Effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of clove (Dianthus deltoides) on inflammation and pain response using the xylene test and hot plate test in mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clove contains large proportion of a phenolic compound called eugenol, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic clove extract on inflammation and pain response in mice. METHODS: In this experimental study, 48 male mice were classified into six groups of control (saline), positive control (dexamethasone) and treatment (receiving 42, 85, 170 and 340 mg/kg of clove extract) to investigate the effects of clove extract on inflammation. To evaluate pain perception, 160 mice were categorized into 4 groups, divided into 5 subgroups including the control (saline), positive control (morphine), recipients of 200 mg/kg clove extract, recipients of 500 mg/kg of extract, and recipients of 200 mg/kg of combined clove extract and naloxone (4 mg/kg). To assess pain response, the hot plate test was performed on each subgroup at 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after the injection of the herbal extract. In addition, two hours after the injection of 0.03 ml xylene into the back of the right ears of the mice, the sections obtained from both ears (7 mm) were compared in terms of weight. FINDINGS: In the inflammation test, the most significant difference in the ear sections was observed between the control group and recipients of 42 mg/kg of extract (36±5.1 and 33±5.3 µg, respectively), while the least significant difference was observed at doses of 180 and 340 mg/kg (21±2.1 and 17 ±1.5 µg, respectively). In the hot plate test on the treatment groups, dose of 500 mg/kg caused the highest pain delay 15 minutes before the test, while the lowest delay was observed in the recipients of combined naloxone and clove extract (200 mg/kg) 5 minutes before the test (18.91±1.53 and 8.71±1.04 seconds, respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, hydro-alcoholic clove extract could have significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on mic

Religious Differences and Radical Spatial Transformations in Historic Urban Landscape

Historic quarters have been a significant component in creating the identity of historical cities in Iran. In the contemporary era, many of these historic landscapes have faced the collapse of their traditional and social foundations and been subjected to the degradation of their cultural, social and physical values. Given the dominant role of religion in the orientation of the political system in Iran, this article examines how religious differences have created significant spatial transformations in historic urban landscapes for religious minorities. Selecting the historic Armenian quarter in Isfahan (Julfa) as the case study, a new model for the preservation of historic landscapes in ghettos on a national scale has been proposed after having carried out the relevant research. Given the capacities in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the findings of this research show that the model of federalism, if integrated into public policy, can promote the social freedom and rights of religious minorities in Iran by increasing the participation of local community and consequently, result in the sustainability of historic urban landscapes in the planning process

Reforming Housing Policies for the Sustainability of Historic Cities in the Post-COVID Time: Insights from the Atlas World Heritage

In recent years, finding affordable housing has been a notable challenge for the residents of historic cities in Europe. This paper aims to develop a novel vision for improving housing policies in the post-COVID time to moderate the long-lasting issue of affordable housing in historic cities. The research was developed based on the findings of the Atlas World Heritage in 2019. In this project, five European Art Cities, namely Florence, Edinburgh, Bordeaux, Porto, and Santiago de Compostela, discussed their common management challenges through the shared learning method. Focusing on the case study of Florence and using a mixed-method, we collected data through the municipality of Florence, map analysis, and distribution of a questionnaire among the city residents. Then, we used inductive reasoning to explain how reforming housing policies in the post-COVID time could moderate the long-lasting issue of affordable housing in historic cities. The findings suggest that housing policies need to be supported simultaneously at both international and local levels. From the international perspective, associated cultural heritage organizations, like United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its advisory bodies and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), need to develop restriction policies that manage tourism flows in historic cities like increasing the airline taxation. At the local level, Florence needs decisive housing policies that ban the growth of illegal tourist accommodation in the city. However, the privilege of establishing new hotels can be awarded in suburban or rural areas to support sustainable tourism goals