[Rapid Micropropagation of Lemon verbena [Lippia citriodora L.] using in vitro culture]

The genus Lippia contains more than 200 species that Lemon verbena [Lippia citriodora] has a high medicinal value. Therefore expansion of its acreage using development of rapid and new propagation methods has a high importance. The aim of this study was to present a rapid, new and effective method, using nodal segments, for large scale propagation of this plant. In order to the shoot micropropagation, lateral buds on nodal segments were placed on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxin and cytokinin hormones. Root induction was studied in the media containing IBA, NAA and activated charcoal. For acclimatization, plants were transferred to plastic bags containing a mixture of vermiculite, perlite and soil. The highest number of shoots was obtained on the MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L BAP in combination with 0.1 mg/L IBA and well-developed shoots were rooted on the MS medium with 0.5 mg/L IBA and 2 gr/L activated charcoal. According to the high rate of proliferation in the media supplemented with BAP and IBA [3 and 0.1 mg/L, respectively], this technique can be used instead of conventional propagation methods, as a quick and economical technique to propagation of a wide range of the same plants

[ review on pharmacological effects of Ferula assa - foetida L.: a systematic review]

Ferula assa - foetida L., commonly known as Asafetida is an herbaceous, moncarpic, perennial medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family. The main origin of Ferula assa - foetida is the steppes of Iran and Afghanistan. Asafetida gum-resin has a long history for food additive and medicinal uses. In Asian traditional medical systems Asafetida gum-resin has been expected to be used as digestive system, cleansing and strengthening the gastro-intestinal tract, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, laxative, sedative and stomachic. Due to its current uses as well as its pharmacological effects further information needs for future clinical studies. The aim of this review was to provide an update overview of research studies focused on the pharmacological effects of Asafetida gum-resin. A computerized search of published articles was performed using the electronic database such as MEDLINE to 2010. The results indicate that, the large numbers of articles published on pharmacological effects of Asafetida over recent three decade. Asafetida gum-resin exert several pharmacological effects including, anti-histamine effect in gastero intestinal system, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anticholinerginc, and hypoglycemic as observed in experimental and clinical studies. In conclusion the present scientific-based evidence provides good information about pharmacological effects of asafetida gum-resin. This information may be useful to researcher for induction of clinical trial for this herbal medicine in treatment of traditionally recognized application such as gastrointestinal disease, cancer, hypertension and diabetes

[Blood level anti-HBS due to HB vaccine in health care personnel of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital-Yazd]

Objective: about 3% of the Iranian general population are carriers of hepatitis B virus, and about 15% of infected persons will be prone to chronic hepatitis and get cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. Up to now no therapeutic regimen has been introduced to eradicate completely this infection

Material and Method: this cross-sectional study was performed on 204 health care personnel of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital [Yazd]. At first, a questionnaire including information about sex, age, vaccination, etc was completed. Anti-HBs were examined by Radim [ELISA method]

Results: from 204 subjects, 162 persons were female. The mean age of studied cases was 32.38 +/- 8.86 years. The mean titer of anti-HBs was 255.2+/- 300.6 mlU/ml, and with consideration of Anti-HBs = 10 mlU/ml as a cut-off value, 88.8% of subjects were immunized against hepatitis B

Conclusion: according to the results and decrease of immunity in health care personnel after years, it is suggested that the Anti-HBs titer should be examined one month after vaccination and be controlled every 5-10 years, and then booster vaccine be injected after reducing Anti-HBs titer to below protective level