Background and Aim: Some drugs are not effective merely in nausea and vomiting induced chemotherapy control, and increasing their usage causes undesirable effects. Pharmalogical– nonpharmalogical methods lead to a higher control on direct side-effects in comparison with traditional treatments. Furthermore, these combined methods decrease the amount of drug consumption and related severe results. The main goal of the present report was to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on the dosage of antiemetic drugs in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Materials and Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental one which was carried out on 61 patients regarding the corresponding sampling characteristics. The samples were divided randomly into two groups of case and control. The case group was trained PMR technique in the first period of chemotherapy. The performance of the technique continued with an educational cassette twice a day in the first period, after (at home about 3 weeks) and second period of chemotherapy. The control group used the routine care at the same period. The amounts of prescribed antiemetic drugs to patients and times of the PMR technique were recorded in the two periods of chemotherapy. Results: The mean dosage intravenouse metoclopramide (t=3.5, p=0.001) and oral antiacid (t=2.3, p=0.02) by paired t-test revealed the presence of a significant difference for case group and nonsignificant discrepancy for control group (p>0.05) over the two periods of chemotherapy. Moreover, the mean dosage intravenouse with independent t-test confirmed a significant difference between control and case groups in the second period of chemotherapy (t=2.06, p=0.04). However, the mean dosage granisetron and dexamethasone drugs did not show any significant difference between control and case groups in two the periods at the research (p>0.05).Conclusion: The results indicated that PMR effectively decreased the amount of dosage antiemetic drugs specially metoclopramide in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. According to the findings, it is recommended that nurses use PMR as a nursing care for the related patients.

Background: In traditional medicine, the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) have been used to decrease gastrointestinal tract motility in intestinal spasms, colic and gastrointestinal disorders of nervous origin. It has been also suggested for alleviation of nausea.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the antiemetic effect of V. officinalis extract (aqueous-ethanolic) for documentation of reports available in traditional medicine.Methods: The antiemetic effect of V. officinalis extract (aqueous-ethanolic) against emesis induced by copper sulfate (60 mg/kg, orally) and ipecac (600 mg/kg, orally) was investigated.The number of emesis was counted for 50 and 20 minutes after copper sulfate and ipecac administration, respectively.Results: The extract at doses of 0.28, 0.49 and 0.7 g/kg (ip) exhibited significant protection against copper sulfate and ipecac induced - emesis. The dose of 0.7 g/kg lowered the number of copper sulfate induced- and ipecac induced - emesis of negative control (saline), respectively 65.704% and 79.88%.Conclusion: According to the results, the antiemetic effect of Valerian was significant and it confirms the traditional uses of Valerian in attenuation of nausea.

Ginger is the root part of Zingiber of Jicinale that contains numerous ingredients including oleoresins, zingiberen, graniol, gingerol, pyrogalols, and hydroxyalkanone. It has been reported that hydroxyalkanone is responsible for the antinausea and antivomiting effect of ginger. In this study, the embryotoxicity effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ginger was evaluated, applying the standard GLP protocol for this purpose. Maximum tolerated dose of the two extracts were determined and appropriate doses were administered intraperitoneumaly in time-pregnant mice on days six to fourteen of gestation. Embryos were harvested by caesarian section on day 18, examined externally and then stained by a microwave technique. Both extracts caused significant retardation in the weight gain of the pregnant mice and a notable reduction in uterus weight. Weight and crown-lump length of treated embryos were reduced. Both extracts caused many skeletal and tissue malformations, which clearly indicated the teratogenic potential of ginger extracts at administered doses. It is suggested that ginger's reported effects on smooth muscle, leukotriens and prostaglandins synthesis could be a major factor in producing these toxicities. This plant is used extensively in traditional medicine and based on this study, its use during pregnancy should be restricted until further investigations.

Introduction: Ajowan (Carum copticum Benth. & Hook.) is an annual herbaceous essential oil bearing plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, which grows in India, Iran, and Egypt. Ajowan seeds have essential oil as an active substance, which is used in pharmaceutical industry as a diuretic, antivomiting, analgesic, antiasthma, antispasmodic and a carminative. Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Also, nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. Generally, proper agronomic management including suitable plant density has a high influence on growth and yield of medicinal plants. In this regard, Kloss et al., (2012) highlighted the need for strategies to improve crop growth, make irrigation more efficient and sustainable and conserve farmlands. In addition, yield is influenced by inter-row spacing and sowing density. Ghilavizadeh et al., (2013) have reported that application of suitable amount of nitrogen fertilizer and plant density of 25 plan/m2 increased seed yield, essential oil yield and essential oil content of ajowan. In another research, Borumand Rezazadeh et al., (2009) reported that the plant density of 50 plant/m2 have produced the highest seed yield, essential oil yield and essential oil content. Generally, with regard to importance of medicinal plants and the necessity of understanding their crop and the impact of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of these plants, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of these factors on some traits of ajowan…