Background: Mastitis as a widely spread health problem does not only cause the largest economic disease-related losses in dairy farms, but also is responsible for the extended use of antibiotics in these enterprises. As this disease is considered multifactorial, development of new infection depends both on the presence of mastitis pathogens and a series of additional factors that act concomitantly. Therefore, for treatment and prevention of mastitis, determination of these factors is necessary. Antibiotic therapy is the common choice to control acute mastitis, but it is necessary to look for new options like immune modulators to better work out this problem and support the treatments. Objectives: The current study was to evaluate the use of softener cream with Mentha spicata (Addermint) therapy as a supportive treatment in management of acute mastitis in Holstein cattle. Methods: In a large dairy farm, 120 clinical cases (Class II acute Mastitis) were divided into three groups (A, B and C). All of the animals had received an antibacterial therapy including 50ml of oxytetracycline 5% IV and one tube of Tetranebalone intramamary infusion every 12 hours. Addermint, Phenylbutazone or Dam cream liniments were used on external skin of udders in A, B and C groups every 8 hours, respectively. Milk samples were taken from each cow prior to the treatment and were cultured on blood and MacConkey agar media. The genuses of isolated bacteria were determined microscopically and by results of biochemical reactions. Daily inspection of milk and udder were recorded. The withdrawal time of treated cows was 3 days and recurrent cases were recorded for the following 30 days. Results: The results of this study showed that, E. coli had the highest incidence in positive cultures (n=46) followed by Staphylococcus spp. (n=19) in 72.5% of positive cultures. No bacterium was isolated in 27.5% of cultures. Bacillus spp. (n=12), Streptococcus spp.(n=3), Klebsiella spp.(n=4) and Corynebacterium spp. (n=3) were isolated in 10% , 2.5 % , 3.5% and 2.5% of cultures, respectively. The recovery times were 26.7, 26.9 and 44.9 hrs. in A, B and C groups, respectively. The recurrence percentiles were 32.5%, 42.5% and 45% in A, B and C groups, respectively. Conclusion: Our results showed that softener cream (Addermint) usage is more effective than phenylbutazone and Dam cream in supporting the antibiotic treatment. It reduced the treatment period, withdrawal time and recurrence, dramatically.

Background: Atherosclerosis that is caused a gradual deposition of lipids in muscular arteries remain a major cause of mortality worldwide. Dietary is one of the most important environmental factors associated with the incidence of these diseases. Diets high in cholesterol have been shown to promote atherosclerosis. Inversly diets high in vegetables have been shown to reduce development this disease. Objective: In many species of Artemisia evaluated antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was evaluating the effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on blood lipids and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed by a high cholesterol diet. Methods: Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided in three experimental groups (normal diet group, hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) group and the group that fed by HCD + supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight Artemisia aucheri extract every other day). Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol were measured before and after 1 and 2 months of experimental period. At the end of the experimental period the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Results: Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Degree of atherosclerotic plaque significantly reduced in this group. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that Artemisia aucheri extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. This may be related to the effect of Artemisia aucheri on plasma lipoproteins in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Background: Atherosclerosis which is the most common risk factor for CHD is caused by a gradual deposition of lipids in large and small arteries. Nowadays regression and suppression of atherosclerotic lesion is one of the candidate approach for prevention of atherosclerotic complication. Objective: Whereas large majority of people use herbal medicine for treatment, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of A. aucheri on regression of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five each and treated 3-months as follows: 1: normal diet for 3- month, 2, 3 and 4: Hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) for 2- month. One group (2) killed after this period and two groups (3 and 4) received normal dietand normal diet + A. aucheri (100 mg. kg-1 .day-1) respectively for an additional 1 – month (regression period). Biochemical factors (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured at first, end of second and third month. At the end of the study, animals killed and aortas were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Results: Normal diet in regression period improved lipid profile but the animals in this group showed no regression but rather progression of atherosclerosis. Whereas extract of A. aucheri significantly decreased atherosclerotic area in the aorta. Conclusion: These findings suggest that control diet without additional treatment cannot stop the progression of atherosclerosis. To use A. aucheri with control diet can stop progression of atherosclerosis and is effective for regression of atherosclerotic lesion.