RESUMEN
Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans Houtt, has shown anti-inflammatory properties in some studies. At present experimental study, we evaluated the effect of seed extract of nutmeg on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats in comparison with flunixin meglumine. Experimental study was done in six groups of Wistar rats [each group 8 rats] as following: Group 1 was kept as control under similar conditions to other groups. All other rats received complete Freund's adjuvant at dose 0.1 ml which injected under skin of foot. Group 2 was received vehicle [normal saline]. Group 3 received flunixin intraperitonealy at dose of 2 mg/kg body weight of rats daily for 12 days. Group4 to 6 received extract of nutmeg at dose 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg intraperitonealy and daily for 12 days. Four rats in each group were anesthetized and blood collected for serum analysis on 12th day. The ankle joint prepared for histopathological examination. The remained rats were kept until 21th day. Levels of the cytokine TNF-alpha in serum was measured using ELISA kit. The serum levels of TNF-alpha in the group 2 were significantly increased; while nutmeg decreased the elevated TNF-alpha level in a dose-dependent manner but significantly with 300 mg/kg. The flunixin did not significantly decrease the levels of TNF-alpha. Nutmeg treated rats manifested pathological events in the ankle joints to a markedly lesser degree. Flunixin prevented pannus formation but it was ineffective in other lesions. Thus, nutmeg protected the joints against cartilage destruction and bone erosion in a dose-dependent manner
RESUMEN
Caffeine at high doses is a known rodent teratogen and induces limb malformations along with cleft palate in various strains of rats and mice. The teratogenic effects of some drugs can be prevented by the application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of the maternal immune system. Also, there is some evidence that galbanum is antioxidant. Therefore, in this study, the prophylactic effect of galbanum on teratogenic effects of caffeine was evaluated. This experimental study was performed on 28 pregnant rats that were divided into four groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received caffeine [80 mg/kg], caffeine [80 mg/kg] plus galbanum [200 mg/kg] and galbanum [200 mg/kg], intraperitonealy at 9-11th days of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length; they were stained by Alizarin red - Alcian blue method. Cleft palate incidence was 33.3%, in caffeine group and decreased to 8.3% by galbanum. The mean of weight and length of fetuses from rat that received galbanum were significantly greater than those received only caffeine. It is concluded that galbanum decreased cleft palate induced by caffeine; but its mechanism needs more details evaluation
RESUMEN
Prenatal rat embryo exposure to retinoid induces some malformations in various organs, the most active and teratogenic metablolite is all-trans-retinoic acid [atRA]. The teratogenic effects of some drugs can be prevented by the application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of the maternal immune system. Also, quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid has excellent antioxidant properties. Therefore, in this study, the prophylactic effect of quercetin on teratogenic effects of atRA was evaluated. In this experimental study, 40 pregnant rats were divided into 7 groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO], quercetin [75 mg/kg], quercetin [200 mg/kg], atRA [25 mg/kg], atRA [25 mg/kg] plus quercetin [75 mg/kg] and atRA [25 mg/kg] plus quercetin [200 mg/kg], intraperitoneally at 8-10th days of gestation. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length; they were stained by Alizarin red-Alcian blue method. Cleft palate, exencephaly and spina bifida incidence were 30.76, 61.53 and 30.76% range in group which received only atRA. Cleft palate, exencephaly and spina bifida incidence were 11.11, 16.66 and 5.55% in group which received atRA plus quercetin [75 mg/kg]. However, cleft palate, exencephaly and spina bifida incidence were 10.52, 10.52 and 0% in group which received atRA plus quercetin [200 mg/kg]. The means of weight and length of fetuses from rat that received atRA plus quercetin [75 mg/kg] were significantly greater than those received only atRA. It is concluded that quercetin decreased teratogenicity induced by atRA, but this subject needs more detailed evaluation
RESUMEN
Sincemelatoninhas been effectiveinsomestudiesto improveliver failureandyetits effectinreducingliver toxicityofamphotericin Bwas not evaluated,in the present studythe effects ofmelatoninandvitaminE were compared inreducingliver toxicitycaused byamphotericin Binrabbits. The study was performed on five groups of rabbits; one control group, and 4 amphotericin [1 mg/kg] receiving groups [2 to 5], group 3 received melatonin [1 mg/kg], group 4 received vitamin E [80 mg/kg], and group 5 received melatonin together with vitamin E. Alterations in enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase in serum and liver tissue were evaluated. Results showed that administration of amphotericin had significantly increased the activity level of liver function related enzymes. But consumption of vitamin E and melatonin prevented this increase, while the combination of vitamin E and melatonin had a more significant effect on lactate dehydrogenase. Also compared with the control group, liver tissue damage and cellular damage were significant after amphotericin consumption and these changes were decreased by melatonin and vitamin E. Melatonin and vitamin E may prevent liver damage caused by amphotericin through their antioxidant properties
RESUMEN
Albendazole is utilized as an anthelmentic agent. One its side effect is teratogenicity. This effect apparently is related to its metabolites especially albendazole sulfoxid. The aim of present study was evaluation effect of erythromycin [as enzyme inhibitor in biotransformation] on albendazole biotransformation and consequently fetal malformation. Four groups of female pregnant wistar rats [8 rats each group] were used. First group received normal saline [as control group]. A single oral dose 30 mg/kg of albendazole was administered to rats on day 10 of gestation in group 2. Rats in group 3 received albendazole similar group 2 and erythromycin at dose 60 mg/kg. Rats in group 4 received only erythromycin on day 10 of gestation. The rats were euthanatized on day 20 of gestation. The skeletal malformation of fetus was studied by stereomicroscope after staining by Alizarin red-Alcian blue. The length and weight of fetuses were significantly decreased by albendazole but erythromycin did not prevent this effect. In group that received only erythromycin, the length and weight of fetuses was similar to control group. Erythromycin decreased albendazole effect on weight of placenta. There was an increase in resorption by erythromycin when co-administrated with albendazole. The incidence of skeletal malformations [mostly of the limbs, vertebrae and palate] decreased significantly by erythromycin when co-administrated with albendazole. Thus, erythromycin may inhibit albendazole biotransformation and decrease teratogenicity of it metabolites; but this subject needs more detailed evaluation
RESUMEN
The daily stress and shift working cause insomnia. In other hands, fatty food consumption increased this disorder. The aim of present study is evaluation additive effect of partial insomnia and high fatty diet with or without vitamin C on serum lipid profile in rats. Fifty six rats in 7 groups [8 rats each group] were conducted for study during 26 days as: 1: normal diet+normal sleep, 2: high fatty diet+normal sleep, 3: normal diet+insomnia, 4: high fatty diet+insomnia, 5: high fatty diet+normal sleep+vitamin C, 6: high fatty diet+insomnia+vitamin C, 7: normal diet+insomnia+ vitamin C. The lipid profile was examined at end of study. Results shown the high fatty diet+insomnia increased triglyceride, LDL, VLDL level and decreased HDL level with comparison to high fatty diet+normal sleep group. But only insomnia did not change serum lipid profile. High fatty diet increased level of cholesterol [p<0.05]. The normal diet increased body weight but high fatty diet decreased it significantly. Liver weight ratio was elevated by high fatty diet+insomnia. The vitamin C decreased cholesterol and increased HDL level in group of rats which received high fatty diet+insomnia. In conclusion, the present study shown the only insomnia did not affect on serum lipid profile while insomnia along with high fatty diet increased lipid high risk factors in blood
RESUMEN
Evaluation of healing effects of Echinacea extract in Arsenic induced dermal necrosis in rat is the objective of this study. In this experimental study 20 male Wistar rats were divided to 2 groups. Dermal necrosis was induced by subcutaneously arsenic injection [4mg/kg] for 10 days. In group 2, after arsenic receiving, Echinacea were injected intraperitoneally [400mg/kg]. After last day of injection, rats were euthanizes and pathologic samples were collected from dermal ulcers. Histopathologic results revealed necrosis of different dermal layers in arsenic group. There were inflammatory exudates instead of impaired structures. In group 2, there were granulation tissue with high cellularity and new vessels. According to this research findings arsenic can induce dermal necrosis which is a good animal model for dermatologic researches and also Echinacea has healing effects and can protect and limit the Arsenic effects
RESUMEN
There are some reports that the teratogenic effects of cyclophosphamide [CPA] can be prevented by application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of the maternal immune system. Echinacea purpurea extract is antioxidative and immunomodulator drug. Mesna [Sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate] is used for decreasing side effects of CPA, especially hemorrhagic cystitis. In this study, we compared the prophylactic effects of mesna and Echinacea extract on teratogenic effects of CPA. This study was performed on 32 pregnant rats that were divided into 4 groups. The first group [control group] received normal saline and the other groups received CPA [15 mg/kg intraperitoneally] on 13th day of gestation. Mesna and E. purpurea extracts were administrated at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg by IP injection, respectively, along with it and 12 hr later, after CPA injection. Rats were dissected on day 20 of gestation, embryos harvested and after determination of gross malformations they were stained by Alizarin red-Alcian blue method. Cleft palate incidence was 38.46, 30.77 and 14.28% in fetuses of rats that received only CPA, CPA with mesna and CPA with Echinacea extract, respectively. In addition, skeletal anomalies incidence including limbs, vertebra, sternum, and scapula defects were decreased by Echinacea extract. E. purpurea has significant effect on preventing CPA-induced malformations and better prophylactic effect than mesna on cases like CPA-induced cleft palate