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Background and purpose: Hypercholesterolemia and the activity of haemostatic factors may trigger cardiovascular diseases. Allium hirtifolium Boiss (Persian shallot) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects. This study evaluated the effects of A. hirtifoliumon on factor VII and serum fibrinogen levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Also, the antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium was measured. Materials and methods: In an experimental study, 24 NewZealand male rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups of eight. The groups' diet which was followed for 60 days included normal diet, hypercholestrol diet (1%) or hypercholestrol diet (1%) + A. hirtifolium. The blood fibrinogen and factor VII were measured pre and post study in all groups. The A. hirtifolium antioxidant capacity was measured using beta-carotene linoleate. Results: The study showed that serum fibrinogen level and factor VII increased significantly in hypercholesterolemic group (329.22 ± 26.7 and 277.7 ± 17.1 mg/dl) compared to normal diet group (287.25 ± 13.7 and 230.0 ± 18.2 mg/dl), respectively (P<0.05). The amount of serum fibrinogen and factor VII decreased in hypercholesterol+A. hirtifolium group (180.0 ± 23.9 and 237.0 ± 53.3 mg/dl) compared to hypercholesterol diet group (P<0.05). The antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium extract was 52.1 ± 3.3% in 0.2 g/L. The plasma antioxidant capacity in the group fed with hypercholesterol + A. hirtifolium was 943.907 ± 249.51 µM which was higher compared to that of the normal diet group (629.675 ± 130.73 µM). Conclusion: A. hirtifolium decreases serum fibrinogen level and factor VII, therefore, it might be helpful in reducing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. These influences are of great importance in patients with haemostatic disorders.

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Background and purpose: Rosa damascena Mill in Iranian folk medicine is used for treating digestive disorders. We assessed the antispasmodic effects of extract of the leaves of this plant on ileum contractions in Wistar rats possible mechanisms were investigated, too. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided randomly into six groups of eight members, including control group and the groups received extracts of Rosa damascena Mill, propranolol, naloxone, L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and calcium chloride. To evaluate the effectiveness mechanisms, ileum was placed adjacent to antagonist drugs of β-adrenergic receptors, opioid and inhibitor of the synthesis of nitric oxide, and also under the influence of different doses of calcium chloride. The observed effects were recorded. Then, the percent changes were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using parametric tests of repeated measuring design, ANOVA and t tests. Results: Cumulative extract of Rosa damascena Mill (100, 500 and 1000 mg/k) decreased ileum contractions induced by KCl (P < 0.0001). Propranolol and naloxone significantly decreased the inhibitive effect of the extract on contractions induced by KCl (P < 0.0010), but L-NAME was ineffective. Also, calcium led to the contraction of depolarized tissue through KCI and this contractile effect decreased significantly by the cumulative concentration of Rosa damascena Mill (P < 0.0010). Conclusion: Extract of Rosa damascena Mill probably decreases ileum movements of the rat through stimulating the β-adrenergic and opioid receptors and voltage-dependent channels, and it may be used to treat digestive disorders.

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Background and purpose: Adenocarcinoma gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers of upper gastrointestinal tract. Many natural compounds are known to have anti-tumor activities through induction of tumor cell apoptosis. Tribulus terrestris is a plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that has been recommended in the world and Iranian traditional medicine. These effects have been proven in some recent studies. This study was performed to evaluate the anti-tumoral effect of chloroform fraction fruit of Tribulus terrestris (TT) on human adenocarcinoma gastric cancer. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, AGS cells were first cultured in standard conditions in plate and then incubated with different concentrations of chloroform fraction for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Cell death induction and cell cycle arrest were determined using flow cytometry. Results: The results demonstrated that the chloroform fraction decreased AGS cell viability in a concentration and time-dependent manner. The data indicate that this fraction increased apoptosis effectively in AGS cell line and cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: The effective compounds of the chloroform fraction of the plant Tribulus terrestris (TT) fruit induced apoptotic cell death in human gastric cancer cells. These compounds could be of great benefit in prevention or treatment of human gastric cancer.

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Background and purpose: Menopause is a physiological process and diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs more frequently in older women. The present study investigated the effects of diabetes on some biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in ovariectomized rats.

Materials and methods: Thirty two adult female rats were divided into four groups of 8 and studied for 55 weeks. The animals were assigned into a control group, an ovariectomized group (55 weeks), a third group in which diabetes was induced in the last 5 weeks of the study in rats with intact ovary. The next group included ovariectomized rats (for 55 weeks) in which diabetes was induced in the last 5 weeks of the study. Pathological alterations of liver, kidney, pancreas, lung and some serum biochemical parameters were determined in each group at the end of the study.

Results: Diabetic and diabetic ovariectomized rats showed increase in serum levels of blood glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, calcium, urea, TG and HDL compared with the control group (P< 0.05). Increased serum levels of LDH, TG, cholesterol, HDL, LDL were seen in ovariectomized rats compared with the control group (P< 0.05). Pathological examinations revealed changes in all groups except in the control group.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that long term reduction of estrogen in ovariectomized diabetic rats can reduce the serum levels of glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, urea, VLDL and triglycerides compared with non ovariectomized diabetic rats.

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Background and purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease, currently affecting more than 280 million people worldwide. Centaurea cyanus known as cornflower has antioxidant properties and is used in traditional medicine in lowering blood sugar. This study aimed at determining the biochemical and histopathological changes in serum and the kidneys of diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Centaurea cyanus.

Materials and methods: In this study, 60 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n= 12 per group). Diabetes was induced by alloxan. The diabetic rats were treated for 8 weeks with hydro alcoholic extract of C. cyanus at two concentrations (400 and 800 mg/kg). Finally, the animals were anesthetized and the serum levels of glucose, creatinine and urea and kidney tissue catalase level were measured. The kidney tissue slides were histopathologically examined.

Results: Histopathological examination showed that similar to the control group, there were no significant changes in histolological features of the group receiving 800 mg/kg extract of the C. cyanus. In the group treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract there were mild tubular changes. Biochemical examination showed higher levels of creatinine in the group receiving the extract at 800 mg/kg. The level of urea in the group receiving the extract at 400 mg/kg, was significantly higher compared to that of the control group. (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Consumption of Centaurea cyanus extract at 800 mg/kg could prevent kidney tissue injuries in diabetic rats, but further investigations are required before its use in treatment of patients with diabetes.

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Background and purpose: The expression of growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, fibrogenic factors, and cytokines are altered in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected gastric mucosa. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a family of zinc-dependent homologous enzymes digesting most of the components of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane and are involved in remodeling and functioning of the biological processes. The purpose of this study was to compare gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in patients with H. pylori-infected and uninfected individuals with gastrointestinal diseases.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted in 50 H. pylori-negative patients and 50 H. pylori-positive patients being admitted to Shahrekord Hajar Hospital due to gastrointestinal diseases in 2014. The participants’ demographic information was collected and sampling was done. First DNA was extracted, and then PCR was performed to check for the presence of 16sRNA and UreC. The RNA from each sample was also extracted and cDNA was prepared. Afterwards, the expression of MMP-7 was measured by real time-PCR using specific primers and probes.

Results: MMP-7 mRNA expression was significantly higher in biopsies of H. pylori-infected patients compared to that in H. pylori-uninfected patients (P<0.0001).

Conclusion: Increased expression of MMP-7 can be effective in inflammatory response and development of the disease. It could be used as a key marker for early diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases and gastric cancer.