[Hepatoprotective effect of sodium molybdate on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats]

The liver as a key organ of metabolism and excretion is constantly endowed with the task of detoxification. Hepatotoxicants can induce various disorders of the organ. Carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] is a potent hepatotoxin producing centrilobular hepatic necrosis and is widely used for animal models of hepatotoxicity. Molybdenum functions as a co-factor for a limited number of enzymes including xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulfite oxidase in mammals, and is believed to be an essential trace element in human and nutrition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of sodium molybdate against experimentally induced-CCl4 liver injury. Adult male rats were orally administered with different doses of sodium molybdate [0.05, 0.1 and 0.2g/kg bw/daily] along with CCl4 [50% CCl4, in olive oil, 1ml/kg bw, intrapertioneally] twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters like alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein levels in the serum were determined. In present study, the level of serum markers such as alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats. While Simultaneous treatment of sodium molybdate at doses 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2g/kg bw significantly decreased alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase at the dependent dosage manner. Moreover, it had no effect on serum total protein levels. The results of this study demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of molybdenum and thus scientifically supports the use of this trace element for treatment of liver disorders

[Evaluation of bond strength of four types of multilithic teeth to acrylic denture base material]

The wear resistance of composite denture teeth has been well investigated, but there have been few studies about the bonding of these teeth to acrylic denture base resins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strengths of four brands of multilithic denture teeth to acrylic denture base material. In this experimental laboratory study four denture teeth groups [Glamour, Yaghout, Ivoclar and Apple] were used. Of each type of denture teeth 20 specimens were dogged into four wax prisms so that the lingual surface was faced upwards and the long axis of each of them made an angle of 90 degrees with the edge of the prism. After the placement of acryl and their curing stages, each sample was tested under shear-compressive force of 5 mm/min speed until fractured occurred. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and TUKEY test at 0.05 significance level. Apple teeth had the highest mean bond strength [1337 +/- 414/99] followed by Yaghoot [1097/36 +/- 142/86], Ivoclar [945 +/- 366/43] and Glamour [880 +/- 285/80]. Statistical analysis showed significant difference between the mean bond strength in some of denture teeth. Ivoclar specimens had the highest percentage of cohesive fracture followed by Apple, Glamour and Yaghoot. Nevertheless, statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the percentages of cohesive fracture in different groups of denture teeth. The results of this study showed that the bond strength of Apple denture teeth is more than Ivoclar and other denture teeth that were used in this study

Hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Carum carvi L. seeds in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Herbal medicine has been used for many years by different cultures around the world for the treatment of diabetes. The hypoglycemic effect of caraway ethanolic extract [Carum carvi L.] was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Intraperitoneal administration of caraway ethanolic extract seeds [0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg body wt.] on the level of serum glucose and insulin in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Before administration and 1, 3 and 5 h after administrations of the ethanolic extract, blood samples were drawn from the retro-orbital sinus. Serum glucose and insulin levels were determined. The results showed that the caraway ethanolic extract seeds at doses 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg body wt. significantly decreased serum glucose and insulin in diabetic rats in 3 and 5 h but not in healthy rats. It could be proofed that the traditional use of caraway as a hypoglycemic agent is justified and that extract from this plant show a dose-dependent hypoglycemic activity

[Acute effects of apple cider vinegar intake on some biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet]

Metabolic changes in postprandial stage, especially after consumption of high fat meal cause atherosclerosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Apple cider vinegar is an acidic juice with useful medicinal effects. In this research; we investigated acute effects of apple cider vinegar intake on some of the biochemical atherosclerosis risk factors in high cholesterol fed rabbits. Thirty two male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group, high cholesterol diet group [%1cholesterol],%1 cholesterol with 5ml apple cider vinegar group,%1 cholesterol with 10ml apple cider vinegar group. The C-Reactive Protein [CRP], low density lipoprotein [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein [HDL-C], total cholesterol [TC], malondialdehyde [MDA], oxidized-LDL [OxLDL], serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT], serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase [SGOT], nitrite, nitrate, glucose, fibrinogen triacylglycerol [TG], apolipoprotein A [ApoA1], apolipoprotein B [ApoB100] were all measured before the experiment and three hours after feeding with these treatment diets. In high cholesterol diet fibrinogen, nitrite, glucose, OxLDL, MDA and CRP showed a significant increase compared to normal diet. Significant differences were observed between both groups of apple cider vinegar by fibrinogen in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet. Using 10ml apple cider vinegar with cholesterolemic diet caused a significant reduction in Ox-LDL, MDA and glucose in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet. Moreover, the consumption of 5ml apple cider vinegar with cholesterolemic diet caused a significant decrease in LDL-C and TC compared to hypercholesterolemic diet. No significant difference was found between apple cider vinegar taking groups and hypercholesterol diet in CRP, TG ApoA, HDL-C, ApoB, SGOT, SGPT, nitrite and nitrate. The results showed that acute consumption of apple cider vinegar [as an antioxidant] causes significant reduction on some risk factors of atherosclerosis

[Effect of L-carnitine supplement on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility]

It is proposed that L-carnitine is a useful agent for treatment of various dysfunctions of sperm in infertile men. So, in the present study, effect of L-carnitine supplement on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility was evaluated. Thirty infertile men, aged between 20 and 40 years, with the following baseline sperm selection criteria, including sperm count< 66.6 x 10[6], motility< 30%, viability< 60%, normal morphology< 35%, were studied. Patients received 3 gram per day L-carnitine for six months. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines before study, and 3 and 6 months of therapy. Sperm parameters included liquefaction, pH, volume, sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation increased significantly sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphogy and pregnancy rate after 3 months [p<0.01] and 6 months [p<0.001]. Also, L-carnitine supplementation increased sperm motility and viability in idiophatic infertile men after 3 and 6 months [p<0.001]. Five couples became pregnant during the study. The present study indicated that L-carnitine supplementation is an appropriate drug in the treatment of men with idiopathic infertility

[Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of cucumis melo L. fruit skin on prevention of calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro]

Although several plants and procedures for treatment of kidney stone disease in Iranian folk medicine, Urolithiasis has been an important problem for patients, yet. Aim of present study, was the investigation of effect of Cucumis melo fruit skin hydro-alcoholic extract on calcium oxalate crystallization was studied in vitro. At first, hyro-alcoholic extract of plant at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml were prepared. Urine samples were collected from 6 individual men without kidney stone history. The urine samples were centrifuged. Calcium oxalate crystallization was induced by adding sodium oxalate to urine samples. Then, number and size of calcium oxalate crystals were measured by spectrophotometer and calibration of ocular lens of light microscope in control [without plant extract] and experimental [in presence of different of doses plant extract] groups, respectively. Different doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of plant increased percent of small crystals [2.5-5 and 6-9 micro], while decreased percent of big crystals [17-21, 22-30, and 31-40 micro in comparison to control samples. On the other hand, the plant increased mono-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals in comparison to di-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals. Also, the extract increased number of calcium oxalate crystals. Present results showed that hydro-alcoholic extract of Cucumis melo fruit skin could facilitate kidney stones excretion by decreasing size of crystals. So, it could prevent formation of kidney stone primary nucleus

Hypoglycemic effect of alcoholic extract of salvia nemorosa in normal and diabetic male rats

The use of medicinal plants has increased greatly mainly due to their easy availability, fewer side effects and lack of toxicity. The present study was carried out to investigate the antidiabetic effect of the extract of aerial parts of salvia nemorosa in normal and streptozotocin- induced diabetic male rats. After collection and taxonomic identification of plant, the ethanolic extract of Salvia nemorosa was prepared by the soxhlet apparatus. The animals were made diabetic by using 70 mg/kg streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally. The plant extract was administrated orally in doses of 0.01, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg to the normal and diabetic rats for 14 days. Two groups of normal and diabetic rats, which served as sham group, were administered distilled water. Blood samples were obtained from the hearts of all experimental animals after 14 days. Serum glucose and insulin were measured by glucose oxidase and radio immunoassay methods, respectively. Oral administration of the alcoholic extract of Salvia nemorosa significantly decreased serumic glucose [p < 0.001] and increased serumic insulin levels [p < 0.01] in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, but not in healthy rats. Furthermore, it increased weight in diabetic rats [p < 0.01]. The present data indicate that extract of Salvia nemorosa has hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats. This plant should be considered as a therapeutic option in future experimental researches for the management of Diabetes Mellitus in human

[Antinociceptive effects of essential oil of Salvia officinalis L. in mice]

Pain is a sensory modality, which in many cases represents the only symptom for the diagnosis of several diseases. It often has a protective function. Although morphine has reigned for centuries as the king of painkillers, its rule hasn't been totally benign. There are concerns about its addictive properties and side effects, which include respiratory depression, drowsiness, decreased gastrointestinal motility, nausea and several alterations of the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Since Salvia officinalis [sage] is used traditionally in the treatment of painful illnesses, it became worthwhile to evaluate its antinociceptive activities in mice. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the analgesic activity of essential oil of sage leaves by the formalin test in mice. The interaction between the plant leaves and opioidergic system on formalin-induced pain were carried out. The essential oil [0.2, 0.25 and 0.3 ml/kg] was injected intraperitoneally. The control groups were administered sunflower oil as vehicles of essential oil. Also, the LD50 of the essential oil of the plant was measured. The results showed that the essential oil of the plant [0.3 ml/kg] decreased both phases of pain. Also, the antinociceptive effect of essential oil [0.3 ml/kg] and morphine [0.5 ml/kg body wt.] were reversed by pretreatment with naloxone [0.5 ml/kg]. The LD50 of the essential oil was found 0.5 ml/kg, i.p. The potent analgesic effects were blocked by naloxone, indicating that the analgesic effects are associated with the activation of opioid receptors in the central nervous system. The present data indicate that the plant has analgesic effects on mice and the plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches

Effect of seminal plasma selenium concentration on semen parameters

Selenium is an essential trace nutrient for humans and animals. It is required for normal testicular development and spermatogenesis. In the present experimental study, correlations between seminal plasma glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity [as selenium status] and semen parameters are evaluated in 200 males. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Totally, 200 males were subdivided into 5 groups as normospermic, oligospermic, asthenozospermic, azospermic and varicocele groups according to their spermograms. Plasma seminal glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity was determined by Kit [Randox, Germany]. The results showed that glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity is higher in normospermic than oligospermic, asthenozospermic, azospermic and varicocele groups. Meanwhile, there were an inverse significant correlations between glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and plasma seminal fructose concentration, white blood cell, tail defects of sperm, coiled tail sperms and short tail sperms. On the other hand, the present data showed that there are positive correlations between vitality, sperm count, motility and normal morphology. The present study indicated that measurement of glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity as selenium status could be a good marker for evaluation of male infertility

[Antinociceptive effects of essential oil of Salvia hypoleuca L. in mice]

Pain is a sensorial modality, which in many cases represents the only symptom for the diagnosis of several diseases. It often has a protective function. Although morphine has reigned for centuries as the king of painkillers, its rule hasn't been totally benign. There are concerns about its addictive properties and side effects, which include respiratory depression, drowsiness, decreased gastrointestinal motility, nausea and several alterations of the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Since the plant is being used traditionally in the treatment of painful illnesses, it would be worthwhile to evaluate its antinociceptive activities in mice. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the analgesic effect of ethanolic extracts of Salvia hypoleuca leaves by formalin-test in mice. The ethanolic extracts and morphine were injected intraperitoneally. The control groups were administered saline as vehicles of ethanolic extract. Thirty minutes after the injection, pain scores were recorded for each group of mice by using an observational scale. The results showed that the ethanolic extracts of the plant, compared to normal saline, decreased pain scores for both the first phase [p<0.001 for all doses] and the second phase of pain [p<0.001 for doses 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg p<0.01 for dose 50mg/kg]. Also, the LD[50] of the ethanolic extracts of the plant were measured to be 7000mg per kg of body weight. The data indicate that this plant has analgesic effects on mice and the plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches

Effect of coholic extracts feurgreek seads [Trigonella foenum groceuml] in the activity of hepatic enzymes in normal and diabetic rats

Seeds of fenugreek [Trigonella foenum graecum L.], mostly used as a spice and condiment, are attributed with diuretic, carminative, antidiarrhoeal and antirheumatic effects in traditional medicine. The purpose of this research was to experimentally assess the effect of alcoholic extracts fenugreek seeds on the level of ALT [alanine aminotransaminase] and AST [aspartate aminotransaminase] enzymes used in normal and streptozotocin-induced rats and to compare it with glibenclamide as a reference standard. In the present study, effects of 14 days oral administration of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5g/kg body wt. of the alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds on the level of ALT [alanine transaminase] and AST [aspartate transaminase] enzymes in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. A comparison was made between the action of the alcoholic extract and a known antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide [600 micro g/kg body wt.]. The results showed that orally administred alcoholic extract of fenugreek decreased serum ALT and AST only in diabetic but not in healthy rats. Alcoholic fenugreek seed extract can serve as a good adjuvant in the present armamentarium of antidiabetic drugs. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be carried out to elucidate in detail the mechanism of action of this plant

[Hypoglycaemic effect of alcoholic extract of olive [Olea europaea L.] leaf in healthy and diabetic rats]

In traditional medicine leaves of olive [Olea europaea L.] are used as a diuretic, hypotensive, antibacterial and antiatherosclerotic. In the present study, oral administration of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5g/kg body wt. of the alcoholic extract of leaves of olive for 14 days on the level of glucose and insulin in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. The results showed that oral administration of the alcoholic extract of olive exhibited a significant reduction in blood glucose and increased plasma insulin in diabetic rats. The extract didnot change the level of blood glucose and plasma insulin in healthy rats significantly. A comparison was made between the action of the alcoholic extract and a known antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide [600 [micro]g/kg body wt.]. The hypoglycaemic effect of the extract was greater than that observed with glibenclamide