Evaluation of the effects of three plant species [Myrtus Communis L., Camellia Sinensis L., Zataria Multiflora Boiss.] on the healing process of intraoral ulcers in rats

Statement of the Problem: Use of traditional medicine to relieve human sufferings has a very long history. The effects of these plants in wound curing and subse-quently making the best mucosa patch for treatment of oral ulcers is still under investigation

Purpose: The main goal of present research work is to assess the efficacy of Myrtus communis L., Camellia sinensis L. and Zataria multiflora Boiss. on oral ulcer recov-ery process in rats

Materials and Method: In this study, 60 healthy adult male rats in 5 groups were investigated. A wound with 2 mm diameter was punched into the hard palate of each rat. For topical application, a mucosa patch of materials or blank was packed into the wound. Histological samples were harvested on post injury days 2, 4, 6, and 8

Results: This study showed that there were no significant differences between groups in the reduction of weight. Comparison of clinical wound size showed that group Myrtus communis L had the greatest reduction in wound size on days 4, 6 and 8, which was significantly different from the other groups. The highest thickness of epithelium was observed in groups Myrtus communis L and Camellia sinensis L on days 6 and 8. Group Myrtus communis L showed the highest values on days 6 and 8. This study showed a lower mononuclear cell counts in group Myrtus communis L on days 6 and 8 compared to other groups which was statistically significant

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Myrtus communis L. has significant effects on oral wound healing processes. These favorable results might introduce a new group of material or medicine derived from this plant

Severe Jaundice in Two Children with Kawasaki Disease: A Possible Association with Gilbert Syndrome

Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis, mainly encountered in children. It may affect any organ. Acute cholestasis and severe obstructive jaundice is an atypical manifestation of the disease. We herein present two children with Kawasaki disease and severe direct hypebilibirunemia who also were homozygous and heterozygous respectively for the (TA)7 promoter polymorphism of Gilbert syndrome. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered to both patients at the acute phase of the disease and the fever remitted within 24 hr following the immunoglobulin administration. Furthermore oral aspirin at a dose of 80-100 mg/kg/24 hr was also given. The first child did not develop any coronary ectasia or aneurysm, whereas dilation of the right coronary artery was identified in the second child, one month after the disease onset. We discuss the possible contribution of Gilbert syndrome to the development of jaundice in our patients.

inhibitory effect of some Iranian plants extracts on the alpha glucosidase

Diabetes mellitus is manifested by hyperglycaemia. Different treatments such as diets and drugs are recommended for diabetes control. For various reasons in recent years traditional plant [herbal] therapies as prescribed by indigenous systems of medicine with different mechanisms have commonly been used. The digestive enzymes such as alpha glucosidase are among these herbal remedies. One hundred species of plants were collected or purchased from the Medicinal Herbal Markets and botanically identified. Methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared by the maceration method. The enzymatic activities of alpha glucosidase were determined colorimetrically by monitoring the release of p-nitrophenol from the appropriate p-nitrophenol glycoside substrate, after 30 mins incubation at 37°C in the phosphate buffer [pH= 6.8]. Among 200 prepared extracts, Verbascum kermanensis, Rosadamascene, Rosmarinus officinalis, Levisticum officinale, Zataria multiflora Sanguisorba minor, Alhagi camelorum, Pistacia vera, Vaccinium arcto-staphylus, Zhumeria majdae, Alpinia officinarum, Salvadora persica, and Thymus serpyllum showed more than 50% inhibitory effect on the alpha glucosidase. These active plants have no records in the literature for their anti diabetic effect and might be the new agents for diabetes control. This needs further in vitro and in vivo studies, some of which are under investigation