Gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and oxidative damage in hepatic and renal tissues of rats

Objective: To explore the effect of ethyl acetate gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation and oxidative damage in hepatic and renal tissues of rats. Methods: The rats were divided into four groups: control, LPS, LPS+Boswellia serrata extracts (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). LPS (1 mg/kg) and the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, 30 min before LPS) were administered intraperitoneally for 3 weeks. The levels of liver enzymes, albumin, total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiol groups and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. Results: The levels of liver enzymes, creatinine, and BUN, IL-6, MDA in the LPS group were markedly increased (P<0.001) while albumin, total protein, and total thiol concentration, as well as SOD and CAT activities, were decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Boswellia serrata extracts diminished the levels of liver enzymes, creatinine, BUN, IL-6, and MDA (P<0.01 and P<0.001), and elevated the concentration of total protein and total thiol and SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions: The ethyl acetate gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata reduces LPS-induced inflammatory reactions and oxidative damage, thus ameliorating hepatic and renal function.

Gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and oxidative damage in hepatic and renal tissues of rats

Objective: To explore the effect of ethyl acetate gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation and oxidative damage in hepatic and renal tissues of rats. Methods: The rats were divided into four groups: control, LPS, LPS+Boswellia serrata extracts (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). LPS (1 mg/kg) and the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, 30 min before LPS) were administered intraperitoneally for 3 weeks. The levels of liver enzymes, albumin, total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiol groups and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. Results: The levels of liver enzymes, creatinine, and BUN, IL-6, MDA in the LPS group were markedly increased (P<0.001) while albumin, total protein, and total thiol concentration, as well as SOD and CAT activities, were decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Boswellia serrata extracts diminished the levels of liver enzymes, creatinine, BUN, IL-6, and MDA (P<0.01 and P<0.001), and elevated the concentration of total protein and total thiol and SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions: The ethyl acetate gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata reduces LPS-induced inflammatory reactions and oxidative damage, thus ameliorating hepatic and renal function.

Effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in rats and its possible mechanism / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) extract on memory performance and its possible mechanisms in scopolamine (Sco)-induced spatial memory impairment model using Morris water maze test.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received saline instead of both NS extract and Sco. The Sco group was treated by saline for two weeks, and was injected by Sco (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) 30 min before each trail in Morris water maze test. Sco+NS 200 and Sco+NS 400 groups were daily treated by 200 or 400 mg/kg of NS (intraperitoneally) for two weeks, respectively, and were finally injected by Sco 30 min before Morris water maze test. The brains of animals were removed to determine the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress criteria in cortical tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Time latency and path length in the Sco group were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01), while the Sco+NS 400 group showed a significantly shorter traveled path length and time latency compared with the Sco group (P<0.01). AChE activity in the cortical tissues of the Sco group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01), while AChE activity in the Sco+NS 200 and Sco+NS 400 groups was lower than the Sco group (P<0.01). Following Sco administration, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased (P<0.01) in comparison with the control group, while cortical total thiol content decreased (P<0.01). Pretreatment with extracts caused a significant elevation in cortical total thiol content (P<0.01) and reduction in cortical MDA concentration (P<0.01) compared with the Sco group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hydro-alcoholic extract of NS prevents Sco-induced spatial memory deficits and decreases the AChE activity as well as oxidative stress of brain tissues in rats. Our results support the traditional belief about the beneficial effects of NS in nervous system. Moreover, further investigations are needed for better understanding of this protective effect.</p>

effects of nigella sativa hydro-alcoholic extract on memory and brain tissues oxidative damage after repeated seizures in rats

Regarding the therapeutic properties of Nigella sativa [NS], the effects of the plant hydro–alcoholic extract on learning, memory and brain tissues oxidative damage were investigated in penthylenetetrazole [PTZ]-induced repeated seizures. There were 4 experimental groups including: 1- control group; received saline, 2- PTZ group; received saline and PTZ [50 mg/Kg, i.p], 3- PTZ-NS 200 and 4- PTZ-NS 400 ; received 200 and 400 mg/Kg of NS extract respectively, before PTZ injection in 5 consecutive days. Seizure scores were lower in PTZ–NS 200 and 400, furthermore the seizure onset latencies were higher in these groups than PTZ group [P<0.05 and P<0.01]. In Morris water maze, the time spent in target quadrant by PTZ group was lower than control group [P<0.05]; while, 400 mg/Kg of the extract increased it [P<0.01]. In the passive avoidance test, delay time to enter the dark by PTZ group was lower than control at 1 and 24 hours after training [P<0.01 - P<0.001]; while, 400 mg/Kg of the extract increased it [P<0.05]. The total thiol concentration in hippocampal and cortical tissues of PTZ group was reduced while, MDA concentration was higher than control [p<0.05 - p<0.001]. Administration of the extract increased the total thiol and decreased the MDA concentrations [p<0.01 - p<0.001]. It is concluded that the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS possess beneficial effects on learning and memory impairments in repeated seizures model which is accompanied by antioxidant effects in the brain

The Effects of Soy Extract on Spatial Learning and Memory Damage Induced by Global Ischemia in Ovariectomised Rats

Background: The effects of soy extract on memory as well as the oxidative damage to brain tissue induced by ischemia was investigated in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. Methods: The rats were divided into: 1) Sham; 2) OVX; 3) Sham‑Ischemia; 4) OVX‑Ischemia; 5) OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 20; and 6) OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 60. The common carotid artery was occluded (30 minutes), and it was then re-‑perfused. The OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 20 and OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 60 groups received 20 or 60 mg/kg of soy extract for eight weeks before the ischemia. Results: The Sham-‑Ischemia and OVX-‑Ischemia groups took a longer time to reach the platform while, spent a shorter time in the target quadrant (Q1) than the Sham and OVX. The escape latencies in the OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 20 and OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 60 groups were lower while, time spent in the Q1 was higher than that of the OVX-‑Ischemia. In the rotarod test, there were no significant differences between the groups. The hippocampal concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the Sham-‑Ischemia and OVX-‑Ischemia groups were higher than the Sham and OVX. Pre-‑treatment by 20 and 60 mg/kg of the extract reduced the MDA. Conclusion: It is suggested that soy prevents memory impairment and brain tissue oxidative damage due to ischemia in OVX rats.

Tamoxifen Mimics the Effects of Endogenous Ovarian Hormones on Repeated Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in Rats

In the present study, the effects of tamoxifen on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced repeated seizures and hippocampal neuronal damage in ovariectomized rats were investigated. Thirty seven virgin female Wistar rats were divided to: (1) control, (2) sham-PTZ, (3) sham-PTZ-tamoxifen (sham-PTZ-T), (4) Ovariectomized -PTZ (OVX-PTZ) and (5) OVX-PTZ-tamoxifen (OVX-PTZ-T) groups. The animals of groups 3 and 5 were injected by tamoxifen (10 mg/kg) on 7 consecutive days. After 7 days of tamoxifen injection, they also were then injected by tamoxifen 30 min prior each PTZ injection. PTZ (40 mg/kg) was injected on 6 consecutive days and the animal behaviors were observed for 60 min. The histological methods were then used to determine dark neurons in hippocampus. A significant decrease in the seizure score was seen in OVX-PTZ group compared to Sham-PTZ. The animals of OVX-PTZ-T group had a significant higher seizure score compared to OVX-PTZ group. The dark neurons in DG of OVX group were lower than sham group (p<0.01). The numbers of dark neurons in CA1 area of OVX-PTZ-T group was higher than OVX-PTZ group (p<0.05) compared to control, the numbers of dark neurons in CA3 area showed a significant increase in Sham-PTZ and OVX-PTZ group (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). Dark neurons in OVX-PTZ-T group were higher than OVX-PTZ group (p<0.05). It is concluded that pretreatment of the ovariectomized rats by tamoxifen increased PTZ-induced seizure score and dark neurons. It might be suggested that tamoxifen has agonistic effects for estrogen receptors to change the seizure severity.

Effects of chronic 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine administration on spatial memory in the adult rats

5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine [BrdU] has been a principal marker for mitotic cells in studies of adult neurogenesis. The method consists of a pulse injection of BrdU into the intraperitoneal cavity followed by a variable survival time allowing for tracking the divided cells and their progeny. However, such exogenous markers may produce toxic effects. Aim of this study was determined the effects of Brdu on spatial memory in the adult rat. 16 Wistar rats were used in this experimental study. The rats were randomly divided into 2 groups [N=8 in each group], as follows: control and Brdu [50 mg/kg]. Brdu was administered intraperitoneally for 6 weeks and then animals were used for behavioral testing in the Morris water maze. The data were analyzed with repeated measure's ANOVA. Our present findings show that there were no differences in the path length, escape latency and swim speed between control and Brdu-administrated groups. This study show that Brdu [exogenic proliferation marker] did not has side effects on spatial memory in the adult rats

Protective effect of l-arginine against oxidative damage as a possible mechanism of its beneficial properties on spatial learning in ovariectomized rats

The role of ovarian hormones and nitric oxide [NO] on oxidative damage in brain tissues as well as learning and memory has been widely investigated. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the precursor of NO, L-Arginine on learning and brain damage due to oxidative stress in ovariectomized [OVX] rats. Thirty -two rats were divided into four groups: 1] Sham, 2] OVX, 3] Sham-L-Arginine [Sham-LA] and 4] OVX-L-Arginine [OVX-LA]. The animals of sham- LA and OVX-LA were treated with 500 mg/kg of L-Arginine. The animals in Sham and OVX groups received 1 ml/kg saline. The animals were tested in Morris water maze and finally, the brains were removed and MDA and total thiol concentrations were measured. The escape latency and swimming path in OVX group were significantly higher than in Sham group [p<0.01]. The animals in OVX-LA group had significantly lower swimming path length and escape latency compared to OVX group [p<0.01] while, there was no significant difference between Sham- LA and Sham groups. In OVX-LA group, the brain tissues total thiol concentration was significantly higher, and MDA concentration was lower than of OVX group [p<0.001].There was no significant difference between Sham-LA and Sham groups. It seems that the beneficial properties of L-Arginine on spatial learning of ovariectomized rats are in part due to its protective capacity against oxidative damage

Analgesic effect of clove essential oil in mice

Results obtained from literature reviews and human studies have shown the analgesic effects of clove plant in toothache. The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the possible analgesic effect of clove oil in mice. Fifty mice were divided into 5 groups: 1] Saline; 2] Essential oil [Ess] 2%, 3] Ess 5%, 4] Ess10% and 5] Ess 20%. The hot plate test [55+/-0.2[degree]C; Cut-off 60 sec] was performed as a base record 15 min before injection of drugs [Saline or 2, 5, 10 and 20% concentrations of Essential oil] and consequently repeated every 15 minutes after injection. Repeated measures ANOVA test showed that maximal percent effect [MPE] in animal groups treated by 5, 10 and 20% essential oil was significantly higher than saline group. Comparison between 4 treated groups showed that MPE in 10% essential group was higher than 2 and 5% groups however; there was no significant difference between 10% and 20% groups. The result of present study showed that clove essential oil has analgesic effect inmice using hot plate test. More investigations are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism

Chronic treatment by L-nAME differently affects morris water maze tasks in ovariectomized and naive female rats

Introduction: The role of ovarian hormones and nitric oxide [NO] in learning and memory and their interaction has been widely investigated. The present study carried out to evaluate different effect of L-NAME on spatial learning and memory of ovariectomized [OVX] and sham operated rats. Methods: 32 rats were divided into 4 groups: 1] Sham; 2] OVX; 3] Sham-LN; and 4] OVX-LN. The animals of groups 3 and 4 were treated by L-NAME [10 mg/kg/ day] for 8 weeks while the animals of groups 1 and 2 received saline [1ml/kg/day] instead of L-NAME. The animals of all groups were then tested in Morris water maze during five days. The escape latency and traveled distance were compared between groups. Results: Distance and time in OVX group was significantly higher than Sham group [p<0.01 and p<0.05]. Time and distance in Sham-LN group was higher in comparison with Sham group [p<0.05 and p<0.01]. There were no significant differences between OVX-LN and OVX groups in escape latency and traveled distance. Discussion: The results of present study showed that removal of ovarian hormones could impair Morris water maze tskas includiong time and distance. Administarion of non specific nitricoxide inhibitor, L-NAME, affects Morrsi water maze tasks however, its effect is different in the absence and presence of ovarian hormones but it needs to be more investigated

Prednisolone as a new approach for treatment of HTLV-1 associated polyneuropathy

We have previously shown the implication of HTLV-1 in polyneuropathy in a HTLV-1 endemic area in Mashhad. Treatment with corticosteroids [prednisolone and methylprednisolone] have been recommended for HTLV-1 associated diseases. In the current study we attempted to evaluate the efficiency of prednisolone in HTLV-1 associated polyneuropathy. All recognized cases of HTLV-1 polyneuropathy admitted to Imam Reza Hospital [between 1999-2004] were selected for the study. The other common causes of polyneuropathy were excluded using biochemical, hematological, and neurologic examination. Anti-HTLV1 IgG assays were carried out and positive anti-HTLV-1 results were then confirmed by Western Blot Analyzing. All of the HTLV-1 associated polyneuropathy patients were given prednisolone, 1mg/ kg and tapering 5mg/ per week, for three month. Muscle force and paresthesia of all cases were returned to normal pattern. This therapeutic regimen led to reduction of disease severity. Muscle force increased to V/V and paresthesia of all cases were severely decreased. The results of present study suggest that immunosuppressive treatment is very effective for HTLV-1 associated polyneuropathy patients

Hypnotic effect of Rosa damascena in mice

Rosa damascena [Rosaceae] has been found to act on central nervous system including the brain. Several studies confirm that Rosa damascena inhibits the reactivity of the hypothalamus and pituitary systems in rat and can suppress the reactivity of central nervous system. In traditional medicine the hypnotic effect of rose is also suggested. In the present study hypnotic effect of ethanolic, aqueous and chloroformic extracts of Rosa damascena was investigated in mice. Hypnotic method was based on potentiation of pentobarbital induced sleeping time by extracts. Three doses of extracts [100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg] were injected intraperitoneally in comparison with diazepam [3 mg/kg] as the positive control and saline as the negative control. Thirty min. after injection of extracts, pentobarbital [30 mg/kg] was injected and any increase in the sleeping time due to the extracts was recorded. Results showed that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts in doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly increased the pentobarbital induced sleeping time [P<0.001, compared to the negative control], which was comparable to diazepam. The chloroformic extract showed no hypnotic effect