[Effect of different incoming feeds, defatting procedures and solvents on producing of standard silymarin extract]

Background: The medicinal plant milk thistle with the scientific name of Silybum marianum is an annual or biennial herb native to the Mediterranean regions and is found through the world. Extracts from the seeds of this plant have been used to cure liver disorders since ancient times. Featured phytochemicals of this medicinal plant are flavonolignan compounds and silybin is the most important one

Objective: In this study, the effects of applying different incoming feeds, defatting procedures and solvents on silymarin extraction process from the seeds of milk thistle have been investigated

Methods: Reflux extraction was used to obtain extracts. All extracts have been refluxed for 6 hours and the temperature was fixed at 60 degree C. Different incoming feeds including ground seeds, solvent defatted meal, cold press defatted meal, and separated pericarps have been subjected to the extraction system. Also, three different solvents including methanol, methanol 80%, and ethanol 80% were employed. Prepared extracts were weighed and then HPLC method analysis was used for quantifying silymarin compounds

Results: According to the presented data, the concentration and amount of silymarin in different extracts was compared. The extract obtained from ground seeds with methanol was able to reach the most amount of silymarin while the highest concentration of silymarin was obtained from the extract of ground pericarp with ethanol 80%

Conclusion: This study shows that a higher amount of active ingredient can be extracted by using ground seeds and methanol solvent. Of course, there are more impurities in this extract

Eyelid masses: a 10-year survey from a tertiary eye hospital in Tehran

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographics and clinical features of eyelid masses in a tertiary eye hospital over a 10-year period. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients admitted with eyelid tumors from 2000 to 2010. Data were collected and analyzed on the demographic features, location of the tumor, types of treatment, and pathologic findings. A total number of 182 patients were evaluated of which, 82 cases were benign and 100 cases were malignant neoplasms. The most common benign tumors included melanocytic nevi [35%], papilloma [19.5%], and cysts [11%]. The most frequent malignant tumors included basal cell carcinoma [BCC] [83%], squamous cell carcinoma [8%] and sebaceous gland carcinoma [6%]. The most common site for malignancy was the lower lid followed by the upper lid. BCC recurred in 16 cases that were most frequent in the lower lid. Melanocytic nevus, papilloma and cysts are the most common benign lesions and BCC is the most common malignant lesion in the eyelids. Recurrence is a feature of BCC especially in the lower lid

Outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy with intraoperative mitomycin-C

To report the efficacy, safety, predictability and complications of photo-refractive keratectomy [PRK] with intraoperative application of mitomycin-C [MMC]. This historical cohort study was performed on 1,250 eyes of 625 patients who underwent PRK using the Technolas 217 excimer laser machine by a single surgeon with intraoperative use of MMC 0.02% up to 2 minutes, depending on depth of ablation. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed which included refraction, uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA], best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] and slitlamp biomicroscopy. Outcomes were analyzed after one year of follow-up. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refractive error was -4.85 +/- 2.27 [range, -2.50 to -13.5] diopters [D]. Mean depth of ablation was 89 +/- 22 microns and mean time to reepithelialization was 4.5 +/- 1.7 days. At final follow-up, UCVA of 20/20 and 20/40 or more was achieved in 92.1% and 99.2% of eyes, respectively. One year post-operatively, 69.4% and 91% of eyes were within +/- 0.50 D and +/- 1.00 D of emmetropia. Overall, 62 eyes [4.9%] developed one or two lines of decrease in BCVA, and 50 eyes [4%] developed corneal haze which was grade 1 or 2 in most cases; grade 3 and 4 corneal haze was found in 4 and 2 eyes, respectively. No other adverse event was noted during the study period. PRK with intraoperative application of MMC provides excellent visual outcomes with acceptable safety and predictability, and entails minimal side effects