Effect of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa leave on neuronal density of CA1, CA2 and CA3 regions of rat hippocampus

Background: Neuronal connections change during the memory formation process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa leave on the neuronal density of CA1, CA2 and CA3 regions of rat hippocampus. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats (300-350 g) were divided into two experimental and one control groups. Cannabis sativa seed was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus and then was injected in different doses (50 and 25 mg/kg, i.p, respectively) once a week for three weeks. After one month, rats were decapitated and their brain dissected, fixed in formalin (10), sectioned (7μm thickness) and then stained with H & E. By applying dissection techniques and systematic random sampling scheme, the neuronal density of CA1, CA2, CA3 regions of hippocampus were estimated. Results: Statistical analyses showed a significant decrease in the neuronal density of CA1 region, while there was a significant increase in the neuronal density of CA2 and CA3 regions of hippocampus in the experimental group (25 mg/kg alcoholic extract) compared to the control group (P=0).Conclusion: It seems that the normal dose of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa leave induces neuronal degeneration in CA1 region of the hippocampus, while a low dose of it induces a neurogenesis in other hippocampal regions

Effect of aquatic extract of Cannabis sativa leaves on degeneration of alpha motoneurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in Rats

Background and Objective: Neurons are injured under physical, chemical and pathological conditions. The effects of injuries in peripheral nervous system returns as retrograde to the cell body of neurons in central nervous system and causes brain and spinal degeneration. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aquatic extract of Cannabis sativa leaves on degeneration of alpha motoneurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in Rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on thirty two male Wistar rats, weighing 300-350 grams. Animals were divided into four groups each consisting eight members A: control, B: compression, C: compression + treatment with 25 mg/kg aquatic extract, D: compression + treatment with 50 mg/kg aquatic extract. In order to induce compression in B, C and D, after cutting the right thigh muscle, Sciatic nerve of thigh was exposed to compression for 60 seconds using locker pincers. The first extract injection was done intraperitoneally immediately after compression and the second intera peritoneal injection was done 7 days later. 28 days after compression, the Lumbar spinal cord were dissected, fixed and stained with toluidine blue. The density of alpha motoneurons was measured using dissector and stereological methods. Data was analyzed with using Minitab-13 software, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: Neuronal density was 611.5±34.2 and 1633.4±30.7 in compression and control groups respectively (P<0.001). There was a meaningful statistical increase in neuronal density of group C (1278.6±28.1) in comparing compression group (P<0.001). The neuronal density in group (D) (1549.8±87.7), significantly increased in comparison with group (B) (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that aquatic extract of Cannabis sativa leaves increases the density of alpha motoneurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in Rats. The increase in neuronal density is relevant to the amount of extract used