Almond as a nutraceutical and therapeutic agent in Persian medicine and modern phytotherapy: A narrative review.

Sweet almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb) is a known nut, which has long been used in several ethnomedical systems, especially in Persian medicine (PM) for its nutritional and therapeutic activities. In this study, we aimed to provide a summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of sweet almond. Thus, we reviewed textbooks of PM and electronic literature on traditional medicine. Moreover, the available data on the usage of sweet almond were searched in electronic databases to find articles on its pharmacological properties and phytochemistry. According to phytochemical investigations, this plant contains macronutrients, micronutrients, essential oils, various phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. Current pharmacological studies represent that Prunus dulcis has several biological activities including prebiotic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiometabolic protection, nootropic, anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, and nervous-improving effects. Further clinical trials and meta-analysis are required to draw a definitive conclusion on the efficacy and therapeutic activities of almond.

Prevalence of respiratory viruses in Iranian patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and ultimately fatal lung disease. One of the risk factors involved in the acquisition of IPF is viral infections, especially respiratory viruses. In the present study, we investigated the detection of respiratory viruses and the possible relationship between these viruses and IPF. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was supported by the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran. A total of 40 respiratory samples (five nasopharyngeal and 35 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens) were obtained from IPF patients referred to IUMS hospitals between April 2015 and December 2016. Assays were performed using the CLART Pneumovir DNA array assay, which made it possible to detect five genera of respiratory viruses simultaneously.Results/Key findings. Altogether, 22 of the 40 participants were male. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, rhino, corona and influenza viruses were found in 2.5 % (1/40), 7.5 % (3/40), 10 % (4/40), 2.5 % (1/40) and 0% (0/40) of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Determining a correlation between the viruses and IPF is not an easy task, and therefore, this will require more research. In addition, the CLART Pneumovir DNA array can be considered as a useful method for simultaneous detection of several viral respiratory infections.

Investigation of viral infection in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis among Iranian patients in Tehran.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease, which can be lethal with chronic complications. Viral infections may be associated with IPF and other fibrotic lung diseases. In the present study, we investigate for the first time in Iran the related viral etiology of IPF in order to detect three respiratory viruses; human adenovirus, enterovirus and bocavirus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study which was supported by Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The diagnostic criteria for IPF were based on internationally accepted clinical and imaging criteria in accordance with the 2011 IPF guidelines. 30 nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs or broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) samples were obtained from the lung of IPF patients that were diagnosed by a sophisticated practitioner from April 2015 to February 2016. Real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was performed to detect the three viruses. Fluorescence dye of a labeled probe recorded the results in order to create positive and negative controls. SPSS version 20 software was used to calculate basic descriptive and frequency features. RESULTS: Of 30 specimens, 13 (43.4%) were male and 17 (56.6%) were female with the total mean age ± standard deviation 68.2 ± 12.0. RT-PCR assay results illustrated there was no infection of human adenovirus, enterovirus, and bocavirus detected in these samples. Significant results between IPF incidence and variables were not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The causes of IPF in Iranian patients need more research although, based on the results of this study, there was no association between human adenovirus, enterovirus, bocavirus, and IPF.

Protective effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract against Paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat (PQ) has caused a large number of human fatalities all over the world, especially in Asian region. The main potential mechanism of PQ toxicity has been thought to be mediated by ROS. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the Berberis vulgaris fruit extract (BVFE) against PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Forty male rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups each containing eight rats. Groups 1 and 2, served as a negative and positive control and received a single dose of intratracheal instillation of saline and PQ (20mg/kg), respectively. Groups 3-5 were treated with different doses of BVFE (100, 200, 400mg/kg/day, orally) 1 week before the PQ injection and continued for 3 weeks. The rats were sacrificed 21days after PQ. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Hydroxyproline, inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 in lung tissue were determined. Presence of fibrosis, inflammatory cells, connective tissue and collagen deposition in lung were evaluated microscopically by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Dried extract was standardized by amount of berberine by HPTLC methods by silica gel plate. RESULTS: The results showed that PQ could significantly increase the lung MDA, hydroxyproline, TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-ß1 levels. BVFE ameliorated the biochemical and histological lung alterations induced by PQ. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates the hydroalcolic extract of Berberis vulgaris fruit has beneficial effects in rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ in a dose-dependent manner, possibly by anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory properties, which might be due to its berberine alkaloid content.

Work-related musculoskeletal complaints among workers of Iranian aluminum industries.

In developing countries, musculoskeletal complaints are considered as main cause of occupational complications and disability. Economic burden of these complications more than workers has impact on organization and society in general. In Iranian aluminum industries, workers are directly involved in production process and physical activities such as manual material handling and awkward postures are very common. The present study was performed for assessment of musculoskeletal complaints prevalence among workers of Iranian aluminum industries. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 493 workers of 3 Iranian aluminum industries with random selection. Data of musculoskeletal complaints were gathered by means of the standardized Nordic self-reporting questionnaire. Demographic and work-related data were collected into the checklist. Findings of this study showed that 65.5% of workers in past week and 77.5% of workers in past year had claimed one of the musculoskeletal complaints in their work places. Lumbar, knee(s), and upper back had the most musculoskeletal complaints prevalence in participants. Musculoskeletal complaints in past week and year had significant association with job duration and age in these workers. Musculoskeletal complaints in Iranian aluminum industries happened in high rate. Ergonomic intervention strategies in the workplaces must be the focus for elimination of environmental hazards such as apposition on the time of work and manual handling of heavy loads.