A Comparison of the Effects of Citicoline and Piracetam on Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Damage in Neonatal Rabbits

Abstract Objectives Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries have been a major cause of mortality and neurodevelopmental morbidities in newborns. Citicoline and Piracetam have been used as nootropic agents in a number of studies. In this investigation, we aimed to determine the effects of these agents solely and in combination in hypoxicischemic brain damage in rabbit neonates. Materials & Methods Hypoxic-ischemic brain damage was induced by the occlusion of both uterine arteries of dams for eight minutes. The subjects were randomly divided into five groups as follows (n=6 per group): control group without hypoxia (C1), control group with hypoxicischemic damage (C2), the third group (P) received Piracetam (100 mg/kg), the fourth group (T) administered with Citicoline (250 mg/ kg), and the fifth (PT) received both. The preventive effects of the two drugs on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage were microscopically investigated by the rates of damage to the hippocampus. Results Neuronal destruction rates in C1, C2, P, T, and PT were 4%, 45%, 37.5%, 12.5% (P=0.01 vs. C2), and 20% (P=0.03 vs. C2), respectively. The total means of hypoxic-ischemic damage, cell edema, neuronal degeneration, and eosinophilic degeneration were lower in the T group compared to C2 (P<0.05). Conclusion According to our results and previous findings, Citicoline as a treatment for hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries could be beneficial, and it has priority over neuroprotective agents like Piracetam. Moreover, the combination of Citicoline and Piracetam showed no superior effect in contrast with Citicoline alone. However, experimental studies on larger populations and clinical trials are highly suggeste

The wound healing effect of Iris forentina on full thickness excisional skin wounds: A histomorphometrical study

Iris florentina is an ancient herbal remedy which was prescribed by many physicians due to its positive effects on dermatological problems, specifically skin wounds. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effects of this agent on full-thickness excisional skin wounds in laboratory rats. Three groups of rats (180 ± 20 g; n=8) with 1 cm diameter full-thickness excisional skin wound received daily treatment with I. florentina 10% ointment, and a group with no treatment. By using histomorphometrical methods, the amount of fibroblast population, collagen bundle synthesis, and vascularization (length density, mean diameter and volume density of the vessels) were estimated. Outcome of the study exhibited that the increase in fibroblast proliferation rate, collagen bundle synthesis, vascular density and vascular mean diameter in I. florentina-treated group were significant in comparison to the untreated group (p<0.05). Results indicated that I. florentina can be prescribed as a herbal medicine for treatment of skin wounds or be used as an additional agent for today's common medicines

Investigation of the Relationship Between Retinol Binding Protein 4, Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Iranian Obese 5-17 Year Old Children

Objective: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently been reported to be associated with insulin resistance (IR) and the metabolic syndrome by a number of researchers in various populations. However, controversies are present among different studies, which might be due to the differences between various ethnic, age, and sex groups. This study aimed to determine whether RBP4 can be assumed as a marker of IR and the metabolic syndrome in the Iranian obese children. Methods: In the present longitudinal cross-sectional study, 100 5-17 years old obese children were recruited from January 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012. The patients’ information including the demographic variables, health status and behavior, and daily physical activity were collected. Moreover, serum RBP4 was measured and correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of IR index (HOMA-IR), components of the metabolic syndrome, and lipoprotein metabolism. Findings: The results revealed a positively significant correlation between RBP4 and the HOMA-IR index (P=0.02). Partial Spearman test also revealed a significant correlation between RBP4 plasma concentrations and the components of the metabolic syndrome, including waist circumference, systolic (but not diastolic) blood-pressure, and fasting blood sugar (P<0.05). However, no significant correlation was observed between RBP4 and HDL (P=0.3) as well as triglycerides concentration (P=0.1). Moreover, plasma RBP4 level gradually increased with the increasing number of the metabolic syndrome components. Conclusion: Regarding the results of the present study and previous investigations, RBP4 seems to be a suggestible predictive marker for both insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in Iranian obese children; however, further studies are needed to be conducted among different ethnicities and age groups in order to determine the predictive value of this correlation

Investigating the Efficacy of Zizyphus Jujuba on Neonatal Jaundice

Objective: Neonatal jaundice is a common clinical finding in newborns. The efficacy and safety of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice have been firmly established, but it has some side effects, thus herbal therapy has recently received special attention. Herein we investigated the efficacy of Zizyphus jujuba for treatment of jaundice in neonates compared to phototherapy. Methods: In this clinical-trial study, a total of 121 neonates aged 2-14 days hospitalized for jaundice, were randomly assigned into experimental group including 63 patients who received Zizyphus jujubam's fruit extract 1ml/Kg 3 times a day and phototherapy, and control group of 58 cases receiving phototherapy with distilled water. Bilirubin level during hospitalization in both groups was measured daily. Findings: Experimental group stayed in hospital for 3.47±0.3 days. None of the neonates in this group was hospitalized more than 7 days. In controls, hospitalization was 3.67±0.4 days. 2 cases stayed more than 7days. The bilirubin level had decreased in both groups. Decrease of serum bilirubin in experimental group after 12 hours was statistically significant compared to control group (P=0.026). In experimental group, after taking the herb for 1-2 days, 3 children developed slight diarrhea which resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: The results indicate that Zizyphus jujubam was effective for the treatment of neonatal jaundice in first 12 hours of treatment compared to controls which could be due to higher effect of Z. jujuba extract to reduce bilirubin concentration with different mechanisms

Nanotechnology-Applied Curcumin for Different Diseases Therapy

Curcumin is a lipophilic molecule with an active ingredient in the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric. It is used by different folks for treatment of many diseases. Recent studies have discussed poor bioavailability of curcumin because of poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination. Nanotechnology is an emerging field that is potentially changing the way we can treat diseases through drug delivery with curcumin. The recent investigations established several approaches to improve the bioavailability, to increase the plasma concentration, and to enhance the cellular permeability processes of curcumin. Several types of nanoparticles have been found to be suitable for the encapsulation or loading of curcumin to improve its therapeutic effects in different diseases. Nanoparticles such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, nanogels, niosomes, cyclodextrins, dendrimers, silvers, and solid lipids are emerging as one of the useful alternatives that have been shown to deliver therapeutic concentrations of curcumin. This review shows that curcumin’s therapeutic effects may increase to some extent in the presence of nanotechnology. The presented board of evidence focuses on the valuable special effects of curcumin on different diseases and candidates it for future clinical studies in the realm of these diseases

Taurine improves the wound healing process in cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice model, based on stereological parameters

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a self-limiting disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, which affects the skin with full-thickness wounds, which are prone to scar formation even after treatment. Taurine (Tu) is one of the most abundant amino acids that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which play an important role in the process of wound healing. Herein, we have investigated the effects of Tu on cutaneous Leishmaniasis wounds and L. major promastigotes. Materials and Methods: Eighteen mice were induced with Leishmaniasis wounds (with L. Major) on the base of their tails and divided into three groups, T1: Treated with Tu injection, T2: Treated with Tu gel, and C: No treatment. Treatments were carried out every 24 hours for 21 days. The volume densities of the collagen bundles and vessels, vessel′s length density and diameter, and fibroblast populations were estimated by stereological methods. Flow cytometry was used in order to investigate the direct Tu effect on parasites. The Mann-Whitney U test was used and P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The numerical density of the fibroblasts, volume density of the collagen bundles, and length densities of the vessels in groups T1 and T2 were significantly higher than in group C (P < 0.05). The fibroblast numerical density of group T1 was higher than that of group T2 (P = 0.02). Incidentally, Tu had no direct effect on L. major parasites according to the flow cytometry analysis. Conclusion: Tu showed the ability to improve the wound healing process and tissue regeneration although it had no direct anti-leishmaniasis effect

Wound Healing Effect of Arnebia euchroma gel on Excisional Wounds in Rats

Background: Wound healing is a complex process leading to regeneration of damaged skin tissue. Arnebia euchroma (AE) have many effective activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, and anti-tumoral effects. The extract of AE has positive effects on burn wounds. This study is designed to investigate the healing effects of AE on excisional wounds in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty six rats with the age of 8 weeks divided into three groups. One group (E1) was treated with AE gel at a concentration of 10%. Control group (C1) received normal saline and the vehicle group (C2) was treated with carboxymethyl cellulose gel as the vehicle for 14 days. Stereological analysis was done to investigate the collagen bundle and hair follicale synthesis, vascularization, fibroblast proliferation. Pathological evaluation was also conducted. Results: In this study, pathological evaluation showed severe acute inflammation in C2 group, chronic and acute inflammation in C1 and also more wound contraction in E1 in comparison with other groups. There was a meaningful difference between E1 and C1 regarding fibroblast proliferation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results of this study revealed the healing effect of AE on excisional wounds and recommend its administration after further clinical investigations

Protective effects of quercetin on thioacetamide-induced acute liver damage and its related biochemical and pathological alterations

Background Acute liver damage may be followed by biochemical, behavioral, and pathological alterations, which can end up in serious complications and even death. Aim The aim of this study was to determine whether quercetin, a flavonoid compound, which is also known to have cell-protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, has any protective impacts against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver damage in rats. Methods Thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups: group C1, normal rats; group C2, rats that received a single dose of TAA (350 mg/kg) intraperitoneally; and group E, rats that received a single dose of TAA (350 mg/kg)+300 mg/kg quercetin intraperitoneally. At the end, liver enzymes and plasma ammonia (NH4) were measured, and pathological analysis of the liver carried out. Results The measured serological markers except for total bilirubin (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and NH4) showed a significant decrease in group E compared with group C2. The quercetin-treated group showed a significantly lower clinical grade of encephalopathy. Pathological findings showed a significantly lower piecemeal necrosis in group E compared with group C2. Moreover, there was a nonsignificant decrease in focal necrosis, apoptosis, and focal inflammation in group E compared with group C2. Portal inflammation scores were lower in group E than in group C2. Therefore, quercetin significantly affected the grade of liver damage, as group E had lower grades compared with group C2 (P<0.05). Conclusion Overall, quercetin showed positive effects on both the liver injury and its related behavioral and biochemical changes