Protective effect of curcumin against microplastic and nanoplastics toxicity.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are present in urban dust and the aquatic environments of industrialized cities. MNPs in the human body accumulate in the lymphoid follicles, Peyer's patches of the gastrointestinal tract, and pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, which slowly result in toxicity. Since previous studies introduced curcumin as a natural protective agent against environmental toxins, we reviewed preclinical studies that had used curcumin to protect organs or cells from toxicity secondary to exposure to MNPs.

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Concurrent Use of Crocin During Chemoradiation for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

is the major active carotenoid of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Its pluripotent effects have led to a growing body of literature investigating its antitumor properties as well as its diverse potentials for mood stabilization, normal tissue protection, and inflammation reduction; However, there is a gap in clinical trials testing this substance in cancer patients.

A Review of Drug Abuse, Misuse, and Related Laboratory Challenges.

Various definitions can be considered for drugs and substance abuse. According to the National Institute on Abuse, the use of an over-the-counter drug in a different way than that prescribed to experience or arouse emotion is a simple form of drug abuse. The World Health Organization (WHO) also defines drug abuse as the persistent or sporadic use of drugs that are incompatible or unrelated to acceptable medical practice.

A systematic review of emerging technologies to enhance the treatment of ovarian cancer.

The efficacy and safety of chemotherapy are two major challenges when it comes to treating ovarian cancer. The associated undesirable side effects of chemotherapy agents jeopardize the clinical intent and the efficiency of the therapy. Multiple studies have been published describing new developments and novel strategies utilizing the latest therapeutic and drug delivery technologies to address the efficacy and safety of chemotherapeutics in ovarian cancers.

Biochemical responses as early and reliable biomarkers of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides intoxication: A systematic literature review.

Inhibition of cholinesterase (ChE) activity has been long considered as the main diagnostic method of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticides poisoning; however, it has been shown that ChE activity may also be altered due to exposure to other non-organophosphorus toxicants and variety of different medical conditions. Hence, to avoid misdiagnosis, we aimed to systematically review available documents to look for additional biomarkers of OP and carbamate poisoning. The electronic databases in addition to Google scholar were searched for eligible articles on March 2022 using "organophosphate," "carbamate," and "biomarker" including all their similar terms.

The effect of crocin versus sertraline in treatment of mild to moderate postpartum depression: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common conditions among women. This study aimed to investigate the effect of crocin compared to sertraline in women with mild to moderate PPD. This trial study was performed on women with PPD.

Effect of crocin on diabetic patients: A placebo-controlled, triple-blinded clinical trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Saffron and its active ingredient, crocin, as a natural antioxidant in the treatment of type II diabetes.

Methods: A total of 150 uncontrolled type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients were selected based on inclusion criteria, randomly divided into three groups (crocin, saffron and placebo) for three months' clinical trial. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin level, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, kidney and liver function tests were performed before and three months after the study.

Retinoprotective Effects Of Crocin And Crocetin via Anti-Angiogenic Mechanism in High Glucose-Induced Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common side effects of diabetes. We aimed to investigate the effects of crocin and crocetin (as a deglycosylated form of crocin in blood stream) in gene expression or protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor1 (VEGFR-1), matrix metalloproteinases2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinases9 (MMP-9) and thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) in high glucose cell culture media.

Methods: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were exposed to high glucose (HG, 30 mM glucose concentration) and normal glucose (NG, 24.

Effect of crocin versus fluoxetine in treatment of mild to moderate obsessive-compulsive disorder: A double blind randomized clinical trial.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common disabling disorder. Crocin, the active component of the saffron plant (Crocus Sativus L.) has various pharmacological activities.

Docetaxel-Loaded Mixed Micelles and Polymersomes Composed of Poly (caprolactone)-Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL) and Poly (lactic acid)-Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG-PLA): Preparation and In-vitro Characterization.

Microwave irradiation was used to synthesize poly (caprolactone)-poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL) and poly (lactic acid)-poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG-PLA) copolymers that are composed of biodegradable polymers including PEG, PLA, and PCL. These copolymers were used for loading docetaxel in nanoparticles. Single emulsion-solvent evaporation technique was applied for preparing the PEG-PLA and PEG-PCL mixed nanoparticles (micelles and polymersomes) with different proportions, including 0:1, 1:1, 3:1, 1:3, and 1:0.

Herbal medicine as a promising therapeutic approach for the management of vascular dementia: A systematic literature review.

Vascular dementia (VaD) generally refers to memory deficits and cognitive abnormalities that are resulted from vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to systematically review the literature wherein therapeutic effects of medicinal plants have been studied on VaD. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases using VaD, and medicinal plants as key terms.

Plant toxins and acute medicinal plant poisoning in children: A systematic literature review.

Background: For many years, medicinal plants and herbal therapy have been widely used in different societies for the treatment of various diseases. Besides their therapeutic potency, some of the medicinal plants have strong toxicity in human, especially in children and elderly. Despite common beliefs that natural products are safe, there have been few reports on their toxicities.

Effects of Crocin on Diabetic Maculopathy: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the most important sight-threatening complications in patients with diabetes. Owing to neuroprotective properties, crocin, as the main constituent in saffron, is thought to be useful in the treatment and prevention of diabetic maculopathy. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of crocin as a supplement on reducing inflammation in patients with diabetic maculopathy.

Comparison of the prevalence of enteroviruses in blood samples of patients with and without unstable angina.

Background: Although the role of enteroviruses has been proved in heart diseases, extensive information is not available on the association between enteroviruses and unstable angina. In the present study, the authors compared the prevalence of enteroviruses in patients with and without unstable angina.

Methods: Blood samples were taken from 51 patients with unstable angina and 55 patients without unstable angina or myocardial infarction that were admitted to Imam Reza and Ghaem hospitals (Mashhad, northeast of Iran).

CTLA-4 Gene Haplotypes and the Risk of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection; a Case Control Study.

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasing worldwide. Cytotoxic Tlymphocyte-associated protein 4 () may play a role in the intensity of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between genetic variants of the and HCV infection.

Haplotype Analysis of Hemochromatosis Gene Polymorphisms in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Case Control Study.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with elevated serum iron markers. Polymorphisms in the hemochromatosis (HFE) genes are responsible for iron accumulation in most cases of hemochromatosis, and may play a role in HCV infection.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the prevalence of HFE gene polymorphisms in a group of Iranian HCV-infected patients, and to explore the association of these polymorphisms with HCV infection.

Distribution of hepatitis delta virus genotypes in mashhad, northeast iran.

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is dependent on the hepatitis B virus for transmission and propagation. Based on isolated HDV sequences from different parts of the world, at least three major different genotypes with different geographic distributions are suggested. Studies have shown that genotype 1 is the predominant genotype of HDV in different parts of Iran; however, the genotype distribution of this virus has not been identified in Mashhad, northeast Iran.

The frequency of human papillomaviruses in colorectal cancer samples in Mashhad, northeastern Iran.

Background/aim: Infection with the human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is associated with the development of several cancers, including oral, esophageal, skin, lung, and cervical. However, the association of HPVs and colorectal cancers remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between HPV infection and paraffin-embedded colorectal tissue samples in Mashhad in the northeast of Iran.

Haplotype analysis of interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis C infection: a case control study.

High prevalence of hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection in some areas necessitates more investigations of the causative factors. Genetic factors that cause disruption in operation or secretion of interleukin 10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, may play a role in the intensity of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic variants of IL-10 gene polymorphisms in HCV patients and their relationship with HCV disease.

Purification and modeling amphipathic alpha helical antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis.

Antimicrobial peptides as ancient immune system are found in almost all types of living organisms. Amphibian's skin is an important source of bioactive peptides with strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor properties. They have important role in inducing apoptosis as well as cancer therapy in vitro.