Evaluation of Protective and Immunomodulatory Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Scrophularia striata on Silver Nanoparticle-Induced Toxicity in Male Rats

Introduction: Recently, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have found extensive and raising biomedical applications. Ag-NPs may lead to increased rate of toxicity on human health and environment. Because of the high antioxidant potential of the Scrophularia striata, the aim of the present study was to investigate the protective influence of Scrophularia striata against Ag-NPs-induced toxicity. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6 for each group). Group 1 was normal control rats. Group 2 received only Ag-NPs (200 ppm). In groups 3 to 5, the rats were pretreated with different concentrations (20, 60 and 180 mg/kg) of the Scrophularia striata extract, respectively and then were treated with Ag-NPs to induce toxicity. Animals were treated once daily by gavage over a period of 30 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected and serum IgG, IgM, C3, C4, and CRP levels were determined. Data were statistically analyzed through one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Oral administration of Ag-NPs evoked a significant increase in the serum IgG, IgM, C3, C4, and CRP levels, compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). These changes were ameliorated through treatment with Scrophularia striata extract at different doses as compared with the Ag-NPs-treated group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The extract was found to be as an effective immunomodulatory agent against Ag-NPs-induced toxicity presumably due to its active compounds with medicinal value

Chemical Composition and Role of Opioidergic System in Antinociceptive Effect of Ziziphora Clinopodioides Essential Oil

Introduction: Ziziphora Clinopodioides has been used widely for various therapeutic purposes in Iranian folk medicine. The current study aimed to determine interaction of antinociceptive effect of the Essential Oil of Ziziphora Clinopodioides (EOZC) and opioidergic system in male rats using formalin test. Methods: Sixty-four male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups. The groups 1 to 7 were injected with normal saline, vehicle (Tween-80, 0.5%), 10, 20, 40 mg/kg of the EOZC, morphine (5 mg/kg) and naloxone (2 mg/kg), respectively. Thirty minutes later, the formalin test was performed by intraplantar injection of formalin (50 &micro;L, 2%). In group 8, naloxone (2 mg/kg) was injected 15 min before injection of EOZC (20 mg/kg), followed by formalin at 15 min later. The formalin test was done as time spent for licking and biting of the injected paw. Formalin induced a biphasic pain reaction. The chemical composition of EOZC was identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: EOZC (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) dose dependently and morphine (5 mg/kg) reduced pain responses in the both phases of pain (P0.05) but pretreatment with naloxone inhibited EOZC-induced antinociception activity (P<0.05). Based on the GC-MS results, EOZC comprised 65.22% carvacrol, 19.51% thymol, 4.86% p-cymene and 4.63% &gamma;-terpinene. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that EOZC has antinociceptive effect and this effect might mediate via opioidergic pathways