A study on the effects of the alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Echinophora platyloba on the activity of pituitary-gonadal axis in hypercholesterolemic rats.

The present experimental study was carried out to examine the effects of the alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Echinophora platyloba on prolactin (PRL) levels and the activity of pituitary-gonadal axis in animal model. Forthy male wistar rats were divided into five groups: control group with normal diet, hypercholesterolemic group with fat diet, and three experimental groups which received Echinophora platyloba alcoholic extract as gavage at the minimum dose of 100, the average dose of 200, and the maximum dose of 400 mg/kgbw over a period of 21 days. At the end of the period, to assess the levels of PRL, cholesterol, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), blood samples were taken and data were analyzed. The levels of testosterone and cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic group compared to the control, showed a significant decrease and increase, respectively (P≤0.05). Echinophora platyloba extract caused significant increases in testosterone, PRL and a significant decrease in cholesterol levels (P≤0.05), however, it had no significant effect on the levels of LH and FSH. The results of this study showed that the consumption of alcoholic extract of Echinophora platyloba is effective in reducing serum cholesterol, increasing testosterone production and enhancing sexual performance.

The Effects of Short-term Circuit Resistance Training with Supplementation of Milk, Cheese Juice, Whey Protein on Resting Level Apolipoprotein M- HDL Total Cholesterol, Lipid Profile, Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide and Plasma Estradiol in Untrained Young Men.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most significant factors leading to death. This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 28 non athletic men. Subjects were divided into 4 groups. To the first group water (400 cc) was given, the second group received whey protein supplementation (50g), the third group had cheese juice (50g), and milk was given to the fourth one (400 cc), immediately after the training session. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), its sub fractions HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol, apolipoprotein M, gastric inhibitory polypeptide and estradiol were evaluated prior to and after training for 12 sessions, three sessions in each week. The differences were not significant for gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and estradiol in the fourth group after training in comparison with the first phase. A significant decrease in apolipoprotein M- HDL total cholesterol on resting level were observed in all four groups and in HDL3 cholesterol with cheese juice and also whey protein in comparison with prior phase (P-values were 0.02, 0.001, 0.000, 0.015, respectively) (0.01, 0.01). A significant increase in HDL2 cholesterol level was observed in the groups with cheese juice and whey protein in comparison with their prior phases (P-values were 0.02, 0.03, respectively). This study showed that circuit resistance training has positive effects on the lipid profile changes in untrained young men.

effect of chelidonium majus extract on the lipid profile and activity of pituitary-gonadal axis in hypercholesterolemic rats

Over the past centuries, global population has increased at different rates and so has been the case with cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, given the importance of population and cholesterol control, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Chelidonium majus [C. majus] aerial parts extract on the lipid profile and prolactin levels and the activity of pituitary-gonadal axis in hypercholesterolemic rats. In this experimental study, 35 Wistar rats were selected and categorized into 5 groups. The control group had ordinary diet, the model group had high-fat diet, and experimental groups consisted of hypercholesterolemic rats that respectively received minimal dosages of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of C. majus extract. After 21 days, blood samples were taken and the factors of interest were measured. Then, the gathered data were analyzed using SPSS-11.5. The amount of triglyceride and cholesterol were increased in the model group compared to the control group whereas the same items were decreased in the experimental group. C. majus extract also decreased testosterone and increased prolactin and gonadotropins. In this study, C. majus extract resulted in decreased fat and testosterone levels as well as increased prolactin level; however, since many sources have informed of the toxicity of this plant, cautious use of the plant is advised

investigation on the effect of alcoholic extract of physalis alkekengi on blood indexes in rats

Physalis alkekengi by effective ingredients such as alkaloids, glucocorticoids and because of antioxidant property can play a role in homeostasis. The aim of this study was to examine the possible effects of fruit extract of P. alkekengi on blood homogram. Forty male rats were divided to control, sham [normal saline] and experimental groups [highest, moderate and minimum doses of alcoholic extract]. Then, the blood samples were taken in order to perform laboratory test by Sysmex analyzer, and were analyzed using ANOVA. Results showed that the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit increased and white blood cells decreased. Fruit extract of P. alkekensi is probably effective in treatment of anemia

comparative study on the effects of glutathione and green tea extract [camellia sinensis L.] on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in male adult wistar rats

Flavonoids play significant role in the treatment of many diseases. Green tea [Camellia Sinensis L.] is a common beverage all over the world with antioxidant and detoxification effects related to the presence of flavonoids and catchins. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of green tea on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity. In this experimental study, 64 male Wistar rats were allocated to eight groups. The control group received a normal diet alone, sham group received normal saline, hepatotoxic group received thioacetamide [50 mg/kg thioacetamide for three days], other groups received a thioacetamide for three days and the alcoholic extract of bgreen tea, at minimum [50 mg/kg], moderate [100 mg/kg], and maximum [200 mg/kg] doses, glutathione [250 mg/kg], green tea [200 mg/kg] with glutathione [250 mg/kg] for 21 days [i.p.]. After that, blood samples were drawn and the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, total protein and albumin, as liver injury indices, were measured. The decrease of aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity in the receptors of different dosages of green tea and glutathione was significant compared with the group treated by thioacetamide. Also, a significant increase was observed in total protein and albumin of serum in green tea receptors compared with thioacetamide group. The study results show the protective effect of green tea on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity which is likely caused by the antioxidant effect of polyphenol compounds controlling thioacetamide activity which in turn controls the cytochrome P450 activity and neutralization of free radicals

study of the effects of post treatment with rosmarinus officinalis aqueous extract the first 48 hours after renal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Acute renal failure induced by ischemia / reperfusion [I/R] causes excretory functional disorders of nephrons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intake of oral rosemary extract [gavage] on hemodynamic changes and tissue damages caused by I/R. This study was conducted on 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats, composed of 4 groups [n=10] including control, sham, I/R+normal saline [I/R+NS] posttreatment and I/R+rosemary [I/R+RO] post-treatment. They were fed with 10 ml/kg of 8% aqueous extract or vehicle as gavages during the first 48 hours after I/R. To induce I/R, both renal artery and vein were blocked for 30 minutes followed by a reperfusion within 48 hours. Then urine and plasma samples were collected and histological study was also conducted after removal of both kidneys. Data were analyzed by SPSS-11.5 software. The one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Duncan test were used for intergroup comparison and p

effects of portulaca oleracea alcoholic extract on induced hypercholesteroleomia in rats

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Portulaca oleracea is a vegetable, known in traditional medicine and has many medicinal properties. In the present study the effects of alcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea on blood fat profiles are evaluated. In this experimental study, 60 Wistar rats in the weight range of 170 +/- 5 g in 6 groups [n=10] were selected as follows: Control group receiving normal diet, Sham group receiving high fat diet, experimental groups receiving the Portulaca oleracea extract with maximum dose [800 mg/kg], moderate dose [400 mg/kg] and minimum dose [200 mg/kg] as intraperitoneally and injection of 10 mg/kg atorvastatin and treated with high fat diet for 21 days. After the end of this period, blood sampling and measuring obtained samples, data was analyzed using SPSS-11.5 software. Based on the results obtained from all groups receiving the extract of Portulaca oleracea herb, it was found that the level of cholesterol concentration in these groups and the level of cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the group receiving atorvastatin significantly decreased [p

Comparison between the effects of the alcholic extract of mellissia officinalis and atorvastatin on serum levels of thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemic male rats

Consumption of unsaturated fats reduces the serum level of lipids and leptin. Thyroid hormones and leptin play pivotal roles in metabolism and their amounts are interrelated. This study was done to compare the effects of Mellissia officinalis extract and atorvastatin on the serum levels of thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemia rats. Consumption of unsaturated fats reduces the serum level of lipids and leptin. Thyroid hormones and leptin play pivotal roles in metabolism and their amounts are inter-related. This study was done to compare the effects of Mellissia officinalis extract and atorvastatin on the serum levels of thyroid hormones in hypercholesterolemia rats. The results showed that in experimental groups receiving the plant extract and atorvastatin, the concentration of thyroid hormones increased, whereas the amount of the thyroid-stimulating hormone showed a significant decrease [p<0.05]. Mellissia officinalis extract decreases TSH but it increases T3 and T4. Further studies are required for applying this extract to the treatment of hyperthyroidism

Evaluation of the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis vulgaris root on the activity of liver enzymes in male hypercholesterolemic rats

Hyperlipidemia can cause a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and fatty liver which is followed by increased liver enzymes. Since Berberis vulgaris [B. vulgaris] root possesses antioxidant properties, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of its extract on the activity of liver enzymes in rats. In this experimental study, sixty Wistar rats were selected and allocated to six groups of ten each. The control group received a normal diet and the sham group received a fatty diet while the other groups including experimental groups received a fatty diet and the alcoholic extract of B. vulgaris at minimum [75 mg/kg], moderate [150 mg/kg], and maximum [300 mg/kg] doses by intraperitoneal injection [i.p.] or oral atorvastatin [10 mg /kg] with a fatty diet. At the end of this 21-day period, blood samples were drawn and the levels of the intended factors were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5. The comparison of the obtained results showed that the levels of alanine transaminase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] enzymes in the sham group that only received fatty food increased [p

Rhazes, a genius physician in diagnosis and treatment of kidney calculi in medical history

Abu Bakr Mohammad Ibn Zakariya Razi, known in the west as Rhazes [865 to 925 AD], was born in the ancient city of Rayy, near Tehran, Iran. He was a renowned physician in medical history and not only followed Hippocrates and Galen, but also greatly extended the analytical approach of his predecessors. Based on the existing documents, he was known as the most distinguished character in the world of medicine up to the 17th century. A great number of innovations and pioneering works in the medical science have been recorded in the name of Rhazes. His fundamental works in urology as part of his research in the realm of medicine have remained unknown. Pathophysiology of the urinary tract, venereal diseases, and kidney and bladder calculi are among his main interests in this field. He also purposed and developed methods for diagnosis and treatment of kidney calculi for the first time in medical history. He also presented a very exact and precise description of neuropathic bladder followed by vertebral fracture. He advanced urine analysis and studied function and diseases of the kidneys. Rhazes recommendations for the prevention of calculi are quite scientific and practical and in accordance with current recommendations to avoid hypercalciuria and increased saturation of urine. Rhazes was not only one of the most important Persian physician-philosophers of his era, but for centuries, his writings became fundamental teaching texts in European medical schools. Some important aspects of his contributions to medicine are reviewed