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The effect of Zataria multiflora on inflammatory cytokine and respiratory symptoms in veterans exposed to sulfur mustard

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Abstract

The effect of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on serum cytokine, chemokines, and respiratory symptoms in the veterans exposed to sulfur mustard (SM) more than two decades (27–30 years) ago was conducted in 2018. Thirty-four patients were randomly assigned to the placebo group (P, mean age (54.40 ± 5.51)) and two treated groups with Z. multiflora extract 5 and 10 mg/kg/day (Z5 and 10; mean age, 58.50 ± 3.60 and 55.18 ± 4.11, respectively). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), forced expiratory volume-one second (FEV1), and respiratory symptoms including chest wheeze (CW), night wheeze (NW), night cough (NC), and cough and wheeze during exercise (ECW) were assessed at the baseline (phase 0), 1 and 2 months after starting treatment (phase I and II, respectively). The value of FEV1 was significantly increased in Z10 in phase I and II compared with that in phase 0 (p < 0.01 for both) and in Z5 in phase II compared with phase I and 0 (p < 0.001for both). All respiratory symptoms significantly decreased in Z5 and 10 in phase I and II compared with those in phase 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Serum levels of TNF-α and VEGF were decreased in Z5 and 10 in phase I and II compared with those in phase 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Serum levels of MCP-1 and EGF were decreased in Z10 in phase I and II compared with those in phase 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The percent change of respiratory symptoms, serum levels of cytokines during the treatment period, was significantly improved in the treated groups compared with that in the placebo group. Two months’ of treatment with Z. multiflora improved cytokine levels, respiratory symptom, and FEV1 values in SM-exposed patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Khazdair

  2. Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Khazdair

  3. COPD Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Imam-Reza Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Fariba Rezaeetalab

  4. Department of Immunology, Immunology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Houshang Rafatpanah

  5. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, 9177948564, Iran

    Mohammad Hossein Boskabady

  6. Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, 9177948564, Iran

    Mohammad Hossein Boskabady

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  1. Mohammad Reza Khazdair
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  2. Fariba Rezaeetalab
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  3. Houshang Rafatpanah
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  4. Mohammad Hossein Boskabady
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Correspondence to Mohammad Hossein Boskabady.

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This clinical trial was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Code: 920537) in 2017, and all subjects signed informed consent, and it was emphasized that their personal information will be confidential.

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Khazdair, M.R., Rezaeetalab, F., Rafatpanah, H. et al. The effect of Zataria multiflora on inflammatory cytokine and respiratory symptoms in veterans exposed to sulfur mustard. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 22451–22460 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08855-5

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