Background. Ulcerative colitis is a worldwide chronic gastrointestinal disease characterized by variable extensions of colon mucosal inflammation. The available drugs have an incomplete response with various side effects and socioeconomic impacts. Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) is a well-known medicinal plant with diverse pharmacological and therapeutic activities. As a result, in the current study, Aloe vera was selected to evaluate its therapeutic effects on experimental colitis in rats. Methods. This study is intended to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of Aloe vera for the treatment of experimental colitis. Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) was used to induce experimental colitis in 60 of 70 Wistar rats. The rats were grouped in 7 clusters including healthy control, negative, positive control (received sulfasalazine), and test groups treated with Aloe vera extracts via oral or rectal routes. Macroscopic and histologic factors as well as the biochemical parameters were evaluated on day 7. Results. In the present study, it was found that serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (75 vs. 44 pg./ml), interleukin-6 (41 vs. 21 pg/ml), and nitric oxide (24 vs. 6 μm/ml) in TNBS-induced untreated colitis treatment were significantly increased as compared to healthy control. Similar patterns were also observed in malondialdehyde (76.41 vs. 236.35 μg/mg) and myeloperoxidase (4.24 vs. 29.38 U/mg) in colonic tissue. Among different treatments, rectal administration of Aloe vera extract (400 mg/kg) exhibited the best result in which serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (55 pg/ml), interleukin-6 (24 pg/ml), and nitric oxide (10 μm/ml) and the levels of malondialdehyde (102.67 μg/mg), as well as myeloperoxidase (12.29 U/mg) in colon tissue, were reduced as compared to the untreated group. Also, the body weight and colon weight/length ratios were more improved in the treated group with 400 mg/kg Aloe vera extract, rectally. Conclusion. Aloe vera extract exhibited a therapeutic effect in TNBS-induced colitis, and local, rectal administration of Aloe vera extract was more effective than oral administration.

Background: Pruritus is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of liver disease such as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Cholestyramine, rifampin, opioid antagonists, antihistaminic agents and SSRIs are used for the management of pruritus. Due to rifampin drug interactions as well as its serious side effects such as hepatotoxicity, clinicians are endeavoruing to find a safer and a more effective substitution. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of sertraline with rifampin in the management of cholestatic pruritus. Methods: In a single-blinded randomized clinical trial a total of 36 patients of PSC and PBC were divided into two equal groups, one group received 100 mg/day sertraline and the other group received rifampin 300 mg/day for 4 weeks. Visual analog scale was used to record pruritus severity at baseline and 4 weeks after drug intervention, also, ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin of all patients were measured at three different time points. Results: Over the follow-up period, pruritus had relieved in both groups, but there was no significant differences between sertraline and rifampin in pruritus management (pvalue=0.740), also there was no significant difference between the two intervention strategies (A versus B) in total bilirubin level (pvalue=0.106). Moreover, the ALT, AST and ALP levels were found to be significantly different between the two groups (Pvalue˂0.01). Conclusion: There is no difference between sertraline and rifampin in pruritus improvement, but sertraline has less adverse effects on hepatobiliary enzyme levels, so it seems to be safer than rifampin.

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS) is an uncommon disease characterized by esophageal mucosal sloughing. EDS is a benign condition that usually resolves without residual pathology. Medication, chemical irritants, hot drinks, and autoimmune diseases have all been associated with EDS. Here a 60-year-old lady with post-COVID-19 EDS is presented. Her chief complaint was dysphagia and odynophagia for 2 weeks duration. EDS diagnosis was based on endoscopic findings and biopsy. Her problem was improved by a high dose of pantoprazole.

Objectives. Ulcerative colitis is a common subtype of persistent inflammatory bowel disease with high morbidity consequences. Despite unknown definite pathogenesis, multiple anti-inflammatory medications are used for its treatment. Traditionally, Quercus brantii (QB), mostly available in the Middle East, has been used for gastrointestinal disorders. Other beneficial effects associated with QB include reduction of oxidative stress, inflammations, homeostatic instability, and improvement in clinical conditions. Materials and Methods. This experimental study was designed to assess the possible therapeutic effects of QB on UC and compare its effects with those of sulfasalazine. Of the 70 Wistar rats clustered in seven groups, ten received only alcohols and sixty were confirmed to be suffering from trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid- (TNBS-) induced colitis. Four groups received different dosages of QB extract via oral and rectal routes, one received sulfasalazine, and the other remaining two groups received nothing. The effects of QB were evaluated by assessing macroscopic and histologic scoring, measuring inflammatory mediators, and determining oxidative stress markers. Results. Comparing to the untreated TNBS-induced control groups, QB-treated groups showed a dose- and route-dependent improvement comparable with sulfasalazine. Treating rats with QB reduced the microscopic and macroscopic damage, decreased TNF-α, IL-6, NO, MPO activity, and MDA content, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced body weight loss. Conclusions. Our data recommended the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of QB extract in a dose-dependent manner.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), which is also known as the cast syndrome, Wilkie’s syndrome, or chronic duodenal ileus, is a specific type of duodenal obstruction characterized by the obstruction of the inferior part of the duodenum due to its compression between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta. This problem is usually resulting from loss of the mesenteric fat pad. The present report describes a case of SMAS who was an 18-year-old woman presenting with weight loss and postprandial pain. The patient was initially diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection and underwent antibiotic therapy. However, the related symptoms did not resolve. Finally, she was ordered a CT scan, which led to the diagnosis of SMAS.