effect of distillation methods and plant growth stages on the essential oil content and composition of thymus daenensis

Thymus daenensis is on e of the endemic aromatic species in Iran that its essential oil is used in food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, the effects of plant growth stages and distillation methods on essential oil content and thymol percentage of this species were evaluated. The aerial parts of Th. daenensis were collected in three stages of plant growth from Tehran province of Iran. The plant materials were dried in shade and their essential oils were isolated by hydro-distillation in three replications. In addition, the essential oils of plant materials at full flowering stage were obtained by hydro-distillation, water and steam distillation and steam distillation. The essential oils were analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The result showed that the different plant growth stages and distillation methods had significant effect on essential oil content. The highest essential oil content was obtained at full flowering stage [2.28% w/w]. Among distillation methods, the highest essential oil content was obtained by hydro-distillation [2.27%] that was significant difference with other distillation method. There was no significant difference between essential oil composition at different plant growth stages. Also, thymol, p-cymene and y-terpinene were the main components. The highest percentage of thymol was obtained by hydro-distillation. Generally, it can be concluded that harvesting of Th. daenensis at full flowering stage and extraction of its essential oil by hydro-distillation were more suitable for obtaining the higher oil content and thymol percentage

[ effect of oral magnesium sulfate on the level of pituitary-thyroid axis hormones [TSH, T3, T4] in rat]

Magnesium is a unique element among the trace elements, because it plays a role in a vast range of metabolic processes such as carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and the integrity of nucleic acids. Noting the role of this element in the physiological activity of organelles and tissues and the importance of the regulation of thyroid hormone levels in the body, this study considered the effect of esculent magnesium sulfate on the values of TSH, T3, and T4 hormones. In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats weighing nearly 190-200 g were used. The rats were divided into five groups of eight: the experimental groups received 2, 4, and 8 molars of edible magnesium sulfate solution, respectively, while the control group received nothing. The sham group received only distilled water. The prescription was continued for 28 days and bleeding the heart was done to measure the mentioned factors of the serum. The mean concentration of the hormones was analyzed using suitable statistical methods, such as ANOVA and Tukey's test, and compared between the control and experimental groups. The statistical analysis showed that the concentrations of TSH, T3, and T4 hormones increased significantly after receiving the different values of magnesium sulfate compared with the control group [p < 0.05]. Based on the results of this investigation, magnesium sulfate in the last 28 days increased the thyroid activity leading to increased serum levels of TSH, T3, and T4 hormones

[Effects of hydro alcoholic ginger extracts on the body weight, testis weight and spermatogenesis in male rats undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide]

Cyclophosphamide is used as an anti cancer medicine in chemotherapy. This is an alkalizing medicine and causes the binding of DNA strands, breaking of DNA and control of protein synthesis and RNA. The side effects of this medicine include lack of appetite, nausea, reduction in activity of sexual lymph nodes, causing amenorrhea, azoospermia and oligospermia. Ginger includes many compounds, some of which are shogaols, gingerols, pyrogallols and sesquiterpenes. Ginger has anti nauseating, anti cancer, anti oxidant effects and eliminates free radicals. This medicine is used along with cyclophosphamide to reduce its destructive side effects in the body. For 21 days, the rates were fed with ginger and cyclophosphamide. After 21 days, the animals were weighed and rendered unconscious. Their testes were removed and tissue samples were provided from their tests. The results showed that cyclophosphamide alone reduces body weight, testes weight and spermatogenesis as compared to the control group. In other experimental groups that were fed with ginger and cyclophosphamide, increased dosage of ginger increased the body weight, the testes weight and spermatogenesis in comparison to other experimental groups. It seems that compounds present in ginger are anti tumoral and control the production of active metabolites. Therefore, if administered together with Cyclophosphamide, it can be useful and effective in patients undergoing chemotherapy

[ descriptive-clinical study of 134 cases of odontogenic cysts during a 10 year period]

Odontogenic cysts [OC] are relatively common lesions that can behave aggressively and attain large sizes. This study has been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of OCs and their clinical features in three centers in Shiraz which receive most of the oral biopsy specimen in Fars province. In this retrospective study, the histopathologic reports from the archives of the department of pathology of Shiraz Dental School, Khalili and Namazi Hospitals pertaining to a 10 year interval [1375-1385] were reviewed. All odontogenic cysts were listed and their clinical features including sex, age and location were registered and classified according to the latest classification of World Health Organization [WHO] in OCs the results were than descriptively analyzed. Among a total of 110,000 files, 179 were retrieved as OCs after excluding 45 cases of OCs that were non-specifically reported as infected odontogenic cyst. The remainder consisted of 44 cases of radicular syst [32.83%], 42 cases of Dentigerous cyst [31.34%] and 35 cases of Odontogenic keratocyst [26.12%], respectively. OCs was more prevalent in male gender, the posterior mandible and 2nd decade of life. The most frequent OCs, in the studying population were radicular cyst and dentigerous cyst, respectively

[Antimicrobial activity of total extract and fractions of geum kokanicum]

Geum kokanicum Regel et schmath, a member of Rosaceae family, is an endemic perennial rhizomatous plant of Iran. This plant has a consideration attention in the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, the anti bacterial effects of total extract and fractions of rhizome of plant were investigated. Rhizomes of G. Kokanicum were collected in June 2006 from Bojnourd [khorasan province]. The dried rhizomes were extracted with ethanol to prepare the total extract. Another part of the rhizomes was separately extracted with petrolium ether, dichloromethane, methanol and water successively in order to obtain different fractions. The antibacterial effects of total extract and fractions were investigated with disc diffusion method. The results shows Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible against total extract and methanol fraction. This fraction [10mg/disc] was indicated the largest zone diameters [19mm]. The MIC Values of total extract was investigated. Among the bacterial strains, Staphylococcus epidermitus demonstrated high sensitivity to the total extract of G. kokanicum [0.125mg/ml]. The zone diameters of total extract was 18 mm on S. aureus in 10 mg/disc. Phytochemical analysis of total extract was shown the large amounts of tanan compounds. We suspect the antibacterial effect is for tanan compounds. This was demonstrated by bioautography method analysis of tanan part isolated form methanol fraction

[ effect of phoenix dactylifera [date- palm] pit powder on testosterone level and germ cells in adult male rats]

The pit of Phoenix dactylifera contains different chemical compounds such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, Zinc[Zn], Cadmium[Cd], Calcium[Ca], and potassium[K]. Saturated fatty acids include stearic and palmitic acid and unsaturated fatty acids contain linoleic and oleic acids which could inhibit 5-alpha- reductase enzyme. The present study was carried out with the aim of determining the effect of phoenix dactylifera pit powder on spermatogenesis and testosterone level in adult male rats. In this experimental research 45 wistar male rats were divided into 5 groups of 9 including the control group receiving no treatment, the saline group receiving an equal volume of normal saline as a solvent and the treatment groups receiving 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight of Phoenix dactylifera pit powder orally for 21 days. The results were analysed through Excell, One-way analysis of variance and t-test. The results showed that 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight of the powder increased the testosterone level significantly compared to the control and saline groups [P<0.05], whereas no significant change was observed in serum FSH and LH levels. Likewise, the above- mentioned amounts reduced dihydrotestosterone level in treatment groups [P<0.05]. Histologic exam of the testis showed an increase in sperm density in seminiferous tubules of treatment groups [P<0.05]. According to the research results it can be stated that the powder of phoenix dactylifera pit has probably caused increased testosterone level and decreased dihydrotestosterone level via inhibiting 5-alpha- reductase enzyme induced by palmitic, stearic, linoleic, and oleic acids

[Comparison of three different methods for setting the artificial teeth of complete dentures]

Introduction: the occlusion of complete denture has been a subject of argument from the first attempts for treatment of edentulous patients. This study was performed to determine the subjective success of three different methods for setting the artificial teeth of complete dentures

Materials and Methods: 10 patients with normal residual alveolar ridge and jaw relationship were selected. Three complete dentures were made for each patient, the first one with normal occlusion, the second one with monoplane and the last one with lingualized occlusion. At first dentures were delivered randomly to the patients to be used for one month. The patients filled out a questionnaire 24hrs, 72hrs, 15days and one month after delivery. After one month, the second denture and then the third one were delivered to them randomly. After three months of using dentures, the patients filled out a comparative questionnaire

Results: the results showed that lingualized occlusion apparently has important advantages and deserves further evaluation and research

Conclusion: in contrast with the current concept indicating that normal occlusion is the best occlusion, this study showed that the lingualized occlusion was the best for complete denture

[Evaluation of supported overdenture by implant and magnet]

Introduction: implant supported overdentures may be used as an alternative to fixed bridges especially in edentulous patient who can not afford the high cost of fixture placement. The overdenture may be attached to the implant by one of several methods. One of them is magnet. Advantages with magnet include a simplified dental technique and reduced lateral stresses on the abutment. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of success rate of magnet in implant supported overdentures through clinical and histological analysis

Materials and Methods: seven patient received above overdentures with magnetic retention. The course of study was 4 years. The patient had been edentulous for several years and were unable to function with a lower denture due to lack of retention and stability. Such a problem had not been solved by a conventional approach. The implants and magnet selected from Dyna company

Results: the use of implant and overdenture with magnetic attachment was an appropriate alternative for patients who have totally flat jaw and no better option than magnet overdenture. In this study, two magnets with 500gr/f yielded a good retention for prosthesis so nutrition, phonetic and esthetic needs were resolved. No side effect from magnet on peri-implant soft tissue was observed. The gingival sulcus was 2.08mm and the bone loss was 1.23mm after one year. Magnet resistance to corrosion was very little and the need for changing of magnet after the course of study was obvious

Conclusion: use of magnet and overdenture supported by implant in patients with totally flat jaw, who could not be treated by any other technique, is an appropriate alternative