OTHERS_CITABLE Two Extracts From Manihot Esculenta Leaves Efficiently Inhibit α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase: A New Approach for the Management of Diabetes Background: In Nigeria, the leaves of Manihot esculenta (Crantz) are eaten as vegetables. The leaves are rich in phytochemicals, valuable and natural sources of antioxidants, and are highly useful for human health and disease prevention. This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory effects of two extracts derived from the plant leaves on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were also assessed.  Methods:  The leaves of M. esculenta were processed and extracted with ethanol and acetone. The extracts were evaluated for their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. Also, their total flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined, using standard in vitro assays.  Results: The ethanol extract exhibited a higher α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity than the acetone extract, which positively correlated with their total flavonoid and phenolic contents. In addition, the ethanol extract strongly inhibited the α-glucosidase activity (IC50: 0.77±0.03 mg/mL) than Acarbose (IC50: 1.52±0.14 mg/mL). However, both extracts of ethanol (IC50: 1.29±0.02 mg/mL) and acetone (IC50 1.66±0.05 mg/mL) were less effective in inhibiting  α-amylase compared with that of Acarbose (IC50 0.99±0.02 mg/mL). Comparatively, the percent inhibition of the extracts and Acarbose were in this order: ethanol extract > Acarbose > acetone extract. Conclusion: The results suggest that the extract of M. esculenta leaves have anti-hyperglycemic effects. They are potential alternative antioxidants that could be used to reduce oxidative stress in the body and in the management of diabetes.    http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-802-en.pdf 2020-07-01 131 138 10.32598/ijt.14.3.583.3 Manihote sculenta α-amylase α-glucosidase Flavonoids Phytochemicals Israel Oghenevwodokohwo Okoro sraelik@yahoo.com 1 Department of Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6734-2679
OTHERS_CITABLE Two Proteins From Snake Venom Have Potent Antibacterial Effects Against Bacillus Anthracis and Streptococcus Pneumoniae Background: Antibacterial proteins are widely expressed in snake venoms. Previously, we have isolated two immunodominant proteins with molecular weights of 14 and 65 kD from the snake venom of Naja naja oxiana (N. oxiana). It was demonstrated that they had potent inhibitory effects against gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus and B. subtilis but were less effective against gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli and P. aeruginosa. This study aimed at investigating the potential antibacterial effects of the two proteins against Bacillus anthracis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods: The proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis, and isolated by Gel Electrophoresis (Electro-elution). The antibacterial effects were tested against the strains of Bacillus anthracis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, using broth microdilution and disc-diffusion assays. For comparison, the antibacterial effects of standard antibiotics, such as Gentamicin, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Ciprofloxacin were also tested on the same B. anthracis and S. pneumoniae batches under identical laboratory conditions. Results: The two proteins showed high immunogenicity and strongly inhibited the growth of gram-positive bacteria, B. anthracis, and to a lesser extent S. pneumoniae. Conclusion: The isolated proteins demonstrated strong antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria, B. anthracis and S. pneumoniae, in addition to their previously known effects against S. aureus and B. subtilis. http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-792-en.pdf 2020-07-01 139 144 10.32598/ijt.14.3.634.1 Naja naja oxiana Immunodominant proteins Antimicrobial effects Pathogenic & Gram-positive bacteria Mahboobeh Talebi Mehrdar mah_saghar@yahoo.com 1 Department of Biochemistry, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2930-5839
OTHERS_CITABLE Chronic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Exposure Produces Hepatic and Pancreatic Impairment in Female Rats Background: Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are used for various industrial and domestic purposes and its release into the environment leads to the adverse effects among humans. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rat exposure to ZnO nanoparticles on the histopathology of the liver and pancreas tissues, and serum oxidative stress parameters.  Methods: Eighty female adult Wistar rats were divided into eight experimental, control and sham groups. They received ZnO nanoparticles at 4, 8, 25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, or normal saline intraperitoneally for 30 days twice a week. Then, the blood samples of the rats were collected by heart puncture for biochemical analyses, and then sacrificed. Finally, the liver and pancreas tissues were harvested for histopathological examinations.  Results: Significant amounts of nanoparticles were accumulated in the liver and pancreas of the rats, causing tissue and cellular damages. The ZnO nanoparticles reduced the levels of serum triglyceride, glucose, cholesterol, albumin, and increased the bilirubin and liver enzymes, such as ALT, AST, ALP, amylase and lipase at high doses. In addition, the evidence of histopathological lesions, hyperemia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and necrosis were noted in the liver and pancreas tissue slides upon microscopic examinations. Finally, the body and liver weights decreased in the rat groups receiving ZnO nanoparticle dose dependently.  Conclusion: ZnO nanoparticles had toxic effects on the liver and pancreas, leading to destructive tissue and cellular changes in the rats. http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-786-en.pdf 2020-07-01 145 154 10.32598/ijt.14.3.626.1 Histopathology Zinc oxide nanoparticles Liver Pancreas impairments Chronic toxic exposure Seyed Mohammad Hosseini dr.m.hosseini2323@gmail.com 1 Department of Pathobiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University. Babol, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6015-3832 Reza Amani rezaamani73@yahoo.com 2 Department of Pathobiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University. Babol, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9208-2821 Amir Hossein Moshrefi amirhoseen.moshrefi@yahoo.com 3 Department of Pathobiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University. Babol, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2100-740X Seyed Vahid Razavimehr vahid.razavi72@yahoo.com 4 Department of Pathobiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University. Babol, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Hasan Aghajanikhah aghajani_h71@yahoo.com 5 Department of Pathobiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University. Babol, Iran. AUTHOR Zahra Sokouti z.sokouti@gmail.com 6 Developmental of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University. Damghan, Iran. AUTHOR
OTHERS_CITABLE The Protective Effect of Nortriptyline Against Gastric Lesions Induced by Indomethacin and Cold-shock Stress in Rats Background: Gastric ulcer is among the most serious stomach disorder universally. Several effective drugs are employed in the management of this disease, although there have been adverse effects in some cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nortriptyline to protect against gastric lesions, induced by indomethacin or cold-stress in rats. Methods: Gastric lesions were induced by oral indomethacin (30 mg/kg) or cold-shock at 2-4°C. Animals were pre-treated with 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg nortriptyline.  After 4hr of exposure to indomethacin or cold shock, the stomach was removed for histological examinations and the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative stress markers were determined in the tissue samples. Results: The results showed that nortriptyline at 20 mg/kg significantly restored the activity of the oxidative stress markers, such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) enzymes. It also decreased the tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. In addition, nortriptyline at 20 mg/kg, ameliorated the gastric tissue damages caused by indomethacin or the cold shock.  Conclusion: The results suggest that improvement in gastric mucosal lesions can be mediated by nortriptyline pretreatment, which is likely due to its antioxidant property. http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-809-en.pdf 2020-07-01 155 164 10.32598/ijt.14.3.649.1 Indomethacin Cold-shock response Nortriptyline Stomach Oxidative stress Mohammad Javad Khoshnoud khoshnoudm@sums.ac.ir 1 Food and Supplements Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2907-2596 Majid Keshavarzi keshavarzi_majid@yahoo.com 2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR Neda Mokhtari nedamokhtaripharmacy88@gmail.com 3 Department of Pharmacology Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR Amirhossein Sakhteman asakhteman@sums.ac.ir 4 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR Amin Derakhshanfar derakhshanfar@sums.ac.ir 5 Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR Marzieh Rashedinia rashedinia@sums.ac.ir 6 Department of Pharmacology Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8395-2944
OTHERS_CITABLE Investigation of the Behavioral and Clinical Effects of Black Scorpion Venom in Albino Rats Background: Aggressive behaviors in human and experimental animals have previously been described following induced pain. Aggression in rodents has been attributed to genetic and environmental factors, such as pain. A major complication of scorpion envenomation is severe pain in animals and humans. Considering that envenomation by black scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda) induces severe pain, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of the venom on inducing aggressive behaviors in rats due to the pain from stinging.  Methods: Rats in the control (n=20) and experimental groups (n=20) were injected with 0.5ml physiological serum or 1µg/ml of black scorpion venom dissolved in 0.5ml physiological serum, respectively, in the dorsal vein near the tail. Changes in behaviors were monitored photographically among the rats in both groups. Results: Following the injection of the scorpion venom, considerable agitation and fights occurred among the experimental rats, presumably due to the severe pain induced by the venom.  However, there was no such abnormal behavior observed in the control rats and in the experimental rats before the venom injection. Conclusion: The induced pain post envenomation in rats caused violent changes in their behaviors, which were highly likely associated with the venom injection. http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-844-en.pdf 2020-07-01 165 170 10.32598/ijt.14.3.684.1 Androctonus crassicauda Scorpion venom Clinical manifestations Behavioral changes Albino Wistar rats Rouhullah Dehghani RouhullahDehghani@GMAIL.COM 1 Social Determinants Research Center of Health and Engineering, Department of Environmental Health, Medical Science University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5949-4859 Tahereh Khamechian taherehkhamechian@gmail.com 2 Department of Pathology and Histology, School of Medicine, Medical Science University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran. AUTHOR Azar Dehghani AzarDehghani@yahoo.com 3 Department of General Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences & Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan (Isfahan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran. AUTHOR Mojtaba Limoee mojtabalimoee@yahoo.com 4 Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3588-0725 Mazdak Limoee mojtabalimoee@gmail.com 5 Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. AUTHOR Hooshyar Hossini hoo.hosseini@gmail.com 6 Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. AUTHOR
OTHERS_CITABLE Clinical Manifestations of Compsobuthus Persicus Scorpion Envenomation in Southern Iran Background: Compsobuthus Persicus scorpion is endemic to Iran and exists in Hormozgan, Bushehr and Fars provinces. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical manifestations of envenomation by C. persicus and the effect of its venom on the biochemical, hematological, and urinalysis parameters of the stung patients. Methods: In this analytical and retrospective study, all medical charts of patients who had been stung by C. persicus and admitted to the Emergency Departments of Shahid Mohammadi and Children's Hospital of Bandar Abbas, Iran, between May 2014 and November 2015 were assessed. Data from the patients’ test results were recorded including age, gender, clinical manifestations, urinalysis, blood chemistry, and Complete Blood Cell count (CBC).  Results: A total of 275 cases of scorpion stinging were assessed. Of them, 55 cases consisting of 28 males (50.9%) and 27 females (49.1%) at ages of 2 to 57 years old had been stung by C. persicus. Localized pain was the most frequent presenting patients’ complaint (90%). The most frequent symptom reported was vertigo (70%). However, the results of the urinalysis, biochemical, and hematological parameters of the blood samples were in normal ranges. Conclusion: The severity of envenomations by C. persicus was mild and the biochemical and hematological parameters of the patients’ blood and urinalysis were within normal ranges, and there is no need for antivenin administration. http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-816-en.pdf 2020-07-01 171 178 10.32598/ijt.14.3.415.2 Clinical manifestations Iran Envenomation Venom Compsobuthus Persicus Scorpion sting Mehran Shahi 1 Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3439-236X Hossein Sanaei-Zadeh sanaeizadeh@sums.ac.ir 2 Emergency Room, Division of Medical Toxicology, Hazrat-e Ali Asghar Hospital (p), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8852-4009
OTHERS_CITABLE Antioxidant and Inhibitory Activities of Enzymes Linked to Type II Diabetes Mellitus: The Novel Role of Chrysobalanus Orbicularis Leaf Extract Background: Chrysobalanus orbicularis is commonly used as food, the seeds as a spice for the popular pepper soup, and the leaves are traditionally utilized for managing Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Due to the limited scientific evidence on C. orbicularis, this study investigated its antioxidant and inhibitory properties against major enzymes linked to T2DM.  Methods: The antioxidant activity was measured via methods for possible scavenging potentials. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were examined using a standard model. Results: The C. orbicularis aqueous leaf extract compared well with the standard compounds, revealing the high antioxidant and inhibitory properties against α-amylase and α- glucosidase.  Conclusion: The findings validate the conventional application of C. orbicularis in the treatment of patients with type II diabetes mellitus and other oxidative stress-related disorders.     http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-852-en.pdf 2020-07-01 179 186 10.32598/ijt.14.3.371.2 Antioxidant activity C. orbicularis α-amylase and α-glucosidase Diabetes mellitus Medicinal plants Lisa Ilobekemen Ekakitie ekaslisa080@gmail.com 1 Phytomedicine, Biochemical Toxicology and Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. AUTHOR Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo sanaeizadeh@sums.ac.ir 2 Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-396X Babatunji Emmanuel Oyinloye oluwafemiadeleke08@gmail.com 3 Department of Biochemistry, Biochemical Toxicology and Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, Kwa Dlangezwa 3886, South Africa. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/000-0003-2165-7936 Basiru Olaitan Ajiboye bash1428@yahoo.co.uk 4 Phytomedicine, Biochemical Toxicology and Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5982-2322
OTHERS_CITABLE Subcutaneous Erythropoietin Reverses Optic Neuropathy Induced by Methanol Poisoning: Three Case Reports Background: Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol and causes such severe side effects as CNS depression, blindness, acute renal failure and even death.  Methods: Patients were three male referrals (aged 29-56 years) to the poisoning center at Taleghani Hospital, Urmia, Iran, in 2020. They had unknowingly ingested methanol. Their chief problems were bilateral blindness and metabolic acidosis. Upon taking medical history and physical examinations, they were assessed by an ophthalmologist, while testing the arterial blood gases and standard laboratory tests. They were given standard treatments and antidotes 3-4 days, which did not reverse the blindness. Subsequently, each patient was injected with five doses of subcutaneous erythropoietin every second day. The visual acuity progress was monitored daily until their discharge from the hospital. Results: Following 3-4 days of ineffective standard treatments, patients were injected with low doses of subcutaneous erythropoietin, which gradually reversed the visual acuity to normal level over the next 7 to 9 days. The patients were discharged from the hospital 10-12 days post admission, with normal visual acuity and without having any side effects.  Conclusion: The subcutaneous erythropoietin effectively relieved the acute optic neuropathy and reversed the blindness to normal vision. This study is the first to investigate the therapeutic effects of subcutaneous erythropoietin in the treatment of optic neuropathy secondary to methanol intoxication. http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-848-en.pdf 2020-07-01 187 192 10.32598/ijt.14.3.537.2 Methanol Blindness Optic neuropathy Subcutaneous erythropoietin Solmaz Nekoueifard Solmaznekoie60@gmail.com 1 General Practitioner, Urmia Health Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8589-2348 Mohammad Majidi majidi_m@umsu.ac.ir 2 Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. AUTHOR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6116-1500