Therapeutic response to folinic acid in methanol poisoning epidemic in Shiraz

Methanol poisoning may result to death and permanent complications, sporadic cases of methanol poisoning are fairly rare and the largest experience are generally gained from managing methanol intoxication epidemics. The main metabolite of methanol is acid formic that is the prime metabolite responsible for toxic effects of methanol and since folate dependent systems are responsible for the oxidation of formic acid to CO2 and water. It is believed that administration of folic acid enhances the metabolism of formate. Though therapeutic effects of folic or folinic acid has never been fully tested in clinical trails in human. Our objective was to evaluate therapeutic effect of folinic acid in methanol poisoned persons. In recent methanol poisoning epidemic due to "bootleg" Liquor consumption in Shiraz at 2004, Sixty-two patients have hospitalized. Folinic acid was administered to 19 patients and therapeutic effect of folinic acid was studied. There was no significant difference between two groups of patients and number of decreased visual acuity, renal function, hospital stays and needs to bicarbonate therapy and hemodialysis. The only effect was decreasing acidosis in folate treated patients. Regardless of prior animal studies and case reports, with attention to our study limitation we didn't found significant protective effect of folinic acid infusion among methanol poisoning patients. The only effect was decreasing acidosis in folate received patients. Further studies in optimal situation is needed for definite judgment

[Extraction, identification and activity of papain from Iran]

Papain, a proteolytic enzyme, is found in the dried and purified latex from the fruits of Carica papaya L. [Caricaceae]. Papain is used in medicine as a digestive and in the debridement of necrotic tissues. It is used in pharmaceutics as a spreading agent for drugs, supplied as an ointment [10%] with urea which denatures nonviable protein matter present in lesions. Large amounts of papain are used industrially to tenderize meat. In this research, crude latex was collected from Sarbaz region of Sistan-o-Baluchestan province. The full-grown but unriped fruit was subjected to shallow incisions on several sides [depth of incision was important]. After collection, the coagulated lumps were shredded and dried by the use of heat [30 C]. Extraction and sedimentation procedures were used for extraction of papain. In this method, cystein hydrochloride at adjusted pH was used for extraction and sodium chloride for sedimentation. The extracted papain was identified by the use of electrophoresis method and also by comparing its IR spectrum with the standard papain. The activity of extracted papain was determined by USP procedure. In this research, 1.2 g papain was obtained from 100g latex. Electrophoresis pattern and IR spectrum of extracted papain were identical with the satndard papain. The extracted papain from Iranian Carica papaya [c = 1mg/ml] showed 5800 U/ml activity