Evaluation of phytochemical and production potential of borage [Borago officinalis L.] during the growth cycle

Borage [Borago officinalis L.] is a valuable medicinal plant with a high content of gamma linolenic acid. It has an important place in Iranian traditional medicine. Although the aerial parts of this plant are extensively used in treatment of diseases, detailed knowledge of the active constituent changes in these parts is not readily available. In addition the most data that has been reported are about oil seed of borage and its properties. Thus, the study about changes in chemical composition/secondary metabolites at different growth stages is necessary. For this reason, in the present research the chemical composition including total phenol, total alkaloids, mucilage, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and tannins of the aerial parts were evaluated during different growth stages of borage. Results indicated that at each corresponding stage of development, starting from seedling stage until flowering stage the chemical compositions of borage aerial parts hadn't significantly differences. Only, there were significant differences [p < 0.01] in the total ash and acid-insoluble ash and these two parameters were significantly increased with the development of plants, from seedling until flowering stage. In general, at all stage, the aerial parts showed similar quality in respect of chemical compositions. Therefore the best harvesting time of the aerial parts is the flowering stage, because we achieved the highest fresh and dry weight at this stage

[Evaluation of iodine sufficiency in school children of Markazi province, 2001]

Markazi province was one of the regions with endemic goiter in Iran. Following initiation of iodine deficiency control program in 1989, production, distribution and consumption of iodized salt begun. This survey was conducted in the frame work of national monitoring survey in 2001 to find the prevalence of goiter and urinary iodine level in order to evaluate the iodie status of school age children in Markazi province. 1200 school children [600 boys and 600 girls], aged 7-10 years, were selected randomly from all regions of Markazi province. The grade of Goiter was determined according to WHO classification and urinary iodine content was estimated uing the digestion method in one tenth of the tese children. Data was analyzed using T, Chi square and Pearson tests. Total Goiter rate was 4.4% [4.4% in girls and 4.4% in boys]. Urinary iodine median was 16.7 micro g/dl. Urinary iodine was above 10 micro g/dl in 81.2% and less than 5 micro g/dl in 9.2% of samples. No one had urinary iodine below 2 micro g/dl. It is concluded that the rate of Goiter in Markazi province has decreased significantly since 1986 and urinary iodine levels in school children are indicative of adequate iodine intake. Therefore Markazi province can be considered as an ''iodine deficiency free'' zone

[Study of Psyllium [Plantago ovata L.] effects on diabetes and lipidemia in the Iranian type II diabetic patients]

Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative and is high in both fiber and mucilage. The beneficial effect of dietary fiber in the management of type II diabetes has not been totally demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma- lowering effects of 5 g b.i.d. of psyllium husk fiber, as an adjunct to dietary therapy, on lipid and glucose levels, in Iranian patients with type II diabetes. Patients were randomly selected from an outpatient clinic of primary care to participate in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which Plantago Psyllium or placebo was given in combination with a low fat diet. Forty-nine subjects were included in the study that were given diet counseling before and then followed an 8-week treatment period. Fasting plasma glucose was measured every 2 weeks, and total plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels were measured every 4 weeks. Glycosylatd hemoglobin was also measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period. The test products [psyllium or placebo] were supplied to subjects in identically labeled foil packets containing a 5-g dose of product, to consume two doses per day [of 5 g each one], half an hour before breakfast and dinner. Both products were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to treatment reported in either. Some of the psyllium patients reported that their gastric tolerance to metformin became better. Fasting plasma glucose, and Glycosylated hemoglobin, showed a significant reduction [p < 0.05], whereas HDL cholesterol increased significantly [p < 0.05] following Psyllium treatment. Our results show that 5 g b.i.d. of Psyllium for persons with diabetes is safe, is well tolerated, and improves glycemic and lipid control in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia

Effect of human follicular fluid on implantation of mouse embryo

Prevention of implantation is considered as one of the suitable methods for contraception or interception. Therefore during this study the effect of human follicular fluid [FF] on mouse implantation was evaluated. The results obtained during this study show that FF contains enzymes and upon incubation with mouse uterine tissue, results in delimitation of epithelium. This effect was inhibited by heat inactivation or addition of EDTA to FF. In vivo uterine wash with follicular fluid on days 3,4,5 and 6-post mating prevents implantation and therefore significantly reduces implantation and pregnancy rate. However uterine wash on day 7 post mating with FF had no effect on implantation and pregnancy rate. On day 3,4,5,6 and 7 with Ham's 10 as control had no effect on implantation or pregnancy rate. Addition of EDTA also prevented the in vivo effect of FF, suggesting that the active agent present in FF is likely to be a metalloprotoinase which inactivates with heat and addition of EDTA. Taking into consideration the fact that FF does not affect the pregnancy of the next cycles, thus the FF or its active agent can be considered as good interceptive agent for prevention of pregnancy rate