RESUMO
When hydrocolloids dressings are loaded with an antibacterial agent, they can also prevent infection during wound cicatrisation. To consider interesting properties of traditional Gum Tragacanth such as moisture absorption, hydrocolloid formation, drug holding and releasing abilities, it was aimed to introduce a scaffold wound dress based on Gum Tragacanth with drug release ability simultaneously. In this experimental study, gum tragacanth from Astragalus gossypinus species [Iranian species] is solved and loaded with an aminoglycoside antibiotic [Gentamicin]. Prepared solution transformed to a nano fibers network "scaffold" by lyophilization method. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction methods and their antimicrobial and moisture holding properties were determined. Gum tragacanth showed a proper potential for dispersing gentamicin and the drug was loaded into polymer matrix without any aggregation. Loaded gum tragacanth with gentamicin is successfully transformed to a nanofibers scaffold by lyophilization. The diameters of fibers were in the range of 300nm to 2micro m. Transformed gum tragacanth into scaffolds showed declined regain content [up to 50%] due to the ordering and orientation of polymer chains. Ordered hydroxyl groups also observed in FTIR graphs. Regarding the zones of inhibition, scaffolds also showed acceptable antibacterial activities. Produced scaffolds are capable of absorbing wound's exocrine liquid easily due to their high specific area of nanofibers. When it is turned to gel by moisture sorption, the release of loaded Gentamicin would be enhanced
RESUMO
Ginger [Zingiber officinale] extract supplementation has been shown to improve the severity of symptoms and decrease the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug [NSAID] requirements in patients with osteoarthritis [OA]. To assess the effects of ginger extract as an alternative to NSAIDs and as a supplement drug in the symptomatic treatment of OA. Between April and October 2002, 120 outpatients with OA of moderate to severe pain, requiring only the use of NSAIDs, were enrolled into a double-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled clinical trial. These patients were randomized into three groups of 40, including the placebo [PL], ginger extract [GE], and ibuprofen [IBP] groups. After a washout period of one week [week 0], patients received either 30 mg ginger extract in two 500 mg capsules, placebo, or three 400 mg ibuprofen tablets daily for one month. Acetaminophen tablet was prescribed as a rescue analgesic during the study. The clinical assessments included a visual analog scale [VAS] for pain, gelling pain, joint swelling measurement, and joint motion slope measurement. Joint motion slope was measured by goniometry [normal = 130[degree sign], limited = 120[degree sign], and very limited = 110[degree sign]].The improvement of symptoms [defined as reduction in the mean change] was superior in the ginger extract and ibuprofen groups than the placebo group. VAS scores and gelling or regressive pain after rising the scores were significantly higher in the PL group than both the GE and IBP groups, a month after the treatment [P < 0.0001]. However, there was no significant difference in VAS and gelling pain scores between the ginger extract and the ibuprofen groups. Ginger extract and ibuprofen were significantly more effective than the placebo in the symptomatic treatment of OA, while there was no significant difference between the ginger extract and ibuprofen groups in a test for multiple comparison