Peppermint and menthol: a review on their biochemistry, pharmacological activities, clinical applications, and safety considerations.

In this manuscript, we conducted a comprehensive review of the diverse effects of peppermint on human health and explored the potential underlying mechanisms. Peppermint contains three main groups of phytochemical constituents, including essential oils (mainly menthol), flavonoids (such as hesperidin, eriodictyol, naringenin, quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol), and nonflavonoid phenolcarboxylic acids. Peppermint exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and analgesic properties and may be effective in treating various disorders, including gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, constipation, functional gastrointestinal disorders, nausea/vomiting, and gallbladder stones). In addition, peppermint has therapeutic benefits for psychological and cognitive health, dental health, urinary retention, skin and wound healing, as well as anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects, and it may improve memory. However, peppermint has paradoxical effects on sleep quality and alertness, as it has been shown to improve sleep quality in patients with fatigue and anxiety, while also increasing alertness under conditions of monotonous work and relaxation. We also discuss its protective effects against toxic agents at recommended doses, as well as its safety and potential toxicity. Overall, this review provides the latest findings and insights into the properties and clinical effects of peppermint/menthol and highlights its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for various health conditions.

Effect of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract on oxidative stress markers and the TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to examine antidiabetic effects of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract [A. absinthium] and to investigate its effects on oxidative stress markers and the expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty six rats (weight 200-250 g) were randomly divided into diabetes and control groups. Induction of diabetes was performed using STZ (55 mg/kg.bw). Biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) were measured using spectrophotometry after 60 days of treatment. The expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by real-time PCR. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to compare the data. RESULTS: Diabetes significantly impairs the serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and albumin. At the end of treatment with A. absinthium extract, these parameters were close to the normal range. The results showed that the A. absinthium extract significantly decreased the kidney expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and improved oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) in the kidney tissues of treated rats. Also, all of these beneficial effects of the A. absinthium were dose-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of A. absinthium possesses antidiabetic effects. A. absinthium decreased the expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and improved oxidative stress. Therefore, this herbal extract can be used as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic complications.

Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest in MKN45 Cells after Schiff Base Oxovanadium Complex Treatment Using Changes in Gene Expression of CdC25 and P53.

Compounds containing heavy metals such as vanadium, nickel, and cobalt may be useful for the treatment of various diseases. Multiple studies have been carried out on the anticancer effects of vanadium-contained compounds on different cell types. This study aimed to evaluate the role of schiff base oxovanadium complex ([N,N'-bis(3-methoxy-salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine]Vanadium(IV) Oxide Complex) on cell cycle arrest and different cell cycle phases in MKN45 cell of gastric cancer. Schiff base oxovanadium complex was used to assessthe amount of cytotoxicity via cell viability test. PI color and flow cytometry technique were applied to evaluate the effects of vanadium synthetic compounds on cell cycle phases; subsequently, we analyzed the change rates of gene expression in P53, GADD45, and CDC25 genes, which are involved in cell division phases. The findings indicated that the vital activities of time-dependent and concentration-dependent MKN45 cells with schiff base oxovanadium complex were significantly reduced; therefore, this complex is able to inhibit the migration of cancer cells and metastatic activities in a time-dependent mode. Cell cycle arrest was obtained after 48 h of treatment in phase G2/M at 1 microgram/milliliter (µg/ml) concentration. This is probably attributed to the increased gene expression of P53 and GADD45 genes and reduced gene expression of CDC25 gene. Compounds containing such heavy metals as vanadium decrease the growth, proliferation, and migration of MKN45 cells. They arrest cell cycle in phase G2/M via changing the controllers of cell division phases activated due to DNA damage.

Developing a biopolymeric chitosan supported Schiff-base and Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes and biological evaluation as pro-drug.

Chitosan derivatives are widely used as key classes of medicinal compounds owing to their non- toxic and biodegradable properties. So, in this work, to enhance chitosan biological activities, a new synthesis of a series of Schiff base and its metals complexes (Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)) of chitosan (CS) was prepared. Moreover, their physicochemical properties were characterized by IR, UV-Vis, SEM, melting point, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis and 1H NMR techniques. Elemental analysis data confirmed the formation of chitosan-Schiff base as well as the coordination reaction with metals ions by increasing the carbon content caused by substitution. By elemental analysis, the degrees of acetylation (DA), deacetylation (DD) and substitution (DS) were acquired 23, 77.63 and 57.90%, respectively. Additionally, the 1H NMR spectroscopy was used for the determination of degree of deacetylation (DD) and Substitution (DS) of chitosan ranging from 87.5 and 85%, respectively. The presence of a new low-field signal at 10.23 ppm in the 1H NMR spectra confirmed the imine proton of Schiff base. The cytotoxicity of Chitosan, Chitosan-Schiff base and its metals complexes was tested against K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and MG-63 (osteosarcoma cancer) cell lines by the MTT assay. The results suggested that the anticancer activity of Schiff base and their complexes was much better than that of pure CS against cancer MG63 cell line. Finally, through flow cytometry, we demonstrated that all compounds were efficient in inducing apoptosis effect in K562 and MG63 cell lines except Schiff base- chitosan in K562 cell lines.

Application of novel Ni(II) complex and ZrO2 nanoparticle as mediators for electrocatalytic determination of N-acetylcysteine in drug samples.

The electrooxidation of N-acetylcysteine (N-AC) was studied by a novel Ni(II) complex modified ZrO2 nanoparticle carbon paste electrode [Ni(II)/ZrO2/NPs/CPE] using voltammetric methods. The results showed that Ni(II)/ZrO2/NPs/CPE had high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of N-AC in aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7.0). The electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents increase linearly with N-AC concentrations over the concentration ranges of 0.05-600µM using square wave voltammetric methods. The detection limit for N-AC was equal to 0.009µM. The catalytic reaction rate constant, kh, was calculated (7.01 × 102 M-1 s-1) using the chronoamperometry method. Finally, Ni(II)/ZrO2/NPs/CPE was also examined as an ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of N-AC in real samples such as tablet and urine.

Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cysts and Primary Infertility by Iranian Traditional Medicine: A Case Report.

Infertility is a medical and psychosocial problem with a high prevalence. There are different treatments for this problem in Iranian traditional medicine. A 28-year-old woman presented with the complaints of 4 emergency operations of the left ovarian cyst during 4 years and infertility. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed an ovarian cyst, adhesion, and endometriosis. Hysteroscopy was unremarkable. After 2 months of letrozole administration, the ovarian cyst ruptured again. Considering the failure of conventional treatments, Iranian traditional medicine products were administered to the patient. After 3 months, the patient conceived and delivered a healthy boy through normal vaginal delivery. These compounds may help with pregnancy as a uterine tonic, vitalizer, and aphrodisiac with brain and cardiac tonic properties.

Comparison of oil removal in surfactant alternating gas with water alternating gas, water flooding and gas flooding in secondary oil recovery process.

Growing oil prices coupled with large amounts of residual oil after operating common enhanced oil recovery methods has made using methods with higher operational cost economically feasible. Nitrogen is one of the gases used in both miscible and immiscible gas injection process in oil reservoir. In heterogeneous formations gas tends to breakthrough early in production wells due to overriding, fingering and channeling. Surfactant alternating gas (SAG) injection is one of the methods commonly used to decrease this problem. Foam which is formed on the contact of nitrogen and surfactant increases viscosity of injected gas. This increases the oil-gas contact and sweep efficiency, although adsorption of surfactant on rock surface can causes difficulties and increases costs of process. Many parameters must be considered in design of SAG process. One of the most important parameters is SAG ratio that should be in optimum value to improve the flooding efficiency. In this study, initially the concentration of surfactant was optimized due to minimization of adsorption on rock surface which results in lower cost of surfactant. So, different sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentrations of 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm were used to obtain the optimum concentration at 70 °C and 144.74×105 Pa. A simple, clean and relatively fast spectrophotometric method was used for determination of surfactant which is based on the formation of an ion-pair. Then the effect of surfactant to gas volume ratio on oil recovery in secondary oil recovery process during execution of immiscible surfactant alternating gas injection was examined experimentally. The experiments were performed with sand pack under certain temperature, pressure and constant rate. Experiments were performed with surfactant to gas ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1 and 3:1 and 1.2 pore volume injected. Then, comparisons were made between obtained results (SAG) with water flooding, gas flooding and water alternating gas (WAG) processes. This study shows that using the concentration of 1500 ppm of surfactant solution is practical and economical. Results also show that the SAG ratio of 1:1 with 0.2 cm3/min at temperature and pressure of 70 °C and 144.74×105 Pa, has the maximum oil removal efficiency. In this SAG ratio, stable foam was formed and viscous fingering delayed in comparison to other ratios. Finally, the results demonstrated that SAG injection has higher oil recovery in comparison to other displacement methods (water flooding, gas flooding and WAG).

Resultados da atratividade do perfil facial nas dimensões sagital e vertical utilizando previsão computadorizada / Facial profile attractiveness outcome in sagital and vertical dimensions, using computerized prediction

Aim: To assess the perception of facial attractiveness in profile digital images in the sagital and vertical plan. Methods: The facial profiles of 80 patients (20 Class II, 20 Class III, 20 open bite and 20 deep bite) male and female samples were evaluated. The lateral cephalometry radiographs of the all samples were digitized and systematically altered regarding the location of the mandible and maxilla in the sagital and vertical plan, using Dolphin Imaging software program (version 10.0). Five manipulated profile images together with the patients' own profile were presented to the raters including laypersons, orthodontists and surgeons. The facial attractiveness of the profile images were assessed using a 6-scaled (visual analogue scale). The data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests. Results: The most attractive facial profiles were normal images in both patients' groups as assessed by all judges Severe Class III facial profiles in both Class II and Class III patients' images and severe open bite facial profiles in both deep bite and open bite patients' images ranked as the least attractive. No significant differences were found in the overall rankings of male and female profile images between female and male raters. Conclusion: The profile attractiveness decreased with the more deviations from the normal profile proportions and more scattered ideas were shown by raters. Specialists can use the results of the beauty perception by the laypersons to modify the treatments and consequently increase the patients' satisfaction.

Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção da atratividade facial em imagens digitais de perfil no plano sagital e vertical. Método: Foram avaliados perfis faciais de 80 pacientes (20 Classe II, 20 Classe III, 20 mordida aberta e 20 mordida profunda), pertencentes ao sexo masculino e ao feminino. As radiografias cefalométricas de todos os indivíduos foram digitalizadas e sistematicamente alteradas em relação à localização da mandíbula e da maxila no plano sagital e vertical, usando o software Dolphin Imaging (versão 10.0). Cinco imagens de perfil, manipuladas em conjunto com o perfil dos próprios pacientes, foram apresentadas aos avaliadores, incluindo leigos, ortodontistas e cirurgiões. A atratividade facial das imagens de perfil foram avaliadas através de uma escala visual analógica. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste de Kruskal Wallis e Mann Whitney. Resultados: Os perfis faciais mais atrativos foram os de imagens normais, em ambos os grupos de pacientes, sendo considerado por todos os avaliadores perfis faciais graves os casos de Classe III. Tanto as imagens de pacientes graves Classe II e Classe III, como os perfis faciais de mordida aberta e mordida profunda, foram classificados como menos atraentes. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na classificação geral de imagens de perfil masculino e feminino entre avaliadores do sexo feminino e masculino. Conclusão: A atratividade do perfil diminuiu na medida em que maiores eram os desvios das proporções do perfil normal e opiniões mais divergentes foram emitidas pelos avaliadores. Especialistas podem usar os resultados da percepção da beleza pelos leigos para modificar os tratamentos e, consequentemente, aumentar a satisfação dos pacientes.