List of articles (by subject) Medicinal Plants and Sports


    • Open Access Article

      1 - High intensity interval training and Eryngium billardieri extract consumption on MMP-2 gene expression of visceral fat in rats with metabolic syndrome
      Mostafa  Haji Gholami Shahin Riyahi Malayeri Asal   ziloubaf Hedyeh Hassanpour
      Background: Metabolic syndrome includes a set of metabolic disorders that expose the patient to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of High intensity interval training and Eryngium billardieri extract consumptio More
      Background: Metabolic syndrome includes a set of metabolic disorders that expose the patient to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of High intensity interval training and Eryngium billardieri extract consumption on the expression of visceral fat matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene and insulin resistance in rats with metabolic syndrome. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1- Healthy group 2- Metabolic syndrome 3- Metabolic syndrome + Eryngium billardieri 4- Metabolic syndrome + Eryngium billardieri + HIIT. The training protocol was performed on a rodent treadmill for 8 weeks and 5 sessions per week and 125 mg of Eryngium billardieri extract per kilogram of body weight was given by gastric gavage 5 days a week for 8 weeks. At the end of the eighth week, sample of visceral adipose tissue was taken to examine the expression of MMP-2 gene. Animal blood was collected from the heart. ANOVA were used for data analysis using SPSS 23 software at a significant level (p <0.05). Tukey significance test was used to compare significant differences. Results: Eight weeks of intense intermittent exercise with consumption of Eryngium billardieri extract caused a significant decrease in MMP-2 gene levels and glucose and insulin levels in comparison with the metabolic syndrome group (P <0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it seems that High intensity interval training with the use of Eryngium billardieri extract helps to improve insulin resistance and reduce MMP2. Manuscript profile
    • Open Access Article

      2 - Effect of Aerobic Training along with Garlic on Oxidative Stress Index in Obese Women with High Blood Pressure
      Ghasem  Torabi Palat Kaleh Mostafa  Kazemi Ahmad Abdi Asieh   Abbassi Daloii Masoomeh Alsadat Mirshafaei
      Background: A large amount of evidence shows that oxidative stress plays a central role in hypertension pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to examine effect of aerobic training along with Garlic on oxidative stress index in obese women with high blood pressure. More
      Background: A large amount of evidence shows that oxidative stress plays a central role in hypertension pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to examine effect of aerobic training along with Garlic on oxidative stress index in obese women with high blood pressure. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 36 postmenopausal obese women with hypertension were purposefully and accessibly selected from Sari and were simple randomly divided into four groups Control (C), Aerobic Training (AT), Garlic (G) and Aerobic Training +Garlic (ATG). The training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions a week (55% to 65% of the reserved heart rate and for 30 to 55 min). The groups of G and ATG were provided 1000 mg of garlic supplement for eight weeks (After breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, blood samples were taken in fasting state. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA at p<0.05. Results: The results showed that the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P=0.0001) decrease significantly in the experimental groups. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P=0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (P=0.000) and catalase (CAT) (P=0.001) in the experimental groups increased significantly compared to the C group. The amount of SOD, GPx and CAT in the ATG group was significantly higher than the AT and G group (p≤0/05). Conclusion: It seems that AT and G has interactive effects on reducing Oxidative Stress in obese women with high blood pressure. Manuscript profile
    • Open Access Article

      3 - The effect of 8-week aerobic training and green tea consumption on adropin and lipid profiles of overweight-obese women
      Saharnaz Seyed Esmaili Saleh Rahmati-Ahmadabad Behnaz  Gorji Ali   Azadi
      Background: Aerobic training and green tea consumption affect fat metabolism via a change in several elements. Adropin is a unique hormone, which is related to fat metabolism. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training and gree More
      Background: Aerobic training and green tea consumption affect fat metabolism via a change in several elements. Adropin is a unique hormone, which is related to fat metabolism. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training and green tea consumption on adropin and lipid profiles of overweight-obese women. Methods: 32 overweight-obese non-athletes (age: 20-40 years) were included in this study and divided into four groups (n=8 each group): 1) green tea and exercise, 2) green tea, 3) exercise, and 4) control. The exercise training program was three days a week, 60% to 70% of the maximum heart rate each session, for 8 weeks. The green tea supplement dose was one 500 mg capsule of green tea, consumed three days a week for 8 weeks. BMI as well as serum levels of adropin, total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL, were determined before and after the interventions. The collected data were analyzed via covariance test at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: 8 weeks of aerobic training and tea consumption had no significant effect on adropine, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in overweight-obese women (p>0.05). However, 8 weeks of aerobic training and green tea supplementation had a significant beneficial effect on the LDL, HDL, BMI, and weight of overweight-obese women (p<0.05). Conclusion: 8 weeks of aerobic training and consumption of green tea significantly improved the weight, BMI, HDL, and LDL of the participants. Manuscript profile
    • Open Access Article

      4 - The effect of five weeks of aerobic training with royal jelly consumption on glycemic indices in multiple sclerosis rats
      Abdolhamid   Mosalla nezhad Farzaneh   Taghian Khosrow   Jalali Dehkordi Seyed Ali   Hosseini
      Background: Although the beneficial role of exercise and antioxidants in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported, the interactive effect of aerobic training (AT) and royal jelly (RJ) consumption is still not well known. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to i More
      Background: Although the beneficial role of exercise and antioxidants in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported, the interactive effect of aerobic training (AT) and royal jelly (RJ) consumption is still not well known. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of five weeks of ET and RJ consumption on glycemic indices of MS rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental trial, 49 female Sprague-Dawley rats of EAE model weighing 180-210 gr were divided into seven groups based on their motor disability, including (1) experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), (2) sham (Sh), (3) 50 mg /kg of royal jelly consumption (RJ50), (4) 100 mg /kg of royal jelly consumption (RJ100), (5) aerobic training (AT), (6) AT+RJ50, and (7) AT+RJ100. In order to investigate the effects of EAE on the variables, 7 healthy rats were included in the healthy control group (HC). AT was performed for five weeks, four sessions per week at a speed of 11-15 m/min for 30 minutes, and RJ was injected intraperitoneally with the determined dose daily. To analyze the findings, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used (P≥0.05). Results: Insulin levels in the RJ50, RJ100, ET, ET+RJ50 and ET+RJ100 groups were significantly lower than the EAE group (P=0.01). Conclusion: It seems that aerobic training combined with royal jelly consumption has a synergistic and favorable effect on improving glycemic indices of MS rats. Manuscript profile
    • Open Access Article

      5 - Elucidating the Impact of Iranian Herbs on Athletic Performance: A Narrative Review of Scientific Evidence
      Daniel Tarmast
      This article explores the growing trend among athletes to seek out substances that can enhance their performance to achieve optimal athletic performance. The increasing concerns regarding banned supplements have led to a growing interest in exploring the effectiveness More
      This article explores the growing trend among athletes to seek out substances that can enhance their performance to achieve optimal athletic performance. The increasing concerns regarding banned supplements have led to a growing interest in exploring the effectiveness of herbal alternatives. Herbs native to Iran have gained significant attention due to the substantial body of research that supports their potential to enhance athletic performance and protect overall health. Research has demonstrated that herbs such as jujube and saffron can augment cognitive function, regulate tension, reduce the likelihood of injuries, improve sleep quality, and restore vitality and endurance. Simultaneously, Iranian sage and chamomile effectively reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery after physical activity. An additional treasure from Iran's herbal treasury, Ginkgo biloba is notable for its profound advantages on focusing and cognitive ability. The combined use of these herbs enhances athletic performance and promotes overall well-being. This presentation broadly examines Iran's medical herbs and explains how they can help athletes in many ways. These natural remedies provide a sustainable route to optimal performance, particularly during the critical pre-competition phase, by facilitating fatigue reduction and obesity management. All things considered, this highlights the revolutionary potential of Iranian herbal mixtures for molding top-notch athletic performance and fostering overall wellness. Athletes can attain peak performance levels while avoiding the drawbacks of illegal supplements when they advocate for taking these natural substances in their workouts. Manuscript profile