BACKGROUND: Based on the historical and recently published documents, it has been demonstrated that Mirabilis jalapa as a herbal medicine may be used as remedies for various health problems included wound healing purposes.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Laleh abbasi green leaf on healing open wounds induced by skin puncture in the back of rats.METHODS: Collecting and drying Laleh abbasi leaves, leaf extracting through Soxhlet procedure, analyzing the extract via gc / ms method, and preparing eucerin-based extract ointment were done according to recommended routine procedures. Herein, we recruited 40 male rats that were randomly divided into five groups of eight, namely the control, phenytoin treatment, eucerin, 5% eucerin extract, and 7.5% eucerin extract ointment treatment groups. Skin puncture and application of ointments on the induced wounds were carried out. Subsequently, tissue samples were taken on days 3, 7, 10, and 14, followed by which histological slides were prepared and stained with H&E and Masson’s trichrome staining methods. In vitro mycological studies were conducted using opportunistic fungi, including Candida, Mucor, and Aspergillus species.RESULTS: Based on the macroscopic evaluations of the wound healing process and microscopic assessments of tissue samples stained with Harris H&E and Masson’s trichrome methods, the groups treated with eucerin-based ointments containing ethanolic extract of Laleh abbasi leaf had statistically significant positive wound healing responses compared to the other groups. However, the 7.5% ointment group showed statistically better responses compared to the 5% ointment group. The data obtained in the present preliminary experiment on rat model indicated that the extract could facilitate the wound healing process in terms of healing parameters, such as accelerating epithelium repair, creating a favorable inflammatory reaction, angiogenesis, fibroplasia, and collagen precipitation. The antifungal effects of ethanolic extract of Laleh abbasi leaves on Aspergillus fumigatos, fusarium, Candida albicans and Candida cruzei were demonstrated in vitro using saboro dextrose agar medium.CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of this experimental study and the findings of other researchers, it can be concluded that ethanolic extract from Laleh abbasi leaves is of healing and antifungal properties.

BACKGROUND: Excretory urography is a method of imaging the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder which uses contrast medium containing the iodine compounds.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical structures of urinary tract in the nephrogram, pilogram, and cystogram phases, and determine the exact standard for the size of kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder in guinea pigs to be used to interpret the results, and clinical decisions.METHODS: This study was carried out on 10 guinea pigs with a mean age of 12±1.33 months and average weight of 1.12±0.18 kg. Before to the administration of contrast medium, each guinea pig was fast and Dimethicone 20 mg/kg was given orally. At the time of administration of contrast agent, each animal was sedated by using Ketamine 30 mg/kg and diazepam 5 mg/kg cocktail, and then 1500 mgI/kg of meglumine compound 60 % was injected subcutaneously over the shoulder area. Ventrodorsales and lateral abdominal X-rays were taken, thereafter every 5 minutes up to 60 minutes to complete the pylogram phase. In lateral radiographs of each guinea pig, the length of the body of the second lumbar vertebra was measured to be used as an indicator in determining the standard size of the kidneys.RESULTS: Based on the results of this study, the average length, width, and thickness of the right kidney compared to the length of the second lumbar vertebra were 2.19, 1.64, and 1.33 cm, and in the left kidney of 2.09, 1.53, and 1.41 cm and this average in right and left ureter was 6.41 and 6.22 cm, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The exact standards can be used in the interpretation of results, and clinical decisions to determine the normal and abnormal size of kidneys, ureters and bladder in the guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND: Coronaviruses, which mainly cause gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, have been identified in various species. Among the extensive genomic data of disease-causing Coronaviruses in humans and animals, some similarities can be analyzed by in-silico methods.   OBJECTIVES: In the present study, comparative genome analysis of medical and veterinary medicine Coronaviruses was performed to obtain more accurate information about the genetic similarities and differences of different members of this family.METHODS: The genomic sequences were retrieved from NCBI and Virus Pathogen Resource databases. Using the NCBI database blast algorithm, all sequences were aligned with the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence, and similarity was obtained. Amino acid sequences of structural and non-structural proteins associated with coding regions (CDS) were aligned separately with the SARS-CoV-2, and their similarities were calculated. The 3D structure from each protein was compared with the corresponding protein in SARS-CoV-2, and Template Modeling Scores (TM-Score) were obtained. A phylogenetic tree of different species of the Coronaviridae family was drawn based on nucleotide and amino acid sequence data.RESULTS: Nonstructural coding gene sequences detected the highest interspecies similarities in nucleotide, amino acid sequence, and 3D structure (nsp12, nsp13, nsp14, and nsp16). The ORF1ab, encoding non-structural proteins, carries essential functions for viral replication.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the transcription complex is highly conserved among human and animal Coronaviruses. A comparison and analysis of the Coronaviridae transcription complex can be considered a key target for diagnosing, developing antiviral therapies, and designing vaccines.

BACKGROUND: The use of plant compounds and their derivatives, such as extracts and essential oils, for combating infectious agents has attracted a great deal of scientific attention. One of the active antimicrobial compounds with plant origin is carvacrol.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of carvacrol alone and in combination with the antibiotic cefixime against Escherichia coli O157:H7.METHODS: The antibacterial properties of carvacrol and cefexime were evaluated by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and disk diffusion method. The checkerboard assay was used to evaluate the interaction between the carvacrol and cefexime and to determine the fractional inhibitory concentration.RESULTS: The results showed that the MIC and MBC of carvacrol and cefexime against E.coli O157:H7 were 250, 250 μg/ml (MIC, MBC) and 128, 128 μg/ml (MIC, MBC), respectively. In the checkerboard test, carvacrol was found to have a synergistic interaction with antibiotic cefixime against E. coli O157:H7 (FIC index=0.5).CONCLUSIONS: Due to the significant antibacterial activity of carvacrol, the present study introduced this agent as a new antibacterial drug with a natural origin. In addition, since carvacrol significantly increased the antibacterial potential of cefixime (synergistic properties), it could be considered as an effective compound for increasing the antibacterial power of cefixime antibiotic.

BACKGROUND: The protozoan Haemoproteus belongs to the Phylum Apicomplexa, Class Sporozoa, and Order Haemosporina. Avian haemosporidian are protozoan parasites that use birds as hosts around the world. Many species of wild and domestic doves are natural hosts of different species of Haemoproteus. Blood-sucking arthropods are the main vectors of these blood parasites.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the microscopic and molecular investigation of the protozoan Haemoproteus columbae in the blood of infected pigeons in Torkaman County, Iran.METHODS: Blood samples and tubes containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant were collected from 96 domestic pigeons randomly from 14 pigeon lofts and different parts of Torkaman County.Pigeons were also inspected for infection with the host-vector Pseudolynchia canariensis. In the next step, blood smears were stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically. Also, blood tubes containing EDTA were tested by PCR method on the cytochrome b gene.RESULTS: Microscopic and molecular examination of peripheral blood showed that 62 (64.58 %) and 73 (76.04 %) of the investigated pigeons were contaminated, respectively. Of the 62 infected pigeons infected with the Haemoproteus, 28 pigeons (66.66 %) were male, and 34 (62.96 %) were female. Also, the infestation with Pseudolynchia canariensis was observed in 4 (28.57 %) pigeon lofts.CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary investigation shows the high rate of Haemoproteus infection in pigeons in Torkaman County. Further studies to determine the prevalence and accurate identification of the species infecting pigeons in this region require PCR testing and sequencing of infected blood samples.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory pathogenic beta-hemolytic streptococci in horses, including Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, the causative agent of strangles disease, Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus is an important cause of respiratory disease and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis has been isolated from nasal swabs taken from horses with a history of respiratory disease.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of respiratory tract infections originating from beta-hemolytic streptococci in the provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil.METHODS: During this study, 121 horses with clinical respiratory symptoms were sampled. After performing clinical examinations and recording clinical signs in special worksheets, sampling of the upper part of the respiratory tract was performed using nasopharyngeal swabs. The samples were sent to the laboratory in a standard transfer medium with cold chain.RESULTS: In this study, out of 121 samples collected from horse breeding clubs from 10 different regions of northwestern Iran, 51 were negative for beta-hemolytic streptococci while the results were positive for the other 70 samples (P<0.001). Regarding the positive samples for beta-hemolytic streptococci, the results of differential cultures were as follows: eight cases of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, 57 cases of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, and five cases of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. There was no significant relationship between the frequency of beta-hemolytic infections with variables of gender, race, and geographical area (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the statistical test showed a significant relationship between the frequency of infection with these bacteria and the variable of clinical symptoms (P<0.001). Moreover, the frequency of beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections was significantly associated with age (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results herein suggested that the bacterial cause of the majority of respiratory infections in infected and sampled horses in the provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil at the time of sampling was Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and that this organism is a potential pathogen for respiratory diseases in horses in these provinces.

BACKGROUND: Poultry farming is one of the most productive and economic agricultural sectors. However, the bacterial contamination and the activity of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) as a potential reservoir of Salmonella in meat poultry farms can inflict direct and indirect damages.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify the darkling beetles and their accompanying Enterobacteriaceae contamination in Isfahan chicken farms.METHODS: Darkling beetles were collected and identified based on their morphological aspects from different parts of 16 poultry farms (4 from each geographical area) in Isfahan Province, Iran. Then, 80 samples of darkling beetles were cultured on selective-differential media culture of the Enterobacteriaceae family using the homogenization and enrichment method. The isolated bacteria were identified based on physiological and molecular characteristics. Also, specific antisera were used to determine serological groups.RESULTS: The results revealed that all collected darkling beetles’ samples belonged to the species Alphitobius diaperinus (Col., Tenebrionidae), and from 80 microbial culture samples from the beetles, isolated bacteria belonged into 4 genera: Escherichia sp. (20 isolates, 25 %), Klebsiella sp. (8 isolates, 10 %), Proteus sp. (22 isolates, 27.5 %), and Salmonella sp. (30 isolates, 37.5 %). Among them, the Salmonella genus accounted for the highest percentage of darkling beetles’ contamination. In the serological assay, the isolated Salmonella were classified into two serogroups, A (23 isolates, 76.67 %) and C (C2 and C3) (7 isolates, 23.33 %), which the A serogroup was the most frequent.CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the A. diaperinus species was isolated and identified for the first time from poultry farms, and this pest, with a high percentage of Salmonella infection, is introduced as one of the reservoir sources of bacterial contamination in the broiler farms.

BACKGROUND: Protection from reproductive damage is essential in chemotherapy medicines for cancer patients.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the effect of curcumin on the structure of the ovary of mice after treatment with goserelin and cyclophosphamide.METHODS: One hundred and ten BALB/C mice with 3 regular consecutive periods of the estrous cycle were divided into 11 groups of 10 each. No medicine was used in the control group. The treatment groups were as follows: 1) cyclophosphamide, 2 to 5) cyclophosphamide with curcumin with a dose of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, 6) goserelin, 7 to 10) goserelin together with curcumin with a dose 100, 200, 300, 400 mg/kg, respectively. The luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of serums were evaluated using ELISA. Morphologic and morphometric of ovaries were assessed.RESULTS: The total number of follicles, primary, secondary, periantral, and antral follicles, in the goserelin and cyclophosphamide group, was significantly reduced compared with the control group (P<0.05). Cyclophosphamide and goserelin with different doses of curcumin showed a significant increase in the total number of follicles, primary, periantral, and antral follicles compared to the group treated with cyclophosphamide and goserelin alone (P<0.05). Curcumin (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide, compared to the cyclophosphamide group, significantly increased the quality of zona pellucida (P<0.05). Cyclophosphamide and goserelin caused a significant decrease in FSH and LH (P<0.05). Cyclophosphamide with different doses of curcumin showed a significant increase in LH compared to the group treated with cyclophosphamide alone (P<0.05). Goserelin with a 400 mg/kg curcumin dose significantly increased LH compared to goserelin alone (P<0.05). The amount of FSH in the cyclophosphamide groups with curcumin increased compared considerably to cyclophosphamide alone (P<0.05). The groups of goserelin with curcumin showed a significant increase in FSH compared to those of goserelin alone (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin can protect the reproductive system of mice from the damage caused by the administration of cyclophosphamide and goserelin.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have investigated the positive effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and intestinal histomorphology in different fish species. However, there are no data evaluating the potential effect of the composites on the fish stomach.OBJECTIVES: In the current study, the effects of chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite on histological features and pepsin activity in the rainbow trout stomach were considered.METHODS: Chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite were synthesized, and then two hundred and forty fish (~27.75 g) fish were distributed in eight groups each in three replicates. Ten days after adaptation, the fish were fed with eight diets, including control diet (CTR), clinpotilolite (T1), chitosan composites (T2, T3, T4), and nano-chitosan composites (T5, T6, T7) for 70 days. Afterward, all fish in each tank were anesthetized in clove extract (50 μl/l), and tissue samples were obtained for pepsin activity (n= 5) and histological assay (n = 5).RESULTS: The groups administrated with nanochitosan composites showed the highest pepsin activity (P˂0.05). Additionally, histological examinations exhibited a higher epithelial height, increased mucosal density, and oxynticopeptic cells hypertrophy in fish fed composites compared to the CTR group (P˂0.05). Meanwhile, nanochitosan composite administration could cause higher reaction of secreted granules to periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining.CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated the potential application of chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite composites for improvements in the histomorphology and pepsin activity of the rainbow trout stomach, resulting in higher growth performance.

BACKGROUND: The effect of nanoherbal substances in the treatment of infectious diseases before mating or during pregnancy must be evaluated. Saponin has adverse effects on a pregnant mother and her fetal through complex mechanisms.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of saponin encapsulated by ferritin nanoparticles (Nanosaponin) on fetal lung development in female mice with Streptococcus pneumonia.METHODS: Extraction of crude saponin from licorice roots was done by the powder heating and using 20 % ethanol and diethyl ether. Then, n-butanol and 5 % sodium chloride solution were added to the aqueous layer. The mice were divided into five groups of 10 including control, pneumonia, pneumonia treated with ferritin, pneumonia treated with saponin, and pneumonia treated with nanosaponin. Then, two groups of untreated pregnant pneumonia and pregnant pneumonia treated with nanosaponin were separated. In this study, tumor necrosis factor alpha (IFN-γ), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), Methyl-CpG binding domain 2 (MBD-2), and kruppel like factor 2 (KLF-2) genes were evaluated in the maternal lungs, and TNF-α level was evaluated using ELISA method in the fetal lungs. Maternal tissue, uterus tissue, and fetal lung were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and maternal body tissue was examined by trichromason staining and Oxidative stress parameters were investigated.RESULTS: Nano saponin decreased the expression of IFN-γ (P<0.05) (P<0.01), MBD-2 (P<0.05) and HB-EGF  genes, KLF-2 protein level and TNF-α levels in fetal lung.The thickness of uterine myometrium and blood flow of endometrium increased the number of live embryos and the rate of successful pregnancy. In addition, Nano saponin effectively improved the oxidative stress response in the fetus without any harmful effect on the mother's liver tissue.CONCLUSIONS: The nanosaponin has no toxic effects on the sudy organs of the mother and fetus. It has therapeutic effects on the fetal lung development process after the infection of mother with Streptococcus pneumonia.