Gallic Acid and Gallic Acid Nanoparticle Modulate Insulin Secretion Pancreatic ß-Islets against Silica Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Damage.

Due to the increasing use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), their possible toxic effects on human health have undoubtedly been considered. Previous studies proved that SiNPs induced oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress disrupt cell function and decrease insulin secretion. Therefore, this study intended to assess the effects of SiNPs on oxidative stress and insulin secretion and also the protective effects of gallic acid (GA) and gallic acid nanoparticles (NP-GA) on pancreatic ß-islets. In this study, the mice islets were separated and pretreated with various concentrations of GA and NP-GA then treated with a single dose of SiNPs. The cell viability of islets examined by MTT assay and also the levels of ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH); activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and insulin secretion were evaluated. The results of MTT assay showed that SiNPs reduced islet viability in a dose-dependent manner and also insulin secretion, induced the formation of ROS, augmented MDA amounts, and decreased GSH levels, SOD, GPx, and CAT activities. Furthermore, pretreatment of islets with GA and NP-GA significantly returned these alterations at low dose. These findings suggested that SiNPs induced oxidative stress in the pancreatic islets, which could be one of the reasons for the decrease in insulin secretion and inducing diabetes. This study also showed that low doses of GA and NP-GA boosted the antioxidant defense system in the pancreatic ß-islets, preventing oxidative stress and, consequently, the progression of diabetes.

Evaluation of the effect of a gel made with amniotic fluid formulation on the healing of diabetic foot ulcers: A triple-blind clinical trial.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gel made with amniotic fluid (AF) formulation on wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 92 type 2 diabetic patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic of Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran in 2019-2020. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of intervention and one placebo group. The wounds of the three intervention groups were dressed with gauze impregnated with an AF formulation gel while wounds of the control group were dressed with plain gauze without any topical agent. Chi-square tests and generalized estimating equations (GEE) with a significance level of 0.05 were used to analyze the data. Results: At the end of the eighth week of intervention, there was a statistically significant difference among the four groups in terms of wound grade, wound color, condition of the tissues surrounding the wound, the overall condition of the wound, and the duration of wound healing (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on our experience with the patients in the present study, we believe that AF represents a useful and safe option for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers. Clinical trial registration: https://en.irct.ir/trial/51551, Identifier: IRCT20201010048985N1.

The Impact of Oxytocin Vaginal Gel on Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Many postmenopausal women suffer from sexual dysfunction mostly due to the vulvovaginal atrophy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vaginal oxytocin gel on sexual function of postmenopausal women. This study was conducted on 96 postmenopausal women with symptoms of vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction who were randomly recruited into two groups of oxytocin vaginal gel (400 IU, n = 48) or placebo (n = 48). The PH, vaginal maturation index, and sexual function (using Female Sexual Function Index) of the participants were measured at the beginning of the study and eight weeks later. The vaginal maturation index and the PH of the vagina improved in the oxytocin group compared to those of the placebo. All domains of sexual function including desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, sexual satisfaction, and total score of sexual function improved significantly in the oxytocin gel compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The results of this study showed that the administration of oxytocin vaginal gel could significantly improve vaginal atrophy as well as sexual function in postmenopausal women. Therefore, using vaginal oxytocin gel for sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women who are not interested in hormone therapy is recommended.

Investigation the effect of jujube seed capsule on sleep quality of postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

BAKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sleep disorder is among the most common problems in the life of postmenopausal women. Because of the complications of chemical drugs, many women prefer to use herbal supplements for relieving sleep problems. So, the main objective of this study was to determine the effect of the jujube seed capsule on sleep quality in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a double-blind clinical trial conducted on 106 postmenopausal women in Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. All participants were selected by a simple non-probability sampling method. Data were collected through a demographic data form and the Pittsburgh sleeps quality index (PSQI). Individuals were randomly divided into intervention (n = 53) and control (n = 53) groups. The intervention group received 250 mg oral jujube seed capsule and the control group received a placebo capsule twice a day for 21 days. After the treatment, the PSQI was completed in both intervention and control groups. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test and the Chi-square test using SPSS software version 24, and p-value < 0.05 was considered as the significance level. RESULTS: The results revealed that after treatment, the mean scores of sleep quality decreased in the intervention and control group. Although this difference was statistically significant in both intervention and control groups (p-value < 0.05), more reduction observed in the intervention group (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Consumption of the jujube seed capsule had a positive impact on improving the sleep quality of postmenopausal women and could be recommended as a useful herbal medication.

The topical effect of grape seed extract 2% cream on surgery wound healing.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the wound healing time is crucial in wound as it lowers the chance of infection and decreases complications and cost. Grape seed extract has the ability to release endothelial growth factor and its topical application results in contraction and closure of the skin wound. Furthermore, it possesses antioxidant and antibacterial properties. In several studies it has been proved effective in animals. Therefore, due to low side effects and recognition of herbal medicine, we decided to evaluate the effect of grape seed extract 2% herbal cream on human skin lesions. MATERIALS: This study is a double blind clinical trial conducted on two groups of treatment and placebo. Surgery was performed on skin lesions such as skin tags and moles which were found on the neck, trunk and limbs (except for face). After enrollment and obtaining informed consent from participants, they were randomized into two groups of treatment and placebo. Excision of the lesions was done by surgical scissors. The lesions got restored by secondary intention method. After the first day of treatment, the patients were visited on the 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, and 21st day. Grape seed extract cream 2% was produced and coded by the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. In order to compare the two groups, T-test was used. For time assessing, analysis of variance with repeated measures was employed. RESULTS: The results showed complete repair of wounds averagely on day 8 for the treatment group and on day 14 for the placebo group, which was clearly significant in terms of statistical difference (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: Proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract trigger the release of vascular endothelial growth factor and its topical application causes wound contraction and closure. Curing skin lesions with grape seed extract caused proliferation areas with protected boundaries in epithelium, increased cell density and increased deposition of connective tissue at the wound site which in general improves cellular structure in wound. In addition, its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties are effective in wound healing.