Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl seed extract on hyperthyroidism: A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial.

The seeds of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl contain goitrogenic glucosinolates, such as gluconapin (3-butenyl glucosinolate). Because of the important role of iodine in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and the inhibitory activity of D. sophia on iodine uptake by the thyroid gland, this study aimed to determine the effects of D. sophia syrup on clinical and biochemical variables of thyrotoxicosis in hyperthyroid patients. In this randomized, double-blind trial, 10 newly diagnosed hyperthyroid female patients were randomly assigned to treatment with (1) methimazole (MMI) plus D. sophia capsules (350 mg/d) or (2) MMI plus placebo capsules. The primary outcomes were clinical and biochemical manifestations of hyperthyroidism after 60 days. Serum levels of FT3 and FT4 significantly decreased (5.9 ± 2.5 vs. 9.4 ± 5.9 and 29.1 ± 3.1 vs. 31.77 ± 3.7, respectively) and the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration significantly increased in the D. sophia group contrasted to the placebo group (4.7 ± 0.1 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02). Significant improvement in the thyrotoxicosis clinical symptoms was reported in the D. sophia group contrasted to the placebo group (p < .05). D. sophia can suppress plasma levels of FT3 and FT4 and may be useful as adjunctive therapy for hyperthyroidism.

Wound Healing Properties of Pelargonium Graveolens L'Hér Extract Lipogel: In-Vivo Evaluation in an Animal Burn Model.

BACKGROUND: Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér has traditionally been used to reduce skin inflammation, and recent studies have confirmed antioxidant compounds in the plant's extract. The present study aimed to prepare a lipogel formulation from P. graveolens hydroalcoholic extract and evaluate its efficacy on the wound healing process in an animal model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aerial part extract of P. graveolens was prepared through percolation. Additionally, plastibase was prepared by mixing 5% of low-molecular-weight polyethylene with hot mineral oil (130°C). The extract (5%) was levigated in the mineral oil (5-15%) and dispersed in the cooled plastibase. The physical properties of the lipogel, thermal stability, and microbial limits were tested. Further, the effect of the lipogel in the wound healing rate was examined among male Wistar rats, and skin tissue samples were assessed histologically. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results represented the best rheological and thermal stability characteristics in the formulation with 5% mineral oil (as the levigator). The lipogel-treated group had the least burn area compared to the silver sulfadiazine and negative control groups (p<0.05). The microscopic examination of tissue samples revealed increased collagen fiber production and maturation and significantly also faster epithelial repair among lipogel-treated rats than in the other two groups(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated the significant therapeutic effects of P. graveolens lipogelon burn healing. The suitable physicochemical properties and the low lipogel production cost facilitate further scale-up studies.

Effect of melatonin on stress-induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in critically-ill patients: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is a common finding which is associated with increased mortality and morbidity among critically ill patients. There is currently no evidence that melatonin could improve stress induced hyperglycemia (SIH). In this study, we evaluated the effect of melatonin on blood sugar and insulin resistance (IR) in critically-ill patients. METHODS: 104 critically-ill patients with SIH divided into two groups, receiving melatonin (6 mg BD for 3 days) or placebo. Changes of blood sugar, IR indices including homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and homeostasis model assessment adiponectin (HOMA-AD) ratios, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were evaluated on the 4th day of melatonin prescription. On the 7Th day of study, changes of ventilator dependency and delirium were considered. Mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were also compared between groups. RESULTS: On day 4, patients in the melatonin group had significantly lower blood glucose and HMOA-IR level compared with the placebo group (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively) whereas HOMA-AD level did not differ significantly from placebo group (p>0.2). Also, we did not observe any significant difference in GCS level at this time between groups (p>0.2). On day 7, melatonin could not improve ventilator dependency and delirium significantly (p>0.2) and also could not reduce mortality and ICU stay in comparison with placebo (p>0.2, P=0.2, respectively). CONCLUSION: Melatonin supplementation showed positive effect on blood sugar and somehow insulin resistance whereas it could not improve ICU complications.

A promising technology for wound healing; in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of chitosan nano-biocomposite films containing gentamicin.

Aim: This paper aims to study in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of chitosan (CHI) biocomposite of gentamicin nanoparticles (GNPs) for wound healing. Methods: In this study, CHI nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation technique. GNP biocomposites were examined on the excision wound model in Wistar rats to determine the in-vivo efficiency. Results: The diameter and zeta potential of NPs were between 151-212.9 nm and 37.2 - 51.1 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiency was in an acceptable range of 36.6-42.7% w/w. The release test information was fitted to mathematical models (Zero, First order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas), and according to calculations, the kinetics of drug release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. A comparison of thermograms revealed that the drug was present in the formulation in a non-crystalline form. Conclusion: Histological studies of the wound showed that the rate of skin tissue repair was higher in the GNP biocomposite treatment group than in the others.

Effect of sweet fennel seed extract capsule on knee pain in women with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. The disease not only has a high disease burden but also reduces the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (commonly known as Fennel) seed extract on knee pain in women patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind trial, a total of 66 patients were assigned randomly via the blocking method in two groups, fennel and placebo. All patients received four capsules daily of either powdered fennel extract (each capsule contained 200 mg dried fennel extract from 7 g of fennel seeds) or placebo twice a day for two weeks. The patients completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity measurement before and after the study completion. Data were then analyzed via intention to treat method using the SPSS statistical software package. RESULTS: Two weeks after the trial, a significant decrease was noted between the two groups in terms of pain, disability, total WOMAC score, and VAS variables. After comparing the pre- and post-intervention, the variables mentioned above revealed a significant decline in both groups. The stiffness variable indicated a significant reduction in the fennel group (between baseline and study completion) after two weeks, but this decline was not significant in the placebo group, and was not significant either between the two groups. At the end of the trial, the percentage change was higher in the fennel group than in the placebo group. Also, the effect size was greater in the fennel group especially in pain variable based on WOMAC and VAS than in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that fennel may be an appropriate alternative for complementary treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This study is the first clinical trial using oral fennel on knee pain in these patients, and the outcomes should be confirmed through additional studies.

Comparison of Albizia Julibressin and Silver Sulfadiazine in Healing of Second and Third Degree Burns.

BACKGROUND: Large numbers of population suffer from burn annually. The promising treatment of burn has not been identified yet. Albizia julibressin (A. julibressin) in Fabaceae family is popular for its antiseptic activity. This prospective study was designed to compare the wound healing effects of A. julibressin gel (AG) with silver sulfadiazine (SSD). METHODS: This single blind clinical trial was performed on 40 patients with second and third degree burns. 20 patients treated with SSD and 20 other patients received A. julibressin. The percentage of the wound healing was evaluated with pain, irritation, edema, itching, erythema, purulent discharges and skin discoloration symptoms. Also, the patients' satisfaction and adverse drug reactions were determined. RESULTS: The severity of pain (p=0.03), inflammation (p=0.02) and purulent secretions (p=0.03) were significantly relieved in A. julibressin group. The healing time significantly reduced in second degree burns (p=0.03) and third degree burns (p=0.04) with treating by A. julibressin. No significant adverse drug reactions were detected with A. julibressin. CONCLUSION: It seems that A. julibressin improves the different therapeutic aspects of burn injuries and could be considered as a new herbal remedy in wound healings.