Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are important phytochemicals possessing significant biological properties. Several investigators have studied in vitro antioxidant activity of HCAs in detail. In this review, we have gathered the studies focused on the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these compounds that have used medicinal chemistry to generate more potent antioxidant molecules. Most of the reports indicated that the presence of an unsaturated bond on the side chain of HCAs is vital to their activity. The structural features that were reported to be of importance to the antioxidant activity were categorized as follows: modifications of the aromatic ring, which include alterations in the number and position of hydroxy groups and insertion of electron donating or withdrawing moieties as well as modifications of the carboxylic function that include esterification and amidation process. Furthermore, reports that have addressed the influence of physicochemical properties including redox potential, lipid solubility and dissociation constant on the antioxidant activity were also summarized. Finally, the pro-oxidant effect of HCAs in some test systems was addressed. Most of the investigations concluded that the presence of ortho-dihydroxy phenyl group (catechol moiety) is of significant importance to the antioxidant activity, while, the presence of three hydroxy groups does not necessarily improve the activity. Optimization of the structure of molecular leads is an important task of modern medicinal chemistry and its accomplishment relies on the careful assessment of SARs. SAR studies on HCAs can identify the most successful antioxidants that could be useful for management of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Introduction: The mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aims to assay the anti-inflammatory effects of mastic in rats with colitis. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups of control, colitis without treatment, colitis with mastic (400 mg/kg/daily) administered orally or intra-rectally, colitis with prednisolone (5 mg/kg of body weight), and colitis with sesame oil for seven successive days. Treatment effects were evaluated by determining cytokines (TNFα, IL6) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, macroscopic scores, and histopathological parameters. The results of each group are compared with colitis without treatment group. Results: After administering sesame oil, the MPO level was reduced significantly compared to colitis without the treatment group (P=0.025). The mastic oil (400 mg/kg orally) administration was effective in reducing colitis severity through the reduction in the total colitis index (p=0.046) after 7 days. The Intra-rectal administration of mastic decreased TNF-α significantly, similar to prednisolone and control groups compared to the colitis without treatment group (p=0.024). The IL-6 did not change in the mastic and sesame oil groups. Conclusion: According to our results, mastic and sesame oil have anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that they could be used as natural sources to lessen the ulcerative colitis inflammation.

Morbid obesity is rising around the world. It can cause unpleasant appearance and body image. Most of the studies have aimed to evaluate the psychopathology of overweight and obesity and paying attention to mental well-being in morbid obese individuals is rare. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between body image and psychological well-being in morbid obese patients. This cross-sectional study, using simple random sampling method, was done on 124 morbid obese patients who referred to obesity clinic in Shiraz from 2016 to 2017. The data were collected by body image index and psychological well-being questionnaire. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient test, ANOVA, and Regression analysis. The results showed a significant relationship between body image and psychological well-being (r=0.43) (P<0.001), and between the total score of the body image and all the subscales of psychological well-being except autonomy and purpose in life (P<0.05). There was also a significant relationship between the total score of psychological well-being and all the subscales of body image (P0.05). Final results indicated that body image defects caused by obesity could lie in negative psychological well-being in all aspects. This study can promote health clinicians' knowledge in supporting of mental status of obese individuals. It is suggested that preventing and supporting intervention should be performed as effective methods for encountering and coping with psychological effects of obesity.

Background: Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Blood pressure control is a challenge for healthcare providers and the rate of blood pressure control is not more than 50% worldwide. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a short-term educational program on the level of knowledge, lifestyle changes, and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients. Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on the hypertensive patients attending Shiraz Healthy Heart House. In this study, 112 patients were selected via systematic random sampling. The study data were collected using a data gathering form which consisted of baseline characteristics and measurements of blood pressure. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between education and hypertension. Results: At baseline, the scores of aware, treated, and controlled hypertensive patients were 21%, 20%, and 12%, respectively. However, these measures were increased to 92%, 95%, and 51%, respectively at the end of the study. The mean knowledge scores improved from 2.77 +/- 2.7 to 7.99 +/- 1.78 after 3 months (P < 0.001). Also, the mean lifestyle scores changed from 3.15 +/- 1.52 to 4.53 +/- 1.23 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of the current study indicated that the educational programs were effective in increasing knowledge, improving self-management, and controlling detrimental lifestyle habits of the patients with hypertension.