مجله زیست شناسی جانوری
سال سیزدهم شماره 1 (پاییز 1399)

Physical activity and herbs have been long used to treat psychological illnesses such as anxiety and stress. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of four weeks of using lemon essential oil and swimming practice on the anxiety level in male mice. To this end, 40 male mice with a weight of 40 ± 5 g were studied. The mice were randomly assigned to four groups, including the control group, swimming practice, the lemon essential oil receiving group, and the swimming practice + lemon essential oil group. Swimming training consisted of four weeks of swimming in water for five 30-minutes sessions per week at a temperature of 25-27 ºC. Lemon oil (50 mg/kg) was administered by gavage. Anxiety behaviors were assessed by behavioral tests of elevated plus-maze and open field. The results of this study showed that prescribing a combination of lemon essential oil and exercise had a significant increase in the duration and the number of times in the margins and centrality (p < /em> < 0.05) and a significant decrease in the number of excretions compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The results showed that applying swimming practice alone and in combination with lemon essential oil reduces anxiety behaviors.

Biocompatibility and stability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using plants due to their wide applications in biomedical, industrial, cell imaging and biosensors is an interesting research field in the arena of nanotechnology. The present study involved the synthesis of green stable zinc oxide nanoparticles using zinc acetate and aqueous extract of turmeric as a reducing agent. In this characterization study, the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by different methods. First, nanoparticles were synthesized by green method and the properties of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Assessment of antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH free radical scavenging and cytotoxicity activity in fibroblasts by MTT method. The involvement of the bioactive compounds of curcumin in the stabilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR. FESEM electron microscopy showed irregular spherical, rod, and plate-like morphology with uneven surface. Antioxidant activities performed using the free radical scavenging method DPPH showed IC50 values ​​higher than 500 μg/ ml. In addition, biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles showed significant toxic effects on fibroblasts in a concentration and time dependent manner. In general, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through a sustainable, simple, and environmentally friendly green pathway using curcumin. Biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles showed antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity.

Social isolation in the weeks after lactation can change the behavior of mature animals including yawning, a phylogenetic and contagious behavior. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of social isolation stress on yawning behaviors in adult male rats treated with morphine and naloxone. A sample of 32 rats (21-day after weaning) was selected and the rats were put in separate cages with black plastic buffers for 6 weeks. Eight rats were put in a group (control group) and the other rest were put in individual cages: one male rat in each cage; and we grouped them as follows: in group 1 or the control group (social), each cage had 8 rats receiving (saline) at a dose 1 mg/kg and their yawning behavior was recorded for 60 minutes after 6 weeks. Group 2 (social isolation) received no treatment with opioid agonist and antagonist kept in separate cages with one rat in each cage. Their yawning behavior was recorded for 60 minutes after 6 weeks. Group 3 (social isolation) received treatment with opioid agonists (morphine) at a dose 5 mg/kg for 6 weeks and their yawning behavior was recorded for a 60-minute period starting 30 minutes after injection. Group 4 (social isolation) received treatment with opioid antagonists morphine (naloxone)at a dose 1 mg/kg for 6 weeks and their yawning behavior was recorded for a 60-minute period starting 30 minutes after injection. The graph shows that the number of yawning in the group receiving morphine (n=8, p ≤0.05) was not significantly different from the control group in the social isolation condition (n=8, p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, there was an increase in the number of yawning in the groups receiving naloxone (n=8, p ≤0.001). In social isolation group, morphine injection did not change the number of yawning in male rats, while naloxone, a mu-opioid receptor antagonist, increased the number of yawning in social isolation conditions.

Infertility is one of the major medical problems in today’s world. Today, some studies have addressed the effects of phytoestrogenic compounds in the treatment of infertility. Red clover is one of the herbs containing phytoestrogenic compounds. In the present study, the effect of red clover leaf extract on expression of genes involved in follicogenesis and proliferation of granulosa cells in NMRI mice was investigated. In this experimental in vitro study, 30 NMRI 18-20 immature female rats were used. For experiments, follicular granulosa cells were isolated, and in vitro cells were randomly divided into 6 groups.Control (untreated) and experimental groups with concentrations (10, 15, 20, 40, 80 μg/ml) of treated red clover leaf extract and cell viability were evaluated by trypan blue staining and MTT staining. Expression changes of BMP15 and FOXO1 genes were evaluated by Real Time PCR. The results of trypan blue staining and MTT assay showed that cell viability decreased with increasing concentration and time of treatment with clover leaf extract. Moreover, the expression level of BMP15 and FOXO1 genes was significantly increased in the 10 μg/ml red clover leaf extract compared to the control group (p < /em> < 0.05). Due to the effect of red clover leaf extract on granulosa cell proliferation and expression of genes involved in follicogenesis, this plant can be considered as a suitable candidate for clinical studies in infertility treatment.

Particles in fine dust have the first rank of carcinogens, making their study necessary. The previous results showed that particles with aerodynamic diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometers are more permeable and pass through respiratory filters and are the main cause of damage. In this study, the effect of fine particulate matters in different cities of Khuzestan province of Iran on blood cells of male rats was compared. Thirty adult male rats were divided into six equal groups, including control, Ahvaz, Ramhormoz, Andimeshk, Abadan, and Susangerd and were treated for two months. The results of blood cell analysis showed an increase in the number of white blood cells, especially lymphocytes in Ahvaz group, while the volume of platelets was significantly reduced. In most groups, a significant decrease was observed in RDW and the amount of hematocrit in Ramhormoz and Susangerd groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group. Therefore, given the different heavy metals composition, fine dusts have different effects on blood parameters, depending on their amount and duration of exposure.

Thegabaergic system is considered as the anti-anxiety system in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GABAA and GABAB receptors in anxiety-like behaviors caused by lipopolysaccharides in male mice. In this test,mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.2 mg/kg), then injected with either muscimol (0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 µg/mouse), bicuculline (0.25, 0.5 or1 µg/mouse), baclofen (1, 2 or 4 µg/mouse) or CGP (0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 µg/mouse) 2 hours later and received intraventricular Celebrex. Five minutes after intraventricular injection, a dark and light box test was performed. The results of this study showed that musimol significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test (p < /em> < 0.05). The results of this study showed that musimol significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test (p < /em> < 0.05). However, the administration of musimol and LPS did not significantly change the animal’s anxiety-like behavior (p < /em> ≥ 0.05). Different doses of bioculin and LPS significantly increased the anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test (p < /em> < 0.05). Baclofen and CGP alone and with LPS did not significantly change the animal’s anxiety-like behavior on the LDB test (p < /em> ≥ 0.05). Celebrex injection after LPS relieved the anxiety-like behavior caused by LPS injection. In general, it can be claimed that anxiety-like behaviors in animals receiving LPS may be due to inhibition of GABAA and GABAB receptors and increase in the level of inflammatory factors in brain tissue.

Karate is considered as one of the most intense and challenging exercise due to its intensity and types of activities. In these activities, the body is inflicted by the number of injuries and its antioxidant capacity is disturbed. Therefore, the present study was aimed at assessing the responses of muscle damage markers, oxidative stress and plasma antioxidant enzymes to the simulated karate activities and supplementation of skullcap plant in the elite karate athletes. Twenty-four eligible elite karate athletes were randomly assigned to two groups, consisting of placebo-activity group (n=12) and skullcap-activity group (n=12). The considered activities were based on the World and European Karate Championships programs. First, blood samples were taken from research groups at the rest and then desired activities were performed by athletes. Next, the second blood sampling was taken, immediately after the activity and after that, the subjects in placebo and skullcap groups received 500 mg of placebo and skullcap capsules, respectively. The third blood samples were taken one hour after that and the fourth blood sampling was two hours after taking the supplement. Finally, plasma was removed from the blood and CK, LDH, MDA, GPx, TAC, and SOD indicators were measured.Results showed that the indicators of muscle damage and oxidative stress significantly increased (p < /em> < 0.001) immediately after simulated karate activates and decreased during the recovery period as well, while these changes were higher in supplement group (p < /em> < 0.05). Furthermore, antioxidant indicators have significantly increased after the activities, and this increase was at a higher level (p < /em> < 0.05) throughout the recovery period in the supplement group. The results of the present study showed that skullcap supplementation increased antioxidant indicators in the recovery period and decreased muscle and oxidative damage factors. Therefore, this plant can be recommended as a supplement to reduce damages, stress, and fatigue for karate athletes.

Fermented beverage, traditionally the result of the fermentation of sweet tea by Kombucha fungus, has beneficial effects in the treatment of many diseases, especially cancer. The present study is aimed at assessing the effect of different fractions of Kombucha tea on proliferation and apoptosis on colon cancer cell line HT-29. In the present experimental study, the survival rate and cell proliferation of Kumbucha tea solvent fractions including chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, hexane, and the final aqueous phase at concentrations of 0-900 μg/ ml were investigated by MTT and clonogenic assay. The rate of apoptosis induction was assessed by DNA fragmentation assay and flowcytometry. The aqueous and butanol fractions had no cytotoxic effects. After 24 hours, the IC50 for ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane was determined 213/49±1/63, 296/70±2/11 and 563/2±83/29 μg/ml, respectively. The results revealed that inhibition of cell growth was dose-dependent. The concentration of IC50 in these fractions caused the DNA to fragment. Apoptosis analysis by flowcytometry with these concentrations showed that the ethyl acetate component caused apoptosis while the death caused by IC50 concentrations of chloroform and hexane fractions was more than necrosis. The dose-dependent ethyl acetate fraction of Kambucha tea induced cell death through the apoptotic pathway and it was observed to be responsible for the anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative properties. It seems to be a good candidate to prevent the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.

Depression is still one of challenging, and widely encountered disorders with complex etiology. The role of healthy diet and oleuropein in ameliorating depression has been claimed. This study was designed to explore the effects of oleuropein on depression induced by scopolamine. In the present study, 35 male mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n=7). The control group received normal saline. The Sco group received intraperitoneal scopolamine at a dose of 1 mg/ kg for three weeks. The treatment groups received oleuropein in three doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/ kg. At the end of the behavioral tests, blood samples and brain tissues of the animals were removed for determination of biochemical tests. Results show that in groups receiving oleuropein at doses of 10 and 20 mg/ kg, the duration of immobility significantly reduced compared to the scopolamine group. Prescribing oleuropein at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly reduced the level of nitric oxide (NO) in serum and brain tissue. Oleuropein shows significant anti-depressant effects in mice receiving a scopolamine, possibly due to its antioxidant activity.

Gold nanoparticles have different uses in medicine. Since the produced chemical nanoparticle is reviewed but the character of the biological one is not checked sufficiently. Therefore, this study on the poisonous effects of the cells in the produced biological nanoparticles is done on the rat’s kidney. After preparing bio-gold nanoparticles from Bucillus subtilis and sterilization bacteria, the nanoparticles were calculated in toxic and non-toxic doses and injected into rats at two doses in 48 hours. Then, after 24 hours, tissue sampling and histological examination were performed. The nonpoisonous nanoparticle injection caused the glomerulus to be smaller & contracted but the other assumes are normal. Nevertheless, the poison injection caused the glomerulus to be fewer in some parts. Dilatation and enlargement was seen in urine space and some glomeruli are smaller and more compressed. The kidneys tubules had no problems but there was a little hyperemia in interstitial space. The usage of biological nanoparticles via the non-biological one had little poisonous effects and the poisonous effects were dosage related.