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1 - 2 of 2 for ""narcotic""
Comparison of Toxoplasmosis in Narcotic Drug-addicted and Healthy Persons in the Southwest of Iran; A Case-control Study
Introduction: Toxoplasmosis and narcotic drug addiction are endemic in various regions of Iran. These drugs can provide situations for infections by disrupting the immune system. The current case-control study was designed to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in narcotic drugaddicted persons in comparison with healthy subjects using serology and molecular techniques in the southwest of Iran. Methods: A total of 201 subjects (including 101 individuals with drug addiction and 100 control participants) were randomly selected. Chronic and acute toxoplasmosis was detected using the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG avidity. T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were also determined by the ELISA. Moreover the presence of T. gondii in blood samples was diagnosed using the nested-polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR). Results: For T. gondii IgG 17 (17.0%) of 100 and 39 (38.6%) of 101 cases were diagnosed in the control participants and drug-addicted people respectively [P=0.001 OR=3.071 CI= (1.591-5.929)]. Moreover 16 (15.8) and 5 (5.0%) cases were positive for the B1 gene in the drug-addicted patients and controls by the nested-PCR technique respectively [P=0.019 OR=3.576 CI= (1.257-10.179)]. However no significant differences were found between the opium (n=64) and crystal methamphetamine (n=37) groups in terms of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and the presence of the parasite in the blood (P>0.05). Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that the outbreak of the infection was more frequent in narcotic drug-addicted persons than the controls using serology and molecular techniques.
A Review on the Antinociceptive Effects of Mitragyna speciosa and Its Derivatives on Animal Model
Mitragyna speciosa is a tropical plant with narcotic effects. The antinociceptive effects of its crude extracts bioactive compounds and structurally modified derivatives have been examined in rodent models. This review aims to summarize the evidence on the antinociceptive effects of M. speciosa and its derivatives and explore whether they can offer an alternative to morphine in pain management. Methanolic and alkaloid extracts of M. speciosa were shown to attenuate the nociceptive response in rodents. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine offered better antinociceptive effects than crude extracts. Structurally modified derivatives of 7-hydroxymitragynine such as MGM-9 MGM- 15 MGM-16 demonstrated superior antinociceptive effects compared to morphine. M. speciosa and its derivatives mainly act on the opioid receptor but receptor subtypes specificity differs between each compound. The tolerance and adverse side effects of M. speciosa and its derivatives are similar with morphine. The affinity of MGM-9 on kappa-opioid receptor could potentially limit the effects of drug dependence. In conclusion M speciosa derivatives can offer alternatives to morphine in controlling chronic pain. Structural modification of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine can generate compounds with higher potency and lesser side-effects. Human clinical trials are required to validate the use of these compounds in clinical setting.