Acroptilon repens induces apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma

Evaluating the effect of herbal extracts has been always interesting for cancer researchers considering that these natural materials could be suitable sources for finding new anti-cancer agents. In the present study, Acroptilon repens methanol extract had been evaluated for its cytotoxic effects in two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468, using MTT assay. The apoptosis potential had also been evaluated using annexin-V/propidium iodide assay, Hoechst 33258 staining and evaluating the cell cycle with flow cytometery. The MTT results showed cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 69.2 and 32.6 μg/mL for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 cells, respectively. The results of the apoptosis assays confirmed the apoptosis potential of the plant extract in the breast cancer cell lines suggesting A. repens for further cancer studies.

Clinical Effects of Fennel Essential oil on Primary Dysmenorrhea

Abstract Dysmenorrhea is among the most common gynecological complaints. There are several mechanisms which initiate dysmenorrhea. Therefore, different compounds can be employed to control its symptoms. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are highly used in modern medicine to relieve the pain in short-term therapy. This method is not acceptable for long-term therapy due to side effects. Our previous data showed that Fennel essential oil (FEO) could reduce the frequency and intensity of contraction of rat uterus in isolated organ models. Furthermore, the use of FEO is strongly recommended in traditional medicine for the relief of dysmenorrhea symptoms. Clinical study of FEO in primary dysmenorrhea showed that the essence reduces pain and some of following sequelae side effects noticeably

Evaluating Educational Programs of Traditional Medicine Based on the Students' Viewpoints in Mashhad, Kerman, and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: The evaluation of educational programs is the most important aspect of any educational system. If performed correctly, it will provide valuable information on designing and implementation of educational programs and a basis for the evaluation of educational practices. Methods: This present study was performed in 2014 on 22 PhD students attending the Schools of Traditional Medicine of Mashhad, Kerman, and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2009-2013. The data collection tool consisted of a questionnaire containing open- and closed-ended questions. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire have been approved. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed and categorized using Microsoft Excel. Results: The general objectives of traditional pharmacy consist of mission, perspective, goals, and professional duties. Each course was evaluated from the view point of students. This showed that more than half of the students agreed on the overviews and details (general objective, prerequisites, content titles, student evaluation, and educational sources). The educational sources of some courses such as Iranian Traditional Medicine (foundations and principles) with 43.9%, Sanitation and Prevention Principles with 33%, and Identification of Raw Material and Production of Traditional Medicine with 36.8% obtained the less than half of the positive votes of students. Moreover, 42.1% of students believed that the courses of Identification of Raw Material, Production of Traditional Medicine, and Identification of Traditional Medicine Forms were not presented in accordance with the educational program. Conclusion: The participants mostly approved the aims and overviews of this field of study each of its courses. The proposed recommendations show that the units and content of some courses, and their educational sources and priorities require revision and reformation. In general, due to being a new field, traditional medicine contains ambiguities which must be clarified through further evaluation and elimination of deficiencies observed in the current survey. Keywords: Program evaluation; Iranian traditional medicine; PhD student

The efficacy of whey associated with dodder seed extract on moderateto- severe atopic dermatitis in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that is on the rise and adversely affects quality of life of the affected individual. Dry skin and pruritus, major characteristics of this disease, are associated with the dysfunction of the skin barrier. Though mild cases of the disease can be controlled with antihistamines and topical corticosteroids, moderate-to-severe cases often require treatment with immunomodulatory drugs, which have many side effects. It is now more common to use complementary and alternative medicines in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. In traditional Iranian medicine, the use of whey with the aqueous extract of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) seeds in severe and refractory cases of atopic dermatitis is common and has no side effects. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of whey associated with dodder seed extract in the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults. Materials and methods: The study was a randomized, double-blind placebo control trial that was conducted on 52 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for 30 days. In this study patients received freeze dried whey powder with spray dried water extract of field dodder or the placebo for 15 days. At baseline (week zero), after the end of the 15 day treatment period (week three) and 15 days after stopping the drug or placebo (follow-up/week five), patients were evaluated in terms of skin moisture, elasticity, pigmentation, surface pH and sebum content on the forearm with Multi Skin Test Centers MC1000 (Courage & Khazaka, Germany) and the degree of pruritus and sleep disturbance in patients were also recorded. Results: 42 patients completed 30 days of treatment with the medicine and the follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period a significant increase in skin moisture and elasticity in the group receiving whey with dodder was observed compared with the placebo group (po0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the pruritus after 15 days of receiving treatment or the placebo (po0.05), and at the end of the 30-day study period the difference was clearly significant (po0.001). Sleep disturbance showed significant changes at the end of follow-up period (po0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning changes in skin pigmentation, however, a significant decrease was observed in the group receiving whey associated with dodder seed extract over time (po0.001). There were no significant alterations in skin surface pH and the amount of sebum between the two groups. Temporary side effects were reported including anorexia and mild gastrointestinal problems in drug use. It is noteworthy that in this study despite the fact that patients received whey with dodder for just 15 days, moisture and elasticity of the skin continued to increase in the second half of the study (follow-up period). This shows that the effect of whey with dodder is not transient and this drug really helped skin barrier reconstruction and accelerated the healing process of skin. This positively influenced the skin parameters and consequently the improvement of pruritus and sleep disturbance

Ethnobotany of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. (Cupressaceae) in Iran

Ethnobotanical data of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. in Iran is documented from various historical, religious, literary, linguistic and pharmacological viewpoints. Field trips were conducted to different habitats of J. excelsa in Iran during 2006-2010 to collect ethnobotanical information about the plant. The present study reveals that J. excelsa is considered as a multi-purpose tree by indigenous people of Iran, and has been used as medicine, incense, material for constructing buildings, fencing, different household articles and decoration. It is respected as a “holy” tree by some Turkmen and Kurdish tribes in Iran

Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology and Drug Discovery: Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology

This manuscript is a review of a number of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology texts and papers in order to arrive at current understanding and scope of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. It includes either a brief definition of both fields and presenting some examples on them. Also it has a glimpse on the geographical coverage of research works throughout the world, important issue of property rights and state of these fields in Iran

Molecular Authentication of Radix Behen Albi (“Bahman Sefid”) Commercial Products Reveals Widespread Adulteration

Background and objectives: The roots of Centaurea behen L., (Asteraceae) known as Radix Behen Albi are used as an aphrodisiac, anti-lithiasis and general tonic. It is available as dried or powdered roots in the herbal markets of Iran. Confirming the identity of this medicinal root using conventional methods is challenging because of lack of the diagnostic characters and market samples are easy to misidentify or adulterate. Methods: This study aimed to authenticate 13 Radix Behen Albisamples purchased from different herbal markets in Iran and to identify the potential adulterants through DNA barcoding. Nuclear (nrITS) and plastid (trnL-F spacer, matK and rbcL) DNA regions were used as barcoding markers. A reference database was compiled using sequences from herbarium voucher specimens and publicly available sequences. Results: Among used barcode regions nrITS was the best marker for species identification followed by trnL-F spacer. MatK and rbcL were able to identify samples to the family level. This study showed that none of the market samples belonged to the authentic Centaurea behen L. Sixty-nine percent of samples were Cousinia spp. (Asteraceae), 23% Korshinskya spp. (Apiaceae) and 8% Crambe spp. (Brassicaceae). This substitution does not only hinder consumers obtain the desired medicinal effects of Radix Behen Albi but also raises concerns about the pharmacovigilance of this medicinal root sold in the markets. Conclusion: The present study shows the need for monitoring and authentication of crude herbal drugs in the markets of Iran, and that DNA barcoding is a suitable tool for this purpose

Herbal Remedies Connected to Malaria like Fever in Iranian Ancient Medicinal Books- Brief Review Article

Malaria is a major international public health problem. Drug-resistant parasites have made treatment and control of malaria more difficult. Therefore, safe, affordable and effective new drugs are urgently needed. Traditional medicine is an important source for new drugs. Determining the ancient medicinal books was the first step of this study for finding malaria or disease that has symptoms like malaria. Then the plants that used to treat “Ghebbe Khalesseh fever” were listed. Finally, recent antimalarial researches were explored. About 31 plants were identified. Information from these resources is valuable for the selection of plants for antiplasmodial screening programs

EFFECTIVE FACTORS ON EXPORT PERFORMANCE

Abstract Export is vital tool for countries to achieve goals of economic growth and prosperity. Rate of success of a company involved in export can be evaluated by export performance. There is no consensus about how to measure export performance. Global competition has put great pressure on export-based companies to set new and effective strategies in order to compete in the world market. Identifying the determinants of export performance in order to improve export performance is the most important factor of balance between economies of country with the global economy