Ceratonia siliqua L improved cryodamage of asthenozoospermic specimens: An experimental study

Background: Sperm freezing is an important procedure in assisted reproductive technology. Freezing results in physical and chemical changes in the sperm. Ceratonia siliqua L (C.siliqua) is a tree that has antioxidant properties. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of C.siliqua in a freezing medium on semen parameters, and some biochemical parameters in asthenozoospermic specimens. Materials and Methods: Forty asthenozoospermic specimens (semen specimens with motility < 32%) were obtained from men aged between 20-40 yr according to the World Health Organization criteria. Each sample was divided into 6 groups: I) fresh, II) control, III) 5, IV) 10, V) 20, and VI) 30 μg/ml C.siliqua extract were added to a freezing medium respectively. Then sperm parameters, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen species, and sperm DNA assay were evaluated using related protocols after thawing. Results: Data analysis shows that sperm parameter, and total antioxidant capacity level increased at a concentration of 20 μg/ml of C. siliqua extract compared to the other concentrations of C.siliqua extract after cryopreservation and thawing (p < 0.001). Also, the sperm DNA fragmentation assay, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced by adding 20 μg/ml of C. siliqua extract to the sperm freezing medium compared to the other treated groups after cryopreservation (p < 0.001). Conclusion: C.siliqua extract significantly improved sperm parameters after cryopreservation and thawing in asthenozoospermic specimens, and the greatest impact was observed at the 20 μg/ml C.siliqua L extract concentration (p < 0.001). Key words: Asthenozoospermia, Ceratonia, Cryopreservation, Fertility preservation, Infertility, Male

Evaluation and determining of the Pattern of the Human Albumin Utilization at Shahid Rahimi Hospital, Khorramabad, Iran

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported many intervention strategies, including executive, educational, and monitoring proceedings to improve the evaluation of drug use and the drug management system. Since the resources are limited, it is essential to utilize existing resources properly. Serum albumin is the most abundant blood protein produced in the liver. Different forms of albumin are available in the market and employed to treat hypovolemia, Cirrhotic ascites, severe burns, septic shock, hyperstimulation syndrome, etc. Due to the high price of albumin and its importance for saving patient’s lives.Methods: precisely according to the determined protocols, and it’s unreasonable and irrational medication should be avoided. Statistical analysis was performed in Shahid Rahimi Hospital of Khorramabad, Iran, from March 2018 to March 2019. Albumin administration for randomly selected patients receiving albumin in different wards was evaluated. The main sources to retrieve information were pharmacy drug folders, patient folders (including laboratory information), and nursing folders. Age, sex, weight, ward, albumin level, symptoms, and final dose were recorded for each patient. Contraindications to the administration of albumin or any caution in its use were also considered. Data were analyzed by using SPSS16 and Excel software. Independent T-test and Chi-square test were employed to compare quantitative and qualitative variables. 271 patients were studied, including 160 men and 111 women.Results: The two male and female surgical wards with 41 patients had the highest percentage of patients admitted with albumin administration. Also, the most common cause of albumin administration in patients was hypoalbuminemia. 55% of albumin prescriptions in Shahid Rahimi Hospital of Khorramabad were irrational, driving a substantial financial burden for the healthcare system and patients. Among all the prescribed cases, only 5.2% were approved by the pharmacist. Finally, 77.1% of patients recovered, and 22.9% died.Conclusion: Considering that the highest percentage of patients receiving albumin administration, both among patients with irrational administration and in general, were in men's and women's surgical wards, it is recommended that the drugs prescribed in these wards be further investigated and get pre- Approved by a pharmacist to prevent higher medical costs for patients and healthcare system.          Keywords: Albumin; Hypovolemia; Cirrhotic Ascites; Septic Shock; Hyperstimulation Syndrome    

Prescription pattern analysis during pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital, Famagusta, north Cyprus

Background: Prescribing pattern in pregnancy population provide insights during drug profile and also minimizes the inherent risks due to unethical prescribing. The study aimed to evaluate the prescribing pattern of drugs among pregnant women. the irrational use of drugs is a concern for the present-day medical practice. Objectives: To evaluate and assess the FDA category drug use pattern using in pregnancy and to determine the percentages of pregnant women prone to possible teratogens, namely category C, D and X. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital. Famagusta, North Cyprus. All the medically relevant information was documented using a predefined data collection form and the case charts were also analyzed. Results: Drugs effecting in GIT were with the frequencies of 242 (18.5%) and it was found that the use of antibiotics and antiemetic drugs was also more common during pregnancy Out of 1333 drugs prescribed drugs according to the US FDA category is given below and 785 (58.88%) belongs to category B followed by 350 (26.25) in category A and least were in category D 4 (0.3%). Conclusions: Evaluating and assessing the prescribing pattern will minimize the teratogenicity and risk to the mother during pregnancy.&nbsp

High potency of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles covered by piroctone olamine against cystic echinococcosis

This study examined the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PO (FOMNPsP) and assessed their in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo effects against cystic echinococcosis. The FOMNPsP was synthesized through the alkalization of iron ions in a deoxygenated form. In vitro and ex vivo protoscolicidal effects of FOMNPsP (100–400 μg/mL) were evaluated on hydatid cyst protoscoleces by the eosin exclusion test for 10–60 min. The effect of FOMNPsP on caspase-3 gene expression and exterior ultra-structural of protoscoleces was assessed by real-time PCR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. In vivo effects were assessed by evaluating the number, size, and weight of hydatid cysts among infected mice. The FOMNPsP size was < 55 nm, and the most frequent particles were in the 15–20 nm range. In vitro and ex vivo assays revealed that the highest protoscolicidal effect was observed at 400 µg/mL with 100% lethality. After exposure of protoscoleces with FOMNPsP, the level of gene expression of caspase-3 was dose-dependently increased (p < 0.05). By SEM, the FOMNPsP-treated protoscoleces showed wrinkles and bulges resulting from the formation of blebs. FOMNPsP significantly decreased (p < 0.01) the mean number, size, and weight of the hydatid cyst. FOMNPsP revealed the potent protoscolicidal traits through disrupting the cell wall and apoptosis induction. The results also indicated the promising effect of FOMNPsP in controlling hydatid cysts in the animal model. Although FOMNPsP is safe for human normal cells, more investigations are required to clarify its toxicity and precise mechanisms of action

Correction to: Protective Effects of Cinnamon Bark Hydroalcoholic Extract on Inhibition of Isoniazid-Induced Liver Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Reza Valizadeh1,  Hamidreza Mohammadi2,  Ali Ghaffarian Bahraman3,  Mohsen Mohammadi4,  Javad Ghasemian Yadegari5 1 Pharmacy Student, Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran 3 Assistant Professor, Occupational Environment Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran 4 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hepatitis Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khoramabad, Iran 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran In the article published in volume 33, issue 221, 2024, the image number 1 was published incorrectly and has been corrected

Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Antiparasitic Effects of Gold Nanoparticles against <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> Protoscoleces

Echinococcosis, or hydatidosis, is one of the most important zoonotic diseases, which is initiated by the larval stage in the clasts of Echinococcus granulosus. For the treatment of hydatidosis, surgery is still the preferred method and the first line of treatment for symptomatic patients. Unfortunately, most of the scolicidal agents that are injected inside cysts during hydatid cyst surgery have side effects, including leaking out of the cyst and adverse effects on the living tissue of the host, such as necrosis of liver cells, which limits their use. This work was carried out to study the lethal effect of green synthesized gold nanoparticles (Au-NCs) against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. Au-NCs were green synthesized using the Saturja khuzestanica extract. Au-NCs were characterized by UV-visible absorbance assay, electron microscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scolicidal properties of Au-NCs (1–5 mg/mL) were studied against protoscoleces for 10–60 min. The effect of Au-NCs on the expression level of the caspase-3 gene as well as the ultrastructural examination was studied by real-time PCR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytotoxicity of Au-NCs on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and normal embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell lines was also studied by the cell viability assay. The obtained Au-NCs are cubes and have an average size of 20–30 nm. The highest scolicidal efficacy was observed at 5 mg/mL with 100% mortality after 20 min of treatment for hydatid cyst protoscoleces. In ex vivo, Au-NCs required more incubation time, indicating more protoscolicidal effects. Au-NCs markedly upregulated the gene level of caspase-3 in protoscoleces; whereas they changed the ultra-structure of protoscoleces by weakening and disintegrating the cell wall, wrinkles, and protrusions due to the formation of blebs. We showed the effective in vitro and ex vivo scolicidal effects of Au-NCs against hydatid cyst protoscoleces by provoking the apoptosis process of caspase-3 activation and changing the ultrastructure of protoscoleces with no significant cytotoxicity against human normal cells. However, additional studies should be conducted to determine the possible harmful side effects and accurate efficacy

Ameliorating effects of Astragalus maximus methanolic extract on inflammation and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Recent studies have reported that Astragalus spp. can display various biological effects, e.g., anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. Here we decided to assess the ameliorating effects of Astragalus maximus methanolic extract (AMME) on inflammation and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The dried aerial parts were extracted by maceration technique with 70% methanol. Diabetes was induced in rats via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 65 mg/kg. Diabetic rats orally received AMME at 75-30 mg/kg for 28 days. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, bilirubin, creatinine (Cr), urea (Ur), triglyceride, and cholesterol, as well as the tissue levels of oxidant/antioxidant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by the diagnostic kits. The level of α-amylase inhibition by AMME was also determined. Results: AMME (150 and 300 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced (P<0.001) the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, Cr, Ur, liver enzymes, and oxidative enzymes in diabetic rats. The tissue levels of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats treated with AMME (150 and 300 mg/kg) were significantly increased (P<0.01). Treatment of diabetic rats with either 150 or 300 mg/kg AMME for 28 days significantly reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the pancreas. AMME inhibited α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 18.1 μg/mL. Conclusion: This study showed that the oral administration of AMME in diabetic rats displayed a potent anti-diabetic activity through increasing insulin release and ameliorating effects on inflammation and oxidative stress; however, more investigations are desired to determine the action mechanism of the extract

Investigating the protective effects of cinnamon bark hydroalcoholic extract on the inhibition of liver damage induced by rifampin in male Wistar rats

Introduction: Rifampin is one of the common drugs used to treat tuberculosis and is considered a strong toxic agent for the liver. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cinnamon extract administration on rifampin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Liver damage and induction of oxidative stress were caused by administration of 80 mg/kg/day rifampin. Different doses of cinnamon extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were administered to sick mice by daily gavage in three experimental groups. Liver damage caused by rifampin was evaluated by examining serum biochemical factors as well as the amount of reactive oxygen species, glutathione, antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in liver tissue. Data analysis was done using Prism version 6 software and one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: The administration of rifampin at the rate of 80 mg/kg for 21 consecutive days caused liver damage (P<0.05). On the other hand, administration of different doses of cinnamon extract could significantly improve the liver damage caused by rifampin consumption (P<0.05) Discussion and conclusion: According to the results of this study, cinnamon extract with antioxidant properties protects the liver against oxidative damage caused by rifampin. These healing effects were shown in the form of reduction of liver damage markers in serum, reduction of oxidative stress markers and improvement of liver tissue damage

Investigating the protective effect of the methanolic extract of Salvia multicaulis on renal ischemia-reperfusion injuries in rats

In this research the protective effects of the methanolic extract of S. multicaulis was evaluated in renal ischaemia-reperfusion injuries in rats. 42 male rats were divided into 6 groups. In the treatment groups 1-3, before causing ischemia in the kidneys, rats received 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day doses of the extract orally for 20 days, then ischaemia was created. In the evaluation of urea and creatinine factor, rosmarinic acid and extract dose of 150 mg/kg/day had a significant effect in reducing these two factors