Saadat Parhizkar

Assessing estrogenic activity of Nigella sativa in ovariectomized rats using vaginal cornification assay

The aim of this study was to determine the estrogenic activity of Nigella sativa (NS) by vaginal cornification assay using an ovariectomized rat model. Forty ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats, weighting 250 to 350 g were used in the study. N. sativa powders were administered to ovariectomized rats for 21 consecutive days at dosages of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg respectively, and were compared with each of daily treatment with 0.2 mg/kg conjugated Equine estrogen as positive control or distilled water as negative control. Vaginal smears were taken to observe the estrogenic effect on vaginal epithelium of rats. The vaginal smear showed an atrophic pattern at baseline. The occurrence of vaginal cornification after N. sativa supplementation indicated estrogenic activity of N. sativa, but this effect was not as much as CEE. The most influence of N. sativa in vaginal cornification was observed in low dose NS that this result was in agreement with serum Estradiol level of this group. The cornified cells percentage significantly differed from control group (P<0.05). These data suggest that N. sativa possesses estrogenic function in the ovariectomized rat model which can be helpful in managing menopausal symptoms as an alternative for Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Effect of Phaleria macrocarpa on Sperm Characteristics in Adult Rats

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) on male fertility by assessing its effect on the sperm characteristics which included the sperm count, motility, viability and morphology. METHODS Eighteen male rats were equally divided into three groups. Each group of rats was orally supplemented for 7 weeks either with PM aqueous extract (240 mg/kg), distilled water (0 mg/kg) or testosterone hormone, Andriol® Testocaps™ (4 mg/kg) respectively. On the last day of supplementation period, the rats were sacrificed and sperm was obtained from cauda epididymis via orchidectomy. The sperm count, motility, viability and morphology were determined. RESULTS PM aqueous extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the percentage of sperm viability. However, there was no significant effect of PM on the percentage of both sperm motility and morphology. The mean of body weight declined significantly in rats supplemented with PM aqueous extract compared to control groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The results showed that PM significantly increased sperm viability without changing the sperm motility and morphology. Hence, this study suggests that PM offers an alternative way to improve male fertility by improving the sperm quality.

Impact of Family Planning Health Education on the Knowledge and Attitude among Yasoujian Women.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of health education on the knowledge and attitude regarding family planning and contraception’s method among the women who obligatory attended the Premarital Counseling Center in Yasouj city, Iran. An experimental study was carried out and a total of 200 women were selected for the study using convenience sampling method among women who attended in the health centre in order to utilize the necessary premarital actions. Respondents were divided by two experimental and control groups randomly. A pre-evaluation was done on the knowledge and attitude on family planning using a structured questionnaire. After which, the health education for experimental group was done within four educational sessions during 4 consecutive weeks and control group underwent traditional education method. Post evaluation was utilized for any changes regarding their knowledge and attitude among the respondents immediately after the intervention. Independent and paired t-test was used to evaluate the mean knowledge and attitude scores differences among both groups. Results showed that there was a significant improvement in respondents’ knowledge and attitude after educational program in experimental group (p<0.001), while no significant difference was observed in knowledge and attitude of control group. The finding also indicated that age was significantly associated with the level of respondents’ knowledge. These results deal the effectiveness of the educational method. In conclusion, the educational method is effective in increasing the knowledge and improving the attitude of women regarding family planning in Yasouj compared to current used educational method. Future educational programs need to incorporate the features that have been associated with successful interventions in the past, as well as including their own evaluation procedures.

Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) and Its Prevention: A Cross Sectional Study on Patients’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among l study on Patients’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among patients attending Primary Health Care Clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The World Health Organization confirmed that the novel influenza A, H1N1 as a pandemic on 11 June 2009. After less than three months, 182 countries were affected by the pandemic accounting for about 150,000 infected cases and 3000 mortality. Successful H1N1 pandemic management strategies’ shaped by making changes in health behavior. The aim of this study was to document patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and its prevention. We performed a cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on preventive measures of Influenza A (H1N1) involving 322 patients attending Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang, a primary health care clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from May 10 to 26, 2010 using a face to face interview with a structured pre-tested questionnaire. The majority of the respondents were females (56.8%), Malays (43.2%) aged between 18-27 years old (28.9%). There were significant association between knowledge on the complication of H1N1, effectiveness of the treatment, preventive measures of Influenza A (H1N1) and race (p<0.001) and educational level (p<0.001). There were also significant associations between attitude scores of these patients and their gender (p=0.03), and educational level (p=0.001). Practice scores related to H1N1 were found to be significantly associated with race (p<0.001) and educational level (p<0.001). The significant associations were observed between knowledge and attitude (p<0.001), knowledge and practices (p<0.001), as well as attitude and practices related to H1N1 (p<0.001). Knowledge has a crucial effect on patients’ attitude and practice particularly in a pandemic spread. So health policy makers should attempt to disseminate information about preventive measures to community in order to improve their preventive practices during pandemics.

Comparison of the supercritical fluid extraction with conventional extraction methods to determine the fatty acid composition of black cumin seeds

The purpose of this study was to compare different methods of extraction to determine the fatty acid composition of black cumin seeds. 100 g of the powdered sample either was subjected into SFE equipment using standard procedures or extracted using conventional techniques (methanol or hexane solvents). Identification of fatty acid composition of extracted Nigella sativa oil was performed by using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The constituents were identified by comparison of their retention times with those of reference samples. A total of fifteen fatty acids were identified in the fixed oils obtained from black cumin seeds by using SFE and solvent extraction techniques. The results showed that the most abundant fatty acid present in all extracts was linoleic acid. Surprisingly, despite of high potential of SFE technique in obtaining valuable components of herbs, only conventional methods were able to yield some rare fatty acid in NS such as Gamma linolenic acid. Based on condition, the researchers have to choose the method of extraction in order to obtain the best results and certain component.

EVALUATION OF THE ESTROGENIC EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA USING THE RAT MODELS OF UTEROTROPHIC ASSAY

reports of the histological changes in lichen sclerosus during pimecrolimus or tacrolimus treatment. There is a small lifetime risk (3-5%) in anogenital lichen sclerosus for the development of squamous cell carcinoma and recently, there has been concerns about the development of cancers and lymphomas in patients using these preparations. Methods: 29 outpatients with histologically confirmed, active LS were recruited to this study with two aims. First we evaluated the effectiveness of pimecrolimus treatment to LS. Secondly, we evaluated the histological changes during pimecrolimus treatment. Results: All 29 patients completed the follow-up period. 69% (20/29) were in complete remission including relief from itch, pain and inflammation. There were no systemic adverse reactions. In vulvar differentiated intraepithelial neoplasia (d-VIN), which is a postulated precursor lesion for LS-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the atypical keratinocyte p53 expression in a typical finding. Surprisingly, the expression of p53 was down-regulated during pimecrolimus treatment. Conclusions: In our opinion, patient-applied 1% pimecrolimus cream is safe and effective for the treatment of LS. The decrease of p53 staining during pimecromus treatment is best explained for the decrease of ischaemic stress response due to poor oxygenation, vasculitis and inflammation during healing process.