ABSTRACT
@#Background: There is a meaningful necessity for a targeted therapy of essential tremor (ET), as medications have not been developed specifically for ET. For nearly a century, many drugs have been applied in the treatment of tremor but the drug treatment of ET remains still unknown. Some potential therapeutic factors such fingolimod (FTY720) can be effectively used to treat ET in animals. In the present research, the effect of FTY720, the immunomodulatory sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) analog, on degeneration of cerebellar and olivary neurons induced by harmaline in male rats was investigated. Methods: The animals were allotted into control dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), saline + harmaline [30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, (i.p.)], harmaline + FTY720 (1 mg/kg, i.p, 1 h and 24 h before harmaline injection) groups (n = 10). The cerebellum and inferior olive nucleus (ION) were studied for neuronal degeneration using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ultrastructural study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Results: Harmaline caused neuronal cell loss, caspase-3 mediated apoptosis, astrocytosis and ultrastructural changes in cerebellar Purkinje cells and inferior olive neurons. FTY720 exhibited neuroprotective effects on cerebellar Purkinje cells and inferior olivary neurons. Conclusion: These results suggest that FTY720 has potential efficacy for prevention of ET neurodegeneration and astrocytosis induced by harmaline in male rats.
ABSTRACT
Background: Nepeta dschuparensis Bornm [NP] is used as a medicinal herb in Iran. In traditional medicine, this herb is extensively employed for curing ailments such as cardiovascular diseases. NP has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This project examined the effects of the NP extract on cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and interleukin-1 +/- [IL-1 +/- ] protein levels and its efficacy in neuroprotection in a cerebral ischemiareperfusion model
Methods: Twenty-six male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1] sham [n=6]: no middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO] procedure, 2] control [n=10]: MCAO procedure and treatment with normal saline, and 3] NP extract [n=10]: MCAO procedure and treatment with the NP extract [20 mg/kg, i.p.] at the beginning of reperfusion. To examine the injury caused by cerebral ischemia, we measured motor coordination and the infarct area using the rotarod test and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, respectively. IL-1 +/- and COX-2 protein levels, as inflammatory markers, were measured by immunoblotting assay. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 16, and the data are expressed as means +/- SEMs. Statistical difference was evaluated using the one-way ANOVA, followed by the post hoc LSD test [P<0.01]
Results: Treatment with the NP extract significantly diminished the infarct volume and alleviated the motor coordination disorder induced by cerebral ischemia. The NP extract administration significantly attenuated the increase in IL-1 +/- and COX-2 protein levels too [P<0.01]
Conclusion: The beneficial effects of the NP extract are related to its ability to decrease the levels of IL-1 +/- and COX-2
ABSTRACT
Epilepsy is a chief communal health problem. Antiepileptic drugs only provide symptomatic treatment. Walnut Kernels [WK] have high concentrations of phenolic compounds, which have beneficial effects on human health because of their antioxidant and anti-atherogenic properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of WK supplementation for the prevention of experimental epilepsy in male rats. Wistar adult male rats were divided into three groups: a control group [PTZ injection, fed with ordinary food], experimental group [PTZ injection, fed with WK] and a sham group [no PTZ injection, only for histological studies]. Pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] was administered after the prescribed time. WKs displayed anti-epileptogenic properties, and WK supplementation was associated with increased seizure threshold and reduced mortality in the experimental group versus controls. Use of WK may be helpful in prevention of PTZ-induced seizure and its further neurodegeneration in male rats