Vitamin D and Immunity: A comprehensive review of its impact on autoimmunity, allergy suppression, antimicrobial defense, and cancer inhibition.

Vitamin D, commonly known for its impact on bone metabolism, is vital in various bodily processes, including regulating immune responses. The actions of vitamin D are carried out through its receptor, found in cells of different human organs and tissues, particularly in most immune system cells and epithelial cells. After binding to the receptor, vitamin D forms a complex with vitamin A and its receptor in the cytoplasm. This complex can inhibit or enhance the transcription of hundreds of genes, including those that control cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and prevent malignant growth and angiogenesis. Studies have shown that vitamin D weakens antigen presentation by dendritic cells, shifts the balance of Th1/Th2 cell responses towards Th2, and promotes the development and activity of Treg cells. Additionally, vitamin D enhances the production of "endogenous antibiotics" against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This important nutrient has been linked to preventing autoimmune and atopic diseases, respiratory infections, and tumors. A lack of vitamin D, or hypovitaminosis D, is present in almost half of the population and is a leading cause of weakened immunity and increased morbidity. Thus, detecting, preventing, and treating hypovitaminosis D should be a priority in healthcare in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Evaluation of the Effect of Artemisia Absinthium L. Eye-Cream on Infra-Orbital Dark Circle: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The relative darkening of the lower eyelid skin, which is often linked with dark circles, may make you seem fatigued and older than your real age. Considering the recommendations in the sources of Persian medicine regarding Artemisia absinthium L., the purpose of this clinical trial is investigating the effectiveness of cream prepared from the aqueous extraction of A.absinthium to remove periorbital dark circles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The eye cream is made with 20% of aqueous extract of A.absinthium in the base of the cream. It was standardized based on Artemisinin via HPLC method. For the clinical trial, 60 patients equally enrolled in two drug and placebo groups. Erythema and Pigmentation were evaluated via a mexameter instrument. RESULTS: The cream is standardized, including 1.29±0.02 µg/mg Artemisinin in the product. Finally, 21 and 24 patients reached the end of study in drug and placebo groups, respectively. In these groups, the difference in the mean (SD) DE, DL, Erythema and Melanin factors before and after the research were significant (p0.05). However, the rate of reduction of DE, Erythema, and Melanin and rise of DL is greater in the treatment group than in the placebo group. Furthermore, the mean value of DE and DL factors before the research were significantly different in two groups (p0.001), but after the research did not show a significant difference. The mean value of Erythema factor in the two groups before (p=0.25) and after (p=0.5) did not show a significant difference. The mean value of Melanin after the research between two groups showed a significant difference (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: The results show that the cream prepared from the herbal composition of Persian medicine improves Infra Orbital Dark circle around the eyes.

Early historical report of alcohol hepatotoxicity in Minooye Kherad, a Pahlavi manuscript in Ancient Persia, 6th century CE.

Background: Historical evidence revealed that alcoholic beverages have been produced, used and abused thousands of years before the discovery of alcohol by Rhazes for medical purposes. Alcohol-induced liver disease (e.g., steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis) is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic liver disease all over the world. This study aims to find the early report of this complication in an ancient Persian historical text. Methods: In this study, the book of Minooye Kherad, a Zoroastrian manuscript on wisdom which was written in the late Sassanid Empire (224-637 CE) is reviewed. Results: However, the concept of alcohol hepatotoxicity as one of the most important complications of alcoholism is a new terminology, by researching historical documents it can be found that one of the oldest reports of benefits and disadvantages of drinking wine focusing on liver complications is mentioned in the book of Minooye. Conclusion: Description of the liver disease and damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption in this valuable book can be considered as the early report of hepatotoxicity of alcoholic beverages in the medical history.

Involvement of PPARγ in the protective action of tropisetron in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Tropisetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, is highly used to counteract chemotherapy-induced emesis. Previous studies revealed the anti-inflammatory properties of this drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) receptor in the protective effect of tropisetron in an animal model of ulcerative colitis. Experimental colitis was induced by a single intra-colonic instillation of 4% (V/V) acetic acid in male rats. Tropisetron (3 mg/kg) and GW9662 (PPARγ antagonist) (5 mg/kg) were given twice daily for 2 days after colitis induction. Forty-eight hours after induction of colitis, colon was removed and macroscopic and microscopic features were given. Moreover, colonic concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and PPARγ activity were assessed. Both macroscopic and histopathological features of colonic injury were markedly ameliorated by tropisetron. Likewise, levels of NO, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1ß diminished significantly (p < .05). GW9662 reversed the effect of tropisetron on these markers partially or completely. In addition, tropisetron increased the PPARγ and decreased the MPO activity (p < .05). Tropisetron exerts notable anti-inflammatory effects in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, which is probably mediated through PPARγ receptors.