Neuroprotective effects of minocycline on focal cerebral ischemia injury: a systematic review

To review the neuroprotective effects of minocycline in focal cerebral ischemia in animal models.By searching in the databases of PubMed,ScienceDirect,and Scopus,and considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study.Studies were included if focal cerebral ischemia model was performed in mammals and including a control group that has been compared with a minocycline group.Written in languages other than English;duplicate data;in vitro studies and combination of minocycline with other neuroprotective agents were excluded.Neurological function of patients was assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale,modified Rankin Scale,and modified Barthel Index.Neuroprotective effects were assessed by detecting the expression of inflammatory cytokines.We examined 35 papers concerning the protective effects of minocycline in focal cerebral ischemia in animal models and 6 clinical trials which had evaluated the neuroprotective effects of minocycline in ischemic stroke.These studies revealed that minocycline increases the viability of neurons and decreases the infarct volume following cerebral ischemia.The mechanisms that were reported in these studies included anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,as well as anti-apoptotic effects.Minocycline also increases the neuronal regeneration following cerebral ischemia.Minocycline has considerable neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal damages.However,larger clinical trials may be required before using minocycline as a neuroprotective drug in ischemic stroke.

Antibiotic resistance of Neisseria species in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance of Neisseria species in Iran. Methods: A systematic and electronic search using relevant keywords in major national and international databases was performed until 6th July, 2018 in order to find studies reporting the prevalence of antibiotic resistance of Neisseria species in Iran. Results: A total of nine studies were found to be eligible based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our analysis indicated that the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistance to different antibiotics was as follows: 66.9% to penicillin, 59.1% to ciprofloxacin, 11.1% to ceftriaxone, 21.6% to spectinomycin, 13.8% to cefixime, 82.4% to co-trimoxazole, 52.7% to tetracycline, 29.9% to gentamicin, 87.5% to ampicillin, 11.1% to azithromycin, 2.2% to chloramphenicol, 50.1% to cefepime and 50.0% to vancomycin. Antimicrobial resistance rates of Neisseria meningitidis was as follows: 30.0% to penicillin, 33.3% to amoxicillin, 33.3% to cephalexin, 55.6% to ampicillin and 0.0% to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, amikacin, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol and ceftizoxime. Conclusion: Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis isolates of Iran show resistance to different types of antibiotics. Therefore, care should be exercised for the use of penicillin, ciprofloxacin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, gentamicin, ampicillin, cefepime and vancomycin for gonococcal infections, and also with respect to the use of penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin and cephalexin for meningococcal infections in Iran.

Distribution and variability of n-alkanes in waxes of conifers

Epicuticular waxes have vital roles in the growth and development of plants and in defense. Conifers have a considerable amount of waxes on their cones and leaves.Here we characterized the n-alkane composition of Iranian conifers, including Juniperus oblonga, J. foetidissima, J.sabina, J. communis subsp. hemisphaerica, J. excelsa,Cupressus sempervirens, Platycladus orientalis from Cupressaceae and Taxus baccata from Taxaceae for the first time using GC-FID analyses. In the waxes, 25 n-alkane homologs with chain lengths ranging from C7 to C32 were identified. Short-chain n-alkanes were dominant in almost all samples with some exceptions. Complementary studies to elucidate complete wax constituents of Iranian conifers and n-alkane distribution pattern as a function of geographical and bioclimatic variables are recommended.

Anti-diabetic properties and bioactive compounds of Teucrium polium L.

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. Untreated or improperly-treated diabetes can be associated with several long-term complications that necessitate an effective way to manage diabetes. Due to the side effects of synthetic glucose-lowering agents, alternative therapeutic modalities such as medicinal plants have attracted notable attention. Teucrium polium L. is a medicinal herb with antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic properties. In vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted to characterize the anti-diabetic properties of Teucrium polium L. and its bioactive compounds. We conducted a literature study using Scopus, Pub Med, and Google Scholar including the keywords "diabetes" and "Teucrium polium". We also scanned all the references cited by the retrieved articles. According to this review, Teucrium polium administration displayed anti-diabetic effects by targeting different mechanisms and pathways, such as enhancement of insulin secretion and insulin level, improvement of oxidative damage, regeneration of pancreatic β-cells, and promotion of glucose uptake in muscle tissues by increasing GLUT-4 translocation as well as inhibiting α-amylase activity. Although Teucrium polium has been widely regarded as a traditional method, the pharmacological studies on anti-diabetic effects are not sufficient, most studies are either in-vivo or in-vitro. The preclinical and clinical studies are further required to confirm the efficacy of Teucrium polium.

Fluoroquinolones-resistant Shigella species in Iranian children:a meta-analysis

Background Shigella is one of the most common causes of childhood dysentery along with high rate of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries.According to the World Health Organization(WHO)reports,the prevalence of fluoroquinolones-resistant Shigella species is increasing worldwide which can cause treatment failure of Shigella infections.Since there has not been any comprehensive information on drug-resistant Shigella species in Iran,we conducted the following meta-analysis to raise awareness.Methods We conducted a literature search on antibiotic resistance of Shigella species to collect published studies in Iran using national and international databases.Literature search was performed by up to Jan 30,2019 and eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis by predefined criteria.Results Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disk diffusion technique was the only used method in all included studies.Antibiotic resistance characteristics of Shigella species against WHO recommended therapeutic regimens were as follows:S.dysenteriae 7%,S.flexneri 3.8%,S.boydii 6.9%and S.sonnei 2.6%to ciprofloxacin,S.dysenteriae 27.9%,S.flexneri 19.3%,S.boydii 15.7%and S.sonnei 9.5%to ceftriaxone and also S.dysenteriae 91.7%,S.flexneri 20.7%,S.boydii 46.7%and S.sonnei 32.3%to azithromycin.Resistance to pivmecillinam has not been investigated in Iran.Conclusions Our findings revealed that ciprofloxacin can still be used as the first-line antibiotic for Shigella infections in Iranian children.However,it seems that second-line antibiotics i.e.,ceftriaxone and azithromycin are not good choices for treatment and thus not recommended.

An Investigation of the Effects of Curcumin on Anxiety and Depression in Obese Individuals:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective： To investigate the effectiveness of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, on the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression in obese individuals. Methods： In this double blind, cross-over trial, 30 obese subjects were randomized to receive either curcumin （1 g/day） or placebo for a period of 30 days. Following a wash-out interval of 2 weeks, each subject was crossed over to the alternative regimen for a further 30 days. Severity of anxiety and depression was assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 6 and 10 of the trial using the Beck Anxiety Inventory （BAI） and Beck Depression Inventory （BDI） scales, respectively. Results： Mean BAI score was found to be significantly reduced following curcumin therapy （P=0.03）. However, curcumin supplementation did not exert any significant impact on BDI scores （P=0.7）. Conclusion： Curcumin has a potential anti-anxiety effect in individuals with obesity.

Effect of Zataria multiflora Extract on Total and Differential White Blood Cell Count and Endothelin Level in Blood of Ovalbumin Sensitized Guinea Pigs

Objective:To investigate the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Zataria multiflora(Z.multiflora)on endothelin level,total and differential white blood cells(WBC)count of sensitized guinea pigs.Methods:Five groups of guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin(OA)were given drinking water alone(group S),drinking water containing three concentrations of Z.multiflora(0.2,0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL as groups S+Z1,S+Z2 and S+Z3)and dexamethasone(group S+D),n=6 for each group.The endothelin levels as well as total and differential WBC count in blood of sensitized and control guinea pigs were evaluated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method,and hemocytometer and Wright-Giemsa’s staining of blood sample smear respectively.Results:Blood endothelin levels,total and most differential WBC count were increased but lymphocytes decreased in sensitized animals compared to controls(all P<0.01).In groups S+D,S+Z2 and S+Z3 endothelin level,total and differential WBC counts were significantly improved compared with group S(P<0.01).Although,all measured parameters in group S+Z1 was lower than group S+D(P<0.01),some parameters in group S+Z3 were greater than in group S+D(P<0.05 to P<0.01).Conclusion:The results showed an anti-inflammatory effect of Z.multiflora extract in sensitized guinea pigs,which may suggest a therapeutic potential for the plant on asthma.

Contribution of Water and Lipid Soluble Substances in the Relaxant Effects of Tymus Vulgaris Extract on Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle in Vitro

Objective： To examine the relaxant effects of hydro-ethanolic, macerated aqueous （MA） and lipid- free macerated aqueous （LFMA） extract of Tymus vulgaris on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. Methods： The relaxant effects of five cumulative concentrations of each extract （0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 g/100 mL） were compared with saline as negative control and five cumulative concentrations of theophylline （0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mmol/L） on precontracted tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig with 60 mmol/L KCl （group 1） and 10 μmol/L methacholine （group 2, n=6 for each group）. Results： In group 1 all concentrations of theophylline, three higher concentrations of hydro-ethanolic, two concentrations of LFMA and last concentration of MA extracts showed significant relaxant effects compared with that of saline （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Two lower concentrations of LFMA and all concentrations of MA except higher one caused contraction compared with saline （P〈0.05 or 0.01）. In group 2 experiments, all concentrations of theophylline, hydro-ethanolic, MA and LFMA extracts showed significant relaxant effects compared to that of saline （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. In both groups, the relaxant effect of all concentrations of hydro-ethanolic extract were significantly higher than most concentrations of others （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The relaxant effect of different concentrations of three extracts were significantly greater in group 2 compared with group 1 experiments （all P〈0.01）. There were significantly positive correlations between the relaxant effects and concentrations for theophylline and all extracts in both groups （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Hydro-ethanolic extract has a potent weaker relaxant effect for other extracts from Tymus vulgaris on tracheal chains of guinea pigs.

Effects of the Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Nigella Sativa on Scopolamine-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment in Rats and Its Possible Mechanism

Objective： To evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa （NS） extract on memory performance and its possible mechanisms in scopolamine （Sco）-induced spatial memory impairment model using Morris water maze test. Methods： Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received saline instead of both NS extract and Sco. The Sco group was treated by saline for two weeks, and was injected by Sco （2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally） 30 min before each trail in Morris water maze test. Sco＋NS 200 and SCO＋NS 400 groups were daily treated by 200 or 400 mg/kg of NS （intraperitoneally） for two weeks, respectively, and were finally injected by Sco 30 min before Morris water maze test. The brains of animals were removed to determine the acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） activity and oxidative stress criteria in cortical tissues. Results： Time latency and path length in the Sco group were significantly higher than in the control group （P〈0.01）, while the SCO＋NS 400 group showed a significantly shorter traveled path length and time latency compared with the Sco group （P〈0.01）. AChE activity in the cortical tissues of the Sco group was significantly higher than the control group （P〈0.01）, while AChE activity in the Sco＋NS 200 and Sco＋NS 400 groups was lower than the Sco group （P〈0.01）. Following Sco administration, malondialdehyde （MDA） concentrations were increased （P〈0.01） in comparison with the control group, while cortical total thiol content decreased （P〈0.01）. Pretreatment with extracts caused a significant elevation in cortical total thiol content （P〈0.01） and reduction in cortical MDA concentration （P〈0.01） compared with the Sco group. Conclusions： Hydro-alcoholic extract of NS prevents Sco-induced spatial memory deficits and decreases the AChE activity as well as oxidative stress of brain tissues in rats. Our results support the traditional belief about the beneficial effects of NS in nervous system. Moreover, further investigations are needed for better understanding of this protective effect.

Plant-based synthesis of NiO nanoparticles using salvia macrosiphon Boiss extract and examination of their water treatment

The goal of this study was to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles(NiO-NPs)by the sol-gel method,which involved the use of salvia macrosiphon Boiss plant extract,Ni(NO3)2·6 H2 O as a capping agent,and a nickel precursor,respectively.The synthesized NiO-NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis)spectrophotometer,X-ray diffraction(XRD),field electron scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX),thermo-gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis(TGA/DTA)and vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM)analyzes.Also,according to the results of UV-Vis,the gap band of nanoparticles was calculated to be in the range of about 2.9-3.9 eV.The photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles on methylene blue(MB)degradation was investigated and according to the results,about 80%MB was apparently degraded in the presence of NiO-NPs under UV-A light(11 W)after 5 h in pH^11.We have evaluated the cytotoxicity of NiO-NPs on the multiple tumor cells by materials method,and all the utilized concentrations were observed to cause non-toxic effects;therefore,it can be suggested that these samples have the potential of being employed in different fields of medicine.