مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی مازندران
پیاپی 240 (دی 1403)

The aging population and its associated complications, such as chronic pain, have led to an increased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like indomethacin. However, indomethacin is associated with notable side effects, particularly gastric ulcers. This study aims to investigate the potential protective effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Zataria multiflora and Eryngium caucasicum in preventing indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in an animal model.

In this experimental study, total phenol and flavonoid levels of the Zataria multiflora L. and Eryngium caucasicum L. plants were measured. Cultivated Artemia salina was used to evaluate the toxicity of the extracts. The animal study was conducted using eight groups of Balb/c mice. The groups included indomethacin at 70 mg/kg, omeprazole at 30 mg/kg, and three concentrations (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) of Eryngium caucasicum L. and Zataria multiflora L., respectively, administered individually to mice via gavage. One hour later, indomethacin was administered to the mice by gavage to induce gastric ulcers. Four hours after ulcer induction, the anesthetized animals were sacrificed, and their stomachs were removed for histopathological and morphological evaluation.

The amount of total phenol in Zataria multiflora L. and Eryngium caucasicum L. plants was 113.5 mg/ml and 26.06 mg/ml, respectively, and the flavonoid content of these plants was 41 mg/ml and 16.79 µg/ml, respectively. The toxicity results of cultivated Artemia salina showed that the toxicity of Zataria multiflora and Eryngium caucasicum plants was 500±0.0012 ppm and 0.0031±0 ppm, respectively. The histopathological results showed that Zataria multiflora and Eryngium caucasicum played an effective role in reducing inflammation, bleeding in stomach tissue, and congestion. Furthermore, the results showed that a dose of 1000 mg/kg was more effective than lower doses for both extracts.

Hydroalcoholic extracts of Eryngium caucasicum  and  Zataria multiflora plants demonstrated a protective effect against stomach ulcers. This effect appears to be attributed to the presence of phenols and flavonoids in the extracts and is dose-dependent.

The serotonin receptor (5-HTR) family includes seven distinct members, with the serotonin seven receptor (5-HT7R) being the newest addition to this family. The 5-HT7R contributes to different physiological and pathological processes including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The standard treatment for GBM involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, GBM tumors are highly diffuse and exhibit a significant risk of recurrence. As a result, the use of advanced monitoring techniques, such as nuclear medicine imaging, is essential. This study aims to develop an effective radiotracer for imaging 5-HT7R overexpression in GBM by utilizing a radiolabeled aryl piperazine derivative (99mTc(CO)3-[5]).

In this experimental study, compound 5 1-(3-nitropyridin-2-yl) piperazine was designed, synthesized, and characterized, then radiolabeled with fac-[99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ to produce 99mTc(CO)3-[5]. Quality control tests, including high-حperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were performed to determine the radiochemical purity. The specific binding study was performed using various cell lines, including U-87 MG, MCF-7, SKBR3, HT-29, and A549. The affinity of 99mTc(CO)3-[5] for 5-HT7R was evaluated using the U87-MG cell line and the maximum binding capacity (Bmax,) and dissociation constant (Kd) were calculated.

The initial radiochemical purity of 99mTc(CO)3-[5] was greater than 95% (RCP>95%). This radiotracer displayed moderate affinity for the U87-MG cell line’s 5-HT7R and lower affinity for MCF-7, SKBR3, HT-29, and A549 cell lines. The calculated Bmax, and Kd of the radioligands were 48±9.23nM and 2.94±0.09×105.

Compound 5 can be quantitatively radiolabeled with fac-[99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+  resulting in the radiotracer (99mTc(CO)3-[5]). The initial radiochemical purity of this radiotracer is approximately 95%; however, its stability decreases over time. 99mTc(CO)3-[5] recognizes the  5-HT7R on the surface of U87-MG cells and binds to this receptor with moderate affinity.

Active aging involves optimizing opportunities to enhance the quality of life in older age. Environmental differences and lifestyle variations between urban and rural areas can significantly affect active aging. This study aimed to compare the indicators of active aging among elderly individuals in urban and rural areas of Behshahr, while also identifying the factors associated with these indicators in 2023.

This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study employed a proportional quota sampling method to examine 350 elderly individuals from comprehensive health service centers in Behshahr. The tools used included a demographic-social factors form and a 40-item questionnaire on the Iranian Active Aging Index. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and linear regression tests.

The mean age of the elderly participants was 70.96±13.8 years. Among the participants, 52% were men, and 61% were married. The average scores on the Active Aging Index were 111.47±30.48 for urban residents and 93.73±21.66 for rural residents, demonstrating that urban elderly individuals had significantly higher scores than their rural counterparts (P<0.001). Married elderly individuals in both groups scored significantly higher on the Active Aging Index compared to single individuals. Participants with higher education levels and income also achieved significantly greater scores. In contrast, an increase in age and the number of children was associated with a notable reduction in the Active Aging Index score (P<0.05).

Attention to geographical, cultural, and social differences is crucial when formulating policies for the elderly. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to develop infrastructure that improves access to health and social services for older adults in rural areas. These findings can guide policymakers in enhancing the quality of life for older adults, highlighting the importance of addressing the unique needs of diverse groups.

Quinolones and fluoroquinolones are used to treat infection with resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, the inappropriate use of antibiotics regardless of resistance patterns has led to the emergence of new and resistant strains. To address this concern, we conducted a study to investigate the frequency of plasmid-mediated quinolone-resistance (qnr) genes among P. aeruginosa isolates collected from the educational hospitals in Sari.

In this cross-sectional study, 100 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from hospitalized patients. The bacterial isolates were recognized through standard microbiological tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method, following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS genes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 22, and the Chi-square test was applied.

In total, 100 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from patients. Of these, 71 strains were isolated from male patients. The majority of isolates were collected from ICU patients. Among the studied genes, the prevalence rates of qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS were 31%, 24%, and 35%, respectively.

Our study highlights the widespread distribution of qnr genes, particularly qnrS, among P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in Sari. The highest antibiotic sensitivity was observed for piperacillin/tazobactam, indicating it as the most effective treatment option. Among quinolones, ciprofloxacin demonstrated the best efficacy against tested isolates. Given the high prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone-resistance genes (PMQR), regular screening of P. aeruginosa isolates for PMQR genes is essential to prevent the dissemination of resistant strains. Future studies focusing on molecular mechanisms of resistance and interventions to curb its spread are highly recommended.

Antibiotic resistance remains a serious problem for human health and continues to impact patients in hospitals worldwide. Carbapenem antibiotics are frequently used as the last line of treatment for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The primary mechanism of resistance to carbapenems is the production of carbapenemase enzymes. This study aimed to determine the frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes including OXA-48 and KPC, in antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacilli isolated from infectious samples collected from cardiovascular patients hospitalized in the wards of Fatemeh Al-Zahra Heart Hospital in Sari in 2022.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from January 2022 to June 2022, 61 samples were collected from hospitalized cardiovascular patients. All bacterial isolates were identified using standard biochemical methods. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates was assessed using the disc diffusion test (DDT) in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to confirm the presence of OXA-48 and KPC genes.

A total of 61 clinical samples were analyzed. The most frequently collected samples from patients included urine (52.45%), trachea (29.50%), wound (11.47%), and surgical site secretions (3.27%). The most common types of bacteria isolated were E. coli (86.27%), Enterobacter (67.19%), Pseudomonas (67.19%), and Citrobacter (16.39%). Additionally, highest rates of bacterial resistance were observed against ceftazidime (100%) and imipenem (96.72%). The frequency of OXA-48-encoding genes was detected in 8 clinical isolates (13.11%). The bacteria harboring the OXA-48 gene exhibited 100% resistance to ceftazidime and imipenem. In contrast, the KPC gene was not detected in any of the isolates. Among the bacterial species analyzed, the highest frequency of the OXA-48 gene was observed in Enterobacter isolates.

The present study demonstrates that the rate of drug resistance as well as the production of beta-lactamase enzymes, is significantly high in Gram-negative strains, including members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As a result, the management and treatment of infections caused by these bacteria may pose substantial challenges.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that, although not typically life-threatening, can lead to significant psychosocial consequences. Due to its persistent nature and the lack of effective treatments to prevent its progression, OLP can severely impact quality of life. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy in alleviating symptoms and signs of the disease, as well as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression in women with oral lichen planus.

This study is a controlled clinical trial with a pre-test/post-test design. The sample comprised 36 women diagnosed with oral lichen planus, who were selected using purposive sampling and were then randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. Data were collected using the DASS-21 questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Thongprasom Scale. The experimental group received 8 sessions of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy, while the control group received no interventions. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22).

In the experimental group, the mean scores for stress, anxiety, and depression in the post-test phase were 9.29±4.22, 5.94±3.92, and 7.00±5.55, respectively. In the control group, these scores were 10.94±4.84, 7.71±4.70, and 9.65±5.44, respectively. After adjusting for pre-test scores, the results of covariance analysis showed that the mean scores of the experimental and control groups differed significantly for these variables in the post-test phase (P<0.05). The mean intensity of pain or burning sensation in the experimental group during the post-test phase was 2.94±1.85, compared to 3.65±1.69 in the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of lesions between the experimental and control groups (P>0.05).

The results of this study indicate that MBSR can be an effective approach to reducing psychological distress in patients with oral lichen planus.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic and recurrent inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, classified into two main categories: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Mesalazine is the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, its rapid absorption in the small intestine reduces its local effects in the colon. The use of mesalazine in coated pellet form as a multi-unit drug delivery system may enhance its effectiveness compared to conventional pharmaceutical forms such as tablets. Arthritis is one of the extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD, which can be alleviated by acetaminophen. The aim of this study is to design a multi-unit oral drug delivery system (pellets) that simultaneously delivers mesalazine to the large intestine and acetaminophen to the stomach.

In this experimental study, mesalazine pellets were prepared using the extrusion-spheronization method and coated with pH-dependent polymers (Eudragit® L100 and Eudragit® S100) as well as a combination of time-dependent (Eudragit® RS) and pH-dependent polymers (Eudragit® L100). Drug release was evaluated in simulated gastrointestinal environments, and the optimal formulations were identified. Subsequently, acetaminophen was loaded onto the optimized pellets using a fluid bed coater. The drug release profile was assessed using a continuous dissolution testing method. Thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy were performed to evaluate the physicochemical properties and investigate potential interactions.

Pellets coated with 40% Eudragit® RS and 60% Eudragit® L100, as well as those coated with 100% Eudragit® S100, were found to be more suitable for colon drug delivery than other formulations. Continuous dissolution testing showed that acetaminophen was released in a pH 1.2 environment within 2 hours, while mesalazine remained intact and reached the large intestine. Physicochemical tests indicated that the pellets had a smooth surface, uniform coating, and appropriate hardness, with no detectable interactions between the drugs and excipients.

This study demonstrated that the optimized formulation effectively enables the targeted delivery of acetaminophen to the stomach and mesalazine to the colon in a single dosage form.

Hymenolepis nana is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites infecting humans, particularly children. It poses a significant public health threat in underprivileged communities in southeastern Iran. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hymenolepiasis and identify the associated risk factors among asymptomatic individuals and patients with gastroenteritis in Iranshahr.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 17,455 outpatients and inpatients with gastrointestinal symptoms referred to the health centers affiliated with Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences. The study was carried out between April 2020 and March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct wet mount microscopy was employed to detect Hymenolepis nana eggs in fresh stool samples. A binomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between hymenolepiasis and relevant risk factors.

The overall prevalence of Hymenolepis nana infection was estimated at 0.28%. The higher infection rate was observed in patients from Iran Hospital (0.37%), followed by patients from Reference Laboratory (0.24%) and Khatam Hospital (0.16%). Having diarrhea was significantly associated with the likelihood of having hymenolepiasis (AOR: 31.3; 95% CI: 11.6-84.4; P=0.000).The infection prevalence was significantly higher during 2020-2021 (AOR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.49-5.02; P=0.001). There was also a significant relationship between the prevalence rate of infection and the health center visited (AOR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.35; P=0.000).

Hymenolepiasis is common in Iranshahr. The prevalence of the infection is influenced by factors such as having diarrhea and the specific health center visited. Furthermore, a decreasing trend in the prevalence rate of Hymenolepis infection during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed, suggesting that measures like healthcare services, health education, and improvements in environmental hygiene are effectively contributing to the reduction of infection prevalence.

This study aims to examine the challenges within the management structures of public hospitals, particularly how these challenges impede the achievement of executive goals. If the consequences of these challenges are not adequately addressed, they may result in significant issues in the management of medical and hospital services. These issues could have a detrimental impact on various stakeholders, including patients, hospital staff, and administrators. Therefore, this research identifies the key administrative challenges faced by public hospitals from the perspective of multiple stakeholders and proposes potential solutions to improve hospital management and service delivery.

This mixed-method study (quantitative and qualitative) involved two primary groups: healthcare providers and hospital managers/senior professionals, including 14 senior staff from a public hospital. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify the challenges in public hospitals. In the quantitative phase, a questionnaire was developed based on the qualitative findings and the opinions of 363 experts. Exploratory factor analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS software (version 24).

According to stakeholders, the challenges in managing public hospitals were identified across four key categories: financial, procedural and decision-making, human resources, and infrastructure. The results of the data analysis revealed that procedural and decision-making challenges had a coefficient of 0.89 with a significance level of 7.881; financial challenges had a coefficient of 0.79 with a significance level of 6.994; human resource challenges had a coefficient of 0.75 with a significance level of 6.641; and infrastructure challenges had a coefficient of 0.43 with a significance level of 3.807.

The study results indicate that procedural and decision-making challenges in public hospitals are key factors significantly affecting the achievement of hospital operational goals and have a broad influence on other critical aspects of public hospital services, including patient satisfaction and service efficiency. Additionally, financial constraints, human resource limitations, and infrastructure challenges diminish hospitals' capacity to effectively meet patients' needs and organizational goals in both quantitative and qualitative terms, posing serious barriers to healthcare quality and accessibility.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, first identified in humans in 1970. Considering the importance of physicians' knowledge and attitude toward treating this disease, the current study was designed and implemented to determine the attitude and knowledge of family doctors in Sari, Iran, regarding monkeypox.

The present study is a descriptive and analytical study, with the statistical population comprising family doctors in Sari. Initially, a questionnaire containing questions evaluating the knowledge and attitude of family doctors was designed. Subsequently, data were collected through a census method. After data collection, the information was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and relevant statistical tests.

The participants in this study were 117 family doctors working in urban and rural areas. Descriptive data showed that 55% of the participants were male, while 45% were female. Additionally, 62% worked in urban areas, and 38% worked in rural areas. The average age of the participants was 47.10±8.07 years, and their average work experience was 17.30±5.17 years. The average knowledge score was 9.30±3.42, and the average attitude score was 3.5±1.70. Analytical data also indicated that the attitude score had a significant relationship with gender, while the knowledge score was significantly related to the place of work.

The results of this study indicate that the knowledge and attitude of family physicians in Sari regarding monkeypox were at a satisfactory level. Therefore, automated information dissemination systems in the field of infectious diseases can effectively be utilized to spread information about important infectious diseases.

The significance of educational theses and their contribution to addressing societal needs is widely recognized. A considerable amount of research is conducted through student theses, which serve both educational and research objectives. The thesis, in this context, encompasses a hidden curriculum that requires the teaching of research skills and the management of educational opportunities to achieve these goals. In this regard, the Department of Medical Nanotechnology at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences implemented an educational program aimed at fostering demand-oriented research in the form of a master's thesis. This study utilized components of the lifelong learning approach and the steps of the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model for educational design. By integrating these frameworks, the program aimed to enhance both demand-oriented research and the development of lifelong learning competencies in students. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this program from the perspective of master's students in nanotechnology.

This study employed a conventional qualitative method of content analysis, combined with an action research approach, to gather data. The primary data collection tool was individual semi-structured interviews conducted with master's students.

An analysis of the participants' comments revealed that the majority expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the program, using terms such as "suitability of the strategy", "attention to societal needs", "creation of job opportunities" and "focus on students". Based on the data, the learners' responses were categorized into four main themes and nine subthemes.

From the students' perspective, this program has proven to be both useful and practical in preparing them for their future careers. They highlighted its key benefits, including enhancing critical thinking, motivating and fostering creativity, and facilitating communication with various institutions within the target market.

Medical/Health Humanities is considered a new field of study. This concept is looking for an answer to the question of how to make medical education, medical processes, and practice more humane so that the human aspects are respected more. In this research, we want to identify and explain the necessity and how to apply the essentials of medical humanities in the MD curriculum of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences

The current research was qualitative and content analysis type research. The samples of this research were selected purposefully. The samples included university faculty members who had innovative educational processes and general course lecturers, or experts in medical education. Data collection continued until the collected data duplicated the previous data and data saturation occurred. Semi-structured group interview with a focus group discussion method was used for data collection and conventional content analysis method was used for data analysis.

After merging the codes extracted from the focus group discussion, classifying the codes, and repeated revisions 155 codes were identified. These codes were categorized into 14 categories, which were finally placed in two more general themes of “necessity” and “how”. In the theme of “necessity”, 6 categories and 60 codes were identified, including medical paradigms, Iranian medical tradition, issues in current medicine, medical technology, benefits of health/medical humanities education, and problems in the curriculum. In the “how” theme, 8 categories and 95 codes were identified, including applying for new courses, changing current courses, new topics, setting goals to strengthen skills, arts and humanities, education in practice, policy-making, and challenges.

The result of this research showed that it is necessary to include the content of medical/health humanities in the general medical curriculum. Needs assessment in the definition of new courses and topics and the application of existing courses in the curriculum should be done to improve the quality of medical education. The inclusion of humanities content in the curriculum has challenges, such as cultural issues, resistance to change, medical hegemony, the presence of a clinical-oriented and reductionist point of view, the absence of an approved curriculum, and an overcrowded curriculum.

Mastery of clinical skills in emergency medicine is a key factor in effectively managing emergency patients. Given the critical importance of acquiring these skills, this study aimed to evaluate the self-assessment of medical interns at Babol University of Medical Sciences regarding their training and competence in the emergency department

This study was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study on 100 interns from Babol University of Medical Sciences who had completed their emergency medicine internship in 2023. Participants completed demographic questionnaires and satisfaction surveys assessing their acquisition of clinical skills in managing emergency patients, performing essential therapeutic procedures, and their education in the emergency department. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 with descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

The mean age of the students was 25.54±1.42 years. The results showed that students reported the highest satisfaction in the areas of acquiring clinical skills for managing emergency patients, performing primary therapeutic procedures, and the quality of education in the emergency department, specifically in handling abdominal pain, nasogastric tube insertion, gastric lavage, and the impact of the emergency medicine department on improving emergency activities. Conversely, the lowest satisfaction was reported in dealing with environmental emergencies, airway management, and motivating learners for study and research activities.

Based on the results of this study, there is a clear need for targeted planning
and strategies to enhance clinical skills in managing environmental emergencies, improving airway management, and motivating interns to engage in study and research activities.

Anemia during pregnancy is a public health issue, particularly in developing countries, and is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature birth, low birth weight (LBW), and placental growth disorders (vascular changes and placental volume). Placental growth disorder is a leading cause of perinatal and maternal mortality and a significant factor in fetal growth restriction. Given the effects of different types of anemia on pregnancy, placental vascular changes, and both long- and short-term outcomes, this study aims to examine Doppler sonographic indicators of placental spiral vessels in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia and beta thalassemia minor and compare these with healthy pregnant women during the first half of pregnancy.

This case-control study was conducted on 90 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and attended the pregnancy care clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari from February 23, 2019, to December 26, 2019. The participants were divided into three groups: women with iron deficiency anemia, those with minor beta-thalassemia, and healthy women (30 individuals per group). In the first half of pregnancy, participants underwent placental color Doppler ultrasound, and variables such as placental volume, pulsatility index, and resistance index of the placental spiral artery, as well as the pulsatility and resistance indices of the umbilical cord artery at the placental junction, were measured. The general linear model (GLM) was used to assess the mean differences among the three groups for these variables, and Pearson correlation was used to examine relationships between variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 23 (P<0.05).

The results indicated a statistically significant difference in the mean resistance index of the placental spiral artery among the three groups. This index was higher in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia compared to the other two groups (2.34 in the iron deficiency anemia group, 0.7 in the beta-thalassemia minor group, and 0.99 in the healthy group; P=0.03). Additionally, the mean pulsatility index of the placental spiral artery (PIP) was significantly lower in patients with beta-thalassemia minor compared to the healthy group (1.44 vs. 2.02, P=0.02). Analysis of the correlations between different sonographic indices showed a significant positive correlation between the pulsatility index of the umbilical artery at the placental junction (PIU) and the resistance index of the umbilical artery at the placental junction (RIU) (r=0.879, P=0.001).

The findings of this study support the value of evaluating placental indices in pregnant women, particularly highlighting the increased resistance index of the placental spiral artery in women with iron deficiency anemia. This underscores the need for follow-up by healthcare providers to prevent, assess, and treat anemia in pregnancy. Further studies are recommended to evaluate and compare vascularization of fetal and placental vessels and pregnancy outcomes in women with various types of anemia.

Autophagy is a fundamental process in eukaryotic cells, essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and promoting survival. This process involves the formation of a structure known as the autophagosome, which sequesters damaged cellular components such as misfolded proteins and dysfunctional organelles. These components are subsequently transported to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy allows cells to withstand various stress conditions, including nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and microbial infections. There are three primary types of autophagy: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy, each characterized by distinct mechanisms and features. The autophagy process is tightly regulated by autophagy-related genes (ATG) and consists of several stages: induction, autophagosome formation, fusion with lysosomes, and cargo degradation. Dysfunctional autophagy has been implicated in the development of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, and bacterial or viral infections. Recent studies have highlighted the dual role of autophagy in cancer: while it can act as a tumor suppressor in early stages, it may also support tumor cell survival in advanced stages. In the nervous system, autophagy helps prevent the accumulation of harmful proteins and supports neuronal function. Additionally, autophagy plays a significant role in combating invasive pathogens, serving as a defensive mechanism against bacteria and viruses. Research indicates that autophagy is a promising target for developing new therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases. In-depth investigations into the molecular pathways regulating autophagy, particularly the mTOR and AMPK pathways, offer potential avenues for innovative treatments. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms and functions of autophagy, exploring its association with various human diseases. It presents a novel perspective on the potential clinical applications of autophagy, highlighting its role in the development of therapeutic strategies and deepening our understanding of this essential cellular process.