parivash ebrahimi

Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts have various biological effects including immunomodulatory effect. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Lavandula officinalis on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine production were investigated. [3H] - thymidine incorporation assay on stimulation of the peripheral lymphocytes with PHA and determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha production was assayed, using LISA method. The herbal extract in a concentration of 50 g/ml and lesser, in the presence of mitogen increased peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation. However, there was not significant effect in concentrations more than 50 μg/ml. Also, the extract in the concentration of higher than 50 g/ml suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the exposed cells. The extract showed immunomodulatory effect by increasing of lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration of 50 g/ml and lesser. Also, decreasing in tumor necrosis factor alpha in the concentration of more than 50 g/ml was observed. Further studies, should focus on identifying the immunomodulatory mediator of this herbal extract.

Aim and Background. Listeria monocytogenes is the ethiologic agent of abortion, preterm labour, neonatal septicemia and meningitis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of listeriosis in aborted mothers or preterm labour. Two methods of indirect immunofluorescens (IF) and amniotic culturing also were compared. Material and Method. This is an analytical study for evaluation of laboratory tests. In this research, the blood samples were collected from mothers and their serum were tested by indirect IF for anti-listerial antibodies. Products of aborted fetus or preterm labour (amniotic fluid or a piece of placenta) were obtained as a specimen for culturing. Result. In this study, 518 mothers, 29 cases (5.59%) admitted with preterm labour, 125 cases (24.1%) with repeated abortion and 364 cases (70.31%) with first time abortion. Six cases (1.15%) had higher titer of anti-listeria antibody (1/800) in indirect IF but in 5 cases (0.96%) L.monocytogenes was detected in culture. Conclusions. Indirect IF should be confirmed by culturing of infected specimens. Determining of anti-listerial antibody in pregnant women and selection of listeriosis for antimicrobial treatment may prevent the spontaneous abortion, still birth and preterm labour. Therefore, we suggest monitoring L.monocytogenes seropositivity in pregnant women with high risk of threatened abortion, and also microbiological assessment of symptomatic women for detection of L.monocytogenes and insidious infection.