The relaxant effect of <em>Ferula assafoetida</em> on smooth muscles and the possible mechanisms

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) an oleo-gum-resin belongs to the Apiaceae family which obtained from the living underground rhizome or tap roots of the plant. F. assa-foetida is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of variety of disorders. Asafoetida is used as a culinary spice and in folk medicine has been used to treat several diseases, including intestinal parasites, weak digestion, gastrointestinal disorders, asthma and influenza. A wide range of chemical compounds including sugars, sesquiterpene coumarins and polysulfides have been isolated from this plant. This oleo-gum-resin is known to possess antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and antiviral activities. Several studies investigated the effects of F. asafoetida gum extract on the contractile responses induced by acetylcholine, methacholin, histamine and KCl on different smooth muscles. The present review summarizes the information regarding the relaxant effect of asafetida and its extracts on different smooth muscles and the possible mechanisms of this effect

Improvement in symptoms and pulmonary function of asthmatic patients due to their treatment according to the Global Strategy for Asthma Management (GINA)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Global Initiative Strategy for Asthma Management (GINA) is poorly applied in undeveloped and developing countries. The current study examined the effects of applying GINA guidelines on treatment efficacy in asthmatic patients in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty four asthmatic patients (usual care group) were treated as usual and 26 patients (intervention group) according to the GINA for 2 months. Asthma symptom score, asthma severity, frequency of symptoms/week and wheezing were recorded at the beginning (first visit), one month after treatment (second visit), and at the end of the study (third visit). Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed by spirometry, and the patients' use of asthma drugs and their symptoms were evaluated, at each visit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Asthma symptoms, frequency of symptoms/week, chest wheezing, and PFT values were significantly improved in the intervention group at the second and third visits compared to first visit (p < 0.001 for all measures). In addition, exercise induced cough and wheeze were significant improved in the third visit compared to the second visit in this group (p < 0.01 for both measures). In the second and third visits all symptoms were significantly lower, and PFT values higher, in the intervention group compared to the usual care group (p < 0.005 to p < 0.001). In the usual care group, there were only small improvements in some parameters in just the second visit (p < 0.01 for all measures). The use of asthma drugs was unchanged in the usual care group and significantly reduced in the intervention group (p < 0.01) by the end of the study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Adoption of GINA guidelines improves asthma symptoms and pulmonary function in asthmatic patients in Iran.</p

The prevalence of smoking among the population in the city of Mashhad (north east of Iran) and pulmonary function tests among smokers

Introduction: Smoking is known as a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study the prevalence of smoking in the population of Mashhad city was evaluated as well as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of smokers. Material and methods: The prevalence of smoking was studied using a standard questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50%, and 25% of the FVC (MEF75,50,25), were measured in all smokers. Results: In total, 1435 individuals were interviewed including 999 males and 436 females. The number of smokers among the interviewed individuals was 183 (12.7%) including 172 male (17.2%) and 11 female (2.5%). The results showed that all values of PFTs in smokers were reduced. There were significant negative correlations between smoking duration and rate as pack/year and values of PFT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study the prevalence of smoking in the population of Mashhad city was shown for the first time. The effect of smoking on PFTs showed that smoking leads to constriction of large and medium airways, which is due to duration and rate of smoking. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 21-25Wstęp: Palenie tytoniu jest główną przyczyną przewlekłej obturacyjnej choroby płuc. Celem niniejszego badania było określenie rozpowszechnienia palenia tytoniu w populacji miasta Mashhad oraz przeprowadzenie testów czynnościowych płuc u osób palących. Materiał i metody: Rozpowszechnienie palenia tytoniu określono za pomocą standardowego kwestionariusza. U wszystkich osób palących wykonano badania czynnościowe płuc obejmujące pomiar natężonej pojemności życiowej (FVC), natężonej objętości wydechowej pierwszosekundowej (FEV1), przepływu środkowowydechowego (MMEF), szczytowego przepływu wydechowego (PEF) i maksymalnego przepływu wydechowego przy FVC równej 75, 50 i 25% (MEF75, 50, 25). Wyniki: W badaniu wzięło udział 1435 osób, 999 mężczyzn i 436 kobiet. Palenie tytoniu zadeklarowały 183 (12,7%) osoby spośród respondentów - 172 mężczyzn (17,2%) i 11 kobiet (2,5%). Wszystkie wyniki badań czynnościowych płuc u osób palący były obniżone. Zaobserwowano istotą ujemną korelację między czasem palenia tytoniu i liczbą paczek papierosów wypalanych w ciągu roku a parametrami ocenianymi w badaniach czynnościowych (p < 0,05). Wnioski: W niniejszym badaniu po raz pierwszy oceniono odsetek osób palących w populacji Mashhadu. Ocena parametrów czynnościowych płuc wykazała, że palenie tytoniu prowadzi do zwężenia dużych i średnich oskrzeli, a efekt ten zależy od długości okresu palenia i od liczby wypalanych papierosów. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 21-2

Effect of carvacrol on pulmonary function tests, and total and differential white blood cell counts in healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: This is the first study to evaluate the effect of carvacrol on pulmonary function tests (PFT), and total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were treated with two doses of carvacrol (1 and 2 mg/kg/day) for 1 month. Total and differential WBC counts and PFT were examined before and after the treatment period. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in terms of total and differential WBC counts between pre and post-treatment with the two doses of carvacrol. Also, results of PFT tests indicated that administration of 1 mg/kg/day carvacrol had no effect on PFT parameters when comparing post-treatment values with pre-treatment values. Treatment with 2 mg/kg/day carvacrol for 1 month increased forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) (

The effect of climatic conditions on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in 10-12 year old students

Exercise-induced asthma is seen following vigorous or prolonged exercise or physical exertion. It has been suggested that climatic conditions have an influence on exercise-induced asthma. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of two climatic conditions on exercise-induced deterioration of pulmonary function tests in 10-12 year old students.Two hundred and fifty six students were randomly chosen from two cities namely Kerman and Gorgan (128 subjects in each who were equally from both cities) including 62 girls and 66 boys of 10-12 years old. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information and to identify the prevalence of asthma symptoms. Each subject performed a seven-minute free run exercise with maximum effort and sufficient motivation until they reached 70-75% heart rate. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) including, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximum expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (MEF50) were measured before, at the beginning, and 7 and 20 min after physical activity.The prevalence of both asthma (28.12%) and exercise-induced asthma (20.31%) in Kerman students was higher than those of Gorgan students (21.09% and 17%, respectively). All PFT values declined 7 and 20 min post-exercise in both groups. Although all baselines PFT in Kerman students were higher than those of Gorgan students, the decline in PFT values in Kerman students was greater than those of Gorgan students. At 20 min post exercise, the decline in FEV1, PEF and MEF50 in Kerman students was significantly higher than those of Gorgan students (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01).The results of the present study showed that prevalence of both asthma and exercise-induced asthma in a city with dry and cool climate such as Kerman was higher than in a city with humid climate such as Gorgan. In addition, the results showed that in a humid climate, post-exercise decline in PFT values was less than in a dry climate. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Possible mechanism(s) for relaxant effect of aqueous and macerated extracts from Nigella sativa on tracheal chains of guinea pig

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, the relaxant, anticholinergic (functional antagonism) and antihistaminic effects of Nigella sativa have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains. To elucidate the other mechanisms responsible for the relaxant effect of this plant, its inhibitory effect on the calcium channel was examined in this study. RESULTS: The inhibitory effects of both concentrations of diltiazem in all three groups of experiments were significantly greater than those of saline (p < 0.01 to P < 0.001). The inhibitory of two larger concentrations of aqueous extracts in group 1 and 2 were significantly greater than those of saline (p < 0.01 to P < 0.001). The effect of two larger concentrations of macerated extract in group 1 and all concentrations of this extract in group 2 were also significantly greater than those of saline (p < 0.01 to P < 0.001). However, the extract of Nigella sativa did not show any inhibitory effect in group 3. There was a significant correlation between inhibitory effect and increasing concentrations for both extracts and diltiazem in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Although the extracts of Nigella sativa showed inhibitory effects on pre-contracted tracheal chains in the presence of both ordinary and calcium free Krebs solution, the absence of inhibitory effects of the extracts on KCl induced contraction of tracheal chains suggest that the calcium channel blocking effect of this plant dose not contribute to the relaxant effect of this plant on the tracheal chains of guinea pigs

Zataria multiflora Boiss and Carvacrol Affect β2-Adrenoceptors of Guinea Pig Trachea

The stimulatory effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss (Labiatae) and carvacrol on β-adrenoceptors was examined on guinea pig trachea. The effects of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, carvacrol, and propranolol (β-receptor antagonist) on β-adrenoceptors were tested in nonincubated (group 1, n = 8) and incubated tracheal chains with 1 μM chlorpheniramine (histamine H1 receptor antagonist) (group 2, n = 5). Isoprenaline (β-receptor agonist) curves obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract and carvacrol showed leftward shifts compared with that of saline in both groups. In both groups, the EC50 (the effective concentration of isoprenaline, causing 50% of maximum response) obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract and carvacrol was significantly lower compared to that of saline (P < .01 to P < .001). All values of (CR-1: (EC50 in the presence of active substances/EC50 obtained in the presence of saline)-1) obtained in the presence of concentrations of the extract and carvacrol in both groups were negative and significantly different from that of propranolol (P < .001 for all cases). The results indicated a stimulatory effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss extract on β2-adrenoceptors which is perhaps due to its constituent, carvacrol

The effect of Nigella sativa extract on tracheal responsiveness and lung inflammation in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs

OBJECTIVE: To examine the preventive effect of a hydro-ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa on the tracheal responsiveness and white blood cell count in the lung lavage fluid of sensitized guinea pigs. METHODS: Three groups of guinea pigs sensitized to intraperitoneally injected and inhaled ovalbumin were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing a low concentration of N. sativa extract (group S+LNS) or drinking water containing a high concentration of N. sativa extract (group S+HNS). The tracheal responses of control animals (group C) and the three groups of sensitized guinea pigs (n = 7 for all groups) to methacholine were measured by the assessment of the tracheal smooth muscle response to increasing concentrations of methacholine, and the effective concentration causing 50% of the maximum response (EC50) was determined. Tracheal responses to 0.1% ovalbumin and white blood cell counts in the lung lavage fluid were also examined. RESULTS: The tracheal response of the group S guinea pigs to both methacholine and ovalbumin was significantly higher than the response of the controls (p<0.01 for both cases). The tracheal responses of the S+LNS and S+HNS groups to both methacholine and ovalbumin were significantly decreased compared to those of the S group (p<0.05 to p<0.01). The total white blood cell and eosinophil counts in the lung lavage fluid of group S were significantly higher than those of group C (p<0.01). The white blood cell counts in both treated groups showed significant improvements (p<0.01 for both cases). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the preventive effect of the N. sativa extract on the tracheal response and lung inflammation in sensitized guinea pigs

Work‐related respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests in northeast iranian (the city of Mashhad) carpenters

OBJECTIVE: To assess the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of carpenters from the city of Mashhad (northeast Iran). METHODS: The frequency of respiratory symptoms was retrospectively estimated in a sample of 66 carpenters in the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran using a questionnaire including questions on work-related respiratory symptoms in the past year, allergy, type of irritant chemicals that induce respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and working periods as a carpenter. PFT values were also measured in all participants, and the age and smoking habits matched those of a sample of men from the general population as a control group. RESULTS: Thirty-five carpenters (53%) reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Cough (34.4%) and sputum (33.3%) were the most common symptoms, and only 15.15% of carpenters reported wheezing during work. All respiratory symptoms were higher in carpenters than in controls, which was statistically significant for cough and sputum (p<0.001 in both cases). Most allergic symptoms were also significantly greater among the carpenters than in the control group (p<0.05 for both itchy eyes and sneezing). Most respiratory and allergic symptoms in the carpenters increased during work compared to rest period which was statistically significant only for cough (p<0.05). PFT values were significantly lower in the carpenters than in control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carpentry work was associated with a high frequency of respiratory symptoms, particularly after exposure to irritating chemicals during work. PFT values were also significantly reduced among carpenters compared to controls