[Evaluation the nutritional effect of lavandula angustifolia L. essential oil on normal and high blood pressure and changes of the aorta in the rat]

Background: Hypertension is a health problem and alternative medicine is offered for its controlling

Objective: Nutritional effects of Lavandula angustifolia L. [lavender] oil on high blood pressure [BP], and histological changes of the aorta in rat has been investigated in this study

Methods: Therty five male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; normal, hypertensive and control. Hypertension was induced by daily L-NAME administration in drinking water for 6 weeks and lavender oil [500 mg/kg] or its vehicle was given orally simultaneously. After basal BP measurement, lavender [50 mg/kg, iv] was injected in control groups. Histological evaluation of the thoracic aorta included staining with hematoxylin-eosin and orcein methods

Results: Hypertension induction increased mean arterial BP from 106 to 177 mm Hg and lavender treatment reduced it to 140 mm Hg [P< 0.001]. Lavender had no effect on normal rats. Intravenous injection of lavender reduced BP about 75% in normotensive and hypertensive rats [P<0.001]. Hypertension induction increased cross-section area, aorta and media thickness, and reduced elastic lamina thickness [P<0.001]. Lavender treatment reduced cross-section area of the aorta and media thickness, and increased elastic lamina thickness [P < 0.05]. Hypertension and treatment had no effect on advanthia and elastic lamina numbers.

Conclusion: Nutritional lavender oil prevented BP increases and pathological changes of the aorta in hypertensive rats. It seems lavender oil is beneficial for prophylaxis of hypertension

[Effect of intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil on normal blood pressure in rats]

Background and Objective: Several studies have shown that inhalation of Lavandula angustifolia L. [Lavender] reduces hypertension, while systemic effects and mechanism of action of lavender oil on blood pressure is not clear. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of intravenous and ntraperitoneal injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil on normal blood pressure in male rats

Methods: In this experimental study, 70 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 10 groups [n=7]. Following anesthetizing the animals with sodium thiopental, femoral artery and vein were cannulated respectively for recording blood pressure and injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil. Lavender oil or its vehicle [Propylene glycol] was injected by intravenous [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/bw] or intraperitoneal injection [500mg/kg/bw]. For the evaluation of the mechanism of Lavender oil, L-NAME [4mg/kg/bw], atropine [1mg/kg/bw], indomethacin [5 mg/kg/bw] or saline was injected intraperitoneally before intravenous administration of Lavender angustifolia L. oil

Results: Intravenous injection of Lavender oil of 25 and 50 mg/kg/bw reduced arterial blood pressure in compare to control group [P<0.05] and dose of 50 mg/kg/bw was more effective than dose of 25 mg/kg/bw [P<0.05]. 100 mg/kg/bw of Lavender angustifolia L. oil caused serious fall of blood pressure and resulted in animal death. Intraperitoneally injection of Lavender angustifolia L. oil at dose of 500 mg/kg reduced arterial blood pressure that this reduction was longer than intravenously administration of Lavender oil [P<0.05]. Intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME, atropine or indomethacin had no significant effect on baseline of blood pressure and hypotensive effect of Lavender angustifolia L. oil

Conclusion: Intravenous injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg/bw reduced arterial blood pressure in rat, but intraperitoneally injection of Lavender oil at dose of 500 mg/kg/bw prolonged the reduction of blood pressure in animals

Acute and chronic effects of ferula persica on blood pressure of hypertensive rats and its possible mechanism of action

Ferula persica has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of high blood pressure. In this study acute and chronic effect of aqueous F. persica extract on BP of hypertensive rats and its possible mechanism of action have been investigated. Eighty two male Wistar rats were divided into 12 experimental groups. Hypertension was induced by Goldblatt method in the anesthetized rats. Aqueous extract of F. persica [15 or 30 or 60 mg/kg, iv] or it's vehicle were administered in treatments or control groups to evaluate their effects on BP and heart rate. To assess the mechanism of F. persica action on BP, L-NAME [5 mg/kg], Atropine [1 mg/kg] or Indomethacin [5 mg/kg] were injected intraperitoneally followed by intravenous administration of F. persica [30 mg/kg] in the different groups of hypertensive rats. Chronic effect of F. persica [30 mg/kg] on BP was evaluated by the aqueous extract administration in drinking water for a month. Intravenous administration of F. persica reduced BP of hypertensive rats [p<0.001]. There is no significant different between three doses of F. persica. Intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME, Atropine or Indomethacin has no significant effect on basal BP, but L-NAME eliminated and Atropine reduced hypotensive effect of F. persica extract on BP. Chronic administration of F. persica has no effect on BP. Our findings showed the hypotensive effect of F. persica in hypertensive rats may be mediated by muscarinic receptors and NO release

[Comparing the effect of apraclonidine versus timolol in preventing the intraocular pressure elevation after YAG laser capsulotomy]

Background: Considering the high number of cataract surgery and the posterior capsular opacity as its complication which needs laser capsulotomy and also the rising of intraocular pressure [IOP] after such surgeries, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of apraclonidine and timolol separately in decreasing IOP after laser capsulotomy in Matini hospital of Kashan during 2010-11

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 200 eyes of patients with posterior capsular opacity were randomly divided into two groups and each group treated by timolol or apraclonidine before YAG laser capsulotomy. Then, the tonometer was used to record the intraocular pressure, 1 hour before, 6 and 24 hours after the capsulotomy

Results: One-hundred forty [70%] of the patients were women and 60 [30%] men. The interaction between the two drugs and time was not significant [P=0.104]. There was no significant difference between the two groups for mean IOP at any time. [P=0.738]. Therefore, apraclonidine and timolol are similar in their effects on reducing IOP after laser capsulotomy. In addition, mean IOP in three consecutive measurements were significantly different [P=0.001]. Moreover, the differences between paired comparisons of time were also significant in all three measurements

Conclusion: The efficacy of apraclonidine in reducing IOP in patients underwent the posterior capsulotomy is established and it is similar to timolol in mechanism

[Relationship between organizational commitments and nurses' intention to remain at health centers affiliated to army of the Islamic Republic of Iran]

Human resources are one of the most assets of organizations, and their intention to remain at organization is very important. This paper aims to examine the relationship between organizational commitment and nurses' intention to remain at health centers affiliated to Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It was a descriptive correlational Study. The research population consisted of nurses working in health centers affiliated to Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. One hundred and forty nurses were recruited by quota sampling. Data was collected by questionnaire and analyzed by Pearson Correlation Test using SPSS-PC [v.11]. There was a significant association between intention to remain and affective commitment [r=0.44] and also normative commitment [r=0.38] [P<0.001]. Considering the findings, using approaches to enhance the level of affective and normative commitment would increase the possibility of intention to remain at work in nurses working in health centers of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Evaluation of topical Matricaria chamomilla L. oil extract activity on linear incisional wound healing in albino rats

There are some information about antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect of Matricaria chamomilla flower oil extract, but there isn't any information about its effect on linear incisional wound healing. In this investigation, the effect of Matricaria chamomilla flower oil extract on linear incisional wound healing was studied. Thirty male Wistar rats were subjected to a linear 3cm incision made over the skin of the back. The animals were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups, as Sham operated, Control [Olive oil] and treatment. Sham group did not receive any treatment. Control group received topical olive oil twice a day from beginning of experiments to complete wound closure. Treatment group were treated topically by M. chamomilla extract dissolved in olive oil at the same time. For computing the percentage of wound healing, the area of the wound measured at the beginning of experiments and the next 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 and 20 days. The percentage of wound healing was calculated by Walker formula after measurement of the wound area. Results showed that there were statistically significant difference between treatment and Control animals [p < 0.05] in most of the days. We conclude that the topical administration of M. chamomilla extract has wound healing potential in linear incisional wound model in rats

Assessing the effect of aqueous extract of the cuminum cyminm seed on the acute peripheral pain in hot plate and tail flick models in mice

Background and Purpose: Cuminum Cyminm [CC] is one of the plants whose aqueous extract is used in traditional medicine as anti-convulsive, anti-epileptic and as a tretment for some visceral pains. However, no substantial reports can be found of its effects on the peripheral pain in lab animals. Therefore, this study was condcated to determine the eefects of the IP injection of the aqueous extract of CC on the acute peripheral pain in Hot Plate [HP] and Tail Flick [TF] tests in mice

Methods and Materials: This experimental study was conducted on 56 male Albino mice [8 groups each with 7 mice] weighing 25-30 gr. 200 and 500 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of CC or saline of the volume were injected intraperitoeally 30 minutes prior to the tests. Pain measrment criteria in the TF test was the response time to the pain by raising the tail, and in the HP test the time to begin to lick the front legs or raising the rear feet

Results: The IP injection of the CC aqueous extract with the doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg significantly increasd the response time to the pain in HP and TF tests [P<0.01] in cmparison with the control groups and the group receiving saline. The efect was however more remarkable with the 500 mg/kg dose

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the aqueous extract of CC reduced the acute peripheral pain in the mice

Assessment of the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of trigonella foenum on anxiety and sleep in mice

Background and Purpose: Previous studies suggest that the leaf of Trigonella foenum [TF] has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and probably modulatory effects on sleep and anxiety reactions. The present study is intended to determine the effects of hydro - alcoholic extract of TF on anxiety and sleeping time in mice

Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, 140 male albino mice [25-30 gr] were used in 14 groups [n=10 in each group]. Elevated plus maze [EPM] was used for the assessment of anxiety, and experimental groups received hydro-alcoholic extracts of TF [50, 100, 200, 400 and 80 mg/kg] as IP injection; sham group received saline [10 mg/kg IP injection] 30 minutes prior to evaluation; the control group did not receive any injection. 25 minutes after injection, animals were put in a black box for 5 minutes in order to increase their activity; then, they were transferred to the EPM for anxiety evaluation by two factors: the time spent and frequency of entrance to the open arms of the EPM. In order to assess sleeping time, the Angel method [records of sleeping duration by physiograph] was used. 30 minutes before sleep assessment, TF extract and saline were used for experimental and sham groups; the control group received nothing as what we did in anxiety evaluation. Finally, ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for data analysis

Results: The findings indicated that the hydro-alcoholic extract of TF in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly increased the time spent and frequency of entrance to the open arms of EPM [p<0.05] in the experimental groups rather than in sham and control groups; this indicates a reduction of anxiety. Also, the TF extract in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased sleep duration [p<0.05] in comparison with the sham and control groups

Conclusion: The results indicated that the TF extract had an effective role in reducing anxiety reactions and increasing sleep duration in mice

[Medical education effectiveness from the viewpoints of medical students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences]

Curriculum revision, teaching activities and interaction in instruction are required for the improvement of effectiveness of education. This research was conducted to study the effectiveness of medical education from the viewpoints of students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This survey was carried out on fifth year medical students in the first semester of the academic year of 2005-2006. One hundred and sixty two students were selected through stratified random sampling method. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire including 74 questions which was designed using McDonald model and consisted of three parts of curriculum, organizing teaching activities, and interaction in education. The questionnaires were distributed in educational hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The mean and standard deviation obtained from students' viewpoints toward effectiveness of curriculum, teaching activities, and interaction in education were 2.35 +/- 0.34, 2.5 +/- 0.35, and 2.46 +/- 0.35, respectively. The first one was less than theoretical mean, while the second and third ones were equal to the theoretical mean. The mean obtained for effectiveness of curriculum was lower than the theoretical mean [2.5] which shows the necessity of revising medical curriculum. The mean of the interaction in instruction and teaching activities calls for a need to improve different kinds of interaction and promote the skills of instructors

A recombinant 19 kDa Plasmodium berghei merozoite surface protein 1 formulated with alum induces protective immune response in mice

We investigated the immunogenicity of recombinant rMSP1 (rPbMSP1) that was generated from Plasmodium berghei. The rPbMSP1 formulated in alum was found to be immunogenic which induced high levels of specific anti-rPbMSP1 antibody. The IgG2a response predominated over IgG1 during the challenge infection in the vaccinated mice. Mice vaccinated with rPbMSP1 in alum mounted significant protective immunity against challenge infection (P < 0.01). On day 121 after the booster, three out of ten mice immunized with rPbMSP1 in PBS survived parasite infection (P < 0.05) and eight out of ten mice vaccinated with r MSP1 in alum did (P < 0.01). Hence, immunization with MSP1 in alum obviously has conferred protective effects, which prevented death from P. berghei lethal infection in mice (P < 0.01). These observations provide an excellent model for clinical assessment of this formulation in human subjects.

[Assessment of hydro-alcholic extract of Achillea. Millefolium on anxiety-like behaviors in mice]

Anxiety is one of the most common psychotic disorders. Since available antianxiety therapies have many side effects, searching for new drugs with lower side effects is necessary. Achillea. Millefolium is one of the medical plants that have many beneficial effects and it seems that it has some anti-anxiety effects as well. In the current study, the probable influence of hydro-alcholic extract of A. Millefolium on anxiety-like behaviors was investigated in a mice model. Sixty male albino mice [25-30gr] were used in the study. Animals were randomly divided into four treatment groups and two control groups. The treatment groups were received different doses of A. Millefolium extract [50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg] by the route of intraperitoneal. One of the control groups was given the vehicle of A. Millefolium extract, while another one; sham control, received only a blank injection. Twenty-five min following injection of the A. Millefolium extract, the animals have left inside a black wall box for increasing motion activity for 5 min. Then the animals were transferred to a plus maze for the evaluation of anxiety reaction including the number of entries and time spent in the open arms of maze. These anxiety criteria were monitored and recorded for 5 min. The hydroalcohlic extract of A. Millefolium in a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased both the time spent in the open arms and the number of entries to the open arms in the test animals compared to the control animals [p<0.05]. The results of present study showed that A. Millefolium extract modulates anxietylike behaviors in mice

multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of heberon [interferon alfa-2b] in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Iran

interferon and ribavirin is the most effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C today. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrice-weekly Heberon [interferon alfa-2b] in combination with ribavirin as first-line treatment of chronic hepatitis C.A total of 97 treatment-naive patients received Heberon three million units thrice-weekly subcutaneously in combination with ribavirin for 12 months. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured before and during therapy and 6 months after the end of therapy. End-of-treatment and sustained virological responses was defined as an undetectable HCV-RNA level at the end of treatment, and 6 months after treatment was completed [end of follow-up], respectively.In an intent-to-treat analysis, HCV-RNA was undetectable at the end of treatment in 49.5% of patients. At the end of follow-up, sustained virological response was 36.1%. Combination treatment was generally well tolerated. Six patients stopped therapy because of side effects: severe cytopenia [n=4], depression [n=1], and hyperthyroidism [n=1]. Common side effects of therapy include: Flu-like syndrome [85.6%], generalized alopecia [41.2%], injection site inflammation [37.1%], mood changes [36%], anorexia [34%] and weight loss [32%].Heberon as an IFN product in combination with ribavirin for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C is relatively safe, feasible, and potentially efficacious. It has comparable results in achieving end-of-treatment and sustained viro-logical responses in chronic hepatitis C

[Frequency of hepatitis B and C infection among hemophiliac patients in Kerman]

Hemophilia is the most common congenital coagulative disorder which exposes the patients to many problem because of lack of coagulative factors, higher risk of viral infections and other complications. This study was designed to detect the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in hemophiliac patients referring to Kerman Samenalhojaj Center. For this purpose, 97 hemophiliac patients were studied during the summer 2002 and their demographic data such as age, sex, duration of disease, history of blood transfusion and drug history were collected By means of serologic tests HBV and HCV were diagnosed In order to determine risk factors, odds Ratio was calculated From total subjects 84 were male and 13 were female and their mean age was 21.8+/-11.6 years [mean+/-SD]. Among subjects 43 person [44.3%] had HCV infection and only one person had HB V infection. Patients with HCV infection, had greater mean age comparing to the non infected patients There was statistical significant relationship between blood transfusion and HCV infection. That is, blood transfusion had increased the risk of HCV infection 2.3 times. The high risk of HCV infection in hemophiliac patients has been demonstrated in several investigations and shows the role of blood transfusion in HCV infection Lack of HBV infection in hemophiliac patients suggests that blood transfusion is not the main way of HBV infection. However, these patients are at a high risk of HBV infection. Because of many complications of HBV and HCV infection, detection of these infections in hemophiliac patients is highly necessary