ABSTRACT
Background: Leishmania major is the etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran, and glucantime injection is currently used for its treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effect of topical Plantago psyllium and white vinegar in L. major infected BALB/c mice. Methods: Thirty infected mice were divided into five groups as follows: Group 1: treated with the combination of ovata powder and white vinegar, Group 2: treated with glucantime, Group 3: treated with white vinegar, Group 4: treated with the combination of ovata powder and water, and Group 5: without any treatment. All the groups were treated for 18 days. Lesion size was measured, and final smears were prepared for microscopic examination. Results: The findings indicated that the difference in the mean areas of the ulcers in all the groups before and after treatment was not significant, except for the second (glucantime) and third (vinegar) groups. Also, the results showed that in the first, second, third, and fourth group, 6 (60%), 4 (80%), 3 (60%), and 2 (40%) mice were healed, respectively. However, ulcers remained in all the five mice of the control group. Conclusion: The combination of ovata powder and white vinegar has been traditionally used to treat leishmanial lesions in Iran. It seems the most anti-leishmanial effect is related to vinegar and supported by Plantago. The route of treatment with this combination is very simple and painless in comparison with injection. Thus, further studies on this issue could help to design more effective and easy-to-use drugs.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: So far, few studies have examined the relationship between dietary patterns and depression in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to determine this relationship in a sample of adolescent Iranian girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 347 female high school students aged 14-17 years living in Shiraz, Iran participated in this cross-sectional study. General and physical activity questionnaires, 3-d dietary recalls, and Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) were completed for all individuals and their anthropometric characteristics were measured. The major dietary patterns were then identified using principal component factor analysis. FINDINGS: In total, 2 major dietary patterns were identified. After adjusting for potential confounders in multivariate linear regression analysis, the Western pattern (characterized by high consumption of French fries, hydrogenated fats, mayonnaise, sweets and desserts, high-fat dairy, refined grains, red or processed meats, pickles, organ meats and soft drinks and low consumption of low-fat dairy) was positively (standardized ß coefficient: 0.510, P < 0.001) and the healthy pattern (characterized by high intake of vegetables, legumes, boiled potatoes, poultry, fish, vegetable oils, olives, fruits and fruit juices and low-fat dairy and low intake of refined grains) was inversely associated (standardized ß coefficient: -0.508, P < 0.001) with BDI-II score. CONCLUSION: Overall, findings of this study indicate that certain dietary patterns are associated with depression in adolescent Iranian girls. However, more studies are needed to further confirm these findings.
