[ effect of gonadectomy and sex - related differences in response to matricaria chamomilla extract on locomotor activity behavior in mice]

Former studies showed that the Matricaria chamomilla hedroalcholic extract affects pain and anxiety of male and female mice sex-dependently. In this research we examined the effect of Matricaria chamomilla [chamomile] hydroalcholic extract on locomotor activity behavior in presence and absence of sex glands in adult male and female NMRI mice. Animals were divided into groups of seven including intact, sham, gonadectomized and receiving hydroalcholic extract of chamomile [30 and 50 mg/kg i.p]. Motor activity monitor system was used to evaluate locomotor activity parameters [number of line crossing movments, stereotype movments and number of rearing movments] in open field test on all groups. 1] Hydroalcholic extract of chamomile [50 mg/kg dos] decreased motor activity parameters in presence and absence of sex glands in male mice. 2] Hydroalcholic extract of chamomile [50 mg/kg dose] increased motor activity parameters in presence and absence of sex glands in female mice.3] Gonadectomy did not have any effect on locomotor activity parameters on male mice.4] Gonadectomy decreased motor activity parameters on female mice. It seems that chamomile extract influences motor activity parameters via some sex related factors like neurochemical systems in male and female mice. This effect may in part depend on sex hormones receptors in female mice

[Study of interaction between oxytocin and opoid system in locus coeruleus on acute pain in the rat]

Studies show that the plaus a role hormone oxytocin in the control of pain, sexual behavior, anxiety and love. The mechanism of this neuropeptide is not completely understood in the CNS. This study aimed at researching the effect of oxytoxin administered in the locus coeruleus [LC] nucleus on pain and its interaction with opioid system, because LC influences the nociception and also contains oxytocin and opioid receptors. Male wistar rats weighing 270 +/- 20 grams were used. Animals divided to the in control group, receiving only oxytocin [3nmol/2 l] and the group receiving oxytocin [3nmol/2microl] with naloxone as an opioid receptor antagonist [3nmol/1microl] in LC nucleus. Hot plate and tail flick tests were used for pain response evaluations. Oxytocin injection in locus coeruleus nucleus induced analgesic effect significantly in two analgesiometer tests [p<0.001]. Naloxone prevented the analgesic effect of oxytocin significantly [Hot plate p<0.001, Tail flick p<0.05]. Oxytocin exerts part of its antinociception effect via LC nucleus and probably by excitation of the opioid system because of the inhibiting effect of naloxone