Investigation of efficacy of asenapine on passive avoidance learning and memory and oxidative stress in animal model of seizure-induced with pentylenetetrazole

Asenapine (ASE) has been used for treatment of bipolar disorder. There is also evidence that it may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this regard, the efficacy of ASE in an experimental model of seizure and memory impairment caused by seizures in rats has been investigated in the present study. Seizures in male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), and the anticonvulsant effect of ASE (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated. The effect on memory was assessed using passive avoidance (PA) test in a shuttle box apparatus. After behavioral tests, the animals underwent deep anesthesia and were euthanized painlessly. Serum was isolated for oxidative stress assays (nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH)). Intraperitoneal injection of ASE decreased the mean number of myoclonic jerks and duration of generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) and increased the mean latency of myoclonic jerk and GTCS compared to the PTZ group. Moreover, in the PA test, ASE caused a significant increase in retention latency (RL) and total time spent in the light compartment (TLC) compared to the PTZ group. Biochemical tests showed that ASE was able to significantly increase GSH serum levels and significantly reduce NO serum levels compared to the PTZ group. Overall, this study suggests the potential neuroprotective effects of ASE in a model of memory impairment caused by seizures via the mechanism of inhibition of the oxidative stress pathway

Effect of amitriptyline on learning and memory consolidation in the male Wistar rats with an experimental model of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure

Amitriptyline (AMT) was developed for the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain. There is also evidence it may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this regard, the effect of on the experimental model of seizures and memory impairment caused by seizures in rats is investigated in the present study. Seizures in Wistar rats (200-250 g) were induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). The anticonvulsant effect of AMT (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated in the seizure model. The effect on memory was assessed using passive avoidance (PA) learning and memory test. After behavioral tests, the animals underwent deep anesthesia and were put down painlessly. Animal serum was isolated for oxidant/antioxidant assays (malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)). Intraperitoneal injection of AMT decreased the mean number of myoclonic jerks and generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) duration and increased the mean latency of myoclonic jerk and GTCS compared to the PTZ group. Moreover, in the PA test, AMT caused a significant increase in retention latency (RL) and total time spent in the light compartment (TLC) compared to the PTZ group. Biochemical tests showed that AMT was able to significantly increase GPx serum levels and significantly reduce MDA serum levels compared to the PTZ group. Overall, this study suggests the potential neuroprotective effects of the AMT drug in a model of memory impairment caused by seizures via the mechanism of inhibition of the oxidative stress pathway

Antinociceptive activity of Ricinus communis seed's hydroethanolic extract on male Balb/C mice

Pain is a normal protective response to tissue injury caused by physical trauma, noxious chemicals and microbiological agents. Use of chemical drugs and medicinal plants is a conventional method to manage pain; however, their side effects have caused increased tendency to the use of herbal medicines among patients. This study was conducted to investigate antinociceptive action of Ricinus communis seed's extract (RCE) in male Balb/C mice. In this experimental study, 72 male mice weighing 25-35gr were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups of 12 mice each, including: Control group, three groups separately treated respectively with 100, 200, and 400mg/kg hydroethanolic R. communis seed extract, morphine (1mg/kg)-treated group, and naloxone (0.1mg/kg) + R. communis seed extract (200mg/kg)-treated group. All animals received extract and drugs intraperitoneally. To evaluate the analgesic effect of the extract, writhing and tail flick tests were used. The 200 and 400mg/kg of the extract significantly increased pain threshold compared to the control group in writhing and tail flick tests (P < 0.01). Moreover, 400mg/kg of the extract showed a stronger antinociceptive effect especially in writhing test compared to the control and other treated groups (P < 0.001). Analgesic effects of hydroethanolic R. communis seed extract observed in the tail flick and writhing tests are probably related to activation of opioid system. Results may suggest that this plant extract might be beneficial in relieving human pain

Treatment of liver and spleen illnesses by herbs: Recommendations of Avicenna’s heritage "Canon of Medicine"

Objective: Avicenna (Abu Ali al-Hossein ibn Abdullah ibn Sina) who had a special attention toward diseases treatments, gathered results of ages of herbal medicine experiments on humans and animals in his book “Al-Qānūn fī Ṭibb” or "The Canon of Medicine", which is a reliable book in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this research was to build a reliable list of plants effective against liver and spleen diseases, based on Avicenna's book (volume 2). Materials and Methods: By studying the monographs, introduced agents that have been effective in liver and spleen diseases were identified. Upon their origin and effectiveness in diseases of the liver, spleen or both, treatments were organized. Results: From a huge number of drugs, 163 plants from 73 families were found to be effective in treatment of liver and spleen illnesses. In addition, 30 non-herbal agents effective in treatment of liver diseases were detected. The Lamiaceae family have the most effective herbs for treatment of diseases of the liver, spleen or both. Hemp Agrimony, Irsā, and Fūdhanj achieved the highest scores. Conclusion: The effects of different plants on liver and spleen diseases were indicated in Avicenna's book. Due to the report on the above book, further studies needed specially on the effect of Irsā (Iris ensata) and family Lamiaceae on liver and spleen diseases

Involvement of nitric oxide in granisetron improving effect on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice

AbstractGranisetron, a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, widely used as an antiemetic drug following chemotherapy, has been found to improve learning and memory. In this study, effects of granisetron on spatial recognition memory and fear memory and the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) have been determined in a Y-maze and passive avoidance test. Granisetron (3, 10mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered to scopolamine-induced memory-impaired mice prior to acquisition, consolidation and retrieval phases, either in the presence or in the absence of a non-specific NO synthase inhibitor, l-NAME (3, 10mg/kg, intraperitoneally); a specific inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine (100mg/kg); and a NO precursor, l-arginine (750mg/kg). It is demonstrated that granisetron improved memory acquisition in a dose-dependent manner, but it was ineffective on consolidation and retrieval phases of memory. The beneficial effect of granisetron (10mg/kg) on memory acquisition was significantly reversed by l-NAME (10mg/kg) and aminoguanidine (100mg/kg); however, l-arginine (750mg/kg) did not potentiate the effect of sub-effective dose of granisetron (3mg/kg) in memory acquisition phase. It is concluded that nitric oxide is probably involved in improvement of memory acquisition by granisetron in both spatial recognition memory and fear memory.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Cognitive Neuroscience

A comprehensive review on phytochemical, pharmacological and therapeutic properties of Agrimonia eupatoria L.

Agrimonia eupatoria is a perennial herb belonging to the Rosaceae family that all its parts are used to treat various diseases. In this article, we aimed to present a comprehensive review on the phytochemical, pharmacological, and therapeutic effects of this plant. We searched various databases and summarized the data documented in literature from 1976 to 2020. Agrimonia eupatoria has effects on various kinds of cancer, oxidative stress, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B, and liver damage. It also has anti-adhesive, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties. It induces nitric oxide and inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Phytochemical studies related to this plant has led to isolation and identification of tannins, coumarins, and flavonoids as the most active chemicals with biological effects. Based on this comprehensive review about Agrimonia eupatoria, there will be more opportunities for investigators to search and discover ways to use bioactive agents of this herb to develop new Agrimony based medicines

The effects of concurrent treatment of silymarin and lactulose on memory changes in cirrhotic male rats

Introduction: Chronic liver disease frequently accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in HE, make an easier entrance of ammonia among other substances to the brain, which leads to neurotransmitter disturbances. Lactulose (LAC), causes better defecation and makes ammonia outreach of blood. Silymarin (SM) is a known standard drug for liver illnesses. The purpose of this research was to determine the results of LAC and SM combined treatment, on the changes in memory of cirrhotic male rats. Methods: The cirrhotic model established by treatment with thioacetamide (TAA) for 18 weeks. Cirrhotic rats randomized to four groups (n = 7): TAA group (received drinking water), LAC group (2 g/kg/d LAC in drinking water), SM group (50 mg/kg/d SM by food), SM+ LAC group (similar combined doses of both compounds) for 8 weeks. The control group received drinking water. The behavior examined by wire hanging (WH), passive avoidance (PA), and open field (OF) tests. Results: Our findings showed that treatment with SM+LAC effectively increased PA latency, compared with the control group. The results showed that the administration of LAC and SM+LAC affected the number of lines crossed, the total distance moved and velocity in the OF tests. Conclusion: SM and LAC have anti-inflammatory effects that are memory changing. It may be due to their useful effects. These results indicated that SM+LAC restored memory disturbance and irritated mood in the cirrhotic rats. Comparable neuroprotection was never previously informed. Such outcomes are extremely promising and indicate the further study of SM+LAC

A comprehensive review on phytochemical, pharmacological and therapeutic properties of Agrimonia eupatoria L.

Agrimonia eupatoria is a perennial herb belonging to the Rosaceae family that all its parts are used to treat various diseases. In this article, we aimed to present a comprehensive review on the phytochemical, pharmacological, and therapeutic effects of this plant. We searched various databases and summarized the data documented in literature from 1976 to 2020. Agrimonia eupatoria has effects on various kinds of cancer, oxidative stress, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B, and liver damage. It also has anti-adhesive, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties. It induces nitric oxide and inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Phytochemical studies related to this plant has led to isolation and identification of tannins, coumarins, and flavonoids as the most active chemicals with biological effects. Based on this comprehensive review about Agrimonia eupatoria, there will be more opportunities for investigators to search and discover ways to use bioactive agents of this herb to develop new Agrimony based medicines

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Lemon Verbena

Background and Objectives: Chemical preservatives are commonly used to prevent food from quick spoiling and oxidizing. Despite their effect in increasing shelf life of foods, these compounds can have side effects. Residues of chemical compounds in foods increase microbial resistance. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora L.) ethanolic extract against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Methods: In this experimental study, The soaking method and ethanol solvent was used for extraction. Antioxidant activities of different concentrations of extract were assessed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity test and compared with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as a synthetic antioxidant. Antimicrobial effect of extract on Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium was determined by disk diffusion and well diffusion methods and measuring minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Experimental data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 20 using analysis of variance and the mean values were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. Results: The amounts of phenols and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract of were 96.47±0.35 mg of gallic acid/g of extract and 31.07±0.42 mg of quercetin/g of extract, respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of lemon verbena extract was 11.79±0.76 μg/mL, while it was 10.16±0.29 μg/mL for BHA. In both disk diffusion and well diffusion methods, with the increase of the concentration of extract, the inhibition zone diameter increased. The ethanolic extract of lemon verbena at the concentration of 12.5 mg/mL had no inhibitory effect on gram-negative bacteria growth. In both methods, the extract had the greatest effect on S. aureus. The MIC of ethanolic extract ranged from 8 to 128 mg/mL, depending on the type of bacteria (gram-positive or gram-negative). Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of lemon verbena has higher antimicrobial effects on gram-positive bacteria. Therefore, it can be used in food and pharmaceutical industries as a natural antimicrobial agent. Considering the increasing resistance of bacteria to chemical antibiotics, more studies on lemon verbena and its antibacterial compounds are needed for treating infections

Evaluation of Antinociceptive Activity of Berberis Vulgaris L. Fruit’s Hydroethanolic Extract in Male Mice: Antinociceptive activity of Berberis vulgaris in male mice

Herbal medicine has an old history with a broad application all over the world. Many researches have focused on the curative as well as antinociceptive effects of herbal extract. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of Berberis vulgaris hydroethanolic extract (BVE) in male mice. 30 male mice were divided into 5 groups: control, treated by morphine, treated by BVE (150 &amp; 300 mg/kg) and naloxane plus BVE (300 mg/kg) randomly. To assess the antinociceptive effects of BVE, the animals were examined by employing different pain models such as, tail-flick tests (for acute pain) and acetic acid-induced writhing (for chronic pain) after treatment with morphine, naloxane and BVE. The results indicate that the BVE showed an important antinociceptive effect at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg (P&lt;0.01 and P&lt;0.001, respectively), administered intraperitoneally in mice, which significantly inhibited the abdominal constrictions (55.73% of inhibition) induced by acetic acid and increase tail-flick latency when compared to control group in the same dose, although they were less effective than morphine in the same assay. The antinociceptive models employed here reveal a potential analgesic effect of the Berberis vulgaris hydroethanolic extract. We suggest that this effect might be caused by anti-inflammatory effect and the stimulation of the opioid receptors