elham zarenezhad

Diabetes is a known chronic disease affecting more than 400 million people and causing millions of deaths worldwide annually. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030, diabetes will become the seventh leading cause of death. In the last decades, numerous chemotherapy approaches have been used. However, herbal remedies have accounted for more than 70 percent of the total administered antidiabetic treatments during the last decade. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel natural antidiabetic therapy with Trigonella foenum-graecum (T. foenum-graecum) L. and Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) (L.). Based on past studies, using C. colocynthis singly can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and heartburn, hence in order to reduce these complications, we applied this plant in combination with T. foenum-graecum based on the recommendations of Persian medicine references.

We admitted 34 diabetics aged 30-65 years old to design a double-blind parallel randomized controlled clinical trial. We prepared therapeutic capsules containing a combination of 40 mg of C. colocynthis and 350 mg of T. foenum-graecum L. We divided participants into an interventional (n=17) and placebo (n=17) groups and measured fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, lipid profile, and liver function tests initially. After two weeks, all participants returned for a visit, and FBS and blood sugar (BS) were measured. At the end (12th week), all outcomes were measured and analyzed using an independent t-test and Chi-squared (χ2).

The FBS levels decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to that of the control group (171.8±54.9 versus 149.6±46.4, p=0.024), but the improvements in the lipid profile and liver function were not statistically significant.

This study unveiled that combination of T. foenum-graecum L. and C. colocynthis L. at safe levels significantly decreased the FBS levels among T2DM patients. Further studies are needed to provide more efficient antidiabetic effects with the low side effects.

The development of extensively-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) in the hospitals is associated with hospitalization and uncontrolled use of antibiotics. There is a scarcity in the colistin and fosfomycin resistance encoding genes rate and mechanisms in Iran. Our aim was to determine the rate of biofilm formation and fosfomycin and colistin resistance among K. pneumoniae producing ESBL and carbapenemases by detection of mcr-1, mcr-2 and fosA genes in Tehran, Iran during 2020-2021. After collecting 73 samples, the isolates were identified using biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was implemented using disk diffusion method. The phenotypic determination of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemase enzymes was conducted using combined disk and CARBA-NP tests, respectively. The biofilm formation was performed using microtiter tissue plate assay. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect mcr-1, mcr-2 and fosA genes associated with colistin and fosfomycin resistance, respectively. The highest resistance rate was against ampicillin (97%), chloramphenicol (90%) and ciprofloxacin (87%), respectively, while the lowest resistance rate was against gentamicin (4%), amikacin (10%), and cotrimoxazole (18%). Moreover, 44 and 23 isolates were ESBL and carbapenemase producing K. pneumonia), respectively. Forty-eight isolates were strong biofilm forming K. pneumoniae and one isolate was non-biofilm producer. In the PCR test, four isolates amplified the fosA2 and one mcr-2 genes, respectively, while none of them outlined neither fosA3 nor mcr-1 genes amplification. This study demonstrated that the frequency of K. pneumoniae isolates producing ESBL and carbapenemase and also mcr-1, mcr-2 and fosA genes was low but considering facilitated spread of these genes, proper isolation and control is essential. Moreover, these strains had the ability to form biofilms in vitro which persist infections in the hospital settings.

3,2,1 triazoles are an important class of five-membered heterocyclic compounds whose unique biological properties have made them an important class of chemical compounds. The biological activity of these compounds is known as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-tuberculosis, anti-HIV, etc.  

In this research, first we synthesized new courcomin catalyst. We investigated synthesis of some 1,2,3 triazol derivatives and evaluated their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. After synthesis and purification of some 1,2,3-triazol compound, the inhibitory effect of compounds against fungal (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger) and against bacterial (Staphylococcus arueus and Escherichia coli) was evaluated.

It was found that compound (3): 1-(4-bromobenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-ol exhibited the best antifungal activities. Also this compound showed good activity against Staphylococcus areus as a Gram-positive bacteria.

According to the results, it seems that the use of recombinant substance 3 as a new compound with acceptable antimicrobial properties can be considered

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays an indispensable role in the gastric cancer. Antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of herbal medicines have been outlined in various studies.

In this review study, the association of H. pylori with gastric cancer and antibacterial effects of herbal medicines was evaluated using previous published data. Key words included Helicobacter pylori, virulence factors, gastric cancer, thioredoxin-1 and herbal medicines. Searching engines included “Google”, “Google Scholar”, “PubMed”, “SCOPUS” and “Web of Science”.

Virulence factors of the H. pylori alongside the host and environmental factors cause various gastric outcomes. Some of natural compounds have the potential of bactericidal effects, particularly those with multi-drug resistance and anti-biofilm effects against H. pylori. Antibiofilm agents have been mainly isolated from natural products, many of which are "secondary" metabolites and can be produced by microorganisms, such as phytochemicals, biosurfactants, antimicrobial peptides and microbial enzymes, etc.

This study revealed that H. pylori virulence factors such as recently identified thioredoxin-1 play substantial role in gastric ulcers and cancer. Herbal medicines contain various bioactive compounds which have potential antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects. Formulation of these compounds can enhance bioavailability and stability within the gastrointestinal tract.

Burn is one of the prominent causes of death around the world, however drug discovery attempts for burn healing has not been entirely successful. Aloe arborescens (A. arborescens), is effective in the burning wounds healing and growth inhibition of bacterial pathogens. Our objective was to assess the wound healing and antibacterial effects of A. arborescens in vivo.

Thirty healthy Wistar rat animals were enrolled. The treatment process continued for 21 days and sampling was conducted on days 14 and 21 and the tissue slides were sent to the pathology laboratory for testing. The bactericidal activity of A. arborescens extract was evaluated using the disc diffusion method.

A. arborescens demonstrated a significant effect on the healing of burn wounds. Furthermore, the antibacterial effects of the A. arborescens extract against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was significantly higher than that against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) bacterial species.

In conclusion, this study indicated that A. arborescens extract had an improving effect on the healing process of third degree burns without toxicity to the tissue.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its complications can cause severe morbidity and mortality. The researchers and clinicians’ attention has been toward finding the efficient treatment for T2DM to decrease its heavy burden on the people and countries. Whey protein (WP) is a known glucose-lowering treatment of traditional Persian medicine. This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the WP on the improvement of the glycemic index of the patients with T2DM in Fars, Fasa, Iran. A total of 58 people with T2DM met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention or placebo. For 12 weeks, they were given 1 sachet of WP or 1 sachet of placebo. Before and after the trial, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and liver enzymes were tested. Finally, 35 patients completed the study (18 in the whey group and 17 in the placebo group). The mean ± standard deviation of age, BMI, and the disease duration in placebo group were: 52.1±9.2 years, 26.8±3.9 kg/m2 and 102.9±67.7 months and in WP group were 51.2±8.2 years, 25.7±3.7 kg/m2 and 74.2±51.1 months. There were no significant differences among the study groups at the beginning (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the WP and placebo groups were the same by means of the amount of anti-diabetic drugs that participants consumed (P=0.242). After 12 weeks: the fasting blood sugar (FBS) and hemoglobin A1C amounts showed important decreases in the WP group compared to its starting point (P=0.011 and P=0.001 respectively), while in the placebo group, there was no significant difference in this matter (P>0.05).  No severe complications were reported in both groups. In conclusion, we found that whey protein would be a promising complementary therapy to control hyperglycemia in the patients with T2DM.

Ginger in Iranian traditional medicine is known as an effective plant in reducing menopausal symptoms and treating osteoporosis. Therefore, in this study, the effects of ginger on the skeletal system in the fetus and the level of bone formation factors in the mice were investigated.

In this study, 40 pregnant Balb/c mice were equally divided into four groups 1) control group 2) group receiving 100 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract orally, 3) group receiving 500 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract orally and 4) group receiving 1000 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract orally. Alizarin Red S and Alcian Blue staining methods were used to examine the embryo skeletal system. Osteogenesis length and bony area of femur and tibia as well as the length, width, and height of the skull in the embryos were measured. Blood samples were taken on the 19th day of pregnancy to evaluate bone formation factors in pregnant mice and biochemical factors were measured in blood samples.

Evaluations showed that the length of femur and tibia and osteogenesis index in the treated groups relatively increased compared to the control group. Biochemical studies showed a significant increase in calcium, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase levels in the group receiving 1000 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract compared to the control group.

The results of this study showed that ginger hydroalcoholic extract can be effective in increasing osteogenesis in the embryos and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in mothers.

Skin is the body's first defense line against environmental pathogens. However, open skin wounds can interfere with the normal function of the skin and the entry of opportunistic bacteria into the body. Recently, the development of nano-dressing containing green antibiotics has been received much attention around the world. In this study, the essential oil of Citrus sinensis (CSEO) was used as an antibacterial agent. The ingredients of CSEO were identified by GC-MS analysis with five major components of Limonene (61.83%), trans-p-2, 8-Menthadien-1-ol (4.95%), Trans-Limonene oxide (2.29 %), Cis- Limonene oxide (2.58 %), and trans-Carveol (2.90%). Nanogel of CSEO was prepared by the addition of a gelling agent (carbomer 940 2%) to its optimum nanoemulsion with a particle size of 125 ± 4 nm. Also, electrospun nanofibers of polycaprolactone with a mean diameter of 186 ± 36 nm were prepared. Characterization of the nanofibers, including SEM, ATR-FTIR, and contact-angle measurement, were carried out. After that, the nanogel was impregnated on the surface of the nanofibers, NGelNFs. Interestingly, NGelNFs completely inhibited the growth (~ 0%) of four important human bacteria strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia. The prepared prototype, NGelNFs, can be used as a potent antibacterial agent. Furthermore, this work introduced an effective and new method for the preparation of green antibacterial agents as well as antibiotic-free wound dressings.