ABSTRACT
As a performance evaluating program, healthcare indicators of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the end year of the 4[th] five-year socioeconomic strategic plan [2008] were evaluated in comparison with the same indicators at the 1[st] year of the 9[th] government [2004]. The indicators were selected with the Delphi technique among the published indicators in the two period of time in 41 universities and in the country. Data gathering was done on the current health information system and were statistically analyzed assessing their trends. The provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan [3.4%], Kerman [2.84%], Hormozgan [2.83%], Tehran [2.63%] and Qom [2.07%] had the highest rate of population growth over these years. Improving access to primary health care [PHC] in rural areas in Iran was evident during these years. The average hospital bed index in 1998 was one bed per 1000 population in the country and it was 1.62 in 2008. This Index was the highest in the province of Yazd and lowest in Ilam during both periods. A significant ascending trend was observed for indicators in all medical universities. A promotion in healthcare indicators in the lesser developed provinces seems necessary
ABSTRACT
Achillea talagonica Boiss. [Asteraceae] grows in the western and central parts of Iran. This plant has long been used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of rheumatic pain. Previously, the immunosuppressive activity of the aqueous extract of this endemic plant in experimental animals was reported. In this research, isolation of the main immunologically active components of A. talagonica, which were effective on humoral immune responses in BALB/c mice is elucidated. In order to find the main immunosuppressive components of A. talagonica, methanol and methanol-water [80% and 50% v:v] extracts were injected to BALB/c mice and the hemagglutinating antibody titer was assayed after immunization with SRBC [sheep red blood cells]. Guided by this assay, active principles were separated by chromatographic methods. Isolated compounds were identified as caffeic acid 9-O-glucoside [1], quercetin [2], luteolin [3], 3'-methoxy luteolin [4], proline [5] and choline [6] by comparison of their spectral data with those of reported in literatures. Immunosuppressive property of choline [5 mgkg-1] was comparable to those of prednisolone [10 mgkg-1]; although, quercetin [20 mgkg-1] and caffeoyl glucoside [20 mgkg-1] decreased anti-SRBC titer in comparison with control groups. Immunosuppressive effects of A. talagonica are due to some components belonging to betaine, flavonol and phenoilc esters