Overview of the antibacterial properties of essential oils and extracts of medicinal plants in Iran

Background and aims: With increased resistance resulting from overusing of chemical-synthetic antibiotics, finding alternative medicines that have antibacterial properties and they have the least side effects on human health appears to be necessary. Many studies have been taken into consideration medicinal plants with antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to have an overview of the antibacterial properties of medicinal plants. Methods: In this study, by searching key words as: herbs (Medicinal Plants), anti-bacterial properties of medicinal plants in Iran , antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants in Iran, in scientific articles published in databases as: Iranmedx, Magiran, Google scholar, Ebsco, Pubmed, Science direct, and SID, the required data were obtained. Results: Many herbs, including Zataria multifora, Urtica dioical, Crocus sativus L., Artemisia Absinthium, Menta piperita, Eucalyptus globules L., Borago officinalis L., Scrophularia desrti, Cuminum cyminum L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Allium hirtifolium, Castaneifolia- sativa, Allium sativum, Pycnocycla spinose, Juglans Regia, Salvia officinalis L. have strong antibacterial properties against a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: In addition to the various medicinal plants with antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenic bacteria resistance, antimicrobial properties of these studied medicinal plants could be used as a natural preservative in a variety of foods from these herbs. Thyme and garlic have antibacterial effects on an extensive range of positive and negative gram bacteria through them

The Effects of Succimer and Penicillamine on Acute Lead Poisoning Patients

Background: Lead poisoning was on the rise in recent years. There exists a lack of easy access to some of the main chelator drugs in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed to explore the comparative effects of Succimer and D-Penicillamine on acute lead poisoning patients from 2013 to 2018. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Clinical Toxicology Department of Khorshid Hospital in Isfahan City, Iran. Adult patients with acute lead poisoning were included in the study. Patients in the 3 treatment groups of D-Penicillamine, D-Penicillamine with succimer, and succimer were compared concerning demographic characteristics as well as clinical and laboratory findings at admission time and two weeks later.Results: In total, 163 patients were evaluated in this research. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups respecting improvement in clinical symptoms. The mean blood lead levels during hospitalization and two weeks after the treatment did not significantly differ between the three groups; however, there was a significant reduction in all study groups after two weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The mean white blood cell count was significantly lower only in the D-Penicillamine group two weeks after hospitalization (P<0.05). In the D-Penicillamine group, the mean platelet, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were significantly lower two weeks after hospitalization, although within the healthy range.Conclusion: D-Penicillamine may be an acceptable chelator drug for treating patients with acute lead poisoning, especially in communities without access to drugs, like succimer

Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Disorders in a National Survey of Iranian Children and Adolescents

Objective: Considering the impact of rapid sociocultural, political, and economical changes on societies and families, population-based surveys of mental disorders in different communities are needed to describe the magnitude of mental health problems and their disabling effects at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Method: A population-based cross sectional survey (IRCAP project) of 30 532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years was conducted in all provinces of Iran using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by 250 clinical psychologists trained to use the validated Persian version of the semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-PL (K-SADS-PL). Results: In this national epidemiological survey, 6209 out of 30 532 (22.31%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The anxiety disorders (14.13%) and behavioral disorders (8.3%) had the highest prevalence, while eating disorders (0.13%) and psychotic symptoms (0.26%) had the lowest. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), in those living in the rural area (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), in those aged 15-18 years (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), as well as that was significantly higher in those who had a parent suffering from mental disorders (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.63-2.36 for mother and OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.66 for father) or physical illness (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35 for mother and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28 for father). Conclusion: About one fifth of Iranian children and adolescents suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder. Therefore, we should give a greater priority to promoting mental health and public health, provide more accessible services and trainings, and reduce barriers to accessing existing services

Prevalence, Demographic Characteristics and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder in Iran

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of substance use disorder in Iranian children and adolescents and its relationship with demographic characteristics and psychiatric comorbidities. Methods: The data were taken from a national survey on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Iranian children and adolescents. The national survey was conducted on 30,532 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years which were selected using multistage cluster sampling. The psychiatric disorders were assessed by employing k-SADS-PL questionnaire and interviews carried out by 240 clinical psychologists with the participants and their parents. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: A total of 277 (0.97%) were diagnosed as people with substance use disorder that were further studied for comorbid disorders. Among the various types of drugs, hypnotic/sedative/anti-anxiety drugs were abused by 84 people (46.15%), cannabis by 68 (37.36%) and stimulants by 43 (23.63%). The variables of gender, place of residence, and father's occupation and parents' education level were identified as predictors of substance use disorder in children and adolescents. At the same time, 42.50% substances and alcohol abusing people had at least one comorbid psychiatric disorder and the highest comorbidity was observed in oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and separation anxiety disorder (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The findings can be used in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder and promotion of mental health in children and adolescents by focusing on the psychiatric comorbidities of people with substance use disorder

Prevalence of elimination disorders and comorbid psychiatric disorders in Iranian children and adolescents

PURPOSE: Currently, there is a paucity of studies on the prevalence of Elimination Disorders among Iranian children and adolescents. Due to the ongoing need to monitor the health status of these children and adolescents, the present study aims to investigate the prevalence of Elimination Disorders and comorbid disorders in Iranian children and adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 29,781 children and adolescents age 6 to 18 years old were selected and studied from all the provinces in Iran. The sampling was carried out by employing a multistage cluster sampling method, and several clinical psychologists using semi-structured interviews collected the data. Furthermore, clinical psychologists collected demographic information (including information about gender, age, place of residence, education level, and parental education level). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Generally, the prevalence of Elimination Disorders was found to be 5.4% covering both enuresis (p = 5.4, 95% CI = 5.1-5.7) and encopresis (p = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.09-0.2). The total prevalence of comorbid disorders was 38%, and among the comorbid disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (p = 11, 95% CI = 9.5-12.7) and Separation Anxiety (p = 10.6, 95% CI = 9.1-12.2) were the most prevalent. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Elimination Disorders in Iranian children and adolescents is moderate compared to similar studies elsewhere. As for comorbid disorders, ADHD and Separation Anxiety were found to be the most prevalent disorders. Since Elimination Disorders coexist with psychiatric disorders in children, further studies of these comorbidities may give better insight into the treatment and prognosis of Elimination Disorders

Prevalence, comorbidity and predictors of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents

Childhood anxiety may lead to serious health consequences in later life. The present study provides the prevalence, comorbidity, and predictors of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents. This was a cross-sectional national project that was implemented on 28,698 children and adolescents in Iran. Participants entered the study by multistage cluster sampling with an equal number of each gender and three age groups (6-9, 10-14, and 15-18 years) within each cluster. The tools used in this research were the demographic questionnaire and K-SADS-PL. To analyze the data logistic regression and chi-square tests were used in SPSS (ver. 16). The prevalence of anxiety disorder in children and adolescents was 13.2 in boys and 15.1 in girls. Furthermore, gender, age, place of residence and history of psychiatric hospitalization of parents could predict anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders had comorbidity with behavioral disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, substance abuse disorders, and elimination disorders. According to our findings in this study, anxiety disorders affect the performance, health and life of children and adolescents, identifying the childhood anxiety, as well as finding diseases that are associated with anxiety disorders, can help in the prevention of the disorder. Keywords: Anxiety disorder; Children and adolescents; Comorbidity; Predictors; Prevalence