Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:15 | Issue:6|Papers Count:12

Background: Acute renal failure induced by ischemia / reperfusion (I/R) causes excretory functional disorders of nephrons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intake of oral rosemary extract (gavage) on hemodynamic changes and tissue damages caused by I/R.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats, composed of 4 groups (n=10) including control, sham, I/R+normal saline (I/R+NS) post-treatment and I/R+rosemary (I/R+RO) post-treatment. They were fed with 10 ml/kg of 8% aqueous extract or vehicle as gavages during the first 48 hours after I/R. To induce I/R, both renal artery and vein were blocked for 30 minutes followed by a reperfusion within 48 hours. Then urine and plasma samples were collected and histological study was also conducted after removal of both kidneys. Data were analyzed by SPSS-11.5 software. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan test were used for intergroup comparison and p≤0.05 was used as the significant level. The Kruskal–Wallis multiple comparison test was also used for doing histological analysis Results: Comparison of renal function between two groups of (I/R+RO) and (I/R+NS), showed a significant reduction in plasma creatinine (p=0.05), the blood urea nitrogen (p=0.05), absolute excretion of sodium (p=0.001) and an increase in absolute potassium excretion (p=0.01). Results of the histological study also indicated a significant decrease in the vascular congestion, Bowman's capsule space and oxidative stress in the group (I/R+RO) in comparison with (I/R+NS).Conclusion: Treatment with rosemary may be effective in the reduction of the functional and histological effects of I/R.

Background: Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) is a herbal plant that has anti- septic, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory effects. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of shoot essential oil (essential oil of the aerial parts of the plant) of the feverfew on a number of microorganisms including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts.Materials and Methods: In this empirical study, plant samples were collected at the full blooming stage. Shoot essential oil was extracted using hydro-distillation technique and Clevenger apparatus. Components of the extract were identified using GC and GC/MS apparatus and its antimicrobial properties were evaluated using diffusion in Agar method (disk diffusion) and dilution in the well (Micro-broth dilution).Results: Among 35 compounds identified in the essential oil of the feverfew, camphor (45%), chrysanthenyl acetate (21.5) and camphene (9.6%), were the main components respectively. Essential oil showed very good antifungal effect which was stronger than its antibacterial effect. Gram-negative bacteria were less sensitive to the essential oil than gram-positive bacteria. The mean diameter of inhibition zone, in the bio-assessment of the effect of feverfew essential oil on gram-positive bacteria and fungi was respectively more than the effect of vancomycin and amphotericin B and this effect on gram-negative bacteria was less than the effect of gentamicin. This effect is attributed to the high value of camphor, chrysanthenyl acetate and camphene found in the essential oil.Conclusion: Feverfew essential oil could be utilized as a sound and harmless substitute for the antibiotics.

Background: Many of the plants used to treat certain diseases, because they have showed antimicrobial activity. In this case, many studies have conducted on antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Artemisia annua.Materials and Methods: The purpose of this study is to determine the antibacterial effects of aqueous, chloroform, methanol and ethanol extracts of A. annua against eight bacterial species. Antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal activity of the essential oil and extract was performed by agar disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods.Results: The obtained results showed antibacterial activity of the organic and chloroformic extracts of Artemisia annua against the tested microorganisms. Presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, amino acids, phenolic compounds, quinines and terpenoids were identified in the composition of the obtained extract using mass gas-chromatograph. The best result for the minimum inhibitory Concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration was reported for the 32 mg/ml of chloroformic extract.Conclusion: The results indicate the fact that the extracts and essential oils of the plants can be useful as medicinal or preservatives composition.

Background: Today, due to the changes in the form of the resistance of pathogenic bacteria, discovering new antimicrobial drugs is under study. So, the aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the extract of the myrtle herb on some of pathogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of myrtle herb was evaluated at 4 concentrations including 10-80 mg/ml on four strains of pathogenic bacteria using penetrative dissemination method together with the measuring diameter of the growth inhibition zone, then the results were compared to four conventional antibiotics. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were studied using macro dilution method.Results: Treatment by the concentration of 80 mg/ml extract of this herb showed the greatest effect on the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholera serotype Ogawa which had a significant difference with all other treatments and standard antibiotics (p<0.05). The extract showed no effect on the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and just concentration of 80 mg/ml showed a little effect on E. coli and other antibiotics had no significant effect except tetracycline which has little effect on this strain. Minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.2 mg/ml for bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and the maximum for E.coli by 8 mg/ml.Conclusion: This study showed that under study bacteria were more resistant to the antibiotics and the extract of Myrtus communis leaves showed greatest antibacterial effect against S. aureus and V. cholerae cerotype Ogawa.

Background: Since eucalyptus is a traditional plant which has been consumed as antidiabetic in herbal medicines, the aim of this survey was to compare the effect of eucalyptus aqueous extract and insulin on serum blood sugar and liver enzymes in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic male rats.Material & Methods: The experiment was performed on four groups of rats: sham control (A), diabetic control (B), diabetic (C) which received insulin and diabetic group (D) which consumed Eucalyptus aqueous extract in drinking water for 4 weeks (n=8). Sham control and B group did not receive any agents. At the end, animals were deep anesthetized by diethyl ether, sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Blood sugar, serum lipids and liver enzymes were measured by ordinary methods. Obtained data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results were expressed as mean±SD. Statistical difference of p<0.05 was recognized significant.Results: Results showed that blood sugar in group C significantly decreased compared with that of group B but ALT, AST and ALP activity value significantly increased compared with those of other groups.Conclusion: These results indicated that Eucalyptus aqueous extract caused decreased blood sugar but increased liver enzymes activity in STZ diabetic male rats.

Background: One of the preservative treatments of knee osteoarthritis is the use of topical medications. This study is aimed to clinically evaluate the effect of topical products containing essential oils of rosemary and lavender herbs on the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.Materials and Methods: Rosemary and lavender essential oils were prepared by steam distillation method and inserted into the ointment with the hydrophilic base. In this study, 15 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated with this ointment for three months. The results were assessed using WOMAC and Lequesne indices and were evaluated by the Wilcoxon statistical test.Results: At the week of admission to the hospital, mean WOMAC index was equal to 71.4, mean Lequesne index was equal to 18 and the average time of passing through the distance of fifty feet by patients was equal to 19.4. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks, all these indices significantly decreased (p£0.05). The WOMAC questionnaire denotative survey also showed that the pain and physical function at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks were significantly less than the first week of admission (p£0.05), but there was no significant difference as far as joint stiffness is concerned.Conclusion: Topical application of essential oils of rosemary and lavender herbs in a hydrophilic ointment base can be useful as a preservative treatment for the patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Portulaca oleracea is a vegetable, known in traditional medicine and has many medicinal properties. In the present study the effects of alcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea on blood fat profiles are evaluated.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 60 Wistar rats in the weight range of 170±5 g in 6 groups (n=10) were selected as follows: Control group receiving normal diet, Sham group receiving high fat diet, experimental groups receiving the Portulaca oleracea extract with maximum dose (800 mg/kg), moderate dose (400 mg/kg) and minimum dose (200 mg/kg) as intraperitoneally and injection of 10 mg/kg atorvastatin and treated with high fat diet for 21 days.After the end of this period, blood sampling and measuring obtained samples, data was analyzed using SPSS-11.5 software Results: Based on the results obtained from all groups receiving the extract of Portulaca oleracea herb, it was found that the level of cholesterol concentration in these groups and the level of cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the group receiving atorvastatin significantly decreased (p£0.05), but the plasma concentration of high and low-density lipoproteins did not show any significant changes.Conclusion: The results of this study show that oral intake of alcoholic extract of portulaca oleracea can play an important role in reducing cholesterol levels, similar to the use of atorvastatin. This performance is probably more related to the high density of antioxidants and omega-3 found in this herb and mechanisms of the cholesterol synthesis inhibition.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important metabolic disorders worldwide. As regards the anti-diabetic effects in different parts of pomegranate fruit, this study was performed to determine the effects of concentrated pomegranate juice (CPJ) consumption on blood glucose and lipid concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: This quasi experimental study was performed on 55 diabetic patients, among patients referred to the Kashan Diabetes Center. Patients were divided into two groups: CPJ consumption and control. An anthropometric, medical and 24-hour food recall questioner was completed. Fasting blood sample before and after study was collected to measure glucose, HbA1c, TG, Chol, LDL and HDL. The patients consumed 45 g/day CPJ for 3 month. Control group did not received experiment. variables were measured at the end of the study again. Both groups received the same diet and physical activity advice during the study.Results: Cholesterol and LDL - cholesterol concentrations decreased in CPJ than control group but not significant (p>0.05). The mean glucose concentrations showed no significant change between CPJ group and control (p>0.05).Conclusion: concentrated pomegranate juice (CPJ) consumption there are no effective on blood glucose and lipid profiles concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: As relatively avirulent enteric bacteria, enterococci usually cause infections in immune-compromised patients. The antimicrobial treatment, however, is quite challenging, since enterococci are intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics. Objective of the present study was to examine the antibacterial activity of aqueous garlic extract on isolates of enterococci.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive research, a total of 120 enterococcus isolates including 70 multidrug-resistant isolates causing different infections were collected from three hospitals in Zahedan. The susceptibility of isolates to different antibiotics was measured by agar diffusion test and antibacterial activity of garlic extract was measured using disc-diffusion and microbroth dilution methods.Results: Among 120 enterococcus samples, 95 (79.2%) and 25 (20.8%) isolates were E. faecalis and E. faecium respectively. The highest resistance was observed in erythromycin (95.8%) and the lowest resistance (6.7%) in chloramphenicol, while 88.3% and 65.8% of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline and ampicillin respectively. Moreover, 58% of the isolates were Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) and showed resistance to at least three antibiotics. Antibacterial activity of AGE was characterized by inhibition zones of 16.8±1.8 mm and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranged from 4 to 32 mg/ml.Conclusion: The present study suggests that AGE has a significant anti-enterococcal effect and therefore, supports the use of garlic as an herbal remedy in Zahedan.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is recognized with severe complications. Many herbal medicines have been recommended for treatment of diabetes problem. In this study, the effect of hexanic and alcoholic extracts of fenugreek (Trigonella-foenum graecum) on serum parameters was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out in 2011 at paramedical school of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, 48 male Sprague Dawley rats (230-300 gram) were divided into six groups: control, type 1 diabetic, and 2 diabetic groups that receive alcoholic extract and 2 groups receive hexanic extract of fenugreek (100, 200 mg/kg body weight) intraperitonealy for 28 days. For diabetes induction, streptozotocin (60 mg/kg/ intraperitonealy) was used. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), urea, creatinine, uric acid, AST and ALT level Results: fenugreek extract inhibit weight loss especially in diabetic groups that receive hexanic extract (p=0.006). blood glucose, total cholesterol, TG, urea, creatin in, uric acid, AST and ALT level was reduced significantly in diabetics groups that receive fenugreek extract (p=0.001). This effect was stronger in groups that receive Hexanic extract Conclusion: Fenugreek is a good candidate for reduction of diabetic complications.

Background: Diarrhea is one of the world's health problems as the most common causes of death in children. In this study, the effect of Teucrium Polium (TP) extract on diarrhea induced by castor oil has been studied.Materials and Methods: 30 male rats were divided into five equal groups containing extract with doses of 100, 200 and 600 mg/kg, diphenoxylate (5 mg/kg), and control group or vehicle (normal saline) groups. One hour after feeding the drugs or vehicle in the volume of 10 ml/kg, 2 ml of castor oil were fed to each animal through an oral-gastric catheter. Then excrements of animals were separately observed in the cages for 4 hours and their quality, frequency and stool weight were determined. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-test and p<0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Diphenoxylate and 600 mg/kg dose of TP reduced the percentage of the weight loss of animals, their excretion frequency and defecation index (p<0.001). The 600 mg/kg dose of TP decreased the fecal water content compared to the control group (p<0.01).Conclusion: Based on our data, essential oil of TP has an effect similar to diphenoxylate on the reduction of osmotic diarrhea symptoms and also reduces the volume of excreted water.

Background: There is considerable interest in alternative approaches for eradication of infections causes by pathogenic bacteria especially resistant bacteria. Methanol and ethanol extracts of Rumex alveollatus leaves were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.Materials and Methods: In this empirical-experimental study, the agar plate well diffusion method was used for antibacterial assay of different sample. Broth microdilution method was used for evaluate Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of extracts.Results: All extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effect against selected bacterial strains. There were statistically significant correlations between antibacterial activity and concentration of the extracts (p<0.05). The MIC values of the extracts ranged from 31.3 mg/ml to 62.5 mg/ml whereas the MBC values ranged from 62.5 mg/ml to 125.0 mg/ml.Conclusion: Result from these finding suggest that methanol and ethanol extracts of Rumex alveollatus leaves may be used as natural antibacterial for treatment of some diseases, especially local skin diseases.