مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 669 (هفته اول تیر 1401)

Melanoma is one of the deadliest types of skin cancers. The efficacy of current treatments is not significant. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a new modality for cancer treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the photodynamic effects of Indocyanine green in cold plasma on melanoma cell line.

In this study, helium based cold plasma and Indocyanine green were used to treat DFW cells. In this respect, at first the optimal concentration of Indocyanine green was determined by MTT test after an overnight incubation. Then cells were treated to cold plasma with and without Indocyanine green in different times such as 15, 30, 60 and 90 s. The cell survival rate was evaluated by MTT test 48 h after CAP treatment.

Cold plasma treatment produces cytotoxic cell with a time dependent decline. The survival rate was significantly reduced in treated cells to cold plasma and Indocyanine green compared to untreated cells. The viability decreased significantly in the cells treated to cold plasma. The most reduction in survival rate was observed in treated cells to cold plasma for 90 s and Indocyanine green with 20µM concentration.

This study approved anti-cancer effect of cold plasma on melanoma cells. In addition, it showed that CAP can be a good alternative to photodynamic therapy and Indocyanine green also a great photosensitizer at cold plasma treatment.

Dracocephalum kotschyi is one of the native medicinal plants of Iran with anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of D. kotschyi hydroalcoholic extract on blood biochemical and hematological parameters in rat.

In this study, hydroalcoholic extract was prepared by maceration technique and its phenolic content was assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The extract was then administered orally for 30 days (50, 100 & 200 mg/kg) in 3 different rat groups. A normal control group and vehicle treated group were also included for comparison. After a month of extract administration and qualitative observations, blood samples were taken from all the rats for quantitative determination of biochemical and hematological parameters. The liver and kidney sections were also prepared for microscopic pathological examination.

According to our findings, oral consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi over a month induced no substantial changes in the measured biochemical and hematological parameters. The high dose of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi caused a slight increase in the amount of some liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and the dose of 50 mg/kg elevated creatinine levels. However, examination of liver and kidney sections showed no microscopic tissue damage.

Short term consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi has no adverse effect on blood biochemical and hematological parameters. However, as long as the long term effect of the extract on liver and renal function is not fully understood, consumption of D. kotschyi in patients with hepatic or renal failure is not recommended.

Blastocystis is an extracellular and immobile protozoan known as the most common protozoan found in the human gastrointestinal tract and a wide range of animals. Although it takes a long time to identify it, its role in the disease and health of people is controversial. Parasite protease is one of the important factors in eliciting symptoms. Thus, this study investigated protease activity in several subtypes.

Stool samples were collected from 600 patients referred to Isfahan laboratory centers. The samples were examined microscopically and the blastocysts positive samples were cultured in medium. The blastocysts were purified using the ficoll method. PCR and sequencing were performed to identify the subtypes. Gelatin/SDS-PAGE method was used to evaluate protease activity.

A total of 34 samples was positive in culture and PCR. Of these, 18 samples were sequenced, and 4 subtypes 1-3 and 6 were isolated. Subtype 2 was more common. In the Gelatin/ SDS-PAGE method, a large difference in the size of the bands resulting from protease activity was evident in different subtypes. 20 kDa band was observed in subtypes 1-3. In Subtype 6, the band pattern was completely different from other subtypes.

Differences in protease band size were observed in different subtypes, which could probably be the reason for the difference in protease activity and pathogenicity in different subtypes. The present study obtained more reliable results using the ficoll method.