characterized by oval or oval-oblong shape, with colours ranging from light yellow to dark cherry. The taste of fruits is usually considered to be tartsweet, sour and in some cases sweet-pineapple. All cultivars of the cornelian cherry have a high biological value, which is mainly connected with their antioxidant activity, as well as with their phenolic compound and ascorbic acid content. The main pro-health properties of the cornelian cherry are related to the large amount of anthocyanins. The basic raw material is fruits; however, leaves, flowers and seeds are also used as a source of active ingredients. The chemical composition of cornelian cherry fruits is diversified and depends to a large extent on the cultivar, as well as on cultivation, and the environmental and climatic conditions.
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... The application of cornelian cherry fruit extract proved to be effective in hypoglycaemia (Narimani-Red et al., 2013). Cornelian cherry fruits are also attributed antiatherosclerotic properties (Lotfi et al., 2014). ...
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) – characteristics, nutritional and pro-health properties
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2019
The cornelian cherry Cornus mas L. belongs to the Cornaceae family (Cornaceae). It can be found naturally in the central and south-eastern regions of Europe. Its fruits are characterized by oval or oval-oblong shape, with colours ranging from light yellow to dark cherry. The taste of fruits is usually considered to be tart- sweet, sour and in some cases sweet-pineapple. All cultivars of the cornelian cherry have a high biological value, which is mainly connected with their antioxidant activity, as well as with their phenolic compound and ascorbic acid content. The main pro-health properties of the cornelian cherry are related to the large amount of anthocyanins. The basic raw material is fruits; however, leaves, flowers and seeds are also used as a source of active ingredients. The chemical composition of cornelian cherry fruits is diversified and depends to a large extent on the cultivar, as well as on cultivation, and the environmental and climatic conditions.
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... Flavonoids have significant and important hypolipidemic effects and can reduce plasma TC [64]. High contents of total flavonoid of bilberry Iranian genotypes are able to reduce the TC and LDL-C in animals fed with C. mas L. [65]. ...
Cornus mas: A review on traditional uses and pharmacological properties
Article
Full-text available
Medicinal plants that are used today have been known by people of ancient cultures around the world and have largely been considered due to their medicinal properties. Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry) is one of these medicinal plants with high level of antioxidant activity. Cornelian cherry is an attractive ornamental plant with delicious fruit having nutritional and therapeutic values. The main purpose of this paper is to present and summarize the pharmacological and therapeutic effects from researches done on Cornelian cherry in studies from 2000 to 2016. Information and findings in this review were taken from electronic journals in some websites including PubMed, Elsevier, ISI, Google scholar, SID and relevant books. C. mas L. is important in terms of decoration and is used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, cholera, fever, malaria, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, cancer, bleeding and heat stroke. Several studies have shown that Cornelian cherry fruit plays an important role in prevention of atherosclerosis, blood sugar, lipid profiles and reduction of fat accumulation in the liver. Cornelian cherry has antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects as well as protecting liver, kidney and cardiovascular system. Using Cornelian cherry in pharmaceutical and food industries has caused fantastic value of this plant. Pharmaceutical properties of Cornelian cherry seeds, fruits, leaves and stems have led the need of further studies to explore the other unknown effects or review mechanism of its pharmacological effects for preparation of new drugs.
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... Therefore, it necessitates in future study whether a particular iridoid/anthocyanin or a group of anthocyanins or iridoids alone or in combination of other class of phytoconstituent in CCF is involved in lipid metabolism through PPARα expression and/or other pathway. The hypolipidemic and hypocortisol effects of CCF were also reported in hamsters model (Lotfi et al., 2014). The lowering of cortisol level improves the HDL-C level in CCFtreated hamsters (Fraser et al., 1999). ...
Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry), an important European and Asian traditional food and medicine: Ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology for its commercial utilization in drug industry
Article
  • Oct 2016
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry) fruits have been used for centuries as traditional cuisine and folk medicine in various countries of Europe and Asia. In folk medicines, the fruits and other parts of the plant have been used for prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases such as diabetes, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, fevers, rheumatic pain, skin and urinary tract infections, kidney and liver diseases, sunstroke, among others. This review provides a systematic and constructive overview of ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of this plant as well as future research need for its commercial utilization as nutraceutical food supplement and medicine. Materials and methods: This review is based on available literature on ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicity and clinical studies on Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry) fruits and other organs that was collected from electronic (SciFinder, PubMed, Science Direct and ACS among others) and library searches of books and journals. Results: Versatile ethnomedicinal uses of the plant in different European and Asian countries have been reported. Phytochemical investigations on different parts of this plant have resulted in the identification of 101 compounds, among which anthocyanins, flavonoids and iridoids are the predominant groups. The crude extracts of fruits and other parts of the plant and their pure isolates exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, cyto-, hepato-, neuro- and renalprotective, antiplatelet and antiglaucomic activities. Anthocyanins, flavonoids, iridoids and vitamin C are the major bioactive constituents of the fruits. Fruits are non-toxic and safe food on acute toxicity studies in rat and human models. Clinical trials in diabetic type2 and hyperlipidemic patients showed significant trends of amelioration in sugar level, insulin secretion in diabetic patients and amelioration of lipid profile, apolipoprotein status and vascular inflammation in hyperlipidemic patients. Conclusion: Based on our review, Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry) fruits and leaves can be used mainly in the treatment of diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, skin diseases, gastrointestinal and rheumatic problems. Some indications from ethnomedicines have been validated by pharmacological activities of the fruits and its extracts/pure isolates. The reported data reveal that the fruits are a potential source for treatment of diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia and gastrointestinal disorders. Unfortunately, the pharmacological studies in these areas are still insufficient to substantiate these preventive effects in confirmatory trials on the mass-scale clinical settings. Future studies on mechanisms of action, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of the extracts and their bioactive constituents as well as their effective doses and long term toxic effects in humans are needed for commercial applications of these extracts/isolates in modern medicines. The available literature showed that most of the activities of the extracts are due to their constituents, anthocyanins, flavonoids and other phenolics, iridoids and vitamins for their antioxidant and other properties.
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The effects of cornelian cherry on atherosclerosis and atherogenic factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Article
Full-text available
Atherosclerosis results from gradual deposition of lipids in medium and large arteries and is the leading cause of death world wide. Due to the side effects of chemical compounds more attention has been paid to herbal remedies. This study was aimed to evaluate the curative effects of Cornus mas on atherosclerosis and its risk factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Twenty five male New-Zealand rabbits weighing 2 to 2.5 kg were randomly desigrated into five groups of five and were fed for 60 days using the following diet regimens: Standard diet, standard diet plus C. mas (1 g/kg bw, daily), hypercholesterol diet (1%), hypercholesterol diet plus C. mas (1 g/kg bw, daily), hypercholesterol diet plus lovastatin (10 mg/kg bw, Daily). The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) HDL cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and fibrinogen were determined in rabbits in the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Fatty streak formation was also evaluated. C. mas powder significantly increased antioxidant capacity and decreased MDA, fibrinogen and AIP (AIP = log TG/HDL) in plasma. It also decreased TC, LDL and TG levels and atherosclerotic lesion in the aorta, although the reduction was not statisticant. Results showed that consumption of C. mas might be beneficial in hypercholesterolemic patients due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Serum lipids and lipoproteins and their correlations with thyroid hormones in clinically healthy goats
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2001
Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 162 Iranian male goats of different age groups (5 years). Variations in the serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipids, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL-cholesterol), low density lipoproteins (LDL-cholesterol) and high density lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol) and their correlation with the concentrations of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were investigated. The concentrations of triglyceride, VLDL-cholesterol, T4 and T3 in the different age groups were significantly different (P
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Studies on the relationship between thyroid hormones, serum lipid profile and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2007
The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between thyroid hormones and lipid profile in blood of Iranian Moghani sheep in different ages and sexes. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 260 clinically healthy and nonpregnant animals in eight age groups (1–14 days, 1–2, 2–3, 3–6, 6–12, 12–24, 24–48, and > 48 months) in autumn. The plasma was analyzed to determine thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-cholesterol) concentrations. According to our data from Moghani sheep, an increase in age results in significant decreases in the plasma concentrations of T4, T3, fT4, fT3, cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05) but no gender-dependent significant differences in the studied parameters were found.
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Nutritional value of Rosa spp. L. and Cornus mas L. fruits, as affected by storage conditions
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2011
A comparison between two storage methods (freezing and drying) of fruits, in terms of ascorbic acid, carotenes, total sugar and protein content in Rosa spp. L. species and Cornus mas L. was performed. In the dried rose hips, the major losses were registered at the level of ascorbic acid content (32.04–50.25 %), followed by carotenes (30.85–52.08 %), total sugar (21.57–34.6 %) and protein content (21.33–46.89 %). The freezing method resulted in a better preservation of ascorbic acid (only 19.80–29.21 % decrease) and total sugar content (3.41–12.94 % increase). In the preserved cornelian cherry fruits, no statistically significant differences were registered between fruits categories, except carotene content, which was dramatically decreased in dried fruits (88.23 %). For cornelian cherry fruits, both storage methods induced a decrease of ascorbic acid and protein contents (57.60 and 46.32 %) and an increase of total sugar level (37.60 %).
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Antioxidant properties of 12 cornelian cherry fruit types (Cornus mas L.) selected from Turkey
Article
Full-text available
Cornus mas L. is a naturally growing dogwood species in Anatolia. In present study, the antioxidant activity of 50% aqueous methanol extracts of 12 cornelian cherry types were evaluated by various antioxidant assay, including free radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) scavenging and metal (Fe +2) chelating activities. The methanolic fruit etxracts of the Cornus mas L. fruit types (H 2 O 2 and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities, Fe +2 chelating activity) examined in the assay showed the strongest activities. The highest antiradical activity was found 44-05 type (0.943) followed by 44-04 (0.860), 77-09 (0.810) and 77-05 (0.723) types respectively. The lowest value was found 44-01 (0.537), 77-06 (0.580), 77-11 (0.567) and 77-02 (0.563) types. The highest chelating activity was found; 44-05 (54.213%), 44-04 (49.890%), 77-09 (47.287%) and 77-05 (45.180%) cornelian cherry type respectively. The lowest cheting activity was found 77-06 (33.883%), 44-01 (34.106%) and 77-11 (34.510%) types. In terms of H 2 O 2 inhibition, the highest rate was obtained from 44-05 (79.103%), the lowest one was 44-01 type to be 37.720%.
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Antioxidant capacity and phytochemical properties of cornelian cherry ( Cornus mas L.) genotypes in Iran
Article
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a naturally growing dogwood species in Arasbaran (East Azerbaijan, Iran). Antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanins, total phenols, ascorbic acid and total flavnoids of a number of selected cornelian cherry genotypes were investigated. The total phenolic and antioxidant activity of methanol extract of cornelian cherry fruits were determined according to Folin–Ciocalteu and DPPH method, respectively. The range of ascorbic acid content of genotypes was 183.25–299.5mg/100g fresh weight (FW). Genotype C24 had the highest total antioxidant capacity (82.37) and total phenolic (2695.75mg galic acid per 100g FW basis). The highest total anthocyanin was observed in C27 genotype (442.11mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100g FW). This genotype also had the highest total flavonoid (669mg catechin per 100g FW basis). There are linear relationships between the antioxidant capacities with total phenols, total flavonoid and ascorbic acid. But, No statistically significant correlation was observed between antioxidant activity and total anthocyanins. According to Path analysis, the highest direct effect on antioxidant was observed in total flavonoid (0.38). The present study demonstrates the potential of certain cornelian cherry genotypes, notably C24 and C27, for improvement of nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programs.
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Relationship Between Plasma Thyroid Hormones and Some Biochemical Parameters in Iranian Sarabi Calves
Article
  • Apr 2012
The thyroid gland has some important endocrine hormones that regulate basal metabolism in various tissues of domestic animals. Thyroid hormones have a central role in animals’ development and their tissue functions. In this study, the relationship between the plasma thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations as well as albumin/globulin ratio in different ages of Iranian Sarabi calves was investigated. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 47 clinically healthy calves free from internal and external parasites (grouped according to their age—1–14 days, 1–2, and 3–6 months) in early of winter. The level of thyroid hormones was determined by chemiluminescence, and other parameters were measured by spectrophotometry using commercial kits. Our data from this study indicates that there was no significant difference and correlation in all the studied parameters between age groups and sexes. But we found a significant correlation between plasma T4 and total protein (P r = 0.600), T4 and albumin (P r = 0.575), T3 and fT3 (P r = 0.610), T3 and total protein (P r = 0.725), T3 and glucose (P r = 0.685), and fT4 and fT3 (P r = 0.609) concentrations as well as between total protein and albumin/globulin ratio (P r = −0.783).
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Effects of sour cherry juice on blood glucose and some cardiovascular risk factors improvements in diabetic women : A pilot study
Article
Purpose – Some studies on anthocyanins have revealed their antioxidant activity and beneficial effects for diabetes control and reducing the risk of coronary heart diseases. It has been found that sour cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins that possess insulin‐releasing stimulatory properties on pancreatic β‐cells in vitro. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether concentrated sour cherry juice (CSCJ) beneficially alters serum glucose and some cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes type 2 subjects. Design/methodology/approach – In this quasi‐experimental study, 19 diabetic women with FBS ≥ 110 mg/dl were recruited from patients referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Shariati Hospital. Subjects were asked to consume 40 g of CSCJ daily for 6 weeks. Before the onset of the study (week 0) and after 6 weeks, weight and blood pressure measurements were done and fasting blood samples were drawn. FBS, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood lipid profiles were measured. In addition, a 24‐hour food record was taken from all of the individuals in both stages. The Wilcoxon signed test was used for statistical analysis. Findings – After six weeks' consumption of CSCJ, significant reductions in body weight (p < 0.01), blood pressure and HbA1c (p < 0.05) was seen. Total cholesterol and LDL‐C decreased significantly in a sub‐group of patients (n = 12) with LDL‐C ≥ 100 mg/dl as well. Originality/value – Based on the results of this study, consuming 40 g/day of CSCJ decreases body weight, blood pressure and HbA1c in diabetes type 2 women after 6 weeks and improves blood lipids in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia.
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Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of caraway on thyroid gland structure and hormones in female rat
Article
Caraway is one of the medicinal plants used for digestion problems, however, it has been reported that the long term use of this plant in large doses might cause hyperthyroidism symptoms such as leanness, hair loss, severe sweating and tremulousness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of caraway on the level of thyroid hormones and morphologic changes of thyroid gland in rats. For this purpose, 60 rats were divided into 5 experimental and control groups. Experimental groups were orally given 100, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of extract for 45 days by gavage. The same volume of saline was given to the control group. Blood samples were taken before and after the experiments for the measurement of hormones. The rats were dissected under deep anesthesia and their thyroid glands were removed, processed and stained with H&E. Results show that T 3 and T 4 were increased and TSH was decreased significantly at high doses compared to those in the control group, but no change was observed in the structure of the gland and the size of follicles. It seems that caraway can temporally increase thyroid hormones and cause hyperthyroidism, but further studies are required to clarify the issue.
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