effects of nigella sativa hydro-alcoholic extract on memory and brain tissues oxidative damage after repeated seizures in rats

Regarding the therapeutic properties of Nigella sativa [NS], the effects of the plant hydro–alcoholic extract on learning, memory and brain tissues oxidative damage were investigated in penthylenetetrazole [PTZ]-induced repeated seizures. There were 4 experimental groups including: 1- control group; received saline, 2- PTZ group; received saline and PTZ [50 mg/Kg, i.p], 3- PTZ-NS 200 and 4- PTZ-NS 400 ; received 200 and 400 mg/Kg of NS extract respectively, before PTZ injection in 5 consecutive days. Seizure scores were lower in PTZ–NS 200 and 400, furthermore the seizure onset latencies were higher in these groups than PTZ group [P<0.05 and P<0.01]. In Morris water maze, the time spent in target quadrant by PTZ group was lower than control group [P<0.05]; while, 400 mg/Kg of the extract increased it [P<0.01]. In the passive avoidance test, delay time to enter the dark by PTZ group was lower than control at 1 and 24 hours after training [P<0.01 - P<0.001]; while, 400 mg/Kg of the extract increased it [P<0.05]. The total thiol concentration in hippocampal and cortical tissues of PTZ group was reduced while, MDA concentration was higher than control [p<0.05 - p<0.001]. Administration of the extract increased the total thiol and decreased the MDA concentrations [p<0.01 - p<0.001]. It is concluded that the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS possess beneficial effects on learning and memory impairments in repeated seizures model which is accompanied by antioxidant effects in the brain

effects of hydroalchoholic extract of Teucrium polium L. on hypertension induced by angiotensin II in rats

Antispasmodic and vasorelaxant effects of Teucrium polium L. [TP] were mentioned in former studies, so we attempted to evaluate the eventual preventive effect of TP in an acute experimental model of hypertension induced by angiotensin II [Ang II]. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups [n = 8]; control Group [C], which received only saline, group Ang II; which received Ang II [300 ng/min, IV], group losartan [Los]; which received Los [10 mg/kg, IV] before Ang II injection, three groups of TP 100, TP 200, and TP 400; which received different doses of TP extract [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, IP, respectively] before Ang II application. After cannulation of the femoral artery, mean arterial blood pressure [MAP] and heart rate [HR] was continuously measured and recorded during the experiments. Comparisons were performed using t test with SPSS software, version 16 [SPSS, Chicago, IL]. MAP and HR in Ang group were significantly higher than the control group [P < 0.001], MAP in group Los significantly was lower than Ang group [P < 0.001] and pretreatment with three doses of TP extract also inhibited increasing of MAP after Ang II injection [P < 0.001]. Los also inhibited the increase of HR due to Ang II [P < 0.001], but none of three doses of TP extract had a protective effect on tachycardia induced by Ang II. It seems TP extract could be effective in preventing of high blood pressure induced by Ang II pathway activation but could not have remarkable efficacy for improving the created tachycardia

Evaluation of antidepressant effect of ethanolic extract of Rosa damascena using forced swimming test

Rosa damascena mill L [R. damascena] is a medicinal plant mostly known in the world for its perfume. It also has beneficial effects on stress, tension and depression. In this experiment antidepressant effect of ethanolic extract of R. damascena by forced swimming test [FST] was evaluated. Animals received ethanolic extract [15, 60 and 90 mg/kg, i.p], imipramine [15mg/kg, i.p; positive control], or saline [negative control]. Thirty min post- injection, immobility and swimming times were measured and compared in the different studied groups. Intraperitoneal injection of lower concentration of extract [15 mg/kg] did not change swimming and immobility times compared to the control group. The higher concentrations of extract [60 and 90 mg/kg] significantly increased immobility time and decreased swimming time. Therefore ethanolic extract at tested doses had no antidepressant effect in this study. Although ethanolic extract did not have antidepressant effect, we cannot rule out this effect altogether. In our opinion, antidepressant effect is masked by CNS depression effect of ethanolic extract of R. damascena

Antidepressant-like effect of aqueous extract from Rosa damascena in mice

Rosa damascena mill L [R. damascena] is an ornamental plant that has several therapeutic [such as sedative and hypnotic] effects. It also heals depression, grief, nervous stress and tension. In the present study we evaluated antidepressant-like effect of R. damascena using forced swimming test [FST]. Three doses of aqueous extract [15, 60 and 90 mg/kg] was injected intraperitoneally. After 30 min of injection, immobility and swimming times were measured and compared with control [negative control] and imipramine [positive control]. The results showed that low dose [15mg/kg] of extract significantly increased swimming time and decreased immobility time. However, the two high doses of extract [60 and 90mg/kg] had no significant effect on these parameters. These results proposed antidepressant-like effect of low concentration of aqueous extract of R. damascena

Effect of reversible inactivation of the kolliker fuse nucleus on basal blood pressure and heart rate in anesthetized rat

Several supra spinal areas such as rostral ventrolateral medulla [RVLM] area are involved in basic cardiovascular regulation. The Kolliker- Fuse nucleus [KF] is located in pons and is heavily connected with RVLM. The cardiovascular effect of KF nucleus has been shown and it is suggested that KF is involved in sympathetic vasomotor tone and basic cardiovascular regulation. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of KF on basic cardiovascular values were evaluated. After induction of anesthesia, a polyethylene catheter [PE-50] filled with heparinized saline was inserted into the femoral artery of rats. Animals were then placed in a stereotaxic apparatus and KF nucleus was inactivated by microinjection of cobalt chloride [CoCl2]. Blood pressure and heart rate [HR] were continuously recorded pre and post inactivation. Our result showed that inactivation of KF slightly changed mean arterial blood pressure [MAP] [92.3 +/- 2.45 mmHg vs. 90.86 +/- 1.7 mmHg] and HR [343.8 +/- 4.6 beats/min vs. 350.7 +/- 8.32 beats /min]. However, these effects were not significant in comparison to the control group. We concluded that synapses in the KF nucleus have no effect on regulation of basal blood pressure and heart rate, because CoCl2 is a synaptic blocker