[Antioxidant effect of ziziphus vulgaris, portulaca oleracea, berberis integerima and gundelia tournefortti on lipid peroxidation, Hb glycosylation and red blood cell hemolysis]

Oxidative damage may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Antioxidant could help to protect against oxidative stress related disorders. We studied the antioxidant effects of some plants, namely, Ziziphus vulgaris, Portulaca oleracea, Berberis integerima, Gundelia tournefortti on the above mentioned reactions. Ethanolic and water extracts of the mentioned plants were prepared in three different concentrations: 2.5, 5 and 10 micro g/ml. Hepatocytes of rat were exposed to AAPH. The amount of Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transferase [SGOT] released from membrane lipid peroxidation was also measured in presence and absence of the plant extract. The changes of hemoglobin [Glycosylation[and red blood cell hemolysis were measured in the presence and absence of the extract. The percent of oxidation inhibition was compared with that in control subjects. The results showed all plants had antioxidant effects on hemolysis of red blood cell. The highest extent of hemolysis inhibition of red blood cell was due to Ziziphus. The highest glycosylation inhibition of hemoglobin was shown by Gundelia and Berberis. Portulaca, Gundelia and Berberis decreased SGOT release from hepatocytes, but the least extent of lipid peroxidation inhibition was shown by Ziziphus. This study showed that the plants have an antioxidant effect and they can be probably used as an antioxidant in food supplement in diabetic, atherosclerotic and liver disease patients

role of liposomal CpG ODN on the course of L major infection in BALB/C mice

Historically, leishmanization is the most effective protective measure against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [CL], CL lesion induced by leishmanization sometimes takes a long time to heal. Manipulation of leishmanization inoculums needed to induce a mild and acceptable CL lesion. The aim of this study was to explore if liposomal form of CpG ODN [Cytosin phosphate Guanin Oligodeoxynu-cleotides] mixed with Leishmania major would induce a milder lesion size in Balb/c mice. Methods: This study was performed in Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad, and Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran, Iran during 2008-2009. Different groups of BALB/c mice were subcutaneously [SC] inoculated with L. major mixed with liposomal form of CpG ODN, or L. major plus free CpG ODN, or L. major mixed with empty liposomes or L. major in PBS. The lesion onset and the size of lesion were recorded; the death rate was also monitored. Footpad thickness was significantly [P<0.01] smaller, death rate was also significantly [P<0.05] lower in the mice received L. major mixed with liposomal CpG ODN or free CpG ODN than control groups received L. major in PBS or L. major plus liposomes, also mice which received L. major mixed with CpG ODN in soluble form showed a significantly [P <0.001] smaller lesion size than control groups. CpG ODN seems to be an appropriate immunopotentiator mixed with Leishmania stabi-late in leishmanization

[Effect of Gundelia tournefortii L. on some cardiovascular risk factors in animal model]

There is no certain result in the field of industrial pharmacy approaching to find effective drugs in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, like the control of lipid factors that are a major risk factors of atherosclerosis. Also the tendency of people to use herbal medicine is increasing. In this study effect of Gundelia tourenfortii L. on some cardiovascular risk factors in animal model assigned by analysis of biochemical factors. Twenty male rabbits were randomly divided in to 4 groups as: Normal diet, Normal diet supplemented with Gundelia tourenfortii L., high cholesterol diet, and high cholesterol diet supplemented with Gundelia tourenfortii L. Fasting Blood samples were taken at the first and end of the study. Gundelia tourenfortii L. decrease the cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL - cholesterol, VLDL-Cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, oxidized LDL and factor VII. Also increase the level of HDL-Cholesterol and apolipoprotein A comparing to high cholesterol diet. Gundelia tourenfortii L. by decreasing lipid, lipoproteins and some cardiovascular new risk factors like apolipoprotein B, Oxidized-LDL and coagulation factor decrease atherosclerosis

Corrosion and scaling potentiality of shiraz drinking water

Corrosion is one of the most complex and costiy problems related to drinking water. Corrosion can affect the public health, acceptability of the drinking water source and supplying costs. The aim of this study was to determine the corrosion potentiality of drinking water in Shiraz city in 2007- 2008 through corrosion and stability index [Langlier Saturation Index, Ryznar Stability Index, Aggressiveness Index and Pockurius Scaling Index]. The results indicate the mean and standard deviation for temperature, pH, and pHs were equal to 22.84 and 2.93 °C, 7.69 and 0.28, and 6.83 and 0.24 respectively. Also the mean and standard deviation of total suspended solid [TDS], calcium hardness, and total alkalinity was equal to 656.8 and 190.9, 465.37 and 121, and 271.6 and 67 respectively. Also Langlier Saturation Index was equal to 0.86 and 0.23, respectively and for Ryznar Stability Index [RSI] was equal 5.95 and 0.36, respectively. Obtained results showed that the mean and standard deviation for Aggressiveness Index [AI] and Pockurius Scaling Index [PSI] was equal to 10.54 and 0.23, and 8.06 and 0.15, respectively. By studying the corrosion indexes it was found that most of these indexes in Shiraz drinking water have scaling potentiality and only in a few instances station have corrosion potentiality

Immune response evaluation against leishmaniasis using liposomes containing rLmSTI1 in murine model

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies. Protozoa of the Leishmania species cause leishmaniasis. The protective immunity against leishmaniasis is the cell-mediated immunity [CMI]. LmSTI1 is a candidate for the development of vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL]. Liposomes are microscopic vesicles consisting of phospholipid bilayers which enclose aqueous compartments and are used as an immunoadjuvant. The aim of this study was to formulate liposome preparations containing recombinant rLmSTI1 to induce Th1 response in BALB/c mice against infection with L. major. Liposomes containing rLmSTI1 were prepared as dehydration-rehydration vesicles [DRV] and composed of distearoylphosphatidylcholine [DSPC] and cholesterol [CHOL] in a molar ratio of 2:1 [DSPC/CHOL-rLmSTI1]. The average size of liposome formulations was 1.1micro m checked by light microscope and particle size analyzer. DSPC/CHOL-rLmSTI1 [2micro g]; soluble rLmSTI1 [2micro g]; PBS, and a control empty liposome were injected separately subcutaneously [SC] in female BALB/c mice [10 per group], 3 times in three week intervals. The mice were challenged with L. major promastigotes [1.5 X 10[6]] SC to the left footpad and PBS to the right footpad for control at 3 weeks after the last booster. The footpad swellings were measured weekly for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected on the day before and 12 weeks after challenge to titrate the anti-Leishmania antibodies [IgG total, IgG1 and IgG2a] by ELISA method. The parasite burden in spleen was determined at 15weeks after challenge. The results showed that in the group that received DSPC/CHOL-rLmSTI1, footpad thickness was significantly less; IgG2a titer was higher with very few parasites in the spleen compared to the other groups. The results indicated that encapsulation of rLmSTI1 in liposome seems to be a suitable tool to improve the CMI and rate of protection in murine model of leishmaniasis