[Repelling property of the methalonic and hexanic extracts of Sambucus ebulus L. against the Culex pipiens: in-vitro study]

Background and Objective: The anti inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant of Sambucus ebulus L. have been reported in several studies. This study was done to assess the repelling property of the methalonic and hexanic extracts of Sambucus ebulus L. against the Culex pipiens

Methods: In this experimental study, Sambucus ebulus L. collected from the natural inhabitants of Mazandran province in northern Iran. Methalonic and hexanic extraction were provided from the leaf and fruit of Sambucus ebulus L. Concentration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg was prepared. 0.4 ml of the extract prepared and was spreed on the albino skin area of 4×6 cm2. After 30 minutes the number of the mosquito [Culex pipiens] bites on the skin was recorded. N, Ndiethyl-3 methyl benzamide was considered as positive control

Results: The highest repelling property of the Sambucus ebulus L. belonged to the concentration of 250 mg/kg of leaf and fruit extraction. The highest repelling effect was 80% and 66.8% for leaf methalonic and hexanic extract, respectively. The highest repelling effect was 84% and 72% for fruit metalonic and hexanic extract, respectively [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The methalonic extract of Sambucus ebulus L. had higher repelling efficiency compared to the hexanic extract. The fruit extract also had better effect than the leaf extract

Utilization pattern of antibiotics in different wards of Sari Imam Khomeini teaching hospital

Due to an increase in cases of irrational drug prescription and it's health and economic consequences, evaluation of the rational use of drugs seemed necessary. Among drug groups antibiotics are greatly significant. Utilization pattern of antibiotics in different wards of Sari Imam Khomeini teaching hospital in the first half of 2000 and 2005 were reviewed. ATC/DDD [Anatomic, Therapeutic, Chemical/ Defined Daily Dose] methodology was used. Data showed, use of antibiotics jumped from 95.4 DBDs [DDD per patient's bed-days] to 124 DBDs. Distribution of different class of anti-microbial, showed the highest increase in use of vancomycin and clindamycin. Use of cotrimoxazole and aminoglycosides remained fairly unchanged, howerrs consumption of Penicillin G dropped. In year 2005, ICU ward followed by gynecology, were among the University Hospital departments with the highest consumption of antibiotics. Cefazolin was the most prescribed antibiotics during this study. It appears that there is a need for more national drug policities and drug education program for health care professionals. Evaluation of drug distribution in hospitals seems to be necessary

[Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of fractionated extracts in different parts of Sambucus ebulus]

In Iranian folk medicine, the leaves and rhizomes of the plant Sambucus ebulus have been used topically for curing painful joint diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive efficacy of different parts of Sambucus ebulus in mice and rats. Different parts of Sambucus ebulus were collected from Sari. Fruits, leaves and roots were fractionated by successive solvent extraction with hexane, ethyl acetate and finally methanol. Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extracts were determined using hot plate, writhing and carrageenan-induced inflammation tests in mice and rats respectively. Nearly all extracts showed a dose dependent and marked analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities when compared to the control. Only hexane extract of leaves did not show any anti-inflammatory activity up to 600 mg/kg i.p. Hexane extract possessed significantly higher activity than methanol extract. Ethyl acetate extract were withdrawn because of severe nociceptive response in mice. No extracts exhibited any toxicity up to 2 g/ kg body weight intraperitoneally in mice for one week. The results of the present study support the folkloric utilization of this herb. Hexane extract of fruits showed highest analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Phytochemical analysis, the elucidation of exact mechanism of action and active components responsible for the hypernociceptive effect of ethyl acetate extract requires further investigations

[Extraction and comparison of amount of pectin, degree of estrification and galacturonic acid content in some citrus fruit peels]

Pectin is widely used in food, cosmetic and drug industries. Because of high production and consumption of citrus fruits in Mazandaran, fruit peel is available in large quantities. The objective of the current investigation was to determine the amount of pectin, degree of estrification, a key factor in rheological properties of pectin, and galacturonic acid content as a criterion for pectin purity. Thirteen species of commonly used citrus fruits, orange cultivates [Citrus sinensis; Washington navel, Sanguinello, Valencia, Acidless, Moro, Shahsavari, Italian orange], Clementine, Unshiu, Grapefruit [C. paradisi], Bitter [sour] orange [C. aurantium], Lemon [C. limon] and Tangelo were collected at the ripening stage. All the trees were cultivated in the experimental fields, Fajr citrus experimental institute. Amount of pectin was determined by acidic extraction from dry albedos of fruits. Degree of estrification and galacturonic acid content were determined by USP standard titrimetric procedure. The highest amount of pectin was found in Italian orange [27%], Shahsavari orange [25%] and Sanguinello [20%] on the basis of dry weight. The highest degree of estrification [11.5%, 10.9% and 9.6%] was found in Lemon, Washington navel and Bitter [sour] orange respectively. The highest galacturonic acid contents were found in Washington navel, Lemon and Italian orange [89.3, 85.4 and 77.7 respectively]. Six fruits were suitable for utilization in drug industries including: Washington navel, Acidless, Shahsavari, Italian orange, Bitter [sour] orange [C. aurantium], Lemon [C. limon]. Washington navel and Lemon had the most suitable pectin for pharmaceutical purposes