Collection and assessment of traditional medicinal plants used by the indigenous people of Dastena in Iran

Introduction: Nowadays, traditional and herbal medicines have attracted the attention of researchers all around the world and despite the development of synthetic drugs, demand for plant-based medicines is growing. The main reason for this growing trend is increasing public concerns about the adverse effects of synthetic medicines. Traditional medicine and ethnobotany are two important issues that should be noted to achieve effective herbal medicines with considerable therapeutic effects. Traditional medicine is based on experience of people over centuries and ethno-botany is based on recognition of the native plants. Iran has very high plant diversity because of its different climate, ecosystems and soil conditions. Regarding increasing demand for medicinal plants, this study aimed to collect some native plant varieties growing in Dastena and to review some of local and folk application of these plants.Methods: In the present study, the plant species were collected during two consecutive years (2013-2014) and systematically identified. The traditional and local uses of collected plants were questioned through interviews with local people.Results: In this study, 90 plant species belonging to 30 families were collected and identified. They had various therapeutic effects. Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families had the highest use among the collected plants.Conclusion: Results of this study showed that herbal medicines in this area are mostly used to treat digestive and respiratory system disorders. They have economical values and should be studied and explored more detailed

Cytotoxic effect of <em>Cousinia verbascifolia</em> Bunge against OVCAR-3 and HT-29 cancer cells

Introduction: Little information is available about phytochemical and biological properties of Cousinia genus. In a primary study, seven Cousinia species including C. verbascifolia showed cytotoxic activity ranged between 18.4 &plusmn; 0.59 to 87.9 &plusmn; 0.58 &mu;g/mL. To the best of our knowledge, no other biological studies have been conducted on this plant. Therefore, in this study the cytotoxic effect of Cousinia verbascifolia Bunge against OVCAR-3 and HT-29 cancer cells was evaluated. Methods: Filtration and in vacuo concentration of methanol extract resulted in a green gum which was subjected on reverse column chromatography. Semi polar fraction (41.3 g) eluted with water: methanol (20:80), was then subjected on a silica gel column chromatography using hexane/acetone and resulted in 11 fractions. Finally, cytotoxic activities against ovarian and colon cancer cells were determined at a wavelength of 570 nm by Matrix metalloproteinase protein (MTT) standard method. Results: None of the fractions showed highly cytotoxic activity. Based on NCI, fractions Fr. 1, Fr. 2, Fr. 4, Fr. 5, Fr. 6, Fr. 8 and Fr. 10 showed moderately cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranged between 119 to 190 &mu;g/mL against OVCAR-3 cells. Fractions Fr. 1, Fr. 2, Fr. 6, Fr. 7 and Fr. 8 showed moderately cytotoxic activity ranged between 118 to 194 &mu;g/mL against HT-29 cells. Fr. 10 and Fr. 11 showed no cytotoxic activity. Conclusion: Due to the inhibitory properties of extract and its fractions on cancer cells, identification of responsible compounds possessing cytotoxic effects for generating possible new approach in medicinal chemistry are recommended.</p

Grandivittin as a natural minor groove binder extracted from Ferulago macrocarpa to ct-DNA, experimental and in silico analysis

Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss., is an endemic medicinal herb of Iran. In this study a dihydrofuranocoumarin called grandivittin (GRA) was separate and purified from Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss, and characterized by 1H NMR and Mass spectroscopic methods. The electrochemical behavior of GRA was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The interaction of GRA with calf thymus double strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA), was evaluated by CV, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), fluorescence, UV�Vis, FT-IR and molecular modeling methods. The thermodynamic parameters of GRA-DNA complex were measured and reported as: �H = 15.04 kJ mol�1, �S = 105.54 J mol�1 and �G = �15.62 kJ mol�1. Docking simulation was performed to investigate the probable binding mode of GRA to various DNA, too. The polymerase extension study was performed using real-time PCR to confirm the inhibitory effect of GRA on polymerase extension activity as a mirror of binding to ct-DNA. However, all data showed that the grooves binding especially minor groove between GRA and ct-DNA is more predominant rather than other binding modes. © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Lt

Determinants of outpatient health service utilization according to andersen�s behavioral model: A systematic scoping review

Background: The present review focuses on identifying factors contributing to health service utilization (HSU) among the general adult population according to Anderson�s behavioral model. Methods: Published articles in English on factors related to HSU were identified by systematically probing the Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed research engine), and Scopus databases between January 2008 and July 2018, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The search terms related to HSU were combined with terms for determinants by Boolean operators AND and OR. The database search yielded 2530 papers. Furthermore, we could find 13 additional studies following a manual search we carried out on the relevant reference lists. Results: Thirty-seven eligible studies were included in this review, and the determinants of HSU were categorized as predisposing, enabling, and need factors according to Andersen�s model of HSU. The results demonstrated that all predisposing, enabling, and need factors influence HSU. In most studies, the female gender, being married, older age, and being unemployed were positively correlated with increased HSU. However, evidence was found regarding the associations between education levels, regions of residence, and HSU. Several studies reported that a higher education level was related to HSU. Higher incomes and being insured, also, significantly increased the likelihood of HSU. Conclusion: This review has identified the importance of predisposing, enabling, and need factors, which influence outpatient HSU. The prediction of prospective demands is a major component of planning in health services since, through this measure, we make sure that the existing resources are provided in the most efficient and effective way. © 2020, Shriaz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved