[Effect of the extract of aloe vera on the pentylenetetrazol induced seizure in male mice]

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder after stroke. Despite various anticonvulsants, researches continue to discover new drugs with better efficacy and less side-effects. Various herbs and natural substances with different properties are appropriate fields for such researches. This study investigated the effects of Aloe vera latex on seizure in male mice. Two groups of mice [n=8] and placebo were tested. The control group received Saline and the experimental group received Aloe vera latex [15, 25 and 50mg/kg] and half an hour later PTZ [80mg/kg] was injected intraperitoneally. Immediately after injection of PTZ, seizure threshold and duration of seizure were recorded. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The group receiving a 25mg/kg dose of Aloe vera latex showed a significant increase in seizure threshold and a significant decrease in duration of seizure as compared with placebo group receiving saline [p<0.05]. The results of this study indicated the anticonvulsant effect of Aloe vera latex

[Effect of hydroalcholic extract of Pimpinella anisum seed on anxiety in gonadectomized male rat]

Background and Aim: Anxiety is a common disorder that many solutions and various drugs have been provided for its treatment. Since medicinal plants have fewer side effects, in this study, we investigated the effect of seed extract of Pimpinella anisum on anxiety in gonadectomized male rats

Material and Methods: After gonadectomy, 32 male Wistar rats weighting 230 +/- 20 g, were randomly divided into four groups: positive control group which received saline, and experimental groups which received 250, 300 and400 mg/kg of Anise extract, ip. 30 minutes after injection, anxiety was evaluated by using elevated plus maze and anxiety indices [time spent in open arms and number of open arm entries] were recorded for 5 minutes. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test

Results: The results showed a significant increase in the duration of open arms at the doses of 300 and 400 mg/kg and also a significant increase in the number of open arm entries at the dose 400 mg/kg. None of these doses showed any effects on motor activity

Conclusion: The results indicated that the Anise seed extract, probably by its phytosterols compounds, induced neurosteroids synthesis in the brain and reduced anxiety by stimulating GABA receptors