[ effects of safflower [Carthamus tinctorius L] aqueous extract on reproductive system of mice]

Safflower is one of those herbal medicines that many studies rely on its use for the treatment of menstrual problems and diseases of the circulatory system. The flowers of this plant have long been used as a sexual stimulant medication. Furthermore there is evidence about its effects on the infertility and sexual disorders. Considering the effect of this plant on infertility, this study was designed to investigate the role of the aqueous extract of Safflower on the histomorphometric structure of female genital system in mice. 30 female balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. In group one, Safflower extract was given orally for 45 consecutive days at the dose of 40mg/kg. Safflower extract [80 mg/kg] was given orally to mice in group two for 45 days. Mice in group three [Control group] received water in the same volume, way and time. Results from present study were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and Tukey's test. The results showed that long term use of Safflower extract increased ovarian weight of mice [group one: 0.8 +/- 0.04, group two: 1.1 +/- 0.07] compared to control group [0.4 +/- 0.06], significantly [p<0.05]. Histomorphological studies revealed that use of Safflower increased the number and diameter of secondary follicles [group one: 3 +/- 0.57; 9 +/- 0.66, group two: 3.25 +/- 0.25; 9.08 +/- 0.3], graafian follicles [group one: 1.1 +/- 0.17; 7.66 +/- 0.54, group two: 1.2 +/- 0.13; 8 +/- 0.75] and corpus luteum [group one: 4.75 +/- 0.75; 5.27 +/- 0.29, group two: 4.75 +/- 0.47; 5.4 +/- 0.31] significantly [p<0.05]. However, the number of atretic follicles were decreased in experimental groups [group one: 2.5 +/- 0.0.28, group two: 2.25 +/- 0.62] significantly [p<0.05]. Furthermore, the diameter of granulosa layer [group one: 4.58 +/- 0.3, group two: 3.25 +/- 0. 3] and colosum oophorus [group one: 2.5 +/- 0.18, group two: 2.58 +/- 0. 15] in experimental groups were changed compared to control group [4.66 +/- 0.33, 1.87 +/- 0.15,] significantly [p<0.05]. Safflower had no significant effects on the histomorphological structure of uterus [p>0.05]. It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of Safflower is more effective on ovaries compared to uterus and may have positive effects on fertility in female mice

[Comparison between anticoccidial effect of granulated Artemisia siberi extract and pure Artemisinin in affected broilers]

Increasing resistance against conventional anticoccidial drugs and the consequence of their residues has paid the attention toward more effective and safe compounds. Artemisia plant is a potential candidate that its anticoccidial effect has been previously discussed. This study aimed to produce a granule from the extract of Artemisia siberi and evaluate its anticcocidial effects compared to pure Atremisinin. Artemisinin was extracted from Artemisia by petroleum ether and then formulated into a wet granule. Experimental coccidiosis was induced in chicks [n=75] by oral administration of 250000 oocysts/chick. Chicks were divided into 5 groups of three replicates each [n=15] and one uninfected group [n=15]. The infected chicks were treated by oral administration [lmg/kg] of pure artemisinin and granule formulation with three different doses [1, 2.5 and 5mg/kg artemisinin] as feed additive. The treatment was conducted for 5 successive days towever. The fifth infected group and uninfected group did not receive any medication. At the end of treatment, fecal samples of each group were collected for 5 days and the OPG [oocyst per gram] was determined as anticoccidial index. The granule formulation of Artemisia and pure artemisinin significantly [p<0.001] decreased the OPG values in treated groups [30% in treated groups Vs8% in control]. However, there wasn't significant difference between granule formulation and pure artemisinin on OPG reduction [30.39% and 30.35%, respectively]. This study showed that the Artemisia siberi granulated extract can be considered as a new effective and safe anticoccidial drug

[Polyclonal antibody production against bovine serum albumin conjugated artemisinin in rabbit]

The aim of the present study was to produce a polyclonal antibody against bovine serum albumin [BSA] conjugated with artemisinin. To gain an immunogenic character of artemisinin, a carboxyl group was added to it using mixed anhydride method. Then, the reactive compound of artemisinin was conjugated with BSA. The BSA+artemisinin were injected to white female New Zealand rabbits for two times. In the first injection, the Fraud's complete adjuvant was used, and two weeks later, a booster injection was carried out with a Fraud's incomplete adjuvant. Two weeks later, blood samples were collected; their serum were separated and frozen until assessment. The production of antibody against BSA+artemisinin was assayed by Immunoblot technique. Antibody was separated and concentrated by saturated ammonium sulfate. The assay confirmed the successful production of an antibody against BSA+artemisinin as a fundamental step in investigation of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of artemisinin