Objective: To evaluate the antiglycation and antioxidant properties of the dill tablet, an herbal product used in Iran as a hypolipidemic medicine. Methods: In this descriptive study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of dill tablet at different concentration (0.032, 0.065, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL) were measured. The total phenolic, flavonols and flavonoid, alkaloids, anthocyanin, tannin and saponin contents in dill tablet were determined. Furthermore, antiglycation properties of dill tablet were assayed. In the in vivo experiments, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): Group 1: normal rats; Group 2: diabetic rats; Group 3: diabetic rats + 300 mg/kg dill tablet, and Group 4: diabetic rats + 100 mg/kg dill tablet. After 2 months, the blood glucose was measured enzymatically and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was determined using a fluorometric method. Results: Our results illustrated that different concentrations of dill tablet had significant antioxidant activity. Dill tablet markedly declined AGEs formation and fructosamine levels (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. Oxidation of protein carbonyl and thiol group was significantly reduced by dill tablet in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.001). Formation of amyloid cross-β and fragmentation were markedly inhibited by dill tablet (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. After 2 months, fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.001) and AGEs formation (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced by dill tablet in diabetic animals. Conclusions: Dill tablet exhibited significant antiglycation and antioxidant activities. This study provides a scientific basis for using dill in treatment of diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVETo identify the biological forms, sporozoite rate and molecular characterization of the Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi) in Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchistan provinces, the most important malarious areas in Iran.

METHODSWild live An. stephensi samples were collected from different malarious areas in southern Iran. The biological forms were identified based on number of egg-ridges. Molecular characterization of biological forms was verified by analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and II (mtDNA-COI/COII). The Plasmodium infection was examined in the wild female specimens by species-specific nested-PCR method.

RESULTSResults showed that all three biological forms including mysorensis, intermediate and type are present in the study areas. Molecular investigations revealed no genetic variation between mtDNA COI/COII sequences of the biological forms and no Plasmodium parasites was detected in the collected mosquito samples.

CONCLUSIONSPresence of three biological forms with identical sequences showed that the known biological forms belong to a single taxon and the various vectorial capacities reported for these forms are more likely corresponded to other epidemiological factors than to the morphotype of the populations. Lack of malaria parasite infection in An. stephensi, the most important vector of malaria, may be partly due to the success and achievement of ongoing active malaria control program in the region.

Animals ; Anopheles ; genetics ; parasitology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; DNA, Protozoan ; genetics ; Eggs ; classification ; parasitology ; Female ; Iran ; Male ; Parasite Load ; Plasmodium ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sporozoites

Objective To determine tick infestation of domestic ruminants and their infection to ovine theileriosis in northern Iran. Methods About 425 domestic ruminants in Ghaemshahr city in northern Iran were inspected for tick infestations. Twenty tick specimens (13 females and 7 males) of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (R. sanguineus), the most common tick in the study area, were tested by PCR amplification against 18s rRNA genome of Theileria spp using specie specific primers and then the PCR products were sequenced for species identification by comparison with data base available in GenBank. Results About 323 ticks were collected from 102 animals (88 sheep, 12 goats and 2 cattle). The prevalence of ticks infesting animals was R. sanguineus (82.35%), Rhipicephalus bursa (R. bursa) (0.3%), Ixodes ricinus (I. ricinus) (15.2%), Boophilus annulatus (B. annulatus) (1.2%), Haemaphysalis punctata (H. punctata) (0.3%) and Haemaphysalis numidiana (H. numidiana) (0.6%). Eleven (55%) tick specimens were PCR positive against genome of Theileria ovis (T. ovis). Sequence analysis of the PCR products confirmed presence of T. ovis in one R. sanguinus. Conclusions This is the first report of tick infection to T. ovis in Iran. Due to dominant prevalence of R. sanguineus as well as its infection to T. ovis, it is postulated this tick is the main vector of ovine theileriosis in northern Iran.

Objective: To estimate the infection of ticks to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Theileria, and Brucellaceae using molecular methods in borderline of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Methods: Totally, 2 022 ticks were collected from different livestock. Then, species were diagnosed under stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. Tick DNA was extracted followed by PCR to detect Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Theileria, Babesia and Brucellaceae infection in ticks. Results: A total of 498 males [24.62% (95% CI 22.76%-26.57%)], 741 females [36.64% (95% CI 34.54%-38.79%)], 782 nymphs [38.67% (95% CI 36.55%-40.84%)] and 1 larva [0.04% (95% CI 0.00%-0.28%)] were identified. Among identified samples, we found four genera including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor. Molecular assay revealed that the prevalence of ticks to Anaplasma or Ehrlichia, and Brucellaceae was 22.02% (95% CI 16.01%-29.06%) and 15.03% (95% CI 9.43%-22.26%), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the identified Anaplasma sp. had the most similarity with Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma camelii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, submitted in GenBank. Furthermore, the detected Ehrlichia sp. and Brucellaceae bacterium had the most similarity with Ehrlichia ruminantium and Mycoplana peli, respectively. However, no sign of the presence of Theileria and Babesia spp. was seen in the studied samples. Conclusions: Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and brucellosis should be considered as important health threats in northwestern Iran and consistent monitoring on infection of ticks and livestock should be performed regularly.

Objective: To evaluate the susceptibility of Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi) Liston, the main malaria vector in southern Iran, to WHO recommended insecticides. Methods: Larvae of An. stephensi were collected from three different larval habitats in both urban and rural area of Bandar Abbas city and one rural area in Rudan county southern Iran. WHO standard method was used for evaluation of adult and larval mosquito susceptibility. Bendiocarb, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin as insecticide and temephos and chlorpyriphos as larvicide were used at the diagnostic dosages recommended by WHO. Results: Findings of this study showed all larval populations of An. stephensi were completely susceptible to temephos and candidate for resistance to chlorpyriphos. Adult mosquitoes in rural areas of Bandar Abbas city were resistant to pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides. Conclusion: Comparison of the results of this survey with previous studies indicates that the resistance to pyrethroids and carbamates in this malaria endemic region is increasing. Wide use of pesticides in agriculture is certainly effective in increasing resistance. The inter-sectoral coordination and collaboration in health and agriculture seem to be necessary to manage insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.