Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 10 1 2025 01 01 An Investigation of the Effects of Methadone and Buprenorphine on Liver Enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and Blood Sugar in Drug-Dependent Patients: A Clinical Examination 231630 10.22087/hmj.2025.231630 EN Vajihe Khodadadzade Benhangi Department of Biological Sciences, Payame Noor University, Mashhad, Iran Majid Rajabian Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Payam Noor University of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2024 11 13 Background and Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the long-term use of opioids drugs, particularly buprenorphine and methadone, on drug addicts. The primary focus was to examine the possibility of tissue and pathological lesions in the liver, as well as their impacts on liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and fast blood sugar levels (FBS) in these individuals. Materials and Methods: For this clinical study, 264 drug-dependent patients were selected from Imam Reza Hospital and two addiction treatment centers. The patients were divided into two groups. They received treatment with varying doses of methadone and buprenorphine. The study consisted of two phases. The first phase investigated the relationship between liver enzymes and blood sugar levels, with the methadone dose before and after treatment, while the second phase explored hypotheses related to the effectiveness of methadone compared with buprenorphine. Results: The results of this study revealed a significant correlation between the levels of liver enzymes, blood sugar, and methadone consumption. Higher doses of methadone were found to be more effective in detoxification and withdrawal compared with buprenorphine. In other words, the prolonged and high-dose use of methadone led to tissue and hormonal damage. Conclusion: Using of high doses of methadone and its long-term usage have more detrimental effects on the health and tissues of drug addicts' bodies.

https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_231630_5b0517ba1af06412f007a98b68691146.pdf

Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 10 1 2025 01 01 Attenuation of LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rats' Brains by Olive Leaf Extract 231631 10.22087/hmj.2025.231631 EN Zahra Davoudabadi School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Maryam Ghanbari Asl School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Masoud Alirezaei Lorestan University Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biochemistry Khorramabad, Iran 0000-0003-1022-8896 Alireza Rocky Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Journal Article 2024 11 16 Background and Aim: Today, oxidative stress and its association with neurological disorders have drawn researchers' attention. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) on oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats' brains. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: control, LPS, and two OLE-pretreated plus LPS groups. The OLE-pretreated groups received OLE (40 and 60 mg/kg body weight as orally) and normal saline for 10 consecutive days. All groups, except the control group, received LPS (once; 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) on the 11th day of treatment. The antioxidant status of the brain was measured using a lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Results: Lipid peroxidation significantly increased in the LPS group in comparison with the control and OLE60+LPS groups. GSH content and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity significantly increased in the LPS group compared with the control and OLE60+LPS groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that OLE partially attenuates LPS-induced oxidative stress in the rats' brains.

https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_231631_9851e2a7a7a813af28d607783f7c904d.pdf

Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 10 1 2025 01 01 A Comparative Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Phytochemical Properties of Various Extracts of Ocimum Sanctum Linn Grown in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka 231632 10.22087/hmj.2025.231632 EN Gowri Rajkumar Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka 0000-0002-0783-6738 Vilochana Alahendra Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka Vinotha Sanmugarajah Unit of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Journal Article 2024 11 16 Background and Aim: Ocimum sanctum Linn (O. sanctum) (Lamiaceae) is a valuable medicinal herb. It contains several therapeutic characteristics due to its bioactive components. This study aimed to compare the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of different extracts of the leaves and flowers of the O. sanctum plant, which grows in Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods: Standard procedures were followed for the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses and the DPPH as well as ABTS antioxidant activities. Results: The findings demonstrated that the ethanolic and methanolic extracts had adequate concentrations of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids compared with the aqueous extracts of the flowers and leaves of O. sanctum. The supreme quantity of the flavonoid content existed in the ethanolic flower extracts (50.88±0.62 µg QE/g) and methanolic leaf extract (49.11±0.27 µg QE/g), while the higher amount of the phenol content (20.96±0.65 µg GAE/g) was found in the ethanolic leaf extract. The methanolic leaf extract had the highest tannin content (409.95±0.66 µg TAE/g) compared with other extracts. Moreover, the highest amount of alkaloid was observed in flowers (75.83±0.55 mg/g) and not in leaves (52.60±0.66 mg/g). Furthermore, the methanolic flower extract exhibited the greatest DPPH (IC50: 0.68±0.19μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 1.82±0.32μg/mL) activities compared with the Trolox. Conclusion: The present study proved that although the leaf extracts contained higher concentrations of phytochemicals, the methanolic flower extract of O. sanctum had a greater potential for antioxidants than the methanolic leaf extract.

https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_231632_277fadb33c4384af01b8159266bd8c31.pdf

Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 10 1 2025 01 01 Effects of Satureja khuzestanica jamzad Supplementation on Inflammatory and Antioxidant Indicators in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (RCT) 231633 10.22087/hmj.2025.231633 EN Sajjad Roosta Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Maryam Bordbar Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Yaser Mokhayeri Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Rahimi Hospital, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Fatemeh Ghasemi Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Saeed Choobkar School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Hamidreza Nikbakht Boyerahmad Health center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran Ebrahim Falahi Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran 0000-0001-9615-1089 Journal Article 2024 11 12 Background and Aim: As the most common metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus is growing exponentially worldwide. Satureja khuzestanica (SK) is a native plant of Iran that grows widely in southern Iran. Various animal studies have reported its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects to date. The present research aimed to investigate the impact of the daily consumption of SK on inflammatory (IL-6, CRP) and antioxidant indicators (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity) in type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 78 patients (44 females and 34 male) with type 2 diabetes were included and randomly divided into two groups. One group received SK (capsule containing 500 mg) and the other group received placebo (500 mg talcum powder) once a day for 12 weeks. After the intervention, inflammatory and antioxidant indicators of the two groups were compared. Results: The levels of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase were remarkably distinct between the intervention and placebo groups, and these antioxidant indices were higher in the intervention group (P<0.05). Moreover, a considerable decrease in weight, CRP and IL-6 levels were observed in patients in the S. khuzestanica group. Conclusion: As the findings of the study revealed, SK supplementation might improve the antioxidant and inflammatory indices of patients with T2DM. The results of this study could potentially offer new additional therapies for diabetes complications with no adverse side effects. These results should be further confirmed in clinical trials.

https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_231633_568d395737b48f398fef8bb1c42d0f34.pdf

Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 10 1 2025 01 01 Effects of Saffron on Erectile Dysfunction in Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial 231635 10.22087/hmj.2025.231635 EN Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran Seyede Fatemeh Ahmadpoori Community Health Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran Aliaskar Askari Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran Omid Soufi Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Ali Mohammad Parviniannasab Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran Hamed Delam Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Journal Article 2024 11 11 Background and Aim: According to previous research, about 30% of men report certain forms of sexual dysfunction. Saffron is one of the medicinal herbs which is considered of high value in Iranian culture. The effect of saffron on the improvement of sexual function has been studied in various studies, but the results of these studies have revealed several challenges. This study aimed to investigate the effect of saffron on erectile dysfunction in men. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 24 men with erectile dysfunction who worked in industrial companies from June to September 2021 were enrolled. The participants were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (n=12/each). The intervention group received 2 capsules of 15 mg of saffron daily twice for 4 weeks. The control group did not receive any treatment. Demographic variables were measured at the beginning of the study, and then the international index of erectile function scale were assessed before and at the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed, using chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The average score of all dimensions of erectile dysfunction (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction) in the intervention group increased significantly after consuming saffron capsules (p-value<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group (p-value>0.05). Moreover, the comparison of the mean relative change of all dimensions of sexual function except orgasmic function between the treatment and control groups with the Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). In the dimension of orgasmic function, the average changes between the intervention and control groups did not indicate a statistically remarkable distinction (P=0.178). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that saffron could affect all aspects of erectile dysfunction. Thus, saffron could be used for the recovery of sexual performance.

https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_231635_45f90a80ab5620d7a41e958587b9ea90.pdf

Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Herbal Medicines Journal 2538-2144 10 1 2025 01 01 Investigating the Relationship between Caffeine Consumption Patterns and Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Sleep in Medical Students: A Structural Equation Model 231637 10.22087/hmj.2025.231637 EN Zahra Mohammadi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Science, Khorramabad, Iran. Farzad Ebrahimzadeh Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Nutritional Health Research Center, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran 0000-0003-3897-8242 Fatemeh Abdoli Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, Allameh Tabatabaei'i University, Tehran, Iran Ali Farhadi Department of Social Medicine. School of Medicin, Lotestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Khatereh Anbari Department of Social Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Science, Khorramabad, Iran Mojgan Azizi Rad Department of Psychology, Kho, C., Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran Journal Article 2024 11 21 Background and Aim: Many students turn to caffeine consumption to overcome drowsiness and depression. Moreover, caffeine intake can aggravate symptoms of anxiety, which is a predictor of depression. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of caffeine, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbance, and depression on medical students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 278 medical students were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. We collected and examined various types of information, including the consumption pattern, and amount of consumption, caffeine use and measurement of depression, anxiety and stress, using demographic information questionnaires, caffeine consumption checklist, caffeine consumption disorder, Petersburg sleep disorder and depression, and anxiety as well as stress questionnaires, from the participants. Chi-square test and structural equation model under 0.05 significance level as well as SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 21 software were used for data analysis. Results: The findings of the present study indicated that 15.9% of the participants suffered from severe or extremely severe levels of depression, and 84.2% were dissatisfied with their sleep quality. Sleep disturbance had the strongest overall and direct effect on students’ depression levels. Furthermore, caffeine consumption pattern affected depression both directly and indirectly through sleep disturbance, stress, and anxiety. Conclusion: This study showed that depression among medical students is strongly associated with reduced sleep quality, which in turn might be influenced by excessive caffeine consumption

https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/article_231637_a871aa11bb152d0ee068493b35299d1c.pdf