Examining of Nutritional and Remedial Properties of Olive in Quran, Hadiths, Traditional and Modern Medicine

سابقه و هدف: زیتون با نام علمی اولئا یوروپائه­آ، از تیره‌ی اولئاسه­آ، یکی از میوه‌هایی است که در نواحی مدیترانه، آسیای مرکزی و در بخش‌هایی از آفریقا کشت می‌شود و میزان تولید سالیانه‌ی آن در جهان بیش از 4/17 میلیون تن است. با گسترش و پیشرفت علم در حوزه‌های مختلف، روزبه‌روز فواید و خواص طبی و تغذیه‌یی جدیدی از زیتون آشکار می‌شود. با پژوهش در قرآن، روایات و احادیث پیامبر (ص) و امامان معصوم (ع) درمی‌یابیم که به بسیاری از خواص این میوه که علوم جدید آنها را اثبات کرده، قبلاً اشاره‌ شده است. به‌طورکلی زیتون در درمان زخم معده و دیگر بیماری‌های دستگاه گوارش، فشارخون، آسم، بیماری‌های قلبی، دیابت، شکستگی و پوکی استخوان و بیماری‌های پوستی مؤثر است و سبب تحریک ترشح ادرار، جلوگیری از ریزش مو و کاهش التهاب و تب می‌شود. روش کار: در تحقیق حاضر، خواص طبی زیتون از منظر قرآن کریم، احادیث و منابع طب سنتی و نیز پژوهش‌های علمی انجام‌شده طی سال‌های 2000 تا 2016، بررسی و مطالعه شده است. در این پژوهش همه‌ی موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است. علاوه‌براین، نویسندگان مقاله هیچ‌گونه تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: طب نوين باوجود پیشرفت‌های بسیار، در سال‌های اخیر به یافته‌هایی رسيده كه قرن‌ها قبل در كتب قدما و حكماي طب سنّتي ايران و اسلام به‌سادگی و با جزئیات بیان‌شده‌است. نتایج پژوهش اخیر نیز نشان می‌دهد که زیتون در پیشگیری از بیماری­های قلبی، آلزایمر، سرطان‌های روده‌ی بزرگ، پوست، پروستات، سینه، رحم و تخمدان؛ دیابت، بیماری‌های التهابی و خودایمن مانند روماتیسم، پوکی استخوان و بیماری‌های عصبی مانند نشانگان داون مؤثر؛ و همچنین دارای اثرهای ضدالتهابی، ضدمیکروبی و آنتی‌اکسیدانی است. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌های اين پژوهش می‌تواند گامي مؤثر در جهت تأیید جنبه‌های علمي قرآن و احادیث پیامبر (ص) و ائمه (ع)، به‌ویژه در مورد میوه‌هایی نظیر زیتون، محسوب شود. Background and Objective: Olive (Olea europaea), a species in the family of Oleaceae, is one of the fruits that grows in the Mediterranean region, central Asia and some parts of Africa. Annual production of this fruit is about 17.4 million tons in the world. With scientific development in various fields in recent years, new medical and nutritional properties of olive have been discovered. It was found that many of demonstrated properties of this fruit in modern science have already been pointed out in the Quran, narrations and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and Imams (AS). Olive generally is effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases, hypertension, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone fractures and osteoporosis, cutaneous diseases, stimulation of urination, prevention of hair loss and reduction of inflammation and fever. Method: In this study, medical properties of olive were investigated in the Quran, hadiths, traditional medicine as well as recent scientific researches (2000 - 2016). All ethical issues were observed. Moreover, the authors did not report conflict of interest. Results: Along with the recommendations of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (s), Imams and traditional medicine about the consumption of olive, findings of recent studies also indicate that this fruit is effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancers of colon, skin, prostate, breast, uterine and ovarian, diabetes, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases such as Down syndrome. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties also reported for olive. Conclusion: The findings of this research can be an effective step confirming the scientific aspects of the Quran and narratives of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and Imams (AS), especially in the case of fruits like olive

The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma ) on the Behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium in A Food Model during Storage at Different Temperatures

Background: Given the concerns about the use of chemical preservatives in food, the consumers and producers have been interested in natural alternatives, such as plant essential oils and extracts. Since there are limited studies about the effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on the behavior of foodborne pathogens in food models, this study aimed to determine the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of saffron stigma on the growth behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in commercial barley soup (as a food model) during storage at different temperatures. Method s : The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract were determined against S. Typhimurium using broth microdilution method. The growth of S . Typhimurium was investigated in the presence of this extract in commercial barley soup during 12 days of storage at 10, 20, and 30 °C. Results: The MIC and MBC values for saffron extract against S . Typhimurium were 100 and >200 mg/m l , respectively. Also, the saffron extract at a concentration of 200 mg/ml and temperature of 10 °C had the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria in commercial barley soup during storage. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the antimicrobial effect of this extract increased in a dose -dependent manner against this bacterium. Therefore, the use of proper concentrations of this extract together with appropriate storage temperature can have an appropriate inhibitory effect on the growth of this bacterium, improving food safety shelf life

Therapeutic effects of Pumpkin in Islamic Texts, Islamic Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine

زمینه و هدف: کدو با نام علمی Cucurbita pepo L. متعلق به خانواده کدو (Cucurbitaceae) بوده که در نواحی مختلف دنیا کشت داده می‌شود و بیشترین تولید آن توسط کشورهای چین، هند، اوکراین، مصر و ایالات‌متحده آمریکا صورت می‌گیرد. این گیاه یکی از خوراکی‌هایی است که در قرآن از آن یاد شده و در طب سنتی و رایج نیز از آن برای درمان بیماری‌های مختلف استفاده می‌شود. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی جایگاه کدو در قرآن، احادیث نقل‌شده از پیامبر و امامان و طب سنتی ایرانی و نیز خواص تغذیه‌ای و درمانی آن بر طبق آخرین تحقیقات علمی انجام گرفت. مواد و روش‌ها: در این مطالعه مروری قرآن مجید و تفاسیر آن، احادیث و روایات اسلامی، کتب طب سنتی و گیاهان دارویی مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. همچنین از پایگاه‌های Science Direct، PubMed، SID، Google Scholar وISC استفاده گردید. جستجو در این پایگاه‌ها با استفاده از واژگان کلیدی کدو، قرآن، حدیث، طب، بیماری، Cucurbita Pepo، Cucurbitaceae، Pumpkin، Medicinal، Holy Quran و مابین سال‌های 2000 تا 2017 صورت گرفت. یافته‌ها: نتایج این مطالعه نشان داد که علاوه بر این‌که در قرآن و احادیث و روایت به استفاده از کدو توصیه شده است، در طب سنتی ایرانی از آن برای دفع کرم‌ها، درمان یرقان، زخم‌ها، سوختگی‌ها، تب، دل‌پیچه، مالیخولیا، هذیان‌گویی، اسهال شدید، رفع بی‌خوابی، سردرد و انسداد مجاری ادراری استفاده می‌شود. از دیدگاه طب رایج، کدو دارای خواص ضد باکتریایی، ضد ویروسی، ضد کرم، آنتی‌اکسیدانی، ضد التهابی بوده و باعث شادابی، نشاط، افزایش بهره هوشی، کاهش افسردگی، تقویت سیستم ایمنی و پیشگیری از بیماری‌های قلبی عروقی، کبد چرب، دیابت و سرطان می‌گردد. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌های پژوهش حاضر نشان می‌دهد که توصیه‌های موجود در آیات قرآنی، احادیث پیامبر و امامان و طب سنتی ایران در مورد مصرف گیاهانی نظیر کدو نه‌تنها از روی آگاهی بوده، بلکه بر پایه اصول و منطق علمی بیان شده‌اند که این توصیه‌ها در جهت بهبود سلامتی و افزایش طول عمر انسان می‌باشند و بایستی دقت و تعمق بیشتری را در این منابع به ‌خصوص در مورد دستورات تغذیه‌ای آن‌ها داشت.Background and Aim: Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) belonging to Cucurbitaceae family, is widely cultivated around the world and it is mostly produced in China, India, Ukraine, Egypt and United States of America. It is one of the plants mentioned in the Holy Quran. It has also been used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional and modern medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional and therapeutic properties of this plant in the holy Quran, narrations and hadiths of the prophet Muhammad and Imams, traditional medicine as well as modern medicine according to latest scientific research studies. Materials and Methods: For this review study, the Holy Quran and its interpretations, Islamic Hadiths and narrations, relevant references about traditional Iranian medicine and medicinal plants were studied. Also, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar and ISI databases (2000 to 2016) were used with keywords such as Quran, Hadith, medicine, disease, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbitaceae, pumpkin and medicinal. Findings: In the addition to the recommendation of Quran and hadiths about consumption of Pumpkin, in traditional Iranian medicine, it was used for the removal of helminthes, treatment of jaundice, wounds, burns, fever, abdominal cramps, melancholia, delirium, severe diarrhea, insomnia, headache and urinary tract obstruction. In modern medicine, pumpkin has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant; anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory properties and it can modulate immune system. It is also used for freshness, vitality, increase of intelligence, reduction of depression and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver, diabetes and cancer. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the recommendations contained in the Quran verses, Hadiths of Prophet and Imams and traditional Iranian medicine about the consumption of plants like pumpkin are not only conscious but also based on scientific principles and logic. These recommendations are intended to improve the health and longevity of human. So, more attention should be paid to these resources, especially regarding their nutritional instructions.   Please cite this article as: Moosavy MH, Shavisi N, Khatibi SA. Therapeutic effects of Pumpkin in Islamic Texts, Islamic Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine. Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 77-92

Use of PCR to determine Toxoplasma gondii in milk samples from camels (Camelus dromedarius), cattle (Bos taurus) and buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) in East Azarbaijan province, Iran

Abstract Background Toxoplasmosis as a zoonotic condition is developed by an intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii from the Apicomplexa phylum, which imposes economic losses on herds of animals and severe complications in immunocompromised people and pregnant women. This infectious disease can be transmitted to human beings from the contaminated unpasteurized milk, uncooked meat, water and food contaminated with sporulated oocysts and transplacental transmission. Objectives This study amid to determine T. gondii DNA in camel, buffalo and cow milks in using the PCR method based on the B1 gene. Methods A total of 100 milk samples, including 55 cows, 30 buffalos and 15 camels, were collected from different regions of north‐western using direct milking and then transferred to the Food and Aquatic Health Laboratory under refrigerated conditions. Results The results showed that out of 100 milk samples examined, 5 samples (5%) were contaminated, and T. gondii DNA was detected in the milk samples of 2 (3.63%) cows, 1 (3.33%) buffalos and 2 (13.33%) camels, respectively. Conclusions Our findings reveal that raw milk contaminated with T. gondii can be an important route of transmission of infection for human beings

Occurrence, Molecular Detection and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Ready-to-Eat Vegetable Salads in Iran

Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the high risk bacteria, found in foods, especially in ready-to-eat products, which causes many disorders such as hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome and dysentery in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the contamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and antibiotic resistance in ready-to-eat vegetable salads. Methods: In this study, 6o ready-to-eat salad vegetable samples were collected from restaurants for determining their isolated Escherichia coli O157:H7 and their antibiotic resistance by SYBR Green I Based real-time PCR and disc diffusion method, respectively. Results: Out of the 60 samples, 10 samples (16.66%) were positive for Escherichia coli O157:H7. All identified isolates were resistant to more than five antibiotics. A high rate of resistance was observed to the clindamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, penicillin, amoxicillin and cephalothin (100%), cefixime (40%), amikacin (20%), cefotaxime and cetracycline (10%). Conclusion: The presence of toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ready-to-eat vegetable salads can be considered a public health threat. Providing the useful strategies for improving food safety and inspection services is necessary. Further studies are suggested to identify specific ready-to-eat vegetable salads-related hazards

Bacterial Contamination of Iranian Paper Currency

Background: Transmission of human pathogens can be occurred via inert objects. Paper currency is a further common contact surface whereby pathogens can be transferred within a population although the significance remains unknown. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate microbial populations associated with Iranian paper currency.Methods: This study was carried out by getting 108 samples of the Iranian currency notes (1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 RIALS) from food-related shops that included food service outlets, greengrocery, supermarket, bakery, confectionary and poultry meat retail outlets. All currency notes were examined for total bacterial count and identification of pathogenic bacteria.Results: The average total bacterial count that was recovered from currency notes was found to be 3.27±0.31 colony forming unites. 2000R had the highest total bacterial count, followed by 5000R, 10000R and the lowest in 50000R. In this study, the isolated bacteria recovered were Bacillus cereus (8.33%), E. coli (48.14%), Staphylococcus aureus (28.7%), Salmonella (0.92%), Listeria monocytogenes (0.92%), Yersinia entrocolitica (6.48%). It was revealed that all the pathogens screened for where encountered on currency notes were recovered from one sample. There were no significant (P>0.05) correlations between the carriage of pathogens/fecal indicator bacteria and currency note condition.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that Iranian currency notes represent a significant vehicle for human pathogens

Isolation of [i]Listeria monocytogenes[/i] from milks used for Iranian traditional cheese in Lighvan cheese factories

Traditional Lighvan cheese is a semi-hard cheese which has a popular market in Iran and neighboring countries. The aim of this study was evaluating the contamination of milks used for Lighvan cheese making with[i] Listeria monocytogenes[/i]. Raw milk samples were randomly collected from different cheese producing factories (sampling carried out from large milk tanks used cheese making in factories). Isolation of [i]L. monocytogenes[/i] was performed according to ISO 11290 and biochemical tests were done to identify and confirm L. monocytogenes. 9 samples (50%) of the 18 collected samples from milk tanks in Lighvan cheese producing factories were contaminated with [i]L. monocytogenes[/i]. The concentration of [i]L. monocytogenes[/i] in all 9 positive samples was 40 CFU/ml. This study is the first report of [i]L. monocytogenes[/i] contamination in raw milks used for Lighvan cheese production in Iran. Regarding the fact that these cheeses are produced from raw milk and no heating process is performed on them its milk contamination can be a potential risk for consumers

Green synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of gold and silver nanoparticles using Mentha spicata essential oil

Abstract Green synthesis of bioactive nanoparticles (NPs) is getting more attractive in various fields of science including the food industry. This study investigates the green synthesizing and characterization of gold NPs (AuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) produced using Mentha spicata L. (M. spicata) essential oil as well as their antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro cytotoxic effects. The essential oil was mixed with both Chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) solutions separately and incubated at room temperature for 24 h. The chemical composition of the essential oil was identified by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer detector (GC–MS). Au and Ag nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The cytotoxicity of both types of nanoparticles was evaluated using MTT assay on cancerous HEPG-2cell line by exposing them to various concentrations of both NPs for 24 h. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated by the well-diffusion technique. The antioxidant effect was determined by DPPH and ABTS tests. According to the results of GC–MS analysis, 18 components were identified, including carvone (78.76%) and limonene (11.50%). UV–visible spectroscopy showed a strong absorption peak of 563 nm and 485 nm, indicating the formation of Au NPs and Ag NPs, respectively. TEM and DLS demonstrated that AuNPs and AgNPs were predominantly spherical shaped with average sizes of 19.61 nm and 24 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis showed that biologically active compounds such as monoterpenes could assist in the formation and stabilization of both types of NPs. Additionally, XRD provided more accurate results, revealing a nano-metal structure. Silver nanoparticles exhibited better antimicrobial activity against the bacteria than AuNPs. Zones of inhibition ranging 9.0–16.0 mm were recorded for the AgNPs, while zones of 8.0–10.33 mm were observed AuNPs. In the ABTS assay, the AuNPs and AgNPs showed a dose-dependent activity and synthesized nanoparticles exhibited higher antioxidant activity than MSEO in both assays. Mentha spicata essential oil can be successfully used for the green production of Au NPs and Ag NPs. Both green synthesized NPs show antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro cytotoxic activity