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The purpose of this research project is to better understand the interaction of dietary supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. This information may be useful to decrease the toxicity and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The scope of the research involves in vivo assessments in rats of nutritional supplement chemotherapeutic drug interactions and in vitro studies of the mechanisms of nutraceutical-chemotherapeutic drug interactions. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology has been adapted/refined for the detection and determination of doxorubicin and vitamin E. Under the conditions used by us, we found that there was no significant effect of vitamin E supplementation on hematologic toxicity or survival in rats treated with a range of doxorubicin doses. There were no important perturbations of the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin associated with changes in the vitamin E content of rat diets. Preliminary results indicated that treatment with St. John's wort alters the plasma pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin. Our studies suggest that even relatively high doses of vitamin E do not adversely affect the toxicity of doxorubicin. On the other hand, St. Johns wort may decrease peak levels of doxorubicin. Further studies will help to determine whether important interactions occur between these nutrients and cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

The purpose of this research project is to better understand the interaction of dietary supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. This information may be useful to decrease the toxicity and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The scope of the research involves in vivo assessments in rats of nutritional supplement chemotherapeutic drug interactions and in vitro studies of the mechanisms of nutraceutical-chemotherapeutic drug interactions. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology has been adapted/refined for the detection and determination of doxorubicin and vitamin E. Under the conditions used by us, we found that there was no significant effect of vitamin E supplementation on hematologic toxicity or survival in rats treated with a range of doxorubicin doses. There were no important perturbations of the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin associated with changes in the vitamin E content of rat diets. Preliminary results indicated that treatment with St. John's wort alters the plasma pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin. Our studies suggest that even relatively high doses of vitamin E do not adversely affect the toxicity of doxorubicin. On the other hand, St. Johns wort may decrease peak levels of doxorubicin. Further studies will help to determine whether important interactions occur between these nutrients and cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

The purpose of this research project is to better understand the interaction of dietary supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. This information may be useful to decrease the toxicity and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The scope of the research involves in vivo assessments in rats of nutritional supplement chemotherapeutic drug interactions and in vitro studies of the mechanisms of nutraceutical-chemotherapeutic drug interactions. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology has been adapted/refined for the detection and determination of doxorubicin and vitamin E. Under the conditions used by us, we found that there was no significant effect of vitamin E supplementation on hematologic toxicity or survival in rats treated with a range of doxorubicin doses. There were no important perturbations of the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin associated with changes in the vitamin E content of rat diets. Preliminary results indicated that treatment with St. John's wort alters the plasma pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin. Our studies suggest that even relatively high doses of vitamin E do not adversely affect the toxicity of doxorubicin. On the other hand, St. Johns wort may decrease peak levels of doxorubicin. Further studies will help to determine whether important interactions occur between these nutrients and cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

This article is from BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , volume 13 . Abstract Background: St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum. Methods: Meristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Results: This medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%). Conclusions: Thus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract Hypericin, an extract from St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), is a promising photosensitizer in the context of clinical photodynamic therapy due to its excellent photosensitizing properties and tumoritropic characteristics. Hypericin-PDT induced cytotoxicity elicits tumor cell death by various mechanisms including apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy-related cell death. However, limited reports on the efficacy of this photomedicine for the treatment of melanoma have been published. Melanoma is a highly aggressive tumor due to its metastasizing potential and resistance to conventional cancer therapies. The aim of this study was to investigate the response mechanisms of melanoma cells to hypericin-PDT in an in vitro tissue culture model. Hypericin was taken up by all melanoma cells and partially co-localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and melanosomes, but not the nucleus. Light activation of hypericin induced a rapid, extensive modification of the tubular mitochondrial network into a beaded appearance, loss of structural details of the endoplasmic reticulum and concomitant loss of hypericin co-localization. Surprisingly the opposite was found for lysosomal-related organelles, suggesting that the melanoma cells may be using these intracellular organelles for hypericin-PDT resistance. In line with this speculation we found an increase in cellular granularity, suggesting an increase in pigmentation levels in response to hypericin-PDT. Pigmentation in melanoma is related to a melanocyte-specific organelle, the melanosome, which has recently been implicated in drug trapping, chemotherapy and hypericin-PDT resistance. However, hypericin-PDT was effective in killing both unpigmented (A375 and 501mel) and pigmented (UCT Mel-1) melanoma cells by specific mechanisms involving the externalization of phosphatidylserines, cell shrinkage and loss of cell membrane integrity. In addition, this treatment resulted in extrinsic (A375) and intrinsic (UCT Mel-1) caspase-dependent apoptotic modes of cell death, as well as a caspase-independent apoptotic mode that did not involve apoptosis-inducing factor (501 mel). Further research is needed to shed more light on these mechanisms.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract Hypericin, an extract from St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), is a promising photosensitizer in the context of clinical photodynamic therapy due to its excellent photosensitizing properties and tumoritropic characteristics. Hypericin-PDT induced cytotoxicity elicits tumor cell death by various mechanisms including apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy-related cell death. However, limited reports on the efficacy of this photomedicine for the treatment of melanoma have been published. Melanoma is a highly aggressive tumor due to its metastasizing potential and resistance to conventional cancer therapies. The aim of this study was to investigate the response mechanisms of melanoma cells to hypericin-PDT in an in vitro tissue culture model. Hypericin was taken up by all melanoma cells and partially co-localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and melanosomes, but not the nucleus. Light activation of hypericin induced a rapid, extensive modification of the tubular mitochondrial network into a beaded appearance, loss of structural details of the endoplasmic reticulum and concomitant loss of hypericin co-localization. Surprisingly the opposite was found for lysosomal-related organelles, suggesting that the melanoma cells may be using these intracellular organelles for hypericin-PDT resistance. In line with this speculation we found an increase in cellular granularity, suggesting an increase in pigmentation levels in response to hypericin-PDT. Pigmentation in melanoma is related to a melanocyte-specific organelle, the melanosome, which has recently been implicated in drug trapping, chemotherapy and hypericin-PDT resistance. However, hypericin-PDT was effective in killing both unpigmented (A375 and 501mel) and pigmented (UCT Mel-1) melanoma cells by specific mechanisms involving the externalization of phosphatidylserines, cell shrinkage and loss of cell membrane integrity. In addition, this treatment resulted in extrinsic (A375) and intrinsic (UCT Mel-1) caspase-dependent apoptotic modes of cell death, as well as a caspase-independent apoptotic mode that did not involve apoptosis-inducing factor (501 mel). Further research is needed to shed more light on these mechanisms.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract Hypericin, an extract from St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), is a promising photosensitizer in the context of clinical photodynamic therapy due to its excellent photosensitizing properties and tumoritropic characteristics. Hypericin-PDT induced cytotoxicity elicits tumor cell death by various mechanisms including apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy-related cell death. However, limited reports on the efficacy of this photomedicine for the treatment of melanoma have been published. Melanoma is a highly aggressive tumor due to its metastasizing potential and resistance to conventional cancer therapies. The aim of this study was to investigate the response mechanisms of melanoma cells to hypericin-PDT in an in vitro tissue culture model. Hypericin was taken up by all melanoma cells and partially co-localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and melanosomes, but not the nucleus. Light activation of hypericin induced a rapid, extensive modification of the tubular mitochondrial network into a beaded appearance, loss of structural details of the endoplasmic reticulum and concomitant loss of hypericin co-localization. Surprisingly the opposite was found for lysosomal-related organelles, suggesting that the melanoma cells may be using these intracellular organelles for hypericin-PDT resistance. In line with this speculation we found an increase in cellular granularity, suggesting an increase in pigmentation levels in response to hypericin-PDT. Pigmentation in melanoma is related to a melanocyte-specific organelle, the melanosome, which has recently been implicated in drug trapping, chemotherapy and hypericin-PDT resistance. However, hypericin-PDT was effective in killing both unpigmented (A375 and 501mel) and pigmented (UCT Mel-1) melanoma cells by specific mechanisms involving the externalization of phosphatidylserines, cell shrinkage and loss of cell membrane integrity. In addition, this treatment resulted in extrinsic (A375) and intrinsic (UCT Mel-1) caspase-dependent apoptotic modes of cell death, as well as a caspase-independent apoptotic mode that did not involve apoptosis-inducing factor (501 mel). Further research is needed to shed more light on these mechanisms.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-222) and index

This systematic review synthesized evidence of St. John s wort (SJW) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) (PROSPERO record CRD42015016406). In November 2014, we searched nine electronic databases, as well as bibliographies of existing systematic reviews, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing the efficacy and safety of SJW to treat adults with MDD. Two independent reviewers screened publications using predetermined eligibility criteria, abstracted study-level information, and assessed the quality of included studies. Outcomes of interest included changes in depressive symptomatology, quality of life, and adverse effects. Efficacy meta-analyses used the Hartung- Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

This systematic review synthesized evidence of St. John s wort (SJW) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) (PROSPERO record CRD42015016406). In November 2014, we searched nine electronic databases, as well as bibliographies of existing systematic reviews, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing the efficacy and safety of SJW to treat adults with MDD. Two independent reviewers screened publications using predetermined eligibility criteria, abstracted study-level information, and assessed the quality of included studies. Outcomes of interest included changes in depressive symptomatology, quality of life, and adverse effects. Efficacy meta-analyses used the Hartung- Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-155) and index

Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-155) and index

Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-155) and index

Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-338)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-338)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-338)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-338)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-338)

Includes bibliographical references (p. 198-204) and index

Includes bibliographical references (p. 198-204) and index

Includes bibliographical references (p. 198-204) and index

http://uf.catalog.fcla.edu/uf.jsp?st=UF029237252&ix=pm&I=0&V=D&pm=1

A somewhat invasive plant with yellow flowers named after John the Baptist has been used for centuries as a kind of cure all. Dr. Sydnee will lead you through a history of its many applications, what it's used for today, and explain what exactly is a wort.

This article is from Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products , volume 7 . Abstract Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common disorder in our community. Hypericum perforatumm, is a herb with a long application history in treating depression. A controlled study to evaluate the effects of this herbal medicine in Iran did not exist. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of Hypericum perforatom (perforan), in combination with tricyclic antidepressants in MDD treatment. Materials and Methods: The present study was a placebo-controlled double blind randomized clinical trial including 40 patients with major depressive disorder who referred to Psychiatric Clinic and Golestan Hospital in 2011. Patients were randomly distributed in 4 blocks with 10 patients in each. 5 out of 10 patients took medicine (group I) and the others received placebo (group II). Results: After six weeks, both groups indicated some improvement, there was also a significant degree of recovery in the perforan group (P = 0.04). Conclusions: The results of the current study suggested that combinations of St. John’s Wort and tricyclic antidepressants compared to tricyclic antidepressants alone had significant effect on mild to moderate depression improvement. According to the numerous side effects of antidepressants, their continuous use was not well tolerated. There is a strong global tendency to use herbal medicines. Hypericum perforatom (St. John’s Wort) is one of the best types of unapproved MDD treatments. Also, the most common reason to discontinue antidepressant treatments is their sexual side effects. None of the patients in the two groups had complained about sexual side effects which was consistent with other studies and it was an advantage of using this herbal medicine. Perforan group had improved in quality of sleep and the increase of energy. This improvement had not been reported in previous studies. Sleep problems are common complications of specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

This article is from BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , volume 12 . Abstract Background: Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro. Methods: We investigated the effect of an ethanolic preparation composed of equal parts of Arnica montana 4x, Calendula officinalis 4x, Hypericum perforatum 4x and Symphytum officinale 6x (0712–2), its succussed hydroalcoholic solvent (0712–1) and unsuccussed solvent (0712–3) on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, cell growth using BrdU uptake, cell migration by chemotaxis assay and wound closure by CytoSelect ™Wound Healing Assay Kit which generated a defined “wound field”. All assays were performed in three independent controlled experiments. Results: None of the three substances affected cell viability and none showed a stimulating effect on cell proliferation. Preparation (0712–2) exerted a stimulating effect on fibroblast migration (31.9%) vs 14.7% with succussed solvent (0712–1) at 1:100 dilutions (p   0.05). Preparation (0712–2) at a dilution of 1:100 promoted in vitro wound closure by 59.5% and differed significantly (p 

This article is from BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , volume 12 . Abstract Background: Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro. Methods: We investigated the effect of an ethanolic preparation composed of equal parts of Arnica montana 4x, Calendula officinalis 4x, Hypericum perforatum 4x and Symphytum officinale 6x (0712–2), its succussed hydroalcoholic solvent (0712–1) and unsuccussed solvent (0712–3) on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, cell growth using BrdU uptake, cell migration by chemotaxis assay and wound closure by CytoSelect ™Wound Healing Assay Kit which generated a defined “wound field”. All assays were performed in three independent controlled experiments. Results: None of the three substances affected cell viability and none showed a stimulating effect on cell proliferation. Preparation (0712–2) exerted a stimulating effect on fibroblast migration (31.9%) vs 14.7% with succussed solvent (0712–1) at 1:100 dilutions (p   0.05). Preparation (0712–2) at a dilution of 1:100 promoted in vitro wound closure by 59.5% and differed significantly (p 

Commentary by japanese cinema expert Amber T. 🎧 This upload is part of a private cultural preservation effort, created for **educational and non-commercial purposes only**.   The intent is to archive audio commentary tracks that offer insight into the creative process behind filmmaking — content that risks disappearing as physical media fades. ⚠️ **All rights to the original commentary and film belong to their respective copyright holders.**   No commercial use is intended. If you are a rights holder and would like to request removal, please contact us and we will respond promptly.

The purpose of this research project is to better understand the interaction of dietary supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. This information may be useful to decrease the toxicity and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The scope of the research involves in vivo assessments of nutritional supplement- chemotherapeutic drug interactions and in vitro studies of the mechanisms of nutraceutical- chemotherapeutic interactions. Dietary supplementation of rats with St. John's wort increased the LD5O cyclophosphamide, suggesting that this nutraceutical may decrease the toxicity of cyclophosphamide. Dietary supplementation of rats with 2 levels of vitamin E had no effect on the toxicity of cyclophosphamide. Vitamin E supplementation did not modify rodent hepatic mitochondrial DNA changes caused by docetaxel. In women with breast cancer, the drop in neutrophil count after chemotherapy was less in women taking dietary supplements versus no supplements, and in those taking multivitamins or vitamin E. Our studies suggest that dietary supplements may reduce the toxicity associated with some cancer chemotherapeutic agents used to treat breast cancer.

The purpose of this research project is to better understand the interaction of dietary supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. This information may be useful to decrease the toxicity and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The scope of the research involves in vivo assessments of nutritional supplement- chemotherapeutic drug interactions and in vitro studies of the mechanisms of nutraceutical- chemotherapeutic interactions. Dietary supplementation of rats with St. John's wort increased the LD5O cyclophosphamide, suggesting that this nutraceutical may decrease the toxicity of cyclophosphamide. Dietary supplementation of rats with 2 levels of vitamin E had no effect on the toxicity of cyclophosphamide. Vitamin E supplementation did not modify rodent hepatic mitochondrial DNA changes caused by docetaxel. In women with breast cancer, the drop in neutrophil count after chemotherapy was less in women taking dietary supplements versus no supplements, and in those taking multivitamins or vitamin E. Our studies suggest that dietary supplements may reduce the toxicity associated with some cancer chemotherapeutic agents used to treat breast cancer.

This article is from BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , volume 14 . Abstract Background: While depression is frequently managed by general practitioners, often patients self-manage these symptoms with alternative therapies, including St John’s wort (SJW). We tested whether use of SJW was associated with different patterns of conventional and complementary health service use, strategies used for management of depression, or user dissatisfaction with or lack of trust in their general practitioner or clinic overall. Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected from an Australian population screened for a longitudinal cohort study of depression. Main outcome measures were CES-D for depressive symptoms, satisfaction with their general practitioner (GPAQ), Trust in Physician scale, self-report of health services usage and strategies used to manage depression, stress or worries. Results: Response rate was 7667/17,780 (43.1%). Of these, 4.3% (320/7,432) had used SJW in the past 12 months (recent ‘SJW users’). SJW users were significantly more likely to be depressed and to have a higher CES-D score. There were no statistically significant differences between recent SJW users and non-SJW users in satisfaction with their general practice or in trust in their general practitioner (GP) when adjusted for multiple factors. SJW users were significantly more likely to use all health services, whether conventional or complementary, as well as other strategies used for mental health care. SJW users were also more likely to consider themselves the main carer for their depression. Conclusions: Primary care attendees with symptoms of depression who use SJW appear not to be rejecting conventional medicine. Rather, they may be proactive care seekers who try both conventional and complementary strategies to manage their depressive symptoms. If GPs enquire and find that their depressed patients are using SJW, this may indicate that they might explore for unrelieved symptoms of depression and also consider the issue of potential for interactions between SJW and other medicines.

This article is from Nutrition Research and Practice , volume 8 . Abstract BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the potential of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) to prevent obesity and abnormalities in lipid metabolism induced by ovariectomy in a rat model without stimulatory activity on uterus. MATERIALS/METHODS: Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated for 6 weeks with 70% ethanol extracts of Hypericum perforatum [HPEs: whole plant (WHPE) and flower and leaves (FLHPE)], β-estradiol-3-benzoate at a dose of 50 µg/kg/day (E2) or vehicle (distilled water). RESULTS: As expected, OVX increased body weight gain and adiposity and showed higher food efficacy ratio. OVX also increased the serum cholesterol as well as insulin resistance, while reducing uterus weight and uterine epithelial proliferation rate. HPEs (WHPE and FLHPE) showed estrogen-like effect on body weight gain, adipose tissue weight and food efficacy ratio in OVX rats. HPEs prevented hypercholesterolemia induced by OVX more effectively than E2. E2 increased uterus weight and epithelial proliferation rate in OVX rats, while HPEs maintained them at the level of the sham-operated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding demonstrates that HPEs can be considered as an effective agent to prevent OVX-induced obesity without stimulatory activity on uterus.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 309-312) and index

ABSTRACT Aims: In diabetic patients, wound healing is impaired and wounds are often infected with multifactorial agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of St. John’s wort and ointment containing bacitracin-neomycin (thiocilline) to improve wound healing in a diabetic infected wound model. Methods: Rats in which diabetes was induced by administering 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) were considered diabetic if their blood sugar levels were above 300 mg/dl 72 hours later. Group 1: Control (Non diabetic) group, Group 2: Diabetes group. During wound care, both groups were disinfected with povidone iodine (PI) and the right lumbar region of each rat was dressed with thiocilline and the left lumbar region was dressed with St. John’s wort oil. Considering the wound healing period, the study was terminated after an average of 20 days. In histopathological examination, ulceration, necrosis, epithelialization, congestion, edema, polymorphous nucleated leukocyte (PNL), monocyte, fibroblast, and neovascularization were evaluated. Results: In histopathological evaluation, there was a statistically significant decrease in ulceration and necrosis in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.04). In terms of epithelialization, there was a statistically significant increase in the group dressed with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant decrease in congestion and edema in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant increase in fibroblast and neovascularization in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.02). Conclusion: Histopathologic ally, epithelialization, fibroblast, and neovascularization, which have important functions in the wound healing process, increased in diabetic rats administered St. John’s wort. Although it is used in traditional medicine due to its antidepressant effectiveness, we believe that St. John’s wort can be used in wounds that develop in diabetic patients, as it has the potential to increase the wound healing process.

ABSTRACT Aims: In diabetic patients, wound healing is impaired and wounds are often infected with multifactorial agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of St. John’s wort and ointment containing bacitracin-neomycin (thiocilline) to improve wound healing in a diabetic infected wound model. Methods: Rats in which diabetes was induced by administering 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) were considered diabetic if their blood sugar levels were above 300 mg/dl 72 hours later. Group 1: Control (Non diabetic) group, Group 2: Diabetes group. During wound care, both groups were disinfected with povidone iodine (PI) and the right lumbar region of each rat was dressed with thiocilline and the left lumbar region was dressed with St. John’s wort oil. Considering the wound healing period, the study was terminated after an average of 20 days. In histopathological examination, ulceration, necrosis, epithelialization, congestion, edema, polymorphous nucleated leukocyte (PNL), monocyte, fibroblast, and neovascularization were evaluated. Results: In histopathological evaluation, there was a statistically significant decrease in ulceration and necrosis in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.04). In terms of epithelialization, there was a statistically significant increase in the group dressed with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant decrease in congestion and edema in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant increase in fibroblast and neovascularization in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.02). Conclusion: Histopathologic ally, epithelialization, fibroblast, and neovascularization, which have important functions in the wound healing process, increased in diabetic rats administered St. John’s wort. Although it is used in traditional medicine due to its antidepressant effectiveness, we believe that St. John’s wort can be used in wounds that develop in diabetic patients, as it has the potential to increase the wound healing process.

ABSTRACT Aims: In diabetic patients, wound healing is impaired and wounds are often infected with multifactorial agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of St. John’s wort and ointment containing bacitracin-neomycin (thiocilline) to improve wound healing in a diabetic infected wound model. Methods: Rats in which diabetes was induced by administering 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) were considered diabetic if their blood sugar levels were above 300 mg/dl 72 hours later. Group 1: Control (Non diabetic) group, Group 2: Diabetes group. During wound care, both groups were disinfected with povidone iodine (PI) and the right lumbar region of each rat was dressed with thiocilline and the left lumbar region was dressed with St. John’s wort oil. Considering the wound healing period, the study was terminated after an average of 20 days. In histopathological examination, ulceration, necrosis, epithelialization, congestion, edema, polymorphous nucleated leukocyte (PNL), monocyte, fibroblast, and neovascularization were evaluated. Results: In histopathological evaluation, there was a statistically significant decrease in ulceration and necrosis in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.04). In terms of epithelialization, there was a statistically significant increase in the group dressed with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant decrease in congestion and edema in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant increase in fibroblast and neovascularization in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.02). Conclusion: Histopathologic ally, epithelialization, fibroblast, and neovascularization, which have important functions in the wound healing process, increased in diabetic rats administered St. John’s wort. Although it is used in traditional medicine due to its antidepressant effectiveness, we believe that St. John’s wort can be used in wounds that develop in diabetic patients, as it has the potential to increase the wound healing process.

ABSTRACT Aims: In diabetic patients, wound healing is impaired and wounds are often infected with multifactorial agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of St. John’s wort and ointment containing bacitracin-neomycin (thiocilline) to improve wound healing in a diabetic infected wound model. Methods: Rats in which diabetes was induced by administering 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) were considered diabetic if their blood sugar levels were above 300 mg/dl 72 hours later. Group 1: Control (Non diabetic) group, Group 2: Diabetes group. During wound care, both groups were disinfected with povidone iodine (PI) and the right lumbar region of each rat was dressed with thiocilline and the left lumbar region was dressed with St. John’s wort oil. Considering the wound healing period, the study was terminated after an average of 20 days. In histopathological examination, ulceration, necrosis, epithelialization, congestion, edema, polymorphous nucleated leukocyte (PNL), monocyte, fibroblast, and neovascularization were evaluated. Results: In histopathological evaluation, there was a statistically significant decrease in ulceration and necrosis in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.04). In terms of epithelialization, there was a statistically significant increase in the group dressed with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant decrease in congestion and edema in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.03). There was a statistically significant increase in fibroblast and neovascularization in the group treated with St. John’s wort oil compared to the group given thiocilline (p=0.02). Conclusion: Histopathologic ally, epithelialization, fibroblast, and neovascularization, which have important functions in the wound healing process, increased in diabetic rats administered St. John’s wort. Although it is used in traditional medicine due to its antidepressant effectiveness, we believe that St. John’s wort can be used in wounds that develop in diabetic patients, as it has the potential to increase the wound healing process.

The purpose of this research project is to better understand the interaction of dietary supplements with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. This information may be useful to decrease the toxicity and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The scope of the research involves in vivo assessments in rats of nutritional supplement- chemotherapeutic drug interactions and in vitro studies of the mechanisms of nutraceutical- chemotherapeutic drug interactions. Vitamin E and hyperforin levels in rat plasma correlated with dietary intake. There was no significant effect of vitamin E supplementation on the hematologic toxicity or survival in rats treated with a range of doxorubicin or docetaxel doses. There were no important perturbations of the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin related to dietary intake of vitamin E or St. John's wort. Rats ingesting St. John's wort had similar survival at each dose level of doxorubicin to rats ingesting the control diet. There were no important modulatory effects of vitamin E on mitochondrial DNA damage after doxorubicin. Our studies indicate that vitamin E and St. John's wort neither increase nor protect against the toxicity of doxorubicin or docetaxel in rats.

Aim: This experimental animal study aimed to investigate the effects of Tendoflex® (a polytendon complex) and St. John’s wort oil (Hypericum perforatum) on healthy Achilles tendons in rats. Material and Method: Twenty Wistar albino rats weighing 250-350 g were randomly allocated into four groups. In Group A, Tendoflex® capsule per 2.5 kg/ day was administered orally via gavage. In Group B, Hypericum perforatum 300mg/kg/day was given orally via gavage. In Group C, Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum were given orally via gavage at the doses mentioned above. In Group D, no intervention was done to the control group. After four weeks, all rats were sacrificed and biomechanical tests of the Achilles tendon and histological examinations were performed. Results: Histological results revealed a significant difference between the groups regarding Type-1 and Type-3 immunopositivity in the Achilles tendon tissues (p <0.05). Immune-positivity values were high in group B, moderate in group C, mild in group A and insignificant in group D. The highest top tendon strengths in the biomechanical tests were recorded in the Hypericum perforatum and mix groups at the fourth week (83.75±16.1N and 81.875±9.7 N, respectively) followed by the Tendoflex® group (66.875±7.5 N). On the other hand, the lowest tendon strengths were obtained in the control group (54.375±7.1N). Discussion: Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum increased the Achilles tendon tensile strength in rats. This result may be related to the fact that Type-1 and Type-3 collagen immunity was higher in all groups compared to the control group. Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum can be used to prevent tendon rupture or to avoid re-rupture in patients undergoing tendon repair.

Aim: This experimental animal study aimed to investigate the effects of Tendoflex® (a polytendon complex) and St. John’s wort oil (Hypericum perforatum) on healthy Achilles tendons in rats. Material and Method: Twenty Wistar albino rats weighing 250-350 g were randomly allocated into four groups. In Group A, Tendoflex® capsule per 2.5 kg/ day was administered orally via gavage. In Group B, Hypericum perforatum 300mg/kg/day was given orally via gavage. In Group C, Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum were given orally via gavage at the doses mentioned above. In Group D, no intervention was done to the control group. After four weeks, all rats were sacrificed and biomechanical tests of the Achilles tendon and histological examinations were performed. Results: Histological results revealed a significant difference between the groups regarding Type-1 and Type-3 immunopositivity in the Achilles tendon tissues (p <0.05). Immune-positivity values were high in group B, moderate in group C, mild in group A and insignificant in group D. The highest top tendon strengths in the biomechanical tests were recorded in the Hypericum perforatum and mix groups at the fourth week (83.75±16.1N and 81.875±9.7 N, respectively) followed by the Tendoflex® group (66.875±7.5 N). On the other hand, the lowest tendon strengths were obtained in the control group (54.375±7.1N). Discussion: Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum increased the Achilles tendon tensile strength in rats. This result may be related to the fact that Type-1 and Type-3 collagen immunity was higher in all groups compared to the control group. Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum can be used to prevent tendon rupture or to avoid re-rupture in patients undergoing tendon repair.

Aim: This experimental animal study aimed to investigate the effects of Tendoflex® (a polytendon complex) and St. John’s wort oil (Hypericum perforatum) on healthy Achilles tendons in rats. Material and Method: Twenty Wistar albino rats weighing 250-350 g were randomly allocated into four groups. In Group A, Tendoflex® capsule per 2.5 kg/ day was administered orally via gavage. In Group B, Hypericum perforatum 300mg/kg/day was given orally via gavage. In Group C, Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum were given orally via gavage at the doses mentioned above. In Group D, no intervention was done to the control group. After four weeks, all rats were sacrificed and biomechanical tests of the Achilles tendon and histological examinations were performed. Results: Histological results revealed a significant difference between the groups regarding Type-1 and Type-3 immunopositivity in the Achilles tendon tissues (p <0.05). Immune-positivity values were high in group B, moderate in group C, mild in group A and insignificant in group D. The highest top tendon strengths in the biomechanical tests were recorded in the Hypericum perforatum and mix groups at the fourth week (83.75±16.1N and 81.875±9.7 N, respectively) followed by the Tendoflex® group (66.875±7.5 N). On the other hand, the lowest tendon strengths were obtained in the control group (54.375±7.1N). Discussion: Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum increased the Achilles tendon tensile strength in rats. This result may be related to the fact that Type-1 and Type-3 collagen immunity was higher in all groups compared to the control group. Tendoflex® and Hypericum perforatum can be used to prevent tendon rupture or to avoid re-rupture in patients undergoing tendon repair.