Helicobacter pylori as a zoonotic infection: the detection of H. pylori antigens in the milk and faeces of cows

Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, which may increase the risk of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and cancer, has increased worldwide. This number is estimated to be around 70-90% in developing countries and 25-50% in developed countries. It is possible that the bacterium can be transmitted via food and water as well as zoo-notically and iatrogenically. Because of high prevalence of this infection in Iran, the aim of this study is to examine whether H. pylori infection might be transmitted from cow′s milk and faeces. Methods: The existence of the H. pylori antibody and antigen was investigated in samples of serum, milk, and faeces from 92 lactating Holstein cows in Shahrekord, Iran. The H. pylori antigen and antibody were detected using ELISA and were confirmed by PCR. Results: It was found that out of 92 serum specimens, 25 (27%) of the cows were positive for the H. pylori antibody and 67 specimens were negative. From these 25 seropositive cows, 10 (40%) faeces samples and four (16%) milk sam-ples were antigen positive for H. pylori. Four of the antigen-positive milk specimens were also antigen positive for fae-ces. The existence of the UreC gene was also confirmed in positive samples of milk and faeces. Conclusions: There is a possibility that cow′s milk is a transmission mode in H. pylori infection and faecal contami-nation and inappropriate management processes could transfer H. pylori to humans. The awareness of the H. pylori epi-demiology and its method of distribution are necessary for public health measures and controlling the spread of this bacterium. Further investigation with a greater sample number is necessary to verify the ability of H. pylori transmis-sion via milk consumption

The identification of chemical compounds of Taraxacum Syriacum Boiss (Gasedak) and assessing its extract effect on Acetaminophen induced nephro-toxicity in rat

Background : Taraxacum Syriacum Boiss from Taraxacum Officinalis species is used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of jaundice, liver disorders and gallstones. This study was designed to investigate the ethanolic extract effect of the root of Taraxacum Syriacum (TSBE) on Acetaminophen-induced nephro-toxicity. Materials and Methods: The root of Taraxacum Syriacum Boiss were analysed using SPME-GC/MS (Solid Phase Microextraction). In this experimental study, 30 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6). The rats were treated firstly with different doses of TSBE (50,100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 7 days then they intraperitoneally were injected with 700 mg/kg Acetaminophen. Water was administered to the control group for seven days. Toxic (Acetaminophen) group received water for seven days and on day 7, 700 mg/kg Acetaminophen was intraperitoneally injected. Twenty-four hours after the Acetaminophen administration, animals were anaesthetized and blood was collected from the heart for assaying serum creatinine. Kidneys were removed, then cut off and placed in 10% formalin for histopathology assessment. Results: 21 chemical components of Taraxacum Syriacum Boiss root including 1,1-dimethyldiborane, 1-propene 3-ethoxy, 3,5-octadien-2-one, nonanal, decanal, nonanoic acid and carvacrol were identified and extracted. Creatinine reduced significantly in the experiment group (TSBE 200 mg/kg) in comporison with the toxic group. Also, in histopathology assessment, kidney necrosis reduced in experimental groups (TSBE 100, 200 mg/kg). Conclusion: TSBE seems to have a protective role in Acetaminophen induced nephro-toxicity and the role of phenolic compounds such as carvacrol is important

Rapid monitoring of carvacrol in plants and herbal medicines using matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography flame ionisation detector

<div><p>Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) method coupled with gas chromatography flame ionisation detector as a quick and easy extraction technique has been developed to extract carvacrol from plants and herbal medicines. Influence of important parameters on the MSPD method efficiency, such as the sorbent material, the ratio of sample to sorbent material, elution solvent and volume of the elution solvent has been evaluated and optimised. Carvacrol was successfully extracted by diatomaceous earth as sorbent with 350 μL of dichloromethane as elution solvent. The calibration curve showed good linearity (<i>r</i>² = 0.9965) and precision (RSD < 8.16%) in the concentration range of 0.5–100 μg mL^− 1 for carvacrol. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.1 and 0.5 μg mL^− 1, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 74.4–80.5% with relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranging from 8.4% to 9.8%. The reported MSPD extraction method revealed to be simpler and faster than conventional methods used to quantify carvacrol from plants and herbal medicines.</p></div