Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume:13 Issue: 4, Autumn 2014

One of the most important duties of government in public health sector is to provide secured sources for medicines supply. There are some regulations for domestic pharmaceutical industry. In addition, there is a discipline for importing medicine to be ensured about their claimed characteristics. In medicines registration process, MOH (FDO in Iran) assess ‘safety’, ‘quality’ and ‘efficacy’ of medicines and they will be registered if they’ll be able to pass the assessment. Some countries establish ‘cost- effectiveness’ as fourth hurdle in registration process of medicines. It means that at first authorities must be ensured about safety, quality and efficacy of medicines.In Iran, there are two main importing forms of medicines. One is by agents, who registered the medicines and have responsibility for them. Agents should trace medicines from buying stage to shipment, delivering and distributing by wholesalers and selling by pharmacies. In addition, they are responsible for safety, quality and efficacy and pharmacovigilance of medicines. Two is by importers (Emergency companies). The main activity of them is supply those medicines which FDO announced as shortages. They could import medicines from registered wholesalers in confirmed countries based on its specific regulation. In this form of import, FDO rely on confirmed countries’ regulations to ensure about safety, quality and efficacy of required medicines.

Diosmin, a vascular-protecting agent, is practically insoluble in water, and its oral absorption is limited by its extremely low dissolution rate. In this study, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) were obtained to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of diosmin. Phase solubility studies of diosmin with βCD and HPβCD in distilled water were conducted to characterize the complexes in liquid state. The solid-state characterization of the complexes prepared with different methods was performed by fourier transform-infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy analyses, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dissolution studies were carried out in distilled water using US pharmacopeia dissolution rate testing equipment. The complexation of diosmin with βCD and HPβCD both indicated an AL type of phase-solubility diagrams, and the apparent stability constants (Kc) was found to be 222.13 and 200.08 M−1, respectively. The Kc values indicated the βCD and HPβCD showed the similar equal complexation ability with diosmin, HPβCD provided higher solubility for diosmin due to its higher water solubility. The dissolution studies suggest that the inclusion complexes provide higher dissolution rate compared with the physical mixtures and the drug alone. Furthermore, the inclusion complex prepared by freeze drying method presented higher dissolution rate than kneading method.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common condition in aging men, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. It is caused due to the augmented levels of the androgen dihydrotestosterone. Dutasteride, a 5α-Reductase inhibitor has been recommended for the treatment of BPH upon oral administration. However, long term oral administration of dutasteride may cause sexual problem in man. Therefore the main objective of this study was to develop transdermal patch having nanoemulsion gel of dutasteride in order to enhance physical and chemical stability and eliminate adverse effect of dutasteride. Optimized nanoemulsion was prepared by aqueous phase-titration method and characterized by droplet size, viscosity and refractive index. In vitro skin permeation of dutasteride through rat abdominal skin was determined by the Franz diffusion cell. Significant increase in the steady state flux (Jss), permeability coefficient (Kp) and enhancement ratio (Er) was observed in optimized nanoemulsion formulation A1 (p < 0.05). The Er of optimized nanoemulsion A1 was found to be 1.52 times with respect to control which indicates transdermal delivery may be better approach for BPH. Stability studies were performed for the period of 3 months. It was found that droplet size, viscosity and refractive index were slightly increased at refrigerator and room temperature in 3 months period. However, the changes in these parameters were not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). The shelf-life of optimized nanoemulsion A1 was found to be 2.18 years at room temperature. These results indicated that both physical as well as chemical stability of dutasteride in nanoemulsion formulation.

Today, special attention is paid to the use of zirconium dioxide nanoparticle (nano-ZrO2), a neutral bioceramic metal, particularly for drug and gene delivery in medicine. However, there are some reports implying that use of nano-ZrO2 is associated with cytotoxic effects like inhibiting the cell proliferation, DNA damage and apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether nano-ZrO2 alters cell viability and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in two neuronal cell lines.The PC12 and N2a cells were cultured in the absence or presence of varying concentrations (31.25-2000 µg/ml) of nano-ZrO2 for 12, 24 or 48 h. The cell viability was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and GPx activity was determined by quantifying the rate of oxidation of the reduced glutathione to the oxidized glutathione. Nano-ZrO2 caused a significant reduction in cell viability and GPx activity after 12, 24 and 48h, as compared with control group. These effects were concentration dependent and started from 250µg/ml. The present study demonstrated that nano-ZrO2, at concentrations of > 250 µg/ml, has antiproliferative effects via reducing the cell defense mechanism against oxidative stress.

The objective of present study was to evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters of dibudipine Phytosolve after oral administration in rats. The solubility test was carried out to select suitable oily solvent for dibudipine. Phytosolve formulation was prepared with a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (20%), soybean phospholipids (5%) and a 70% fructose solution (75%). The effect of polyol content on the mean globule size of Phytosolve formulation was studied. The optimized formulation was evaluated for robustness toward dilution, transparency, droplet size, zeta potential and transmission electron microscopic analysis. The Phytosolve of dibudipine with an average droplet size of 142.3±4.3 nm and surface charge -18.36±0.37 mv was administered orally to rats. The average relative bioavalabilities of dibudipine in the plasma with Phytosolve were 170.4% and 211.2% as compared to the oily solution and aqueous suspension respectively. So this formulation could be offered as a useful technique to improve the oral delivery of the poorly water soluble drugs such as dibudipine.

Pluronic/bile salt/phospholipid mixed micelles (Pluronic/BS/PS-MM) drug carrier system for solubilization hydrophobic drugs was developed. A typical hydrophobic compound, pyrene, was selected as a representative hydrophobic compound to model the hydrophobic drugs. Five Pluronics, F68, F88, F98, F108, and F127 with different PPO chain length were studied. CMC data and solubilization capacities were obtained from a pyrene solubilization method. A closed association model was used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters: Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy, (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) of micellization. The results obtained from these experiments suggest that the mixed micelles was more stable and solubilize more pyrene than single one; and the solubilization of pyrene was strong effected by the PPO block size, thus accentuating synergistic interaction mechanism in Pluronic/BS/PS-MM. The study generated an important dataset so as to compare the effect of different Pluronics on solubility capacity of Pluronic/BS/PS-MM.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors have gained a great deal of attention recently for the treatment of cancers and inflammatory diseases. So design of new inhibitors is of great importance in pharmaceutical industries and labs. Creating pharmacophor models in order to design new molecules or search a library for finding lead compounds is of great interest. This approach reduces the overall cost associated with the discovery and development of a new drug. Here we elaborated an exact pharmacophore model for histone deacetylase inhibitors by using pharmacophore query and docking study. The data set used for the modelling exercise comprised of 383 molecules collated from the original literature. These molecules were used to crating the model and docking study was held with Zolinza, the recently FDA approved drug as potent histone deacetylase inhibitor. Our model consists of 5 features: Hydrogen bond donors, Hydrogen bond acceptors, H-bond donor/acceptors, Aromatic ring centers, and hydrophobic centers. With the aid of this pharmacophore model and docking result, 3D searches in large databases can be performed, leading to a significant enrichment of active analogs.

New mono acid esters have been synthesized from the reaction of benzoic acid and mono-hydroxybenzoic acids with 2-phenoxyethanol separated from Urtica pilulifera, characterized, and screened for possible antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. These phenolic acid esters gave various degrees of free radical scavenging, but the values were lower than that of α-tocopherol. The concentrations of the tested compounds needed to reduce DPPH absorption by 50% at 517 nm were nearly in the range of 900-1100 µg/mL. While for α-tocopherol was 40 µg /mL. The compounds were tested in vitro against six bacterial species which are known to cause dermic and mucosal infections in human. 2-phenoxyethyl benzoate showed significant activity in the range of 30% against P. aeruginosa to 70% against E. coli compared with the activity of Streptomycin. On the other hand 2-phenoxyethyl 2-hydroxybenzoate reveals 70% of gentamicin against K. pneumoniae. The tested compounds also showed complete inhibition at a concentration less than 37.5 µg/mL against M. canis and less than 50µg/mL against T. rubrum. 2-phenoxyethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate showed considerable activity against MCF-7 with IC50 is less than 62.5µg/mL.

Three new rimantadine Schiff bases (RSBs) were prepared, and then the interaction of RSBs with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy under physiological conditions. The results showed that the three RSBs effectively quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA via static quenching. Binding constant (Ka), number of binding sites (n), and the binding distance (r) between three RSBs and BSA were calculated by Stern-Volmer equation and Förster’s theory in this study. According to the results of displacement experiments of site probes, it was considered that the binding sites were located in hydrophobic cavities in sub-domains IIA of BSA. What is more, synchronous fluorescence studies indicated that the hydrophobicity around tryptophan residues was increased with the addition of rimantadine-o-vanillin (ROV) and rimantadine-4-methoxy-salicylaldehyde (RMS), while there was no apparent change with the addition of rimantadine-salicylaldehyde (RS).

The aim of this paper is to develop a rapid, and highly sensitive quantitative HPLC fingerprint method with multiple indicators by using the Compound Chinese Medicine Wuwei Changyanning granule and 5 herbs in the prescription. The quantitative fingerprint chromatogram with multiple indicators was investigated. ⅰ)6 compositions included rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, atractylenolideⅠ, pachymic acid and apigenin, which originated from 5 herbs respectively, were selected as quantitative compositions, and their contents were determined using HPLC from 11 batches granules and the corresponding 5 medicinal materials. ⅱ) The precision, stability and repeatability of fingerprinting were investigated. In addition, common peaks number, the percentage of non-common peaks and similarity were also studied. Among them, 21 common peaks in the granule could find the source of peaks from the 5 herbs, among of 10 peaks from Niuerfeng, 9 peaks from Laliao, 3 peaks from Baishu,3 peaks from Fuling and 5peaks from Guanghuoxiang. The results showed that the identification method of fingerprinting was reliable.

The properties relevant to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of four series of synthesized s-triazine derivatives have been studied by Quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) approach. The chromatographic behavior of these compounds was investigated by using reversed-phase high performance thin-layer chromatography (RP-HPTLC). Chromatographic retention (RM0) was correlated with selected physicochemical parameters relevant to pharmacokinetics, i.e. ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion). In addition, the ability to act as kinase inhibitors and protease inhibitors was predicted for all investigated triazine classes. Also, in order to confirm similarities/dissimilarities between series of examined compounds, principal component analysis (PCA) based on calculated ADME properties was conducted. The RM0 values of the s-triazine derivatives have been recommended for description and evaluation of pharmacokinetic properties. According to results of this study, the synthesized s-triazine derivatives meet pharmacokinetic criteria of preselection for drug candidates.

This meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of SSRIs and TCAs in treatment of PD. A computer-base search was conducted of Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trails Register (CCTR) up to December 2011. The random controlled clinic trials about SSRIs and TCAs in PD treatment were collected. Statistical analysis was completed using Review Manager, version 5.0. Five clinic controlled trials were identified for this meta-analysis. There was no significant statistical difference in the response rate of treatment [RR 0.95, 95%CI (0.78, 1.16)] and HAMD score [RR -2.54, 95%CI (-5.35, 0.26)] between two groups. In term of complications, There was no statistical difference in the insomnia rate between two groups [RR 0.82, 95%CI (0.24, 2.84)], while compared with TCAs group, SSRIs group was associated with a lower incidence rate for xerostomia [RR 0.21, 95%CI (0.07, 0.65)] and constipation [RR 0.12, 95%CI(0.02, 0.63)], and there was significant statistical difference between these two groups. SSRIs could reduce the incident rate for xerostomia and constipation in PD treatment, comparing with TCAs. In order to clearly assess the efficacy and safety of SSRIs in PD therapy, new large and high quality clinic random controlled trials are needed.

Previous studies have reported the efficacy of baclofen in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases (GERD). The objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of co-administration of omeprazole 20 mg/d plus sustained Release baclofen (SR baclofen) vs omeprazole 20 mg/d plus placebo on alleviation of symptoms in patients with a diagnosis of GERD. A prospective, double blind, placebo controlled trial included 50 patients with diagnosis of GERD have been done. Patients were randomly selected to receive either SR baclofen or a placebo in addition to omeprazole 20 mg/d for a period of 2 weeks. Patients were questioned regarding heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain and hoarseness at the base line and after 2 weeks. All patients tolerated the medications and no patients failed to complete the study due to adverse drug reactions. A total of 53 patients completed the study, 25 in SR baclofen and 28 in placebo group. After 2 weeks, 1 patient (4%) in SR baclofen group reported heartburn and regurgitation. However 13(46.4%) and 15 (53.6%) of patients in the placebo group had heartburn and regurgitation respectively. The analysis of the data shows that there is a significant difference between the two groups in heartburn and regurgitation (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 respectively). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in two groups regarding total GERD score (p <0.0001). The results of the present study suggest that a combination of SR baclofen and omeprazole may be a more effective treatment for heartburn and regurgitation than omeprazole alone

This study was designed determine the efficacy of bupropion versus placebo in subjects with negative symptoms of schizophrenia.A convenience sample of 40 patients of both genders aged 18-60 years who were living in psychiatric care centers were randomly treated with bupropion (started with 75 mg twice a day; increased to 100 mg thrice daily) or placebo. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was confirmed by a psychiatrist based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria. Before and after the intervention, severity of negative symptoms was determined using a reliable and valid Persian version of Scales for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS).Comparison of post-treatment total SANS score and subscale scores between bupropion treated patients and placebo group demonstrated no significant difference. Moreover, comparison of pre- treatment and post-treatment total SANS score and subscales within 2 groups revealed that nor bupropion neither placebo improved the severity of negative symptoms significantly.Present study demonstrated that bupropion has no significant effect on SANS score of patients with severe negative symptoms. However, further studies with larger sample size are recommended to achieve more accurate results.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intravenous magnesium sulfate on patients with COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization. In this randomized clinical trial 30 patients with COPD exacerbation were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to group A (case) who concurrent with standard therapy received 2g magnesium sulfate in normal saline infused in 20 minutes on days one to three and group B (control) who received standard medications and placebo. PEFR and FEV1 were measured by before, 45 minutes and third day of entering the study. Vital signs HR, BP, RR, temperature and SpO2 were monitored during hospitalization. 21 males and 9 females patients with mean age of 68±9 years, case 67±10 and control 70±8 were studied (15 patients in each arm of study). The mean pretreatment FEV1 was 26%±12, and 35%±18 in case and control groups respectively (P=0.137). FEV1 after 45 minutes in case group was 27%±9 and control group 36%±20 (p=0.122). FEV1 after 3 days of study was 32%±17 in case and 41%±22 in control groups (P=0.205). The mean pretreatment PEFR was 126±76 l/min in case and 142±62 l/min in control groups (P=0.46). Changes in PEFR were not significant 45 min (p=0.540) and 3 days (p=0.733) of the administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate. Duration of hospital stay between the two groups did not show any significant difference. This study showed that administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate in hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbation neither revealed any significant bronchodilating effect nor reduced duration of hospital stay.

Vancomycin susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been changed over time and its average minimum inhibitory concentration increased from 1.5 to 1.75 mg/L. A recently published guideline by the American Society of Health Pharmacist recommended a daily dose of 15-20 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours of vancomycin to achieve a trough concentration between 15-20 mg/L for treatment of severe infections. Medical records of 69 patients from infectious ward of Imam Khomeini hospital, with suspected or confirmed gram-positive infection who had at least one trough level of vancomycin, were evaluated regarding vancomycin therapeutic goal, efficacy and renal safety. Most of patients (60.6%) with severe infections did not achieve the recommended vancomycin trough level during treatment course. Time to normalization of the signs and symptoms of infection did not correlate with the patients’ serum vancomycin trough levels. At the end of treatment course, there was no significant correlation between patients’ creatinine clearance and vancomycin trough levels (P=0.32). However, patients’ cratinine clearance showed a negatively significant correlation with trough level of vancomycin (P=0.01). Vancomycin induced nephrotoxicity was detected in 4.3% of the patients. These data showed that vancomycin trough level may not necessarily assure treatment success, and also it would not essentially predict the risk of vancomycin induced nephrotoxicity. However, more well designed studies with larger sample size needed for better clinical and practical judgment.

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is used as an herbal remedy in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) on serum glycemic status, apolipoprotein (apo) B, apoA-I and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in type 2 diabetic patients. This double blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 41 type 2 diabetic volunteers randomly assigned into 3g/day sumac powder (n=22) or placebo (n=19) groups over 3 months. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention. Serum glucose and HbA1c were measured using enzymatic and turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay methods, respectively. ApoB, apoA-I and TAC were determined using turbidimetric immunoassay and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. There were significant decreases in serum glucose and HbA1c and also apoB levels at the end of study compared with initial values (P < 0.0001, P= 0.002 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Also, there was a significant difference in HbA1c and TAC levels between placebo and sumac groups at the end of study (P < 0.05). In sumac group, there were significant increase in apoA-I and TAC (P < 0.0001) compared with initial values. The mean of differences of serum glucose, HbA1c, apoB, apoA-I, apoB/apoA-I ratio and TAC between groups were significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results showed the favorite effect of sumac consumption on serum glycemic status, apoB, apoA-I and TAC levels in in type 2 diabetic patients

This study evaluated the effects of inhalation of Lavender essential oil on the pain of open-heart surgery. The main complaint of patients after open-heart surgery is chest pain. Due to the side effects of opioids, it is important to use a non-invasive way to effectively relieve pain including aromatherapy with analgesics. This study is a clinical single-blind trial. The study was conducted on 40 patients who had open-heart surgery in the Cardiac ICU of two Hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2012. Criteria included: full Consciousness, spontaneous breathing ability and not using synthetic opioids within 2 hours before extubation. After extubation, the patients were asked to mark the intensity of their pain using the visual analogue scale. Then, a cotton swab which was impregnated with 2 drops of Lavender essential oil 2% was placed in their oxygen mask, and they got breath for 10 minutes. Thirty minutes after aromatherapy, they were asked to re-mark their pain intensity. The level of patient’s pain before and after aromatherapy were compared. The pain mean level before and after inhaling Lavender essential oil was 5.60 (SD= 2.262) and 4.98 (SD=2.293), respectively(P-value=0.1>0.05). Therefore, there is no significant difference and the result of study proves that Lavender essential oil inhalation has no effect on reducing the pain of open-heart surgery.

This study was conducted to evaluate the cytoprotection of various extracts and bioactive compounds found in Pistacia vera againts cytotoxicity, ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, mitochondrial and lysosomal membrane damages in cell toxicity models of diabetes related carbonyl (glyoxal) and oxidative stress (hydroperoxide). Methanol, water and ethyl acetate were used to prepare crude pistachios extracts, which were then used to screen for in vitro cytoprotection of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes against these toxins. The order of protection by Pistacia vera extracts against both hydroperoxide induced oxidative stress (ROS formation) and glyoxal induced protein carbonylation was: pistachio methanolic extract >pistachio water extract, gallic acid, catechin> α-tochoferol and pistachio ethyl acetate extract. Finally due to higher protection achieved by methanolic extract even compared to sole pretreatment of gallic acid, catechin or α-tochoferol, we suggest that cytoprotection depends on the variety of polar and non-polar compounds found in methanolic extract, it is likely that multiple cytoprotective mechanisms are acting against oxidative and carbonyl induced cytotoxicity. To our knowledge, we are the first to report the cytoprotective activity of Pistacia vera extracts against oxidative and carbonyl stress seen in type 2 diabetes hepatocytes model.

In depth interaction studies between calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA) and a series of four structurally relative palladium(II) complexes [Pd(en)(HB)](NO3)2 (a-d), where en is ethylenediamine and heterocyclic base (HB) is 2,2''-bipyridine (bpy, a); 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, b); dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq, c) and dipyridophenazine (dppz, d) (Figure 1), were performed. These studies have been investigated by utilizing the electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectra and ethidium bromide (EBr) displacement and gel filtration techniques. a-d complexes cooperatively bind and denature the DNA at low concentrations. Their concentration at midpoint of transition, L1/2, follows the order a >> b > c > d. Also the g, the number of binding sites per 1000 nucleotides, follows the order a >> b ~ c > d. EBr and Scatchard experiments for a-d complexes suggest efficient intercalative binding affinity to CT-DNA giving the order: d > c > b > a. Several binding and thermodynamic parameters are also described. The biological activity of these cationic and water soluble palladium complexes were tested against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562. b, c and d complexes show cytotoxic concentration (Cc50) values much lower than cisplatin.

Antioxidants are effective in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Lavandula officinalis possesses antioxidant activity, therefore, in this study, the effects of Lavandula officinalis extract were investigated on serum lipids levels of rats. Experimental mature male Wistar rats were treated with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day of lavender ethanolic extract or distilled water for 25 days via gastric gavage (n=8 each group). At the end of 25th day, the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL levels, as well as atherogenic indices were determined in rats’ serum. The ethanolic extract of lavender decreased serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL levels in 100 mg/kg group (p=0.03, p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). Serum HDL level increased in 100 mg/kg/day group (p=0.01). Lavender extract decreased LDL/HDL level at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day (p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). The TG/HDL levels decreased in experimental groups with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day (p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). Lavandula officinalis extract exerts hypolipidemic effect in rats and might be beneficial in hyperlipidemic patients.

In the current study, effects of acute short term administration of fructose on cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction size following ischemia/reperfusion were investigated in isolated rat heart. The hearts were subjected to 30 min zero flow global ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. In the control group, the hearts were perfused by normal drug free Krebs-Henseleit (K/H) solution throughout the experiments, while in the treated groups (2-4), they were perfused with fructose containing K/H solution at 12, 24 and 48 mM concentrations during stabilization and reperfusion time, respectively. Cardiac arrhythmias were determined based on the Lambeth conventions and the infarct size was measured by computerized planimetry. Myocardial infarction size was 22±3% in the control group, however administration of fructose (12, 24 and 48 mM) reduced it to 15±3 (P)

Use of medicinal plants for attenuation of hyperglycemia and restoration of lipids disorder to normal level is clinically very important. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of Berberis integerrima Bge. fruit aqueous extract (BIFAE) on blood glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetic rats. The STZ-induced diabetic rat were treated by fruit aqueous extract of Berberis integerrima Bge. at doses (250 and 500 mg/kg bw) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg bw) for 42 days by gavage. Blood glucose levels and body weights of rats were measured on weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6. Total lipid levels were determined in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats after administration of the BIFAE and glibenclamide for 42 days. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed a significant (P<0.001) increases in the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) while body weight and high density lipoprotein HDL-cholesterolan (HDL-C) were significantly (P<0.001) decreased compared to normal rats. Daily administration of BIFAE did not possess the hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic activity in STZ- diabetic rats during 6-week treatment period. Results indicate the usage of BIFAE in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes may need more investigation.

Periodontitis (PD) is known to be one of most prevalent worldwide chronic inflammatory diseases. There are several treatments including antibiotics for PD; however, since drug resistance is an increasing problem, new drugs particularly derived from plants with fewer side effects are required. The effects of trans-anethole on IL-1 β and TNF-α level in a rat model of PD were investigated and compared to ketoprofen.Eschericia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 30 µg) was injected bilaterally into the palatal gingiva (3µl/site) between the upper first and second molars every two days for 10 days in anesthetized rats. Administration of either trans-anethole (10 or 50mg/kg, i.p.) or ketoprofen (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was started 20 minute before LPS injection and continued for 10 days. Then, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were measured in blood samples by ELISA at day 0 (control) and at day 10. Anethole at both concentrations significantly suppressed IL-1β and TNF-α production when compared to LPS-treated rats. The suppressive effects of anethole on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines were almost similar as seen with ketoprofen.In conclusion, the present results suggest that anethole may have a potent inhibitory effect on PD through suppression of pro-inflammatory molecules; therefore it could be a novel therapeutic strategy for PD.

Econazole nitrate (EN), a synthetic compound, is now in use as a routine antifungal drug. EN was shown to have antitumor effect, the tumor cell killing mechanisms, however, remain unclear. In this research, the apoptosis-inducing effect of EN on MCF-7 cells was investigated. The results showed that EN inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner by MTT method and colony forming assay. MCF-7 cells treated with EN showed typical characteristics of apoptosis including the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. Meanwhile, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was showed by flow cytometry. In addition, western blot analysis showed that EN resulted in the decrease expression of procaspase-3, procaspase-9 and bcl-2. In conclusion, these findings suggest that EN may be an effective way for treating human breast cancer. The anti-tumor mechanisms of EN might involve mitochondrial and caspase pathways.

Ferulago angulata Boiss. known in Iran as Chavir, has some bioactive compounds having antioxidant activity. Because of its antioxidant activities, it sounded Chavir extract can be a good candidate for finding chemopreventive agents having inductive apoptosis properties on cancer cells. In this study, the cytotoxic effects and proapoptotic activities of Chavir’s leaf and flower extracts were investigated on human adenocarcinoma gastric cell line (AGS). The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was used to determine antioxidant activity of the extract. Cytotoxic effects of the extract were performed by trypan blue and neutral red assays. For apoptosis detection, we used Annexin V staining, flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation assays. The FRAP assay results showed that antioxidant activity of leaf extract was higher than flower extract. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis–inducing activity of flower and leaf extracts changed coordinately, indicating the cytotoxicity of chavir extracts is due probably to induce apoptosis. Our results revealed that the cytotoxic effects of F. angulate Boiss. extracts on AGS cell line is close to some other plant extracts such as Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) and Scutellaria litwinowii. This is the first study on cytotoxic and apoptosis–inducing effects of chavir leaf and flower extracts against AGS cell line. The Further investigation can be identification of the agent(s) by which these effects is observed.

Buckwheat rutin has been found to be able to inhibit angiotensin II (AngII) - induced hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, but the mechanism remains uncertain. In this study, myocardial hypertrophy model was made by adding AngII to the medium of cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats, meanwhile, different concentrations of buckwheat rutin were applied to observe their effects. Intracellular Ca2+ level was detected by Hitachi - 850 fluorospectrophotometer, calcineurin (CaN) activity was measured by colorimetric method, the expression of CaN protein was observed with immunocytochemistry, and the proto - oncogene c - fos mRNA expression was assessed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT - PCR). Compared with control group, AngII could greatly stimulate the increase of intracellular Ca2+ level, the activities and protein expression of cardiomyocytes CaN, and the expression of proto - oncogene c - fos mRNA in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, which could be effectively decreased by buckwheat rutin. Our results demonstrated that buckwheat rutin exhibited inhibitory effect on AngII - induced hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes via Ca2+ antagonism action thus block the CaN - dependent signal pathway.

This study was a randomized, open labeled trial that was designed to determine efficacy and safety of IMOD as a novel herbal immunomodulator drug for treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL).Twenty healthy mongrel dogs were infected with Iranian strain of L. Infantum amastigotes and randomly divided to 5 groups with four animals for each included on: I: negative control (non-infected) II: Glucantime® III: Glucantime® plus IMOD (immune-chemotherapy) IV: IMOD and V: positive control (non-treated). Physical examination, hematological, biochemical, serological, parasitological, pathological and imaging evaluations were performed pre-/post- interventions every month for 3 months. Comparing with control groups (I&V), immune-chemotherapy group (Glucantime® plus IMOD) showed significantly higher efficacy in resolving the clinical signs and hematobiochemistry factors. Based on our results, using IMOD in combination with meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®) has significantly improved CVL than the latter drug alone. So, it seems this new herbal medicine is useful as adjuvant therapy for canine visceral leishmaniasis.

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of ethanol extracts from Lindera coreana leaves (LCE) on UVB-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes. The HaCaT cells were pretreated with LCE for 24 h and then exposed to UVB (20 mJ/cm2) for 2 h. UVB significantly decreased the cell viability (p<0.05). LCE did not exhibit significantly cytotoxic effects and increased the viability of the HaCaT cells in a concentration-dependent manner. To further investigate the protective effects of LCE on UVB-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells, the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), were analyzed. LCE decreased the intracellular levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that LCE exerted cytoprotective activity against UVB-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of ROS levels and stimulation of antioxidant enzymes activities. In addition, LCE also decreased the TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells.

Streptokinase is a potent fibrinolytic agent which is widely used in treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and acute myocardial infarction (MI). Major limitation of this enzyme is its short biological half-life in the blood stream. Our previous report showed that complexing streptokinase with chitosan could be a solution to overcome this limitation. The aim of this research was to establish an artificial neural networks (ANNs) model for identifying main factors influencing the loading efficiency of streptokinase, as an essential parameter determining efficacy of the enzyme. Three variables, namely, chitosan concentration, buffer pH and enzyme concentration were considered as input values and the loading efficiency was used as output. Subsequently, the experimental data were modeled and the model was validated against a set of unseen data. The developed model indicated chitosan concentration as probably the most important factor, having reverse effect on the loading efficiency.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common B-cell malignancy in the western world and exists as subtypes with very different clinical courses. Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is one member of Bcl-2 family proteins that has been shown to be expressed in various tissues and malignant cells, including CLL, where its expression is significantly associated with a failure to achieve complete remission following cytotoxic therapy. Induction of apoptosis by prenylated coumarin, umbelliprenin, in Jurkat cells was previously shown. We examined whether umbelliprenin can down-regulate Mcl-1 gene and protein in Jurkat cells. In this regard cells were incubated by umbelliprenin, and then down- regulation of Mcl-1 gene was studied by Real Time PCR method. Moreover, down-regulation of Mcl-1 protein was studied by western blot analysis. We showed that, expression of Mcl-1 mRNA was increased from 1 hour to 3 hours incubation٫ but this increase has a scale down pattern. Moreover umbelliprenin could inhibit Mcl-1 protein. In conclusion umbelliprenin treatment modulates Mcl-1 expression at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels.

Elevated expression of the drug efflux transporter ABCG2 seems to correlate with multidrug resistance of cancer cells. Specific COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib has been shown to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs. To clarify whether ABCG2 inhibition is involved in the sensitizing effect of celecoxib, we investigated whether the expression of ABCG2 in breast cancer cell lines could be modulated by celecoxib. The expression of the multidrug resistant gene (ABCG2) at mRNA and protein level was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Among three human breast cancer cell lines ABCG2 and COX-2 were highly expressed in MCF7-MX and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib up-regulated the expression of ABCG2 mRNA in MCF-7 and MCF7-MX cells, which was accompanied by increased ABCG2 protein expression. While, celecoxib was able to block the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated increase in COX-2 expression in MDA-MB-231 cells, it increased the expression of ABCG2 up to 4.27 times to the control level at mRNA level and with less intensity at protein level. Our findings provide evidence that celecoxib up-regulates ABCG2 expression in human breast cancer cells and proposed that ABCG2 is not involved in chemosensitizing effects of celecoxib.

A water soluble polysaccharide, HB-1, with a molecular weight of 23,930, was isolated from radix Ranunculi ternati. by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, deproteination，ultrafiltration and gel-filtration column chromatography. Its sugar composition was determined by GLC as Glc, Ara, and Gal in a molar ration of 16.071: 2.722: 1. And the absolute configuration of Glc was identified as D. Smith degradation and methylation reaction showed the proportion of —1Glc (A) was about 16%, —1Glc4— (B) about 62%, (C) about 14%, and —1Gal6— (D) about 8%. The repetitive unit was likely composed of 3 As, 3 Cs, 13 Bs and 1 D. Together with the average molecular weight, it was predictable that HB-1 consisted of about seven of the repetitive unit. The inhibition activity of HB-1 on human glioma cell line SF188 was also measured, only to find it inactive.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the antioxidant potentials and anti-glucosidase activities of six tropical medicinal plants. The levels of phenolic constituents in these medicinal plants were also quantified and compared. Antioxidation potentials were determined colorimetrically for scavenging activities against DPPH and NO radicals. Metal chelating assay was based on the measurement of iron-ferrozine absorbance at 562 nm. Anti-diabetic potentials were measured by using α-glucosidase as target enzyme. Medicinal plants’ total phenolic, total flavonoid and hydroxycinnamic acid contents were determined using spectrophotometric methods, by comparison to standard plots prepared using gallic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid standards, respectively. Radical scavenging and metal chelating activities were detected in all medicinal plants, in concentration-dependent manners. Among the six plants tested, C. nutans, C. formosana and H. diffusa were found to possess α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Spectrophotometric analysis indicated that the total phenolic, total flavonoid and hydroxycinnamic acid contents ranged from 12.13-21.39 mg GAE per g of dry sample, 1.83-9.86 mg QE per g of dry sample, and 0.91-2.74 mg CAE per g of dry sample, respectively. Our results suggested that C. nutans and C. formosana could potentially be used for the isolation of potent antioxidants and anti-diabetic compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first time that C. nutans (Acanthaceae family) was reported in literature with glucosidase inhibition activity.

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from the leaves of Cosmos bipinnatus and its antibacterial activity were analyzed by GC-MS and microbroth dilution assay respectively. The essential oil extracted from this plant was predominantly composed of monoterpenes (69.62%) and sesquiterpenes (22.73%). The antibacterial assay showed that the oil had significant inhibitory effects against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria isolates. The MIC of Gram-positive strains ranged between 0.16 and 0.31 mg/ml while those of Gram-negative bacteria ranged between 0.31 and 0.63 mg/ml. The Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to the essential oil than the Gram-negative bacteria. Most of the major components of this oil in other plants have been reported for antimicrobial activities. The antibacterial activity can be attributed to effects of the combination of several components of the oil. The results indicate that the C. bipinnatus might be exploited as natural antibacterial agent and have application in the treatment of several infectious diseases caused by these bacteria. Since this species is endemic to the eastern Free State, the plant could be collected during its bloom and used efficiently in the management of bacterial infections in South Africa.

Phytochemical investigation of a dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract of the fruit pericarp of Omphalocarpum procerum which exhibited antiplasmodial activity during preliminary screening led to the isolation of the new fatty ester triterpenoid 3β-hexadecanoyloxy-28-hydroxyolean-12-en-11-one (1), together with five known compounds 2-6. The structure of the new compound as well as those of the known compounds was established by means of spectroscopic methods and by comparison with previously reported data. Compounds 1- 4 were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity against L6 cell lines and antiprotozoal activities against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma cruzi (species responsible for human malaria, visceral leishmaniasis, African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, respectively). The tested compounds showed weak to moderate antiprotozoal activity and, no significant effect was detected regarding their cytotoxic potency.

Lallemantia royleana (Balangu) is a well known Iranian medicinal plant that its seed mucilage has many applications in modern pharmacology. Plant mucilage traditionally was used as a gel supplement, and natural matrix for sustained release of drugs. But it seems that these compounds are not a simple additive and also have many undiscovered pharmacological properties. In this research, the anesthetic action of gel prepared from Balangu mucilage alone and its mixture with lidocaine hydrochloride are compared with the effect of commercial 2% lidocaine gel by rat tail flick test. Mucilage of Balangu seed alone showed analgesic effect. Duration and potency of anesthesia induced by gel containing mucilage alone (0.01g/ml) were identical to commercial 2% lidocaine gel. But, local anesthetic potency and duration of gel made from 2% lidocaine-mucilage gel mixture was significantly higher than commercial 2% lidocaine gel. The gel prepared from mucilage causes a good analgesia with unknown mechanism. Besides, mixture of Balangu mucilage prepared gel with lidocaine improves lidocaine anesthesia. The increase in potency of lidocaine action results from mucilage dermal penetration enhancing effects; and longer anesthetic duration of this mixture are related to the capability of mucilage based gel for sustained drug release.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method (DLLME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) was used to determine thiamine (B1), nicotinamide (B3) and pyridoxine (B6) in sour cherry juice. This method was rapid, simple and sensitive. Separation was accomplished using a C18 column. The optimum chromatographic conditions were found to be: mobile phase consisted of 8% methanol and 92% aqueous phase (1% (V/V) acetic acid water solution); flow rate, 0.7ml/min; detection wavelength, 260nm and pH, 3.3. The extraction efficiency of thiamine, nicotinamide and pyridoxine was influenced by factors such as: additional salt effect, the kind and volume of disperser and extraction solvents. In this research, the limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.9 and 3 ng/ml for thiamine, 1.5 and 5 ng/ml for nicotinamide, 0.9 and 3ng/ml for pyridoxine. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 2.87% (n=3). An appropriate linear behavior over the observed concentration range was obtained with the value of R²>0.996 for the target vitamins. This method was successfully applied to the sour cherry juice samples. Sour cherry var. Gise (Prunus cerasus var. Gise), which was used in this research, was a local variety of the sour cherry with large stone, double flowers, double fruits, dark red skin and dark red juice. This variety was identified in high altitude areas of Isfahan province after five years of study, since 2005, by Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan.

In the present study, an efficient protocol has been developed for callus induction and production of RA in callus culture of Satureja khuzistanica for the first time. In vitro callus induction was achieved from young shoot tip explants cultured on MS and B5 media supplemented with different concentrations of IBA (0.1, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 mgl-1) solely or in combination with cytokinins BAP and KIN (1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 mg l-1). B5 medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 IBA plus 5.0 mgl-1 BAP and MS medium fortified with 2.0 mgl-1 IBA and 2.0 mgl-1 BAP were the most favorable media for callus formation with the highest induction rate (96%). Maximum growth index (2.89 and 2.63) and maximum callus biomass (2.34 and 2.33 g fresh weight) were obtained from the callus cultured on B5 medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 IBA plus 5.0 mgl-1 BAP and MS medium fortified with 1.0 mgl-1 IBA plus 1.0 mgl-1 KIN, respectively. Determination and quantification of RA in cultured calli were performed by HPLC UV/MS analysis. Calli induced from the plant and maintained on supplements of IBA and BAP in the absence of light produced RA 7.5% based on dry weight (DW). No differentiation was observed in any callus during the course of this study.

The present study aimed to evaluate pharmacy practice regarding dietary supplements in Tehran (I.R. Iran). So, the factors affecting on pharmacists'' practice including their knowledge, attitude, and some underlying factors were evaluated. This is an observational knowledge; attitude and practice (KAP) study. The unit of analysis include community pharmacies located in Tehran. The data was collected in 2013 via an anonymous, self-administered; postal questionnaire consisted of demographic information, knowledge (subjective and objective questions), attitude, and practice evaluation part. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS.This study showed that although the knowledge has a significant effect on attitude and practice, there the attention should be paid on other underlying factors such as experience, pharmacy ownership situation and academic degree which might have positive impact on pharmacists'' practice. Furthermore, this study found that, there is a positive relationship (P= 0.5) between practice and age, years of experience, academic degree, and pharmacy ownership situation. According to this study, although many underlying factors such as experience, university and pharmacy ownership have impact on pharmacy practice regarding dietary supplements, the most attention should paid to knowledge as the main factor and more attention should be paid to training on dietary supplement could be recommended.