Effects of Satureja khuzestanica on Serum Glucose, Lipids and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Satureja khuzestanica is an endemic plant of Iran that is widely distributed in the Southern part of the country. It has antioxidant properties and thus it seems to be useful in diseases related to oxidative stress such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The present study investigates the effect of S. khuzestanica supplement in metabolic parameters of hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-one hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized in a double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial to receive either S. khuzestanica (tablets contain 250 mg dried leaves) or placebo once a day for 60 days. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. Samples were analyzed for levels of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as marker of lipid peroxidation and ferric reducing ability (total antioxidant power, TAP). Treatment of patients by S. khuzestanica for 60 days induced significant decrease in total cholesterol (P = 0.008) and LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.03) while increased HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.02) and TAP (P = 0.007) in comparison with the baseline values. S. khuzestanica did not alter blood glucose, triglyceride, creatinin and TBARS levels. In comparison with baseline values, no significant change was observed in blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, TBARS and TAP in placebo-treated group. Usage of S. khuzestanica as a supplement to drug regimen of diabetic type 2 patients with hyperlipidemia is recommended

Science growth in Iran over the past 35 years

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate activities in different branches of science in Iran compared to other countries over the past 35 years. Materials and Methods : Essential Science Indicators (ESI) and Web of Science from (Thomson Reuters ISI) and SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR) were searched for scientometrics data. ESI indicated place of Iran among other countries in all 22 scientific categories based on the publication and citation rates. SJR parameters, such as publication rate, citable publications, citation rate, citations per publication and the H-index were used to record the rank of Iran among the world′s countries. Results : A progressive quantitative and qualitative growth of Iranian publications was evident. The field of chemistry in Iran was the most prolific in terms of the number of publications (16982) whereas economics and business was the least prolific (156). A growth in the quality of works of Iranian authors was evident by gaining higher H-index in the recent years. Conclusions : If this scientific growth of Iran continues, it would not be surprising to see Iran as one of the most powerful countries in the field of science in the World