[ effect of chloramphenicol on atropine and scopolamine contents in datura stramonium L]

In regard to the importance of atropine and scopolamine as medicines with natural source, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of chloramphenicol as an inhibitor of protein synthesis on the alkaloids content of Datura stramonium. After initial preparation of medicinal garden seeds, they were planted 50 cm apart in four different sections. Three different concentrations of chloramphenicol [100, 200 and 400 ppm] were sprayed on the plant once a week for a period of 18 weeks. Water was applied for the control group. Replicate samples were taken randomly every two weeks from each section. After extraction and separation of the samples, the quantitative analyses were carried out. The levels of atropine and scopolamine were determined using UV spectroscopy [¹³CNMR, UV, IR, Mass]. The maximum levels of alkaloids were observed in young stems of the plants. The best result was obtained following applying the concentration of 200 ppm, which caused a significant increase in atropine and scopolamine levels in all parts of plant by 100% and 110% respectively in comparison with the control group [p< 0.005]. Increase in the availability of amino acids may lead to an increase of alkaloids production following protein inhibition synthesis

[Comparison of dimensional stability of two condensation silicone impression materials in putty- wash technique]

The aim of impression is accurate registration of the ridge, teeth and surrounding tissues. Condensation silicones are impression materials used frequently in fixed prosthesis. These materials have different brand names that make their selection not easy by the dentists. This study was designed to investigate the accuracy of two condensation silicone Impression materials, speedex and Irasil, in putty- wash technique. Materials and methods: In this quazi- experimental study, we designed a laboratory model with 2 metallic dies. One of them had an undercut and was similar to the molar teeth and the other had no undercut and was similar to the premolar teeth. These dies had 3 degrees convergence in walls and were round in cross section. Then impressions were taken with Irasil and Speedex impression materials and the stone models were prepared. Five dimensions of 30 models were measured and compared with laboratory model by the use of T-test. These two impression materials had a statistically significant effect on the die height without underecut but on other dimensions they had not any statistical significant effect. Die height without undercut was increased with speedex impressions but decreased with Irasil impressions. Die diameter without undercut and the distance between dies were increased with speedex and Irasil impressions. The die diameter beneath the undercut was increased with speedex but decreased with Irasil impressions. The die height above the undercut was decreased in Irasil and speedex impressions. The usage of Irasil compared n to speedex impression material has a higher effect in only one dimension [die height above undercut] but in other dimensions speedex is better than Irasil

Mutagenicity assessment of two herbal medicines, urtan and carmint in human leukocytes by single cell gel electrophoresis

The use of herbal medicine is an old and still widespread practice, which makes studies of their genotoxicity essential. Urtan and Carmint are examples of herbal medicines used in Iran which used for the treatment of hyperplasia, diuretic, urinary disfunction and antispasmodic action, carminative gastrointestinal disfunction respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mutagenicity of these herbal medicines in human leukocytes by Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis [SCGE]. Both the herbal medicines were used at four concentrations [0.046, 0.092, 0.138 and 0.184 / 100 ml]. The results were compared against positive [Cr v1] and negative [no mutagen] control groups. Fluorescence microscope was used to observe the DNA damage in randomly selected cells, which were stained with ethidium bromide. Microscopic observation of the affected cells due to Urtan and Carmint was encouraging as compared to previous studies using SCGE. Both Urtan and Carmint exhibited considerable DNA damage to the blood cells. For example, Urtan at 0.184 g/100 ml concentration had almost 23% mutagenic effect and as the concentration increased the mutagenic effect also increased. Similarly Carmint exhibited considerable DNA damage on blood cells. Therefore, both the herbal medicines may have some mutagenic effect

Primary gastric lymphoma: clinicopathologic study of gastric lyphoma cases and the treatment option of choice

Lymphoma may involve the gastrointestinal tract either primarily or as a manifestation of extensively disseminated systemic disease. Stomach being the most frequent site of primary gastroin-testinal lyphoma, followed by the small bowel and colon respectively [1 and 2 and 3]. For diagnosis of pi-mary small intestinal lymphoma [PSIL], one most satisfies the criteria specified by Dawson and co-workers.[5] Gastric lymphoma is a common presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Controversy reigns about many aspects of its classification and management, especially regarding roles for surgical resection. The aim of this study is evaluation of 5 years survival and methods of treatment of primary gastric lymphoma in a group of Iranian patients. The authors review the clinical features, staging, pathology, prognosis, and management of 30 patients with an emphasis on the role of chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiotherapy of 71 gastrointestinal lymphoma cases. A total of 30 patients [19 male and 11 female] with a mean age of 51 years and a range of 34 - 68 years were included in the study. The frequency of primary gastric lymphoma in our series was 42% of the total of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma. The overall survival rate was 47.8% at 5 years. Stag-ing usually was completed using noninvasive techniques. Patients with stage I or II disease were treated with Surgery [gastric resection] and chemotherapy showed improved Free Disease Survival [FDS] of 67% at 5 years. The five-year survival for stage I, II, III and IV patients were 87%, 61%, 25%, and 11% respectively, and the five-year survival for low grade and high grade were 91% and 56%, respec-tively. Stage III or IV and inoperable primary gastric lymphoma were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy showed improved Free Disease Survival [FDS] of 67% at five years. The five-year sur-vival for stage I, II, III, IV were 87%, 61%, 25% and 11% respectively, and the five year survival for low grade and high grade were 91% and 56% respectively. Early stage disease and high-grade Lymphoma have a better prognosis and patients who have complete surgical removal of primary tumor and chemotherapy

Protective property of cichorium intybus in CCL4 induced liver damage in mice

Medicinal plants play an important role in pharmaceutical preparations and medicine. Cichorium intybus has its own value in traditional therapy. In this study we tried to find out the most effective dose and suitable time of administration for optimum results. Doses of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg were administered orally to the test group. The positive control group also received CCl4 and the negative control group received normal saline. In this investigation serum enzyme activities such as ALT and AST were measured and the histopathological examinations were also studied. The maximum effective dose was 75 mg/kg. Histopathological findings and enzyme levels showed that the best protective effect was seen when given within 30 minutes after CCl4 toxicity. In mice, liver protection was observed at various doses of Cichorium intybus but optimum protection was seen with a dose of 75 mg/kg given 30 minutes after CCl4 intoxication