ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Hypericin is found in different species of Hypericum genus, as a main compound with antimicrobial, antiviral, nonspecific kinas inhibition and dopamin beta-hydroxilase inhibitoring effects. This study was done to compare the hypericin content, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Hypericum perforatum L. from three geographic regions of Iran
Methods: In this descriptive study, Hypericin content of aerial parts of H. perforatum L. was assessed using UV-Vis spectrometric method. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and beta-carotene bleaching assay. Cytotoxicity was evaluated via brine shrimp lethality assay. Antimicrobial activity was determined using inhibition zone diameter evaluation via disc diffusion method and measuring minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] value
Results: Hypericin content of aerial parts of H. perforatum L. from Qom, Golestan and Kurdestan provinces were 673, 1223 and 1568 ppm, respectively. Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities in samples from Kurdestan was more than samples from Qom and Golestan. Antimicrobial activity, as far as the number of sensitive microorganisms was evaluated. In this way the order of Golestan>Kurdestan>Qom was exhibited, however the extract of the plant from Kurdestan had the highest activity for two staphylococcus species with the inhibition zone diameter of 17 and 19 mm for S. aureus and S.epidermidis, respectively and MIC value of 250 microg/mL
Conclusion: Hypericin content was more from samples of Kurdistan province with cold climate. Antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of aerial parts of all samples were high. There is a relationship between hypericin content of aerial parts of H. perforatum L. and biological activities
ABSTRACT
Background: Different treatment modalities have been recommended for enuresis which is a common childhood problem. To our knowledge, the effect of interferential currents [IF] on enuresis has not been studied previously, although there are some studies on the effect of electrotherapy in the treatment of this disorder
Materials and Methods: In this study 40 patients who were unresponsive to other modalities of treatment for enuresis, were selected for IF therapy [3 times/wk, 15 minutes per session, up to a total of 12 sessions]. Half of the children had used medications previously with no response. None of them had used an enuresis alarm
Results: The age range of the children was 5 to 15 years [mean=9.2 years] and half of them were female. Complete response was observed in 6 patients [all of them were female] and partial response [at least 50% reduction in the number of wet nights] was seen in 21 cases. Overall 67.5% of the cases had complete or partial responses. The condition remained unchanged in 23 patients who had responded for about 8 weeks after completing the treatment. There was no significant difference in clinical response between patients who had or had not received any previous medication. While, only one of the 8 patients with secondary enuresis was unresponsive, 12 out of 32 patients with primary enuresis were unresponsive to IF therapy. There was no correlation between the response and age. No complication was found during the study
Conclusion: It can be concluded that IF is effective in reducing enuresis and with more trials in the future, it may be recommended as a modality of treatment