JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES (JRMS)
Year:2000 | Volume:5 | Issue:Supplement 2|Papers Count:16

Background. Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, is a native plant growing wild in Iran.Methods. The essential oils of fresh fruits and terminal branch lets with adherent leaves of this plant were obtained by means of steam distillation method and analysed by GC-MS.Results and Discussion. Eighty components were identified in the investigated essential oils. The essential oil obtained from the branchlets of this plant contained 21 monoterpenoids, 28 sesquiterpenoids and 3 diterpenoids, while the essential oil of the fruits contianed 27 monoterpenoids, 12 sesquiterpenoids and 3 diterpenoids. The major constituent of both oils was Δ-3-Carene.

Background. Zataria multiflora Boiss is an Iranian medicinal plant from lamiaceae family. It could be found in central and southern regions of Iran. Several pharmacological effects such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseizure and anti-inflammatory effects have been reported for this plant but only its antifungal effects has been studied yet. Flavonoids and the essential oil are the most important constituents of this plant. In this study the possible anti-inflammatory effect of its total extract, the essential oil and flavonoid fractions were examined in carrageen an (CAR) test.Methods. Male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g in groups of 6 were used. CAR was injected in sub plantar surface of right (10 mg/ml, 0.1 ml) paw of rats and the inflammation was measured 3 hrs later by plethysmograph. Dexamethasone (1mg/kg.ip) was used as standard.Results. All fractions of the plant including total extract (900 mg/kg p.o, 500 mg/kg i.p.), flavonoid (900 mg/kg p.o and i.p) and the essential oil had significant preventive effect on CAR-induced rat paw edema. In contrast to indomethacin (positive control) both total extract and the essential oil did not show any ulcerogenic effect on rat stomach.Discussion. Thus, this plant has a significant anti-inflammatory effect which in part is due to its flavonoids and the essential oil but other active substances of the plant could be involved. The lack of ulcerogenic effects is its important advantage. After purification of active ingredients further toxicological and in-vivo studies should be designed for this potential effective anti-inflammatory plant.

Background. Gol-e-arvaneh with the scientific name of salvia hydrangea (Labiatea) belongs to Salvia genus. In traditional medicine it has been used as analgesic, relieving headache, cold remedy, antipyretic and diuretic. Since until now this plant has not been investigated pharacologically. This study was aimed to find any anti-inflammatory or analgesic activity of the plant.Methods. At first, total extract, flavonoid fraction and volatile oil was prepared. Analgesic effect was assessed using light tail flick and acetic acid writhing test. Male wistar rats (180-220g) and mice (25±2g) were used in these tests. Carrageen in test was used for assessing anti-inflammatory activity.Results. Total extract and flavonoid fraction could not produce analgesic effect in light tail flick test, while morphine as a standard drug 15 and 30 min. after administration produced 35% and 90% of MPE respectively. In writhing test, total extract and flavonoid fraction had considerable analgesic effect which was comparable to that of indomethacin. Results of Carageenin test showed that both total extract and flavonoid fraction had marked anti-inflammatory activity and volatile oil had only a slight effect.Discussion. Since potent drugs (such as opioids) show positive response to light tail flick test, it seems that the plant lacks such compounds. Considerable analgesic activity of total extract and flavonoid fraction in writhing test and also their anti-inflammatory activity indicate that this plant is probably useful for relieving pains, particularly with inflammatory origin.

Background. The most common mode of monitoring anticoagulation therapy is the use of prothrombin time (PT). There exist several methods for reporting results of PT. These include prothrombin time in seconds, prothrombin activity percent, prothrombin time ratio, prothrombin index and international normalized ratio (INR). Different sensitivities of thromboplastins along with various methods of performing the PT test and also different ways of reporting the results of tests have led into discrepancies in lab values among different laboratories which in turn has made appropriate pharmacotherapy with anticoagulation drugs quite difficult. In this study, we have compared different methods of reporting PT results and in vestigated the quality of patient management with warfarin. Methods. In this study twenty three blood samples of normal individuals and thirty nine patients under warfarin therapy were collected and PT (INR) was measured. Also, PT kits by Biomerieux/France and the PT kit prepared by our team were compared during these measurements. The method of measuring PT was Manual tilt tube technique. Comparison of different modes of reporting PT was done by linear regression analysis.Results. Comparison of the obtained regression lines on PT, PAP, PTR and INR by using the two kits show that INR is independent of the sensitivity of thromboplastin. By considering the recommended therapeutic range of INR, we found that only thirty one percent with Boimerieux kit and twenty eight percent with the prepared PT kit were in the therapeutic range. Eleven percent of patients were sub therapeutic shown by the two kits and fifty eight percent and sixty one percent were above therapeutic range using the Biomerieux kit and the prepared kit, respectively.Discussion. Standardization of PT can be done most accurately through reporting PT by INR. The noticeable percentage of patients out of therapeutic range confirmed by both kits shows the inappropriate management of patients receiving warfarin.

Background. Vinblastine is one of the alkaloids extracted from Catharanthus roseus L. which is used for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, and leukemia in children. In spite of the progresses in the synthesis of many drugs, synthesis of vinblastine is not feasible and it has been extracted from plant so far. In this study we used a screening method to facilitate selection for the best cultivar with a higher yield.Methods. The leaves of the 43 cultivars of C. roseus L was freeze dried and vinblastine was extracted with trifluroacetic acid 0.06% in water. The extraction was analysed by HPLC, using a gradient solvent system.Results and Discussion. The results of this study indicates that the amount of vinblastine is variable in different cultivars. The concentration of vinblastine in cultivar NO. 41 [C. roseus L (G. DON)] is 5.1 times mare than the means of vinblastine in all cultivars. The cultivar No. 23 [C. roseus L (Pacifica Punch)] has the minimum concentration of this alkaloid.

Background. The need of iron-chelating agents as orally active alternatives to desferal for the treatment of iron overload in thalassaemic patients, has stimulated considerable research efforts in the synthesis of new metal chelators. One of the member of hydroxypyridinones (2,3- dimethyl-3- ) hydroxypyridinones has so far received the most attention. This compound is rapidly glucuronidated into a non-chelating metabolite, which partly explains why high doses of the compound has to be used in order to achieve negative balance. This metabolic behavior has led the medicinal chemists to design compounds such as N-hydroxyalkyl derivatives which do not undergo extensive metabolism. The objective of the present work was to further synthesis and design new derivatives of hydroxypyridinones (N- acetonitril and N-ethylamine derivatives) Methods. The synthesis route involves the benzylation of hydroxyl group of maltol (ethyl maltol) using benzyl chloride conversion of the benazylated maltol (ethyl maltol) to the N-acetonitril bezylated pyridinone derivatives by introducing the aminoacetonitril in pyridine solvent and cleavage of benzyl group by hydrogenation method or using the bromodimethyl borane to form the N-acetonitril or N- ethylamine- 3- hydroxypyridinones respectively.Results. In this work three final compounds such as 1- (2- aminoethyl)- 2- methyl- 3-hydroxypyridin- 4- one, 1- (2- aminoethyl)- 2- ethyl- 3- hydroxypyridin-4- one and 1- cyanomethyl -2- methyl- 3- hydroxypyridin- 4- one were synthesized.Discussion. Identification and structural elucidation of compounds were achieved by IH NMR and Mass spectra, elemental analysis and through physical constants. The biological effects of compounds will be studied in the near future.

Background. Seminal vesicle smooth muscle contraction is mediated through sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons activity. Although seminal vesicle plays an important role in male fertility, but little attention is given to mechanism involved in contraction of this organ.Methods. In this study effects of drugs which activate ATP - sensitive K channels and blockers of K and Ca channels were examined on contraction of guinea - pig isolated seminal vesicle due to electrical filled stimulation (EFS), noradrenaline, carbachol and KCI.Results. The K channel blocker tetraethyl ammonium potentate the EFS responses at all frequencies, while, the ATP - sensitive K channel inhibitor glibenclamide and the K channel opener levcromakalim, diazoxide, minoxidil and Ca channel blocker nifedipine all had relaxant effect on guinea - pig seminal vesicle.Discussion. This study indicate that activities of K and Ca channels is important in regulation of seminal vesicle contraction due to nerve stimulation, noradrenaline or carbachol.

Background. The toxicity of mercury which is used as mercury chloride in different parts of living world has been reported in literature. In our knowledge, however, these reports are on the effects of mercury on serum blood parameters.As lipids have important role in cell metabolism, we decided to study the effects of mercury on blood parameters which are related to lipid metabolism as well as its effect on hepatocyte triglycerides.Methods. Each group of 5 rats were treated with daily IP injections of either 10 mg/kg (Body Weight) for 5 and 10 days or 5 mg/kg B.W. for 30 and 60 days, before determination of serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions.Results. The results obtained are as follows. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg B.W of mercury for 5 and 10 days elevated serum triglycerides by (10.9, 19.3) LDLc (16.5, 22.5) VLDLc (10.9, ,19.3) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (105.1, 136.3) percent respectively. HDLc was decreased by (13.4, 17.3) percent. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg body weight of mercury for 30 and 60 days elevated serum triglycerides by (34.7, 47.4). LDLc (28.9, 33.3), VLDLc (34.7, 47.4) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (177.3, 213.4) percent respectively. HDLc was lowered by (22.9, 27.7) percent.Discussion. The results showed that mercury could affect lipid metabloism in a dose and time dependent manner. This effect might be considered as a possilbe cause of hyperlipidemia in those who are intoxified with this element.

Background. Phenobarbital consists of different polymorphic forms such as (I), (II) and (III) forms. Every polymorph has certain shape and habit, that may change it's physical characteristics. The physical attributes must be considered for the formulation and manufacturing processes.Methods. In this study a Phenobarbital tablet made by pharmaceutics department laboratory of Isfahan faculty of pharmacy (coded U) were compared with four commercial products made by three Iranian companies (Coded A, D, P) and an American company (coded L). Various tests such as: disintegration time, hardness, weight variation, dissolution rate and content uniformity were carried out.Results. Obtained results were in order of: P>L>U>A>D for disintegration time; A>U>D>L>P for hardness; D>U>L>A>P for weigth variation; D>L>U>A>P for dissolution. Melting point of three polymorphic forms of phenobarbital powder were in order of I>II>III.Discussion. Content uniformity were in acceptable range for all samples. In addition, samples A. D and P were consisted of Polymorphs (I) and (II). Sample U, however, was consisted of pohymorph (II).

Background. Sunscreens usually protect the skin against harmful effects of sunlight. These products contain two effective physical and chemical components, which protects the skin from sunlight. Sun protection factor (S.P.F) is a critical factor indicating the effect of sunscreen against sunlight.Methods. To measure S.P.F of sunscreens, various in-vivo and in-vitro methods have been established. In this study, two in-vitro methods were used. In 'Transpore tape' method, sunscreen product was dispersed uniformly on the substrate to obtain a surface coverage of 2mg/cm2 of the product. Transmittance measured spectrophotometerically, and then S.P.F was calculated. In the second method (solvent method) different concentrations of test products were prepared in methanol. The sample's transmittance were measured to evaluate S.P.F.Results. Results of the first method indicated a good linear relationship between measured S.P.F and the labled S.P.F (r=0.97). Results of the second method indicated that relatively a good relationship exisit between log of measured S.P.F and labled S.P.F (r=0.88).Discussion. The transport tape method is fairly simple, feasible and importantly the surface of the tape is similar to that of the skin. Although, transport method is not time consuming, it is less accurate than in-vivo methods.

Background. Senna italica Miller or Cassia italica (Miller) Sprengel is a native medicinal plant growing in south of Iran and has laxative and cathartic effects. Anthraquinone compounds have been partly associated with the purgative effects of the plant. One of the side effects of anthraquinones is griping and presence of flavonoid compounds in the plant may decrease this effect.Methods. In this study, the plant after being collected, was extracted by a soxhlet method. The isolation of flavonoids was carried out by means of preparative Thin Layer Chromatography of extract of the plant leaves. The structure of flavonoids was determined by the UV-Vis. techniques in methanol and by addition of the shift reagents and hydrolysis. The quantitative determinations of flavonoids in plant were also performed using an UV-Vis. spectroscopy method.Results and Discussion. Rutin or 5, 7, 3', 4' tetrahydroxy-flavone 3-O-rhamnoglucoside and two flavonoids from aurone group were isolated and identified from the leaves of Senna italica. The percent of flavonoids in Iranian Senna determined 1.5 fold than Cassia angustifolia. These flavonoids may decrease the griping effects of Senna anthraquinones.

Background. Gallium (Ga) is used as radioimaging in diagnosis of cancers and also as a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cancers. It is believed that gallium may interfere with iron metabolism and reduce cell growth in cancer tissues.Methods. Gallium as Ga-nitrate was injected daily to male rats. Animals were killed and sera were collected at indicated time. Serum iron parameters were determined spectrophotometrically. Transferring in complex with Ga was isolated and purified using immunoaffinity chromatography techniques.Results. Data found from immunoaffinity technique showed that Ga in the serum was bound to transferring, an iron carrier protein. Daily administration of Ga (50mg/kg) as Ga-nitrate for 10 days reduced serum levels of iron, TIBC, Hb and Hct by 57, 37, 30 and 29 percent respectively, suggesting the reduction of transferring saturation by 30 percent. Significant reductions in the above parameters was also seen where Ga (10mg/kg) was injected daily for 30 and 60 days.Discussion. Results obtained from present study indicated that gallium might be able to interfere with iron metabolism. More investigation is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism by which gallium undertakes its role in the cells with intercellular iron biochemical pathways.