Cheminformatics-based anticoagulant study of traditionally used medicinal plants

Background: Medicinal plants, as a complementary medicine, have been used to treat various diseases since ancient times. These plants have numerous beneficial applications and are the source of certain conventional drugs. In diseases such as stroke and ischemia, which are caused by several factors, abnormal coagulation is an important causative factor. Accordingly, novel and effective therapies such as herbal remedies should be practiced to prevent such lethal diseases

Methods: Using the available databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed, the previously reported anticoagulant compounds and plants possessing anticoagulant activity were identified and collected in two separate lists. Next, the fast and cost-effective cheminformatics methods incorporated in PubChem were applied to detect some compounds similar to reported anticoagulants. Subsequently, 15 native medical plants of Iran containing the potential anticoagulants were selected. The selected plants were purchased and chopped, and the potential compounds were extracted by ethanol. Then three concentrations of extracts [1, 10, and 100 micro g per ml] were made. Finally, anticoagulant effect of the selected plants was evaluated by in vitro prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time coagulation tests

Results: Among the 15 selected medicinal plants, three plants, including Terminalia bellirica [P=0.0019], Astragalus arbusculinus [P=0.0021], and Origanum vulgare [P=0.0014] showed a more promising anticoagulant effect in comparison to the control

Conclusion: The anticoagulant activity was identified for the first time in these three plants. Further in vivo study and mechanism of action assay are required to be performed on these three plants, which could be suitable candidates for use as natural anticoagulant medicines

[Study on the role of alternaria alternata in the etiology of allergic asthma in patients admitted to loghman hospital by using the skin prick test and solid-phase immunoassay]

The prevalence of respiratory allergies, especially those induced by fungi such as Alternaria alternata, has dramatically increased over the past decade. This increase has caused major health problems worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the role of A.alternata in the etiology of allergic asthma, by using the skin prick test and assessment of IgE specific to the fungus in the patient's sera. This study enrolled 202 patients with allergic asthma, aged 12 to 83 years. Participants included 40.1% males and 59.9% females who were enrolled after recording demographic information. A skin prick test with the whole cell extract of A. alternata was performed on the epidermis of the patients' forearms. Histamine and normal saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Serum levels of IgE specific for A.alternata were measured for all patients using the ImmunoCAP Phadiatop method in which the specific A. alternata allergen cocktail that connected to the solid phase reacted to IgE antibodies in each patient's sera. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and chi-square tests. Among 202 patients with allergic asthma, 14 [6.93%] had mild asthma, 73 [36.10%] were moderate asthmatics and 115 [56.90%] had severe asthma. In total, 14 [6.93%] patients were positive for both the skin test and IgE specific to A. alternata, 35 [17.33%] had negative specific IgE and positive skin test results, and 36 [17.82%] had a positive specific IgE and negative skin test. A total of 117 [57.92%] patients were negative for both tests. The results of this study showed the presence of IgE specific for A. alternate in 50 of 202 [24.75%] patients diagnosed with allergic asthma. The skin prick test was successfully used as a screening test. The results were further confirmed

Low prevalence of brucella agglutinins in blood donors in central province of Iran

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution and has great economic importance. Despite its control in many countries, it remains endemic in Iran. Brucellosis was investigated in many high risk occupational groups; however, few studies on the prevalence of brucellosis among blood donors are available. To determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis antibodies in blood donors, a serological study was carried out in central province of Iran. A total of 897 healthy blood donors with mean age 37.23 +/- 10.9 years were enrolled in the study. Laboratory tests including Standard Tube Agglutination Test [STA] and 2-mercaptoethanol [2ME] agglutination were checked in all samples. STA dilution >/= 1:80, and in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol [2ME] agglutination >/= 20 was considered positive, Out of 897 cases, 11.9% were inhabitants of rural areas. 41.5% had history of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and 9.3% had history of contact with domestic animals. A very low level of Brucella agglutinins was present in 3[0.33%] of the samples and only one sample [0.11%] was found to be truly positive for Brucella agglutinins. 2ME was negative in all samples. None of these 4 subjects showed signs and symptoms of brucellosis in 6 months follow-up. On the basis of our data, brucellosis has no epidemiological and clinical importance in our blood donors; therefore, it is not recommended to perform screening tests such as, STA and 2ME to identify brucellosis antibodies in the sera of blood donors

Rabies antibody levels in pregnant women and their newborns after rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

Rabies is a fatal infectious disease and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is the method of choice for prevention of human rabies. We report rabies antibody levels in cord blood and also in serum of pregnant women who were bitten by suspected animals to rabies and were immunized by purified Vero cell rabies vaccine [PVRV] and Human Rabies immunoglobulin [HRIG] serum. During the years of 2007-2010, six pregnant women by the age range of 22-35 years were admitted in treatment and prevention of rabies center in Pasture institute of Iran, in Tehran. Among them two cases were at first trimester, one at second trimester and three at third trimester of conception. The interval between biting with delivery was 5-265 days [mean 121 days]. Results of immunoglobulin illustrate that levels of rabies antibody in maternal sera with the fetus are not equal and uniform but it is proved that baby will find efficient immunity as well with minimum protective level of 0.5 IU/ml in all cases except a newborn whom had been born just 5 days after the mother's immunization and in a shorter time than the appropriate immunization of the mother who had received her second vaccination courses

Rabies neutralizing antibody level in immunosuppressed patients after receive of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

Introduction: Rabies is a fatal disease and has a threatening risk for the public health. Immunosuppression is related to a wide variety of diseases. It is recommended that immunosuppressed patients receive the full post exposure vaccination, concerning that the immune response may be inadequate. The aim of this study is to determine the level of rabies neutralizing antibody in immunosuppressed patients after receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Consequently we assess the efficiency of antibody level in immunosuppressed patients admitted at Pasteur Institute of Iran. The study was performed at Pasteur Institute of Iran. Data related to immunosuppressed patients, doses of anti-rabies vaccine and serum, and level of rabies neutralizing antibody titer collected from the patients admitted to the Prevention and Treatment of Rabies Center, Department of Vaccination at Pasteur Institute of Iran, during 2008 to 2010. Subjects who received chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs, and chronic renal failure were included in this study. Results: Twenty two cases were evaluated. The Immunosuppressed state was related to cancer [in 8 cases], 4 cases of hematologic disorders, 6 cases of autoimmune disease, and 4 cases of chronic renal failure or kidney transplant. Mean age of 46.45 +/- 21.5 year. All cases received HRIG serum [human rabies immunoglobulin] plus PVRV [Purified Vero cell rabies vaccine]. The level of rabies neutralizing antibody was checked two weeks after the last dose of vaccine. Mean level of rabies neutralizing antibody was 12.07 +/- 6.72 IU/ml. All cases achieved minimum protective level of antibody which is = 0.5 IU/ml. The amount of the antibody level had no relation to age or kind of immunosuppressive disease of patients. Conclusion: It is recommended that Rabies-exposed immunosuppressed patients receive rabies post exposure prophylaxes. We have to be cautious about the cases who have not achieved the appropriate level of rabies antibody. Keywords: Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis, Immunosuppressed patients, Rabies neutralizing antibody

[Fabrication of chitosan/poly[vinyl alcohol]-carbon nanotube nanocomposites for neural tissue regeneration]

Nowadays, as the field of neural tissue engineering advances, the fabrication and application of combined structures open a new window of research for the regeneration of nervous system injuries. In this study, chitosan/poly [vinyl alcohol] -carbon nanotube nanocomposites has been exploited as scaffolds. Electrospinning was used to fabricate chitosan/poly [vinyl alcohol] -carbon nanotube scaffolds. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy [SEM] was used to evaluate the chemical and physical structure of the electrospun scaffolds. Then, the biocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated using MTT assay and Neutral red assay. The results showed that the chitosan/poly [vinyl alcohol] -carbon nanotube nanocomposites have suitable structural and morphological aspects for human brain-derived cells growth and proliferation. Therefore, the cells could maintain their usual morphology while adhering to the surface of the nanocomposites due to an appropriate biocompatibility of the scaffolds. Chitosan/poly [vinyl alcohol] -carbon nanotube nanocomposites could enhance the proliferation of human brain-derived cells due to their proper structure and biocompatibility

In vitro co-culture of human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts on a biocompatible and biodegradable scaffold

Extensive full-thickness burns require replacement of both epidermis and dermis. In designing skin replacements, the goal has been to re-create this model and make a product which has both essential components. In the present study, we developed procedures for establishing confluent, stratified layers of cultured human keratinocytes on the surface of modified collagen-chitosan scaffold that contains fibroblasts. The culture methods for propagation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts isolated from human neonatal foreskin were developed. The growth and proliferation of normal human keratinocytes were evaluated in serum-free [keratinocyte growth medium] and our modified medium. Characterization of human keratinocytes was determined by using pan-keratin and anti-involucrin monoclonal antibodies. For fabrication of relevant biodegradable and biocompatible collagen-chitosan porous scaffold with improved biostability, modified method of freeze-gelation was used. In generating organotypic co-cultures, epidermal keratinocytes were plated onto the upper surface of scaffold containing embedded fibroblasts. The results showed that the growth of isolated human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes in our modified medium was more than that in the serum-free medium. The different evaluations of collagen-chitosan scaffold showed that it is relevant to growth of cells [fibroblast and keratinocyte] and has a good flexibility in manipulation of the living skin equivalents. These findings indicate that the integration of collagen-chitosan scaffold with co-cultured keratinocyte and fibroblast in vitro provides a potential source of living skin for grafting in vivo

Evaluation of chitosan/poly [vinyl alcohol] nano-composite biocompatibility for neural cells proliferation

Tissue engineering is an [interdisciplinary field that applies polymeric scaffolds to control tissue formation in three-dinemtion [3D]. The scaffold provides the microenvironment [synthetic temporary extracellular matrix] for regenerative cells, supporting cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and neo tissue genesis due to their suitable chemical, physical and biological structures. In this study, chitosan/poly [vinyl alcohol] [CS/PVA] was exploited as scaffold for nerve regeneration. Electrospinning was used to fabricate CS/PVA nanocomposites for U373 cells seeding and proliferation. Electrospinning is a versatile and simple method to fabricate non-woven thin layer fibers from polymeric solutions. Consequently, the biocompatibility of CS/PVA nanocomposite was evaluated using biological assays and cell attachment study. Results indicated that CS/PVA nanocomposites with 15/85 proportion shown an almost homogenous network of the electrospun fibers and confirmed that they can be knitted in meshes and improve U373 cells proliferation and cell attachment. The nano-sized CS/PVA scaffolds are nontoxic and biocompatible which can promote proliferation of U373 cells and their appropriate adhesion to nanocomposite for improved peripheral nerve regeneration