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Background & Objective: Addiction to opiates such as morphine is one of major public health problems. It has been shown that in addicted animals, administration of antioxidant agents such as vitamin C can reduce the withdrawal symptoms (WDS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventional effect of grapefruit juice (Citrus Paradisi Macf.) on withdrawal symptoms in rats. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, Sixteen male Wistar rats (250-300g) randomly divided into two groups (n=8). All animals were addicted by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of morphine (the 1-3 days: 10 mg/kg, the 4-6 days: 20 mg/kg and the 7-9 days 40 mg/kg daily) for 9 days. The first group received 2 ml Citrus Paradisi Macf. orally 1 hour before morphine administration. The sham group received 2 ml of normal saline. Naloxone (10mg/kg, s.c) was administrated 45 minutes after of an additional dose of morphine (40 mg/kg) in the tenth day for withdrawal symptoms inducing. Then withdrawal symptoms such as frequency of wet-dog shaking, teeth chattering, defecation and penis licking were evaluated for 30 minutes. Results: All withdrawal symptoms including frequency of wet-dog shaking, teeth chattering, defecation and penis licking were reduced in the Citrus Paradisi Macf. group in comparison with the sham group significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that presumably antioxidant activity of Citrus Paradisi Macf. can reduce withdrawal symptoms. Although the exact mechanisms of its effect in brain need to be elucidate.

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Background and Objective: Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by a chronic recurrent course. Despite the availability of an ever-expanding range of typical and atypical antipsychotics, a substantial proportion of patients with schizophrenia show a partial or total lack of response to antipsychotic monotherapy. This study was done to evaluate the clinical effects of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to the Risperidone and Biperiden in the treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 chronic schizophrenic patients in Sina hospital Shahrekord, Iran during 2009-10. Schizophrenia was diagnosed by DSM-IV-TR criteria. Subjects were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched according to the age, sex, education, duration of illness. Patients in interventional group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day, Biperiden 4mg/day and Ginkgo biloba 240 mg/day for 12 weeks. The control group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day and Biperiden 4mg/day for 12 weeks. The scales for assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS) and assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) were recorded in prior, 6th and 12th weeks. Data analyzed by using SPSS-15 and student t-test. Results: The mean score of positive symptoms were 55.7±2.1 and 74.4±2.3 in interventional and control groups, respectively (P<0.05) after 12 weeks. The mean score of negative symptoms were 63±1.3 and 69.3±1.8 in interventional and controls, respectivley (P<0.05) after 12 weeks. Conclusion: This study suggested that the use of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to Respridone and Biperiden was more effective than Risperidone with Biperiden regimen improving psychological condition of chronic schizophrenic patients.

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Background and Objective: Menopausal symptoms influence mental, physical and emotional health, as well as social performance and family relationships. Due to the undesirable side effects of alternated hormone-therapy, tendency toward alternative treatments in relieving these symptoms have been increased, and the use of herbs like phytoestrogens seem preferable. This study was conducted to determine the effect of red clover Isoflavones extract on menopausal symptoms. Materials and Methods: This clinical randomized, triple-blind trial was conducted on 72 menopausal women who referred to Navab Safavi health care center, Isfahan, Iran during Oct-Apr 2011. After two weeks of monitoring and determination of the baseline symptoms score including hot flushes and sweating, paresthesia, insomnia, nervousness, depression, vertigo, weakness and fatigue, arthralgia and myalgia, headache, palpitation and formication, the women were randomly divided into two groups of 36 subjects: placebo and intervention (taking 45 mg of red clover Isoflavones extract capsules). The subjects were given one capsule daily for eight weeks and menopausal symptoms were recorded weekly. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, independent t-test, ANOVA, chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. Results: 55 women completed the study: 27 subjects in the placebo and 28 in the intervention group. The mean age of subjects in placebo and intervention group was 53.923.21 and 52.963.07 years, respectively. The mean age of menopause in the placebo and intervention groups was 51.382.63 and 50.051.17 years, respectively. The mean elapsed time since menopause was determined as 2.691.47 years in placebo and 2.661.65 years in intervention group. The average score of menopausal symptoms at the end of the 10th week was 13.877.22 and 16.4411.59 in intervention and placebo groups, this reduction was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of capsules containing red clover Isoflavones extract for 8 weeks, reduces menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

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Background and Objective: Children with ADHD suffer from motor impairment in addition to behavioral problems (hyperactivity/impulsivity, attention deficit).The cerebellum receives data from visual, vestibular and somato- sensory systems.This study was done to determine the correlation between kinetic parameters of balance performance and behavioral symptoms in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Methods: This case - control study was performed on 15 children with ADHD (9.21±0.69 year) and 15 healthy children (9.27±0.75 year). Kinetic parameter of balance evaluated using sensory organization test (SOT) in different sensory conditions including visual, somatosensory and vestibular by Neurocom. Conner’s questionnaire used to assess hyperactivity and attention deficit in addition to a psychologist.
Results: Dynamic balance score in ADHD children was significantly lower in compare to controls (p<0.05). Children with ADHD had kinetic parameters of balance performance abnormality in compare to controls. There was a significant correlation between sensory contribution and hyperactivity in children with ADHD (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Children with ADHD suffer from balance dysfunction which is a result of sensory integration and attention deficit. The sensory systems analysis showed that vestibular system, partially somatosensory dysfunction is the most important factor in balance disorder in children with ADHD.