Topical Nigella sativa L. product: a new candidate for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. The synthetic drugs available in the market have side effects and limitations for diabetic patients, the vast majority of whom are in the upper age group. In this regard, based on Persian medicinal sources, Nigella sativa (N. sativa) has proved to have beneficial effects on neuropathic pain and neurological disorders. In this study, the effect of N. sativa is investigated topically in patients with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: This study was performed as a double-blind clinical trial on 120 neuropathic patients. The patients were divided into three groups. The first group received a topical N. sativa product as an ointment, the second group was given a topical placebo, and the third received 300 mg gabapentin capsules. The blindness was done in first and second groups. Diabetic neuropathy was assessed before the study using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). In addition, neuropathy symptoms were evaluated after the trial using the MNSI questionnaire. RESULTS: The data were elicited from the patients' answers to a number of questions in the Michigan questionnaire. There were statistically significant differences between the group that received the topical N. sativa product and the other two groups in terms of legs and feet numbness (p value = 0.001), burning pain in feet or legs (p value = 0.001), muscle cramps in feet or legs (p value = 0.001), prickling fleeing in feet or legs (p value = 0.001), hurting of the skin when the bed covers touch it (p value = 0.005), aggravated symptoms at night (p value = 0.001) and hurting feelings in the legs when walking (p value = 0.032). However, the three studied groups were not statistically different in distinguishing hot water from cold water. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the topical use of N. sativa, compared to the current drugs, has acceptable improving effects on diabetic neuropathic patients.

The Effect of Myrtus communis Aqueous Extract-Containing Gel on Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: The medicinal plant Myrtus communis L. (Myrtle) has properties, including anti-inflammatory and wound healing in Persian Medicine. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the wound healing potential of the local application of a gel containing aqueous extract of the plant berry in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Seven days after diabetes establishment, full-thickness excision skin wounds were made in normal and diabetic rats where treated groups received topical application of a gel containing 6% aqueous extract of myrtle berries for 3 weeks. The rate of wound healing and the level of epidermal and dermal maturation in the wound tissue were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that after 3 and 7 days of wound injury, the gel significantly improved wound healing by accelerating epidermal and dermal maturation in diabetic rats with no significant effect in the control group. However, the wounds of all groups almost completely healed after 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that aqueous extract of myrtle possesses a definite wound healing potential in diabetic conditions. The present findings may suggest the use of topical myrtle berries aqueous extract gel 6% to treat and manage intractable diabetic wounds.

Transfusion reaction in a case with the rare Bombay blood group.

Bombay phenotype is extremely rare in Caucasian with an incidence of 1 in 250,000. When individuals with the Bombay phenotype need blood transfusion, they can receive only autologous blood or blood from another Bombay blood group. Transfusing blood group O red cells to them can cause a fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction. In this study, we report a case with the rare Bombay blood group that was misdiagnosed as the O blood group and developed a hemolytic transfusion reaction. This highlights the importance of both forward and reverse typing in ABO blood grouping and standard cross-matching and performing standard pretransfusion laboratory tests in hospital blood banks.