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Background: Nipple fissure is one of the most common diseases in breastfeeding which leads to maternal pain and disruption of the mother-infant relationship. Since the most important consequence of nipple fissure is the deprivation of the infant from breast milk, it is very important to prevent and treat this condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the topical form of Achillea millefoliumon on nipple fissure in breastfeeding women referring to the comprehensive health centers of Hamadan, Iran. Methods: This study was a randomized double-blind clinical trial that was conducted in Hamadan comprehensive health centers in 2018. Treatment methods were taught by the researcher to 80 eligible breastfeeding women who were randomly divided into two groups of 40 subjects. After breastfeeding, the intervention group covered their own nipples with a tea bag of Achillea millefolium, while the control group applied some of their own hindmilk on their nipple. These interventions were performed at least 4 times a day for 14 days. Checklists of store fissure scale, visual analog scale, and midwifery and demographic characteristic questionnaire were completed in both groups before the treatment and 4, 8, and 14 days after starting the treatment. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16). Results: The results showed that the intensity of fissure and the mean pain score in the two groups were not statistically significant in the pre-intervention phase. However, the scores of the intensity of fissure and pain in the Achillea millefolium group were lower than those in the breast milk group on days 4, 8, and 14 after the intervention, and these differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the topical form of Achillea millefolium was more effective than breast milk in treating nipple pain and fissure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The effects of kiwifruit on the histology and cell size of adipose tissue in hyperlipidemic models have not yet been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of kiwifruit on the adipose tissue cell size and activity as well as the gene expression of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in high-fat diet (HFD) fed hamsters. Materials and Methods: Forty-two male Syrian hamsters were divided into six groups. Control normal (CN) hamsters received normal diet, control HFD (CHF) were fed with a HFD plus a normal diet (15% butter fat + 0.05% cholesterol + a normal diet). Two groups were fed with normal diet including kiwifruit (1.86; Nd.1 or 3.73 g/kg; Nd.2) and two groups were fed with HFD including kiwifruit (1.86;HFd.1or 3.73 g/kg; HFd.2), for 8 weeks. Results: Histological examination of adipose tissue showed that the cell size was significantly reduced in the kiwifruit-treated groups (low and high dose) in comparison to their control groups (p<0.05). Kiwifruit supplementation (low and high dose) in normal and HFD groups significantly increased gene expression of CETP in adipose tissue. Kiwifruit had no significant effect on serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride. Although, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased in HFD-fed hamsters supplemented with 3.73 g/kg of kiwifruit (p<0.05). Conclusion: Kiwifruit consumption reduces the size of adipocytes and increases the expression of CETP gene in adipose tissue cells. Despite the increases in CETP expression in adipose tissue, its activity in serum was not changed following kiwifruit supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The results of the previous studies on the effects of mint on cracked nipple are contradictory. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of mint tea bag, mint cream and breast milk on the healing of cracked nipple during lactation. Methods: This study was a clinical trial with a control group , pre and post-test design conducted in health centers of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran from 2016 to 2017.Samples were divided into three groups (n=72 subjects in each group). Interventions were performed at least 4 times a day for 14 days after the start of treatment. Data were collected through the cracked nipple measuring checklist, the amount of wound and demographic questionnaire before the intervention and on 4, 8, and 14 days after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software (version 21). Results: There was a decreasing trend in the mean score of crack pain on days 0-14 in the groups of mint cream, mint tea, and breast milk after the intervention; however, there was a statistically significant difference in the breast milk group (P<0.001). Moreover, with regard to within group comparison, there was a decreasing trend with a significant difference in the mean score of wound in three groups before the intervention (P<0.001) and on the fourth day after the intervention (P= 0.003). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that breast milk was more effective than mint cream and mint tea in the treatment of cracked nipple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain is one of the common problems encountered by patients with burns, which increases after each dressing. This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with damask rose essence on the pain of patients with burns that is caused after dressing. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 patients with second‑ and third‑degree burn wounds. The baseline pain of the patients was assessed 30 min before they entered into the dressing room on the first and second days of intervention. The patients in the experimental group inhaled five drops of damask rose essence 40% in distilled water, while those in the control group inhaled five drops of distilled water as placebo. The pain intensity was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale at 15 and 30 min after the patients exited from the dressing room. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 18) using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: There was significant difference between the mean of pain intensity before and after intervention at 15 and 30 min after dressing (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was significant difference in reduction of pain intensity before and after aromatherapy in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant reduction in severity of pain after dressing in the experimental group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Inhalation aromatherapy with damask rose could be effective for relieving the pain caused after dressing in patients with burns. Therefore, it could be suggested as a complementary therapy in burn patients for pain relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medicinal plants, owing to their different mechanisms such as antioxidants effects, may improve learning and memory impairments in diabetic rats. Calendula officinalis (CO), has a significant antioxidant activity. Aims: To examine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of CO on passive avoidance learning (PAL) and memory in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. Settings and Design: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four groups: Control, diabetic, control + extract of CO and diabetic control + extract of CO groups with free access to regular rat diet. Subjects and Methods: Diabetes in diabetic rats was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg STZ. After confirmation of diabetes, oral administration of 300 mg/kg CO extract to extract-treated groups have been done. PAL was tested 8 weeks after onset of treatment, and blood glucose and body weight were measured in all groups at the beginning and end of the experiment. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis of data was performed by ANOVA followed by least significant difference post-hoc analysis. Results: Diabetes decreased learning and memory. Effect of CO extract in retention test (after 24 and 48 h) has been shown a significant decrease in step-through latency and increase in time spent in the dark compartment part. Also the extract partially improved hyperglycemia and reduced body weight. Conclusion: Taken together, CO extract can improve PAL and memory impairments in STZ-diabetic rats. This improvement may be due to its antioxidant, anticholinergic activities or its power to reduce hyperglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea tenuifolia Lam (Asteraceae) afforded a methanolic extract from which after fractionation in solvents with different polarities two known flavones 3', 5- dihydroxy- 4', 6, 7- trimethoxy flavone (eupatorine, compound 3), 5- hydroxy- 3', 4', 6, 7- tetramethoxyflavone (compound 4), besides stearic acid (compound 1 ), lupeol (compound 2), daucosterol (β- sitosterol 3-O- β- D- glucopyranoside, compound 5), 2, 4- dihydroxy methyl benzoate (compound 6) were isolated for the first time. The structure of isolated compounds was elucidated by means of different spectroscopic methods such as UV, IR, Mass and ¹H- NMR (1D and 2D) and 13C-NMR. For further confirming of structures of isolated compounds, comparison of the spectral data of them with those reported in the litratures have been done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea tenuifolia Lam. (Asteraceae) afforded a dichloromethane fraction from which three known compounds β-sitosterol (compound1), 5-hydroxy, 4',6,7-- trimethoxy flavone (salvigenin compound 2), and methyl-gallate (compound 3) were isolated for the first time. The structure of isolated compounds was elucidated by different spectroscopic methods. Applying the molar-ratio method, the complexation of salvigenin with Fe (III), Cu(II) and Zn(II), the most abundant type of metal ions in the body, were then evaluated. It was determined that stoichiometric ratio of salvigenin with these cations were as Fe(Salvigenin)2 (H2O)2 and Cu(Salvigenin)2(H2O)2 in methanolic solution without pH control, while zinc ions didn't form significant complexes. The results were confirmed more, by computational molecular modeling of the structure of proposed ligand-complexes by semi-imperical PM3 calculations, which determined negative heat of formation for the complexes Fe(III) and Cu(II) ions as -689.7 and -573.5, respectively and proposed chelating affinity of salvigenin in the following order: Fe(III) > Cu(II) >> Zn(II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain alleviation and improvement of functional status are the main objectives in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Artemisia absinthium (AA) was used traditionally in reducing pain and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of topical formulations of AA and piroxicam gel (PG) among patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: In total, 90 outpatients aged 30-70 years with the diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis in at least one knee were enrolled in a randomized double-blind clinical trial. The patients referred to the Rheumatology Clinic at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan province during 2012-2013. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups, 30 patients per group, and respectively received AA ointment (AAO) 3%, AA liniment (AAL) 3%, and PG; three times daily (TID) for 4 weeks. The patients were visited at baseline, week 4, and week 6. The effectiveness criteria were pain severity which was assessed with a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) for total pain score (WTPS), total physical function score (WTPFS), and total stiffness score (WTSS). Repeated measure ANOVA, paired t test and post hoc were used to compare variables. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software, version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). Results: All groups had similar patient demographics. The administration of PG significantly improved all tested criteria with no recurrence after discontinuing the treatment protocol. AAO alleviated all tested factors except for WTSS. Alleviation was comparable to PG. AAL only reduced pain factors (VAS, WTPS) in week 4 with recurrence in week 6. Conclusion: Administration of Artemisia ointment may have beneficial effects in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201202123109N3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the three leading causes of maternal mortality. Herbal medicine is one of the well-known methods of treatment in the world., Objective: This study was conducted to determine and compare the effect of dates, grape seed and dill seed extracts on the PPH rate in women in the fourth stage of labor., Methods: Two hundred eligible multiparous women visiting the maternity ward in Hamadan for normal delivery participated in this double-blind parallel-group clinical trial. They were randomly divided into four 50-member groups of experiment (3 groups) and control (1 group). The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. In the experimental groups, in addition to routine care and oxytocin administration, the mothers received a capsule containing 15 mg of dill seeds extract or 20 mg of grape seed extract or 5 g of dates extract immediately after the delivery, and then their hemorrhage rates were measured one and two hours after delivery. The control group received routine care, oxytocin, and placebo. Data were analyzed in SPSS 21., Results: The hemorrhage changes in the placebo group were much less than the intervention groups at 1 and 2 hours after delivery, and the four groups had a significant difference in terms of hemorrhage in both hours (p <0.001). The overall difference between the dates extract group and the placebo and grape seed groups was also statistically significant (p <0.05)., Conclusion: All three extracts of dates, grape seed and dill seeds, especially dates, can be effective in PPH reduction., Clinical Trial Registration Number: IRCT20120215009014N300., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the antioxidant supplement of CoQ10 and placebo in the male infertility treatment., Materials and Methods: The randomized controlled trial study was designed as a clinical trial. Samples in each group consisted of 30 members. The first group received 1 daily dose of 100 mg coenzyme Q10 capsules and the second group received a placebo treatment. Treatment in both groups lasted 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention of semen analysis, hormonal measurement of testosterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were done. Sexual function was assessed before and after the intervention by using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction questionnare., Results: The mean age of participants was 34.07 (5.26) years in the CoQ10 group and 34.83 (6.22) in the placebo one. Normal volume of semen (P=0.10), viscosity (P=0.55), sperm count (P=0.28), and sperm motility (P=0.33) in the CoQ10 group increased without statistically significant differences. But the normal sperm morphology increased with statistically significant differences in the CoQ10 group (P=0.01). There was an increase in normal FSH levels and testosterone levels in the CoQ10 group compared with the placebo patients, but these differences were not statistically significant (respectively P=0.58, P=0.61). The results also revealed that the scores of erectile function (P=0.95), orgasm (P=0.86), satisfaction with sexual intercourse (P=0.61), overall satisfaction (P=0.69) and the score of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF, P=0.82) were greater after the intervention in the CoQ10 group than in the placebo group although the difference was not statistically significant., Conclusion: The use of CoQ10 supplement can improve sperm morphology; however, in other sperm parameters and also in some hormones increased after the intervention, this was not statistically significant and therefore the result is not conclusive (registration number: IRCT20120215009014N322).

Objectives: In this study, natural substances were introduced as primary dental pulp caps for use in pulp therapy, and the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of these substances were investigated., Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the antimicrobial properties of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement, propolis, and propolis individually combined with the extracts of several medicinal plants were investigated against Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus . Then, the cytotoxicity of each substance or mixture against pulp stem cells extracted from 30 primary healthy teeth was evaluated at 4 concentrations. Data were gathered via observation, and optical density values were obtained using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and recorded. SPSS software version 23 was used to analyze the data. Data were evaluated using 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test., Results: Regarding antimicrobial properties, thyme alone and thyme + propolis had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against the growth of S. aureus , E. coli , and P. aeruginosa bacteria. For E. faecalis , thyme + propolis had the lowest MIC, followed by thyme alone. At 24 and 72 hours, thyme + propolis, CEM cement, and propolis had the greatest bioviability in the primary dental pulp stem cells, and lavender + propolis had the lowest bioviability., Conclusions: Of the studied materials, thyme + propolis showed the best results in the measures of practical performance as a dental pulp cap., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (Copyright © 2023. The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry.)

The aerial parts of the endemic plant of Otostegia persica Boiss. in two different stages of flowering and fruiting were hydro-distilled to extract oils in the yields of 0.3 and 0.15% (v/w), respectively. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-eight and thirty-one components were identified, representing 97.59 and 94.61% of the oils, respectively. The main compounds of the essential oil flowers (EOFL) were alpha-pinene (17.21%), 1-octen,3-ol (13.44%) and cubenol (7.27%), whereas diisooctyl phthalate (45%) and hexadecanoic acid (11.07%) were the major constituents of the essential oil of the fruits (EOFR). The oils were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and ammonium thiocyanate. In both tested systems, EOFL exerted greater antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. In the first case, EOFL exerted antioxidant activity with an IC50 19.8 +/- 1.8 microg mL(-1) almost similar to BHA and ascorbic acid (15.2 +/- 1.1 and 17.4 +/- 1.3), respectively. In the ammonium thiocyanate system, the inhibition rate of oxidation of linoleic acid for EOFL was estimated 93.5 +/- 2.8. The higher activity of this oil in comparison to EOFR may be attributed to its high content of monoterpenes, especially oxygenated ones in the oil of the flowers.