[ effect of ethanolic extract of Scrophularia striata on pain in male rats]

Scrophularia striata plant containing anti-inflammatory compounds and have nitric oxide production inhibiting properties. So can be an analgesic and act particularly on inflammatory kind of pain. The effect of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Scrophularia striata was investigated on pain with formalin test in the male rats. In this study 40 Wistar male rats [250 to 300 g] were used and 8 animals were divided into five groups: 1.Control: [solvent], 2- Diclofenac [5 mg/kg], 3 - 6. Groups: Use extract with doses 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg intraperitoneally. At test time, the extract solved with 10 microl DMSO and diluted by adding PBS and injected into the peritoneum [0.5 ml volume]. After 30 minute, 50 microl formalin 2.5% injected to the right foot floor subcutaneously and the animal's pain behavior were recorded every 15 seconds for about 60 minutes. The final data of both acute and chronic pain phases were analyzed separately by using one-way ANOVA. In the acute phase, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of Scrophularia striata decreased symptoms of pain than the control group [p <0.05, p <0.01]. In the chronic phase, the extract caused a significant reduction in pain scores compared to controls, especially in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg [p <0.01]. Our results showed that peripheral injection of ethanolic extracts of Scrophularia striata can significantly produces analgesic effects and provides most pain alleviation on the chorionic phase of the formalin test

Effects of Danae racemosa on testosterone hormone in experimental diabetic rats

Danae racemosa is a strong antioxidant and antioxidants have significant effects on spermatogenesis, sperm biology and oxidative stress, and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. Because STZ causes testicular dysfunction and degeneration under situations of experimentally induced diabetes in animal models, we aimed in this study Danae racemosa's effects in decreasing the harmful effects of STZ on testicular and sperm functions b. Male Wistar rats [n = 40] were allocated into four groups: Group 1a: Control rats given 0.5 ml of 20% glycerol in 0.9% normal saline. Group 1b: Control rats given 0.5ml of 0.5 ml citrate buffer [pH4.0].Group 2: streptozotocin [STZ] treated rats. Group 3: rats given danae racemosa 400 mg/kg [gavage]. Group 4: STZ treated rats given danae racemosa 400 mg/kg [gavage]. Animals were kept in standard conditions. At 28 days after inducing diabetics, 5 mL blood was collected for measuring testosterone. Total serum testosterone increased significantly in the group treated with danae racemosa [p < 0.05] compared with control groups. Testis weights in the diabetic groups decreased significantly in comparison with controls [p < 0.05]. Danae racemosa had a significant protective effect on the diabetes-induced deteriorations in serum total testosterone, by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species in serum. Therefore, it could be effective for maintaining healthy in diabetic rats

[Antimicrobial activity of total extract and fractions of geum kokanicum]

Geum kokanicum Regel et schmath, a member of Rosaceae family, is an endemic perennial rhizomatous plant of Iran. This plant has a consideration attention in the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, the anti bacterial effects of total extract and fractions of rhizome of plant were investigated. Rhizomes of G. Kokanicum were collected in June 2006 from Bojnourd [khorasan province]. The dried rhizomes were extracted with ethanol to prepare the total extract. Another part of the rhizomes was separately extracted with petrolium ether, dichloromethane, methanol and water successively in order to obtain different fractions. The antibacterial effects of total extract and fractions were investigated with disc diffusion method. The results shows Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible against total extract and methanol fraction. This fraction [10mg/disc] was indicated the largest zone diameters [19mm]. The MIC Values of total extract was investigated. Among the bacterial strains, Staphylococcus epidermitus demonstrated high sensitivity to the total extract of G. kokanicum [0.125mg/ml]. The zone diameters of total extract was 18 mm on S. aureus in 10 mg/disc. Phytochemical analysis of total extract was shown the large amounts of tanan compounds. We suspect the antibacterial effect is for tanan compounds. This was demonstrated by bioautography method analysis of tanan part isolated form methanol fraction