[Survey of the burn wound healing by Iranian traditional medicine from the herbalists or herbal medicine vendors in the Mazandaran province]

A Burn injury is a major health problem in the developing countries. Various treatments were applied for treatment of burn wounds by Iranian traditional medicine for thousands of years ago. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the natural products based on treatment of burn wounds by herbalists or herbal medicine vendors in the Mazandaran province. This research was a cross-sectional study; and all herbalists or herbal medicine endors were enrolled in this study. Snow ball sampling method was used with a questionnaire. Demographic data, methods of treatment for wounds, itching and pain were collected. The results were analyzed. In this study, 29 herbal and 4 animal based products were recommended by herbal medicine vendors for treatment of burn wounds. The results showed that 77 percent of respondents to treatment of burn wounds by natural products were recommended. Aloe Vera gel was the first choice for treatment of burn that was recommended by the herbalists. These results are interesting to find new drugs for treatment of burn wound healing with regards to Iranian traditional medicine. Since there are limited animal and clinical studies for approval of these natural products, future studies are needed for assessment of these traditional medicines for treatment of burn injuries

Synthesis and radioprotective study of novel amino-alkyldithiocarbamic acid derivatives against gamma-irradiation in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective capacity of some novel aminoalkylated dithiocarbamic acid potassium salts against gamma-irradiation in mice. Eight compounds containing 2-aminoethyl-, 3-aminopropyl-, 4-aminobutyl-, 5-aminopentyl-, 6-aminohexyl-, 7-aminoheptyl-, 8-aminooctyl and 9-aminononyl of dithiocarbamate derivatives were prepared. Male NMRI mice were injected intraperitoneally [IP] with a geometric progression of doses [300-1000 mg/kg], through the dose response range for lethal toxicity. To evaluate the radioprotecive activity, one-half of the toxic LD[50] of each compound were injected IP to groups of twenty mice, 30 minutes prior to gamma-irradiation. The treated animals were kept for 30 days, and the lethality was recorded each day. Among eight compounds of alkyl dithiocarbamic acid derivatives, 5-aminopentyl, 7-aminoheptyl, 8-aminooctyl and 9-aminononyl dithiocarbamic acid mono potassium salts are new compounds. All evaluated compounds showed a concentration dependent effect on the survival in mice. The LD[50] values were found to be more than 599 mg/kg. The percentages of 30-day survival of mice for 2-aminoethyl, 7-aminoheptyl and 8-aminooctyl dithiocarbamic acid derivatives were 7%, 40% and 13.5%, respectively, when injected 30 minutes before gamma-irradiation. Other compounds had no radioprotective effects. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the treated and control groups for the 7-aminoheptyl derivative [p<0.05]. Among the compounds investigated in this study, 7-aminoheptyl dithiocarbamate derivative showed more radioprotective effects in comparison with the others. Although it seems that the radioprotective effects in these derivatives correlate with the size of the alkyl chain, more experiments are required to support this hypothesis

Natural product as potential of radioprotective agents

Since exposure to irradiation in radiotherapy or unwanted radiation, induces side effects to health, it is important to makear effort to protect humans against side effects induced by irradiation. In these cases, radioprotective drugs could be used to reduce or delay the side effects and the mortality induced by irradiation. Although, thiol compounds were early compounds in these categories, administration of these agents have induced serious side effects and is limited to use clinically. The search for less-toxic radiation protectors has spurred interest in the development of natural products. Natural products have mainly antioxidant and immunostimulant activity. Cytokines and androsetendiol have immunomudulatory effects in the prevention of mortality induced by gamma irradiation in animal model. Many studies have showed herbal medicine has good radioprotective effects. Flavonoids are one of the main chemical compositions in herbal medicine with antioxidant activity. Although, these natural products had low efficacy in comparison to thiol compounds, they have low toxicity. This review focused on recent radioprotective agents with natural origin that have more potential effects