Herbal medicine in pregnancy

Background and aims: Herbal medicines are derived from natural plants with medicinal or preventive properties. Use of herbal remedies has increased despite lack of scientific evidence about their efficacy and safety during pregnancy. Methods: This is an internet-based study. In this mini review, a publication search was conducted in the Medline, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases, using a combination of medical subject headings (MeSH) and Black cohosh, Ginseng, Red Raspberry, Aloe vera, Chamomile, Chasteberry and Garlic keywords. The MeSH terms included herbal medicine, herbal products, pregnancy, and pregnant women. Results: Herbal remedies are very common. Some information will list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas another source may list the same herb as unsafe depending on the source. Although herbs are natural, not all herbs are safe to take during pregnancy. Conclusion: Medicinal herbs can be very useful and effective during pregnancy. Despite the beneficial effects of herbs during pregnancy, use of certain herbal and traditional medicines without prior consultation with a health care professional may be harmful for pregnant women and their babies

The effects of Asian Red Ginseng ethanolic extract on serum concentration of leptin hormone in male wistar rat

Background and aims: Leptin is a hormone known to control appetite and body weight. The leptin Levels in obese animals are always more than animals with normal size. A wide variety of methods have been offered to treat obesity of which herbal therapy is considered as one of these methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Asian Red Ginseng on leptin serum level in male wistar rats. Methods: In this “in vitro” experimental study, 30 adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups equally: control (no drug), SHAM (received 1ml of physiology serrum), Interventional group 1 (received 20mg/kg ethanolic extract of Asian red ginseng), Interventional group 2 (received 40mg/kg) and Interventional group 3 (receiver 80mg/kg). The extract was injected intraperitoneally for 20 days. On the twentieth day, blood samples were collected. Dataset of experiments were collected and analyzed with Graphpad Prism 5 software. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and PResults: The dose-dependent injection of the ethanolic extract of Asain Red Ginseng root did not show a significant effect on leptin hormone serum level, but it showed a significant decrease in food intake compared to the control group. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Asian red ginseng root does not reduce the serum level of leptin hormone

Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Properties of Salvigenin, Salvia officinalis Flavonoid Extracted

Background and aims: Inflammation is one of the defense mechanisms of body and unpleasant sensation of pain is caused by tissue damage. Mostly, inflammation occurs through the release of inflammatory mediators. Salvia officinalis is one of the most valuable medicinal kind of mint order. Salvigenin is one of the active flavonoids existing in this plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of salvigenin, Salvia officinalis flavonoid extracted. Methods: In this laboratory experimental study, plant was extracted and the column chromatography was used to purify prepared extracts. 100 male albino mice and 48 male wistar rats were selected. In the hot plate test and in the writhing test, animals were divided randomly into 5 groups. Group 1 (received 10 mg/kg normal saline), groups 2, 3 and 4 (received Salvigenin 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally, espectively), group 5 (received 10 mg/kg morphine in hot plate test and 10 mg/kg indomethacin in writhing test). In the inflammatory test, animals were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 was assigned as a control group which received 0.05 ml of carrageenin. Groups 2, 3 and 4 (received Salvigenin, at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Group 5 (received 10 mg/kg indomethacin) and then changes of the volume of all groups were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test and PResults: In writhing test, Salvigenin reduced the number of abdominal contractions at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Increasing dose of Salvigenin, with reduction in abdominal cramps resulted in the increasing of pain inhibition, and the percentage of this inhibition was statistically significant (P<0.001). In hot plate test, also 30, 45 and 60 minutes after injection of Salvigenin and morphine showed significant difference compared to the control group (P<0.001). Also, Salvigenin increased the maximum percentage of analgesic compared to the control group (P<0.001). Salvigenin could reduce inflammation and in the group that received Salvigenin at 100 mg/kg, the inflammation was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Discussion: Our findings showed that Salvigenin has dose-dependent analgesic effect so that it can be useful in controlling of inflammations, acute and chronic pain

The role of vitamin D3 and vitamin B9 (Folic acid) in immune system

ABSTRACT Background and aims: Vitamins are essential constituents of our diet that Longley have been known to influence the immune system. Vitamin D3 and B9 have received particular attention in recent years as these vitamins have been shown to have an unexpected and crucial effect on the immune response. 1, 25(OH)2D3 metabolizing enzymes and vitamin D receptor (VDR) are present in many cell types including various immune cells such as antigen-presenting-cells, T cells, B cells. Methods: In this mini review, we study 30 novel articles since 2009 to 2015 about the essential roles of vitamins in modulating a broad range of immune processes, such as lymphocyte activation, T-helper-cell differentiation and regulation of the immune response. Results: 1, 25(OH)2D3 has direct effect on CD4+ T (T-helper) cells for suppressing various cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22, while enhancing the regulatory Tcells. In vitro studies show that Treg cells could be differentiated from naive T cells in vitamin B9-reduced condition. Conclusions: These findings provide a new link between diet and the immune system, which could maintain the immunological homeostasis and clarify the beneficial roles of vitamins in informing the design of vitamin analogs as pharmacologic agents for the generation and maintenance of a healthy immune condition

The role of T helper 9(Th9) against Infectious Diseases

Background and aims: Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites .The Th9 subset develops in response to combined signals from TGF-b and IL-4 among a cacophony of other cytokines in an extracellular milieu. T helper 9 (Th9) cells, as a novel CD4 T cell subset, seem to play a complex role in the outcome of specific immune responses. In this article, we aimed to review the role of these cells in infectious disease. Methods: In this mini-review study, we study 25 novel articles since 2009 to 2014 about the role of T helper 9 in some Infectious Diseases. Results: Pleural mesothelial cells promoted Th9 cell differentiation by presenting antigen. It significantly differentiated Th17, but not Th9 cells in the development of CVB3-induced VMC. The microenvironment of VMC seemed to contribute to the differentiation and proliferation of Th17 rather than to differentiation of Th9 cells. Having reviewed the limited number of articles considering this relevance, we came to this result that Lymphatic Filariasis and mycobacterium tuberculosis infections confirmed the existence of such relationship. In addition, Rapamycin resistant murine Th9 cells have a stable in vivo phenotype and inhibit graft-versus-host reactivity but concerning Viral Myocarditis, Th9 cells could not protect against it. Conclusion: The accurate molecular mechanisms underlying the generation and differentiation of human Th9 cells are not elucidated completely. Th9 cells exhibit Ag specific expansion in a chronic helminth infection (lymphatic filariasis), but in relevance to viral myocarditis, Th9 cells did not play an efficient role against it. However; knowing that whether Th9 cells participate in the protection against infections needs further research

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

Anesthesia Depth Measurement with Bispectral Index Monitoring during Minor Surgery among Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy

Introduction: Unfortunately, few studies have been performed on the pharmacodynamic effects of anesthesia in children suffering cerebral palsy(CP).Patients were candidates for surgeryfor various reasons. Due to the lower need for anesthesiain these children, side effects of various anesthetic agents, adverse drug reactions, delayed awareness and higher costs can be prevented in these children. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the depth of anesthesia in minor surgeries using Bispectral Index (BSI) in children sufferingCP. Materials and Methods: This cohort study was performed on 64 children aged two to ten years in two groups with and without cerebral palsy inMofid Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2020. BIS index, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after anesthesia induction, every ten minutes during operation, after extubation and when being able to respond to verbal stimulation. Results: This studyexamined 64 patients equally divided into two study groups “with and without cerebral palsy”. The mean BIS level in children suffering CP was lower than children without cerebral palsy. The dosage of isoflurane gas used for anesthesia in CPpatientswas meaningfully lower than itsdosage in children without cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Monitoring of anesthesia in this study, showed that use of BIS could reduce the use of anesthetic agents and related side effects to provide the appropriate depth of anesthesia

On the comparability of strong and weak versions of task-based approaches to improving Iranian elementary-level EFL learners’ reading comprehension

Task-based language teaching (TBLT) is an instructional approach that aims to develop learners’ communicative competence and focuses on the use of tasks as the main unit of instruction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of strong and weak versions of TBLT approach over more traditional approaches in improving reading comprehension of Iranian elementary-level EFL learners. Moreover, the distinction between the strong and weak versions of this approach is taken into account in order to investigate which version is more beneficial over the other version. To achieve the objective, 90 male learners in the 15-17 age range who were studying in an institute in Rasht were selected. The findings showed that utilizing both versions of TBLT approach can provide tremendous opportunities for learners to enhance their reading comprehension compared to traditional language teaching methods. More specifically, the results of this study revealed that the use of the weak version of TBLT approach leads the learners to more proficiency in reading comprehension. It is worth pointing out that this study was conducted with Iranian male elementary-level EFL learners in the 15-17 age range studying in Soroush English Institute in Rasht, Iran. It indicates that a small size of population, a specific age range, and male gender were considered. Thus, for other researchers, more participants at different proficiency levels, with other ranges of age, and both genders may be considered in order to make broader generalization about the results

Perspectives on ENCODE

The Encylopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) Project launched in 2003 with the long-term goal of developing a comprehensive map of functional elements in the human genome. These included genes, biochemical regions associated with gene regulation (for example, transcription factor binding sites, open chromatin, and histone marks) and transcript isoforms. The marks serve as sites for candidate cis-regulatory elements (cCREs) that may serve functional roles in regulating gene expression1. The project has been extended to model organisms, particularly the mouse. In the third phase of ENCODE, nearly a million and more than 300,000 cCRE annotations have been generated for human and mouse, respectively, and these have provided a valuable resource for the scientific community.11Nsciescopu

Expanded encyclopaedias of DNA elements in the human and mouse genomes

AbstractThe human and mouse genomes contain instructions that specify RNAs and proteins and govern the timing, magnitude, and cellular context of their production. To better delineate these elements, phase III of the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) Project has expanded analysis of the cell and tissue repertoires of RNA transcription, chromatin structure and modification, DNA methylation, chromatin looping, and occupancy by transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins. Here we summarize these efforts, which have produced 5,992 new experimental datasets, including systematic determinations across mouse fetal development. All data are available through the ENCODE data portal (https://www.encodeproject.org), including phase II ENCODE1 and Roadmap Epigenomics2 data. We have developed a registry of 926,535 human and 339,815 mouse candidate cis-regulatory elements, covering 7.9 and 3.4% of their respective genomes, by integrating selected datatypes associated with gene regulation, and constructed a web-based server (SCREEN; http://screen.encodeproject.org) to provide flexible, user-defined access to this resource. Collectively, the ENCODE data and registry provide an expansive resource for the scientific community to build a better understanding of the organization and function of the human and mouse genomes.11Nsciescopu