[Neurotrophic effects of silibinin on differentiation of hair follicle stem cells to neurons]

Hair Follicle Bulge region due to its availability and abundance is one of the areas which is easily accessible to Multi-potent stem cells that expresses Nestin marker [neuronal stem cells protein]. Stem cells bulge region in hair follicle stem cells has high potency to be differentiated to neuronal cells. Silibinin as an active component of Silybum marianum has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hepatoprotective, neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neurotrophic effects of silibinin on differentiation of hair follicle stem cells to neurons. Bulge area of whiskers in Rat was isolated and cultivated three weeks in supplemented DMEM/F12 and epidermal growth factor [EGF]. Then the cells were exposed over the concentrations of 0.05microg/ml, 0.1microg/ml, 0.4microg/ml, 0.5microg/ml, 0.7microg/ml Silibinin and Neurotrophin-3. Two weeks after culture, plated bulge cells were immunostained with Nestin and differentiated stem cells were immunostained with beta III tubulin by immunocytochemistry techniques. The results were evaluated by T-test student analysis. A Pvalue less than 0.05 was considered significant. The nestin marker was clearly demonstrated in bulge regions during the first week, but after two weeks, parallel to stem cells differentiating neuronal cells, beta III tubulin marker was expressed in neuronal cells. The toxic effects of 1microg/ml Silibinin on stem cells were also demonstrated, and it stopped the cell growth at the end of the first week. The maximum differentiation on stem cells in 0.5microg/ml Silibinin was observed to be significant [P<0.05]. Silibinin concentration increase led to reduced differentiation. Silibinin with neurotrophin 3 increased the differentiation of stem cells. Silibinin concentrations of 1microg/ml and more have toxic effects on hair follicles stem cell differentiation. Also, silibinin concentrations less than 0.1microg/ml had no effect on proliferation and differentiation hair follicle stem cells. Whereas 0.5microg/ml concentrations had significant effects on the differentiation processes of hair follicle stem cells to neuron

Induction of apoptosis by miltefosine in Iranian strain of Leishmania infantum promastigotes

Miltefosine is a new drug of choice for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Numerous experimental studies have shown miltefosine is effective on Leishmania donovani, however, effectiveness of miltefosine in treatment of L infantum is not fully understood. The aims of the present study were to evaluate cytotoxic effects of miltefosine on Iranian strain of L infantum, and to determine its 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] as well as lethal dose. Anti-L. infantum activity of miltefosine was studied by treatment of cultured promastigotes with various concentration of miltefosine. MTT assay was used to determine L infantum viability and the results were expressed as IC50. Annexin-V FLUOS staining was performed to study apoptotic properties of this drug by using FACS flow cytometry. Miltefosine led to dose-dependent death of L. infantum with features compatible with apoptosis including cell shrinkage, DNA laddering, and externalization of phosphatidylserine with preservation of integrity of plasma membrane. The 100% effect was achieved at 22 micro M and IC50 after 48 hours of incubation was 7 micro M. Miltefosine exerts cytotoxic effect on Iranian strain of L. infantum via an apoptosis-related mechanism

Comparison of ibuprofen, celecoxib and tramadol in relief of pain after extraction of mandibular third molar teeth

The ultimate goal of oral health care providers is not only to restore function, but also to relieve pain. This study was undertaken to compare the analgesic efficacy of ibuprofen, celecoxib and tramadol in patients after extraction of mandibular third molar teeth. Forty one patients entered our study and were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 received ibuprofen [600 mg] and groups 2 and 3 received celecoxib [200 mg] and tramadol [100mg] respectively, 8 hours and one hour before extraction of mandibular third molar teeth. The patients reported their pain severity in a questionnaire four and eight hours after the tooth extraction. To evaluate the side effects of the drug, the patients were asked to report if they had any problem using the drug. Fourteen patients received ibuprofen, 15 celecoxib and 12 tramadol for relief of pain. The pain severity in ibuprofen group, 4 and 8 hours after tooth extraction was less than celecoxib, and was less in these two groups when compared to tramadol group but no significant difference was found between the three groups. No undesirable side effects were reported in ibuprofen and celecoxib groups, but side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, oral dryness, drowsiness, tremor and vertigo were observed in the tramadol group. All patients who used tramadol were not satisfied from the drug while it had disturbed their daily activities. Regarding the very little side effects of celecoxib and its desirable analgesic effects, it can be administered as one of the analgesic drugs of choice in dentistry

Complementary / alternative medicine and medical education

To determine the prevalence, scope, and diversity of medical education in complementary / alternative Medicine [CAM] and to offer clear goals and concrete suggestions for incorporating CAM therapies as an integral part of medical curriculum. The information for this review was compiled by searching the Pub Med and MEDLINE databases looking for articles published until 1 September 2006. Only articles published in English were considered. The search terms included keywords "complementary and alternative medicine" combined with "medical education", and "medical curriculum". Full texts of articles were obtained and their references were checked for additional data when appropriate. Public interests in and use of CAM modalities has grown markedly over the last decade. Increased use of CAM has made it necessary that the topic be included in medical education from the preclinical years through residency and beyond. There has been progress in this direction in recent years, with a steady increase in the number of medical schools that include CAM therapies in their curricula. There, remains, however, a lack of clear goals and objective suggestions for implementing these changes. There is tremendous heterogeneity and diversity in content, format and requirements among courses in CAM. An initiative with administrative and institutional support is necessary to incorporate CAM therapies as an integral part of the medical curriculum