Effect of lippia citriodora on anxiety behaviour in adult male rats

Anxiety is as a common disorder can be treated with botanical medicines. Herbal medicine and complementary and alternative medicine have widespread usage among individuals with mood and anxiety disorders. The benefit effect of Lippia citriodora is proposed for treatment of various neurological diseases. In the present study the effect of Lippia citriodora extract on anxiety behavior was evaluated in adult male rats by elevated plus maze. In experimental study, Lippia citriodora extract at doses 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg was administrated in adult male rats, interperitoneally. The control group was treated saline as vehicle. 30 minutes after treatment, anxiolytic effect of plant was evaluated by elevated plus maze during 300 s. Treatment of Lippia citriodora hydro-ethanolic extract at dose 200 mg/kg increased staying in open arm and ratio of open arm entries to whole arms entries [%OAE] and at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced ratio of time of first entry to open arm to time of first entry to whole arms [%OAT]. Extract of Lippia citriodora leaves has anxiolytic effect in rats and the effect may be related to flavonoids and interaction with GABAergic system

[Anxiolytic effect of L-carnitine in adult male rats]

The beneficial effect of L-carnitine for treatment of neurological diseases has been investigated in various studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplement on anxiety behavior in adult male rats by elevated plus maze. In this experimental study, the studied groups were divided into normal, saline, and experimental groups. L-carnitine was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg were, and saline control group received saline as vehicle. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Dunnett's test. The significance level was considered as p<0.05. In this study, the anxiolytic response of the drug was evaluated by elevated plus maze 30 minutes after treatment. L-carnitine treatment increase time spent in open arms, number of entries into open and dark arms or locomotor activity,%OAE, while decreased%OAT [p<0.01]. The results of this study indicated that L-carnitine has anxiolytic effect on male rats

[Protective effect of walnut [juglans regia L.] extract against CCI[4] - induced hepatotoxicity in rats]

Walnut [Juglans regia L.] is widely distributed all over the world. Dry seeds, [nuts], as well as green walnuts, shells, bark, green husks [epicarps] and leaves, have all been used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In the present study, hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of walnut leaves was investigated against carbon tetrachloride [CCl [4]] induced liver damage in rats. This experimental study was done on 36 rats divided into six groups. Adult male rats were orally administered different doses of walnut extract [50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw/daily] along with CCl [4] [50% CCl [4], in olive oil, 1 ml/kg, intrapertioneally] twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters like alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein levels in the serum were determined. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA test. Administration of CCl [4] increased the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase [p<0.01]. Treatment with the ethanolic extract of walnut leaves significantly decreased the above parameters [p<0.01]. Ethanolic extract of walnut leaves could protect liver against the CCl [4]-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be due to modulation of toxic and oxidant enzymes and also to the scavenger effect on free radicals

Seminal plasma levels of copper and its relationship with seminal parameters

The trace element copper has been identified as a highly toxic element for sperm. It is known to affect sperm motility in humans, and experimental implantation of copper in the epididymis, vas deferens, and scrotum of mammals has been demonstrated to affect fertility detrimentally. Sperm concentration, motility, vitality and morphology are parameters used to evaluate potential male fertility. Since, copper is believed to be important for spermatogenesis; we conducted a study to investigate the correlation between seminal plasma copper concentration and human semen parameters in 232 males. We selected 232 subfertile or infertile men who referred to Omid Fertility Clinic, randomly. Samples were categorized into normospermic [n=32], oligozospermic [n=73], asthenozospermic [n=111] and azospermic [n=16] groups according to their spermiogrames. Total seminal plasma copper concentration was determined by furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that seminal plasma copper concentrations in oligozospermic, asthenozospermic and azospermic groups are significantly higher than normozospermic group [p<0.01]. Also, negative correlations were found between seminal plasma copper concentration and sperm count [p<0.05], sperm motility [p<0.01], sperm vitality [p<0.01], normal morphology [p<0.01] and pH [p<0.01] in all groups. It was suggested that excess copper in seminal plasma was detrimental for male reproductive capacity by reducing sperm count, motility, vitality and morphology

Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract and essential oil of eucalyptus globulus in mice

Inflammation is a mechanism involving a complex series of events including dilatation of arterioles, venules and capillaries with increased vascular permeability, exudation of fluids including plasma proteins and leukocyte migration into the inflammatory area. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of Eucalyptus globulus alcoholic extract and essential oil leaves were studied in NMRI mice. In this experimental study, 15 minutes after intra-peritoneal injection of the ethanolic extract [50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.], essential oil [0.1, 0.4, 0.5 ml/kg, i.p.] and dexamethasone [10 mg/kg, i.p.], 0.03 ml of xylene was applied to the anterior surface of the right ear of NMRI mice. The left ear was considered as control. Two hours after xylene application, mice were sacrificed and both ears removed. The effect on acute inflammation was assessed using vascular permeability increased by xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Alcoholic extract of Eucalyptus globulus with doses 100 and 200 mg/kg and essential oil leaves of Eucalyptus globulus with doses of 0.4 and 0.55 ml/kg showed significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation induced by xylene ear edema test. Its anti-inflammatory effects were similar to dexamethason. The present study indicated that Eucalyptus globule has anti-inflammatory effect on mice and should be considered in future therapeutic studies

[Hypoglycemic effect of alcoholic extract of eucalyptus [Eucalyptus globulus L.] leaves in healthy and diabetic rats]

In traditional medicine, leaves of eucalyptus [Eucalyptus globules L.] possess interesting biological behavior, such as antioxidation, antibacterial and antiviral activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate hypoglycemic effect of alcoholic extract of eucalyptus [Eucalyptus globulus L.] leaves in healthy and diabetic rats. In this experimental study, the effects of oral administration of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg body weight of eucalyptus leaves alcoholic extract for 21 days on the glucose and insulin levels in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. A comparison was made between the effect of the alcoholic extract and a known antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide [600 mg/kg body weight]. The results showed that orally administration of the eucalyptus alcoholic extract decreased significantly the serum glucose levels, whereas it increased serum insulin in diabetic but not in normal rats [p<0.05]. The extract could not change the level of serum glucose and insulin in normal rats significantly. The hypoglycemic effect of the extract was similar to that observed by glibenclamide. The eucalyptus alcoholic extract can serve as a good adjuvant in the present armamentarium of antidiabetic drugs. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be carried out to elucidate in details the mechanism of action of this plant

[Antinociceptive effects of ethanolic extract of parsley [Petroselinum crispum L.] leaves in mice]

Pain is a sensorial modality, which in many cases represents the only symptom for the diagnosis of several diseases. Du to addictive properties and side effects of morphine, there is less attention to use it. Medicinal plants are used increasingly in the treatment of painful illnesses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of parsley leaves in mice. In this experimental study, analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of parsley leaves was evaluated in mice by formalin test and acetic acid test. Ethanolic extract of parsley leaves [at doses 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg] and morphine [10 mg/kg], as a standard drug, were injected intraperitoneally. The control group was administered saline as vehicle of ethanolic extract. Ethanolic extract of plant decreased both phases of pain in formalin test. Also, it decreased number of abdominal muscle contraction in Writhing test. The present study indicated that ethanolic extract of parsley leaves has analgesic effects on mice and further studies need to evaluate its clinical properties