ABSTRACT
Viral diseases have always been a threat to mankind throughout history, and many people have lost their lives due to the epidemic of these diseases. In recent years, despite the progress of science, we are still witnessing a pandemic of dangerous diseases such as COVID-19 all over the world, which can be a warning for humanity. Ferula is a genus of flowering plants commonly found in Central Asia, and its species have shown antiviral activity against a variety of viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, Herpes simplex virus type 1, influenza, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, and coronaviruses. In this study, we intend to review the antiviral effects of Ferula plants, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of these plants in the treatment of COVID-19. Google, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched to review the relevant literature on the antiviral effect of Ferula or its isolated compounds. The search was performed using the keywords Ferula, antiviral, Coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, Herpes simplex virus type 1, influenza, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis B. According to the reviewed articles and available scientific evidence, it was determined that the plants of this genus have strong antiviral effects. Also, clinical studies have shown that some species, such as Ferula assa-foetida, can be used effectively in the treatment of COVID-19. Ferula plants have inhibitory effects on various viruses, making them an attractive alternative to conventional antiviral agents. Therefore, these plants are a natural source of valuable compounds that can help us fight infectious diseases.
ABSTRACT
Cancer is one of the main challenges of the health system around the world. This disease is increasing in developing countries and imposes heavy costs on patients and governments. On the other hand, despite various drugs, the death rate among cancer patients is still high and the current treatments have many harmful effects. In the traditional medicine of different countries, there are many medicinal plants that can be effective in the treatment of cancer. Ferula plants are traditionally used as spices and food or for medicinal purposes. Ferula assa-foetida is one of the famous plants of this genus, which has been used for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Among the main compounds of this plant, we can mention monoterpenes, sulfide compounds and polyphenols, which can show different therapeutic effects. This article has been compiled with the aim of collecting evidence and articles related to the anti-cancer effects of extracts, derived compounds, essential oils and nanoparticles containing Ferula assa-foetida. This review article was prepared by searching the terms Ferula assa-foetida and cancer, and relevant information was collected through searching electronic databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Fortunately, the results of this review showed that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this field and shown that Ferula assa-foetida can be very promising in the treatment of cancer.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might affect everyone, but people with comorbidities such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) may often have more severe complications and worse outcomes. Although vaccinations are being performed worldwide, it will take a long time until the entire population of the world is vaccinated. On the other hand, we are witnessing the emergence of new variants of this virus. Therefore, effective therapeutic approaches still need to be considered. Statins are well-known lipid-lowering drugs, but they have also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of statins on the survival of COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 583 patients admitted to a highly referenced hospital in Tabas, Iran, between February 2020 and December 2020. One hundred sixty-two patients were treated with statins and 421 patients were not. Demographic information, clinical signs, and the results of laboratory, and comorbidities were extracted from patients' medical records and mortality and survival rates were assessed in these two groups. Results: The results of the Cox crude regression model showed that statins reduced mortality in COVID-19 patients (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97; p = 0.040), although this reduction was not significant in the adjusted model (HRs=0.51, 95%CI: 0.22, 1.17; p = 0.114). Using a composite outcome comprising intubation, ICU admission, and mortality, both crude (HR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.73; p = 0.002) and adjusted (HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.99; p = 0.048) models suggested a significant protective effect of statin therapy. Conclusion: Due to anti-inflammatory properties of statins, these drugs can be effective as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
