Auraptene has neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

@#Background: Auraptene is a simple coumarin that exhibits multiple protective activities in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, multifactorial, and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Microinjection of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) into the hippocampus of rat has been recognized as a reliable and stable animal model of Alzheimer’s disease, which mimics the memory deficits. In the present study, the memory enhancing effects of auraptene were studied in rats that Aβ was injected into their hippocampus to create a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Different doses of auraptene (5, 10 and 25 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male Wistar rats. The spatial memory performance was tested by Morris water maze after Alzheimer`s induction. The hippocampal expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins were calculated for evaluating the neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of Auraptene in the brain tissue. Results: In comparison with the control group, auraptene significantly decreased the escape latency time in the treated rats. In addition, auraptene increased the percentage of time spent and traveled pathway in the target quadrant. Molecular data showed that auraptene attenuated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the hippocampus of rats. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the memory enhancing effect of Aur after Aβ injection, which could be through inhibiting the apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus of rats.

effect of hydro-alcoholic extracts of anethum graveolens l. [dill] on amygdala kindled in rats

Background: Although hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. had Anticonvulsants effect on PTZ-induced kindling seizure behavior, but on the amygdala kindling in rats induced seizure has not been investigated

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the chronic effects of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. on seizures using electrical amygdala kindling model

Methods: Rats were divided into six groups. They were kindled by stimulating the amygdala by consecutive daily. Then, treated by hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. [i.p. 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg] and Afterdischarge Duration [ADD], Stage 4 latency [S4L] and Stage 5 duration [S5D] were recorded

Results: Hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. [200 and 400 mg/kg] significantly increased stage 4 latency compare to the control group [P <0.05]. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. [400 mg/kg] injection stage 5 duration caused by amygdala electrical kindling. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg] injection significantly reduced ADD induced by amygdala kindling

Conclusion: The data showed that injection of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L. has anti-epileptic effect and increases the time required for amygdala kindling and may have anticonvulsant effects

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on quality of life in rectal cancer patients undergoingpreoperative Chemoradiotherapy

Objectives: This study set out with the aim of evaluating the effect of conjugated linoleic acid [CLA] supplementation on quality of life in rectal cancer patients undergoing to preoperative chemoradiotherapy

Methods: In this study, 33 volunteer patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy were allocated in the CLA [n=16] and the placebo groups [n=17]. The CLA group and placebo groups received 3 gr CLA/d and 4 placebo capsules for 6 weeks respectively. Before and after intervention, quality of life of patients was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30

Results: At the end of study, the mean scores of physical function, role function, and cognitive function enhanced significantly in the CLA group while reduced remarkably in the placebo group. Symptom scales improved in the CLA group at the end of study. Comparison of changes in fatigue, pain and diarrhea scores were statistically significant between two study groups [P<0.05]. When we compared the global health status scores between two groups, significant changes were observed [P<0.001]

Conclusion: It appears that CLA may be helpful in rectal cancer patients by improving global quality of life. Although, other clinical trials with large sample size are needed to achieve more precise results

[Does sensory-motor integration exercises affect on static and dynamic balance in children with trainable mental retardation?]

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of sensory- motor integration exercises on static and dynamic balance in children with trainable mental retardation

Materials and Methods:: In this semi experimental research, with Purposive sampling method 40 subjects from GOLHAYE BEHESHT rehabilitation and training center with the mean age 8.4 +/- 2.81 years and mean IQ 30.62 +/- 6.81 participated. All children were pre tested. Then According to both factors [IQ and pretest scores] subjects divided randomly in two [experimental and control] equal groups. Each group were consist of 10 boys and 10 girls .Balance evaluated by balance part of Bruininks - Ossietzky Test of Motor Proficiency were used .experimental group encounter to Sensory stimulation and perform physical exercises during 50 sessions, each session was 45 minutes and 6 times a week . Control group were using the class education programs. After 50 sessions both groups [experimental and control] were post tested

Results: Data analyzed by Uman vitny and observed a significant difference in posttest among experimental and control groups [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Experimental group gained more scores. This research indicated that sensory integration training improve balance [both static and dynamic balance]

[ effect of minocycline on gene expression of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform brain areas on amygdale kindling acquisition in rat]

Introduction: Minocycline has anticonvulsant effects. Since some antiepileptic drugs increase the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, the aim of this study is the effect of minocycline on gene expression of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform brain areas on amygdale kindling acquisition in rat.

Methods: In this experimental study, three group [24 Wistar rats], after stereotaxic surgery and 1 week recovery period, received kindling stimulations[twice daily at 6 hours interval]. Group 1[n=8] did not receive daily kindling stimulations. Group 2 [n=8] received intraperitoneal saline [1ml/kg] and Group 3 [n=8] received intraperitoeneal minocycline [25 mg/kg] 60 min before kindling stimulation and respectively. Two hours after the last stimulation, animals' brains were removed and the changes of gene expression by ?2 subunit of GABAAreceptor in the hippocampus and piriform cortex were measured and compared with the control group. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests [P<0/05].

Results: In Group 3 intraperitoneal administration of minocycline for 10 days reduced cumulative ADD significantly reduced in comparison with the control group [Group 2] [P<0.001]; also, it increased significantly the delay time of stage 4 [p<0.01] and stage 5 [p<0.001] of the seizures. In addition, the injection of minocycline before kindling stimulations removed the electrical stimulation induced an increase in mRNA of ?2 subunit of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform cortex of amygdale kindling.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that minocycline administration before electrical stimulation acts as an anticonvulsant, and this effect occurs via reducing GABAA receptors.

Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Anethum graveolens Leaves on Seizure Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in Mice

Background: In this study, the aqueous extract of Anethum graveolens (dill) leaves was studied for its effects on treating convulsions and epilepsy, by using a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling model. The evaluated plant has a traditional medical reputation for profound anticonvulsant activities, additionally, dill has been claimed to exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Methods: For the PTZ kindling induction, mice were given a dose of PTZ (37 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) every other day, and seizure stages were precisely recorded. During and after kindling, the effects of the non-toxic doses of the aqueous extracts (100, 250, and 400 mg/kg) on seizure latency in stage 2 (S2L), seizure latency in stage 4 (S4L), and seizure duration in stage 5 (S5D) were measured. Results: The aqueous extract of dill leaves had a noticeable anticonvulsant effect. The 400 mg/kg dose of the extract sample decreased with S5D (P < 0.05), and increased with S2L and S4L significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The obtained data shows that the aqueous extract possesses anticonvulsant activity against seizure induced by PTZ. The presence of anticonvulsant compounds in this medicinal herb suggests further activity and guided fractionation studies in order to introduce this plant as a valuable source of anticonvulsant agents.

effect of capital structure on the profitability of pharmaceutical companies the case of Iran

Funding combination is the most important issue for the companies while they know the amount of required capital. Companies should be careful regarding the appliance of financial providing methods compatible with the investment strategy of company and profitability. This study seeks to examine the relationship between the capital structure and the profitability of pharmaceutical companies in Iran. For this purpose, top 30 Iranian pharmaceutical companies defined as study samples and their financial data were gathered for the period of 2001-2010. In this study, the net margin profit and debts to asset ratio were used as indicators of profitability and capital structure, respectively and sales growth was used as a control variable. Results showed that there was significant negative relationship between the profitability and the capital structure which means that the pharmaceutical companies have established a Pecking Order Theory and the internal financing has led to more profitability

Study of allergenicity of petal and stamen in middle-aged ontogenical stage of cytisus scoparius L. in guinea pig

Background: Cytisus scoparius is an ornamental and highly aromatic plant. The petals and stamens in aromatic plants are important allergenic agents. The aim of this study is examination study of allergenicity of petal and stamen in middle-aged ontogenical stage of Cytisus scoparius L. in guinea pig

Methology: In this experimental study, 9 guinea pigs from hartly stirps were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups. Plant extracts were prepared with 16% concentration and injected intraperitoneally to guinea pigs.The first group was considered as negative control [injected with phosphate buffered saline]. The second and the third groups received petal extract and petal + stamen extract respectively. In addition intraperitoneal injections within 4 weeks, once per week, subcutaneous injection was performed in the fifth week. Finally, a week after the last injection was taken blood sampling directly from the heart of animals, and the number of eosinophils, immunoglobulin E and blood sugar levels were measured in experimental groups and analyzed data

Results: Skin test [Created wheal diameter] and serological tests [levels of immunoglobulin E, eosinophils, and blood glucose] in both groups treated with Cytisus scoparius L. significantly increased compared to controls. Electrophoretic profiles was observed about 4 protein bands [2 light protein bands and 2 pale protein bands] in the range of 27 to 85 kD in the middle-aged petal and about 6 more specific protein bands in the range of 10 to 75 kD in middle-aged petal whit stamen proteins

Conclusion: The results showed that petal of ontogenical stage of middle-aged in Cytisus scoparius have allergenicity property and and this effect is exacerbated when they are together with stamens

[Effect of ethanol on microvascular alterations in the brain cortex of epileptic mice treated by valporic acid]

Antiepileptic drugs can partiality control or achieve the convulsion. There are controversial issues about the use and effect of ethanol to control epileptic convulsion seizers. This study was done to determine the effect of ethanol on microvascular alterations in the brain cortex of epileptic mice treated by valporic acid [VPA]. In this experimental study, 36 BALB/c mice were allocated randomly into six groups including: 1-PTZ [Pentylenetetrazol], 2- Ethanol, 3- VPA+ PTZ, 4- ethanol + PTZ, 5-ethanol+ VPA+ PTZ and control groups. The animal brains were excluded and stained by Hematoxilin and eosin. Thirty-six optical microscopic field from each group were selected and microvascular count were determined. Immunohistochemical method was used for detection of injuries in the vascular brain tissue. Mean number of brain microvascular cortex significantly increaed in PTZ+ethanol and PTZ+ethanol+VPA groups in compare to controls [P<0.05]. Infiltration and thrombophlebitis were observed in vessels and cortical brain tissues in mice which received ethanol and PTZ. Proliferations in endothelial vascular cells were seen in PTZ and VPA+ethanol groups. Immunohistochemical method showed the endothelial cells of PTZ+ethanol groups were more stained in compare to the other experimental groups. Ethanol + PTZ cause cellular infiltration and damage to the cortical brain vessels although VPA reduces histological altheretions

[Effect of moderate-intensity resistance exercise training on plasma antioxidant capacity and inflammation factors in healthy males]

Improvement of antioxidant capacity and lessening the concentration of inflammatory markers by physical activity and exercise has received a lot of attention by researchers. The present study was performed to assess the effects of moderate- intensity resistance exercise training on total antioxidant capacity [TAC], creatine kinase activity [CK], resting levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6] and interleukin-1beta [IL-1 Beta]. 20 healthy volunteer men participated in the study and assigned randomly to resistance training [RT] [n=10] and control [n=10] groups. Blood samples were obtained from antecubital vein in pre and post-test steps. Then activity of CK and alterations in the plasma levels of TAC, IL-6 and IL-1 Beta were measured. The subjects commenced resistance training on alternate days [3 days/week] for eight weeks using 65 to 70% of their one repetition maximum [1RM]. Considering groups x time interaction, no significant differences were found in the variables of CK [P=0.321], TAC [0.523], IL-6 [P=0.085] and IL-1 Beta [P=0.11] between RT and control groups after eight weeks of training. However, we found that CK activity and TAC increased insignificantly in RT in the post test step. We concluded that moderate- intensity resistance exercise training for eight weeks could not increase plasma antioxidant capacity and did not change inflammation factors. However, it seems that this protocol did not produce any significant change in oxidative stress and it did not lead to increased basal concentration of cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1 Beta

Impact of side-branch flow in coronary bifurcation intervention

The optimal strategy in percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] for coronary artery bifurcation lesions has yet to be agreed upon. We compared a strategy for stenting the main vessel to provide a complete perfusion flow in the side branch, namely thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI] - III, with a strategy for intervention in both the main vessel and the side branch [MV + SB]. This retrospective study utilized data on 258 consecutive patients with bifurcation lesions scheduled for PCI at Tehran Heart Center between March 2003 and March 2008. The patients were followed up for 12 months, and the primary end point was a major adverse cardiac event [MACE], i.e. cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization, and target-lesion revascularization during the 12-month follow-up period. A total of 52.7% of the patients underwent PCI on the main vessel of the bifurcation lesions [MV group] and 47.3% with a similar lesion type received a percutaneous intervention on both the main vessel and the side branch [MV + SB group]. The total rate of MACE during the follow-up was 4.3% [11 patients]; the rate was not significantly different between the MV and MV + SB groups [3.7% vs. 4.9%, respectively; p value = 0.622]. There was no association between MACE in performing a simple or complex interventional strategy to treat coronary bifurcation lesions when drawing the TIMI- III flow as a goal in a simple technique.

[Physical activity among women with type 2 diabetes: prediction by the extended theory of reasoned action]

Objective[s]: A far-reaching body of the literature highlights that continuous performing of diabetes self-management behaviors is effective on diabetics. Nowadays among self-care behaviors, physical activity is the most important behavior that influences diabetes control. This study aimed to understand and predict physical activity behavior based on the extended theory of reasoned action among women with type 2 diabetes, in Khoy located in Western North of Iran

Methods: An eligible sample of 352 women with type 2 diabetes, referring to a Diabetes Clinic and the Charity Foundation for Diabetes Disease participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the variables of interest [diabetes knowledge, personal beliefs, subjective norm, self-efficacy and behavioral intention along with physical activity behavior]. Reliability and validity of the instruments were examined and approved. Statistical analyses of study were conducted by SPSS package

Results: The findings of investigation indicated that there exists a statistical significant correlation among independent constructs of proposed model with Model-related dependent variables, as among constructs of model, self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of intentions among women with type 2 diabetes. This construct both directly and indirectly affected physical activity behavior. In addition to self efficacy, diabetics' physical activity also is influenced by other variables of model and sociodemographic factors

Conclusion: Our findings suggest the high ability of the extended theory of reasoned action with self-efficacy in forecasting and explaining physical activity can be a base for educational intervention. Thus, for improving diabetics' physical activity behavior and finally controlling the disease, using educational interventions based on proposed model are necessary

[Related factors of unwanted pregnancy and intention of women to continue or terminate pregnancy based on health belief model]

Objective [s]: To identify the relationship between constructs of Health Belief Model [HBM] with unwanted pregnancy and intention to continuation or termination of pregnancy among women in health centers of Behbahan city

Methods: Methods: In a descriptive-analytic study 320 married women aged 15-49 years attending 8 health centers of Behbahan city that experienced at least one pregnancy participated in this study in 2010.Variables including: situation of pregnancy [wanted or unwanted],intention to continuation or termination of pregnancy and constructs of HBM were studies. A self-administered used for data collection after evaluation for face and content validity and internal consistency. Filling the questionnaires by trained investigator was used for data collection. Data analysis carried out through SPSS and Chi square, logistic regression and correlation and T tests were done

Results: The mean age of women was 31.06+/-7.5 years. About one third of women had history of at least one unwanted pregnancy. A significant association was found between unwanted pregnancy and perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self efficacy [P<0.05]. A significant relationship was between intend to induced abortion with women literacy, age of women's husband, duration of marriage, dimension of household, gravida, number of alive children, number of sons, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-efficacy[P<0.05]

Conclusion: Due to high proportion of unwanted pregnancies, families who have no intention to more pregnancy should be identified. Providing family planning services and education about proper use of contraceptive methods gave priority. In unwanted pregnancy, couple should be aware about actual benefits and barriers of pregnancy continuation. Providing appropriate methods for improving of their self-efficacy is very important

[Breast feeding pattern and its relationship with mothers' weight]

Objective [s]: To examine the relationship between maternal weight and breastfeeding initiation and duration

Methods: This research is an analytical and cross-sectional study which has been done during 2007-2008. Data were collected through questionnaire and interview. Sample consisted of mothers of children 6-12 month attending to west Ahvaz health centers and 150 mothers were selected randomly

Results: mean prepregnancy weight and mean maternal prepregnancy BMI were 65.46+/-13.1kg, and 25.62 +/-5.1 kg respectively. Most common [%72.7] method of infant nutrition was exclusively breast feeding. There was no association between maternal BMI and feeding patterns. BMI showed a significant relationship with duration of each BF and number of feedings per 24 hours. [P<0.01] although after using multivariate regression just daily number of breastfeeding was related to duration of breast feeding. [P<0.05] There was found a significant relationship between delivery mode and postpartum initiation of breast feeding [P<0.01]

Conclusion: Mother's weight has adverse effect on daily number of breast feeding. In this study Mother's weight has no effect on pattern of breast feeding, so it seems to clear these issue further studies should carry out

[ prevalence of nosocomial infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae and antibiotic resistant patterns in samples isolated from patients in two hospitals in Tehran]

The increasing use of beta-lactam antibiotics in clinics for the treatment of different bacterial infections since early 1980s has led to increased rates of resistant bacteria isolated from patients. One of the problems in the treatment of nosocomial infections is related to resistant bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae due to cross resistance through extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. cloacae from different clinical specimens collected from hospitalized patients. In the present study, 101 E. cloacae confirmed by standard specific microbiologic tests were collected from different specimens in Milad and Motahri hospitals in Tehran, Iran during February 2010 and September 2011. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted according to the process recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute for 13 antibiotics of choice. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains were screened for by combined disk method as a phenotypic diagnostic test. From a total of 101 E. cloacae, 33 [33%] were shown to produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase by phenotypic tests; 5% of the bacteria were resistant to imipenem too. This study clearly showed the high prevalence of resistance to broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics in the isolated E. cloacae among which 5% were multi drug resistant. All the isolated E. cloacae were susceptible to Colistin. These results can be alarming for physicians treating resistant E. cloacae infections, especially extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing species

[ effect of tanacetum sonbolii hydroalcholic extract on PTZ induced seizures in male mice]

Epilepsy has prevalence about 0.5 - 1% of world population. From many years ago, plants used to treat of various neurological diseases such as seizures. The anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Tanacetum Sonbolii was examined in male mice. 60 mice were randomly divided into six groups [n=10], included: A control group [normal saline] and 5 groups receiving Sonbolii extract [150, 300, 600, 900, 1200 mg/kg]. 30 min after peritoneal injection of different doses extract or saline, PTZ [85 mg/kg] were injected and the animal immediately transferred to a special cage, and the seizure behavior was evaluated within 30 minutes. The tonic and colonic seizures were significantly reduced in the groups that received extract compared to control group. The onsets of seizures were difference between treated and control animals statistically. Extract were reduced the rate of death during seizures and was prevented the outbreak of tonic - colonic seizures in some case. Our results showed that the extracts of Tanacetum Sonbolii have strong anticonvulsant effect, and more complementary studies will be done for identifying the mechanism of action and effective material of Sonbolii exact

[ role of minocycline on amygdala-kindled seizures in rat]

Minocycline is an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug. In addition, its neuroprotective effects have been shown. Since there is interaction between cell death and seizure, the aim of this study is examination of the role of minocycline on amygdala-kindled seizures in rat. In this experimental study, three groups of animals [18 rats], after stereotaxic surgery and 1-week recovery period, received twice daily kindling stimulations. In fully kindled animals of groups 1-3, minocycline was injected intraperitoneally in doses 12.5 [n = 7], 25 [n = 5] and 50 [n = 6] mg/kg, respectively, 60 minutes before stimulation. After discharge duration [ADD], stage 4 latency [S4L], Stage 5 Duration [S5D] and Seizure Duration [SD] were recorded and compared with related control groups [the same animals that had received saline 1 day before]. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to represent a significant difference. In fully kindled animals who had received minocycline [50 and 25 mg/kg], ADD decreased significantly. When minocycline was delivered, S5D decreased 38.3% [p < 0.001], 34% [p < 0.05], and 100% [p < 0.001] in 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg group animals, respectively. S4L and SD parameters respectively increased and decreased significantly only in group 50 mg/kg. According to the obtained results, it may be concluded that in fully kindled rats, application of minocycline has anticonvulsant effect on kindling model of epilepsy

[ effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation on amygdala-kindled seizures in rat]

Low-frequency stimulation [LFS] [< 5 Hz] is a suitable approach for treating seizures caused by epilepsy. Different patterns of LFS have different effects on epileptic seizures. Since no LFS pattern has so far been determined to have the best efficacy in seizure quenching, this study investigated the effect of 60-min application of LFS on amygdala-kindled seizures in rat. In this experimental study, two groups of animals [14 rats] received twice-daily kindling stimulations after stereotactic surgery and a 1-week recovery period. In group 1 [n=6], fully kindled animals received daily kindling stimulations for four days, while in group 2 [n=8], kindled animals received LFS [1 Hz, 0.1 ms pulse duration, ½ afterdischarge threshold intensity] four times [in 24-hour intervals] exactly before kindling stimulations. Afterdischarge duration [ADD], stage 2 latency [S2L], stage 4 latency [S4L], and stage 5 duration [S5D] were recorded and compared with related control groups [the same animals that had received only kindling stimulation]. Data was analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test for within-group comparisons and Student's t-test for between-group comparisons. The first LFS application resulted in a significant increase of S2L and S4L by 91.5% [p < 0.05] and 79.5% [p < 0.01] compared with control group, respectively. Four-day consecutive LFS applications decreased S5D significantly, so that the first LFS application decreased S5D by 100% [p < 0.001]. In the first 2 days of LFS application, ADD decreased significantly by 46.9% and 40.4% [p < 0.05], respectively, relative to control. The results suggest that LFS application immediately before seizure initiation has anticonvulsant effects

An analysis of the relationship between staff qualification and export readiness of pharmaceutical companies: the case of Iran

Export and the readiness to export constitute the first step of international marketing, which are affected by both internal and external factors of firms. One of the most important internal factors is the presence of skilled personnel. The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between staff qualification and encouragment with the readiness level of Iranian pharmacuetical firms for engagement in export marketing. The research was based on a single case study on a basket of seven leading domestic firms. For the bias reduction, questionnaires as well as interviews with managers were used. The performance of the studied factor was lower than the desired level for export readiness and there was much scope for improvement in staff qualifications to achieve such readiness. The results of this research enable small and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies to evaluate their staff qualification levels needed for export readiness and to detect their shortcomings in order to improve them

[E-business in health care systems]

Background and Aim: The use of electronic operations in health care industry has many positive points such as health care quality improvement, reduction in costs, and increased efficiency. Besides talking about the concept of Mobile Commerce [M-Commerce] as well as its benefits and challenges, the present article presents suitable approaches to benefit more from this new technology in the field of health, especially in the private sector

Materials and Methods: This review article was performed based on a literature review and a search through such valid sites as Science Direct, Emerald, and Magiran, and also an advanced search in Google. In this paper, the researchers studied national and international documents about the application of communication and IT tools-- particularly mobile and wireless tools, E-commerce, and M-commerce-- from 1996 to 2011

Results: E-business can be considered as one of the subsets of E-Health, and M-commerce as one of the E-business models is a very useful tool in developing countries. With this tool, organizations located in remote places can have access to potential customers and gain valuble benefits. Efficient application of E-business models in Iran requires the identification of opportunities and barriers as well as the preparation of suitable and basic plans with regard to socio-economic factors together with the provision of executive, legal, technological, and communications infrastructures