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 Hyssopus officinalis leaves alcoholic extract on motor neuron density in anterior horn after sciatic nerve compression in rats

Background and Objective: The degeneration of motor neuron in anterior horn of spinal cord can be caused by compression. Hyssopus officinalis of Laminacea family demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects. This study was done to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Hyssopus officinalis leaves, on motor neuron in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in male rats. Methods: In this experimental research, 60 male wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups including; control, compression, and compression + treatment (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg/bw). In order to induce compression, sciatic nerve of right leg was exposed to compression for 60 second using locker pincers. Extract injected intraperitoneally in the first and second week after compression. 28 days after compression under profusion method, the lumber spinal cord was sampled. The density of motor neurons (9-20 micron) was measured using dissector and stereological method. Results: Density of neurons in compression group (611±34) significantly reduced compared to the control group (1658±30) (P<0.05). Moreover, neuronal density was significantly increased in 25 (1179±22), 50 (1260±20), 75 (1350±15) and 100 (1120±10) mg/kg/bw doses in treatment groups in compared to the compression group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Hyssopus officinalis leaves exhibite neuroprotective effect on neurons in anterior horn of the spinal cord after injury. This effect probably is related to the antioxidant and anti inflammation properties in alcoholic extract of Hyssopus officinalis, dose dependly

The effect of alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl leave on alpha motoneuron regeneration of anterior horn in a rat model of sciatic nerve compression

Background: Peripheral nerve injury during accidents causes the degeneration of the cell body in anterior horn of the spinal cord. Sometimes the use of plant extracts may be effective in regenerative process of these injuries. Stachys lavandulifolia of the Laminacea family has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the regenerative effect of alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia leave on spinal cord alpha motoneuron in a rat model of sciatic nerve compression. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study male Wistar rats (n=36) were divided randomly into six groups: Control, Compression, and Compression + Treatment (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg of extract). In order to induce compression, sciatic nerve of right leg was exposed to compression for 60 seconds using the locker pincers. Extract injection was done intraperitoneally in the first and second weeks after the compression. Then, 28 days after the compression and under profusion method, the samples were taken from lumbar spinal cord. The density of motoneurons was measured and compared using the dissector and stereological methods. Results: According to the present results, the density of neurons in Compression group was decreased significantly compared to the Control (P&lt;0.001) one. Moreover, Neuronal density was increased significantly in all Treatment groups (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg doses) compared to the Compression group (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: The alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia leave has neuro-protective effect on anterior horn neurons of the spinal cord after injury. Probably, this effect is related to the existence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors in alcoholic extract that induces the neuronal regeneration

The Neuroprotective Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Cannabis Sativa on Neuronal Density of Spinal Cord Alpha Motoneurons after Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats

Introduction: Injuries of the peripheral nerve system affect the neurons cell body leading to axon injury. Cannabis sativa plant has anti oxidant and anti apoptotic effects. Therefore the aim of present study was to study the neuroprotective effect of alcoholic extract of cannabis sativa leaves on neuronal density of alpha motoneurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve injury in rats. Methods: In this experimental research, animals were divided into four groups; A: control, B: compression, C: compression+ treatment with 25 mg/kg alcoholic extract, D: compression + treatment with 50 mg/kg extract (n=8). At first, sciatic nerve compression in B, C and D groups was achieved for 60 seconds using locker pincers. Alcoholic extract was injected intra peritoneally in the first and second weeks after compression. Then 28 days after compression, under profusion method, the lumbar spinal cord was sampled and the numerical density in each group was compared with the compression group. The data was analyzed with the use of Minitab 14 software and ANOVA statistical test. Results: Neuronal density showed a meaningful difference in the compression and control groups(P<0.001). Neuronal density in treatment groups(25, 50 mg/kg) also had a meaningful increase(P<0.001) as compared to the compression group. Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of cannabis sativa leaves has a neuroprotective effect on spinal cord alpha motoneurons after injury. This could be due to growth and regeneration factors present in the alcoholic extract of cannabis sativa leaves that induce regeneration process in injured neurons or prevent degeneration

Effect of Cannabis sativa alcoholic extract on hippocampus neuronal density in Rats

Background and Objective: Memory is an especial ability of brain in which saves the information and reuptake it. The memory is depended on hippocampus and amigdal. The neuronal density of hippocampus and amigdal have direct effect on their physiological functions. Cannabis sativa is belongs to Cannabinaceae family that Tetrahidrocanabinol is important component of this plant. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa on CA1, CA2 and CA3 subfeilds of hippocampus neuronal density in male Rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 18 male Rats with (250-320gr) weight and 3 month old in faculty of science, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Iran (2010-2011). At first the alcoholic extraction was provided by the soxhlet method of the seed of this plant with coded 2548. Eighteen male wistar Rats were allocated into 2 experimental groups (25,75mg/kg of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa) and one control group. Alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa was injected intraperitonealy (I.P.) in experimental groups for two weeks (every week one injection). After four weeks animal was decapitated and their brain dissected, fixed in 10% formalin, sectioned in 7μm thickness and stained by toluidin blue. By applying stereological techniques and systematic random sampling scheme the neuronal density of hippocampus were estimated. Results: Neuronal density in control and treated with alcoholic extract (25,75mgkg) CA1 was 17982, 26750 and 22801 respectively. Neuronal density in CA2 was 19171, 26750 and 22801 respectively and also in CA3 was 19391, 24043, 28571 respectively. Neuronal density in CA1, CA2 and CA3 of hippocampus in treated groups with alcoholic extract (25,75mgkg) was significantly increased in comparision with controls (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study determined that the alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa can induce hippocampus neurogenesis which is not dose depended

Effect of alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed on alpha motor neurons density of spinal cord following sciatic nerve compression in rats

Background and Objective: Compression or sciatic axotomy induces neuronal death in spinal cord alpha motor neuron. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Nigella sativa seed alcoholic extract on spinal motor neuron density in anterior horn after sciatic nerve compression in rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 24 wistar rats were divided into four groups A: control, B: compression, C: compression+treatment with 75 mg/kg alcoholic extract, D: compression+treatment with 50 mg/kg alcoholic extract. In control group muscle was exposed without any injury to sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment group, the right leg sciatic nerve compressed for 60 sec. After four weeks of post operation, L2-L4 and S1, S2 and S3 segments of spinal cord were sampled, processed, serially sectioned and stained with toluidine blue. The number of alpha motor neurons was counted using dissector method. Results: Neuronal density in compression group (650±32) significantly decreased in comparison with control group (1803±24). Neuronal density in C treated group (1581±47) and D treated group (1543±49) significantly increased compare to compression group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed increased the density of alpha motor neurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in rats

Effect of ethanolic extract of pod Prosopis farcta plant on neuronal density of anterior horn following sciatic nerve compression in Rats

Background and Objective: After axotomy or the compersion the nerve, the death of spinal cord nerves cell body occur. Compersion is one of the factors causing the degeneration of the spinal cord cell body. This degeneration is due to the reversed factors of the damaged area that have reached to cell body. Prosopis farcta is a member of leguminosae family and mimosaceae subfamily. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of pod prosopis farcta plant, on neuronal density of anterior horn following sciatic nerve compression in rat. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on thirty male wistar rats with the age of about three months years and 300-350 gr weight. The animals were divided into five groups. A) control, B) compression, C) compression + treatment with 25 mg/kg ethanolic extract, D) compression + treatment with 50 mg/kg ethanolic extract and E: compression + treatment with 75 mg/kg ethanolic extract. After anesthetizing the rats, the muscle of thigh was splited and the sciatic nerve was kept under compersion, the muscle and skin were stitched subsequently. In the experimental groups the alchoholic extract of the prosopis farcta was injected to the rats with 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 75mg/kg dosage by the intrapritoneal way weekly. After 28 days of compresion, the rat, were put under the perfusion method and some samples were taken of their lumbar spinal cord and after tissue processes, 7 micron slide were provided of the samples serially. Slides were stained by toluidin blue, and some photos were taken and neuronal density of the alpha motoneurons alpha anterior horn of the spinal cord was calculated by the disector method. Data were analyzed using Minitab software, ANOVA and t- tests. Results: The neuronal density in the compression group (628±29.7) was decreased significantly in compare to the control group (1562±35.3) (P<0.05). The neuronal density in group C (1070±91), increased significantly in compare to the compression group (p<0.05). The neuronal density in group D (1117±62.8) and group E (1669±86.5) significantly increased in compare to the compression group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that alchoholic extract of the prosopis farcta has a neuroprotective effect following sciatic nerve compression in rats