Sara Zakerin; Homa Hajimehdipoor; Seyed Alireza Mortazavi; Masoumeh Sabetkasaei; Rasool Choopani; Shirin Fahimi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Herbal medicines are preferred over chemical medications for a wide range of mental disorders such as depression. "Monzej-e soda" is a polyherbal combination that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for several years to cure different mood disorders with similar signs to depression. ...
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Background: Herbal medicines are preferred over chemical medications for a wide range of mental disorders such as depression. "Monzej-e soda" is a polyherbal combination that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for several years to cure different mood disorders with similar signs to depression. Traditional formulations should be reformulated to reach pharmacopoeial standards as modern medicines.
Objectives: In this study, "Monzej-e soda" was reformulated and its quality control and antidepressant evaluations were performed to present a standard and efficacious formulation.
Methods: The aqueous extract of the mixture of Echium amoenum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Ziziphus jujuba, Cordia myxa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Fumaria parviflora, Adiantum capillus-veneris, and Alhagi spp. manna was dried with the spray drying method. Dried extract and various ingredients at different ratios were used to produce 13 experimental tablet formulations and several pre- and post-formulation tests were performed to select the best formulation. The formulation was evaluated physico-chemically. The accelerated stability test was performed on the tablets, as well. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of tablets was evaluated by the forced swimming test. The serum levels of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were measured in rats. Finally, histopathological examinations were performed on the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Results: Among different formulations, the best one was a combination of dried extract (490 mg), maltodextrin (189 mg), colloidal silicon dioxide (21 mg), and croscarmellose sodium (2%). The hardness, weight, friability, disintegration time, dissolution percentage, and total phenolic content were 6.98 kg/cm2, 715.76 mg, 0.7%, 12.0 min, 97.46% in one hour, and 31.4 mg/tab, respectively. No significant changes were seen in the product in the accelerated stability test. The polyherbal tablet produced significant antidepressant effects through the decrease in immobility time, which was mediated via an increase in NA and 5-HT levels. It had no effect on the BDNF level. In addition, tablets had no toxic effects on the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Conclusions: "Monzej-e soda" tablet can be considered a suitable antidepressant drug and used in patients after passing clinical trial tests.
Amir Hossein Faghihi Kashani; Ghazaleh Heydarirad; Seyde Sedighe Yousefi; Rasool Choopani; Mohamad Kamalinejad; Shahnaz Karkon Varnosfaderani; Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat
Volume 20, Issue 1 , 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most widespread gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, there is increasing evidence that not all patients respond to its current remedies.Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of “Satureja hortensis ...
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Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most widespread gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, there is increasing evidence that not all patients respond to its current remedies.Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of “Satureja hortensis L.” on improving the symptoms of mild to moderate GERD in adults. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of “Satureja hortensis L.” compared to placebo on the symptoms of GERD in fifty-eight adults with GERD who referred to Hazrat Rasool-e-Akram hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2015. In order to assess GERD symptoms, a standardized questionnaire of frequency scale (FSSG) was used before and after the intervention. Results: Regarding within-group changes, a significant decrease was observed in FSSG, dysmotility-like symptoms and acid refluxrelated scores in both groups of the study after the intervention compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Regarding between-group anal- ysis, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of FSSG total scores (0.05 < P). Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, Satureja hortensis L. with the dose of 500 mg three times per day failed to improve the symptoms of GERD in adults compared to placebo. The significant reductions in the GERD scores in both groups seem to be related to the lifestyle modification that was prescribed to both groups
