ABSTRACT
Many people are used medicinal plants due to natural, low risks and complications, and low costs as compared with the synthetic drugs. Incidence of drug resistance against chemical antimicrobial drugs has led the use of medicinal plants for treatment of infections in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine possible antibacterial effects of four herbal plants in vitro. Four species of domestic plants from Fars- Fasa [Iran] including Ziziphora, Stachys, Teucrium and Barberry were collected in spring and dried. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of these plants were prepared using standard methods. Antibacterial effects were examined with disk diffusion method and serial both dilution. To standardize of study, we used antibiogram disks and ATCC bacteria. Teucrium extract with 1/8 dilution and Barberry extract with 1/4 dilution showed antibacterial effects in serial dilution method. Moreover, by using the disk diffusion method, antibacterial effects of both mentioned extracts against E.coli ATCC 25922 and S.aureus ATCC 25923, were found as compared amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and imipenem. The results of this study and other studies show that extracts of herbal plants, instead of chemical drugs, can be used to treat infections. Of course, before using them all their side effects should be carefully checked in vitro and in vivo studies
ABSTRACT
To find out the common causes of poisoning in infants and children. In a retrospective cross-sectional study we evaluated all infants and children who were hospitalized due to acute poisoning between 2001 to 2004 in two Ahwaz university hospitals. One hundred forty three cases were evaluated, 71% of poisonings occurred in the age range of 1-5 years. Causes were accidental ingestion [77.8%], given by others [16%] and suicide attempts [6.2%]. The most common ingested substances were petroleum products [16%]. Alkaline cleaners [12.6%], Opiates [11.9%], Tricyclic Antidepressants [8.4%] and Benzodiazepines [7.7%]. About 2.8% of cases were multi-drug poisoning. Opiates were the most common agents which accounted for poisoning in below 6 months old. Decreased level of consciousness [67.6%] and vomiting [50%] were the most common signs and symptoms. There was no mortality in this study. Petroleum products are stilt common source of poisoning but their frequency is decreasing. Parents should be educated about the harms of some herbal agents containing opiates and on safe storage of medicines and household products