Ameliorative property of Teucrium polium on second degree burn

Introduction: Traditionally, burn wound healing activities have been claimed for Teucrium polium. Teucrium polium possesses antioxidant and inflammatory activities and seems to ameliorate burn wound healing. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Teucrium polium on burn healing in Balb/C mice. Materials and Methods: In this preclinical experimental study 56 mice were randomly designated into 4 equal groups. Burn wounds were made using a hot plate with a surface area of 1.5 cm2. Animals were treated with Teucrium 2, Silver sulfadiazine or Vaseline 2 times per day for 21 days. The forth group received no treatment. Results: The percentage of burn wounds healing and total time required for complete healing were evaluated and compared in different groups. Data were analyzed using ANOVA test. Conclusion: Teucrium extract accelerated the burn wound healing more rapidly than control groups (p&lt;0.01). Teucrium polium is effective on burn wounds healing and might be beneficial in these groups of patients.</p

Assessing the toxic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl on rat's liver

Aims: Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl is a frequently used plant to treat different diseases, but its probable toxic effects have not been reported yet. This study aimed to study the toxicity of the extract on rats' liver. Methods: In this experimental study, 100 rats were designated into 10 groups and injected normal saline or Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl extract at 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 28 days. Four case groups and one control group were examined for ALT, AST and ALP after one month and the other groups were evaluated after two months. Results: In the first month, the increase of ALP at all doses and the increase of AST at 200 mg/kg was significant, compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the second month, AST increased at the dosage of 150mg/kg, and ALP decreased at the dosage of 100 mg/kg, compared to the control group (p<0.05). Histopathological assessment showed a significant dose dependent increase both in necrotic-inflammatory reactions and fibrotic lesions, in the first and second months, compared to the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The Stachys lavandulifolia extract injected intraperitoneally has hepatotoxic effect, which is not eliminated by the drug withdrawal. Therefore, it is necessary to be consumed with caution (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref 21). Text in PDF www.elis.sk

The effects of Portulaca oleracea L (purslane) on psychologic symptoms and malondialdehyde level in schizophrenic patients

Background and Aim: Despite the availability of antipsychotic drugs, a large number of patients with schizophrenia do not show a good response to monotherapy with these drugs. In this study we evaluated the effect of purslane on psychologic symptoms and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in schizophrenic patients in Sina Hospital. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 chronic schizophrenic patients treated with risperidone in Sina Hospital in Joneghan, Iran between 2011 and 2012. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The control group received risperidone 6mg/day and biperiden 4mg/day for 8 weeks. The Patients in the intervention group received 1g extract of purslane daily in addition to risperidone and biperiden for 8 weeks. The scales for assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS), assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) and MDA level were recorded at the baseline and at the end of the 8th week of study. Data analysis was performed by using mean, SD, student t-test and paired t- test. Results: At the end of the study, the respective mean scores of positive symptoms were 47.93±18.56 in the intervention and 57.1±14.83 in the control group (P<0.05), and the mean scores of negative symptoms were 40.83±11.03 in the intervention and 46.13± 9.34 in the control group (P<0.05).In addition, the MDA levels of the patients in the intervention and control groups were 3.25±1.25 and 5.43± 1.76 respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to findings of this study, simultaneous use of purslane and respridone can lead to improvement of psychological condition and decreased MDA level in the patients with chronic schizophrenia

Comparison between the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of dill and statins on lipid profile

Background and Aims: A transient increase of blood concentration of lipids after meal is able to increase the risk of atherogenesis. This study aimed to determine the effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) consumption on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors. Methods: In an experimental study, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to four groups to receive normal diet, a diet containing 1 cholesterol, a diet containing 1 cholesterol plus 200 mg/kg dill powder, and a diet containing 10 mg/kg lovastatin. Risk factors of atherosclerosis including glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), nitrite, nitrate, fibrinogen, and factor VII were measured and compared between different groups. Results: Consumption of dill caused a significant reduction in glucose compared to the hypercholesterolemic diet group. Dill powder significantly decreased LDL-C, TC, AST, ALT, and fibrinogen. No significant differences were found between dill group and hypercholesterolemic diet group in ApoB, factor VII, nitrite, and nitrate. Conclusion: According to our findings, postprandial consumption of dill may have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors

Identification of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in clinical samples in Iran

Background :Nowadays beta lactamase-producing multiple-drug resistance Klebsiella pneumoniae is as an important factor in nosocomial infections which has produced therapeutic difficulties in worldwide. The purpose of this study was to identify KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (blakpc) in clinical samples in Iran. Materials and Methods: After identification of isolates in species level using cultural and biochemical methods, the susceptibility tests were carried out on 180 isolates of K. pneumoniae using disk diffusion method. Also MIC (Minimum inhibitory concentrations) was determined for meropenem and imipenem. Then all isolates of Klebsiella were considered for presence of blakpc gene by PCR. Results: In this study of 202 isolates of Klebsiella, 180 isolates (89.1%) of K. pneumoniae and 22 isolates (10.9%) of Klebsiella oxytoca were isolated from patients. More than 55% of isolates showed multiple-drug resistance and also above 40% resistance to imipeneme and meropeneme was recorded. The MIC of isolates which were resistant to carbapenemes was above 32µg/ml.The PCR results showed that 22 cases (11.9%) of isolates had blakpc gene which most of them had been isolated from urine and blood samples of patients who were hospitalized in the ICU and pediatrics. Conclusion: Regarding the existence of blakpc gene in K. pneumoniae and possibility of transformation of these genes to the other bacteria, reconsideration in antibiotics consumption patterns and more attention to nosocomial infections control criteria are inevitable

Effect of Teucrium polium and Boswellia serrata extracts on cotaneus burn wound healing in Balb/C mice

زمینه و هدف: از قدیم، چزکوهی و کندر برای ترمیم زخم سوختگی مورد استفاده قرار می گرفتند، ولی این موضوع از نظر علمی مورد بررسی قرار نگرفته است. این مطالعه به منظور بررسی اثرات درمانی ترکیب چز کوهی و کندر بر فرآیند التیام زخم سوختگی در موش Balb/c انجام شد. روش بررسی: این مطالعه تجربی بر روی 84 سر موش Balb/c به وزن تقریبی 3±30 گرم انجام شد. پس از ایجاد زخم سوختگی به مساحت 5/1 سانتیمتر مربع به وسیله ی فلز داغ بر پشت موش و تایید سوختگی درجه دو، موش ها به هفت گروه تحت درمان با عصاره کندر 2، چز کوهی 20، چز کوهی 20 و عصاره کندر 20، چز کوهی 20 و عصاره کندر 2، کرم سولفادیازین نقره 1، وازلین و گروه کنترل تقسیم شدند. در گروه های تحت درمان یک گرم پماد روزی دو بار، تا التیام کامل زخم استعمال شد. سپس هفت گروه از نظر درصد بهبودی و سرعت بهبودی کامل زخم مقایسه شدند. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون های آماری ANOVA و تعقیبی دانت تجزیه و تحلیل شد. یافته ها: در روز بیست و یکم از نظر میزان بهبودی،اختلاف معنا داری بین گروه های اول، دوم، سوم و چهارم با گروه شاهد وجود داشت و میزان بهبودی در این گروه ها بیشتر از گروه شاهد بود (01/0

The teratogenic and abortifacient effects of heracleum persicum hydroalcholic extract and its correlation with mothers’ estrogen and progesterone in Balb/C mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Heracleumpersicum is an Iranian medicinal plant which is used for various diseases. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove its side effects in pregnancy. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the teratogenic and abortifacient effects of Heracleum persicum hydroalcholic extract in Balb/c mice. METHODS: In this experimental study, 30 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, after mating and vagina platelets observation. First group received nothing, and second group received distilled water (gavage) and the third roup received 12.5 mg/kg/day Heracleum persicum hydroalcholic extract for 7 days. In 18-19th day of the experiment, caesarean surgery was done and embryos were collected in normal saline. The embryos weight and heights were measured and any defects in skeleton or other observable defects in other parts were evaluated. Estrogen and progesterone levels were also measured to evaluate the mechanisms. FINDINGS: There was a significant difference in estrogen percentage (13.82±9.09ng/ml in case group vs. 2.4±0.4ng/ml in control group) and in progesterone percentage (24.56±18.5ng/ml in case group vs. 52.46±1.35ng/ml in control group) between two groups (p<0.05). The abortifacient effect of the plant was supported by the changes in blood estrogen and progesterone. The percentage of abortifacient was 0.55±0.14 in plant group and zero in control group. There was no significant difference in studied groups regarding embryos heights. However, the embryos weights were less in case group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering plant effect on weight and hormone changes in pregnancy and abortifacient effect of Heracleum persicum in experimental group, its consumption should be with cautious during pregnancy. © 2014, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Effect of turnip on glucose and lipid profiles of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: In traditional medicine turnip (Brassica napus), is used to reduce blood glucose. Furthermore, Turnip also has antioxidant effects and many plants with antioxidant activities are known to have antidiabetic properties. Therefore in this study, the antihyperglycemic effect of boiled turnip extract and metabolic changes on triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats, weighing 200 to 250g were divided in to 4 groups: control, diabetic control, diabetic group receiving cooked Turnip and diabetic group receiving Glibenclamide. Diabetes was induced by injection of 120 mg/kg alloxan monohydrate on 3 consecutive days. Rats in the third group received 16ml/kg turnip extract daily for 4 weeks after which the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken to measure the factors mentoned. Data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance test using SPSS software. Results: Boiled turnip extract significantly reduced serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL, and increase HDL, in diabetic rats compared to the control diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that boiled turnip extract can reduce blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats and may be used as complementary or alternative treatment for diabetic patients

Effect of Portulaca oleracea L vice versa silver sulfadiazine on burn wound healing in Balb/c mice

Background and aim: The effect of herbal medicine with antitoxidant activity on burn wound healing has been proven in various studies. Portulaca oleracea L (Purslane) is a rich source of antioxidants and fatty acids. This study was carried out to compare the effect of purslane and silver on the second-degree burn wound healing in Balb/c mice. Methods: In this preclinical study, burn wounds were made with a hot plate on the back of 85 Balb/c mice. Four groups of mice were treated topically for 21 days by vaseline, silver salfadiazin, 1% and 10% purslane. Wound size on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 were measured. Data were analyzed using Kruskal- Wallis and test. Results: Results showed that the recovery was observed in silver group, 10% purslane, 1% purslane and vaseline, respectively. There was no significant difference in burn wound healing between silver and 10% purslane groups on days 14 and 21 (P>0.05), but significant difference between vaseline and 10% purslane groups on days 14 and 21 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regarding to the finding of this study, extracts of 10% purslane expedites the wound healing process in mice. Therefor, it might be beneficial in patients with burn wound

Impact of Sumac on postprandial high-fat oxidative stress

Background and Objective: High-fat diet causes a sudden increase in blood lipids and oxidative stress after each meal, which can affect the trigger mechanisms of atherosclerosis and cause some acute changes in the function of vessels' endothelial cells. With respect to the antioxidant properties of Sumac (Rhus coriaria), the present research was conducted to determine the effect of taking Sumac along with food on some atherosclerosis risk factors resulting from high-fat diet in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Methodology: In this experimental study, 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly designated into three eight-member groups as follows: normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (1%), high-cholesterol diet and Sumac powder 2%. Oxidative stress factors and those influencing atherosclerosis or arterial function including glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), Apo lipoprotein B (Apo B), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), nitrate, nitrite, fibrinogen and factor VII, and also liver enzymes (ALT, AST) were measured and compared in each group. Results: High cholesterol diet significantly increased total cholesterol, fibrinogen, triglycerides, glucose, nitrate, LDL-C and the liver enzymes ALT and AST (p 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effect of consuming Sumac with food on some risk factors of atherosclerosis and oxidative stress (glucose, LDL-C, total cholesterol and fibrinogen) and also liver enzymes induced by high fat food