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

Study the Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Achillea Eriophora on Cardiovascular System of Male Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Achillea eriophora has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disease. This study was performed to determine its cardiovascular effects and its interaction with adrenergic system. METHODS: In this study, 15 male wistar rats (weighed 220-250 g) were divided randomly into 3 groups. The first group received distilled water (Epinephrine solvent), epinephrine (0.04 mg/kg) and epinephrine plus extract solvent (ethanol 70%), respectively. The second group received distilled water, epinephrine and epinephrine plus extract (60 mg/kg), respectively. The third group received extract and after the onset of the extract effects, epinephrine were injected. In different groups, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded via arterial cannula linked to pressure transducer and A-D instrument powerlab. FINDINGS: Extract significantly reduced mean arterial blood pressure (67±8, 65±3, 67±8), compared to the base stage (86±5, 84±6, 86±5) (p<0.05). In addition, a significant reduction was observed in the diastolic pressure in the presence of the epinephrine plus extract (76±7) in comparison with the stage that epinephrine injected (85±6) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Result of the study showed that A. eriophora extract reduces diastolic pressure in the presence of the epinephrine. It can be concluded that A. eriophora has a hypotensive effect that this effect seems at least in part, related to vascular factors

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

Evaluation the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of GlycyrrhizaGlabra rhizome on the isolated colon contractions of male rats

Introduction:The licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcer and relieve intestinal spasms. In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licoricerhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats has been studied. Methods: Adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and colon tissues were removed and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (37 &deg;C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of L-NAME (10-4M), acetylcholine (4&times;10-5M) and Atropine (10-5M) drugs in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract were recorded (0.036mg/ml). Also, the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70). Results: A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated colon occurred after administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome compared to the control group (p&le;0.05). Also, a significant decrease was seen in mechanical activity occurredin the co-administration of extract and acetylcholine compared to the control group. The mechanical activity of tissue was not significantly changed in the presence of Atropine and extract between experimental and control groups. The mechanical activity of ileum tissue was not significantly changed in the co-administration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups. Conclusion: We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on colon motility, and this activity may be occurred independently in the nitrergic and cholinergic systems

Lower uric acid is associated with poor short-term outcome and a higher frequency of posterior arterial involvement in ischemic stroke

Uric acid has neuroprotective properties in experimental and clinical studies of neurodegenerative disease. It is, however, associated with increased risk of stroke, yet, despite some inconsistent findings, increasing evidence suggests it may also be related to improved stroke outcomes. We have determined whether there is an effect of plasma uric acid on the short-term outcome of stroke patients in a general hospital setting using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We also investigated the relationship of uric acid with other clinical correlates. Plasma uric acid was determined in 108 acute ischemic stroke patients and their mRS scores measured. Patients with a poor outcome (mRS > 2) had significantly lower uric acid than those with a better outcome; this remained after correcting for the effect of sex on uric acid concentrations. There was no significant association with other epidemiological factors or with cognitive function determined by Mini-Mental State Examination. An association between uric acid and the cerebral circulation was also found in which lower uric acid occurs with posterior artery involvement. These findings demonstrate in a naturalistic cohort of patients the association of uric acid with short-term disability following ischemic stroke. They also raise the question of whether uric acid may influence the regional brain involvement in stroke