cytotoxic activity of various herbals against different tumor cells: an in vitro study

Medicinal plants have been investigated for possible anti-cancer effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the cytotoxic activity of several medicinal native plants on different tumor cell lines. Plants including Salvia santolinifolia, Salvia eremophil, Salvia macrosiphon, Salvia reuterana, Teucrium persicum, Anvillea gracini and Francoeuria undulate were collected from different sites of Fars Province in southern Iran. The methanolic extracts of the plants were prepared and their effects at concentrations of 5-200 micro g/ml on various tumor cell lines were examined using a colorimetric assay. Among the extracts of Salvia species, the strongest inhibitory effect was observed for S. reuterana extract. This extract showed a strong cytotoxic effect on the Raji lymphoma cell line. More than 50% of Raji cells growth was inhibited by 21 micro g/ml of this extract. S. macrosiphon extract also showed a strong inhibitory effect on this tumor cell line [IC50=77 +/- 1 micro g/ml]. The greatest inhibitory effect of T. persicum extract was on Hela tumor cell line. This extract at concentration of 69 +/- 2 micro g/ml causes 50% inhibition of Hela cell growth. Corresponding data for A. gracini extract was obtained at concentrations of 83.5 +/- 2 and 86 +/- 3 micro g/ml on Jurkat and Hela cells, respectively. F. undulata reduced the proliferation of all the tumor cell lines used in this study but this inhibition did not reach 50%. All the extracts, more and less, showed inhibitory effects on the tumor cell lines. The most cytotoxic activity was observed in S. reuterana with an IC50 value less than 25 micro g/ml towards Raji cell line

Epidemiological survey of gestational trophoblastic disease in Besat Hospital in Sanandaj from 1373 to 1382

Gestational trophoblastic diseases are among the cases of high risk pregnancies. Lack of timely diagnosis may lead to complications such as high morbidity and mortality, HTN and hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and epidemiologic status of gestational trophoblastic diseases in Besat Hospital in Sanandaj from 1373 to 1382. This descriptive study included all normal deliveries, cesarean sections, and curettages of the moles in Beast Hospital from 1373 to 1382. The sampling method was census. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistical methods using SPSS win 11 program. The results of this study showed that the incidence of trophoblastic diseases was 2.02 per 1000 pregnancy, namely 81 cases out of 39979. 78 [96.3%] patients had hydatidiform mole, 2 cases [2.5%] invasive mole and 1 case [1.2%] choriocarcinoma. The mean age of the patients was 27.2 +/- 5.2 years. 30 cases [38%] had history of abortion. The incidence of gestational trophoblastic diseases and the mean age of these patients in Sanandaj are the same as those of others regions of Iran. Therefore routine sonography in the first trimester, for rapid diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic diseases is recommended

Randomized control trial investigation of the effect of high-dose versus low-dose oxytocin regimens in induction of labour

Induction of labour means stimulation of uterus to increase the frequency, duration and strength of contractions. There are numerous methods for induction of labour, but use of synthetic oxytocin is the most common method. In the academic hospitals, approximately 20-30 percent of labours are induced by use of oxytocin. There are two regimens for oxytocin administration i.e. low-dose and high-dose oxytocin. This study was performed to determine the effect of high-dose versus low-dose oxytocin regimens to induce labour in post-term pregnancies in primigravid women. sixty pregnant women were entered into this prospective, randomized, double blind clinical trial. The patients were assigned into two groups by randomized block sampling. Our study included primigravid pregnant women for whom the only indication for induction of labour was post-term pregnancy. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups [n=30] and received oxytocin according to either a low-dose or high-dose protocol. The required Data were extracted by observation, patient interview and also patients records. Statistical analysis was performed by means of X[2] and Mann-Whitney U tests. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the mean cervical dilatation, gestational age and maternal age before induction of labour in the 2 groups. Mean durations of active phase were 249.29 minutes and 191.91 minutes in the low-dose and high-dose groups respectively [p>0.05]. The mean values for hospitalization time from admission to complete dilatation of cervix were 512.47 and 449.95 minutes in the low-dose and high-dose groups correspondingly. The mean time from admission to delivery was 552.9 minutes in the low-dose group versus 512.16 minutes in the high-dose group. Lack of response to induction encountered in 20% and 33.3% of the cases of high-dose and low-dose groups accordingly [p>0.05]. The most common cause of cesarean section in the two groups was unresponsiveness to induction [46.1% in low-dose and 42.7% in high dose groups]. We faced 2 cases of neonatal death [6.7%] in the low-dose group. We conclude that high-dose oxytocin regimen shortens labour time. Therefore fewer cesarean sections are required and neonatal outcome will be better. Nonetheless the rate of hyperstimulation is more when high-dose oxytocin regimen is used