farimah beheshti

 Hypothyroidism and cardiovascular diseases are associated with oxidative stress. Vitamin C is widely recognized for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin C during the neonatal and juvenile periods on oxidative stress induced by hypothyroidism in the hearts of rats.

 Sixteen pregnant rats were randomly divided into five groups after delivery: a control group, a group receiving propylthiouracil (PTU), and three treatment groups receiving PTU along with 10, 100, and 500 mg/kg of vitamin C. The experimental treatments continued for the first eight weeks of the offspring’s life, following the lactation period, and the offspring were treated in the same manner. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed, and serum, aortic, and cardiac tissues were collected for antioxidant evaluation.

 In the group receiving PTU, levels of thyroxine and antioxidant enzymes were decreased in serum, heart, and aortic tissues. In contrast, the groups receiving PTU along with various doses of vitamin C demonstrated an attenuation of these parameters.

 Based on the findings, vitamin C supplementation improved cardiovascular oxidative stress induced by hypothyroidism in rats.

 Evidence declared lipopolysaccharide (LPS) initiates inflammatory responses by stimulating the abandon of cytokines, which may perturb organ function. On the other side, it has been suggested Cedrol has potential properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Herein, this study was done to assess the protective effect of Cedrol against LPS-associated heart damage.

 Thirty-five rats (200-250 g) were sorted into five groups, including control, LPS, LPS-Cedrol 7.5 mg/kg, LPS-Cedrol 15 mg/kg, and LPS-Cedrol 30 mg/kg groups. Cedrol was administrated through injected intra-peritoneally for two weeks. The heart tissues were removed and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation marker, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) as antioxidant markers were assessed. Furthermore, the interleukin (IL)-6 level in cardiac tissue was measured and Masson’s trichrome methods were employed to appraise cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, respectively.

 Inflammation induced by LPS was significantly accompanied by myocardial fibrosis which was shown by Masson’s trichrome staining (P<0.001). In addition, LPS administration enhanced the MDA level while it diminished the activity of anti-oxidant markers such as CAT and SOD (P<0.001 for all cases). In the histological results, Cedrol improved LPS-induced inflammation and cardiac fibrosis (P<0.01 to P<0.001). Cedrol also enhanced CAT and SOD activities, whereas declined MDA level in the cardiac tissue (P<0.01 to P<0.001).

 The current findings proposed that the administration of Cedrol exerted a protective role in LPS-associated heart damage by reducing inflammation, cardiac fibrosis, and oxidative stress.

Studies indicate that phytoestrogens and phytosterols have adverse effects on the male reproductive system. To our knowledge, the effects of Tanacetum parthenium on testicular tissue, spermatozoa chromatin integrity and free radical damage have not yet been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of T. parthenium administration on sperm parameters, testis histology, sperm DNA integrity and oxidative damage in adult male mice. 

Eighteen adult male mice (2-3 months old) were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, TP1 and TP2. TP1 and TP2 groups were separately gavaged with 50 and 100 mg/kg T. parthenium. After harvesting the epididymis, sperm analysis was performed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). The testicular tissue also passaged through the tissue routine process after being placed in a formalin fixative solution. To check the quality of sperm chromatin, a sperm smear was prepared and then stained with acridine orange dye and was examined with a fluorescent microscope. Biochemical parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), thiol, catalase enzyme, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured in testicular tissue. Finally, data were analyzed by the analysis of variance in SPSS software, version 16. 

A significant reduction was seen in sperm count and sperm morphology percentage and the germinal epithelium thickness in the TP1 and TP2 groups versus the control group. The spermatozoa with DNA damage in percentage were higher in the TP1 group (21.22±3.70) and TP2 group (42.60±3.73) compared to the control group (2.40±4.3). There were remarkable differences between the three groups in MDA (P≤0.001) and thiol (P≤0.001) levels. Catalase level (P≤0.001) was lower in the TP1 and TP2 groups than in the control group. 

The results of this study showed that T. parthenium caused a significant decrease in sperm chromatin quality, MDA level and germinal epithelium thickness at both doses. A reduction was found in the antioxidant enzyme level in the mice administrated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of T. parthenium.

Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpenoid compound that has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is derived from the outer cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and is responsible for acute kidney injury. In this research, the protective effect of carvacrol on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury was studied. For this purpose, 40 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were used. Animals were randomly divided into 5 equal groups: 1) control, 2) LPS group, 3) LPS+carvacrol (25 mg kg-1), 4) LPS+carvacrol (50 mg kg-1) and 5) LPS+carvacrol (100 mg kg-1). To induce acute renal injury, daily 1 mg kg-1 LPS for 2 weeks was injected intraperitoneally. Carvacrol was administered intraperitoneally daily for 30 minutes before LPS injection. LPS-induced kidney injury was evaluated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and nitric oxide levels in kidney tissue by spectrophotometric methods. The level of the interleukin 1 beta was detected by ELISA in the kidney. Our results showed that LPS injection increased BUN, creatinine, nitric oxide, and IL-1β levels (P <0.001). Pretreatment with carvacrol reduced BUN at 25 mg kg-1 (P <0.001), 50 mg kg-1 (P <0.01), and 100 mg kg-1 (P <0.001) doses, nitric oxide at 25 mg kg-1 (P <0.05), 50 mg kg-1(P <0.01) and 100 mg kg-1(P <0.001) doses, and IL-1β levels (P <0.001) at all doses significantly but did not affect serum creatinine. These results indicate that carvacrol has an anti-inflammatory effect and protects kidneys against LPS by reducing pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β and nitric oxide.

Diabetes and abnormal thyroid function cause disorders in the reproductive system, which are associated with complications such as decreased testosterone, diameter of seminiferous tubule, libido, sperm motility, normal sperm morphology and fertility. It has been found that high blood sugar and decreased thyroid hormones may affect the quality of sperm and reduce the chances of male fertility. It has been also shown that changes in the sperm chromatin structure during the process of spermatogenesis is correlated with reduced number and motility or abnormal sperm morphology. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of diabetes and hypothyroidism on sperm chromatin quality.

In this study, 60 Balb/C male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1) control, 2) diabetic, 3) diabetes + insulin, 4) sham and 5) hypothyroid group. After 35 days, left epididymis were removed to assess sperm chromatin quality using aniline blue staining.

The results of this research showed that sperm chromatin integrity in the diabetic and hypothyroid groups significantly changed as increased the percentage of abnormal sperm chromatin and reduced chromatin quality compared to other groups (P<0.05) and insulin treatment improved this parameter compared to the diabetic group. (P<0.05).

Our findings showed that diabetes and hypothyroidism have negative effects on chromatin integrity and suffering from the such diseases will probably increase infertility.

Regarding the unpleasant pain sensation and the public’s desire to use traditional herbs, the present study aimed to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of Chenopodium botrys L. The present research was divided into two main sections to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of Chenopodium botrys L. in male mice. To investigate the analgesic effect of Chenopodium botrys L., thirty-six male mice were randomly classified into six groups vehicle (receiving normal saline), experimental groups received morphine (a well-known opioid, 1 mg/kg), hydroalcoholic extracts of Chenopodium botrys L. (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), and naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) with the highest dose of Chenopodium botrys L. concurrently for one week. Thirty mice were divided into five groups to receive normal saline, various doses of extract (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), and dexamethasone (a well-known anti-inflammatory drug, 10 mg/kg) to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Chenopodium botrys L. In both sections, after the last doses of the treatment, the animals got ready for behavioral study related to pain. Overall, the highest doses of Chenopodium botrys L. demonstrated much better results than other doses, which were comparable to opioids and dexamethasone, a well-known analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicines, respectively. Regarding present findings, the Chenopodium botrys L. plant can be a new candidate as an analgesic agent, which needs more investigation in the search and pharmaceutical development.

The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of some known extracts on learning and memory impairment induced by streptozocin (STZ) in male rats.

Eighty male rats were randomly divided: 1) control, 2) STZ (50 mg/kg), 3) STZ+Trigonella foenum-graecum (200 mg/kg), 4) STZ+Ribes rubrum (500 mg/kg), 5) STZ+Lavandula angustifolia (400 mg/kg), 6) STZ+Arctium Lappa (200 mg/kg), 7) STZ+mix of extracts (quarter dose of each extract), and 8) STZ+metformin (100 mg/kg). Treatment was continued for 8 weeks and the after that, the behavioral tests related to learning and memory including Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) were performed along with biochemical analysis associated with oxidative stress pathway and other related indicators.

According to the results, all extracts demonstrated potential effect to ameliorate cognitive impairment caused by STZ in both MWM and PA tests along with attenuating oxidative stress indicators like malondialdehyde (MDA), while total thiol content and anti-oxidant enzyme activity like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) remarkably increased in biochemical test results. Interestingly, the mixture of extracts illustrated much better results in ameliorating the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), while attenuating the amyloid-B and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

The present study demonstrated these extracts alone or in combination with a minimum dose have a strong potential to ameliorate learning and memory impairment induced by STZ along with lowering glucose levels by which they prevent or manage diabetes. It is noteworthy that the results matched those of metformin a well-known anti-diabetic drug.

 Inflammation and oxidative stress are contributed to cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D (Vit D) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the current research, the effect of Vit D on cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, and oxidative stress indicators in cardiovascular tissues was studied in lipopolysaccharides(LPS) injected rats.

 Rats were distributed into 5 groups and were treated for 2 weeks. Control: received vehicle(saline supplemented with tween-80) instead of Vit D and saline instead of LPS, LPS: treated by 1 mg/kg of LPS and was given vehicle instead of Vit D, LPS-Vit D groups: received 3 doses of Vit D (100, 1000, and 10000 IU/kg) of Vit D in addition to LPS. Vit D was dissolved in saline supplemented with tween-80 (final concentration 0.1%) and LPS was dissolved in saline. The white blood cell (WBC) was counted. Oxidative stress markers were determined in serum, aorta, and heart. Cardiac tissue fibrosis was also estimated using Masson’s trichrome staining method.

 WBC and malondialdehyde (MDA) were higher in the LPS group than the control group, whereas the thiol content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were lower in the LPS group than the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001). Administration of Vit D decreased WBC (P<0.001) and MDA (P<0.05 and P<0.001) while enhanced thiol (dose 10000 IU/Kg) (P<0.001), SOD (dose 10000 IU/kg) (P<0.001), and CAT (P<0.05 and P<0.001) compared to the LPS group. All doses of Vit D also decreased cardiac fibrosis compared to the LPS group (P<0.001).

 Vit D protected the cardiovascular against the detrimental effect of LPS. This cardiovascular protection can be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Vit D.

Neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures were investigated. 

Mice were divided as follows: (Group 1) Control, (Group 2) PTZ, (Groups 3-5) 50,100 and 200 mg/kg hydro-ethanolic (HE) extract, and (Groups 6-8) 200 mg/kg ethyl-acetate (EAF), N-hexane (NHF) and water (WF) fractions. Minimal clonic seizures (MCS) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) latencies were measured. Biochemical and histological studies were done.

MCS and GTCS latency in HE groups were longer than the PTZ group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). EAF and NHF prolonged the onset of MCS and GTCS (p<0.001). PTZ increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and dark neuron (DN) production while decreased thiol, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p<0.05 to p<0.001).  Pre-treatment by HE and all fractions of the plant attenuated MDA and DN while increased thiol, CAT and SOD (p<0.01 to p<0.001).

EAF and NHF had anticonvulsant properties. The extract and fractions protected the brain from PTZ-induced oxidative damages and showed neuroprotective effects.

The beneficial effect of carvacrol on neuroinflammation, oxidative damage of brain tissue, and depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration were evaluated in rats.

Vehicle (1% Tween 80), 1 mg/kg of LPS, and carvacrol (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg administered prior to LPS) were injected and behavioral and biochemical tests were done.

The results of forced swim test revealed that carvacrol attenuated immobility time and increased activity and climbing times (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The results of elevated plus maze also revealed that treatment by carvacrol prolonged the open arms time and entries and decreased the time and entries in the closed arms (p<0.05 to p<0.01). Carvacrol enhanced crossing, time, and traveled distance in the central segment of the open field and increased total crossing and distance while attenuating the peripheral zone time (p<0.05 to p<0.001). All doses of carvacrol attenuated TNF- α (tumor necrosis factor α) and NO (nitric oxide) in the brain (p<0.01 to p<0.001). The 50 and the 100 mg/kg doses of carvacrol decreased malondialdehyde (p<0.001 for both), and the 100 mg/kg dose of carvacrol increased the content of the thiol (p<0.001).

In conclusion, carvacrol improved the behavioral consequences of LPS challenge and attenuated neuroinflammation and brain tissue oxidative stress in rats.

Rosa damascena Herrm (R. damascena) is a species of the Rosaceae family. The R. damascena has been shown to improve depression, anxiety and grief. It also suppresses allergic reactions and migraine headache. In addition, amelioration of learning and memory deficits, delay in onset of seizure attacks, alleviation of pain and improvement of sleep disorders have been attributed to extract and essential oil of R. damascena. This review was conducted to integrate the neuropharmacological effects of R. damascena.

Employed scientific databases for collecting information were including PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar.

The results of animal and clinical trial studies indicate that the extract of R. damascena and its essential oil apply useful therapeutic effects on depressant and anxiety-like behaviors, epileptic seizures, learning and memory impairments, sleep disturbances and pain.

Based on scientific findings, the neuroprotective effects of R. damascena can be mainly linked to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro-ethanol extract Zataria multiflora on the brain tissue oxidative damage, and hippocampal interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as learning and memory capacity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - challenged rats. The rats were randomized into five groups as follow: Control group: Rats were treated with saline, LPS group: Rats were treated with LPS 1.00 mg kg-1, ZM50, ZM100 and ZM200 groups in which the rats were treated with Z. multiflora extract (50.00, 100 or 200 mg kg-1 per day, respectively). The treatments including extract or vehicle were administered intraperitoneally ‎and given three days before the behavioral tests and were continued within a6-day behavioral experiment. Injection of LPS was daily done before the behavioral tests. Finally, the brains were collected for biochemical evaluations. Although LPS administration prolonged the latency in Morris water maze and shortened the latency to enter the dark chamber in passive avoidance test, ZM extract restored these changes to approach control group values. Also, LPS increased IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites levels and lowered thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels in the brain, however, Z. multiflora extract reduced IL-6, MDA and NO metabolites concentrations, but increased thiol content, SOD, and CAT levels. The results of this study showed that Z. multiflora ameliorated learning and memory dysfunction in LPS - challenged rats by alleviating of inflammatory responses and brain tissue oxidative damage.

Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of seizures. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Tanacetum parthenium against oxidative brain damage in a pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced seizure model in mice.

 In this experimental study, mice were divided into 6 groups: control, PTZ, and 4 other groups that, besides PTZ, received 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the fraction. PTZ (100 mg/kg) and a fraction (30 min before PTZ) were administered intraperitoneally for 3 weeks. Delay in the onset of the minimal clonic seizure (MCS), generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS), and the level of oxidative stress indexes in cortical and hippocampal tissues were measured.

 Pretreatment with fraction resulted in postponing the onset seizures in the Fraction+PTZ groups compared to the PTZ group (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001). In addition, all doses of ethyl acetate fraction decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the level of tom thiol groups and the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in the brain tissues compared to the PTZ group. 

Ethyl acetate fraction of Tanacetum parthenium attenuated PTZ-stimulated seizures through improving brain tissue oxidative stress.

Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can play an important role in reducing emergency department (ED) overcrowding by decreasing unnecessary transfers. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of continuous education of EMS staff in decreasing the unnecessary transfers to ED. In this before-after study, analysis of 1500 EMS calls according to transferred and not transferred patients to ED was done and an educational package consisting of indications for transferring patients to ED based on existing references was prepared. EMS staff underwent an educational course by mentioned package and data of patients’ transportation after training was gathered and compared to the period before training. 3000 calls to pre-hospital emergency service were evaluated (1500 cases before and 1500 cases after training). The number of cases not transferred by EMS increased from 243 (16.2%) cases before training to 461 (30.7%) after that and the decreasing number of transfers to ED after training was significant (p<0.001). The highest percentage of decrease in transfer to ED belonged to complaints of lower back pain with 45%, mental problems with 27.7%, and direct extremity trauma with 23.4%, respectively. Patients not transferred to ED on the first call to EMS and coming with daily to ED during one week from the first call with the same complaint decreased from 13.6% (33 cases) to 8% (40 cases) after training. The highest percentage of the delayed coming patient to ED during 1 week after the first call to EMS belonged to cardiac complaints with 4.6% and mental complaints with 2.4%. Based on the findings of the present study, empowering pre-hospital emergency staff by continuous education leads to a 14.5% decrease in unnecessary referral cases and a 5.6% drop in unnecessary visits in ED.

This study was done to investigate the effects of feeding by the hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa (NS) during lactation on prolactin level of mothers and weight gain of offspring in propylthiouracil (PTU) induced- hypothyroid and euthyroid rats. Forty pregnant rats were randomly divided into 8 groups and treated by: (1) Normal drinking water as a control group; (2) 0.005% PTU in drinking water; (3-5) 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic extract of NS plus PTU (6-8) 100, 200 or 400 mg/ kg of the plant extract in drinking water without PTU. Mothers received the experimental treatments from the first day after delivery through the lactation period. The offspring continued to receive the experimental treatments up to the first two months of their life. PTU decreased serum thyroxin concentration of mothers and their dams compared to the control ones (P<0.001) which improved by the plant extract (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in TSH concentration. There was no significant difference between PTU and control groups in the duration of the lactation period and also in serum prolactin level. All doses of the plant extract increased the duration of lactation period of both hypothyroid and euthyroid rats compared to both control and PTU groups which were accompanied by serum prolactin concentration (P<0.001). The extract also increased the body weight gain of offspring rats (P < 0.01- P<0.001). In the present study we showed hypothyroid status induced by PTU during the lactation period did not change serum prolactin level. Administration of NS extract during lactation period improved prolactin concentrations in both hypothyroid and euthyroid rats, prolonged lactation period, and improved weight gain of the offspring.

Oxidative stress has pernicious effects on the brain. Pinus eldarica has antioxidant properties. We explored neuroprotective effect of P. eldarica against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures.

Male mice (BALB/c) were grouped as control, PTZ, Soxhlet (Sox) 100, Sox 200, Macerated (Mac) 100 and Mac 200 groups. Sox and Mac extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg) were injected during 7 days. Delay in onset of minimal clonic seizure (MCS) and generalized tonic- clonic seizure (GTCS) was measured. Number of dark neurons (DN) and levels of oxidative stress indicators in the hippocampus were evaluated.

Onset of MCS and GTCS was later in groups treated with the extracts than the PTZ group (p<0.01 and p<0.001). Number of DN in the hippocampus in the PTZ group was higher than the control group (p<0.001) while in the extract groups, was lower than the PTZ group (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001). MDA level was higher whereas total thiol level and activity of SOD and CAT were lower (p<0.001) in the PTZ group than the control group. MDA level in the Sox 100 (p<0.01), Sox 200 (p<0.001) and Mac 200 (p<0.01) groups was less than the PTZ group. Total thiol level in the Sox 200 (p<0.001), SOD in the Sox 100 (p<0.05), Sox 200, and Mac 200 and CAT in the Sox 200 (p<0.001) groups were higher than the PTZ group.  

P. eldarica prevented neuronal death and reduced seizures caused by PTZ via improving brain oxidative stress.

 Blood-brain barrier (BBB), as well-known protection for the brain, plays an active role in normal homeostasis. It might be changed by a range of inflammatory mediators to have a role in sickness behaviors.

 Regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of thymoquinone (TQ), its protection against BBB permeability, as a possible mechanism for protective effects against sickness behaviors elicited by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was evaluated in rats.

 The animals were grouped as follows and treated (n = 10 in each): (1) control (saline); (2) LPS 1 mg/kg, was injected two hours before behavioral tests for two weeks; (3-5) 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg TQ, respectively was injected 30 min before LPS injection. Open-field (OF), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and Forced Swimming test (FST) were done. Finally, the animals were anesthetized to evaluate for BBB permeability using Evans blue (EB) dye method.

 Compared with control, LPS decreased the peripheral distance and crossing and also total crossing and distance in OF, (P < 0.01 - P < 0.001). The central crossing and distance and central time in all three treatment groups were more than LPS (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). LPS also reduced the entries and the time spent in the open arm while increased the time spent in the closed arm in EPM (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). The effects of LPS were reversed by TQ (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). In FST, the immobility time and active time were increased and decreased by LPS compared with control (P < 0.001), respectively. In all three TQ-treated groups, the active and climbing times were more while the immobility time was fewer than the LPS (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). The animals of the LPS group showed more EB dye content in their brain tissue than the control group (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001). TQ significantly reduced EB dye content of the brain tissues (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001).

 According to this study, protection against BBB permeability as a possible mechanism for the protective effects of TQ against sickness behaviors induced by LPS might be suggested.

Epileptic seizures affect the life of noticeable number of people in all over the world. Tanacetum parthenium (TP) is used in traditional medicine. We studied the effects of hydro- ethanolic extract of TP and its n-butanol and aqueous fractions on brain oxidative damage in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice.

Male mice were divided into: (1) Control; (2) PTZ (100 mg/kg, i.p.); (3-5) hydro-ethanolic extract of TP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg); (6) n-butanol (NBut) (100 mg/kg) and (7) aqueous (Aq) (100 mg/kg) fractions. Extracts were injected (i.p.) for 3 days and 30 min before PTZ. Latencies in onset of Minimal Clonic Seizures (MCS) and Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures (GTCS) as well as biochemical indicators were evaluated.

Medium dose of TP extract and NBut fraction prolonged the MSC and GTCS latencies. Biochemical data confirmed that administration of hydro-ethanolic extract of TP significantly reduced MDA and enhanced total thiol content and the activity of SOD and CAT in brain tissues. Comparison the effect of NBut and Aq fractions with medium dose indicated a higher level of MDA and lower amount of total thiol content and the activity of SOD and CAT in brain tissues of PTZ-Aq100 and PTZ-NBut100 groups than PTZ-TP100 group.

Results demonstrated that the medium dose of TP extract had the most protective effect against brain oxidative damage in PTZ-induced seizure model. N-butanol and aqueous fractions of TP could not exert stronger effect than medium dose on reduction PTZ-induced brain oxidative stress.

Medium dose of TP extract and NBut fraction prolonged the MSC and GTCS latencies. Biochemical data confirmed that administration of hydro-ethanolic extract of TP significantly reduced MDA and enhanced total thiol content and the activity of SOD and CAT in brain tissues. Comparison the effect of NBut and Aq fractions with medium dose indicated a higher level of MDA and lower amount of total thiol content and the activity of SOD and CAT in brain tissues of PTZ-Aq100 and PTZ-NBut100 groups than PTZ-TP100 group.

Results demonstrated that the medium dose of TP extract had the most protective effect against brain oxidative damage in PTZ-induced seizure model. N-butanol and aqueous fractions of TP could not exert stronger effect than medium dose on reduction PTZ-induced brain oxidative stress.

Certain plants stimulate spermatogenesis and increase fertility; in contrast, some plants arrest the spermatogenesis cycle. Ceratonia siliqua is an herb plant with a strong antioxidant property. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of carob fruit extract on spermatogenesis, testicular apoptosis, and oxidative stress in adult male mice.

Forty adult male mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, sham, and carob 1–3. The sham group was injected with normal saline and the carob 1–3 groups were injected with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of the carob fruit extract intraperitoneally for 14 days, respectively. At the end of the injection period, spermatogenesis, testicular apoptosis, and oxidative stress were examined.

The sperm parameters increased in the mice that received 200 mg/kg of carob compared to the sham group (p <0.05). There was a significant increase in the weight index of the epididymis in the carob 3 group in comparison to the sham group (p = 0.01). The number of positive tunnel cells was not statistically significant between different groups (p>0.05). The level of malondialdehyde decreased in the carob 1 and carob 3 groups, but this reduction was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In addition, the statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the mean superoxide dismutase levels in the carob 2 and carob 3 groups in comparison to the sham group (p ≤ 0.001). The statistical analysis showed a significant increase in the mean level of the catalase enzyme in the carob 1 group in comparison to the sham (p = 0.02), and carob 2 groups (p = 0.008).

The administration of 200 mg of the carob fruit extract for 14 days increased the testicular index as well as sperm parameters and decreased the level of oxidative stress in the testicular tissue of adult mice.