Prolongation of AV nodal refractoriness by Ruta graveolens in isolated rat hearts. Potenial role as an anti-arrhythmic agent

To evaluate concentration-dependent effects of total extract of Ruta graveolens and its purified alkaloid fraction on the nodal basic and functional properties. In the present experimental study, we used the Langendorff model for perfusion of isolated rat hearts to determine the effects of various concentrations of methanolic extract of Rue 1.25x10-6% weight per volume percent [W/V]; 2.5x10-6% W/V; 3.75x10-6% W/V and total alkaloid of Rue 0.25x10-6% W/V; 0.5x10-6% W/V on electrophysiological properties of cardiac tissue. Selective stimulation protocols were used to independently quantify atrioventricular AV nodal recovery, facilitation, and fatigue. We used 3 groups N=24 of isolated perfused rat AV nodal preparations to assess the effect of Rue extracts. The study was carried out in October 2006 in the electrophysiology laboratory of the Cardiovascular Research Center of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Gorgan, Iran. Our results showed that both the total plant extract and the alkaloid fraction of Ruta graveolens had a similar trend of action on nodal conduction time and refractoriness. Furthermore, we observed increased atrioventricular conduction time 83 +/- 4 to 108 +/- 5 msec and functional refractory period 157.6 +/- 3 to 163.7 +/- 4 msec at a maximum concentration of 3.75x10-6% W/V. The above results indicated a potential antiarrhythmic effect of Ruta graveolens in treating supra ventricular tachyarrhythmia

Combination therapy of interferon-alpha [PDferon and B®] ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C

Introduction: the addition of ribavirin [RIBA] to the standard treatment with interferon [IFN] alpha led to an improvement in sustained virologic response [SVR] from less than 20% with IFN monotherapy to 40-45% in combination therapy. The aim of this study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of IFN alpha [PDferon B®] in combination with RIBA on Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis C [CHC]

Methods: 48 naive patients aged 18 years or more with CHC were enrolled and treated with 3 mega units [MU] IFN alpha-2b three times a week plus 800-1000 mg RIBA per day for 48 weeks. Follow-up after therapy was 6 months. The efficacy was evident at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up in terms of sustained normalization of alanine aminotransferase and sustained serum HCV-RNA loss

Results: the rate of sustained biochemical and virologic response were 68.3% and 78%, respectively. Virologic response was 80.9% and 86.4% at weeks 12 and 48 as well. Any patient didn't have serious complication

Conclusion: although we had no control group who used standard IFN, our preliminary finding showed acceptable and promising response rate of PDferon. On the other hand, it seems that adverse events with PDferon are as like as other standard IFNs

Effect of achiliea santolina on mice spermatogenesis

Achillea santolina, a common variety of Achillea in Golestan province of Iran has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of hydroalcoholic extract [300 mg/kg/day Intraperitoneally, for 20 days] of Achillea santolina on the spermatogenesis of mice was studied by the evaluation of morphologic characteristics by light microscope. The alterations observed were disorganized germ epithelium, exfoliation of immature germ cells, germ cell necrosis and increased number of metaphasfis in germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules. We concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea santolina 300mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 20 days as a different variety of Achillea has antispermatogenic effect similar to Achillea millefolium on mice