The effect of aqueous extract of Rosa damascena on formaldehyde-induced toxicity in mice testes.

CONTEXT: Rosa damascena L. (Rosaceae) (RD) essential oil and extracts are commonly used as a flavour in herbal medicine which increase libido. Previous studies have shown inhalation of RD flower's oil increases libido and causes protective effects in formaldehyde (FA)-induced testicular damage. OBJECTIVE: The protective effects of aqueous extract of RD on the male reproductive system of mice were examined following FA-induced damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight adult NMRI male mice were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 8): control (normal saline, 10 mg/kg); RD40 (40 mg/kg, p.o.); FA treated (10 mg/kg of 10%, i.p.) and FA + RD treated at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg (FA + RD10), (FA + RD20) and (FA + RD40), respectively, for 40 days. At the end of treatment regimes, serum testosterone (T) level and the reproductive activity, viz. body/organ weights, testicular structure and sperm characteristics were studied. RESULTS: Formaldehyde administration significantly decreased serum T level (p < 0.001), testicular weight/volume, tubular diameter and sperm characteristics compared to the control group (p < 0.05). RD (40 mg/kg) administration in FA-treated mice significantly improved serum T level, testicular weight/histological structure, tubular diameter, Leydig cell number and epididymal sperm characteristics in comparison to its lower doses and the control group (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We may conclude that RD flower extract can withstand effects of FA in the male reproductive system of mice possibly due to its antioxidative properties.

The role of estrogen and progesterone, administered alone and in combination, in modulating cytokine concentration following traumatic brain injury.

Cytokines play an important role in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was designed to determine the effects of administering progesterone (P) and estrogen (E), alone and in combination, on brain water content, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disturbance, and brain level of cytokines following diffuse TBI. Ovariectomized rats were divided into 9 groups, treated with vehicle, E1, E2, P1, P2, E1+P1, E1+P2, E2+P1, and E2+P2. Levels of BBB disruption (5 h), cytokines, and water content (24 h) were evaluated after TBI induced by the Marmarou method. Physiological (E1 and P1) and pharmacological (E2 and P2) doses of estrogen and progesterone were administered 30 min after TBI. Water content in the E1+P2-treated group was higher than in the E1-treated group. The inhibitory effect of E2 on water content was reduced by adding progesterone. The inhibitory effect of E1 and E2 on Evans blue content was reduced by treatment with E1+P1 and E2+P2, respectively. The brain level of IL-1ß was reduced in E1 and E2, after TBI. In the E2+P2-treated group, this level was higher than in the E2-treated group. The brain level of TGF-ß was also elevated by the administration of progesterone and estrogen alone, and reduced when the hormones were administered in combination. In conclusion, a combined administration of progesterone and estrogen inhibited the decreasing effects of administration of progesterone and estrogen alone on water content and BBB disruption that mediated to change the proinflammatory cytokines.