Lorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21444220190501The Antifungal Effect of Thymus Vulgaris on Isolated Candida Albicans from the Surface of Removable Orthodontic Appliances556422131810.22087/herb%20med%20j.v4i2.718ENFarkhondehKavianiradSchool of Dentistry, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, IranNimaBahadorDepartment of Microbiology, College of Sciences, Agriculture and Modern Technology, Shiraz Branch Islamic Azad University,
Shiraz, IranNavidNaseriDepartment of Orthodontic, School of Dentistry, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, IranTaherehBaherimoghadamDepartment of Orthodontic, School of Dentistry, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, IranRojaSafaeianDepartment of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Agriculture, Shiraz, IranJournal Article20250520Background and Aim: Orthodontic appliances can impair the balance of oral microflora and increase the load of certain microorganisms in the oral cavity. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is the gold-standard antimicrobial agent for plaque control. However, its long-term use induces adverse effects. The present study seeks to assess the effect of the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris on isolated Candida albicans (C. albicans) from removable orthodontic appliances.Materials and Methods: In this study, thirty-two dental students were requested to use removable orthodontic appliances for 7 days. Subsequently, the acrylic base of the appliance was checked for the isolation of C. albicans. Furthermore, the effect of Thymus Vulgaris essential oil on isolated C. albicans were evaluated using the disc diffusion method, and then its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined.Results: The results of this study indicated that the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris was significantly more effective than CHX in the elimination of isolated C. albicans from the surface of orthodontic appliances (P<0.05). Moreover, its MIC was calculated to be 15.6 µL/mL.Conclusion: The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris has favorable antimicrobial activity against C. albicans greater than that of CHX. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221318_f519bcff8be73f7baa7123d387778ba0.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21444220190501A Comparative Study of the Antibacterial Effect of Three Ethnomedical Plants (Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina and Cymbopogon citratus) on Certain Clinical Isolates657522131910.22087/herb%20med%20j.v4i2.751ENObhiozeAugustine AkpokaDepartment of Biological Science, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, NigeriaMaureenU. OkwuDepartment of Biological Science, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, NigeriaOdaroStanley ImadeDepartment of Biological Science, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, NigeriaSpencerC. O. NwangwuDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, NigeriaErifetaGeorgina OmoneghoDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, NigeriaChristabelUtiDepartment of Biological Science, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, NigeriaJournal Article20250520Background and Aim: Ethnomedicinal plants are used by indigenous populations all over the world as remedies for various maladies. The present study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial susceptibility of the leaves of Cymbopogon citrates, Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.Materials and Methods: Active agents in the leaves were extracted with methanol using the Soxhlet extraction technique. The extracts were then tested for antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method. MIC was determined by the tube dilution technique.Results: The results revealed that the methanolic extract of C. citrates had the best mean zones of inhibition against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. coli and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The mean zones of the inhibition of C. citrates against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. coli and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were 11.5 ± 1.5 mm (31.25 mg/ml), 11.5 ± 0.5 mm (125 mg/ml), 12.0 ± 1.0 (125 mg/ml) and 12.0 ± 1.0 (500 mg/ml) respectively. The activities of the extracts in relation to the activity of gentamycin (positive control) and DMSO (negative control) were also determined. The methanolic extract of C. citrates had the highest activity (38 %) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 31.25 mg/ml and S. aureus (54%) at 250 mg/ml and (52%) against MRSA at 500 mg/ml. V. amygdalin showed the highest activity (35%) against E. coli at 125 mg/ml. The therapeutic efficacy was also determined using the breakpoint of 10 µg gentamycin (the positive control).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that C. citrates, V. amygdalina and O. gratissimum could be explored by pharmaceutical companies as raw materials for the synthesis of new antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly as a cocktail. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221319_a687c15341301c72dd2a0c06548653f8.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21444220190501Antioxidant Properties of Some Traditional Iranian Edible Fruits Growing Wild in Lorestan Province in the Western Iran768122132010.22087/herb%20med%20j.v4i2.770ENEbrahimFalahiNutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranHassanAhmadvandRazi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranEsfandiarHasani MoghadamSeed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute, (Lorestan branch), AREEO, Karaj, IranSajjadRoostaStudent Research Committee, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranJournal Article20250520Background and Aim: This study aimed to determine the antioxidant properties of Ziziphus nummularia (ZN), Crataegus spp (CS) (red), Crataegus spp (CS) (yellow), and Berberis integerrima (BI) which grow in the Western Iran.Materials and Methods: The free radical scavenging ability, total antioxidant capacity, and phenol as well as flavonoid contents were measured using the 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl (DPPH), phosphomolybdate, Folin-Ciocalteu, and Zishen methods, respectively.Results: The total antioxidant capacities of ZN, CS (red), CS (yellow), and BI were 0.93±1.15, 1.01±1.14, 1.42±3, and 3.36±4.84 (µmol ascorbic acid/gram of dry extract), respectively. The total flavonoid contents of ZN, CS (red), CS (yellow), and BI were 0.46±0.14, 0.98±0.17, 1.25±0.12, and 3.55±1.80 (mg quercetin/gram of dry extract), respectively. The total phenol content of the extracts ranged from 255.96±78.17 (ZN) to 5128.04±501.61 (CS yellow) mg of gallic acid/gram of dry extract. The lowest IC50 value (3892.25±1298.51 µg/ml of extract) was observed in CS (yellow) and the highest case (5571.35±31.06 µg/ ml) belonged to CS (red).Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that all the samples were rich in phenolic and flavonoid contents. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221320_c1b99c53aefa8d04a69ccbda1fd64025.pdfLorestan University of Medical SciencesHerbal Medicines Journal2538-21444220190501Ginseng Efficacy in the Clinical Improvement of Brucellosis828822132110.22087/herb%20med%20j.v4i2.756ENAliasgharFaraziInfectious Disease Research Center, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, IranMasoomehSofianInfectious Disease Research Center, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, IranHoseinSarmadianInfectious Disease Research Center, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, IranJournal Article20250520Background and Aim: Brucellosis, which is considered as one of the most prevalent zoonoses worldwide, is a major public health problem in several developing countries. The aim of the present study was to conduct an objective evaluation of ginseng’s potential to improve the symptoms of brucellosis.Materials and Methods: In a randomized controlled single-blind study, 62 patients with acute brucellosis after taking informed consent were randomly categorized into two therapeutic groups, namely the ginseng group and the control group. All the patients were examined to check their clinical response at the days 0, 3, 7, 14. The patients were followed for recurrence until 9 month after the initiation of treatment. The required data were collected and analyzed with SPSS software (ver. 18).Results: Sixty-two patients participated in the study. The most prevalent findings were fever (90.2%), sweating (77.2%), fatigue and malaise symptoms (73.9%), arthritis and arthralgia (70.79%). The efficacy of ginseng compared to the control group to improve symptoms after one week was as follows: fever (P value = 0.083), sweating (P value = 0.19), fatigue and malaise (P value = 0.021), arthritis, and arthralgia (P value = 0.013). The relapse rate did not differ significantly between the two groups in nine-month follow up (P value = 0.693).Conclusion: Ginseng might be efficient in the improvement of clinical signs and symptoms in patients and also in the rise of patients’ compliance with treatment. Moreover, it has no serious side effects. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_221321_a3183256749175a171a972ab8073bca4.pdf