[Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum on morphine-induced withdrawal symptoms in rats]

The exact mechanisms of morphine dependence and withdrawal syndrome remain unclear. Many studies have been performed to find agents with minimal dependency side effects for prevention of withdrawal symptoms. Cinnamomum is a herbal medicine that has been used for respiratory disorders, digestive problems, arthritis, dysmenorrhea, and sore throat. Cinnamomum has been used as an alternative traditional treatment for sedative agents in China and India. This study aimed at investigating the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of cinnamomum on morphine withdrawal symptoms in the male rats. Adult mal Wistar rats weighting 225 -275 g were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups [8 rats per group]. In order to induce dependency, additive doses of morphine were injected subcutaneously for 13 days. On the day 13, 30 minutes after the last dose of morphine, control group received saline ip [1 ml/kg: control] and 3 treatment groups received hydroalcoholic extracts of Cinnamomum [50, 100, 200 mg/kg respectively] intraperitoneally. Thirty minutes later,all groups received naloxone injection [4 mg/kg, ip] and withdrawal symptoms including: jumping, rearing, genital grooming, abdominal writhing, and wet dog shake were recorded for 60 minutes. Our results showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum at doses of 50, 100and 200 mg/kg decreased genital grooming. In addition,all doses of the extract of Cinnamomum decreased the total withdrawal scores signficantly. Hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum was effective in reducing the symptoms of morphine withdrawal

Current substance use in patients with gastric cancer in Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders may affect patients suffering from cancer and substance use disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco and opioid use in patients with gastric cancer in Shiraz, Fars Province and Southern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a hospital survey of 177 gastric cancer patients aged 24 years and more, a semistructured-interview was performed based on SDM-IV criteria during the year 2003. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 58.13 (SD = 14.03) years. Among the subjects, 50.9% (90) were tobacco dependent (61.5% men and 29.4% women, P < 0.001), while 10 (5.7%) were opioid-dependent (7.3% men and 1.9% women, P = 0.16). Tobacco and opioid-dependency were not significantly related to age groups, economical or occupational status. Mean ages of tobacco and opioid-dependants were not significantly different from nondependants. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco and opioid dependency were common problems among gastric cancer patients. This report provides useful information for health planning. Men were at greater risk than women. Treatment programs should focus on all age-groups, all occupations and all income-levels.

Epidemiology of depression among infertile and fertile couples in Shiraz, southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Depression is considered as one of the main psychological disorders associated with infertility. Depression may play a significant role in the life of infertile individuals, their infertility treatment follow-up and in their hopefulness for the future; it may also influence the intensity and continuousness of the mutual relationship of the affected couple. AIMS: This study was done to determine the depression rate and make a comparison between infertile and fertile couples with respect to the same. SETTING AND DESIGN: The depression rate was evaluated between two groups--infertile couples (case group) and fertile couples (control group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one infertile couples (cases) and 9l fertile ones (controls) were randomly enrolled in our study. Beck depression inventory (BDI) and demographic information were provided. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used Chi-square, t-test; and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to find out significant difference between infertility duration in various couples and its effect on the score of depression. RESULTS: The BDI mean difference between infertile and fertile couples was significant (P=0.015). It was significantly more among couples with infertility from 1-3 years' duration compared to those with infertility of 1-year duration or less. CONCLUSION: Regarding the high rate of depression among infertile couples, it seems necessary to pay more attention to infertility centers that offer psychological and psychiatric services.