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Systematic Review2022-06-30
Effect of Castor Oil on Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Maryam Moradi1,2, Azin Niazi2*, Ehsan Mazloumi3, Violeta Lopez4J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25(2): 71-78 https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.71Abstract : Objectives: Post-term pregnancy is a condition associated with increased maternal and fetal complications. Administration of castor oil causes cervical stimulation by increasing the production of prostaglandins. We examined the effects of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: The search process was performed to obtain relevant articles from databases including Pubmed, Cochrane library, Scopus, Science direct, SID, Iran Medex, and Google Scholar using the English keywords of cervical ripening, post-term, castor oil, labor induction, Bishop score, and pregnancy considering all possible combinations without time constraints and their Persian equivalents from national databases.Results: A total of eight related articles from the 19 primary studies were extracted and systematically reviewed. According to a cumulative chart, the difference in the post-intervention Bishop score was statistically significant (standard mean difference [SMD]: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-2.11, p = 0.001), indicating an effect of castor oil on increasing the Bishop score. In addition, the difference in labor induction was statistically significant after the intervention (odds ratio: 11.67, 95% CI: 3.34-40.81, p = 0.001), indicating an effect of castor oil on increasing the odds ratio of labor induction (experience of vaginal delivery).Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that oral administration of castor oil is effective for cervical ripening and labor induction. Midwives should closely monitor pregnant women with prolonged labor and collaborate with obstetricians to employ castor oil as a safe intervention to induce cervical ripening and labor to prevent undue caesarean surgery.
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Review Article2022-06-30
Potential Role of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Combination Therapies against Antimicrobial Activity
Ananta Choudhury*J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25(2): 79-87 https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.79Abstract : Since ancient times, plants have been a major source of novel drug molecules and have been used in the treatment of different infectious diseases. Secondary plant metabolites have miraculous healing properties and show potent therapeutic responses when used in combination drug therapy. The prime objective of this review is to summarize the concept of drug combination with special emphasis on the synergistic interactions between plantderived bioactive phytochemicals with commercially available antimicrobial agents. The study also assesses the roles, importance, and applicability of phytochemicals in the management of different diseases. The review focuses on different aspects of combined antimicrobial activities, the possible mechanisms involved, and the current status of research in the field. The study was conducted based on an extensive literature survey that resulted in the following hypothesis: secondary metabolites derived from plants possess remarkable therapeutic activities. The study was designed as a systematic review that ensures unbiased and accurate representations of the relevant data and information. Jadad scale selection criteria were used for qualitative analysis of the articles to assess them based on the relevant secure score (minimum and maximum scores range between 1 and 5, respectively). Articles with secure scores > 3 were considered for the study. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using resource databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Research Gate, Scopus, Medline, and Science Direct up to June 2019. This article contains concise information about the most commonly used bioactive phytochemicals with potent antifungal and antibacterial effects.
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Review Article2022-06-30
Performance of DNA Methylation on the Molecular Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Cancer; targeted therapy approach
Sogand Vahidi1, Ebrahim Mirzajani2,3, Seyedeh Elham Norollahi4, Mohsen Aziminezhad5,6, Ali Akbar Samadani7*J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25(2): 88-100 https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.88Abstract : Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant cause of cancer mortality which has led to focused exploration of the pathology of GC. The advent of genome-wide analysis methods has made it possible to uncover genetic and epigenetic fluctuation such as abnormal DNA methylation in gene promoter regions that is expected to play a key role in GC. The study of gastric malignancies requires an etiological perspective, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was identified to play a role in GC. H. pylori infection causes chronic inflammation of the gastric epithelium causing abnormal polyclonal methylation, which might raise the risk of GC. In the last two decades, various pathogenic factors by which H. pylori infection causes GC have been discovered. Abnormal DNA methylation is triggered in several genes, rendering them inactive. In GC, methylation patterns are linked to certain subtypes including microsatellite instability. Multiple cancer-related processes are more usually changed by abnormal DNA methylation than through mutations, according to current general and combined investigations. Furthermore, the amount of acquired abnormal DNA methylation is heavily linked to the chances of developing GC. Therefore, we investigated abnormal DNA methylation in GC and the link between methylation and H. pylori infection.
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Original Article2022-06-30
The Highest Dosage Combination Activity Screening from the Leaf Fraction of Melastoma malabathricum with Antibiotic Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin
Rafika Sari*, Liza Pratiwi, Pratiwi ApridamayantiJ Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25(2): 101-105 https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.101Abstract : Objectives: This study aims to determine the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) of combinations of Melastoma malabathricum leaf fraction with ciprofloxacin or gentamicin against pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, isolated from Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) patients.Methods: We tested concentrations of 45%, 55%, 65%, and 75% of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin using dilution and agar diffusion methods. The combination of M. malabathricum leaf extract with these antibiotics was tested in vitro against all three bacteria.Results: The combination of M. malabathricum leaf extract and ciprofloxacin gave a FICI value of 0.5, indicating synergistic antibacterial activity against the test bacteria.Conclusion: The results show that the antibacterial effect of a combination of high doses of the leaf extract with either antibiotic is greater than that of the leaf extract and the anti-biotics in single use.
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Original Article2022-06-30
Does Vitex Agnus-Castus L. Have Deleterious Effect on Fertility and Pregnancy Outcome? An Experimental Study on Rats for Prediction of Its Safety
Fateme Sadat Najib1,2, Tahereh Poordast1,2, Monireh Sufi Mahmudi1, Zahra Shiravani1,3, Niloofar Namazi1,2*, Gholamhossein Ranjbar Omrani4J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25(2): 106-113 https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.106Abstract : Objectives: Herbal medicine is a worldwide health topic. Vitex agnus–castus L. (VAC) is a popular plant used for gynecologic problems due to its hormonal effects. The aim of this study is to reveal VAC extract effect on fetus when this herb is used started from antenatal period or during pregnancy.Methods: Performed from starting day of January 2019 till February 2019, 48 rats were assigned in randomly divided eight-member six groups: control (C1), treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T1) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T2), control that underwent caesarean section on 15th day of gestational age (C2) and treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T3) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T4) that underwent caesarean section. Weight, sex and number of fetuses, abortion and still birth rate and estradiol level were evaluated using t-test by SPSS software.Results: We showed increased weight among T1 group considering totally and sex-dependent which is significant (all p-value < 0.05). We also detected significantly decreased weight in T2 in total (p-value < 0.0001) and when considering female fetuses (0.043) but not males (0.17). Although the results showed slightly non-significant increased weight among fetuses of T3 (totally or based on the fetus sex) compared to the control group (C2), T4 group had statistically decreased weight compared to control group. Pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome were affected by VAC usage. The time of VAC initiation also affected live birth and abortion rates.Conclusion: VAC extract may affect pregnancy rate, live birth rate, abortion and stillbirth rates. Its effect on the weight and the sex showed dual pattern depends on the time of initiation and pregnancy trimester of evaluation. Prescribing this medicinal plant for patients being prone to pregnancy should be with caution. Further study is recommended.
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Original Article2022-06-30
Purification of Therapeutic Serums of Snake Anti-Venom with Caprylic Acid
Nilofar Norouznejad1, Hossein Zolfagharian2*, Mahdi Babaie2, Maryam Ghobeh1J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25(2): 114-120 https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.114Abstract : Objectives: Antivenom serums have been used extensively for over a century and are the only effective treatment option for snake bites and other dangerous animal envenomations. In therapeutic serum centers, a wide range of antivenoms is made from animal serum, mainly equine and sheep, that are immunized with single or multiple venoms. This work aimed to use caprylic acid (CA) to purify therapeutic snake antivenom.Methods: Plasma was obtained from equine immunized with a mixture of venoms. Immunized plasma was obtained by precipitation of different concentrations (2-5%) of CA. This methodology was compared to that based on ammonium sulfate (AS) precipitation. Sediment plasma proteins were purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Protein assay, SDSPAGE, and agar gel diffusion were performed.Results: The total protein precipitation with AS was higher than precipitation with CA, but the best results were obtained when CA was added to the plasma until a final CA concentration of 5% was reached. Chromatography and electrophoresis indicated a stronger band for the 5% CA, and the gel diffusion assay showed antigen-antibody interaction in the purified serum.Conclusion: The use of CA compared to the routine method for purifying hyperimmune serums is a practical and cost-effective method for preparing and producing therapeutic serums. It constitutes a potentially valuable technology for alleviating the critical shortage of antivenom in Iran.
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