ABSTRACT
5-Fluorouracil (5FUra) is the third most popular chemotherapeutic component employed to treat solid tumors. In the present study, we aimed to appraise the silymarin (SM) and silymarin nanoemulsion (SMN) effect on 5FUra-induced gastrointestinal toxicity in adult male rats. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups including the control (Crl) group, and groups treated with SMN (5 mg.kg-1), SM (5 mg.kg-1), 5FUra + SMN (5 mg.kg-1), and 5FUra + SM (5 mg.kg-1) by IP injection for 14 days. And gastrointestinal toxicity was induced by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 5FUra (100 mg.kg-1) for the last group in the study. Treating rats with SM and SMN diminished elevating malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and improved total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels. Also, the intensity of mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) caused by 5FUra in the gastrointestinal tissue tract, and macroscopic oral ulcerations decreased, ass well as weight loss was prevented, particularly in the SMN group. Moreover, in the microscopic scope, there were significant improvements in the levels of hyperemia, hyaline, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the tongue, esophagus, and intestinal tissues in the FUra + SMN and FUra + SM groups compared to 5FUra. Hence, treatment with SM and SMN reduced oxidative stress, histopathological degeneration, and gene expression of inflammatory markers in the gastrointestinal tract. According to the results, treatment with SM and SMN markedly decreases the gastrointestinal toxicity caused by 5FUra.
ABSTRACT
In some traditional therapies, it has been claimed that camphor (a crystalline ketone obtained from cinnamomum camphora) would be a suppressor of sexual behaviors and sex hormones. This study evaluated the effects of camphor on sex hormones, like luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. In this experimental study, 56 male rats were divided into 5 groups, including control (n=12), sham (n=11) and three treatment groups (n=11) in three different doses. The sham groups received daily intra peritoneal (IP) injections of the vehicle (ethanol 10%) for 30 days. Three treatment groups received different daily IP injections of the camphor (1, 2 and 5 mg/Kg) for 30 days and the control groups didn't received anything. Serums were used for assaying LH, FSH and testosterone. The level of LH significantly increased in all doses of camphor among the treatment groups as compared to the control (p<0.05), but camphor in doses 2 and 5 mg/Kg significantly reduced the FSH level as compared to control group (p<0.05). No significant changes were seen in testosterone levels. Camphor increased level of LH, decreased level of FSH, whereas it failed to change level of testosterone. The claim of inhibitory effect of camphor on sexual activity could not be confirmed by this study. More investigations in this field are suggested.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It has been almost three decades since tramadol was introduced to the market as a centrally acting analgesic. It is claimed to have weak opioid properties and a low dependence potential in opioid-addicted patients. This study was designed to investigate the suspicion of potential tramadol abuse among patients visiting pharmacies in Babol, one of the major cities in northern Iran. METHODS: Under supervision by pharmacists, a questionnaire designed to monitor drug abuse was filled out for every patient who requested tramadol from Babol's pharmacies during 6 months (Aug. 2007 till Feb. 2008). The data obtained were used to derive descriptive statistics and to make a comparison with results from other countries. RESULTS: Of 162 patients (or someone on their behalf) who had sought tramadol from a pharmacy, 92 (56%) patients did not have a prescription. At least 103 (64%) patients reported criteria for addiction (ie, for feeling of psychological well being, unable to cease taking the drug, more than two weeks of tramadol use). In total, 145 (89%) patients were aged younger than 30 years, and 90 (55%) patients were aged younger than 18 years. More than 63% of patients reported a history of addiction or drug abuse. Most of the patients with no prescription (88%) had abuse/addiction criteria. CONCLUSION: Patients who request tramadol from pharmacies in Babol seem to have a high potential for drug abuse, in particular those who do not have prescriptions. The high prevalence of people under 18 years of age seeking tramadol could be a worldwide trend. We recommend further governmental support for pharmacies to deal with tramadol abusers in northern Iran.
