Effects of aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale on lipid profiles in rat subjected to streptozotocin

Background: Diabetes induces systemic disorders through changes in plasma lipid levels and increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the effects of aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale on the serum levels of lipids was investigated in rats following the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were divided in 6 groups of seven as follow: the control, diabetic sham and 4 experimental groups. Diabetic sham received 70 mg/kg streptozotocin once at the beginning of the experiment; the experimental groups 1 and 2 daily received 250 and 500 mg/kg Zingiber aqueous extract respectively; the experimental groups 3 and 4 first received streptozotocin once, and then a daily dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg extract. Oral administration of aqueous extract continued over a period of two months. Then, blood samples were prepared, and used for measurement of serum levels of triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol [TC], LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol

Results: Serum concentration of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol in the diabetic sham compared to the control group showed a significant increase [p<0.05]. Conversely, serum levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol in the experimental group 1 compared to the control group indicated a significant decrease. Triglyceride in the experimental group 2 revealed a significant increase compared to the control group. Also, HDL cholesterol increased significantly in this group. A significant decrease was observed in the serum levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol in the experimental group3 and 4 compared with diabetic sham, whereas concentration of HDL cholesterol in experimental Group 4 increased significantly [p< 0.05]

Conclusion: Due to its antioxidant properties, aqueous extract of Zingiber can reduce streptozotocin toxicity leading to an improvement in serum lipid profiles of diabetic patients

[Protective effects of fish oil omega3 supplements and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root against changes of liver enzymes levels induced by thioacetamide in male rats]

Background: Thioacetamide is a liver toxin that causes centrilobular necrosis. In this study, the protective effect of fish oil omega3 supplements and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root against disorder in liver enzymes level induced by thioacetamide in male rats was investigated

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 63 male rats were divided into 9 groups: The control group, the sham group, the thioacetamide group, the experimental groups 1-6. Experimental groups received a daily dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg fish oil omega-3 supplements and the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root orally respectively for 3 month followed by an inter peritoneal dose of 150 mg/kg thioacetamide at the end of the experiment. The serum levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, GGT and LDH were measured

Results: The serum level of SGPT showed a significant decrease in the experimental groups 1, 5 and 6 compared to the group received thioacetamide. The serum level of GGT showed a significant decrease in the experimental groups 1, 2, 5 and 6 compared to the group received thioacetamide. The serum levels of SGOT, ALP and LDH in all experimental groups did not show significant changes compared to the group received thioacetamide [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Fish oil omega3 supplements and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root had protective effects against disorder in liver enzymes level induced by thioacetamide in male rats

[Effects of Avicennia marina fruits aqueous and hydro alcoholic extract on streptozotosin -induced diabetic male rats]

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major endocrine disorder and growing health problem in most countries. We studied effects of Avicennia marina fruits aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract in the diabetic rat by streptozotocin

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 45 male rats were divided into 9 groups of 5, including sham group, diabetes sham, positive sham [diabetes + 0.9% normal saline] and treated diabetic groups orally with aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract of Avicennia marina fruits [30, 60, 120 mg/kg daily for three consecutive days]. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment rats, blood samples were collected from heart for determining the blood glucose and insulin concentration levels using glucose oxidase and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] methods respectively

Results: All doses of Avicennia marina fruits aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract significantly decreased serum glucose level of diabetic test rats compared to treated diabetic sham rats. 60mg/kg of Avicennia marina fruits hydroalcoholic extract and all doses of Avicennia marina fruits aqueous extract significantly increased serum insulin level of diabetic test rats compared to treated diabetic sham rats

Conclusion: In this study, we have shown that Avicennia marina fruits aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract can significantly decrease the blood glucose

[ protective effect of ethanol extract of ginger [Zingiber officinale] on spermatogenesis toxicity induced by doxorubicin]

Background: DOX is one of the most common drugs used to treat different types of cancer, including testicular cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of ginger on spermatogenesis in rats

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 56 male rats Wistar were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 animals control, the sham and experimental group 1 receiving doxorubicin [mg/kg.bw 3] experimental 2 and 3 receiving ginger extract [500, 1000 mg/ kg. bw ] and experimental 4 and 5 received a ginger extract [500, 1000 mg/ kg. bw ] + doxorubicin. The rats were fed extract daily, one hour after doxorubicin injection, for four weeks. DOX [3mg/kg] was administered once a week intraperitoneally. Some sperm parameters, such as the number, viability, morphology and mobility were examined using Eosin-Ngrozin staining

Results: A significant decrease in body weight, sperm count, sperm motility, viability was observed in drug-DOX-treated rats compared with the control group. The reduction in the group treated with DOX with ginger 500 and 1000 mg/ kg significantly was offset compared with DOX

Conclusion: Ginger is able to have protective effect on sperm parameters in adult male rat induced by Doxorobicin

[Protective effects of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root on functional kidney disorders induced by thioacetamide in male rats]

Background: Thioacetamide causes kidney dysfunction. Medical plants had been used to cure some kidney diseases. The present study was done to evaluate the protect effects of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root on disorder of kidney functions induced by thioacetamide in male rats

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 35 male rats were divided into 5 groups: control group, sham group received a single dose of 150mg/kg thioacetamide intraperitoneally, experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at the doses of 100, 200, and 300mg/kg daily orally during 3 months respectively and then a single dose of thioacetamide at 150 mg/kg as intraperitoneal injection. The serum levels of creatinine, BUN, sodium and potassium were measured

Results: Pretreatment with the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at all doses increased the serum level of BUN compared to thioacetamide group, but there was no significant difference. Pretreatment with the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at all doses significantly reduced serum levels of potassium and sodium compared to thioacetamide group. Pretreatment with 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root significantly reduced serum level of creatinine compared to thioacetamide group

Conclusion: Results showed protective effects of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root on functional kidney disorders induced by thioacetamide in male rats. The protective effects of this extract can be due to its antioxidant effects

[Effects of olive oil on kidney, lipid and liver function in male rat]

Background: Components of olive oil include oleic acid, hydrocarbons [as squalene], sterols [as betasitosterol], polyphenols [tyrosol, hydroxyltyrosol, oleuropeinand, and others], tocopherols and terpenoids. Olive oil ingredients have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-arrhythmic, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects. The present study was done to evaluate the effects of olive oil on kidney, lipid and liver function in male rat

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 14 male rats were divided into 2 groups. In control group, each rat underwent no stress such as injection, oral gavage and etc. in experimental group, each rat received 0.4 mL olive oil orally per day for 3 months. All animals bled after 3 months. The blood samples were tested for creatinine, nitrogen urea blood [BUN], total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, sodium, glucose, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, GGT, albumin and total protein serum levels

Results: No significant differences were noticed in sodium, BUN, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels in rats treated with olive oil compared to control group. There were no significant differences in SGOT, SGPT, ALP, GGT, albumin and total protein serum levels between rats treated with olive oil and control group

Conclusion: The results showed that olive oil had no effects on kidney, lipid and liver function

[Hepatoprotective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Oliveria decumbens against hepatotoxicity induced by cadmium chloride in adult male rat]

Cadmium is a toxic metal with wide usage in industry. It exerts toxic effects on various organs, including liver. In this study, the hepato-protective effect of hydro alcoholic extract of Oliveria decumbens on AST, ALT, ALP Enzymes following toxicity induced by cadmium chloride was investigated in male rat. In this experimental study, 48 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 8. These groups were as follow: the control, left untreated; the sham, just received distilled water; the experimental group 1, treated with 2mg/kg cadmium chloride; the experimental group 2 received 500 mg/kg oliveria extract, and experimental groups 3 and 4 initially received 2mg/kg cadmium chloride followed by 250 and 500 mg/kg extract respectively for 21 days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were taken, and were prepared for measuring serum levels of hepatic enzymes. In comparison with control and sham groups, serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP enzymes increased significantly in the experimental group 1. There were no significant changes in the enzyme levels in the experimental group 2. There were no significant changes in the levels of ALT, AST, ALP enzymes in the experimental group 3 compared to control and sham groups. A significant decrease was observed in the levels of ALT, AST, ALP enzymes in the experimental group 4 in comparison with experimental group 1 [P<0.05]. The results showed that O.decumbens extract could possess protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by heavy metals, such as cadmium and could improve the liver function

[ effects of alcoholic extract of Marrubum vulgare on hormonal parameters in female rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome]

Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a disorder which causes disorder in the ovulation and infertility in women. This study was design to investigate the effects of alcoholic extract of white Marrubum vulgare plant on the hormonal parameters model of polycystic ovarian syndrome in the adult female rats. In this experimental study, 48 adult female rats from wistar race with approximate weight of 180 to 200 grams were evaluated. The rats were divided into 6 groups of 8 numbers each randomly. Control group, sham group, experimental group 1 received 500 mg/kg of oral extract for 21 days, experimental group 2 PCOS, experimental group 3 [PCOS+500 mg/kg] and experimental group 4 [PCOS +1000mg/kg] were fed extract for 21 days. On the 22[nd] day, blood samples were collected from all the groups for measuring serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol and progesterone hormones using RIA. LH hormone serum level in the group of "PCOS+1000mg/kg" showed a significant reduction compared to PCOS. FSH hormone level did not show any difference in any groups, compared to control group and PCOS. The level of estradiol hormone in the group of PCOS+500mg/kg, PCOS +1000mg/kg revealed a significant reduction, compared to PCOS. Testosterone hormone level in the group of PCOS+1000mg/kg showed a significant reduction in comparison to PCOS, and finally the level of progesterone in the group of PCOS +500mg/kg and PCOS +1000mg/kg exhibited a significant reduction, compared to PCOS. The results indicate that alcoholic extract of white Marrubium Vulgare improves hormonal parameters in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extracts of saffron on liver enzymes [AST,ALT,ALP] by hypervitaminosis a in male rat

Introduction and Aim: Nowedays vitamin A consumption to compensate for the lack of it in the body or healing of skindisorders without considering respective side effects is socommon. In this research the protective effect of saffron hydroalcoholic extracts on liver enzymes following vitamin A toxicitywas investigated

Materials and Methods: In the experimental study 48 rats were divided into 6 groups of 8, namely control, sham and 4experimental. Control group didn't received anythings, sham group received only distilled water. The experimental group 1 Number 1 received saffron hydro alcoholic extract with 50mg/kg dose for 15 days. Experimental groups 3, 4, 5, initially received vitamin A 50000IU for 15 days. The experimental groups 4,5 received saffron hydro alcoholic extract with 50,80 [mg/kg] dose for 15 days. At the end of this period, blood was collected from the hearts for measuring the amounts of AST, ALT and ALP.Obtained data were statistically analyzed using statistical tests including one way variance analysis and tukey test . P<0.05 was considered significant

Results: Levels of AST,ALT,ALP in the experimental group 1 that received only the extracts with 50 mg/kg dose didn't exhibit any change in comparison with control and sham group [P<0.05]. In the experimental group 2 that received only vitamin A was observed a dramatic difference in the enzymes in comparison compare with control and sham groups .In the experimental group 3 that received vitamin A plus saffron hydro alcoholic extracts with 50 mg/kg dose, there wasn't any significant difference in the mentioned liver enzymes, in comparison with the experimental group 2 [P<0.05].In the experimental group 4 that received vitamin A plus saffron hydro alcoholic extracts with 80 mg/kg dose, the level of AST,ALT.ALP in comparison with experimental group 2 that received only vitamin A show significan difference [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Considering the present fidings, saffron extracts seems to protect hepatocytes against oxidative stress caused by hypervitaminosis A due to its antioxidant compounds

[Effects of hydro-alcoholic seed extract of Coriandrum sativum L. on pituitary-ovary hormones in rat]

In this research, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract seed of Coriander was studied on pituitary-ovary hormones and its possible role in infertility and reproductive activity in the immature female rats. In this experimental study, 64 immature female rats of the Wistar were divided to four groups of control, sham and experimental groups that received 150 and 300 mg/kg extract of hydro-alcoholic Coriander seeds. Half of each group was tested on day 28 and others on day 56, randomly. The extracts were orally administered. At the end of 28 and 56 days, blood samples from the heart were taken and serum hormones LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone were measured using RIA. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests. Level of significance was considered at <0.05. The mean concentrations of LH and estrogen in the experimental group which received 300 mg/kg of the extract for 28 days and the experimental group which received 150 and 300 mg/kg of extracts for 56 days decreased significantly compared to control group. Concentrations of FSH in the experimental group which received 300 mg/kg of extract for 28 and 56 days decreased significantly compared to control group. Mean concentrations of progesterone in the experimental group which received 150 and 300 mg/kg of extract for 28 and 56 days showed significantly reduction compared to control group. According to the other studies, Coriander seed contains flavonoid and coumarin compounds. Probably, these components decrease gonadotropins and the enzymes involved in the steroidogenesis and reduce the secretion of estrogen and progesterone

effects of lead acetate on sexual behavior and the level of testosterone in adult male rats

In the present study, the oral effect of lead acetate on the parameters related to sexual behavior as well as changes in the level of testosterone hormone in adult male rats have been investigated. Forty adult male Wistar rats were allocated into five equal groups. The control group received nothing, the sham group received distilled water and the experimental groups received 25, 50 and 100mg/kg lead acetate orally, respectively for 28 days. The changes in testosterone hormone level and following sexual behavior parameters were investigated: mount latency [ML], intromission latency [IL], post ejaculatory interval [PEI], mount frequency [MF], ejaculatory latency [EL], intromission frequency [IF], copulatory efficacy [CE] and intercopulatory interval [ICI]. The levels of testerone hormone in the groups that received 50 and 100 mg/kg lead acetate showed significant decreases in compared to the control group. Additionally, the same doses of lead acetate caused significant increases in ML, IL, PEI, and EL compared to the control group. No significant change was observed in MF, but a significant decrease was detected in IF and CE in the experimental group that received 100 mg/kg lead acetate when compared with the control group. ICI showed significant decreases in the experimental groups that received 50 and 100 mg/kg lead acetate compared to the control group. It can be concluded that ingestion of lead acetate affects some behavioral activities and the testosterone level of male rats. These effects might be conducted via the alteration of leydig cells following lead acetate poisoning

[ Effects of cabergoline on pituitary- thyroid hormones in adult male rats]

Cabergoline is a strong dopaminergic agonist that is derived from Ergot fungus. Although, this drug can be so important in treating many disorders such as hyperprolactinemia, but its side effects are considerable on the endocrinal axis. The purpose of this study was to determine effects of cabergoline on serum levels of TSH, T[4] and T[3] hormones in adult male rats. In this experimental study, 40 adult male wistar rats were used in five groups of eight. The drug was subcutaneously injected for a period of 14 days. The experimental groups received 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, respectively. The control group received no drug. The sham group received only distilled water. At the end of 14[th] day, blood samples were taken and the concentration of TSH, T[4] and T[3] were measured by RIA. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and TUKEY test between the control and experimental group. Serum levels of TSH and T4 hormones in the experimental groups with doses of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg showed statistically significant decrease compared with control group [p<0.05]. Concentration of T[3] hormone showed significant increase in the experimental group with 0.1 mg/kg in comparison with control group [p<0.05]. Cabergoline probably decreases the release of TSH and T[4] by stimulating the D[2]-dopaminergic receptor existing in thyrotrophic cells. According to the increase of T[3] concentration with low dose of drug, cabergoline may have different physiological effects in different amounts, and alter the function of pituitary -thyroid axis

effects of trifluralin on LH, FSH and testosterone hormone levels and testis histological changes in adult rats

Trifluralin is a herbicide and used in agriculture widely. It enters plants through developing roots and stops plant cells from division and elongation [meristemic inhibitor]. Extensive application of trifluralin to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in agriculture, horticulture and horn garden. leads to environmental pollution and its entrance into the food chain could have determined effects on human and other species. In this research the effects of trifluralin on reproductive parameters of the male rats including serum luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], testosterone levels, and changes in testicular tissue and body weight were investigated. For this purpose male rats were randomly divided in 5 groups, to include control, sham [received normal saline as a solvent], and three experimental groups which received 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg oral trifluralin respectively. After 16 days, body and testis weight were measured and blood samples were taken from heart and used for measurement of LH, FSH and testosterone levels. To evaluate histological changes, testes were removed and weighed and, after obtaining tissue section, stained by HE. Serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels showed significant decrease in experimental groups [p