موش صحرائی

In previous studies, the effects of food restriction on the changes in immune responses and brain dopamine content have been determined. On the other hand, it has been shown that immune cells, in addition to dopamine production, also have dopamine receptors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhibition of D2 dopamine receptors on several functions of monocytes of peripheral blood in rat under food restriction In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (weighing 200-250 gr) were allocated into six groups (n=6), including control groups, food restriction (25%), food restriction (50%), food restriction (75%), food restriction 75% and Sulpiride and rats treated with Sulpiride. Sulpiride was injected Intracerebroventricular at a concentration of 50 μg / rat on day 21 after the study initiation. At the end, the Rats were bled and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by ficoll gradient method. Food restriction caused a significant decrease in the activity of monocyte cells of gradient of peripheral blood mononuclear cells like neutral red uptake test and respiratory burst (NBT reduction test) simultaneously with decreasing lymphocytes proliferation after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. Administration of Sulpiride with a 75% Food restriction resulted in the improvement of these functions of monocyte cells of gradient of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as lymphocyte proliferation. Intracerebroventricular administration of dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (sulpiride) effectively inhibited the effects of a severe dietary restriction on the suppression of immunity system.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system in which myelin is destroyed. Oxidative stress and subsequent apoptosis are recognized as factors involved in the pathogenesis of MS.  On the other hand, 17-β-estradiol is well known  for its anti-oxidant properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 17-beta-estradiol on oxidative stress parameters in the experimental model of MS.   This study was conducted on 49 Wistar male rats cannulating into the CA1 area of hippocampus. The rats were randomly divided into following groups (n=7): control group, sham group, MS group, estradiol groups, MS+estradiol groups. MS model was induced by intrahippocampal injection of ethidium bromide and estradiol was injected as a pretreatment for 5 days. At the end of experiments, the levels of oxidative stress parameters, such as MDA, Glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase and Catalase)were measured in this study.   The microinjection of ethidium bromide increased the oxidative capacity and reduced the antioxidant enzyme (SOD GPx and CAT) activity (P<0.05). The pre-treatment of 17-beta-estradiol prevented an increase in oxidative capacity and decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the experimental groups (P<0.05).   The 17-beta-estradiol, as a potent antioxidant, is likely to prevent the increase of oxidative stress indices in the experimental model of MS by removing reactive oxygen species and clearing the tissues from free radicals.

Facing maternal separation during early postnatal life leads to disturbances in the cognitive and neuro-chemical activities of the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal separation on spatial learning and memory of morphine-dependent rats. This experimental study was carried out on 40 male Wistar rats of 45 days old. Animals were divided into control group (CO), morphine dependent (MD) and 3 group of rats which maternally separated during 1 (MS1), 2 (MS2) and 3 weeks (MS3) after birth. Except CO rats, the other groups were subcutaneously injected 10 mg/kg morphine every 12 hours for 10 days. At the 11th day signs of withdrawal syndrome were evaluated and during next 4 consecutive days spatial learning was evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM). The rats’ spatial memory retrieval was also estimated at the last day. Findings: Although morphine dependence did not affects spatial learning and memory of rats, but 3 weeks maternal separation caused the animals spend more time and travel more distance to find the hidden platform than to CO group (P<0.001 for both of comparisons). Also, they spent less time and passed less distance in the target quadrant in probe trial (P<0.001 for both of comparisons). In conclusion, maternal separation impairs spatial learning and memory of rats

Previous studies have shown analgesic, muscular relaxant, sedative and hypnotic properties of Passiflora incarnata. Hence, in the present study anesthesia with co-administration of Passiflora incarnata-ketamine with diazepam-ketamine was compared.
In this experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, Passiflora incarnata (PA) (1000mg/kg, i.p.), Passiflora incarnata-ketamine (PIK) (1000mg/kg and 50mg/kg, i.p. respectively) and diazepam-ketamine (DK) (2.5 and 50 mg/kg, i.p. respectively) (n=8). In this research, anesthetic parameters were measured during 0 to 55 minutes.
PI group could not induce surgical anesthesia (SA). Nevertheless, PIK group, compared to DK group, immediately induced anesthesia (p>0.05). Results showed that PI group, compared to other groups, increased the heart rate (p0.05). PI group became weaker than PIK and DK groups in inhibiting lip, tail and pedal pinches (p Induction time, SA and recovery times of PIK group were similar to those of DK group. Although the extract alone could not induce anesthesia, its effects were comparable with diazepam and it could be used as an alternative for a pre-anesthetic agent instead of diazepam.

Glutamate is the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury.Glutamate transporters have a major role in glutamate removal and maintain its concentration below excitotoxic levels. Although estrogen’s and progesterone’s neuroprotective effects were well-described, the exact molecular mechanism has yet to be determined. This study has investigated estrogen and progesterone effect on glutamate transporters expression in the ischemic penumbra/peri-infarct region in rat.
Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 1 h. Estrogen and progesterone combination was immediately injected after tMCAO subcutaneously. Sensorimotor functional tests for evaluating behavioral deficits and TTC staining for measurement of infarct volume were performed 24 h after MCAO. Real-time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3.
The combination of estrogen and progesterone could significantly reduce lesion volume. Also, hormone therapy could improve ischemic neurological disorders. After hormone therapy, gene expression of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 did not show significant changes.
Combined estrogen–progesterone treatment significantly reduces neurological deficits and infarct volume; these effects are independent of the glutamate transporters signaling pathways.

Consumption of large doses of fructose have been associated with numerous metabolic abnormalities in human beings and laboratory animals. Homocysteine is believed to enhance oxidative stress while taurine has hypolipidemic effect. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of taurine and homocysteine on the oxidative stress and lipid profile in rats receiving a high fructose-containing diet.
Material and In this experimental study, forty male adult Wistar rats were divided in to 5 groups. Our control group (group 1) received a normal chow. The diets of the second to fifth groups were as following: Group 2: A high fructose containing diet
Group 3: A high fructose containing diet homocysteine thiolactate (50mg/kg /day)
Group 4: A high fructose containing diet taurine (2%)
Groups 5: A high fructose containing diet homocysteine thiolactate (50mg/kg /day) taurine (2%)
All the groups received the above mentioned diet for six-weeks. At the end of the experimental period, total antioxidant capacity, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol of the plasma were measured. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and level of malondialdehyde were measured in the heart and kidney tissues of the rats.
Fructose alone or in addition to homocysteine significantly reduced total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities, while the levels of triglycerides and malondialdehyde increased. Taurine suppressed or attenuated these changes.
The results of this study confirmed the role of high fructose containing diet in inducing oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia. We also found that use of homocysteine deteriorated the effects of high fructose containing diet. In contrast taurine had beneficial effects and suppressed fructose induced-oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Pycnocycla caespitosa as a herbal medicine in comparison with morphine and aspirin.
Subjects and In this study male waster rats weighing in range of 170-200g were used. The hydro-alcoholic extract prepared by ethanol 70% (V/V) using maceration method. Animals divided into eight groups (n=6). The treatment groups received 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/Kg extract, negative control group received 5ml/Kg normal saline, positive control groups received morphine (2.5mg/Kg) or aspirin (300mg/Kg) and last group received extract(600mg/Kg) and naloxone (1mg/Kg) intraperitonialy respectively After 30 min all groups received 50 μl formalin 2.5% in right hid paw subcutaneously and analgesia behaviors were scored.
Following administration of all doses of the extract produced analgesic effect at all periods of experiment except the first five min in comparison with negative control group. The most effective dose of extract (600mg/kg) and aspirin showed same analgesic effect in first phase of pain and there were no significant differences between extract with morphine and aspirin in phase 2 of pain. Naloxan only reduced the analgesic effect of extract in phase 2 of pain.
It can be concluded that extract may produce it’s analgesic effect through opioid receptors.

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain that affects on the patient’s quality of life. Use of herbal instead of synthetic drugs recently has been increased due to side effects of synthetic drugs and herbal effective components. Flavonoids are herbal compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Because Allium cepa L. has a great amount of flavonoids, this study has been designed to evaluate analgesic effects of alcoholic extract of Allium cepa L. on neuropathic pain behavior in chronic constriction injury model in rats.
In this experimental study, neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI model) in Rats. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 for each): Sham, CCI model, receiving red onion hydroalcoholic extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg and a group receiving gabapentin (100 mg/kg). Red onion extract and gabapentin were administered by gavage for 21 days. Using thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical and thermal allodynia tests, the analgesic effects of extract have been measured.
Findings of this study revealed that CCI surgery on rats induced hyperalgesia, mechanical and thermal allodynia. Daily intakes of alcoholic extract of red onion and gabapentin significantly increase the paw withdrawal latency; increase the threshold to mechanical allodynia and decrease in response to acetone.
Oral use of alcoholic extract of Allium cepa L. reduces neuropathic pain behavior in CCI model in rats.

Recently, antihistamines is known as analgesic agents. The aim of the present study is to investigate the analgesic activity of chlorpheniramine (H1 antagonist), during anesthesia with acepromazine- ketamine combination and surgical operation in rat.
Methods & materials: 20 adult rats were randomly assigned in two groups. In first group, chlorpheniramine was administered and 30 minutes later acepromazine – Ketamine was injected. In second group, Normal saline was administerd initially and then acepromazine - Ketamine combination was injected. Assessment of pain reflexes was performed by toe pinch , tail pinch test and reflex of rats to laparotomy operation during anesthesia. Induction time of anesthesia, duration of light anesthesia, surgical anesthesia time, walking time, heart rate and respiratory rate was measured.
Time of light anesthesia in group 2 was shorter than group 1 (P chlorpheniramine as a premedication was induced appropriate balance anesthesia in rat with acepromazine- ketamine combination. Thus, chlorpheniramine could be used in rat as premedication agent for surgical operations in combined with acepromazine- ketamine.

Cyclophosphamide is an anticancer drug which causes alkylation on DNA in cells. The side effects of cyclophosphamide are bone marrow damages and anemia. Hypericum perforatum is a medicinal plant which widely used in traditional medicine. In this study the hemotopoetic effect of Hypericum perforatum leaf extract (HPE) on bone marrow function and blood parameters in male rat were treated with cyclophosphamide was investigated.
Method & Materials: The 42 male Wistar rats with 220±25 gr body weight were divided randomly in 6 groups (n=7): control (taking normal saline,0.5ml/day, i,p ),witness group taking cyclophosphamide (15mg/kg/day, i.p.),positive control group taking HPE (200mg/kg, i.p/day), treated groups 1,2 and 3: (taking cyclophosphamide ,15mg/kg/day, i.p. 100mg/Kg, 200mg/Kg and 400mg/kg HPE /day for 10 days, i,p). After the examination the blood samples were collected from heart directly and RBC, WBC, Hct, Hb and PL were analyzed. All data were expressed as mean±SEM and statistical significance differences was accepted at P Our results showed that the cyclophosphamide has injury effect on bone marrow tissue. The blood cells count decreased in groups treated by cyclophosphamide significantly. The groups treated with HPE were significantly increased in blood parameters compared with group taking cyclophosphamide alone (P The Hypericum perforatum hydoethanolic extract has antioxidant and flavonoids compounds which can protect the bone marrow tissues against cyclophosphamide

Liver is one of the vital organs which has a key role in regulating most physiologic mechanisms. In this research the effects of hydro alcoholic extract of Heraclum persicum، on liver enzymes and blood biochemical factors of male infant rats during pregnancy is investigated. In the emperimental study 40 Wistar male newborn rats were divided into 5 groups of 8، their mothers were divided into 5 groups of 8 too، namely control، sham and 3 experimental. Control group didn’t receive any things، sham group received only distilled water. The experimental groups received 100،200،400 (mg/kg) Heracleum persicum respectively for a period of 21 days (during period of pregnancy). At the end of pregnancy،and 25 days of infancy period blood samples were taken from all subjects and liver enzymes ALT،AST، ALP also Albumin and total protein were determined by Autoanalyzer in order to evaluate the liver function. Analysed using ANOVA and Tukey tes. levels of AST and ALT enzymes in the experimental group 2 and 3 that received the extracts with 200 and 400 mg/kg dose showed statistically significant increase compared with control and sham groups (p<0/05). level of albumin showed significant increase in the experimental group with 400 mg/kg in comparison with control and sham groups (p<0/05). The serum levels of ALP and total protein did not change significantly in experimental group compared to control and sham groups. The Hydro-Alcohlic extract of Heracleum persicum probably has a significant effect on Change in liver function. This effect may be due to the presence of furanocoumarins and trans-anethole in the extract. this effect is reflected in the increase of ALT and AST also alkaloids and flavonoids it can be attribnted to the increase in the hepatic serum level of the albumin.

Pain is the most frequent symptom in different diseases. In modern medicine, there are two main categories of analgesics: opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Given the importance of medicinal plants in the treatment of different diseases, this study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of the alcoholic extract of Teucrium with morphine and aspirin. In this experimental study, 36 Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 6. The negative control group received normal saline (5 ml/kg), two positive control groups received morphine 2.5 mg/kg and aspirin 300 mg/kg, and three treatment groups received hydro-alcoholic extract of Teucrium (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in single doses. Half an hour after the intraperitoneal injection of the extract, 50 microlitres of 2.5% formalin was injected subcutaneously into the right paw of the rats, and the analgesic effects were compared using the formalin test. In this study, the hydro-alcoholic extract of Teucrium had a dose-dependent analgesic effect, and the most effective dose of the extract was 200 mg/kg. Acute pain scores in the normal saline, aspirin, morphine and 200 mg/kg extract groups were 2.58±0.09, 1.39±0.06, 4.15±0.09 and 1.61±0.1, respectively. In addition, chronic pain scores were 2.37±0.09, 0.99±0.1, 0.33±0.09 and 1.18±0.06, respectively. Analgesic effects of Teucrium extract on chronic pain were lower compared to morphine, and had no significant difference with aspirin. According to the results of this study, and regarding the presence of polyphenolic compounds in this herb, Teucrium is believed to have several analgesic properties.

The side effects of synthetic analgesics in clinical use as well as patients’ growing interest in traditional medicine and natural products have drawn researchers’ attention to studying the effects of natural pain relievers and comparing them with chemical and synthetic drugs. Royal jelly, which is produced by bees to feed the queen bee, exerts anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting the production of pre inflammatory cytokines by activated macrophages. This study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of morphine, aspirin and Royal Jelly as common painkillers. In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly classified into six groups of 6. The negative control group received the normal Saline of 5 kg/ml, one positive control group received morphine 2.5 mg/kg and the other received aspirin 300 mg/kg. The 3 treatment groups received Royal Jelly peritoneally with doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg in single doses. Half an hour after the intraperitoneal injection, 50 micro liters of formalin 2.5% was subcutaneously injected into the bottom of the animals’ right paw and the analgesic effects were studied using the Formalin test. Our findings indicate that as a dose-dependent analgesic, Royal Jelly is most effective at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The grade of acute pain in the groups of Saline, aspirin, morphine and Royal Jelly (100, 200 and 400 kg) was 2.61±0.09, 1.56±0.06, 1.05±0.14, 2.40±0.08, 1.65±0.04 and 1.53±0.05, respectively. The grade of chronic pain in the same groups was 2.34±0.09, 1.28±0.12, 0.33±0.12, 2.15±0.07, 1.21±0.03 and 1.12±0.05, respectively. The analgesic effect of royal jelly with the dosage of 200 kg/mg on acute pain was approximately equal to that of aspirin and less than that of morphine. However, Royal Jelly was less effective on chronic pain than morphine and it did not differ significantly with aspirin. Given the prominent analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of royal jelly, this natural substance could be prescribed as a non-invasive method to reduce and relieve pain appropriately and applicably.

Stroke is one of the main leading causes of mortality and disability in many countries. In the absence of definitive treatment search for, neuroprotective agents with minimal side effects should be continued. Natural nutrients can be ideal sources to produce safe and valuable agents for the management of stroke. Walnut kernel (WK) has numerous beneficial components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effects of WK on neuronal injury and astrocyte reactivity after induction of focal cerebral ischemia in male rats. In this experimental study, Wistar male rats were divided into three groups: sham, control (fed with ordinary food) and walnut (fed with WK). Each group consisted of 6 rats. The right middle cerebral artery was occluded for 15 min in the control and walnut groups. Forty-eight hours after reperfusion the animals were killed and their brains were processed for histological (Hematoxylin and Eosin staining) and immunohistochemical (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, GFAP), and histochemical (TUNEL) studies. The results showed that WK significantly decreased neuronal death induced by cerebral ischemia; however, the density of GFAP positive astrocytes has been increased at the site of injury in the treatment group compared to the other 2 groups. In addition, WK significantly decreased the mortality rate of the animals due to cerebral ischemia. The results suggested that wk might provide protection against the cerebral ischemia-induced injuries in the rat brain through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Data shows vanadium protects pancreatic beta cells (BC) from diabetic animals. Whether this effect is direct or through the relief of glucose toxicity is not clear. This study evaluated the potential effect of oral vanadyl sulfate (vanadium) on glycemic status and pancreatic BC of normal and diabetic rats. Rats were divided into five groups of normal and diabetic. Diabetes was induced with streptozocin (40 mg/kg، i. v.). Normal rats used water (CN) or vanadium (1 mg/ml VOSO4، VTN). Diabetic rats used water (CD)، water plus daily neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin injection (80 U/kg، ITD) or vanadium (VTD). Blood samples were taken for blood glucose (BG، mg/dL) and insulin (ng/dL) measurements. After two months، the pancreata of sacrificed rats were prepared for islet staining. Pre-treated normal BG was 88 ± 2، and diabetic BG was 395 ± 9. The final BG in CD، VTD، and ITD was 509 ± 22، 138 ± 14، and 141 ± 14، respectively. Insulin in VTN (0. 75 ± 0. 01) and VTD (0. 78 ± 0. 01) was similar، higher than CD (0. 51 ± 0. 07) but lower than CN (2. 51 ± 0. 02). VTN islets compared to CN had larger size and denser central core insulin immunoreactivity with plentiful BC. CD and ITD islets were atrophied and had scattered insulin immunoreactivity spots and low BC mass. VTD islets were almost similar to CN. Besides insulin-like activity، vanadium protected pancreatic islet BC، and the relief of glucose toxicity happening with vanadium had a little role in this action.

Studies have shown that there is an association between the smoking and serum levels of sex steroid hormones. This study aimed to compare the effects of cigarette and waterpipe smoke on serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone in female rats.

In this laboratory-scale experimental study, female Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control, cigarette, and waterpipe smoke receiving groups (10 rats in each group). Animals were exposed to cigarette or waterpipe smoke once a day for 100 minutes. After 6 weeks, blood samples were collected and following the serum collection, levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone were measured using the radioimmunoassay method.

The serum levels of LH or FSH did not significantly change in cigarette or waterpipe smoke receiving rats compared with the control group. However, serum levels of estradiol and progesterone in rats exposed to cigarette smoke as well as serum estradiol level in rats exposed to waterpipe smoke were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.001).

It seems that exposure to cigarette smoke has a higher inhibitory effect than waterpipe smoke on female reproductive system and unlike waterpipe smoke, which only results in decreased serum progesterone levels, cigarette smoke results in decreased levels of both estradiol and progesterone.

Bakground & Since Olanzapine is used in the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia، the aim of this investigation was to assess the effect of Olanzapine on the pituitary –gonad axis and spermatogenesis in adult male rats. In the present research، 50 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10، including control، sham، and experimental groups I، II، and III، which orally received 5، 10، and 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution for 28 days، respectively. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment، all the rats were weighed and anesthetized. Blood samples were obtained from the heart and were centrifuged; the sera were thereafter evaluated for concentrations of LH، FSH، testosterone، and prolactin via the RIA method. The results show that there was a significant increase in the body weight of the group receiving 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution. In addition، the results of hormone assay demonstrated that the serum concentrations of LH and FSH were comparable between the experimental groups، while there was a significant increase in prolactin and significant decrease in testosterone in the group receiving 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution. The changes observed in the subjects were due to the presence of compounds in the Olanzapine solution، especially Benzodiazepine، which affected the body weight and serum concentration of prolactin and testosterone in the groups receiving 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety، which is induced by exposure to life-threatening trauma and produces memory dysfunctions. This study was done to evaluate the effect of β-estradiol on traumatic memory after post-traumatic stress disorder induced by modified single-prolonged stress model in male rats. This experimental study was done on 70 male Wistar rats، weighted 200-250 grams. Initially 30 rats randomly allocated into control، shock and single prolonged stress accompanied shock (SPS&S). In SPS&S group immobilized for 2h، followed immediately with a 20 min forced swim conducted in a cylindrical filled with water. After recuperating for 15 min، animals anesthetized with ether. After 30 min recovery، stressed rats placed in the conditioned fear system (CFS). They received one 1mA، 4 second electric foot shock and remained in the chamber for another 60 second before being returned to their home cages. Shock group: Animals placed in CFS and only received the same shock as previous experiment. Naive group: Animals were removed from their home cages and exposed to chamber without receiving any foot shock. 1، 2 and 3 week later، animals in all groups were re-exposed to the shock chamber for 3 min، in order to examine conditioned fear response. In the second experiment rats were injected with β-estradiol (90 µg/kg)، one and two week after training. Date were analyzed using SPSS-16، ANOVA and LSD tests. SPS&S significantly induced freezing response (traumatic memory) compared with controls and shock groups (P<0. 05) following three weeks. This response significantly reduced due to repetitive injection of β-estradiol in rats (P<0. 05). After three weeks causes of enhanced freezing response (traumatic memory) compare with both، shock and sham groups (P<0. 001). β-estradiol significantly reduced this response in rats (P<0. 001). β-estradiol''s administration following PTSD induction by modified single-prolonged stress، significantly decreased the freezing response. Therefore، β-estradiol can prevent the formation of traumatic memory.