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Background: There is increasing evidence supporting a central role of the viral-induced hyper-inflammatory immune response in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is an emerging prognostic marker in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum procalcitonin and clinical severity and outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in patients with COVID-19 infection from February to April 2020 at Hajar Hospital in the Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, Iran. Results: The results showed that total lymphocyte counts, albumin, calcium, and creatinine levels were significantly different between the two moderate and severe groups, and the mean of procalcitonin level in COVID-19 patients with severe disease was higher (0.36 ng/mL) compared with the patients with moderate disease, and its level was found to be >5 ng/mL in 14.2% of5 ng/mL in 14.2% of patients in the former group. Conclusions: PCT may be a marker of disease severity in COVID-19 and may contribute to determining the severity of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, serial PCT measurements may be beneficial in predicting the prognosis.

Nowadays, increases in resistance of tumors to the current therapeutic agents have become a problematic issue. Therefore, efforts to discover new anticancer compounds with high sensitivity of cancer cells are extending. Animal and laboratory researches have shown that exogenous antioxidants are able to help prevent the free radical damage associated with the development of cancer. However, researches in human beings have not demonstrated convincingly that taking antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Angiogenesis is also a natural condition that controls the formation of new blood vessels from the available vessels. Today, it is believed that most of the cancers have angiogenesis potential and their growth, metastasis, and invasion depend on angiogenesis. Several compounds with plant origin and with anti-angiogenic properties have been identified. The aim of this study is to review recently published articles about anticancer drugs obtained from plants with antioxidant and anti-angiogenesis properties.

Background. Nowadays, herbs they are considered to be the main source of effective drugs for lowering serum lipids and lipid peroxidation. The present experimental animal study aimed to assess the impact ofFerulago angulataon serum lipid profiles, and on levels of lipid peroxidation.Methods. Fifty male Wistar rats, weighing 250–300 g, were randomly divided into five equal groups (ten rats in each). The rat groups received different diets as follows: Group I: fat-rich diet; Group II: fat-rich diet plus hydroalcoholic extracts ofFerulago angulataat a dose of 400 mg/kg; Group III: fat-rich diet plus hydroalcoholic extracts ofFerulago angulataat a dose of 600 mg/kg; Group IV: fat-rich diet plus atorvastatin; Group V: common stock diet. The levels of serum glucose and lipids and the atherogenic index were measured. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA), thiol oxidation, carbonyl concentrations, C-reactive proteins, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in each group of rats.Results. Interestingly, by adding a hydroalcoholic extract ofFerulago angulatato the high-fat diet, the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the high-fat diet rats were both significantly reduced. This result was considerably greater compared to when atorvastatin was added as an antilipid drug. The beneficial effects of theFerulago angulataextract on lowering the level of triglycerides was observed only when a high dosage of this plant extraction was added to a high fat diet. Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde, was significantly affected by the use of the plant extract in a high-fat diet, compared with a normal regimen or high-fat diet alone.Conclusion. Administration of a hydroalcoholic extract ofFerulago angulatacan reduce serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. It can also inhibit lipid peroxidation.

Context: Acne vulgaris affects about 85% of teenagers and may continue to adulthood. There are about two million visits to physicians per year for teenagers and the direct cost of acne treatment in the US exceeds $1 billion per year. Evidence Acquisition: A wide variety of treatment regimens exist for acne vulgaris including benzoil peroxide, retinoids, isotretinoids, keratolytic soaps, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, salicilic acid as well as hormonal, anti-androgen or antiseborrheic treatments. However, none of these methods is free of side effects and their exact role in therapy is not clear. In this paper apart from presenting the possible causes of acne vulgaris and its available drugs, recently published papers about medicinal plants used in the treatment of acne vulgaris were reviewed. Results: Consumption of alternative and complementary medicine, including medicinal plants, is increasing and is common amongst patients affected by acne and infectious skin diseases. Medicinal plants have a long history of use and have been shown to possess low side effects. These plants are a reliable source for preparation of new drugs. Conclusions: Many plants seem to have inhibitory effects on the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses in vitro. However, there are a few clinical evidences about the effectiveness and safety of these plants in the treatment of acne and other skin infections.

Introduction: Hibiscus esculentus is capable to produce various molecules including phenolic and flavonoid compounds, phytosteroids with antioxidant property. Therefore, it has the potential to show antidiabetic activities. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats. The flavonoid, flavonol and phenolic components, as well as antioxidant activity of Hibiscus esculentus was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: In a preclinical study, 40 male Wistar rats were designated into four 10-member groups, i.e., control, diabetic control, diabetic Hibiscus esculentus, and diabetic glibenclamide. The Alloxan-induced diabetic rats received extracts orally for four weeks. Then, the serum biochemical factors were measured and compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in diabetic Hibiscus esculentus rats compared to diabetic control ones (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Improving the blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats indicates that Hibiscus esculentus extract might be beneficial in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Lawsonia inermis is a medicinal plant with abortive properties. There has been no scientific study to evaluate the teratogenicity of this plant. This study was performed to determine the antioxidant activity and the possible side effect of L. inermis hydroalcoholic extract on development of congenital abnormalities in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, 120 female mature BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups and after mating and confirming the vaginal plug, the animals in the first group (G1) were kept with no intervention, and the second (G2), third (G3) and fourth (G4) groups were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with respectively saline (0.3 ml), and 10 and 100 mg/kg of L. inermis extract (for 7 days). On the 19th day, caesarean section was performed on the mice and embryos were examined for abnormalities. Their height and weight were measured. Data were analysed by ANOVA and post-hoc least significant difference tests. RESULTS There were significant differences between G3 and G4, and G1 (p

Aims: Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl is a frequently used plant to treat different diseases, but its probable toxic effects have not been reported yet. This study aimed to study the toxicity of the extract on rats' liver. Methods: In this experimental study, 100 rats were designated into 10 groups and injected normal saline or Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl extract at 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 28 days. Four case groups and one control group were examined for ALT, AST and ALP after one month and the other groups were evaluated after two months. Results: In the first month, the increase of ALP at all doses and the increase of AST at 200 mg/kg was significant, compared to the control group (p

Background and Objective: High-fat diet causes a sudden increase in blood lipids and oxidative stress after each meal, which can affect the trigger mechanisms of atherosclerosis and cause some acute changes in the function of vessels’ endothelial cells. With respect to the antioxidant properties of Sumac (Rhus coriaria), the present research was conducted to determine the effect of taking Sumac along with food on some atherosclerosis risk factors resulting from high-fat diet in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Methodology: In this experimental study, 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly designated into three eight-member groups as follows: normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (1%), high-cholesterol diet and Sumac powder 2%. Oxidative stress factors and those influencing atherosclerosis or arterial function including glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), Apo lipoprotein B (Apo B), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), nitrate, nitrite, fibrinogen and factor VII, and also liver enzymes (ALT, AST) were measured and compared in each group. Results: High cholesterol diet significantly increased total cholesterol, fibrinogen, triglycerides, glucose, nitrate, LDL-C and the liver enzymes ALT and AST (p < 0.05). Use of powdered Sumac revealed a significant decrease in the blood levels of glucose (30.15%), LDL-C (58.17%), total cholesterol (29.5%), ALT (17.46%), AST (20.55%) and fibrinogen (17.92%) compared to the high-cholesterol diet group (p 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effect of consuming Sumac with food on some risk factors of atherosclerosis and oxidative stress (glucose, LDL-C, total cholesterol and fibrinogen) and also liver enzymes induced by high fat food.

Background and Objective: The important contribution of postprandial state to cardiovascular disease is increasingly being recognized. Diet rich in antioxidant may have beneficial effects on preventing coronary heart disease. This study was therefore aimed to evaluate bioactive components, antioxidant activity and postprandial atheroprotective effects of Vaccinium myrtillus (VM). Methodology: Male rabbits weighing 2.15 +/- 13 gr were randomly designed into 3 groups of 8, using the following regimens: basic diet, hypercholesterolemic diet and hypercholesterolemic diet+VM. The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Alanin aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fibrinogen, factor VII, nitrite and nitrate were determined in rabbits. Results: Vaccinium myrtillus decreased LDL-c, TC and ApoB, liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and inflammatory factors, while endothelial markers (nitrate and nitrate) had subtle decrease in VM treated rabbits. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that consumption of VM, rich in antioxidant may have beneficial effects on preventing coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis by decreasing remnant lipoprotein values in postprandial state.

Oxidative stress associated with postprandial hyperlipidemia contributes to endothelial dysfunction, which shifts hemostasis to a more thrombogenic state. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Allium hertifolium and Sesamum indicum on postprandial lipemic, glycemic profile and endothelial markers in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. A total of 32 male rabbits were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1: Control group (normal group); Group 2: Hypercholesterolemic diet (1% cholesterol); Group 3: 1% cholesterol administered with A. hertifolium extract (2% of diet); Group 4: 1% cholesterol administered with S. indicum powder (10% of diet). The serum was analyzed for lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC); triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ApoB), glucose, nitrite, nitrate, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels and plasma was analyzed for fibrinogen and factor VII. These factors were measured in blood samples following 15 h of fasting and 3 h after feeding. The results showed A. hertifolium andS. indicum to be effective in reducing SGPT, fibrinogen, total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C values in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet group. Consumption of A. hertifolium and S. indicum did not significantly change factor VII, ApoB and nitrite levels in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet group. Intake of S. indicum significantly decreased serum SGOT, nitrate, glucose and TG compared to hypercholesterolemic diet group. A. hertifolium and S. indicum with a high content of phenolic compounds change the postprandial profile lipids, endothelial markers and trombogenic factors and might be beneficial in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Key words: Allium hertifolium, Sesamum indicum, postprandial, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).

Background: Encounter with drug resistance and replacment natural treatment is essential. From olden of Iran and specially Chaharmahal and bakhtiari Province medicinal smokes such as donkey dung & Peganum harmala seed used for treatment of many diseases like Infectious diseases. Regarded to lake of scientific research about antimicrobial effects of this smoke this study was done with aim of comparison of antimicrobial property of donkey dung and Peganum harmala seed smokes on different bactrial strains. Methods: In this interventional study, Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida albicans standard strain in suitable medium were cultured. Antibiobiogram blank disks were fumigated separately with Peganum harmala seed smoke, male and female donkey dung and straw smoke then placed on microbial plate with sterile method. After 48 hours incubation in 37 °C, evaluated by measuring the zone of growth inhibition surrounding the disks. Data were analyzed with SPSS 15 and mean statistic exam. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to Peganum harmala seed, male donkey dung and female donkey dung smokes, Esherichia coli to male donkey dung smoke, Pseudomonas aeroginosa to male and female donkey dung smokes and Candida albicans to female donkey dung smoke. In control group Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus Faecalis were resistant against cloxacilllin and Pseudomonas aeroginosa was sensitive only to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Results of this study showed that by increasing the time of fumigation in sensitive cases, the antimicrobial effect increases. Conclusion: According to antimicrobial effects of male and female donkey dung smokes on resistance pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, necessity of perform expanded research about composition and property of this smokes revealed.