Effect of root bark extract of Berberis vulgaris L. on Leishmania major on BALB/c mice

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important diseases transmitted by arthropod. This disease is present in 88 countries. Approximately 400 million people are at risk, and 12 million are involved. We aimed to examine the application of ethanolic extract of the root bark of Berberis vulgaris L. for treatment of mice infected with cutaneous leishmaniasis. At first, 40 BALB/c mice were infected to Leishmania major promastigotes and were divided in two groups A and B. Then, each of A and B groups were divided to two subgroups. Mice from subgroup A1 were treated with 10 % root bark alcoholic extract, and mice from subgroup A2 were treated with only alcohol (control). Mice from subgroup B1 were treated with 20 % root bark alcoholic extract, and mice from subgroup B2 were treated with only alcohol (control). The 90 % recovery was found in the mice treated with 20 % root bark extract, and 55 % recovery was found with 10 % root bark extract, but in the control group, 0 % recovery was found. The results of our study showed that the lotion of root bark extract has good suppression effects on parasites. Therefore, it might be a pro for developing new antileishmanial drugs.     

Prosopis farcta Extract Potentiates the Scolicidal Activity Against Protoscolices of Hydatid Cysts

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - This study aimed to assess the efficacy of methanolic extract of Prosopis farcta (P. farcta) against...     

Induced HBs antigenemia in healthy adults after immunization with two different hepatitis B recombinant vaccines

Background and Aims

Currently, vaccination is the most effective protective tool against hepatitis B virus infection. Some studies have shown that positive results for a hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) test may be seen after vaccination.

Materials and Methods

In this clinical trial study, 62 healthy adult volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either the Engerix-B or the Hepavax-Gene hepatitis B recombinant vaccine. Blood samples were drawn 1, 3, and 5 days after vaccination and were tested for HBsAg using two different ELISA kits (Behring and Mega).

Results

HBsAg was positive in 5, 3, and 2 participants of the Engerix-B group in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days after vaccination, respectively, using the Behring ELISA kit the test was positive in only one subject in the Hepavax-Gene group, on the 5th day after vaccination. No positive result was seen in any groups when the Mega ELISA kit was used to test the specimens.

Conclusions

Our results showed transient HBsAg antigenemia after vaccination against hepatitis B. This condition depends on the type of vaccine and the HBsAg diagnostic test.     

Comparison of the recovery rate of otomycosis using betadine and clotrimazole topical treatment

Introduction

Otomycosis is a common diseases that can be associated with many complications including involvement of the inner ear and mortality in rare cases. Management of otomycosis can be challenging, and requires a close follow-up. Treatment options for otomycosis include local debridement, local and systemic antifungal agents and utilization of topical antiseptics.