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Background and purpose: Imbalance in blood levels of trace elements is independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and its complications. This study investigated plasma and erythrocyte levels of copper, magnesium, zinc, and their correlations with biochemical components of the MetS in T2DM patients compared to the healthy controls. Experimental approach: Forty men recently diagnosed T2DM with MetS without complications and thirty six age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Plasma and erythrocyte levels of selected elements were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Findings/Results: The results of the present study showed significantly lower plasma levels of copper, magnesium, and zinc and lower erythrocytes copper in the patients' group compared to the controls; while erythrocyte levels of magnesium and zinc were not significantly different between the two groups. Significant negative correlations were observed between plasma levels of copper with waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels in all subjects; while erythrocyte copper levels showed significant negative correlation with triglyceride, and erythrocyte zinc was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure and negatively with triglyceride. Conclusion and implications: Alterations of trace elements may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of MetS and T2DM patients. It is suggested that the body status of copper, magnesium, and zinc might be significantly correlated with components of MetS in T2DM patients; and plasma copper levels may be correlated with complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Oral mucositis, inflammation, and painful wound of oral mucosal membranes is commonly known as a serious side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate physicochemical hydrogel containing glycyrrhizin, hyaluronic acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone for treatment and prevention of oral mucositis. Methods: The hydrogel containing glycyrrhizin 0.2% w/v was prepared by adding 1, 3, and 1 percent hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and hyaluronic acid in deionized water. Different percentages of preservatives were also added to the formulation. Physicochemical characteristics such as viscosity, pH, stability, and antimicrobial effectiveness were evaluated in details. Finally, the efficacy of the formulation was evaluated in Wistar rats with chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Findings: Macroscopically, the formulation was found to be without particles, it was touchable and transparent, and also had good consistency and uniformity in terms of physical appearance. The viscosity and pH was obtained 6.5 ± 0.2 and 1500 cp, respectively. Glycyrrhizin was completely released during 3 hours. The viscosity, pH, and physical appearance did not significantly change during stability studies. Oral mucositis was induced in rats after seven days intraperitoneal injection of fluorouracil. In the group received the formulation, the severity of mucositis significantly reduced more compared to control group. Conclusion: The current formulation successfully reduced the severity of oral mucositis in rats, and its efficacy was comparable with commercial formulation (Gelclair®). Therefore, the developed formulation has the potential to be used in the treatment of oral mucositis and other oral or subcutaneous wounds.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with the main symptom of elevated blood sugar. Many drugs are now used to control diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Rosa damascena extract on blood glucose and insulin levels in diabetic rat models. Methods: In this study, 100 male rats were divided into 10 equal groups of control, untreated diabetic, gavage stress, insulin treatment, and three healthy groups receiving different doses of extract (300, 600, and 900 mg/kg). Blood samples were taken at the day 0, 17, 31, and 45, and blood glucose, insulin, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and P < 0.050 was considered statistically significant. Findings: There was no significant difference in mean fasting blood glucose and insulin level of different groups before beginning the interventions. Rose extract at the dose of 900 mg/kg significantly decreased blood glucose level (P = 0.007) and significantly increased blood insulin level (P = 0.009) in diabetic rats compared to diabetic control group. This dose of extract also reduced blood glucose and increased insulin levels in healthy non-diabetic rats. Conclusion: Using rose extract can decrease blood sugar, and increase insulin levels. It seems that this extract could be of interest to researchers as a suitable therapeutic potential.

Background: Diabetes is caused by a breakdown in insulin production or its malfunction in the body. So far, many studies have been done on its treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the histological changes in endocrine part of the pancreas of diabetic rats treated with Rosa damascena extract. Methods: In this experimental study, 100 male rats were divided into 10 groups of control, untreated diabetic, gavage stress, insulin treatment, three healthy groups receiving different doses of extract, and three diabetic groups receiving different doses of extract (300, 600, and 900 mg/kg). Finally, pancreatic tissue was removed and immunohistochemically stained with hematoxylin-eosin to count pancreatic beta cells number, and to calculate islets of Langerhans. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test, and P < 0.050 was considered as statistically significant. Findings: Rosa damascena extract at 900 mg/kg, significantly increased the area of the islets of Langerhans in diabetic rats compared to the diabetic control group (P = 0.021). This dose of extract also increased the percentage of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans compared to the diabetic control group (P = 0.017). Conclusion: According to the results, using rose extract can improve tissue changes in the pancreas. This extract can probably be considered as a suitable research potential in future studies.

The present study is designed to assess the impact of Phoenix dactylifera (P.d) leaf extract on plasma glucose concentration, diabetic parameters, and the number of β-cells in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In this study, diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats via intraperitoneal administration of STZ (55 mg/kg). In this study, 49 rats were divided into seven groups randomly (n = 7 per group). Our three treatment groups for 42 days were given 250 mg/kg of P.d extract, 500 mg/kg of P.d extract, and 5 mg/kg glibenclamide orally, respectively. Then, the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were obtained from puncturing the retro-orbital sinus at the initial and end of the experiment and finally sacrificed. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and serum biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde (MDA), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin level were measured. Pancreatic tissue was identified by immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis which was used to evaluate β-cells. Statistical analysis was done by applying SPSS statistical software; ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used to assess data in the control and treatment groups. Blood glucose significantly decreased after daily oral administration of P.d in diabetic rats (P

Background and aims: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of spinacetin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, a flanovid compound separated from Centurea shmidi against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and its effect on apoptosis induction. Methods: In this study, the inhibition rate of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cell culture cells after treatment with different concentrations of spinostine glycoside was studied by MTT and flow cytometry. Results: According to the results of MTT test, after 48 hours treatment with spinostin-7-O- β-D-glucoside, a significant inhibition in cell proliferation was observed compared to the control group (P

Introduction: Aerial parts of Dracocephalum kotschyi have been used as antispasmodic agents in Iranian traditional medicine. Recent pharmacological studies confirmed antispasmodic activity of D. kotschyi extract. The objective of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activities of apigenin and luteolin to find out if they are responsible for the spasmolytic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi. Methods: Aerial parts of D. kotschyi were extracted with ethanol. Antispasmodic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi, apigenin and luteolin were examined on KCl and/or acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions in rat isolated ileum. Results: Hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi concentrations-dependently inhibited KCl and ACh induced contractions with IC50 values of 41 ± 10 μg/mL and 133 ± 19 μg/mL, respectively. Apigenin concentrations-dependently inhibited KCl and ACh induced contractions with IC50 values of 57 ± 12 μM and 80 ± 18 μM, respectively. Luteolin concentrations-dependently inhibited KCl induced contractions with IC50 values of 68 ± 14 μM. Loperamide reduced both KCl and ACh induced contraction with IC50 values of 189 ± 44 nM and 82 ± 20 μM, respectively. Conclusion: In this study apigenin and luteolin were identified as two active ingredients responsible for antispasmodic activities of D. kotschyi extract.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is used to treat different kinds of cancers, including cervix carcinoma. However, it has various side effects such as cardiotoxicity. Nano-sized controlled releasing carriers such as polymeric micelles are of interesting approaches to overcome these side effects of doxorubicin in cancer chemotherapy. Regarding the up-regulation of CD13/APN receptors on the cervix carcinoma cells, which can bind to peptide sequences specially NGR (asparagine–glycine–arginine) with high affinity, peptide sequence (NGR) targeted micelles would lead to effective treatment of this carcinoma. In this study, the NGR peptide sequence was synthesized using the solution-phase strategy from asparagine, glycine, and arginine residues. The pullulan–retinoic acid conjugate and pullulan–retinoic acid–NGR conjugate were prepared by the amide and ester bond formation between the hydroxyl groups of pullulan and carboxylic acid groups of retinoic acid and peptide sequence. Pullulan–retinoic acid–NGR micelles were prepared by the direct dissolution method. The optimized micelles, according to their particle size (124.5 nm), zeta potential (− 3.65 mV), entrapment efficiency (85%), and release of DOX (70%, within 72 h) were assessed for their cytotoxicity on HeLa cells using MTT assay. NGR-targeted pullulan/retinoic acid micelles had higher cytotoxicity than the free DOX in cell culture studies on the HeLa cell line, and this can be a promising result in the treatment of cervix carcinoma.

Understanding of reservoir architecture is one of the most important steps in the petroleum exploration programs. New 2D/3D seismic data provided important insights into the tectonic evolution of the Dalpari prospect within the Dezful Embayment of the Zagros Fold and Thrust Belt, SW Iran. This hydrocarbon target has formed as a result of a transpressive dextral strike-slip fault activity mechanically interacting with reverse faults, out of the syncline thrusts and four orders of folds. In the northern part of the target, the existence of growth strata within the competent units of Gachsaran and Agha Jari Formations (i.e. Upper Miocene and Pliocene) helped to determine the time of the structural evolution of the hydrocarbon target. Finally, the existence of the incompetent strata (e.g. Gachsaran Formation and the Kalhur member of Asmari Formation) mechanically controlled the formation history of the Dalpari prospect. In a regional context, this architecture denotes local Zagros partitioning of the oblique convergence between the Afro-Arabian and Central-Iranian plates a problem that has been addressed by many other researchers in the past using.

The presence of evaporate and incompetent formations (i.e., decollement horizons) within the sedimentary sequence of fold-thrust belts can control their structural style and deformation evolution. In the present study, the influence of the decollement layers (e.g., basal and internal decollement layers) on the deformation style of several segments of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFTB), SW Iran (e.g., Fars Arc, Dezful Embayment, and Izeh Zone) was investigated using a series of analogue models of accretionary wedges. The study of seismic profiles to understand the structural evolution of these segments of the belt, where several decollement intervals acted as basal and internal decollements, is complemented by the analogue model results. The experimental results reveal that the thickness of the internal decollement layers influences the creation of fold-dominated or thrust-dominated deformations, respectively. Experimental models and seismic data highlight that incompetent layers act as barrier units against fault propagation (in-sequence and/or out-of-sequence faults) into overlying strata towards southwest by fore-deformation and control the rate of deformation propagation in the ZFTB. The presence of both the basal and internal decollement layers located at different stratigraphic levels is required to form disharmonic decollement folds in the foreland of the ZFTB. In addition, the geometry, spacing, activity, and propagation of faults as well as the topographic height of the critical wedges are directly controlled by low-frictional decollements (Geophys J Int, 165(1):336–356 2006; Geochem Geophys Geosyst, 14:1131–1155 2013). The seismic profiles of the ZFTB showed that in addition to lithological contrasts, the existence and activity of deep-seated and basement faults had a big impact on the structural styles of the region.

The Dezful Embayment is the most important fertile oil province of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt. It includes several incompetent strata as basal and intermediate decollement levels that play a significant role on the structural styles and hydrocarbon preservation. Based on the interpretation of seismic profiles, the influence of the Gachsaran Formation and the evaporitic Kalhur Member of the Asmari Formation on the geometry of deformation was investigated in different parts of the Dezful Embayment. Obtained results revealed that the thickness of the incompetent strata plays a crucial role in the formation and geometry of different types of fold structures (e.g. rounded, box, chevron, detachment fold) in the Dezful Embayment. There is a sharp difference between the geometry of surface and deep-seated structures due to the existence of thick intermediate decollements (e.g. Gachsaran and Kalhur) in the Dezful Embayment. Therefore, fault geometry and fold styles in upper and lower parts of these decollements are totally different. In addition, these incompetent strata act as a barrier level against the propagation of deep-seated faults into the overlying layers. Therefore, it seems that most of the faults exposed on the surface have originated from the upper decollement levels in the study area.

The main purpose of this study is to introduce the geological controlling factors in improving an intelligence-based model to estimate shear wave velocity from seismic attributes. The proposed method includes three main steps in the framework of geological events in a complex sedimentary succession located in the Persian Gulf. First, the best attributes were selected from extracted seismic data. Second, these attributes were transformed into shear wave velocity using fuzzy inference systems (FIS) such as Sugeno's fuzzy inference (SFIS), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference (ANFIS) and optimized fuzzy inference (OFIS). Finally, a committee fuzzy machine (CFM) based on bat-inspired algorithm (BA) optimization was applied to combine previous predictions into an enhanced solution. In order to show the geological effect on improving the prediction, the main classes of predominate lithofacies in the reservoir of interest including shale, sand, and carbonate were selected and then the proposed algorithm was performed with and without lithofacies constraint. The results showed a good agreement between real and predicted shear wave velocity in the lithofacies-based model compared to the model without lithofacies especially in sand and carbonate.

Objective: Berberis vulgaris has antioxidant, hepato--renal protective, antibacterial, lipid lowering, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. The genus Berberis, has another member called Berberis integerrima which has not been studied for antinociceptive activity and therefore, this study was aimed to examine the antinociceptive effect of total extract and alkaloid fractions of Berberis integerrima root in mice. Materials and Methods: Methanolic total extract and alkaloid fractions of the plant namely, fractions A, B, C and D were prepared according to standard methods. Male Swiss mice (20-25 g) were used (n=6 in each group). Acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests were used to assess the antinociceptive activity. In hot plate and formalin tests, morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and in acetic acid test, indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) were used as reference drugs. Results: The total extract and fractions A, B and D significantly reduced abdominal twitches in acetic acid test and licking behavior of both acute and chronic phases of formalin test. In hot-plate test, morphine as the standard drug demonstrated significant antinociception while the plant extract and fractions were ineffective. The dose of 5 mg/kg of fraction C showed slight analgesia only in acetic acid test and a dose of 10 mg/kg caused severe toxicity and even death in some animals. Conclusion: Berberis integerrima total extract and its alkaloid fractions showed antinociceptive effect and it seems that the mechanism of this action is peripherally mediated since they were effective in formalin test and acetic acid- induced writhing but not in hot-plate test.

Distinctive characteristics of inverted structures make them important criteria for the identification of certain structural styles of folded belts. The interpretation of 3D seismic reflection and well data sheds new light on the structural evolution and age of inverted structures associated to the Hendijan–Nowrooz–Khafji Fault within the Persian Gulf Basin and northeastern margin of Afro-Arabian plate. Analysis of thickness variations of growth strata using “T-Z plot” (thickness versus throw plot) method revealed the kinematics of the fault. Obtained results show that the fault has experienced a multi-phase evolutionary history over six different extension and compression deformation events (i.e. positive and negative inversion) between 252.2 and 11.62 Ma. This cyclic activity of the growth fault was resulted from alteration of sedimentary processes during continuous fault slip. The structural development of the study area both during positive and negative inversion geometry styles was ultimately controlled by the relative motion between the Afro-Arabian and Central-Iranian plates.

Hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of aerial parts of Pycnocycla caespitosa have spasmolytic activity on rat ileum contractions. The objective of this research was to separate fractions of total hydroalcoholic extract of P. caespitosa guided by their spasmolytic activity on rat uterus. Aerial parts of P. caespitosa were extracted with ethanol. The concentrated extract was subjected to column chromatography and thin layer chromatography (TLC) for isolation fractions, then one of the bioactive fractions was subjected to further isolation to find its active components. Five fractions were obtained (Fr.1-Fr.5) and their anti-spasmodic activities were examined on uterus contraction induced by KCl (80 mM) and compared with ritodrine. In addition, spasmolytic effect of Fr.4 (one of the bioactive fractions) was determined on rat uterus induced by oxytocin (0.0005 IU/mL) and compared with ritodrine. Hydroalcoholic extract of P. caespitosa (0.032-2 mg/mL) reduced the responses to KCl but the inhibitory effect was not complete with 2 mg/mL extract in the bath. Four fractions (Fr.1, Fr.2, Fr.3 and Fr.4) (32-500 μg/mL) inhibited rat uterus contractions on the uterus while Fr.4 was slightly more active than others (IC50 = 146 ± 23 μg/mL). Falcarindiol and isoacetovanillone were identified from Fr.4 using phytochemical methods including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and TLC. In conclusion, in this research bioactivity guided technique was successfully used for separation of active fraction of P. caespitosa. Falcarindiol and isoacetovanillone were identified from the active fraction which inhibited both tonic and rhythmic contractile responses in rat isolated uterus.