[Evaluation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of peppermint [Mentha piperita]]

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of mint plant which has been used in folk medicine as a pain reliever. In this experimental study, male NMRI mice received intra-peritoneal injections of peppermint extract with different doses of 20,40,60,90 and 120mg/kg. Then anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of peppermint were determined by using formaldehyde and xylene tests. Anova and Tukey test were used for data analysis. All doses of peppermint extract showed significant anti-inflammatory effect on the ear inflammation induced by xylene in comparison to the control group [p<0.05]. Doses of 40, 60, 90, 120 mg/ kg significantly reduced the pain [p<0.05], but the group treated with the dose of 20mg/kg showed no significant reduction of the pain. The results of this study are indicative of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of peppermint. We recommend further studies on this subject in the future.

Nasal carrier rates and antibiogram pattern of staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from hospital staff in teaching hospitals in Bandar Abbas

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens in nosocomial infections. About 30-50% of people harbor this organism in their nose. Since carrier status in hospital staff is a major source of S. aureus infections in hospitalized patients, it is of great importance to detect carriers for preventive strategies. In this cross-sectional study, nasal carriage of S. aureus was studied in 200 hospital staff, working in teaching hospitals, in Bandar Abbas. The nasal swabs of the subjects were cultured on blood agar and manitol salt agar media. Identificaion of isolates was performed by catalase, coagulase and DNase test. Antibiogram pattern and beta-lactamase activity of isolates were assessed according to Kirby-Bauer and acidimetric methods, respectively. Nasal carriage state was found in 33 individuals [16%]. The maximal carrier rate was observed in internal ward [40%]. The strains were quite resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins. All of the isolates were sensitive to imipenem. High degree of sensitivity [>95%] was also observed to netilin, rifampin and vancomycin. The isolates were completely resistant to colistin, lincomycin, neomycin and streptomycin. Penicillinase activity was observed in 27.3% of isolates. Regarding high frequency of nasal carriage states, more attention should be paid on screening and treatment of carriers