Investigation of the anticancer and antioxidant activity of the brown algae (Cystoseira indica) extract against the colorectal cancer cells

Background: Nowadays, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents regarding their antioxidant activities. The current study aimed to assess the anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities of organic and water extracts of brown algae (Cystoseira indica) collected from the shores of Chabahar, Iran. Materials and Methods: The extraction was performed based on the method of immersion by n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and distilled water as solvent during 24 hours. The reducing power, free radical (DPPH) scavenging activity, metal chelating activity and cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells were examined by the MTT test. Results: The chloroform extract showed the best reducing power compared to the other infusions, with an average of 0.36±0.02 µg/µL. Also, chloroform extract showed the best metal chelating activity with an average of 62.18±0.86 µg/µL (P<0.05). The best free radical scavenging activity observed in the ethanol and methanol extracts with concentrations of 15.83 and 33.21 µg/µL, respectively; the inhibitory activity of methanol extracts was better than ethanol extract (P<0.05). Regarding the anti-cancer properties, methanol extract (30±1.33 µg/µL) showed the greatest effect on cancer cell death and the water extract showed the least effect (66.67±1.11 µg/µL) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The extract of the brown algae (Cystoseira indica) can be proposed as an antioxidant and anticancer compound for preclinical and clinical studies

Evaluating the clinical and paraclinical aspects of Kawasaki patients referred to Bandar-Abbas children hospital during 2008-2011

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD), a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology with an increasing incidence in childhood, can be the leading cause of the acquired heart diseases. This study aimed to describe the demographics and clinical features of KD patients referred to Bandar-Abbas children hospital.Materials and Methods: This descriptive case series study was performed on 83 KD patients referred to Bandar-Abbas children hospital during 2008-2011. Diagnostic criteria were fever, skin rash, bilateral noninfectious conjunctivitis, erythema and desquamation of extremities and alterations in the mouth and pharyngeal mucosa. Age, sex, clinical and paraclinical changes of the patients as well as the seasonal prevalence of the disease were evaluated.Results: Among 83 cases, 60 (72.3) were male and 23 (27.7) female and. The age range was from 3 months to 13 years. The KD disease occurred more frequently in spring and winter. Fever was seen in 100, extremity involvement in 54.1 (45), conjunctivitis in 46.1 (39), skin rash in 55.4 (46), and neck lymphadenopathy in 25.3 (21) of the cases. Moreover, the laboratory findings included leukocytosis in 80, thrombocytosis in 43.6, abnormal ESR in 73.6 and cardiac sequelae in 11 of the cases.Conclusion: To prevent cardiac sequelae of KD disease, diagnostic work up is suggested in children with prolonged fever unresponsive to antibiotics