ABSTRACT
Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Portulaca oleracea is a vegetable, known in traditional medicine and has many medicinal properties. In the present study the effects of alcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea on blood fat profiles are evaluated. In this experimental study, 60 Wistar rats in the weight range of 170 +/- 5 g in 6 groups [n=10] were selected as follows: Control group receiving normal diet, Sham group receiving high fat diet, experimental groups receiving the Portulaca oleracea extract with maximum dose [800 mg/kg], moderate dose [400 mg/kg] and minimum dose [200 mg/kg] as intraperitoneally and injection of 10 mg/kg atorvastatin and treated with high fat diet for 21 days. After the end of this period, blood sampling and measuring obtained samples, data was analyzed using SPSS-11.5 software. Based on the results obtained from all groups receiving the extract of Portulaca oleracea herb, it was found that the level of cholesterol concentration in these groups and the level of cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the group receiving atorvastatin significantly decreased [p
ABSTRACT
Consumption of unsaturated fats reduces the serum level of lipids and leptin. Thyroid hormones and leptin play pivotal roles in metabolism and their amounts are interrelated. This study was done to compare the effects of Mellissia officinalis extract and atorvastatin on the serum levels of thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemia rats. Consumption of unsaturated fats reduces the serum level of lipids and leptin. Thyroid hormones and leptin play pivotal roles in metabolism and their amounts are inter-related. This study was done to compare the effects of Mellissia officinalis extract and atorvastatin on the serum levels of thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemia rats. The results showed that in experimental groups receiving the plant extract and atorvastatin, the concentration of thyroid hormones increased, whereas the amount of the thyroid-stimulating hormone showed a significant decrease [p<0.05]. Mellissia officinalis extract decreases TSH but it increases T3 and T4. Further studies are required for applying this extract to the treatment of hyperthyroidism
ABSTRACT
Hyperlipidemia can cause a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and fatty liver which is followed by increased liver enzymes. Since Berberis vulgaris [B. vulgaris] root possesses antioxidant properties, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of its extract on the activity of liver enzymes in rats. In this experimental study, sixty Wistar rats were selected and allocated to six groups of ten each. The control group received a normal diet and the sham group received a fatty diet while the other groups including experimental groups received a fatty diet and the alcoholic extract of B. vulgaris at minimum [75 mg/kg], moderate [150 mg/kg], and maximum [300 mg/kg] doses by intraperitoneal injection [i.p.] or oral atorvastatin [10 mg /kg] with a fatty diet. At the end of this 21-day period, blood samples were drawn and the levels of the intended factors were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5. The comparison of the obtained results showed that the levels of alanine transaminase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] enzymes in the sham group that only received fatty food increased [p
ABSTRACT
Sebaceoma is a benign tumor with sebaceous differentiation. It usually presents as a yellowish papule or nodule on the face and scalp. This is a report of a 27-year-old-woman who presented with a giant, 6cmx4.5 cm exophytic tumor on her head. Clinically, we considered several diseases; however, the histological and immunohistochemical features matched those of sebaceoma. The lesion was excised and the defect was repaired by a split-thickness graft
Subject(s)
Humans , Adult , Female , Sebaceous Gland Neoplasms/pathology , ImmunohistochemistryABSTRACT
Many efforts are made to find new and more effective treatments for psoriasis. Intralesional 5-Fluorouracil [5-FU] +epinephrine is a cheap option which can be administered with long intervals. The effectiveness of Pulse Dye Laser [PDL] on psoriasis has been already assessed. We decided to evaluate the effectiveness of 5-FU+epinephrine and compare it to betamethasone and PDL. A group of 22 patients with chronic stable plaque psoriasis were included. Three plaques on each patient were treated with 5- FU + epinephrine, PDL and betamethasone, respectively. Psoriasis Severity Index [PSI] scoring was applied to assess each plaque before treatment and in weeks 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24. Photos of each plaque were taken before treatment and at each treatment and follow-up session. They were finally compared and scored by a dermatologist. Decline in mean Psoriasis Severity Index [PSI] in week 6 [2 weeks after treatment] and in week 24 [the last follow-up session] was statistically significant as compared to baseline in all groups. [P<0.001] The highest decline in mean PSI score was in the 5-FU + epinephrine group while the lowest belonged to the PDL group [80% vs. 27%].The mean period of remission in the 5-FU+epinephrine group was significantly longer in comparison to the two other groups. [P<0.001] In photographic evaluation, the best response was observed in the 5- FU + epinephrine group. 5-FU + epinephrine is a cheap option which can provide a rapid response and long remission .With respect to limited effectiveness, short remission and high cost; PDL dose not seem to be a preferred choice in the treatment of psoriasis