Antimicrobial effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of apple with and without zinc oxide nanoparticles on Streptococcus Mutans.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. Vs.golab, with and without ZnO nanoparticles) on Streptococcus Mutans bacterium compared to 0.2% Chlorhexidine, Persica and suspension of ZnO nanoparticles. Study samples were examined in the groups of apple hydro-alcoholic extract with and without addition of ZnO nanoparticles, a positive control group (Chlorhexidine 0.2%, Persica and suspension of ZnO nanoparticles), and a negative control group (distilled water). In this experiment, a concentration of 500 PPM of ZnO nanoparticles with a diameter of 0.4 nm was used. Agar diffusion method was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of apple hydro-alcoholic extract with and without adding ZnO nanoparticles. The concentrations used were 200, 100, 50 and 25 mg/ml. ANOVA statistical test was used to compare the average in the study groups. According to our results, hydro-alcoholic extract of apples alone had no effect on the target bacteria in any of the concentrations. In the group of apple hydro-alcoholic extract with ZnO nanoparticles, the mean inhibition zone was 13 mm at a concentration of 25 mg/ml. 0.2% Chlorhexidine, Persica and suspension of ZnO nanoparticles was observed with the mean inhibition zone of 20 mm, 16 mm and 15 mm, respectively. Hydro-alcoholic extract of apple with addition of ZnO nanoparticles in concentration of 25mg/ml, had growth inhibitory effect on Streptococcus Mutans, but it was not remarkably efficient in comparison with Chlorhexidine.

Anti-irritable Bowel Syndrome Syrup Improves Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of administration of the formulated Persian herbal syrup on improving the symptoms of patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). METHODS: This study was conducted in 70 patients with IBS-C, who were recruited from 3 medical centers in Mashhad, Iran, from November 2017 to August 2018. Seventy patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups including treatment and placebo groups by block randomization, 35 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group received 15 mL of anti-IBS syrup, thrice daily for 6 weeks and followed up for 4 weeks. Placebo syrup was also prepared through similar instruction, BP syrup without plant extract was used. Primary outcome induding IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) questionnaire and secondary outcomes in terms of Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) questionnaires, the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were completed and evaluated at weeks 6 and 10, respectively. Safety indices were collected at the end of the treatment and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0 (CTCAE) was used to evaluate the adverse events. RESULTS: The response to treatment was 84.4% (27/32) in the treatment group and 46.4% (13/28) in the placebo group, respectively (P= 0.002). Compared with pre-treatment, a significant decrease was found on the IBS-SSS and BSFS scores after 6-week intervention in both groups (P<0.001). Moreover, IBS-SSS and BSFS scores in the treatment group were lower than the placebo group after the intervention (P=0.041). There was no significant difference in the anxiety and depression scores after treatment in both groups (P>0.05). Side effects reported in the treatment group included 2 cases of headache during the first week of the onset of the treatment, 1 case of drowsiness, 1 case of increase in menstrual bleeding, which did not result in discontinuation of the treatment. In the placebo group, 1 case of exacerbation of the disease was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-IBS syrup significantly reduced the severity of IBS symptoms compared to placebo. However, there was a need for further investigation regarding the anxiety and depression scores. (Registration No. IRCT2017061034446N1).

Beta vulgaris - A Mini Review of Traditional Uses in Iran, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Beta vulgaris (family: Chenopodiaceae) is now widely is used more in the food industry as a rich source of sugar but it is less considered in medicine. Beet has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years to treat a variety of diseases such as constipation, decreased libido, gut and joint pain and dandruff. METHODS: This study introduced the benefits of Beta vulgaris by reviewing Iranian traditional documents from the 10th century until now and also compared modern phytotherapy of plant beet from the electronic data banks such as ISI, Pub Med and Scopus with findings that extracted from traditional literature. RESULTS: This plant is known in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) as Selgh (Arabic) or Choghondar (Farsi) and its leaves are used to develop treatments. Results confirmed that the plant referred to as Selgh in traditional books is that the plant Beta vulgaris in contemporary studies. Treatments that have not been evaluated in modern phytotherapy but do appear in traditional treatments include fever, as well as psychological and psychiatric issues. This article tells the history of beet in ITM and can confirm use of plant Beta vulgaris in medicinal practice. The report can be applied for certification of plant Beta vulgaris for researchers and experts. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can help the researchers in producing therapeutic products and new application.

Hypnotic Effect of Portulaca oleracea on Pentobarbital-Induced Sleep in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: In Iranian Traditional Medicine, the herbs with cold and wet temperament can help to improve insomnia. Portulaca oleracea has a cold and wet temperament, so the present study was carried out to investigate the sleep-prolonging effect of Portulaca oleracea. METHODS: This work was an experimental study on mice which were randomly divided into these groups: saline (control); Diazepam: positive control); hydro-alcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea (12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) by Soxhlet apparatus and maceration; in the effective (dose25 mg/kg), different fractions of extract were tested. Ethyl acetate fraction (EAF:); N hexane fraction (n-HF); water fraction (WF). All the test compounds were injected intraperitoneally (IP) 30 minutes before pentobarbital administration (30 mg/kg). Duration and latency of pentobarbital-induced sleep were recorded. Also, LD50 of Portulaca oleracea extract was determined and the possible neurotoxicity of the extract was tested on neural PC12 cells. Besides, 30 min after administration of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) motor coordination (rota-rod test) was assessed. RESULTS: HAE increased the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep at doses of 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg. The hypnotic effect of HAE was comparable to that induced by diazepam. Similarly, WF, EAF, and NHF at 25 mg/kg could increase sleep duration. The sleep latency was decreased by HAE and NHF but not by WF and EAF. The LD50 value for HAE was found to be 4.8 g/Kg. HAE and its fractions did not show neurotoxic effect in cultured PC12-cell line, also HAE did not affect the animals performance on the rotarod test. CONCLUSION: The present data demonstrated that Portulaca oleracea potentiates sleeping behaviors. The main components responsible for the hypnotic effects of this plant is most likely a non-polar agents which is found in NHF. Isolation of the active constituents may yield a novel sedative drug.

Effectiveness of Cicer arietinum in Cutaneous Problems: Viewpoint of Avicenna and Razi.

BACKGROUND: Cicer arietinum is one of the popular legumes in the most parts of the world. It is known for a long time in Asia because of the many possibilities of its application. Cicer arietinum has benefits for the skin regarding safe ingredients. Some of these ingredients are recommended in skin care. METHODS: This study aimed to introduce the benefits of Cicer arietinum by reviewing of traditional literature from 10th to 21th century and also conventional medicine for its safe ingredients by searching the electronic data banks such as ISI, Pub Med and Scopus. RESULTS: The results showed that Cicer arietinum has many ingredients such as Phenolic compounds, allantoin and amino acids that affect the skin problems. Also, great traditional Persian scientists such as Avicenna and Razi suggested about the cutaneous benefits of Cicer arietinum. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can help the researchers in producing better cosmetic and therapeutic products.

Herbal Medicines for the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive disorder, which is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation periods. The etiology is unknown. Based on the different mechanisms in the etiology, treatment focuses on controlling symptoms. Due to the longtime of syndrome, inadequacy of current treatments, financial burden for patients and pharmacologic effects, several patients have turned to the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Complementary and alternative treatments for IBS include hypnosis, acupuncture, cognitive behavior therapy, yoga, and herbal medicine. Herbal medicines can have therapeutic effects and adverse events in IBS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicines in the control of IBS, and their possible mechanisms of action were reviewed. Herbal medicines are an important part of the health care system in many developing countries It is important for physicians to understand some of the more common forms of CAM, because some herbs have side effects and some have interactions with conventional drugs. However herbal medicines may have therapeutic effects in IBS, and further clinical research is needed to assess its effectiveness and safety.

Potential therapeutic applications for Terminalia chebula in Iranian traditional medicine.

Terminalia chebula (family: Combretaceae) is widely used in the traditional medicine of India and Iran to treat diseases that include dementia, constipation, and diabetes. This tree is known in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as halileh or halilaj and the fruit is used to develop treatments. It is described in ITM as an astringent that has a "cold" and "dry" temperament. References to the medicinal properties of Terminalia chebula were collected from important ITM sources and from modern medical databases (PubMed, Scirus, ScienceDirect, and Scopus). The medicinal properties described for this tree in ITM were compared with those reported in studies of modern phytotherapy. The results confirm that the tree referred to as halileh in traditional books is the Terminalia chebula used in present-day studies. Treatments that have not been evaluated in modern phytotherapy but have been traditionally treated with Terminalia chebula include fever, and psychological and psychiatric issues. This article confirms the medicinal uses of Terminalia chebula.

The Most Common Herbs to Cure the Most Common Oral Disease: Stomatitis Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer (RAU).

CONTEXT: Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is an oral disease and the most common oral lesion, with 2% to 66% of the world's population infected annually. Its prevalence is about 25% in Tehran and 27.6% in Mashhad. The etiology of RAU is multifactorial. Aphthous risk factors include: immunological factors, psychological factors, stress, trauma, sensitivity, family history, blood disorders, malnutrition, and use of certain medications, It should be noted that the best treatment for RAU is the topical application of drugs. The use of topical treatments is recommended not only because the drug can directly impact the source of the disease, but also systemic side effects of the drug are reduced. Treatment of RAU has been considered in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), and is covered in therapeutic books. The use of herbs in RAU has a centuries-old history; accordingly, extensive research should be conducted for this treatment of the disease. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Iranian medical sources were reviewed and effective plants used in the traditional treatment of RAU were found and compared with new findings. Finally, we have created a table listing the plants that are part of the therapeutic protocol for RAU. RESULTS: Based on this article we can explain some of traditional pharmacological effects of plants and how these plants can be a source for a cure. CONCLUSIONS: The plants listed can be used as a prediction of RAU management. Of course, there are is no evidence for curing RAU by some of these plants in allopathic medicine, and the further investigations in this area could lead to the discovery of a new drug.

Designing mucoadhesive discs containing stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba based on Iranian traditional documents.

OBJECTIVE S: Mucoadhesive disc is one of the various routes of drug delivery for curing buccal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Every discs containing 70 mg stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba were formulated by using Carbopol 934, PVP k30 and gelatin as polymers. Discs were made by granulation and direct compression. Discs were standardized based on the total phenol. Properties such as in vitro and in vivo mucoadhesion, drug release, water uptake, and disintegration were carried out. RESULTS: Discs showed excellent mucoadhesion and released high amount of the active ingredients (47%) immediately and completed after approximately the first hour. They had a good adhesion in buccal cavity. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the kinetics of release of the active substance from the mucoadhesive disc obeyed the zero order kinetic and didn't follow the fick's law. The water uptake and dissolution (DS), increased with the passing of time.

Gastroprotective effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba L. against HCl/Ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the gastroprotective effects of standardized aqueous extract of Ziziphus jujuba (Z. jujuba) stem bark against acidified ethanol-induced gastric ulcers as well as anti helicobacter pylori activity of the plant extract in rats. METHODS: Five groups of rats were orally pre-treated with normal saline (0.9%) as ulcer group, 150 mg/kg of ranitidine as positive control group, 100, 200 and 400 mg of standardized extract solution as the experimental groups. Two hours later, acidified ethanol solution was given by gavages in order to induce of gastric ulcer. The antibacterial effect of extract against clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was evaluated through disc diffusion test. RESULTS: The ulcer group exhibited significantly severe mucosal injury as compared with ranitidine or extract group which shows significant protective action against gastric mucosal injury. The extract showed no effect on H. pylori. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that Z. jujuba stem bark extract had a potential antiulcer activity which might be due to its protective activity, providing a direct, protective effect on the gastric mucosa. Our study showed that anti-H. pylori activity was not among gastroprotective mechanism of Z. jujuba. Further pre-clinical and clinical investigations for evaluating natural active agents and efficacy of this plant are recommended.