The effect of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) Rhizome on the Mechanical Activity of the Colon of Male Rats and its Interaction with Adrenergic System

Abstract: Back ground & aim: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) is a native medicinal plant of Iran which its rhizome has been traditionally used for treatment of bowel spasm and diarrhea. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats. Methods: In the present experimental study, the colon tissue of 10 adult male rats were dissected and divided into two groups: experimental and control. Each group consisted of 10 strips of tissue. Then, the mechanical activity of tissue strips were recorded by power lab A-D instrument in basal condition, and after administration of phenylephrine and epinephrine and propranolol in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract (with effective dose 0.036 mg/ml). Moreover, the mechanical activity of control group strips were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70). Data were analyzed statistically with using the SPSS software version 19 using Independent-Samples t-test. Result: The mechanical activity of tissue in presence of extract and epinephrine significantly decreased (p≤0.05) compared to the control group. While the mechanical activity in the presence of extract and propranolol significantly increased (p≤0.05) compared to the control group. However, no significant modification was observed in the mechanical activity of the tissue  in the presence of phenylephrine and extract compared to the control group.  Conclusion: According to the present study, it could be concluded that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice maybe has modifying effect on colon motility via synergist effect with beta adrenergic receptors and independent of the alpha adrenergic receptors

Interaction of Electromagnetic Field and Modulation of GABA-B Receptor on Serum Testosterone Concentration in Aggressive Rats

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of interaperitoneal injection of baclofen (GABA-B agonist) and CGP35348 (GABA-B antagonist) on serum testosterone concentration in aggressive rats exposed to electromagnetic field. Methods: Fifty five mature male rats weighing 200±20 grams were studied. Animals were divided into 2 main groups and four subgroups. Main groups composed of rats with and without exposure to electromagnetic field. Animals in the former group were exposed to electromagnetic field with 500 T intensity and 50Hz frequency for 8 hours a day for 30 days. Aggression was induced by applying 2mA current every 3 seconds for 5 minutes. Then serum testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay method. Results: Data showed that baclofen injection at 3mg/kg and CGP35348 at 100mg/kg significantly increased serum testosterone concentration in aggressive rats exposed to electromagnetic field. Conclusion: According to the simillar effect of baclofen and CGP35348 on testosterone secretion, it seems that GABA-B receptors in testes are two types, so it has caused similar effects. Also, electromagnetic exposure leads to increase in testosterone secretion

The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of olea europea L. Leaf on Blood pressure and its interaction with adrenergic system of male rats

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most common and important disease factors imposed by the modern lifestyle, in particular by reduced physical activity and an unbalanced lipid-rich diet. One of the best methods for treatment of hypertension is the use of medical herbs that have moderate effects on blood pressure such as Olive (Olea europea L.). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of olea europea L. Leaf on blood pressure and its interaction with adrenergic system of male rats Methods: In this experimental study, 10 adult male wistar rats weighing between180-250g were used. They were divided into two groups (each group contained 5 rats) randomly: olive leaf extract group and olive leaf extract and adrenaline group. Then, each rat was anesthetized by IP injection of 1.2 g/kg urethane. After tracheostomy, the femoral vine and artery were cannulated for drug injection and blood pressure recording respectively. Arterial cannula for recording arterial blood pressure connected to a pressure transducer linked to Power lab. Blood pressure parameters (systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure) were recorded before and after IV administration of hydroalcoholic extract of olea europea L. leaf, solvent, adrenaline and olive leaf extract with adrenaline.The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The results showed a significant decrease of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures in comparison with the control and sham groups (P<0.05). Also, a significant decrease of blood pressure showed in presence of olive leaf extract and adrenaline with compare to the sham group (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that olea europea L. leaf may suggested as a hypotensive agent. It seems that this effect is due to the inhibition of the adrenergic syste

The Interaction of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale) and Adrenergic System on the Mechanical Activity of Isolated Trachea of a Male Rat

Abstract Background and aims: Due to the increasing interest in studying the plant extracts in various fields of biology, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract interaction and adrenergic system on the mechanical activity of the a rat’s isolated trachea. Methods: In this experimental study, 15 adult male rats were anesthetized after adaptation to environment. Afterwards, the trachea was removed and divided into 3 mm segments. The isolated tracheal rings of each mouse were divided into control and experimental groups. Next, they were put in tissue baths containing oxygenated Krebs solution, and their mechanical activity were recorded by the transducer and bridge amplifier system. In the experimental group, hydroalcoholic extract of ginger (0.5 mg/ ml) was added to the tissue bath. In the same conditions, the solvent extract was added to the control group. At the end, the mechanical response of each group in the presence of propranolol and isoprenaline as agonist and antagonist adrenergic system were recorded. The gathered data were analyzed by the paired t-test. Results: In the presence of hydroalcoholic extract of ginger, the mechanical activity of isolated trachea was significantly decreased compared to the controls (p < 0.05). However, after injection of isoprenaline and propranolol, a significant difference in the mechanical activity of the trachea was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the ginger has effects on isolated tracheal relaxation via other routes, except the adrenergic system. Keywords: Adrenergic system, Mechanical activity, Trachea, Ginge

Evaluation of the Interactive Effects of Glycyrrhiza Glabra Hydroalcoholic Extract and LNAME Drug on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Male Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome extracts have been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of peptic ulcers and cough; therefore, evaluation of the side-effects of these extracts seems essential. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of G. glabra rhizome extract on blood pressure and heart rate of male rats and assess its interaction with the nitrergic system. METHODS: In this experimental study, 10 male rats intravenously received G. glabra extracts and LNAME drug in three different modes: 1) administration of the physiological serum at baseline, 2) concomitant administration of LNAME (5 mg/kg) and the physiological serum in the control mode, and 3) concomitant administration of G. glabra extract (90 mg/kg) and LNAME in the trial mode. Heart rate and blood pressure of the animals were measured after the administration of G. glabra extract and LNAME drug. The measurements were performed, using organ electrodes, an arterial catheter connected to a pressure transducer, and a PowerLab A-D device. FINDINGS: Based on the findings, a significant decline was observed in the mean arterial pressure in the trial mode (93±8.04), compared to the control mode (129±2.7) (p≤0.05). In addition, a significant reduction was observed in the mean systolic blood pressure in the trial mode (98±7.9), compared to the control mode (136±2.9) (p<0.04). Moreover, a significant decline was observed in the mean diastolic blood pressure in the trial mode (377±3.04) in comparison with the control mode (423±2.7) (p<0.04). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, concomitant administration of G. glabra extract and LNAME drug caused a significant decline in blood pressur

Exposure to toxic waste containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide illegally dumped in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

INTRODUCTION: On August 2006, a cargo ship illegally dumped 500 t of toxic waste containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in numerous sites across Abidjan. Thousands of people became ill. Seventeen deaths were associated with toxic waste exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reports on environmental and health problems associated with the incident. A cross-sectional transect study was conducted in five waste dumping site areas. RESULTS: Of the households, 62.1% (n = 502) were exposed to the effects of the pollutants and 51.1% of the interviewed people (n = 2,368) in these households showed signs of poisoning. Most important symptoms were cough (37.1%), asthenia (33.1%), pruritus (29.9%) and nausea (29.1%). DISCUSSION: The health effects showed different frequencies in the five waste impact sites. Among the poisoned persons, 21.1% (n = 532) presented symptoms on the survey day (i.e., 4 months after incident). Transect sampling allowed to determine a radius of vulnerability to exposure of up to 3 km from the point of toxic waste disposal. CONCLUSION: The area of higher vulnerability is influenced by various environmental factors, such as size and severity of pollution site, duration of toxic waste pollution on the impact site and locally climatic conditions. The surveillance of effects on environment and human health is warranted to monitor the developmen