ABSTRACT
Backgrounds and Aim: Treatment of diabetes by ethnomedicinal plants which have fewer side effects than chemical drugs has been on the rise. In this study we assessed hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects of aqueous extract of internal septum of walnut fruit [ISWF] on diabetic mice
Material and Methods: In this experimental study 35 mature male mice were made diabetic by administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The negative [non diabetic] and positive [diabetic] control groups received normal saline and the 1[st], 2[nd] and 3[rd] treatment groups received 0.5 mg/kg of glibenclamide, 200 and 400 microl/kg of aqueous extract of ISWF through gavage respectively for 15 days. On the last day, serum levels of blood glucose, ALT [alanine aminotransferase], AST [aspartate aminotransferase] and ALP [alkaline-phosphatase] were measured. After tissue processing, we measured total volume of the liver, hepatocytes, sinusoids, portal vein, central vein, hepatic arteries and bile ducts in the sections of the tissues
Results: Use of aqueous extract of ISWF in the treatment groups led to significant decrease in blood glucose levels, AST and ALP enzymes and also total volume of liver, sinusoids and central vein [p<0.05] compared to those in the non-treated diabetic group
Conclusion: According to the results, aqueous extract of ISWF, can regulate the blood glucose level and inhibit hepatic damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice
ABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the awareness of women on taking folic acid and also assess the related factors. The study was performed on 500 women between 18-45 years old who visited obstetric clinics of Islamic Azad University and several private obstetric offices. Demographic and social status of the participants and their awareness about folic acid supplement were collected through questionnaire and further evaluated. The data were analyzed by SPSS via descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Of total cases, 77.6% were familiar with the name of folic acid from which 79.6% knew the role of this supplement in preventing congenital disorders and 33% aware of the proper time for the drug application. The results indicated that the degree of awareness among married women who had higher education with moderate to good economical standard of living and also those involved in jobs associated with different medical professions, were higher than those with less education and unrelated jobs. Also, the consumption of folic acid by pregnant women familiar with this supplement was higher than unfamiliar subjects. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the most important reason in failure to consume folic acid during pregnancy was due to lack of knowledge by women and also the negligence of physicians in prescribing the drug