Background: This study was conducted to produce probiotic cheese containing barley (Hordeum vulgare) bran, optimizing its physicochemical, rheological, and sensory characteristics while maximizing the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus over a nine-day storage period at 4 °C. Methods: Using the Response Surface Method (RSM), 13 treatment combinations were designed, including barely bran concentrations ranging from 0% to 4% and storage durations extending up to 42 days. Two types of cheese were evaluated: probiotic cheese and probiotic cheese containing barley bran. Comprehensive assessments included microbial viability, physicochemical variables (such as pH and acidity), rheological properties, and sensory evaluation. Results: The highest viability of probiotics, recorded at 8.7 log CFU/g, was observed in the probiotic low-fat cheese on day 1 with a barley bran concentration of 4%. The physicochemical analysis indicated suitable pH and acidity levels. Rheological characteristics, such as viscosity and hardness, were enhanced in barley bran samples, whereas adhesiveness showed no significant change. The color index (L*) decreased in the samples with added barley bran. Conclusion: Incorporating 2.37% barley bran into the cheese formulation resulted in a product with optimal physicochemical, rheological, and sensory properties. In addition, the population of L. acidophilus bacteria increased to 8.21 log CFU/g, and these characteristics were maintained for approximately nine days during refrigerated storage (4 °C).

Due to the lack of favorable response to synthetic drugs, the tendency to use traditional medicine to treat inflammatory bowel disease has risen. We aimed to assess the effect of Cichorium intybus L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., and Foeniculum vulgare L. on the control of recurrent ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms.  This randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate UC. Patients were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Patients in both groups were treated with a standard dose of oral mesalazine (3 g daily) for eight weeks. In addition, the intervention group was given a mixture of 200 mg C. intybus, 350 mg T. foenum-graecum, and 1. 5 mg F. vulgare (three times a day). The disease activity was evaluated before and 60 days after the intervention using a simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI). The baseline mean SCCAI score was similar in both groups. Although the SCCAI score significantly reduced in both groups 60 days after the initial assessment, this reduction was significantly higher in the group receiving the herbal combination than in the control group. The intervention-related side effects, such as bloating and dyspepsia, were well tolerated.  The use of C. intybus, T. foenum-graecum, and F. vulgare can effectively control UC symptoms and thus, can be used as an effective and safe medication for treating UC.

Background: Hormonal imbalances related to women's health, physical activity, and fluctuations are prevalent metabolic disorders in several nations and have significantly impacted women's health for an extended period. The application of individual or combined botanical extracts in traditional, alternative, and complementary medicine is employed to manage and alleviate these issues. Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the suppressive properties of horehound (Marrubium vulgare L. ) on pivotal hormones associated with feminine disorders. Methods: The horehound plant was exposed to ultrasonic radiation while five different solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, acetone, and water) were used to extract its components. The individuals were isolated using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The most powerful compounds were analyzed using a direct antioxidant assay (DPPH test) and a hormone inhibitory assay (Oestrogen, Progesterone, Estradiol, and Testosterone) on the HPTLC plate. The compounds that had a significant effect were then identified using LC-ESI/MSMS. Results: The antioxidant properties of the extracts and hormone inhibitors were evaluated, and the substances were separated from the HPTLC plate and analyzed using mass spectrometry. The results showed strong antioxidant capabilities, with an IC50 range of 8. 24-12. 42 µg/mL. Moreover, the plant extract showed beneficial effects on hormones associated with female health issues. Conclusions: The extract was subjected to chemical and molecular analysis using the HPTLC technique, followed by LC-ESI/MSMS. The study revealed the presence of vulgarole, marrubiin, and marrubenol chemicals.

Background and aims: Migraine is the second most common type of headache after tension headache and can cause neurological disability in affected people. Considering the increasing tendency towards natural compounds and herbal medicines, the effect of tea on reducing migraine headaches in patients referred to health centers in Shahrekord was investigated. Methods: A total of 60 patients who had migraine, according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria, were randomly divided into two groups by a random allocation method: a group that received the standard headache treatment and placebo and the other group that received 3 g of barley tea twice a day for 6 weeks and the standard headache treatment. The pain level was evaluated using the Ahvaz Migraine Questionnaire (AMQ). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 18.0. Results: The administration of barley tea decreased the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the serum compared to the group receiving standard drug and placebo (P<0.001), and no change in the antioxidant capacity of the serum (P=0.93) was observed. No significant difference in cortisol levels was observed between the treatment and control groups after the intervention (P=0.138). Moreover, the recurrence rate, pain duration, and pain intensity were significantly lower in the group receiving barley tea than in the group receiving standard medicine and placebo (P<0.001). Conclusion: Barley tea significantly reduced the recurrence, intensity, and duration of migraine headaches. Therefore, due to its low side effects, it can be used in migraine patients as a complementary medicine.

The research investigated the antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials of four medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae family, including Marrubium vulgare L., Vitex agnus-castus L., Phlomis olivieri Benth., and Nepeta ucranica L. The study evaluated the extracts' cytotoxicity by analyzing the mitotic index in onion root tip meristematic regions and cell viability in green algae Dunaliella salina. The findings indicated that P. olivieri and V. agnus-castus exhibited more significant antioxidant potential, but compared to the other, N. ucranica showed the lowest potential. The mitotic indices in the onion root tip's meristematic region and vulgar aqueous extract decreased with some increase in the extract concentrations of all studied plants. Additionally, the number of cells in various mitotic phases decreased, whatever cells in interphase increased in the treatment, and D. salina experienced a decrease in the number of cells with an increase in extract concentration. The study also observed a decline in the number of cells in the algal suspension with growth in extract concentration, particularly when exposed to V. agnus-castus extract. However, medicinal plants with high antioxidant potential are used in prevention, and various treatments with caution are advised due to their observed cytotoxic effects.