[Detection of drug resistance gene in trichomonas vaginalis by PCR]

Trichomoniasis is a worldwide protozoan parasitic disease. Considering the importance of the disease in public health and the controversial ideas about the prevalence of drug resistance, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of metronidazole resistance gene in trichomonas vaginalis [T. vaginalis] with PCR-RFLP method in Tehran and in Kashan. In this descriptive study 140 samples of T. vaginalis in patients with T. vaginalis infections were collected and assessed microscopically. Then they were isolated and examined by culturing in dorset's medium, DNA extraction and PCR amplification. The PCR products were analyzed using RFLP and suspected samples were sequenced. All but 7 samples were T. vaginalis positive by PCR. Sixty-two samples [44.4%] were examined by microscopic, culture and PCR techniques; 12 samples [8.5%] by microscope and PCR, 56 samples [40%] by culture and PCR and other 3 samples [2.1%] were positive only by PCR. Two samples [1.5%] were also examined for detection of mutation in 18S rRNA gene with RFLP in Tehran. This study shows that T. vaginalis infections in the female population living in Tehran are metronidazole-resistant. Since metronidazole is considered as the drug choice for T. vaginalis infections, more studies are recommended for identification of the drug resistance mechanisms and prevention of the disease

Effect of the carbon tetrachloride extract of trigonella foenum graecum seeds on the glycogen content of liver in diabetic rats

Diabetes is a common endocrine disorder. Although the most common conventional treatment for diabetes is insulin, the diet therapy approach has many advantages in developing countries. Among many herbs, reported to possess antidiabetic activity, Trigonella foenum graecum [fenugreek] is one of the best in terms of efficiency and safety. The effect of carbon tetrachloride extract of fenugreek on liver glycogen has not been investigated until now. This study was designed to investigate the effect of carbon tetrachloride fenugreek in extract comparison with insulin on liver glycogen. For this purpose we used 3 groups of rats, each containing 10 animals. Stereptozotocin was administered to induce diabetes. One group served as control group, receiving no treatment; in the 2[nd] group, NPH insulin was administered on 3 consecutive days. For the third group, carbon tetrachloride extract of fenugreek was administered orally for 3 days. Blood glucose was measured before and after intervention. Daily water intake and liver glycogen were assayed at the end of treatment. The results showed that fenugreek extract, like insulin, caused a significant decrease in blood glucose and daily water intake [P<0.05]. A significant increase in liver glycogen, compared with the untreated group, was seen in the insulin and extract treated groups [P<0.05]. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm the benefits of the traditional use of fenugreek for diabetes treatment

[Study on the effects of chloroformic extract of Securigera securidaca on serum glucose level and liver glycogen content of mice]

Although Securigera securidaca [Ss] has long been known for its hypoglycemic effect, the precise nature of its effective component[s] and the involved mechanisms have not been investigated yet. This study investigated the effect of chloroformic extract of Securigera securidaca seed on fasting serum glucose and glucose tolerance test, body weight, food consumption and liver glycogen content. Chloroformic and hydroalcoholic extracts of the seeds were prepared by the maceration method. Experiments performed on mice of both sexes with the weight range of 25-30 gr. Serum glucose concentration and liver glycogen content were measured by 0-toluidine and trichloroacetic methods respectively. According to the results, hypoglycemic effect of chloroformic extract is dose-dependent and it appeared that 3mg/kg dose of chloroformic extract has the maximum hypoglycemic effect. Administration of this dose reduced fasting serum glucose concentration from 103 +/- 3mg/dl to 69 +/- 3mg/dl and glucose tolerance test from 128 +/- 1 mg/dl to 90 +/- 2 mg/dl. Ten days administration of chloroformic extract also increased food consumption, body weight and glycogen content of the liver in case group comparing to the control group. In conclusion, the chloroformic extract of Securigera securidaca seed contains component[s] that after oral administration can cause hypoglycemic effects through either inducing insulin-like effects or increasing insulin release. By identifying and formulating of these components, this plant can be used more efficiently in the treatment of diabetic patients