Determination of total antioxidant content of methanolic extracts of Cynara scolymus, Echinacea purpurea and Portulaca oleracea

Background: The unique properties of medicinal plants particularly their effects on human health have attracted the attention of many researchers. The antioxidant properties of medicinal plants is a strong reason to use them in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of Cynara scolymus, Echinacea purpurea   and Portulaca oleracea. Aerial parts of C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea were dried and ground.Methods: Then, plant samples were prepared using homogenizing plant powders in methanol solution. Finally, the total   antioxidant capacity of the plants was assessed by ferric iron reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay.Results: The results revealed that the total antioxidant capacity was found as 3.45, 1.16 and 1.68 mmol Fe2+/L for C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea, respectively. Based on our results, C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea showed a potent antioxidant activity.Conclusion: It is recommended that utilization of C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea in food and pharmaceutical industries could possibly possess beneficial health effects.Keywords: Antioxidant Activity; Medicinal Plants; Cynara scolymus; Echinacea purpurea; Portulaca oleracea    

Investigating the Use of Rehabilitation Based on Play Therapy to Increase the Attention of Medical Students

Objectives: Attention is one of the cognitive functions that can be enhanced through cognitive rehabilitation. Play therapy is a treatment option for cognitive impairments. This study aims to investigate the use of rehabilitation based on play therapy to increase the attention of medical students. Methods: The present research is a randomized controlled clinical trial. The statistical population included all 162 third-year students of the College of Medicine in 2022 at the University of Baghdad City, Iraq. Using simple random sampling, the statistical population of 70 people was selected and then divided into intervention (n=35) and control (n=35) groups. Play therapy was provided to individuals in the intervention group, while subjects in the control group did not receive any intervention. We used the IVA-2 CPT software, version 2019.1 to assess visual and auditory attention as well as response control performance. The pre-test and post-test stages were separated by a 15-week interval. The data were analyzed via the multivariate covariance analysis in the SPSS software, version 23. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results indicated a statistically significant difference between the intervention group’s mean pre-test and post-test scores (P<0.001); thus, the rehabilitation based on play therapy significantly enhanced attention in the intervention group. Also, the post-test results revealed a statistically significant difference between both groups (P<0.001). Discussion: Rehabilitation based on play therapy is an effective way to increase people’s attention

Determination and Evaluation of Total Antioxidant Capacity of Oak (Quercus brantii), Thyme (Tymbra spicata), and Watermelon (Citrullus colocynthis) Native of Ilam

Background: Flock medicine has become a very important part of people's lives, however, it is not known by countries' rules in some cases. The usage of flock medicine has considerably increased in developed regions, as well, because of the effectiveness problems and the diverse side effects of artificial drugs. This research evaluated the antioxidant activities of Quercus brantii, Thymbra spicata, and Citrullus colocynthis native to Ilam province that nurtures within the west of Iran.Methods: The total antioxidant capacity of essential oils was measured via ELISA Reader at 570 nm.Results: The total antioxidant capacities of oak, thyme, and watermelon were 4.1, 2.35, and 0.46 (mmol Fe2+/L), respectively.Conclusion: The investigated traditional Iranian edible herbs are rich sources of natural antioxidant compounds.  As a result, T. spicata and Q. brantii could be used in pharmaceutical and food industries as natural antioxidants and food products