[ review on pharmacological effects and therapeutic properties of curcumin]

Curcumin is a natural compound that obtains from the rhizome of turmeric plant. It has a wide range of pharmacological and therapeutic effects via various molecular and cellular mechanisms. With regards to pharmacological effects and drug use of curcumin, the study of its pharmacological properties for using in clinical trials is essential and need. The most important therapeutic effects of curcumin include: antioxidant, anti- inflammatory and anticancer properties. Although, no side effect and toxicity of curcumin has been reported, but the application of this compound as a supplemental therapy in treatment regimes for various diseases is taking into consideration. The clinical studies of curcumin combined with chemotherapy drugs demonstrated that the curcumin increases the effectiveness of drugs and decrease of side effects of chemotherapy drugs. The aim of this work is the review of all studies which conducted on pharmacological and therapeutic properties of curcumin

effect of oxcarbazepine on the concentration of fsh, lh and testosterone

Background and Purpose: Oxcarbazepine is a widely used novel antiepileptic drug. In vitro electrophysiologic studies indicate that oxcarbazepine can block voltage-sensitive sodium channels, enhance the functioning of the neural membranes, and inhibit the propagation of synaptic impulses. It is also necessary to investigate the effect of oxcarbazepine on sex hormones because of its effects on the nervous system and the close neuro-hormonal association of this system with reproduction. In this research, the effect of oxcarbazepine was studied on the amount LH, FSH, testosterone Hormones and male reproductive physiology

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental research involved 40 adult male volunteers aging from 25 to 45 years old. They suffered from epilepsy and were selected from those admitted to the neurological clinics of Shiraz, Iran, and were assigned into four groups of 10: Control group receiving no materials, and experimental groups receiving 150, 300, and 600 mg/day oxcarbazepine as oral tablets for 30 days. The study was conducted upon the permit of the ethics committee and after the informed consent was signed by the participants. After the termination of this period, the levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone Hormones in the blood were measured. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using Tukey, Duncan tests and ANOVA

Results: According to the findings, plasma concentration of LH showed a significant increase [p<0.05], whereas in plasma concentration of FSH, no significant change was observed. Also, it caused a reduction in the concentration of testosterone [p<0.05]

Conclusion: The use of oxcarbazepine can affect leydig cells in testis via hypophysis-Gonad axis and reduce the production of testosterone

[Effect of an organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan, on blood parameters in rat]

Background and aim: Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide and anti-worm which has a wide range of usage in controlling insects. This toxin can be absorbed through feeding, aspirating and skin in human and animal. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Endosulfan on blood parameters in rat

Methods: In this experimental research, 40 male rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: Control group, didn't receive any substance. Placebo group received normal saline and three experimental groups received 5, 10 and 20 ml/kg Endosulfan [once every 3 days, for 21 days], respectively. Rats received placebo or Endosulfan by gavages. At the end of experiments, rats were anesthetized by chloroform and blood samples were prepared from the heart and finally the blood factors were evaluated using standard methods. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Danken tests

Results: The amount of monocytes significantly increased [P<0.05], however the amounts of RBC, lymphocytes and platelets significantly decreased [P<0.05], compared to the ones in control group

Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that long term usage of Endosulfan might have significant effects on blood factors. It can cause anemia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Therefore, more attention should be paied on the usage of this insecticide agent

[Effect of soybean on male reproductive physiology in male mice]

Soybean [Soja hispida Moench] is a member of Fabaceae family. It is a species of legume native to East Asia. Soy contains significant amount of all the essential amino acids for humans; therefore, is a good source of protein. Soy has an important role in the improvement and treatment of come cancers such as colon, prostate, and breast. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of soybeans on reproductive system in male mice. This experimental study was conducted at Isfahan Payam e Noor University in 2009. In this research, 32 male mice were randomly grouped into four experimental groups. The control group was fed with soy-free basic diet. The experimental groups 1,2 and 3 were fed with a diet containing 20%, 30% and 50% soy diet respectively. At the end of 9 weeks of treatment, blood samples were collected and serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH were measured. The collected data was analyzed with SPSS software using one way ANOVA with Dunnett's post test and Duncan test. In the experimental group which received 20% soy diet, the level of testosterone had a meaningful decrease in comparison with the control group [P<0.05], but in the experiemental group which received a 50% soy diet, the level of testosterone had a meaningful increase [P<0.05]. The LH level in 30% and 50% groups had a meaningful increase but no significant differences were observed in FSH level and weight of testicles [P<0.05]. The number of sperms in all of the treatment regimes had a meaningful decrease [P<0.05], but the mean of testis weight was not significantly different between different groups [P>0.05]. Results of this research indicated that the 20, 30, and 50 percent soy diet had a negative effect on the male reproductive system in mice

[Effect of saffron extract on electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in the male mice]

Due to widespread use of saffron [Crocus sativus L] as food colorant and flavor, and its reputation in folk medicine as a drug, recent studies revealed that main components of saffron are the carotenoids: crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal which have a large number of physiological effects on different biological systems. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of Crocus sativus on serum proteins pattern in the male mice. Five groups including eight adult male Balb/C mice were used in this study. Normal saline administered as placebo to control group and saffron extract in doses of 25 mg/Kg/48hr, 50 mg/Kg/48hr, 100 mg/Kg/48hr and 200 mg/Kg/48hr were injected intra peritoneally for 20 days to experimental groups. The levels of Albumin, Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta and Gamma globulins were separated electrophoretically and A/G ratio was calculated from the pattern of electrophoretogram. The result indicated that the levels of Albumin increased significantly in two experimental groups that had received 50 mg/Kg/48h and 100 mg/Kg/48h extract of Saffron as compared to the control group, the levels of Alpha-1 didn't have any remarkable changes in any group. The injection of 50 mg/Kg/48h, 100 mg/Kg/48h and 200 mg/Kg/48hr extract of saffron decreased [p < 0.05] the Alpha-2 level in plasma as compared to the control group and levels of Beta globulins increased significantly in these three groups. The levels of Gamma globulins increased significantly in 100 and 200 mg/kg-treated groups as compared to the placebo controlled group. A/G ratio [Albumin/Globulin ratio] were significantly [p < 0.05] lower than control group in any groups that received saffron extract in a dose-dependent manner. Albumin were significantly increased in two groups and A/G ratio was decreased in any groups. This can be interpreted that in the absence of antigen stimulation, serum globulins did alter markedly by extract of saffron. The study shows that since albumin synthesis occurs in the liver cells, thus administration of saffron may improve the status of liver function significantly

[ effect of cinnamon [bark] extract on male reproductive physiology in mice]

Cinnamon is a plant with the scientific name cinnamomun zeylanicum that belongs to the Lauraceae family. This plant has many therapeutic effects; one of them is the increasing of sexual desire. This study was conducted to find out the effects of Cinnamon extracts on reproductive physiology of male laboratory mice. Animals were assigned in six groups, each consisted of eight mice. The mice groups were experimental groups [1,2,3,4] and two control and placebo groups. All animals were kept in same condition. Different doses of Cinnamon hydro-ethanolic extract [50,100,200 and 400 mg/kg/2day] were injected, intraperitonealy, to animals for 20 days while the control group received normal saline plus ethanol. The most important parameters in this study were included: variation in testicles weight, probabe histological changes in testes, changes in number of sexual cells and density of LH, FSH and testosterone in blood of the subjects. The results indicated that cinnamon can significantly increase the level of LH and FSH in doses of 200, 400 mg/kg. The density of testosterone increased in dose of 50, 100 mg/kg also the number of sperms and primary spermatocytes raise in 100, 200 and 400 cinnamon extract while no significant changes were observed in weight of testicles and also in histological findings. The findings of this research indicated the positive effects of cinnamon extract on male reproductive system and hormonal changes in pituitary-gonad axis because sperm count and secretion of FSH hormone had a meaningful significance in dose of 200 and 400mg/kg of the cinnamon extract

[ effect of Ginger [Zingiber officinale] on electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins of male mice]

Ginger [Zingiber officinale] is used as a cooking spice in the diet in many parts of the world. Recent research has found ginger to have various pharmacological properties due to a variety of active constituents, including shogaols and gingerols. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of alcohol extract of Zingiber officinale on the fractions of serum protein in mice. In this experimental study, four groups of male adult mice [eight per group] were used. Group one [control] received normal saline, groups two, three, and four were received 10 mg/Kg, 20 mg/Kg and 40 mg/Kg alcohol extract of ginger, respectively every 4 hr. for 20 days interaperitoneally. Blood sample was obtained from ophthalmic sinus of the mouse. The levels of pre-albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins were separated electrophoretically and total protein was measured. Then, albumin/ globulins [A/G] ratio was calculated from the pattern of electrophoretogram. Data were analyzed using Toki and Zemon tests. Extract of Zingiber officinale increased significantly levels of albumin and serum total protein in groups 3 [3.7 +/- 0.25g/dl] and 4 [3.71 +/- 0.37g/dl] compared with the control group [P<0.05]. However, the levels of alpha-1, alpha-2, beta and gamma globulins were not significantly different in these groups [P>0.05]. Also, A/G ratio in group 3 [2.05 +/- 48g/dl] was significantly more than that in the control group [1.37 +/- 0.16g/dl] [P<0.05]. It seems that without antigenic stimulation, Zingiber had no effect on the synthesis of globulin. Albumin synthesis occurs in the liver cells, therefore increasing of albumin synthesis would be a symptom indicating improvement of liver cells activity

Effect of saffron [Crocus sativus] extract on level of FSH, LH and testosterone in mice

Saffron is widely used as a food flavor and has well known medicinal effects. Recent studies have revealed that main components of saffron including carotenoids: crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal have a large number of physiological effects on different biological systems. We decided to assess the possible effect of saffron extract on concentratians of LH, FSH and testosterone in mice. Four groups each including eight adult male Balb/C mice weighing 30 5g were chosen. Normal saline was administered as placebo to control group and saffron extract in doses of 25 mg kg / 48h, 50mg kg / 48h and 100mg kg / 48h was injected intraperitoneally for 20 days to test groups. Serum FSH, LH and testosterone, were measured using ELISA. The level of FSH, LH and testosterone significantly increased in 100mg kg saffron treated group, as compared with with placebo group. No significant differences were observed between other test groups and placebo. The study indicates efficacy of saffron extract in dose of 100 mg/kg/ 48h on pituitary-testis axis in mice. However further studies are needed to determine the effect of saffron on human reproductivity

Effect of hydroalcoholic Zingiber extract on creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN] of mice

Many people still use plant-derived medicines for their basic health requirements. Zingiber officinal Roscoe [Ginger] is a spice that has been used since two thousand years ago as a medicine in several Asian countries. Increase of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN] level is representative of renal failure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic Zingiber extract on creatinine and BUN in order to estimate the renal function. In an experimental study, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg of a hydroalcoholic extract of Ginger was administered intraperitoneally [IP] to male mice every other day for 20 days. Subsequently, using ophthalmic puncture method, their blood was used to measure BUN and creatinine levels. The mean of BUN concentration in the control group was 37.68 +/- 3.89 and in the case groups received 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg of hydroalcholic extract of Ginger during 48 h were 21.54 +/- 11.38 [p<0.05], 25.3 +/- 3.42 [p<0.01], and 20.79 +/- 6.61 [p<0.01], respectively. There was significant difference between the case and the control group for BUN level [p<0.01], but not for the creatinine level. BUN/creatinine ratio was significantly [p<0.05] different between the two groups. Ginger may be useful to change BUN and creatinine level of blood to achieve normal body balance