Effects of Spinal-Z in Patients with Gastroesophageal Cancer

Yunes Panahi,Alireza Saadat,Maghsoud Seifi,Mahdi Rajaee,Alexandra E. Butler,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.1

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of spinal-Z, derived from Peganum harmala seeds and Dracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss leaves, in patients with esophageal and stomach adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were randomly assigned to one of two groups (treatment or control) in a double-blind fashion. Six capsules of Spinal-Z were prescribed to the patients with the regimen of 600 mg/m2/ day, and placebo to the control group, for six months. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, duration of cancer, type of cancer and family history of cancer. There were significant differences in abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation and vomiting between the two groups, following spinal-Z therapy. Evaluation of drug side effects showed no difference in cough or other respiratory symptoms, itching, headache or dizziness between the two groups, both before and after treatment. Conclusion: This study indicates that Spinal-Z is safe and efficacious in the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Neuroprotective Agents in the Intensive Care Unit -Neuroprotective Agents in ICU -

Yunes Panahi,Mojtaba Mojtahedzadeh,Atabak Najafi,Seyyed Mahdi Rajaee,Mohammad Torkaman,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.4

Neuroprotection or prevention of neuronal loss is a complicated molecular process that is mediated by various cellular pathways. Use of different pharmacological agents as neuroprotectants has been reported especially in the last decades. These neuroprotective agents act through inhibition of inflammatory processes and apoptosis, attenuation of oxidative stress and reduction of free radicals. Control of this injurious molecular process is essential to the reduction of neuronal injuries and is associated with improved functional outcomes and recovery of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit. This study reviews neuroprotective agents and their mechanisms of action against central nervous system damages.

Complications and Carcinogenic Effects of Mustard Gas - a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Iran

Panahi, Yunes,Gholami, Nasrin,Ghojazadeh, Morteza,Moslemi, Farnaz,Naghavi-Behzad, Mohammad,Azami-Aghdash, Saber,Ghaffari, Alireza,Piri, Reza Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Background: Catastrophic effects of mustard gas as a chemical warfare agent have always been a major problem for those exposed to this agent. In this meta-analysis it was tried to evaluate carcinogenesis, ocular, cutaneous and respiratory complications of mustard gas exposure among Iranians who had been exposed to this agent during the Iran-Iraq war. Materials and Methods: In this meta-analysis, the required data were collected using keywords "mustard gas", "sulfur mustard", "cancer", "neoplasm", "respiratory complications", "ocular complications", "lung disease", "chronic complication", "eye", "skin", "cutaneous complication", "carcinogenesis" and their combination with keywords "Iran", "Iranian", "prevalence", "mortality" and their Farsi equivalent terms from the databases of SID, Iranmedex, Magiran, Pubmed, Science Direct, Google Search engine, Gray Literature and Reference of References. To determine the prevalence of each complication and perform meta-analysis, CMA: 2 (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis) software with a randomized model was used. Results: Of the 542 articles found, 7 national articles, consistent with the aims of this study were selected. Meta-analysis of seven papers revealed that cancer risk, especially cancer of the respiratory system was elevated, so that the relative risk (RR) of cancer role of mustard gas was inconsistent from 2/1 to 4 in this survey. Also prevalence of delayed skin disorders due to sulfur mustard was 94.6%, pulmonary complications 94.5% and ocular complications 89.9%. The incidence of various cancers in victims exposed to mustard gas was 1.7% worldwide where the rate was 2.2% in Iranian victims of the Iraq-Iran war. Conclusions: Based on present study the prevalence of delayed mustard gas related cutaneous, pulmonary and ocular complications is above 90% and risk of carcinogenesis is higher in comparison to worldwide statistics. This may suggest need for long-term and persistent follow-up and rehabilitation procedures for populations exposed to this agent.

Effects of Spinal-Z in Patients with Gastroesophageal Cancer

Panahi, Yunes,Saadat, Alireza,Seifi, Maghsoud,Rajaee, Mahdi,Butler, Alexandra E.,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.1

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of spinal-Z, derived from Peganum harmala seeds and Dracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss leaves, in patients with esophageal and stomach adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were randomly assigned to one of two groups (treatment or control) in a double-blind fashion. Six capsules of Spinal-Z were prescribed to the patients with the regimen of 600 mg/m2/day, and placebo to the control group, for six months. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, duration of cancer, type of cancer and family history of cancer. There were significant differences in abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation and vomiting between the two groups, following spinal-Z therapy. Evaluation of drug side effects showed no difference in cough or other respiratory symptoms, itching, headache or dizziness between the two groups, both before and after treatment. Conclusion: This study indicates that Spinal-Z is safe and efficacious in the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of Aloe vera and Olive Oil Combination Cream versus Topical Betamethasone for Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial

Panahi, Yunes,Rastgar, Nassim,Zamani, Ali,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2020 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.23 No.3

Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent and chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin condition that can influence all age groups. AD is associated with a poor health-related quality of life. This randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of Olivederma (combination of aloe vera and virgin olive oil) or betamethasone regarding disease severity, quality of life, serum IgE and eosinophil count. Methods: Thirty-six AD patients were randomly allocated to topical Olivederma or betamethasone, and were followed for 6 weeks. Results: Total SCORAD severity scores showed significant decrease in both groups, while it was more prominent in Olivederma group (64.5% improvement in Olivederma vs. 13.5% improvement in Betamethasone, p-value < 0.001). Quality of life (DLQI questionnaire) of AD patients was significantly improved after 6 weeks treatment with Betamethasone (22.3%, p < 0.001) and Olivederma (60.7%, p-value < 0.001). Olivederma group showed a significantly lower DLQI score in comparison with Betamethasone treated patients after 6 weeks of therapy (p < 0.001). Improvements in eosinophil count and serum IgE was observed. Conclusion: In summary, this study shows that Olivederma is superior to topical Betamethasone after 6 weeks of therapy with regard to disease severity, quality of life and eosinophil count.

Neuroprotective Agents in the Intensive Care Unit -Neuroprotective Agents in ICU -

Panahi, Yunes,Mojtahedzadeh, Mojtaba,Najafi, Atabak,Rajaee, Seyyed Mahdi,Torkaman, Mohammad,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.4

Neuroprotection or prevention of neuronal loss is a complicated molecular process that is mediated by various cellular pathways. Use of different pharmacological agents as neuroprotectants has been reported especially in the last decades. These neuroprotective agents act through inhibition of inflammatory processes and apoptosis, attenuation of oxidative stress and reduction of free radicals. Control of this injurious molecular process is essential to the reduction of neuronal injuries and is associated with improved functional outcomes and recovery of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit. This study reviews neuroprotective agents and their mechanisms of action against central nervous system damages.

Comparative evaluation of the safety and efficacy of recombinant FVIII in severe hemophilia A patients

Hassan Abolghasemi,Yunes Panahi,Minoo Ahmadinejad,Gholamreza Toogeh, MD,Mehran Karimi,Aziz Eghbali,Nargess Bigom Mirbehbahani,Bighan Keikhaei Dehdezi,Zahra Badiee,Hamid Hoorfar,Peyman Eshghi,Nader Mag 대한약침학회 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.2

Objective: This study compared the safety and efficacy of Safacto® versus xyntha® in patients with severe hemophilia A. Methods: Thirty-three male patients with severe hemophilia A were randomly divided into two groups. Seventeen patients received Safacto® and 16 patients received Xyntha® for four consecutive times. The dosage of FVIII was 40-50 IU/kg for each injection. Plasma level of FVIII activity was evaluated before every injection, 15 minutes after the injection and one month after the start of the trial. The rate of factor VIII activity, pain and joint motion were also assessed before and after the treatment. Results: Plasma level of FVIII clotting activity in Safacto® and Xyntha® were 1.96±0.5 IU/dl and 1.63±0.5 IU/dl and increased to 88.84±25.2 IU/dl and 100.09±17.8 IU/ dl, respectively (P<0.001). Pain score and range of motion improvement were 9.3±0.9 and 8.7±0.1 in Safacto® (P=0.17); and 9.4±0.8 and 8.8±0.3 in Xyntha® (P=0.35), respectively. No allergic or other unfavorable reactions was observed with either of the preparations. Conclusion: This study showed that Safacto® has a favorable efficacy and safety profile.

Comparative evaluation of the safety and efficacy of recombinant FVIII in severe hemophilia A patients

Abolghasemi, Hassan,Panahi, Yunes,Ahmadinejad, Minoo.,Toogeh, Gholamreza,Karimi, Mehran,Eghbali, Aziz,Mirbehbahani, Nargess Bigom,Dehdezi, Bighan Keikhaei,Badiee, Zahra,Hoorfar, Hamid,Eshghi, Peyman,M KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.2

Objective: This study compared the safety and efficacy of $Safacto^{(R)}$ versus $xyntha^{(R)}$ in patients with severe hemophilia A. Methods: Thirty-three male patients with severe hemophilia A were randomly divided into two groups. Seventeen patients received $Safacto^{(R)}$ and 16 patients received $Xyntha^{(R)}$ for four consecutive times. The dosage of FVIII was 40-50 IU/kg for each injection. Plasma level of FVIII activity was evaluated before every injection, 15 minutes after the injection and one month after the start of the trial. The rate of factor VIII activity, pain and joint motion were also assessed before and after the treatment. Results: Plasma level of FVIII clotting activity in $Safacto^{(R)}$ and $Xyntha^{(R)}$ were $1.96{\pm}0.5IU/dl$ and $1.63{\pm}0.5IU/dl$ and increased to $88.84{\pm}25.2IU/dl$ and $100.09{\pm}17.8IU/dl$, respectively (P<0.001). Pain score and range of motion improvement were $9.3{\pm}0.9$ and $8.7{\pm}0.1$ in $Safacto^{(R)}$ (P=0.17); and $9.4{\pm}0.8$ and $8.8{\pm}0.3$ in $Xyntha^{(R)}$ (P=0.35), respectively. No allergic or other unfavorable reactions was observed with either of the preparations. Conclusion: This study showed that $Safacto^{(R)}$ has a favorable efficacy and safety profile.

Does Turmeric/curcumin Supplementation Change Anthropometric Indices in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

( Sima Jafarirad ),( Anahita Mansoori ),( Ahmad Adineh ),( Yunes Panahi ),( Amir Hadi ),( Reza Goodarzi ) 한국임상영양학회 2019 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.8 No.3

Curcumin is the principal polylphenol of turmeric that has been used to treat various disorders. However, its anti-obesity effects in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain controversial. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of supplementation with turmeric/curcumin on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in these patients. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were searched until January 2019, without any restrictions. Clinical trials that reported body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD were included. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Eight studies (449 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the present meta-analysis. Overall, meta-analysis could not show any beneficial effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on body weight (WMD, -0.54 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.40, 1.31; p = 0.56; I² = 0.0%), BMI (WMD, -0.21 kg/m²; 95% CI, -0.71, 0.28; p = 0.39; I² = 0.0%) and WC (WMD, -0.88 cm; 95% CI, -3.76, 2.00; p = 0.54; I² = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis based on participants' baseline BMI, type of intervention, and study duration did not show any significant association in all subgroups. The results showed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with large-scale are needed to find out possible anti-obesity effects of turmeric/curcumin.