Anti-giardial activity of chloroformic extract of tanacetum parthenium and artemisia annua in vitro

Giardiasis is a one of the most prevalent intestinal parasitic diseases in human, treatment of this disease through medicinal plants is very important since parasite resistance to chemical drugs exists. Thus, in this study, the in vitro anti-giardial activity of chloroformic extract of Tanacetum parthenium and Artemisia annua on cyst and trophozoite of Giardia lamblia were separately investigated. In this experimental study chloroformic extracts of Artemisia annua and Tanacetum parthenium on cyst and trophozoite of G. lamblia in vitro were prepared in 1, 10, 50 and 100 mg?ml concentrations for 5, 10, 30, 60 and 180 min. Purified cysts were used for encystations and culture in TYI-S-33 medium. Then, 2 ml of each solution was placed in test tubes, to which 10,000 washed cysts and trophozoites were added. The contents of the tubes were gently mixed and incubated. The percentages of dead parasites were determined by counting 500 cysts. Non treated parasites were considered a control group in each experiment and the viability of the parasites checked with Eeosin staining and statistical analysis were done. The results showed that chloroformic extracts of A. annua at 100 mg/ml concentration affected on Gardia cyst 86% and 100% trophozoite after 1 hour. T. parthenium at 50mg/ml concentration killed cysts [83%] and trophozite [100%] after 1 hour, respectively. T. parthenium chloroformic extract had a better effect on cyst and trophozoite of Giardia at 50 mg/ml after 1 hour exposure than A. annua extract. According to this study, A. annua and T. parthenium chlorofomic extracts could be considered as a more effective anti-giardial agent. Chloroformic extract of T. parthenium was also shown the anti-giardial activity compared with A. annua and control groups at all exposure times. Therefore, in the future research using these plants are recommended against Giardia in low concentration in the in vivo, also to find fractions of the pharmacological effects of these plants

effect of honey gel on abdominal wound healing in cesarean section: a triple blind randomized clinical trial

To assess whether honey can accelerate the wound healing in women undergoing cesarean section. This was a triple blinded randomized prospective clinical trial. Women with cesarean section were randomly designated as drug [37 cases] and placebo [38 cases] groups. The drug group received local honey gel 25% while the placebo group received similar free-honey gel on abdominal cesarean incision twice a day for 14 days. REEDA scale [Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge and Approximation of wound edges] was used to assess wound healing. The mean REEDA was 2.27 +/- 2.46 and 3.91 +/- 2.74 [p=0.008] on the 7[th] day and 0.47 +/- 0.84 and 1.59 +/- 1.95 [p=0.002] on the 14[th] day for the drug and placebo groups, respectively. Redness, edema and hematoma in the drug group were significantly lower on the 7[th] and 14[th] days. Honey was effective in healing the cesarean section incision. Using topical honey is suggested as a natural product with rare side effects in order to reduce the complications of cesarean wounds

Study of antidepressant and sedative-hypnotic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Asperugo procumbens L. aerial parts in mice

Asperugo procumbents L. has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for the refreshing, tranquillizing and mood elevating activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidepressant and sedative-hypnotic potential of acute administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant in mice. Additionally, the effects of flumazenil on the hypnotic activity of the extracts were evaluated. None of the doses of the extract could significantly reduce immobility time in comparison with control group in antidepressant tests. In hypnotic test, 250 and 400 mg/kg doses significantly increased pentobarbital-induced sleeping time compared to vehicle. All of the doses of the extract significantly reduced the latency to sleep in comparison to the vehicle. Flumazenil reversed the augmented effects of extracts in pentobarbital-induced hypnotic test. The results of the present study indicate the low antidepressant and good sedative-hypnotic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Asperugo procumbens aerial parts in mice. Central benzodiazepine receptors are involved in the sedative-hypnotic effects of this plant

[ role of adrenoceptors in the electrophysiological effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Citrus bigaradia in experimental model of atrial fibrilation of isolated atrioventricular node of rabbits]

Preliminary studies have been established to examine the cardiotonic effect of Citrus bigaradia extract, by implenenting various mechanisms. The functional protective role of this plant against supraventricuiar tachyarrhythmia remains to be determined.The present study is designed to assess the role of hydroalcoholic extract of Citrus bigaradia by modifing the electrophysiological properties of atrioventricular node, during simulated experimental atrial fibrillation in rabbits and also, to determine the role of adrenoceptores regarding effects of Citrus bigaradia on the AV node. In this present study, Newsland male rabbits [1.5-2 kg] was used. Programmed stimulation protocols [Recovery, Wenckbach, Atrial fibrilation and Zone of concealment] were applied in two groups [N=23] to assess electrophysiological properties of isolated rabbit AV node. In the first group [N=10], different concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract of Citrus bigaradia were added to thyrods to detect nodal concealed conduction. In the second group [N=13], the effects of extracts [54-108 mg/L] were analysied in the presence of beta-adereceptor blocker [Nadolol 2 micro m]. AF protocol was simulated by high-rate atrial pacing with random coupling intervals [range 75-125 ms]. All data have been shown as Mean +/- SE. Citrus bigaradia, had biphasic concentration-effect pattern, such as in low and intermediate concentrations [0.8-3.2 mg/L], shortened nodal functional refractory period and Wenckebach. We observed a non-significant decrease in the average H-H intervals and numbers of concealed beats in all concentrations of Citrus bigaradia. Zone of concealment was shortened by this plant. Nadolol [2 micro m] prevented the whole effects of Citrus bigaradia on the nodal conduction time, refractoriness and concealed conduction. The above results indicate the potential pro-arrhythmic effects of Citrus bigaradia in worsing supraventricuiar tachyarrhythmia. The effects of plant to decrease the AV-nodal refractory period and concealment zone may be considered the major mechanism of this plant. At least some parts of effects of Citrus is mediated through beta-adrenoceptores

[ study on knowledge and attitude of academic members of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences regarding the Quran]

Lack of spirituality, remoteness of real purpose and a defeat versus cultural offense, is one of the many anxieties that families and compassionates, along with society and educators encounter. Without any doubt, knowledge of the Quran and positive attitude, are reasons for promotion of spirituality, recognizing and reaching the real goal of creation and protection against cultural offense. The aim of this research is the study knowledge and attitudes of academic members from the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, related to Quran and finding strength and weakness in this connection, in order to establish cultural programming. This research is a cross sectional in which 88 board members completed a questionnaire, with the reliability and validity being proved. Knowledge and attitude of the members pertaining to the Quran was researched by the questionnaire. This study was performed in the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2007. Statistical methods were SPSS 15, ANOVA and T tests. Sexuality and marital status was not effective in the Quranic test grade. In an action environment, along with the type of official order, a meaningful difference was found in the Quranic test grade. Consequently, individuals who received higher test scores had special features that were extracted separately. It appears that Quranic education in the age of 10 or less and attending in comprehension sittings, in addition to paying attention to Quranic meaning at the time of reading and comprehension of Quran at home, may have an effective role in promotion of board member's knowledge regarding the Holy Quran

[Religious attitude of students of Mazandaran university of medical sciences in 2006-2007]

Available evidence shows that religious attitude have noticeable effects on psychological aspects of human life. The purpose of this study was to determine the present situation of religious attitude of Students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Student's attitude towards theoretical basis of Islam and Some other subsidiary rules of religion and moral values were studied in this investigation. In this research descriptive field study on all the students of the university, stratified sampling method was employed and 384 students were recruited. A questionnaire consisting of 38 questions was used to collect the data. Attitude rates were quantified on the scale of -5 to +5. The mean rates of attitude of associated to art students [2.53 +/- 1.63] and B.S.C students [3.06 +/- 1.45] were statistically significant [p<0.01].Likewise, the mean rate of attitude of male and female students [2.94 +/- 1.7] and [2.97 +/- 1.4] were statistically significant [p<0.01].The attitude rate of the majority of students was between 2.5 to 4.5 [s. p 1.63]. The top mark of 4.5 was gained by 57% of the students. The students have positive religious attitude. The lack of adequate religious practice among the subjects must not be interpreted as the low religious attitude. However it is necessary to study other factor that affects students practice

[Five prevalent antiprotozoal herbal drugs]

According to the statistics provided by the World Health Organization [WHO], about 80% of the world population nowadays uses herbal drugs for treatment of diseases. Natural products obtained from medicinal plants, serve as a great source for drug production and are the main basis of new drug compounds. Unicellular organisms [Protozoa] are the cause of deaths and spread of diseases in various societies, especially in developing countries. There are anti-malaria herbal dugs produced from various medicinal plants, some of which are used for treatment of the disease and some under study. The first anti-malaria drug was quinine, produced from bark of the Cinchona tree. Recently, the drug artemisinin has been introduced by Chinese scientists for the treatment of malaria and is currently used extensively. Coetaneous leishmaniosis [salak] is one of the endemic diseases in most parts of Iran. Common drugs used against leishmaniosis [such as glucantim], have severe side-effects and in 10 to 25% of cases, there is a recurrence of the disease. Emetine is one of the drugs obtained from a root of the plant Ipecac, which is used for treatment of the disease sub-cutaneously. Giardiasis is an acute protozoan infection usually with no clinical symptoms, however, may appear as acute or chronic diarrhea. According to the announcement of WHO, more than 2/3 of the world's population is infected with intestinal parasites and the prevalence of giardia is higher than other intestinal parasites. Herbal drugs, such as wild garlic, eucalyptus and thyme, are some of the major plants which can annihilate the giarda cysts. Annually, 75000 to 100000 people die of amebiasis [dysentery] worldwide. Due to the motility of the organism, it causes sever pathological changes and sometimes colon ulcers, and if entered into the blood stream, it may appear as liver or brain abscess. Medicinal plants such as ipecac, mango, and papaya tree are some of the anti-amebic [Entamoeba histolytic] plants. Trichomoniasis is a protozoal urogentital infection in men and women transmitted through sexual intercourse. The most effective drug against trichomona is metronidazole, albeit, there are several reports on its side effects and its spread of resistance. Medicinal plants, such as Myrtle and Lavender are among the main plants whose extracts and essence are effective against Trichomonas vaginalis

Effect of achiliea santolina on mice spermatogenesis

Achillea santolina, a common variety of Achillea in Golestan province of Iran has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of hydroalcoholic extract [300 mg/kg/day Intraperitoneally, for 20 days] of Achillea santolina on the spermatogenesis of mice was studied by the evaluation of morphologic characteristics by light microscope. The alterations observed were disorganized germ epithelium, exfoliation of immature germ cells, germ cell necrosis and increased number of metaphasfis in germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules. We concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea santolina 300mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 20 days as a different variety of Achillea has antispermatogenic effect similar to Achillea millefolium on mice