Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2010 | Volume:11 | Issue:4 (SUPPL 1 COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE)|Papers Count:15

Background and aim: Since the spasm of the air ways is a very common syndrome in human communities, the study of factors affecting contractile activity of the tracheal muscles can be helpful in the control of pulmonary obstructive diseases. Therefore; this study was designed to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Althea root on tracheal smooth muscle in rat.Methods: In an experimental study tracheas (N: 30, 5mm) from healthy male rats (N: 15, Sprague Dawley, 200-250 gr) were dissected and their contractions were recorded isotonically under one gram tension in an organ bath containing Kerebs-hancelit solution in 6 groups (N:5). T-test, and one and two-way ANOVA were used to compare the results.Results: Epinephrine (5µm) alone and extract cumulative concentrations (0.2, 0.6, 2.6, 6.6, 14.6 µg/ml) reduced the tracheal smooth muscle contractions induced by KCl (60mM) dose-dependently (ANOVA, P<0.001). The antispasmodic effect of extract (8μM) was not reduced by tissue pretreated with propranolol (1μM) but reduced the antispasmodic effect of epinephrine (5µm) (ANOVA, P<0.001). Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Althea root shows antispasmodic effects on tracheal smooth muscle in rat. It seems that b-adrenoceptors are not involved in this effect and can be helpful for drug produce in the control of pulmonary obstructive disease.

Background and aim: Flavonoids constitute a group of polyphenolic compounds which have antioxidant effects. Consumption of foods rich in flavonoids is associated with a reduction of pain .This experiment was performed to study the effect of a medicinal plant rich in flavonoid (Euphorbia helioscopia) on abdominal constrictions (writhes) in mice, induced by acetic acid.Methods: In an experimental study the effect of Euphorbia helioscopia alcoholic extract was evaluated on abdominal constrictions-induced by acid acetic in Balb/c mice. In this experiment, 110 Balb/c mice were divided into 11 groups as follows: group 1 received distilled water, groups 2 to 7 received 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 2 and 8mg/mouse of alcoholic extract, respectively. Groups 8 and 9 received 6 and 12 mg/kg ibuprofen, respectively, group 10 received 1 mg/kg naloxon and group 11 received naloxon and extract. The writhes were counted and compared with the ones in control group. The plant was extracted by maceration method using ethanol 96%. The extract was then concentrated and reconstructed in distilled water to produce different desired concentrations. The data were analyzed with SPSS software version 15 using Kruskal Wallis test.Results: The results showed a significant reduction in acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions by Euphorbia helioscopia (8 mg/mouse) (P<0.05). The analgesic effect of the extract was not inhibited by naloxon.Conclusion: Anti-nociceptive activity of Euphorbia helioscopia extract is not due to interaction with opioid system. As Euphorbia helioscopia contains flavonoids, its antinociception action should be, at least in part, due to inhibition of prostaglandine synthesis.

Background and aim: Hypelipidemia is considered to be a major risk factor in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and is associated with increase in the incidence of cardiac events. Anethum is used as a lipid lowering in Iran. The present study investigated the hypolipidemic effects of Anethum in normal and streptozocin- induced diabetic rats fed high fat diet.Methods: Animals were treated once with streptozocin (60 mg/kg, i.p) and two days later normal and diabetic rats were under a special high fat diet. One week after initiation of the special high fat diet, animals were treated daily by oral administration of Anethum. All treatments continued for three weeks after which blood samples were collected -following an overnight fast- from retro-orbital sinus and the serum was separated. Then total triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL-C in each serum sample were determined enzymatically using commercial kits and serum LDL-C levels were derived using the Friedewald formula. Results: In both normal and diabetic rats fed high fat diet blood levels of glucose, lipids and LDL-C were increased as compared with control normal rats. Furthermore, in normal rats fed high fat diet, Anethum significantly decreased triglyceride (P<0.01) and LDL-C (P<0.01) and increased HDL-C (P<0.05), but could not affect blood glucose level. Anethum had not antilipidemic effect on diabetic rats fed high fat diet while Anethum increased blood glucose level. In addition, Anethum decreased body weight in normal and diabetic rats. Conclusion: The results of this study show that Anethum has a strong antilipidemic effect in normal rats fed high fat diet, but is not an effective drug for lipid lowering in Streptozocin- induced diabetic rats fed high fat diet. Thus, precautious consumption of this drug must be taken in consideration for diabetic patients.

Background and aim: Several studies have shown that many pregnant women use medicinal plants without knowing that some of them have abortificient and teratogenic effects during pregnancy. One of these plants is Stachys lavandulifolia that is used for many health problems such as anxiety. The abortificient effect of this plant has not been established. Therefore in this study the abortificient effect of Stachys lavandulifolia was investigated in mice.Methods: In an experimental study, 36 female mice (30-40 gr, 8-12 weeks old) were randomly designated into 6 groups. One male mouse was considered for each two female mice (1:2) and was kept in a cage. Pregnancy was confirmed with vaginal plaque. Alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia was prepared by maceration method. The doses of 50,100,150 and 200 mg/kg of the extractions or normal saline (sham group) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) to pregnant mice from the 7th to 12th days of pregnancies. The fifth group (control group) received nothing. In the 16th day of the pregnancy the uterine tubes of mice were removed and the absorbed fetuses were counted. Data were analyzed with SPSS and INSTAT software.Results: The averages of aborted fetus's ratio were 0.353±0.172, 0.583±0.391, 0.263±0.151 and 0.136±0.108 in 200, 150, 100 and 50 mg/kg extract. No aborted fetuses were seen in control groups. Conclusion: The use of Stachysl lavandulifolia during pregnancy may cause abortion and therefore it should be considered as contraindication or use with caution.

Background and aim: Phenolic and flavonoid contents of plants have usually antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial effects and total phenols, flavonoids and flavonols contents of ethanolic extracts of Scrophularia striata. Methods: In this experimental study, ethanolic extract of Scrophularia striata was prepared and examined for antibacterial activities on Ecoli O157: H7, using the macrodilution method. Amikacin (30 µg) was used as an antimicrobial reference. In addition, total phenolic components were determined by Folin-Ciocaltu method and total flavonoid and flavonol components were determined by aluminium chloride method.Results: The phenol content in the ethanolic extracts of Scrophularia striata was 180±6.66 mg/g. Flavonoid and flavonol contents in the extract were 100±6.66 and 74±3.6 mg/g, respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was 90 mg/ml while the Minimum Bacteriocidal Concentration (MBC) was 100 mg/ml.Conclusion: The findings of this study show that ethanolic extracts of Scrophularia striata have antibacterial effects on Ecoli O157: H7. More works, such as clinical examinations and other extract methods are needed to unravel for the antimicrobial effects of this plant.

Background and aim: The flowers of the plant Carthamus tinctorius L are used to provide color and flavor in the food industry. They are cheaper than saffron and therefore water extract of these flowers is used instead of saffron. In addition, it helps the regulation of menstrual bleeding. However the side effects of this plant have not been investigated in lactation periods in mice offspring. This study was designed to investigate the eventual effects of this plant on brain, liver, kidney and abnormalities in mice offspring.Methods: The pregnant mice were divided into four groups of eight animals. After delivery, group 1 was treated with distilled water as control and group 2 to 4 were treated with Carthamus tinctorius extracts administered daily for 25 days, intraperitoneally in doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. The hematological parameters were measured in the end of experimental period. Tissue specimens of the liver, kidney and brain of male offspring were examined after staining with hematoxyline –eosin. Results: Carthamus tinctorius L extract showed no significant effect in the Hb, Hct, RBC and WBC levels. Mild to severe tissue injuries were found in these histopathological studies of liver, kidney and brain in extract treated offspring. .Conclusion: The results of this study indicates that extract of Carthamus tinctorus L is toxic and causes hepatic, renal and brain tissue damages.

Background and aim: Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Vitex agnus castus has been mentioned in traditional herbal medicine. In present study, we decided to evaluate the effects of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive of Vitex hydro-alcoholic extract in mice.Methods: In this experimental research, 112 adult male NMRI mice were used.  Mice were divided into 7 groups for inflammatory test: first group was control. The second group was positive control group (receiving dexamethasone,15 mg/kg) and the other five groups received different doses of hydroalcoholic extract of Vitex fruit (265, 365, 465, 565, and 665 mg/kg, i.p.). Inflammation was induced by xylene in ear of mice. Formalin test was used for evaluation of antinociceptive effect of extract. In this test, mice were divided into 7 groups: control, morphin (10mg/kg) as positive control group, and Vitex extract groups (265, 365, 465, 565, and 665 mg/kg). All drugs were administered i.p., 30 min before each test. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-kramer multiple comparison test.Results: Results showed significant anti-inflammatory effects of extract at all doses as compared with control (P<0.05). In the first phase of formalin test (0-5 min) none of extract doses could inhibit acute pain, but in the second phase (15-30 min) chronic pain was decreased at 265, 365, 465, and 565 mg/kg doses (P<0.05).Conclusion: The result of this research indicates that Vitex extract remarkably inhibits inflammation and second phase of nociception (inflammatory pain) and can be used for treatment of inflammatory diseases. However more researches are needed to find out the effective compounds in Vitex agnus castus fruit.

Background and aim: One of the most common vaginitis is candidasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of honey on Candida albicans and lactobacillus. Methods: The different W/V concentrations of honeys were prepared at 20% to 95%. After culturing of Candida albicans on RPMI 1640 and honey and lactobacillus on TSB media and honey, and incubation, the rate of Candida and lactobacillus was determined in the cultures. Results: The lowest rate growth of Candida was seen in the culture containing 80% honey and this rate was intermediate or severe in cultures with lower or higher concentrations. The Candida could grow well in all conditions in control culture. None of honeys inhibited growth of lactobacillus. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study we found that honey (80%) could cause an inhibition in the growth of Candida albicans, but it had no effect on the lactobacillus. As lactobacillus is natural flora in vagina, this is important that honey may be able to be used to treat Candidasis without making changes variation in the vaginal flora.

Background and aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from perturbation in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. ‍Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) has been recommended in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes. In this experimental study the effect of pumpkin powder was investigated on activity of liver enzymes in alloxan - induced diabetic rat. Methods: In this study twenty eight male white Wistar rats were randomly designated into four groups. Group 1: nondiabetic control, Group 2 diabetic control, Group 3: diabetic rats treated with pumpkin powder (1 g/kg) and Group 4: diabetic rats treated with pumpkin powder (2 g/kg). Using intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan monohydrate, diabetes mellitus was induced in rats. Diabetic rats were treated with gavaje injection for 4 weeks. At the end of experimental period fasting blood samples were collected. Liver tissue samples were collected from the animals in all groups to be investigated. Results: The results indicated a significant increase in liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) in the diabetic group compared with the other groups. Treatments with pumpkin powder in diabetic rats caused a significant decrease in levels of enzymes compared with the diabetic groups (P<0.05). Histological studies of the liver tissue samples confirmed the same results. The consumption of pumpkin had significant effects on reducing the score of liver inflammation in diabetic groups. Conclusion: This plant can improve liver damages due to diabetes and its consumption is recommended in diabetic patients.

Background and aim: Medical plants have been used for centuries as a medicinal agent in treatment of depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the lavendula officinalis on depression in patients using citalopram.Methods: This clinical trial study was performed in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran. In this study eighty patients randomly allocated into two groups (40 patients in each group). Patients who complained from depression were studied during a two-month double-blind study. In control group, patients were given 20 mg citalopram twice daily plus placebo and case group were treated with 5g arial part of dried Lavendula officinalis and citaloperam (20 mg, twice per day). After 4 and 8 weeks, patients were followed for evaluations of their depression and complications. Depression severity was scored using standard Hamilton's depression questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Chi square and Paired-t test. Results: After 1 month treatment, mean depression score in case and control groups were 15.2±3.6 and 17.5±3.5, respectively (P<0.05). After 2 months the mean score of depression in case and control groups was 14.8±4 and 16.8±4.6, respectively (P<0.01). The most common side effects in two groups were confusion and dry mouth, which were not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion: Lavendula officinalis has a positive effect on depressed patients and may be useful to decrease the severity of depression in patients using other antidepressants.

Background and aim: Poly unsaturated long chain fatty acids (LCPUFAs), including docosahexaenoic asid (DHA), are susceptible to lipid peroxidation because of their high degree of unstauration. As a result they may have the ability to increase the degree of oxidative stress. In this study we evaluated the effect of omega 3 in healthy pregnant women in oxidative stress indices.Methods: This is a random clinical trial double blind study, which was performed in the governmental health service centers. One hundred pregnant women were selected and randomly divided into two groups of case and control (50 in each group). Case group was given 1000 mg fish oil (180 mg EPA، 129 mg DHA), but control group received routine cares. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from brachial vein during 37-40 weeks of pregnancy lipid peroxide and antioxidant capacity and thiol group were measured. Data were analyzed by X2 and t-tests using SPSS software.Result: The mean lipid peroxide in case and control groups was 2.7±1.8 and 3.29±2.14 nmol/ml, respectively which was not significant (P>0.05). In addition, mean thiol groups was 0.33±0.19 and 0.28±0.26 nmol/ml in case and control groups, respectively which was not significant (P>0.05). However, a significant difference was observed between two groups for mean total anti oxidant capacity (1.5±1.3 vs. 0.71±0.45 mol/ml) (P<0.001).Conclusion: This study showed that that fish oil usage during pregnancy didn’t produce oxidative stress in mothers.

Background and aim: The antibacterial properties of raw, aquatic and ethanolic extracts of Allium cepa (onion) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans isolated from vaginal specimens. These four organisms cause reproductive and urinary tract infections.Methods: In an experimental study the above mentioned organisms were investigated using Agar diffusion method. Raw, cold-water, heat-water and ethanolic extracts of onion and ginger were provided and injected to the culture.Results: The results showed that ethanolic extract of ginger gave the widest zone of inhibition against the tested organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more sensitive to the extracts of onion and ginger compared to other organisms. Both plants had antibacterial activities on the gram negative test organisms, but not effective on the gram positive test organism. Ginger, compared, to the onion extracts, produced marked inhibitory effect on the test organisms.Conclusion: The result indicates that, ginger has more inhibitory effect and antibacterial activities compared to the union. Thus, it can be used widely in folk medicine in this regard.