Protective Effect of a Polyherbal Traditional Formula Consisting of Rosa damascena Mill., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. And Nardostachys jatamansi DC., Against Ethanol-induced Gastric Ulcer.

"VARD" formula consisting of Rosa damascena Mill. (Rosaceae) petals, and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Papilionaceae) and Nardostachys jatamansi DC. (Valerianaceae), has been proposed for gastric ulcer in Iranian traditional medicine. We investigated the antiulcer activity of each plant separately and in combination. The biochemical and molecular functions of extracts were also evaluated. Each plant hydroalcoholic extract was standardized via determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, also via some phenolic compounds determination and specially glycyrrhizic acid in G. glabra by using HPLC. Rats received orally extracts of the plants (20, 40 and 80 mg/Kg) and "VARD" (45 mg/Kg) 1 h before ethanol administration. Two h after receiving ethanol, animals were sacrificed; the stomach was removed for macroscopic and microscopic assessment. Also heme-oxygenase-1, glutathione, and catalase were measured in the gastric tissue of the rats pretreated by "VARD" and dose of 20 mg/Kg of extracts. Among three extracts, R. damascena and G. glabra contained more total phenolic and flavonoid content respectively. Gallic acid was prominent compound in R. damascena. The extracts of R. damascena, G. glabra, and N. jatamansi significantly decreased ulcer index. ED50 values were 8.2, 31.86 and 25.08 mg/Kg respectively. "VARD" significantly decreased ulcer index compared to 20 mg/Kg of G. glabra (p < 0.0001) and N. jatamansi (p < 0.001). Pretreatment with "VARD" and each plant extracts (20 mg/Kg) increased glutathione, catalse and heme-oxygenase-1 significantly (p < 0.05) in comparison with control group. Our findings indicate that "VARD" partly via antioxidant activity can be considered as an effective antiulcer formula.

Sertoli cell condition medium can induce germ like cells from bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Although many researchers have confirmed induction of germ cells from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), there are no reports that confirm spontaneous differentiation of germ cells from BMMSCs. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of adult Sertoli cell condition medium (SCCM) as a mutative factor in the induction of germ cells from BMMSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMMSCs were collected from the bone marrow of 6-8-week old NMRI mice and their mesenchymal entities were proven using superficial markers (expression of CD44 and CD73 and non-expresion of CD45 and CD11b) by fow cytometry. Their multi-potential entities were proved with differentiation to osteogenic and adipogenic cells for 21 days. Also isolated Sertoli cells were enriched using lectin coated plates and Sertoli cell condition medium (SCCM) was collected. Sertoli cells were identified by immunocytochemistry and Vimentin marker. The cells were then differentiated into germ cells with SCCM for 2 weeks. Finally induced cells were evaluated by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblast and adipocyte showed their multi-potential property. Expression of CD44 and CD73 and non-expression of CD45 and CD11b confirmed mesenchyme cells. Immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR results showed expression of germ cells specific marker (Mvh). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the effect of SCCM as a motivational factor that can used for differentiation of germ cells from BMMSCs.

Prognostic factors of sciatica in the Canon of Avicenna.

Prognosis studies are fast developing and very practical types of medical research. Sciatica is one of the common types of low back pain and identifying prognostic factors of the illness can help physicians and patients to choose best method of practice. The prognostic factors of sciatica are presented from the Canon of Avicenna, one of the most famous physicians in the history of medicine.

Short-term changes in prostacyclin secretory profile of irradiated rat cervical spinal cord.

Prostaglandins changes in radiation myelopathy (RM) have been previously reported. In the present study, we decided to determine the profile of Prostacyclin (PGI2) content in irradiated rat cervical cord. Wistar rats were irradiated with doses of 2,4,6,15,25 and 30 Gy of X-rays. After 24 h, 2 and 13 weeks post-irradiation, samples of spinal cord were prepared for evaluation of PGI2 and histopathologic changes. Prostacyclin content was determined by quantification of 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1alpha (prostacyclin major metabolite). Irradiated segments of spinal cord were stained routinely for histological studies. Results of irradiated were compared to control groups. Average ratio values of 6-keto-PG-F1alpha for doses of 2-30 Gy were between 67.5% and 107%, 65.41% and 100.54%, and 62.20% and 98.89% for 24 h, 2 and 13 weeks post-irradiation, respectively. Histopathological studies showed marked gliosis and vascularities in irradiated specimens. PGI2 bimodal secretory profile was observed along with histopathological changes in this study. Our results can further emphasize on the role of PGI2 in RM.

Evaluation of immunotoxicity induced by propoxure in C57Bl/6 mice.

Insecticides are important candidates for immunotoxicology tests in order to assess the 'No Observable Adverse Effect Level' (NOAEL). Propoxure (PPX), as a carbamate household insecticide, has been used for several decades around the world in agriculture. However, there has been no clear investigation on its immunotoxic potentials. In this study, as Tier I of immunotoxicological screening tests, we examined the effects of subacute exposure to intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered PPX, at doses of 10, 2, and 0.2 mg/kg, on C57Bl/6 female mice. After 28 days administration of PPX, the treated animals were sacrificed and peripheral blood samples were collected. Then spleen (SP), thymus (TM), and bone marrow were collected and weighed. Functional tests including SRBC-hemagglutination (HA), plaque-forming colony assay (PFC), and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to SRBCs were performed. Furthermore, spleen T-cell phenotype (CD4/CD8) was also determined. Results showed that high doses of PPX could not only produce histopathological changes in TM and SP but also suppress humoral response to antigen (SRBCs). PPX at medium doses (2 mg/kg) did not show histopathological changes in TM or SP but increased the humoral response to SRBCs, as identified by HA and PFC tests. PPX at low doses (0.2 mg/kg) did not produce any significant changes in humoral (PFC and HA) or cellular responses (DTH) of the immune system. It seems that PPX has no adverse effects on mice immune system at low doses of 0.2 mg/kg/day, which is 10 times the PPX allowed daily intake (ADI) limit.