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Introduction: "Health for All by 2000" was launched by WHO in 1978 and is based on primary healthcare availability worldwide. During the month of Safar, many people from neighboring cities and countries travel to Mashhad. Since the qualitative approach can lead to a better understanding of access to healthcare from the perception of consumers, this study aimed to assess the perception of Pilgrims and healthcare providers of healthcare services and gain more profound knowledge about healthcare consumers' experiences. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Mashhad during Safar based on conventional content analysis from September 20-27, 2022. This study used a semi-structured in-depth interview on 36 participants, including pilgrims (n=27) and healthcare providers (n=9) such as medical doctors, nurses, and health experts selected through purposeful sampling. The interviews were transcribed word for word. The MAXqda software and Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Data analysis revealed three categories, including 1. Understanding the challenges of the treatment services in terms of three subcategories: A. Lack of medical doctors, drug shortages, and higher prices of medicines, B. Experiencing the diseases (skin, cardiovascular diseases, poisoning, and digestive problems, musculoskeletal pain and asthma), and C. Lack of an appropriate place for patient examination and serum injection. 2. Understanding the challenges of health services, including three subcategories: A. Time and place insufficiency of services, B. Lack of access to sanitary detergents, C. Improper cleaning of resting spaces and places, and finally, 3. Understanding the challenges of welfare services, including two subcategories: A. Inadequacy and lack of access to the appropriate rest place, and B. poor quality and sortage of food. Conclusions: The results indicated that access to healthcare, treatment, and welfare is more than just these services. Health policymakers' commitment to improving healthcare equity, hopefully, leads to positive changes in the healthcare system. Therefore, enhancing social participation in the healthcare system and providing comprehensive education on the optimal use of healthcare services is necessary to empower pilgrims to access better healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Neobaicalein is one of the rich plant flavonoids isolated from the roots of Scutellaria spp. In this study, we evaluated and compared cytotoxic activity and the related apoptosis mechanisms of neobaicalein from Scutellaria litwinowii Bornm. & Sint. ex Bornm on apoptosis-proficient HL-60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability, cell apoptosis, caspase activity, and apoptosis-related protein expression were measured using MTS assay, propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry, caspase activity assay, and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: Neobaicalein significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner using the MTS assay (P<0.05). The IC50 values (μM) against HL-60 and K562 cells after 48 hr treatment were 40.5 and 84.8, respectively. Incubation of HL-60 and K562 cells with 25, 50, and 100 μM neobaicalein for 48 hr, significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells and showed cytotoxic effects compared with the control group. Treatment with neobaicalein significantly increased Fas (P<0.05) and the cleaved form of PARP (P<0.05), and decreased the Bcl-2 levels (P<0.05) in HL-60 cells, whereas neobaicalein significantly increased Bax (P<0.05) and the cleaved form of PARP (P<0.05), and the caspases of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways including caspases-8 (P<0.0001), -9 (P<0.01), and effector caspase-3 (P<0.0001) levels in K562 cells compared with the control group. Conclusion: It seems neobaicalein might cause cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis through interaction with the different apoptosis-related proteins of apoptotic pathways in HL-60 and K562 cells. Neobaicalein may exert a beneficial protective effect in slowing the progression of hematological malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Safety of Lippia citriodora, as a herbal remedy, in pregnancy has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to identify the effect of L. citriodora aqueous extract on pregnancy outcome in mice. Materials and Methods: Timed-pregnant mice received doses of 0.5 g/kg/day L. citriodora aqueous extract or the vehicle control during organogenesis, intraperitoneally. Maternal body weights were measured throughout the pregnancy. The litters were examined for external malformations and skeletal abnormalities. Fetuses were stained with Alizarin red S and Alcian blue. Results: There were no significant differences in mean maternal weight gain during pregnancy between groups. Also, no significant differences were observed in mean number of implantation, live and resorbed fetuses between control and treated groups. The prevalence of all types of deformity was low and similar to control group (%1.11). Conclusion: The results of this study show that moderate consumption of L. citriodora as an infusion or tea appears to be safe to be used during pregnancy and does not have toxic effects on development of mouse embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Coumarin hydroxylase (CYP2A6) is a polymorphic enzyme, and during the last decade has received a lot of attention because it is the principle human nicotine Coxidase, which activates a number of procarcinogens, and metabolizes drugs. Materials and Methods: 150 healthy Iranian volunteers, (96 male, 54 female) aged 19 to 63 years old, were given 5 mg coumarin orally after an overnight fast. Urine samples were collected before drug administration and 2, 4 and 8 h after that. The extent and rate of the formation of 7-OH-coumarin (7OHC) was determined by the urinary excretion of the metabolite as measured by the fluorometric method. Results: The proportion of 7OHC excreted during the first 2 hr compared to the 7OHC excretion at 8 h was the constant and stable individual characteristic for the rate of the formation of 7OHC (2 hr coumarin test). The total amount of 7OHC formed was 32.7±12.4% (mean±SD) of the given dose. On average, 66.0% of 7OHC formed was excreted in 2 hr. No clear-cut polymorphism in the rate of 7OHC formation was found. The total amounts of 7OHC excreted were significantly lower in females. Also, the rate and amount of coumarin metabolism in Iranian population were lower than Turkish and Finnish populations. Conclusion: Because of the importance of enzyme activity in drug metabolism, caution should be exercised in prescribing compounds metabolized by CYP2A6 enzyme in Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]