[ effects of liquid extract of Allium sativum on the basic and speed-dependent electrophysiological properties of islolated atrioventicular nodal of rabbit]

Herbal treatments are suitable replacement for synthetic drugs due to their availability, minimal side effects and low price. Previous studies about pharmacologic and biochemical effects of Allium sativum [garlic] have shown antihypertensive, anti arrhythmic, negative inotropic and chronotropic activities. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of liquid extract of Allium sativum on the basic and rate-dependent electrophysiological properties of isolated atrioventricular [AV] nodal of rabbit. In the present study we used isolated perfused AV-Nodal rabbit [1.5-2 kg] preparation including right atrium, intra-atrial septum and His bundle of rabbit as an experimental model to determine the effects of various concentration of aqueous extract of Allium Sativum. Selective stimulation protocols [recovery, facilitation and fatigue] were used to independently assess AV nodal properties in 14 rabbits [two groups]. In the first group of experiment [n=8 rabbits], different concentrations [20, 30, 100, 850 mg/lit] of Allium Sativum and in the second group verapamil [0.1 m] [n=6 rabbits] was applied. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Wilcaxon tests. The results of this research indicate a significant effect of various concentrations of Allium sativum on basic electrophysiological parameters of atrioventricular node [WBCL, recovery, facilitation, fatigue] and fatigue [P<0.05]. In the presence of garlic [20 mg/lit], AVCT [atrioventricular conduction time] increased from 41.3 +/- 5.3 to 45.6 +/- 5.1msec and FRP [functional refractory period] increased from 108.6 +/- 14.4 to 167 +/- 1.1 msec [P<0.05]. The Allium sativum extract has less inhibitory effect in comparison with verapamil on the basic parameters [P<0.05] of Node. The above results showed potential antiarrhythmic properties of Allium sativum by increasing fatigue and refractory period. Therefore, it may be considered for treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias

Chronic effect of the hydroalcholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves in regeneration of beta-cells of hyperglycemic STZ rats

Urtica dioica has been used in Iranian traditional medicine as a hypoglycemic agent. However there are reports with different results about the hypoglycemic activity of Urtica dioica. This study was done to determine the chronic effect of Urtica dioica leaf extract in hyperglycemic Wistar rats. 30 Wistar rats were allocated in groups of normal, hyperglycemic and treatment. Hyperglycemia in rats was induced by streptozotocin; IP. Animals in treatment group received hydroalcholic extract of Urtica dioica [100 mg/kg/day] for 4 weeks intraperitoneally. The blood glucose was measured by using a Glucometer in 1st, 3rd and 5[th] weeks. The animals in each group were sacrificed by ether anesthesia and pancreas beta- cells in three groups were counted by histological examination. The Means +/- SE of blood glucose concentrations in diabetic group was significantly lower than treatment groups [253.8 +/- 24.2 versa 356.2 +/- 28.1 mg/dl]. The percent of beta-cells were 73.6%, 1.9% and 1.3% in normal, hyperglycemic and treatment groups, respectively. This study showed that chronic administration of hydroalcholic extract of Urtica dioica has no hypoglycemic effect and regeneration of beta-cells of langerhans in hyperglycemic rats

effect of active training in reducing severe drug interactions

Background: medication errors are among the most important medical errors. Considering the current trend of poly-pharmacy and a high average number of drugs in prescriptions, drug interactions are of great significance

Purpose: to evaluate the effect of educational interventions including face-to-face, audit feedback and educational notes, among Gorgan physicians

Methods: with an initial estimation of 8% severe drug interactions [95% confidence level, 7% accuracy], the sample size was calculated to include at least 5600 prescriptions. After classifying the observed interactions and identifying the physicians, a questionnaire was prepared and completed attending their offices. Training was provided using face-to-face conversation, audit feedback and educational notes. After training on the severe interactions, physicians' prescriptions were reviewed again after three months and the number of interactions was compared with that observed at baseline, to evaluate the effect of training. Data were classified, computerized and analyzed with SPSS-10 using Chi-square and McNemar tests. The interactions' clinical importance was also evaluated using relative test

Results: overall prevalence of drug interactions was 8.93%, of which 6.55% were major, 65.58% moderate and 27.87% minor. Interactions were mostly seen among male doctors. The physicians with an average drug number of more than 4 had significantly more interactions in their prescriptions. The majority of physicians with major drug interactions did not know their clinical significance. After training, there was a significant reduction in major drug interactions, but none in moderate and minor interactions for which no education was provided

Conclusion: drug interactions are common medical errors in Gorgan province and training can decrease their rate