Anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract and aqueous fraction of Launaea acanthodes gum in comparison with diazepam in mice

Launaea acanthodes gum [LAG] contains flavonoids with benzodiazepine-like activity and so it may be helpful in treatment of epilepsy. To determine the effects of ethanolic extract [EE] and aqueous fraction [AF] of LAG on convulsion induced by pentylentetrazole [PTZ] in mice. This experimental study was carried out at the Department of Biology, Science and Research Division, Azad University, Tehran [Iran] in 2005. Lethal doses [LD50] of EE and AF were determined by acute toxicity test. The effect of AF on activity of brain was investigated by using open filed test and the signs [rearing, locomotion] were compared with control group. Later, the animals in experimental groups [10 mice] received different doses of EE [100, 200, 300 mg/kg] and AF [200, 300,400 mg/kg] via intraperitoneal injections 30 min prior to PTZ injection. The members of control group received saline and those in positive control group were given diazepam [10 mg/kg]. Then the epileptiform behaviors were investigated following the subcutaneous injection of PTZ [85 mg/kg] for 30 minutes. In the open filed test, a single dose of AF exhibited a significant decrease in rearing with no such effect on locomotion activity. Also, different doses of EE and AF inhibited convulsions through an increase in latency to the onset of forelimb clonus and tonic-clonic seizures. According to our data, the LAG extracts have anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activities with no obvious sing of depression

[ effect of Cardamom-tea watery extract on oxidative stress]

Imbalance between the production of free radicals and the antioxidant defense system causes oxidative stress. The cardamom is the fruit of the Elettaria cardamomum maton which probably has an antioxidant property. Aim of this study is assess of effect of cardamom-tea watery extract on oxidative stress. This clinical trial research was carried out on 54 persons. Firstly 5ml venous blood was collected and the parameter of the oxidative stress in their blood was evaluated. Then they were given every day 3 grams of cardamom and 1 gram of tea as like as 100 ml cardamom-tea watery extract for two weeks. After 2 weeks 5 ml blood was collected and the parameters of oxidative stress in their blood serum was evaluated for the second time. The parameters of first and second group of bloods were compared by SPSS software. The mean of total antioxidant capacity of serum before and after cardamom-tea extract were 1.96 +/- 0.64 micro mol/ml and 2.23 +/- 0.46 micro mol/ml respectively [p=0.009]. The mean of lipid peroxidation before and after cardamom-tea were 14.97 +/- 3.58 nmol/ml and 12.07=/-5.91 nmol/ml respectively [p=0/002]. The mean of total thiol group before and after cardamom-tea were 0.244 +/- 0.200, 0.266 +/- 0.166nmol respectively [p=0.141]. Th cardamom- tea reduces the amount of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antiosidant markedly. So, the cardamom-tea decreases the amount of oxidative stress in blood. Therefore the cardamom-tea in the people diet is useful

[Effect of sexual pheromones, and sexual and paternal behaviors on the plasma level of testosteron in male wistar rat]

Pheromones play a major role in the sexual and social behavior of animals. The main sources of pheromones are urine and paracrine secretions. Pheromones can affect the mammals reproductive physiology. The vomeronasal organ [VNO] is located in the base of nasal cavity and VNO has some effects on amygdal; stimulating the amygdal hence could affectthe mammal's sexual behavior. Through the neuroendocrine system, testosterone is a safe parameter to measure and compare the effects on the sexual behavior. With regard to the neuroendocrine system, testosterone is a safe parameter for measuring the effects of pheromones on sexual behaviors. In this research, we have investigated the of pheromone interaction on sexual behaviors such as intercourse, mating and being near a pregnant female, also paternal behavior after children's birth, have been investigated. The effects of sexual pheromones were determined with a special cage without any sensory stimulation interference, such as visual, auditory, tactile senses [3.58 +/- 0.38 ng/mL]. Proximity between a female and a male rat increased plasma levels of testosterone rapidly [10.59 +/- 2.25 ng/mL, P<0.01]. Mating caused a decrease in testosterone levels comparing to premate groups [4.32 +/- 0.95 ng/mL, P<0.05]. During pregnancy, the testosterone levels increased up to the second week [6.11 +/- 1.58 ng/mL, P<0.017] then decreased rapidly[1.65 +/- 0.37 ng/mL, P<0.017]. After birth of children, the father rat testosterone levels decreased gradually [0.36 +/- 0.14 ng/mL, P<0.017]. But the presence of the father rat's near the strange child rat, the plasma levels of testosterone to increase significantly compared to the increase in mating groups[8.46 +/- 1.26 ng/mL, P<0.017]. These findings suggest that female sexual pheromones and different fatherhood and sexual behaviors, directly affect plasma levels of testosterone and can subsequently affect mating rats' reproductive activities