The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica on morphine withdrawal signs in male mice

Introduction: Previous studies have shown the analgesic, anticonvulsant, spasmolytic, and anti-inflammatory effects of Urtica dioica (UD). In the present study the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of UD on morphine withdrawal signs were investigated. Acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract was also assessed. Methods: In an experimental study, 48 male NMRI mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 each, consisting of control (10 mL/kg), clonidine (3.5 mg/kg), and different doses of UD extract (25, 50,100 and 200 mg/kg). Morphine dependency was induced by administration of different doses of morphine (50, 50, 75, and 50 mg/kg) within a four-day schedule (1st-4th day, respectively). On the last day, after administration of a single dose of morphine, naloxone (5 mg/kg) was injected and the withdrawal signs were recorded within 30 minutes. To assess acute toxicity (LD50), 12 extra rats were used and toxic effects of different doses of the extract were evaluated by Lorke’s method. Results: All doses of the UD extract, compared to control group, significantly decreased the number of jumping, grooming, teeth chattering, rearing, wet dog shakes, diarrhea, writing and climbing. In addition, the LD50 of the extract was 2.9 g/kg. Conclusion: UD extract could decrease the morphine withdrawal signs and might be beneficial in addicted patients. However, further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of its action

Ethanolic extract of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) attenuates morphine physical dependence in mice

Introduction: Previous studies revealed that anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) has several pharmacological effects including analgesic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activities. This study aimed to evaluate its effect on morphine physical dependence in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male NMRI mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8. Control group received morphine and normal saline (10 mL/kg, i.p.) and other groups received diazepam (5 mg/kg) plus one of three doses of P. anisum (50,100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p.). Dependence was induced by administration of increasing doses (50-75 mg/kg, i.p.) of morphine. A time of 30 minutes after naloxone injection was considered for the critical period of the withdrawal syndrome. The number of jumps and scores of 0 to 3 were given for incidences of wet dog shakes, teeth chattering, climbing, writing, diarrhea, grooming, and rearing during a 30-minute period. Results: All doses of P. anisum (P<0.01) reduced the number of jumps. Additionally, all doses of the extract reduced the behaviors of grooming (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively) and writhing (P<0.05, P<0.001and P<0.001, respectively). None doses of the extract could reduce diarrhea (P>0.05). Climbing, rearing and wet dog shakes reduced only by the high dose of the extract (P<0.05). Teeth chattering reduced by 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract (P<0.05). Conclusion: These results obviously show that P. anisum ethanolic extract is effective in suppression of morphine physical dependence and further studies are needed to find out the responsible constituents and also the exact mechanisms of actions

Hydroethanolic extract of Carthamus tinctorius induces antidepressant-like effects: modulation by dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in tail suspension test in mice

Objective(s): Studies indicate that major deficiency in the levels of monoaminergic transmitters is a reason for severe depression. On the other hand, it is shown that Carthamus tinctorius L. (CT) may improve neuropsychological injuries by regulation of the monoamine transporter action. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the involvement of monoaminergic systems in antidepressant-like effect of CT extract in the tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Materials and Methods: The mice were intraperitoneally (IP) treated with CT extract (100–400 mg/kg) 1hr before the TST. To investigate the involvement of monoaminergic systems in antidepressant-like effect, the mice were treated with receptor antagonists 15 min before CT extract treatment (400 mg/kg, IP) and 1hr before the TST. Results: Findings showed that CT extract (100–400 mg/kg, IP), dose-dependently induced antidepressant-like effect (

Effect of Origanum vulgare Hydroalcoholic Extract on Giardia lamblia Cysts Compared with Metronidazole in Vitro

Background: Giardiasis, an intestinal infection, is made by the flagellate protozoan and on the other hand, positive effects of plants derivatives, especially phenolic derivatives, against giardiasis. The effect of Origanum vulgare (OV) hydroalcoholic extract is still uninvestigated. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of OV hydroalcoholic extract on Giardia lamblia cysts compared with metronidazole in vitro. Methods: The present experimental study was conduct­ed in 2015-2016 in the Laboratory of Department of Parasi­tology of Islamic Azad University (Abhar Branch, Abhar, Iran). Cysts separated from feces by Bingham procedure were calculated by using the Hemusytumetr method. Five hundred µl of concentrations of 10, 100 and 200 mg/ml of OV hydroalcoholic extract and also125 mg/kg of metronidazole were added to the purified cysts of giardia. Control group was treated with normal saline. Anti-Giardia activity was calculated by using the light microscope for 30, 60 and 120 min and after exposure to eosin stain. Results: The results indicated anti-Giardia activity of OV hydroalcoholic extract and the best response was achieved at higher levels so that there were no significant differences among OV groups at levels of 200 mg/kg with metronidazole (P>0.05). Conclusion: The anti-Giardia activity of Origanum vulgare extract is may due to the presence of phenolic compounds present in it

The Effects of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) on Morphine Withdrawal Signs in Male Mice

Background and Aim: The antispasmodic, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects of Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) have been already examined in various studies. Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of C. citratus hydroalcoholic extract on morphine withdrawal signs in male mice. Materials and Methods: Male NMRI mice (20-30g) were rendered dependent by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of morphine three times daily at doses of 50, 50 and 75 mg/kg, respectively, for 3 days. After the last administration of morphine on the fourth day, different doses of C. citratus extract (140,280 and 560 mg/kg, i.p.) and clonidine (0.3mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 30 min before the administration of naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.). The mice were observed for 30 minutes for the withdrawal signs, i.e., the characteristic jumping, grooming, teeth chattering, climbing, rearing, wet dog shakes, writing and diarrhea. Results: The findings revealed that all doses of C. citratus (p<0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) and clonidine (p<0.001) could reduce the number of jumps. Moreover, all doses of the extract reduced the grooming (p<0.05), climbing (p<0.05), diarrhea (p<0.01), and writhing behavior (p<0.05). Rearing and wet dog shakes were reduced only by the high dose of the extract (p<0.05).Clonidine decreased the other checked signs (except rearing and wet dog shake behaviors) such as grooming (P< 0.01), teeth chattering (P< 0.05), climbing (P<0.05), writing (P<0.01) and diarrhea (P<0.01). Conclusion: The results indicated that C. citratus extract could attenuate morphine withdrawal signs. However, further studies are required to clarify its exact mechanism of action

Evaluation of antidepressant-like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora incarnata in animal models of depression in male mice

Introduction: Passiflora incarnata (PI) is one of the commonest herbal anti-anxiety and sedative agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidepressant effect of hydroalcoholic extract of PI in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8: Negative and positive control groups received normal saline (10 ml/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and imipramine (30 mg/kg), respectively and treatment groups received extracts of PI (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg). Immobility, swimming and climbing behaviors were recorded during 6-min. Results: All doses of PI extract compared to control group significantly reduced the duration of immobility time in both of two tests (p&lt;0.001). Also, these extracts increased swimming time (p&lt;0.001) without significant change of climbing time. Conclusion: PI has considerable antidepressant-like effect in animal models of depression. However, further studies are needed to determine its exact mechanism of action.</p

Antibacterial effects of <em>Solanum tuberosum</em> peel ethanol extract in vitro

Introduction: Today, medicinal plants are being widely used due to being natural, available, and cheaper than synthetic drugs and having minimum side effects. Since there were reports about the antibacterial properties of Solanum tuberosum (SE), the aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects of SE ethanol extract in vitro condition on Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae Methods: Ethanol extract of SE peel was prepared by maceration method. Initially, antibacterial activity of ethanol extract of SE was qualitatively determined by disk diffusion test; then, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were qualitatively determined by micro-dilution method. Results: SE peel extract had antibacterial properties and its effect was more pronounced on gram-positive bacteria, especially S. aureus (0.62&plusmn;0.00 mg/ml). The extract had antibacterial activity on gram-negative bacteria, P. aeruginosa, too (8.33&plusmn;2.88 mg/ml). Conclusion: SE peel extract has antibacterial activity and its effect on gram-positive bacteria was more pronounced than the investigated gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, it is suggested that SE peel constituent compounds be determined and to determine the exact mechanism of its antibacterial properties, and more comprehensive research be done to apply it, clinically.</p

Antidepressant Potential of Ferula gummosa Essential Oil in Mouse Models

Background and objectives: Earlier researches have exhibited the antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antiepileptic effects of Ferula gummosa. Considering that antioxidants play a key role in the pathogenesis of depression, the antidepressant potential of the F. gummosa essential oil was assessed by using a mouse models. Methods:Lorke’s method was used to access the acute toxicity of the F. gummosa essential oil. The F. gummosa essential oil (5-40 mg/kg), standard agents, and vehicle were administered to animals. The forced-swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open-field test (OFT) were used for the evaluation of depression. Results: The F. gummosa essential oil LD50 was found to be 316.22 mg/Kg b.w. β-Pinene, α-pinene, guaiol, δ-3-carene, bulnesol, α-Bisabolol, and β-myrcenewere the major components of the F. gummosaessential oil, respectively. In both FST and TST, 10-40 mg/kg of the essential oil decreased the duration of immobility. Furthermore, 10-40mg/kg of the F. gummosa essential oil enhanced the duration of swimming with no significant effect on the duration of climbing in FST. The F. gummosaessential oil did not change the animal locomotion in the OFT. Conclusion: According to the results, the F. gummosa essential oil showed antidepressant activity similar to fluoxetine which may have a potential clinical value for the treatment of depression

The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Communicable disease control has long been a focus of global health policy. There have been substantial reductions in the burden and mortality of communicable diseases among children younger than 5 years, but we know less about this burden in older children and adolescents, and it is unclear whether current programmes and policies remain aligned with targets for intervention. This knowledge is especially important for policy and programmes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to systematically characterise the burden of communicable diseases across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: In this systematic analysis of the GBD study from 1990 to 2019, all communicable diseases and their manifestations as modelled within GBD 2019 were included, categorised as 16 subgroups of common diseases or presentations. Data were reported for absolute count, prevalence, and incidence across measures of cause-specific mortality (deaths and years of life lost), disability (years lived with disability [YLDs]), and disease burden (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]) for children and adolescents aged 0-24 years. Data were reported across the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and across time (1990-2019), and for 204 countries and territories. For HIV, we reported the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) as a measure of health system performance. FINDINGS: In 2019, there were 3·0 million deaths and 30·0 million years of healthy life lost to disability (as measured by YLDs), corresponding to 288·4 million DALYs from communicable diseases among children and adolescents globally (57·3% of total communicable disease burden across all ages). Over time, there has been a shift in communicable disease burden from young children to older children and adolescents (largely driven by the considerable reductions in children younger than 5 years and slower progress elsewhere), although children younger than 5 years still accounted for most of the communicable disease burden in 2019. Disease burden and mortality were predominantly in low-SDI settings, with high and high-middle SDI settings also having an appreciable burden of communicable disease morbidity (4·0 million YLDs in 2019 alone). Three cause groups (enteric infections, lower-respiratory-tract infections, and malaria) accounted for 59·8% of the global communicable disease burden in children and adolescents, with tuberculosis and HIV both emerging as important causes during adolescence. HIV was the only cause for which disease burden increased over time, particularly in children and adolescents older than 5 years, and especially in females. Excess MIRs for HIV were observed for males aged 15-19 years in low-SDI settings. INTERPRETATION: Our analysis supports continued policy focus on enteric infections and lower-respiratory-tract infections, with orientation to children younger than 5 years in settings of low socioeconomic development. However, efforts should also be targeted to other conditions, particularly HIV, given its increased burden in older children and adolescents. Older children and adolescents also experience a large burden of communicable disease, further highlighting the need for efforts to extend beyond the first 5 years of life. Our analysis also identified substantial morbidity caused by communicable diseases affecting child and adolescent health across the world. FUNDING: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Driving Investment in Global Adolescent Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Global, regional, and national cancer incidence, mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-Adjusted life-years for 29 cancer groups, 1990 to 2017 : A systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study

Importance: Cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now widely recognized as a threat to global development. The latest United Nations high-level meeting on NCDs reaffirmed this observation and also highlighted the slow progress in meeting the 2011 Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the third Sustainable Development Goal. Lack of situational analyses, priority setting, and budgeting have been identified as major obstacles in achieving these goals. All of these have in common that they require information on the local cancer epidemiology. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is uniquely poised to provide these crucial data. Objective: To describe cancer burden for 29 cancer groups in 195 countries from 1990 through 2017 to provide data needed for cancer control planning. Evidence Review: We used the GBD study estimation methods to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-Adjusted life-years (DALYs). Results are presented at the national level as well as by Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income, educational attainment, and total fertility rate. We also analyzed the influence of the epidemiological vs the demographic transition on cancer incidence. Findings: In 2017, there were 24.5 million incident cancer cases worldwide (16.8 million without nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) and 9.6 million cancer deaths. The majority of cancer DALYs came from years of life lost (97%), and only 3% came from years lived with disability. The odds of developing cancer were the lowest in the low SDI quintile (1 in 7) and the highest in the high SDI quintile (1 in 2) for both sexes. In 2017, the most common incident cancers in men were NMSC (4.3 million incident cases); tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer (1.5 million incident cases); and prostate cancer (1.3 million incident cases). The most common causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for men were TBL cancer (1.3 million deaths and 28.4 million DALYs), liver cancer (572000 deaths and 15.2 million DALYs), and stomach cancer (542000 deaths and 12.2 million DALYs). For women in 2017, the most common incident cancers were NMSC (3.3 million incident cases), breast cancer (1.9 million incident cases), and colorectal cancer (819000 incident cases). The leading causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for women were breast cancer (601000 deaths and 17.4 million DALYs), TBL cancer (596000 deaths and 12.6 million DALYs), and colorectal cancer (414000 deaths and 8.3 million DALYs). Conclusions and Relevance: The national epidemiological profiles of cancer burden in the GBD study show large heterogeneities, which are a reflection of different exposures to risk factors, economic settings, lifestyles, and access to care and screening. The GBD study can be used by policy makers and other stakeholders to develop and improve national and local cancer control in order to achieve the global targets and improve equity in cancer care. © 2019 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe