Cheminformatics-based anticoagulant study of traditionally used medicinal plants

Background: Medicinal plants, as a complementary medicine, have been used to treat various diseases since ancient times. These plants have numerous beneficial applications and are the source of certain conventional drugs. In diseases such as stroke and ischemia, which are caused by several factors, abnormal coagulation is an important causative factor. Accordingly, novel and effective therapies such as herbal remedies should be practiced to prevent such lethal diseases

Methods: Using the available databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed, the previously reported anticoagulant compounds and plants possessing anticoagulant activity were identified and collected in two separate lists. Next, the fast and cost-effective cheminformatics methods incorporated in PubChem were applied to detect some compounds similar to reported anticoagulants. Subsequently, 15 native medical plants of Iran containing the potential anticoagulants were selected. The selected plants were purchased and chopped, and the potential compounds were extracted by ethanol. Then three concentrations of extracts [1, 10, and 100 micro g per ml] were made. Finally, anticoagulant effect of the selected plants was evaluated by in vitro prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time coagulation tests

Results: Among the 15 selected medicinal plants, three plants, including Terminalia bellirica [P=0.0019], Astragalus arbusculinus [P=0.0021], and Origanum vulgare [P=0.0014] showed a more promising anticoagulant effect in comparison to the control

Conclusion: The anticoagulant activity was identified for the first time in these three plants. Further in vivo study and mechanism of action assay are required to be performed on these three plants, which could be suitable candidates for use as natural anticoagulant medicines

Reduction of pathogens from mixture of cow manure, domestic waste and wastewater treatment plant sludge by vermicomposting process

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the microbial quality of the produced vermicomposts and compare them with the existing standards

Methods: This experimental study was conducted as a pilot-scale one, in the laboratory school, some perishable domestic waste were mixed in a reactor, including food waste, vegetables and fruits, cow manure and sludge of wastewater treatment plant. Tests to determine the microbial quality of the product were carried out at an early stage, during the process of production and on the final product. These tests included determining the probable number of fecal coliform bacteria and parasite eggs

Results: According to the results of this study, a significant decrease was observed in the number of fecal col i forms in Sludge manure and domestic waste, as the number of fecal coliforms reduced from 5000000 [MPN / g], in the raw sample to 1500 [MPN / g], eight weeks after the outset. Moreover, according to the obtained results, the mixture, of manure, sludge, and domestic waste had some parasite eggs [20 number /gr] in the raw samples. This amount was fully removed by the process of vermicomposting, during the third week

Conclusion: Findings revealed that the earthworms have a high capability to reduce the pathogens without increasing in temperature, however, in order to standardize the number of coliforms [compost class A], the vermicomposting of the mixture of cow manure, domestic waste, and sludge of wastewater treatment plant is not appropriate

Pathogens' reduction in vermicompost process resulted from the mixed sludge treatments-household wastes

Introduction: The presence of pathogenic microbial agents and pathogens in organic fertilizers causes health problems and disease transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of vermicomposting process in improve the microbial quality of the compost produced

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted as a pilotscale one, in the laboratory of school of Health. In order to produce vermicompost, some perishable domestic waste were mixed whit sludge of wastewater treatment plant in a reactor. Tests to determine the microbial quality of the product were carried out at an early stage, during the process of production, and on the final product. The worms used for the production of vermicompost were Eiseniafotida worms

Results: According to the results of this study, a significant decrease was observed in the number of fecal coliforms in Sludge- domestic waste; as the number of fecal coliforms reduced from 7500000 [MPN/g], in the raw sample, to 1500 [MPN/g], eight weeks after the outset. Removal efficiency of fecal coliforms was 99.98 percent. Moreover, according to the obtained results, the mixture of Sludge and domestic waste had some parasite eggs [22 number/gr] in the raw samples. This amount was fully removed by the process of vermicomposting, during the forth week

Conclusion: The results showed that earthworms are a great ability to remove pathogens but to reach the standard set in mixed microbial treatment sludge - waste can not be sure

Improving the growth rate of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in alginate/gelatin versus alginate hydrogels

Background: Expansion and differentiation of stem cells relies on the soluble materials as well as the physical conditions of their microenvironment. Several methods have been studied in attempt to enhance the growth and differentiation rates of different adult stem cells extracted from different sources

Objectives: The purpose was to improve the three-dimensional [3D] culture condition of the semi-permeable polymeric beads for encapsulation of the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells [hADSCs] by modifying the ratio of the alginate-gelatin composition

Materials and Methods: Following isolation and characterization of hADSCs by flow cytometry and their functional differentiation, encapsulation in the alginate and alginate/gelatin compositions were performed. Moreover, the stability, swelling, size frequency, growth kinetics, and cytotoxicity of the beads were measured to meet proper condition in the designed experimental and control culture conditions. Finally, the growth rates of the cells in different experimental groups and control were measured and analyzed statistically

Results: Viability decreased in 2 and 3 percent alginate once compared to 1% alginate in beads [p

Conclusions: These findings suggested for the first time that the composite of alginate/gelatin beads with the ratio of 50:50 might provide a suitable culture condition for the encapsulation and in vitro expansion of the hADSCs

[Quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: Assessing with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire [PDQ-39]]

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease [PD] using a Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire [PDQ-39] as a measure. In this cross-sectional study, 200 consecutive patients with PD who referred to Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospitals were enrolled. The PDQ-39 was used for evaluation. Statistical tests like ANOVA, t-test and Spearman rank correlations were used to assess the relationship between duration and clinical stage of disease and the quality of life. The mean age of the patients was 57.32years [10.5 SD]. 135[67.5%] were male and 65[32.5%] female. Most of the patients [46/5%] were in mild stage. The results showed total effect of PD on patient`s quality of life, on dimensions that measured by PDQ-39. The mean of Parkinson`s disease summary index [PDSI] was 35/17 +/- 15/43.Also severity [p=0.008] and duration [p=0.0001] of disease had a significant effect on Quality of life. Quality of life deteriorated significantly with increasing disease. Paying attention to other dimensions of quality of life than clinical symptoms is suggested to improve health related quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.