Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:18 Issue: 4, Apr 2016

Nephrotoxicity is one of the most important side effects of the use of gentamicin sulphate (GS) resulted in reactive oxygen species generation. Antioxidant compounds played effective roles in reduction of renal injuries caused by using of gentamicin. Carvacrol is a strong antioxidant compound.
The aim of this study is to explore the effect of carvacrol inhibition in lesions of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
In this experimental study, 32 male mature Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups of 8; group1: control, group 2 sham received daily carvacrol injection (74 mg/kg) for 12 days, group 3 received daily GS injection (100 mg/kg) for 12 days, group 4 received daily GS (100 mg/kg) and carvacrol (74 mg/kg) for 12 days. After 12 days, rats were anaesthetized, blood sample were obtained and kidneys were removed then stained with hematoxylin and eosin method and then were studied histophatologically. Serum creatinine and urea were measured.
Flow treatment of nephrotoxic animals with carvacrol could significantly inhibit leukocyte infiltration (9.42%) and tubular necrosis (38.18%) in comparison with the nephrotoxic untreated group. Carvacrol significantly decreased the levels of urea and creatinine in treated group compared with the nephrotoxic untreated group.
The findings showed that carvacrol alleviates loss of leukocyte infiltration (9.42%) and tubular necrosis and exerts beneficial effects on kidney function test in nephrotoxic group.

Efficient treatment of skin ulcers, a leading cause of substantial number of morbidities among diabetic patients, is a subject of matter.
Since current therapies are partially effective and/or expensive and topical liothyronine (T3) was shown to get faster wound healing in mice, the present study was designed to assess its effectiveness in diabetic male rats.
In this experimental study, 30 male wistar rats with mean weight of 242 g were randomly assigned into control (group C) (n = 10) and diabetic (n = 20) groups. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were randomly subdivided into two groups: diabetic T3 group (group A) which was treated with 150 ng/day topical T3 and diabetic placebo group (group B) received vehicle. Full thickness wound on dorsum was created in each rat (1 cm2). Photographs were taken at baseline, fourth and tenth day to analyze changes in surface areas of wounds.
Results obtained from the present study showed that baseline surface areas of wounds were similar in all groups. Conversely, wound contraction was significantly better in T3 group in fourth and tenth days compared to placebo group, (P = 0.001, P This study revealed that topical T3 administration is an effective measure for treatment of ulcers in diabetic male rats.

Plants provide the probability of a strategy in exploration for new drugs. Infectious diseases, which account for the significant ratio of the health problems, are most frequently catered for by this system of medicine.
The aim of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial effect of Biarum carduchorum (Kardeh) on Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium expansum in vitro.
In this experimental study the antibacterial activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of Biarum carduchorum against 2 laboratory strains of fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium expansum), were evaluated with using paper disk methods, Collins method, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC).
The methanolic extract inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms. The phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of B. carduchorum revealed the presence of phenolics (), alkaloids (), tannins (), flavonoids (), saponins (), phlobatanins (), anthraquinones (), terpenes () and cardiac glycosides (). The result showed that MIC of B. carduchorum leaves of the aqueous and methanolic extracts for P. expansum and A. fumigatus was 32, 8, 16, 4 mg/mL respectively. The aqueous and methanolic extracts MFC of B. carduchorum leaves for P. expansum was 64 and 32 mg/mL respectively.
The presence of antibacterial activity in different fractions indicates that the extract possesses different compounds, which have different activities. The result of this study suggests that the methanolic and aqueous extracts of B. carduchorum could be suitable for the treatment on the microorganisms associated with infections.

Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising method for repair of cartilage defects. Induction of chondrogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is currently used in cartilage tissue engineering. Among growth factors, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is common chondrogenic inducer but toward hypertrophic chondrocyte. However, mechanical factors such as ultrasound could stimulate chondrogenesis.
We aimed to investigate stimulation of endogenous TGF-β genes expression by low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in MSC.
In this experimental study, adipose tissue stem cells (ASC) cultures were treated with or without LIPUS (30 mW/cm2, 20 min/day) and with or without TGF-β3 (10 ng/mL) for 4 or 14 days. Chondrogenic gene expression of SOX9 and members of TGF-β family (β1, β2 and β3) was assessed in ASC cultures at day 4 and 14 by real time PCR.
The gene expression of SOX9 significantly increased by LIPUS and TGF-β treatment versus control cultures. Exogenous TGF-β3 treatment stimulated endogenous TGF-β1 and β2 gene expressions more than LIPUS treated cultures at day 4. LIPUS, TGF-β and LIPUS plus TGF-β treated cultures expressed same TGF-β3 gene expression at day 4. The expression of TGF-β1 and β2 decreased by LIPUS in comparison to TGF-β treated cultures at day 14.
Our results suggest that LIPUS might initiate differentiation of ASC without enhancing endogenous TGF-β genes in in-vitro.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose level caused due to deficiency of insulin secretion or insulin function. The inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-amylase can be an important strategy for decrease postprandial blood glucose level in patients with type II diabetes. Plants contains different chemical constituents with potential for inhibition of α-amylase and hence maybe used as therapeutic.
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract of Capparis spinosa on pancreatic α-amylase activities to find out the relevance of the plant in controlling blood sugar.
In this experimental study, root and leaves of C. spinosa were tested for α-amylase inhibition. Different concentrations (1.56, 3.12, 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/mL) of extracts were incubated with enzyme substrate solution and the spectrometric method used for measure enzyme activity. Also acarbose was used as the standard inhibitor.
Both root and leaves extracts showed inhibition of α-amylase (root = 97.31% and leaves = 98.92%). The root and leaves extracts of C. spinosa exhibited appreciable α-amylase inhibitory activity with an IC50 values 5.93 mg/mL and 3.89 mg/mL respectively, when compared with acarbose (IC50 value 0.038 mg/mL).
This study supports that root and leaves extracts of C. spinosa exhibit considerable α-amylase inhibitory activities. These results could be useful for developing functional foods by combination of plant-based foods for treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most widespread congenital disease in newborn babies and is one of the main causes of death worldwide. The causal agent of heart congenital diseases is unknown but genetic factors have an important role in prevalence of disease.
The main objective of this research is comparison of the gene expression level of three Gata4, Tbx5 and Nkx2.5 genes in three groups of children between 6 months and 13 year old with congenital heart disease.
Patients and In this case-control study, 30 samples from each cyanotic and acyanotic patients and 30 samples from healthy children as control were used. RNA extraction was done using commercial kit and gene expression analysis was performed by qRT-PCR approach in three replication using Gata4, Tbx5 and Nkx2.5 genes. Data analysis was done by REST software.
The results of RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis of all sample showed high quantity and quality of genetic materials. Expression level of tested genes was reduced in two patients group. In cyanotic group reduction was more than acyanotic samples. All tested gene were reduced in both group. Tbx5 gene was suppressed more than other genes.
Based on our results we could conclude that a gene family play an important role in cardiogenesis process and heart formation. These genes are closely related together. So a genetic consultation for such diseases on parents of these patients to determine the probable genetic mutations is recommended.

Origanum vulgare is used in traditional medicine for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of O. vulgare leaves extract on experimentally induced intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.
In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar albino rats randomly divided into four groups. Group I/R underwent ischemia-reperfusion of the intestine (45 minutes of ischemia followed by 1 hour of reperfusion). Treatment groups I and II were given O. vulgare extract (200 and 400 ppm) via oral gavages for 1 week before inducing I/R. Group sham was given normal saline orally without inducing I/R. After the experiments, the jejunum was removed and the tissues were processed for histomorphometric examination of mucosa.
The treatment with O. vulgare extract significantly decreased mucosal damages in the treatment groups compared to group I/R, while severe mucosal damages were observed in the group I/R. Also, there was significant difference between treatment groups I and II (P = 0.054). Group sham observed normal intestinal mucosa.
According to the results of current study, administration of O. vulgare extract protects the intestinal mucosa from I/R injuries.

Cervical carcinoma is gynecologic malignancy with conventional treatment modality but drug resistance interferes with current therapeutic methods. Therefore, identification of novel new modality with low toxicity has uniquely favorable strategy.
The aim of this study is evaluation of concomitant use of sea cucumber organic extract and radiotherapy on ovarian cancer.
In this in vitro experimental study, HeLa cancer cells were cultured and suspended in RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) 1640 medium supplemented with 10 % FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum), 1 % antibiotic. Cells were treated with extract at different concentrations (0 to 100 μg/mL) for 24 hours. After determination of suitable concentration, the cells were exposed to 2 Gray gamma radiation in presence of extract for 192 seconds and 66 hours were kept in incubator till anti-proliferative assay were evaluated. To assess apoptosis, flow cytometry with PI (Propodium Iodide) and acridine orange staining were performed.
Morphological analysis and results from cytotoxicity assay exhibited that 50 µg/mL of sea cucumber extract alone is considered IC50 and combination of gamma radiation became more valuable in growth inhibition. Also, flow cytometry histogram of treated cells indicated sub-G1 peak demonstrating disturbance in membrane integrity and apoptosis cell death. Fluorescence images have been confirmed apoptosis cell death in treatment groups.
These data indicate that sea cucumber extract as novel resource of aquatic natural products significantly can inhibit cervical cancer cell growth and synergistic effect of natural extract along with radiation therapy was more effective in anti-cervical cancer therapy.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in developed countries. Recent studies have showed that there is a relation between neuron loss in Parkinson’s disease and L-type calcium channel activity in pars compacta of substantia nigra. Therefore, it seems that calcium channel blockers can effect on this disease.
In this study, we evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of isradipine on experimental Parkinson’s model in rats.
In this experimental study, 63 rats were allocated randomly in seven group including: intact, control, sham operated, lesion and lesion treated by 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg dosage of isradipine. L-type calcium channel blocker, isradipine was subcutaneously injected to treated rats in the doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg/day, for four weeks, starting the day after a unilateral nigrostriatal 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) lesion. Rotational tests with apomorphine and rigidity tests were conducted on all animal groups one week before the lesion experiments and four weeks after.
Administration of isradipine (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) decreased mean of rotation number and muscular rigidity score significantly compared with control group (P This study showed that isradipine has a therapeutic effect in a dose dependent manner on Parkinson’s disease in rats.

The R521K polymorphism of EGFR has attenuated function in ligand binding, tyrosine kinase activation, and growth stimulation.
We initiated a study to examine R521K polymorphism in six Iranian ethnic groups.
Patients and This cohort study was designed on 300 Iranian healthy individuals and analyzed by PCR-RFLP protocol.
The frequencies of A/A, G/A, G/G genotype were 7.7%, 53.6% and 38.7% respectively.
No subject with A/A genotype was detected in Kurds and Lures. The higher frequencies of A/A genotype in Arab and Caspian groups compared to Fars and Turks could be a key determinant of better response to anticancer drugs and favorable prognosis of CRC patients.