رحمت الله پرندین

Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders that can affect a person’s mood and change his/her perception of the self and environment. Melilotus officinalis L. plant contains effective substances and antioxidant compounds.

The present study aims to investigate the antidepressant effects of alcoholic extract of Melilotus officinalis L. in male rats.

In this experimental research, 42 male rats were divided into six groups of 7 including control (normal saline), negative control (reserpine), positive control (reserpine+fluoxetine) and three reserpine groups treated by intraperitoneal injection of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses of alcoholic extract of Melilotus officinalis L. Behavioral tests including forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used to evaluate depression, and the antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde level were also measured. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 20 using one-way analysis of variance. The significance level was set at P<0.05.

The 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses of alcoholic extract significantly reduced the duration of immobility in the FST compared to the negative control. In the TST, the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant increase compared to the negative control. The doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of the brain compared to the negative control. The doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the antioxidant capacity of the brain compared to the negative control.

The alcoholic extract of Melilotus officinalis L has antidepressant effects similar to fluoxetine probably due to its antioxidant compounds.

The studies have shown that some natural components have antidepressant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of royal jelly as a secretion nutrient derived from the salivary glands of worker bees on some depressive behaviors, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in mice in which depression was induced by Reserpine.

In this experimental study, 42 male mice were divided into 6 groups of 7, including control (normal saline), reserpine (negative control), fluoxetine (positive control), and three reserpine groups treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of royal jelly via the intraperitoneal route. In order to investigate depression, forced swimming and tail suspension tests which are forms of behavioral despair were used. Brain TAC and MDA levels were also determined. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and OneWay ANOVA test at a significance level of p<0.05.

Reserpine treatment significantly increased the time of immobility in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Royal jelly significantly reduced the immobility time in both behavioral tests at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Reserpine treatment significantly decreased brain TAC and increased MDA levels in the brain. Royal jelly at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased brain TAC and reduced the MDA level.

It seems that the royal jelly has a significant potential in reducing symptoms of depression and brain oxidative stress, which may be due to its ingredients.

Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) is a plant rich in antioxidant compounds and has therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Oregano alcoholic extract on complications of depression in reserpine-poisoned mice.
 

In this experimental study, 42 male BALB/c mice were divided into 6 groups of 7, including control (normal saline), negative control (reserpine), fluoxetine (positive control), and three reserpine groups treated respectively with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Oregano via the intraperitoneal route. Depression was evaluated using forced swim test. Brain and serum total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde level were also determined. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and One-Way ANOVA test. The significant was shown with (p≥0.05).

Negative control group significantly increased immobility time and decreased swimming time compared to the control group in the forced swim test (p≥0.001) and the extract at levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg similar to fluoxetine significantly reduced the immobility and increased the swimming time (p≥0.001). Reserpine in the negative control group decreased the antioxidant capacity and increased the level of malondialdehyde in serum and brain compared to the control group (p≥0.001).Compared to the negative control group, the extract at the level of 200 mg/kg, similar to fluoxetine, increased the antioxidant capacity in the brain (p≥0.01) and decreased the level of malondialdehyde in the serum and brain (p≥0.001). In addition, the extract at level of 400 mg/kg similar to fluoxetine significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity and decreased the level of malondialdehyde in serum and brain (p≥0.001) compared to control group.

Oregano seems to have significant potential in reducing depressive symptoms and reducing oxidative stress due to its active antioxidant compounds.

The pathophysiology of depression is very complex. Rosa canina L fruit contains various antioxidant compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects of the aqueous- alcoholic extract of the Rosa canina L fruit in the behavioral tests including forced swimming, tail suspension, maze, and sucrose preference tests, as well as biochemical tests such as antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels. Rosa canina L with high amounts of vitamin C, has anti-depressant and anxiety effects.

In this experimental study, 60 Syrian male mice were divided into 5 groups of 12, including the control group, the bisphenol A group, and three groups treated with oral bisphenol A at a dose of 125 mg/kg per day and the aqueous- alcoholic extract of the Rosa canina L fruit at doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day was administered from day 50 to 120 after birth. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and the One Way ANOVA test. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.

The findings showed that bisphenol A significantly increased the duration of immobility in the forced swimming and tail suspension test. The extract at the level of 400 mg/kg decreased the duration of immobility in both tests. Bisphenol A significantly reduced the antioxidant capacity of serum and brain. The extract at the level of 400 mg/kg significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of both the brain and serum.

The findings of this research showed that the fruit of the Rosa canina L has antioxidant effects, and with a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity and immobility in Syrian mice treated with the extract, therefore it has anti-depressant and anxiety effects.

Malva sylvestris is a symbol of calmness and have antioxidant and radical scavenging properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Malva sylvestris leaves in mice using forced swim and tail suspension tests.

In this experimental study, 42 male mice were distributed in 6 groups (n=7), including vehicle (normal saline), negative control (reserpine), fluoxetine (positive control), and three groups treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Malva sylvestris (150, 300 or 450 mg/kg, i.p.). Forced swim and tail suspension behavioral tests were used to measure depression in mice. Antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in brain of mice were determined.

Reserpine treatment significantly increased the time of immobility in the behavioral tests. Fluoxetine and extract in all three doses in Forced swim (P<0.001) and at 300 (P<0.01) and 450 mg/kg (P<0.001) doses reduced the immobility time. Reserpine significantly increased MDA level, and decreased antioxidant capacity of brain. Fluoxetine and extract at 300 and 450 mg/kg doses increased antioxidant capacity and reduced MDA level of brain.

The results of this study suggest that Malva sylvestris leaves have antidepressant-like activity similar to fluoxetine which may be mediated by its antioxidant and radical scavenging components.
Keywords

Recent reports have shown that some Plant Isoflavones have beneficial effects on diabetes and liver health in human and laboratory animals. The aim of this study was to administrate of hydroalcoholic extract of Trifolium pretense (red clover) as a plant rich in Isoflavones compounds and its effects on serum levels of glucose and liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) in mice. In this experimental study, 42 male mice were divided into 6 groups of 7, including healthy control, diabetic without treatment (positive control), diabetic treated with glibenclamide groups, and three diabetic groups treated respectively with 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of red clover by gavage for 15 days. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg. On the last day, serum glucose and Liver Enzymes (ALT, ALP and AST) levels were measured. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and OneWay ANOVA test. The significant was shown with (P<0.05).Doses of 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg of extract were significantly (P<0.001) decreased serum glucose compared with positive control group.  Assessment of liver enzymes shown that AST level in 750mg/kg group (P<0.001), ALT level in 500 mg/kg (P<0.01) and 750 mg/kg (P<0.001) groups, and ALP level in 250 mg/kg (P<0.05), 500 mg/kg (P<0.001) and 750 mg/kg (P<0.001) groups significantly decreased compared with positive control group. It seems that the red clover has anti-diabetic and hepatoprotectiveeffects.

Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress is a major cause of depression. Rosa canina L. is a fruit that contains different antioxidant compounds. The present study was conducted to investigate the antidepressant effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina L. on male mice using the behavioral tests of forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST).

The present experimental study randomly assigned 42 mice to 6 groups of 7, i.e. the control (normal saline), the reserpine (negative control), the fluoxetine (positive control) and three reserpine groups intraperitoneally treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina L. Depression was evaluated using the FST and TST. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of the brain were also measured. The data were analyzed in SPSS using One-Way ANOVA. P<0.05 was set as the level of stastistical significance.

The FST and TST showed that reserpine significantly increased the duration of immobility. The immobility duration was significantly (P<0.001) reduced by 400 mg/kg of the extract in the two behavioral tests. Reserpine also significantly decreased the TAC and increased MDA levels in the brain. The TAC was significantly increased and MDA levels significantly decreased by 200 mg/kg (P<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (P<0.001) of the extract.

The present findings confirmed the antidepressant activity of Rosa canina L. potentially mediated by its antioxidant components and resembling that of fluoxetine .

In recent years, regarding the side effects of chemical drugs, the use of medicinal plants has increased due to their low side effects, low costs and effective compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-pyretic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina L. fruit in male mice.

In this experimental study, 120 male BALB/c mice weighing 23-30 g were used. In each test, the mice were divided into 5 groups (in each group, n=6), including control group, positive control and three experimental groups treated intraperitoneally with hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina L. fruit at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities were measured using xylene-induced ear edema and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia tests, respectively. In addition, the antinociceptive activity was measured using the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid and formalin tests. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and One Way ANOVA test. The level of significance was set at   p<0.05.

200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) doses of extract reduced significantly inflammation. Doses of 100 (p<0.05), 200 (p<0.01) and 400 (p<0.001 significantly reduced pain in the abdominal constriction test and dose of 400 mg/kg (p<0.05) decreased the chronic pain in formalin test. Extract treatment did not reduce fever in any of the existing doses.

The findings of this study suggest that Rosa canina L. fruit has anti-inflammatory and visceral analgesic activity, which may be due to its antioxidant potential.

Methyl paraben (MP) is an xsenoestrogen pollutant that is classified into preservatives due to its antibacterial properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of MP in female neonatal mice on puberty timing, estrus cycle, and ovarian follicle profile.

In this experimental study, one-day-old Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8), including the control, vehicle, and three groups with doses of 0.8, 4 and 20 mg/kg of methyl paraben, respectively. Subcutaneous injection was performed in the first 5 days after birth and once a day. The day of vaginal opening was considered as a sign of puberty and estrus cycle for one month. Then, the mice were sacrificed in 70 days; their serumand ovary were collected for studies of hormonal measurement and counting of follicles.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL; Version 18 and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparingthe groups.

The day of puberty onset advanced by 4 (p<0.05) and 20MP (p<0.001). Duration mean of estrus cycle in 4 (p<0.05) and 20MP (p<0.001) and diestrus index in 4 (p<0.01) and 20MP (p<0.001) increased compared to the control group. Reduction in the number of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum was observed in 4 and MP20 groups. The concentration of estradiol increased in 4 (p <0.05) and MP20 (p <0.001) groups and the concentration of LH in 4 and MP20 groups was decreased compared to the control group (p <0.001).

The study showed that exposure to the MP the during neonatal period could lead to Precocious puberty, estrus dysfunction, decreased ovarian follicle content and corpus luteum and impaired secretion of sex hormones.

The phytoestrogen formononetin (FMN) is a polyphenolic non-steroidal plant compound with estrogen-like activity, which can be found in a number of plants such as red clover. The object of this study aimed to examine the effects of FMN during gestation on the onset of puberty, estrus cycle, reproductive organ weights and reproductive behavior in female mice. 20 pregnant mice were dived into 4 groups with 5 mice for each group and were exposed to FMN at doses of 0 (control), 5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/ day, by Intraperitoneal injection, from gestational days 7 until 21. Female offspring (n=6-8) were analyzed for vaginal opening day, estrus cycle regularity, weights of the uterus and ovaries, and lordosis behavior. Vaginal opening day was significantly advanced by 500FMN (p<0.01). First estrus was delayed by 50 (p<0.05) and 500FMN (p<0.01). There was a significant decrease in the number of estrous cycle and a significant increase in the length of the estrous cycle by 500FMN (p<0.05). diestrus index increased in 50 (p<0.05) and 500FMN (p<0.01). There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the weight of the ovary and number of corpus luteum with 500FMN treatment and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the weight of uterus with 50 and 500FMN. There was a significant decrease (p<0.001) in LH level and LQ by 500FMN with an increase in the level of estradiol by 50 (p<0.05) and 500FMN (p<0.001) treatments. The results of this study showed that the exposure of pregnant mice with formunontin leads to advanced puberty, disrupted estrus cycles disorder, weight alter in the sex organs, and reduced sexual behavior in female offspring.

In traditional medicine, some plants can relieve pain. Scrophularia striata is traditionally used among people living in Zagros area for its analgesic effects. In this study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seeds are investigated.

Eighty-four adult male NMRI mice were used. Xylene-induced ear edema test was used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity and formalin test was used to evaluate anti-nociceptive activity. In each of these two tests, the animals were divided into 6 groups (n = 7) including control, positive control (receiving dexamethasone in inflammatory test, and morphine in formalin test), and experimental groups receiving hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seeds at doses of 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg. Injections were performed intraperitoneally.

The results showed that the extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced inflammation at doses of 30, 90 and 120 mg/kg. Furthermore, the extract decreased acute phase of the pain by the dose of 120 mg/kg (p < 0.05), the peripheral phase by the doses of 60 (p < 0.05), 90 (p < 0.001), and 120 (p < 0.001) mg/kg, and the chronic phase by the doses of 90
(p < 0.001) and 120 (p < 0.001) mg/kg.

This study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seed has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in the animal model.

There are some reports in traditional medicine concerning the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and anti-pyretic effects of Trifolium pretense (red clover). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of red clover inflammation, pain and fever in male mice. In this experimental study, 120 male mice were classified into twenty 6-member groups (4 tests and each test covering 5 groups), considering the ethics of working with laboratory animals. The hydroalcoholic extract of red clover was injected intraperitoneally at doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities were measured using xylene-induced ear edema and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia tests, respectively. In addition, the anti-nociceptive activity was measured using the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid and formalin tests. The data were analyzed by SPSS and one-way ANOVA test. The significance was shown as p <0.05. The doses of 500 mg/kg (p=0.003) and 750 mg/kg (p<0.001) significantly reduced inflammation. All the doses significantly reduced the pain in the abdominal constriction test and chronic pain in the formalin test and the doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg reduced the pain in in the acute phase of formalin test (p<0.001). Also, fever was significantly reduced (p<0.001) at dose of 750 mg/kg. The red clover has anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and antipyretic effects, which are likely to be related to the isoflavonoid and flavonoid components of this plant. Further research is required.

Formononetin is a phytostrogen found in plants such as red clover (Trifolium pratense), which has a chemical structure similar to the estradiol hormone. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of formononetin derived from red clover on sexual dimorphic indices in mice during neonatal life. In this experimental study, male and female neonate mice were randomly divided into the control, vehicle and 3 groups (n=8) received formonetonin subcutaneously at doses of 5, 50 and 500 mg/kg body weight on days 1-5 after birth. After examining the puberty timing, parameters of estrus cycle, anogenital distance, sexual behavior, preferred saccharin and sex hormones were also investigated. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and OneWay ANOVA test. Significance was shown at p values<0.05. Puberty in females was significantly advanced by 500 mg/kg (p<0.01) and in male mice was delayed by 50 (p<0.05) and 500 mg/kg formonotonin (p<0.01). Mean duration of estrus cycle increased in 500 mg/kg formonotonin (p<0.05). Lordosis and mount numbers in 500 (p<0.001) decreased and the mean latency to the first mounts increased by 500 formonotonin (p<0.001). Percentage of saccharin preference increased by 50 (p<0.05) and 500 mg/kg formonotonin (p<0.01) in female mice. In addition, estradiol level in 50 (p<0.01) and 500 mg/kg (p<0.001) doces decreased and testosterone level in 500 formonotonin mg/kg (p<0.01) decreased, compared with controls. The results of this study show that the administration of formonotonin during the neonatal period of mice has the potential to cause development of sexual dimorphism parameters.

Fennel, as an edible plant, and due to its estrogenic compounds, has widely been used as a therapeutic agent for centuries. In this study, the effects of neonatal exposure to fennel alcoholic extract (FAE), on the onset of puberty, estrus cycle, ovaries, and lordosis were investigated.

In this experimental study, 48 female BALB/c pups were divided into 4 groups: control (without treatment), treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB), 100 and 200 (mg/kg bw) FAE that were daily administered for 5 days from birth.

The age at vaginal opening (VO) was significantly earlier in EB and 200 FAE. Body weight at VO was lower than control only in EB. A disrupted estrus cycle, decreased number of cycles and increased index diestrus were observed in EB and 200 FAE treated mice. Ovary weight in the EB-, 100- and 200 FAE-treated groups were lower. The number of Graafian follicles in the EB-, 100- and 200 FAE and number of corpus luteum in the EB and 200 FAE groups were lower than that of control females. Estradiol concentration increased in the EB and 200 FAE and LH concentration decreased in the EB-, 100- and 200 FAE groups. The lordosis quotient (LQ) was significantly low in the EB- and 200 FAE-treated groups, vis-à-vis the control group.

The present results indicated that neonatal exposure to FAE induces early VO and disrupts ovary function. In addition, fennel acts like xenoestrogens and causes defeminization of the brain in the estrus cycle as well as lordosis in mice.

Humulus lupulus (Hops) is well-known throughout the world as the raw material in the brewing industry. In addition, hops have been found to have estrogenic and antioxidant properties. The object of this study aimed to examine the effects of hops during gestation and lactation on the onset of puberty, estrus cycle, reproductive organ weights and fertility index in female mice.
10 pregnant mice were exposed to hops at doses of 0 (control), 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/ day, by gavage, from gestational days 7 to postnatal day 7. Female offspring (n=10) were analyzed for vaginal opening day, estrus cycle regularity, weights of the uterus and ovaries, and fertility index. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (p Vaginal opening day was significantly advanced by 100 (p The present study results showed that perinatal exposure to hops advanced the puberty, disrupted estrus cycle and decreased fertility in female offspring.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) neurons of hypothalamus are final output of brain for regulation of puberty onset and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis functions in mammals. However, the mechanisms responsible for release of GnRH neurons are unknown. A number of various factors including neurotransmitters, neuropeptides or different signals have been identified to be involved in the regulation of the secretion of GnRH neurons. Neuronal set of kisspeptin have been recognized recently as critical upstream regulators of GnRH neurons. Given the importance of this issue, in this study a review of various studies and sources about biosynthesis, neuroanatomy, signaling, function and dysfunction of kisspeptin was performed

In this review study, new evidence in relation to role of kisspeptin neuropeptide in the reproductive system were investigated by using various databases including pubmed, sciencedirect, nature, springer, wiley, scopus and key words such as kisspeptin, gonads, hypothalamus, GnRH and reproduction were used.
FINDINGS: From 145 gained articles, 72 articles were reviewed. Kisspeptin neuropeptide signaling in hypothalamus is required for initiation of puberty and mammalian reproductive function. Kisspeptin neurons stimulate GnRH release and act as central integrator of external and internal signals. Neurones kisspeptin are sensitive to sex steroids, metabolic cues estrogen like compounds.

Kisspeptin neurons play a vital role in the maturation and function of the HPG axis, including the sexual differentiation of the brain, the timing of puberty, the regulation of gonadotropin secretion and the control of fertility by hormonal and environmental cues.

So far, various reports have been presented on the relationship between sex hormones and gender-related differences in pain and analgesia in humans and laboratory animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of testosterone hormone and spironolactone anti-androgen drug on morphine-induced analgesia in male mice using formalin test.
In this study, 80 male mice were divided into 10 groups (N=8); normal saline (control), sesame seed oil (as testosterone solvent), testosterone (5 and 10 mg/kg body weight), spironolactone, morphine, sesame seed oil morphine, testosterone (5 and 10 mg/ kg body weight) morphine and spironolactone morphine. Formalin test was performed in all the mice, and data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.
The results showed that sesame seed oil morphine (p It can be concluded that testosterone has analgesic effects on the chronic phase of the pain. On the other hand, spironolactone may have hyperalgesic effects due to its anti-androgenic properties.

Exposure to estrogen like chemicals during critical periods of development particularly in the neonatal period can disrupt normal patterns of mammary tissue development later in life. In this study, the effects of neonatal exposure of tamoxifen anti-estrogen and zearalenone mycoestrogen on some histological characteristics of mammary gland in female mouse were investigated.
Twenty newborn female mice of BALB/c strain were divided into four groups: three experimental and one control group (with no treatment). Treatment groups included Tamoxifen (400 μg /kg /day) group, Zearalenone treatment group (2 mg /kg /day) and group treated with tamoxifen췦꭪垧ꉷ treatment group. Daily treatments were started on the first day of life and continued up to 5 subcutaneously. Then about 70 days after birth, mice were deeply anesthetized and the mammary tissue was removed from the body. Following histochemical staining, the samples were studied using light and transmission electron microcopies.
Findings: The result showed that epithelial thickness of milk duct and volume of the nipple in tamoxifen treatment group significantly (pDiscusion & The results of this study show that neonatal administration of tamoxifen probably exerts anti-estrogenic effects and it prevents the normal development of mammary tissue, but zearalenone do not have adverse consequences on mammary tissue.

Baneh (Pistacia Atlantica) is a valuable oily fruit that has gained considerable attention because of its pharmaceutical, nutritional and industrial applications. This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect of rubbing baneh oil using formalin test during acute and chronic phases in male laboratory mice.
This experimental study was conducted on 30 male mice. They were allocated into 5 groups including control (without treatment), rubbing vaseline, morphine (positive control), baneh oil, and baneh oil plus morphine. Before the formalin test, the animals were treated with rubbing baneh oil for six hours. Morphine (10 mg/kg) was injected with a single dose subcutaneously. Pain scores were obtained using formalin test by injecting 0.02 ml of 2.5% formalin into the animals’ right palm.
Rubbing baneh oil significantly reduced the pain in acute pain (P This study showed that rubbing Baneh oil has antinociceptive effect where a considerable share of this effect may be attributed to the oil’s compounds.

Several studies have shown that developmental exposure to phytoestrogens causes adverse effects on the reproductive functions. Fennel as a phytoestrogen plant has a rich history in household use and traditional medicine.So, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of in utero and neonatal exposure with fennel on the puberty onset, estrus cycle, reproductive organs and sexual behavior of their offspring.
BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0 (control), 100, 200 and 400 (mg/kg bw) aqueous fennel seed extract (AFSE), daily from day 7 of gestation to postnatal day (PND) 7.
Vaginal opening (sign of puberty onset) was advanced in 200 (p These results suggest that developmental exposure to AFSE, due to its estrogenic compounds, it may cause the precocious puberty, disrupted estrus cycle, altered weight of reproductive organs, hormonal imbalance and low lordosis behavior.

Humulus lupulus is known for its estrogenic properties as a raw material in the beverage industry. Exposure to exogenous estrogenic compounds during embryonic and neonatal periods are now of public health concern, since it may cause reproductive impairment. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate treatment with humulus lupulus during early stages of life on the onset of puberty and some reproductive indices in male rats.
In this experimental study, 20 pregnant mice were divided into five groups of four, including control (without treatment), control (saline) and three groups treated with alcoholic extract of humulus lupulus at 50, 100, 150 mg/kg/bw concentrations. They were treated daily from the seventh day of pregnancy to seven days after birth by gavage. Then, the effect of alcoholic extract of humulus lupulus on the onset of puberty, testicular weight and epididymis, sperm count, viability, and motility, testosterone concentration and the fertility of male children were evaluated.
FINDINGS: The onset of puberty in the 150 mg/kg humulus lupulus group (43.6±0.83) occurred later than the control (39.8±0.49) (p The results of this study showed that exposure of male rats to humulus lupulus in early stages of life causes late puberty and has negative effects on reproductive performance

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) is a very sweet and soothing herb with anti-inflammatory property and hormonal effects, and in the high importance to the pharmaceutical and food industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extract containing and without Glycyrrhizic acid of licorice rhizome on small laboratory mice.
In this experimental study, 126 male NMRI mice randomly divided into 18 groups (n=7). Xylene and Formalin Tests used for demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. The normal saline control group and the positive control group in the inflammation test were injected dexamethasone, and morphine was injected in the pain test. Experimental groups received extract with and without Glycyrrhizic acid of licorice rhizome at doses of 20, 40, 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg. Statistical analysis was performed using Graph pad Prism software, one and two way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests (P The results of inflammation test showed that all doses of extract with glycyrrhizin contain anti-inflammatory effect in inhibiting the xelen-induced inflammation compared with the control group. Results of formalin test showed that the extract with glycyrrhizin has more analgesic effect than without glycyrrhizin extract. Analgesic effects of two extracts in both acute and chronic pain were observed which the pain score dropped significantly in chronic pain.
Findings of this study showed that licorice root extract has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects so that major part of these effects is probably related to Glycyrrhizic acid.

Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) is a medicinal plant usually used in traditional medicine to reduce toothache. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of topical Clove oil on acute and chronic pain in male mice using formalin test.
In this study, 24 mice were divided into 4 groups: control, morphine (as positive control), Clove oil, and Clove oil plus morphine groups. Before the formalin test, the animals were treated topically with clove oil for 6 hours. A single dose of morphine (10 mg/kg) was prescribed subcutaneously. Pain scores were obtained using the formalin test through an injection of 20 microliter of formalin 2.5% into the palm of the animal's right hand.
Topical administration of Clove oil significantly decreased acute pain (the initial phase of the formalin test) and chronic pain (the second phase of the formalin test). Furthermore, topical Clove oil increased the analgesic effect of morphine in acute pain phase.
This study showed that the analgesic effect of topical Clove oil was comparable to morphine.

It is well known that exposure to estrogenic compounds during critical and sensitive periods of lifespan could result in adverse effects on the development and function of reproductive system. In the present study, we examined the effects of neonatal mycoestrogens Zearalenone (Zen) and alpha-zearalenol (α-Zol) exposure on the onset of puberty and reproductive parameters such as estrous cycle and ovarian follicle pool in female mice.
Pups were injected subcutaneously at postnatal days (PND) 1-5 with sesame oil, estradiol benzoate (EB, 20µg/kg bw), Zen (0.2, 1, 2mg/kg bw) and alpha-Zol(0.2, 1, 2mg/kg bw). The control group received no treatment. Vaginal opening and estrous cycle were monitored from PND 23 to 70. Animals were sacrificed at PND 70, and blood and ovary were collected.
Finding: Advanced vaginal opening, disrupted estrous cycles and decreased follicular pool were significantly observed in EB, 1 and 2 Zen and 1 and 2 α-Zol. Also, LH and estradiol levels impaired.
Discussion & Neonatal exposure to mycoestrogens accelerated the onset of puberty but decreased reproductive parameters in female mice. These alterations could result from disruption anywhere within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadalaxis in particular estrogen-sensitive neuronal populations of hypothalamus.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis controls reproductive function. The hypothalamus secretes GnRH that is transported to the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the release of the gonadotrophic hormones. Which act on the gonads to stimulate sexual maturation, gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. Although GnRH neurons are a key component of the HPG axis, other neurotransmitters or neuropeptides in the hypothalamus, such as glutamate, GABA, galanin, dopamine and kisspeptin have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of GnRH secretion. In addition to GnRH neurons, pituitary and gonads, some of these neuronal populations such kisspeptin are extremely sensitive to changes in the levels of steroid hormones and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Several EDCs, such as pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, tamoxifen, phytoestrogens and mycoestrogens can interact with the female and male reproductive system function and lead to disruption of endocrine function. Reproductive system development and function may be susceptible to the effects of such EDCs. By far, the greatest concerns for the potential adverse effects of EDCs have focused on their deleterious impact on reproductive health. It has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions and epidemiological studies that EDCs can exert detrimental effects especially during hormonal critical periods such as fetal and neonatal periods on the reproductive system. This article reviews some evidence that EDCs can impair the HPG axis and reproductive function.