Anti-hypertriglyceridemic Activity of Cornus Mas in Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia is among the multiple metabolic derangements seen in diabetes mellitus. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), belongs to the family Cornacea and has been shown to be helpful in treating hyperlipidemia. Aim: The study investigates mechanisms of action of dietary Cornelian Cherry fruit Dried Powder (CCDP) for ameliorating hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: An experimental study with parallel controls was performed. Fifty six male adult rats were randomly assigned into 8 equal groups and treated as follows for 4 weeks. Negative control: Normal rats, basic diet; positive control: streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, basic diet; T1 to T4 groups: diabetic rats fed with diets containing 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g BW CCDP, respectively; T5: diabetic rats fed with basic diet plus 100 mg/kg BW of fenofibrate in drinking water and T6: normal rats fed with basic diet containing 1 g/100 g BW CCDP. Selected serum biochemical parameters, Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) level as well as Adipose Tissue Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL) and Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha (PPARα) levels were assayed. Analysis of data was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test with p<0.05 as the significant level. Results: Treatment with CCDP at all dosages as well as fenofibrate decreased serum triglycerides and VLDL levels as compared to positive control. Serum AST significantly decreased in T1, T3 and T4 groups as compared to positive control rats. Serum LPL levels in the diabetic positive control group decreased significantly as compared to negative control. Rats in T1, T2, T4 and T5 groups showed increased serum LPL levels as compared to positive control. No significant difference was observed in hepatic PPARα levels among CCDP-treated and negative or positive controls. Positive control rats showed a significant decrease in adipose tissue HSL levels. Administration of CCDP in T3 group significantly increased HSL values as compared to positive control. CCDP in healthy rats did not change any of these parameters. Conclusion: Findings of the present study confirms positive effects of C. mas fruit on some liver function enzymes and hypertriglyceridemia and clarifies that increased serum LPL levels is at least partly responsible for hypotriglyceridemic effect of the fruit in rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus

<em>Zataria multiflora</em> Boiss. essential oil against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by antioxidant properties and increase in nitric oxide production

Introduction: The present study investigated protective effect of Zataria multiflora essential oil on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats along with its possible mechanism(s).Methods: Eighty male adult rats were randomly allocated into 8 groups as follows: 1: negative control (NC); 2, 3 and 4: positive control (PC, distilled water), vehicle control (VC, corn oil) and comparative control (CC, omeprazole 20 mg/kg in distilled water), respectively; 5, 6, 7 and 8: treated with 100, 200, 400 and 800 &mu;L/kg Z. multiflora essential oil. After 1 hour, gastric ulcer was induced by 4 mL/kg 75 ethanol orally to rats of groups 2-8. One hour later, blood samples were collected and then all rats were sacrificed and their stomachs were immediately removed.Results: In PC and VC groups severe lesions were observed in stomachs where mucosal lesions in CC group as well as groups treated with Z. multiflora essential oil (especially higher doses) were very mild with regard to ulcer area and number. No significant difference was observed in mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and serum tumor necrosis factor-&alpha; (TNF-&alpha;) level among groups, gastric mucosal nitric oxide (NO) content was significantly higher in rats treated with Z. multiflora essential oil at 200, 400 and 800 &mu;L/kg as compared to PC group. Rats in CC, Z. multiflora 400 and Z. multiflora 800 groups showed higher mucosal total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as compared to PC group.Conclusion: Z. multiflora essential oil has a gastro-protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats which is probably due to its antioxidant and NO production enhancing effect

Detection and Localization of HCA2 Receptors in Urinary System of Male Rats with Immunohistochemical Method

Background and aims: HCA2 receptors have attracted much interest due to their role as the target of important hypolipidemic agent, niacin. In this study, the presence of HCA2 receptors as well as cell types that express them has been evaluated in different parts of male rats' urinary system including kidney, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra (in penis). Methods: In this experimental study, six adult male Wistar rats were used. Histological slides were made from above mentioned parts and were evaluated by immunohistochemical method. Results: In kidney, capillary epithelium showed a high reactivity while proximal epithelial cells were stained moderately. The epithelial cells of loop of Henle, distal and collective tubules as well as glomerular cells showed weak staining. In urinary bladder, transitional epithelium and capillary endothelium showed weak staining, while smooth muscle had no reactivity. In penile tissue, urethral epithelium and smooth muscle cells were weakly positive while capillary endothelial cells showed moderate reactivity. Conclusion: This study shows that HCA2 receptors are present in different parts of male rats' urinary tract. Distribution of these receptors is dependent to cell type and location in the urinary tract. The findings pave the road for future studies on possible role of these receptors in urinary system

Immunohistochemical localization of HCA2 receptors in reproductive system of male rats

The study investigates presence and localization of hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2 receptor) protein in different parts of reproductive system of male rats by using immunohistochemical approach. Right lung (as positive control), testes, epididymis (head, body and tail), vas deferens and penis as well as accessory glands including vesicular gland, coagulating gland, preputial gland, gland of vas deferens and ventral prostate of six adult male Sprague Dawley rats were immediately removed after euthanasia. Transverse sections were made for immunohistochemical evaluation by using rabbit polyclonal antibody against rat HCA2 receptor as the primary antibody and mouse polyclonal anti-rabbit IgG (HRP-conjugated) as secondary antibody. In testes, spermatogenic cells, except for spermatogonia which moderately stained, showed no reactivity as well as Sertoli cells and spermatozoa. In interstitial tissue Leydig cells demonstrated receptor expression with strong intensity. Epithelial cells of epididymis showed no reactivity. Epididymal spermatozoa were also unstained. No reactivity was observed in columnar pseudo stratified epithelium of vas deferens. In penile tissue, only ciliated pseudo stratified epithelium showed a very weak reactivity. In coagulating gland, epithelial cells were moderately stained. Ciliated pseudo stratified epithelium of vesicular gland was weakly positive. No or very weak reactivity was observed in epithelial cells of preputial gland as well as pseudo stratified epithelium of prostate and gland of vas deferens. Smooth muscle cells in different parts showed weak reactivity. HCA2 receptors are present only in some cells of reproductive system of male rats especially Leydig cells and their presence and relative density is cell-type specific

Immunohistochemical localization of HCA2 receptors in reproductive system of male rats

The study investigates presence and localization of hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2 receptor) protein in different parts of reproductive system of male rats by using immunohistochemical approach. Right lung (as positive control), testes, epididymis (head, body and tail), vas deferens and penis as well as accessory glands including vesicular gland, coagulating gland, preputial gland, gland of vas deferens and ventral prostate of six adult male Sprague Dawley rats were immediately removed after euthanasia. Transverse sections were made for immunohistochemical evaluation by using rabbit polyclonal antibody against rat HCA2 receptor as the primary antibody and mouse polyclonal anti-rabbit IgG (HRP-conjugated) as secondary antibody. In testes, spermatogenic cells, except for spermatogonia which moderately stained, showed no reactivity as well as Sertoli cells and spermatozoa. In interstitial tissue Leydig cells demonstrated receptor expression with strong intensity. Epithelial cells of epididymis showed no reactivity. Epididymal spermatozoa were also unstained. No reactivity was observed in columnar pseudo stratified epithelium of vas deferens. In penile tissue, only ciliated pseudo stratified epithelium showed a very weak reactivity. In coagulating gland, epithelial cells were moderately stained. Ciliated pseudo stratified epithelium of vesicular gland was weakly positive. No or very weak reactivity was observed in epithelial cells of preputial gland as well as pseudo stratified epithelium of prostate and gland of vas deferens. Smooth muscle cells in different parts showed weak reactivity. HCA2 receptors are present only in some cells of reproductive system of male rats especially Leydig cells and their presence and relative density is cell-type specific

In vitro evaluation of antiviral activity of essential oil from <em>Zataria multiflora</em> Boiss. against Newcastle disease virus

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the antiviral activity of Zataria multiflora (ZM) essential oil against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) on Vero cells. Methods: The cytotoxicity of ZM essential oil was evaluated by MTT assay. Cells were infected with 100 TCID50 of a field isolate of virulent NDV (JF820294.1). ZM essential oil at concentrations of 1/5000, 1/25 000, 1/125 000 or 1/625 000 was added at different times of infection: 60 minutes pre infection, simultaneously and 60 minutes post infection. Cells were evaluated morphologically. The TCID50, neutralizing index (NI) and HA titer were determined. Results: Cells treated with ZM essential oil in all concentrations 1 hour before or after infection, showed CPE similar to control virus cells. In simultaneous use, cells treated with 1/5000 concentration of the essential oil, remained morphologically normal. TCID50 values of all treatments were very close to that of control virus except for simultaneous administration at concentration of 1/5000 which was about 1000 folds lower. Virus titer in different treatments was exactly the same as control virus titer in Haemagglutination (HA) test. Conclusion: ZM essential oil has some antiviral activity on NDV in vitro, which is possibly by destruction of virus infectivity or inhibition of early phases of viral proliferation cycle.</p

Protective effect of Urtica dioica leaf hydro alcoholic extract against experimentally-induced atherosclerosis in rats

Objective: Finding compounds that could be used for prevention of atherosclerosis (AS) is highly desired. The present study evaluated the protective effects of Urtica dioica (UD, commonly known as stinging nettle) leaf ethanolic extract against high-fat diet-induced AS in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 male adult Sprauge-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to 4 equal groups and treated as follows for 9 consecutive weeks:  (1) Normal control (NC; normal rats that were fed with a basic diet); (2) Atherosclerotic rats (AT; which received no particular treatment); (3) Atherosclerotic rats that received 100 mg/kg/day ethanolic extract of UD orally and (4) Atherosclerotic rats that received simvastatin 4 mg/kg/day orally. Atherosclerosis was induced by a high-fat diet accompanied by propylthiouracil and vitamin D3. Results: Marked hypercholesterolemia and significant increase in LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were observed in rats of AT group. Administration of UD significantly reduced these parameters as compared to AT group (p Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of UD prevents establishment of atherosclerotic lesions in rat aorta, which is associated with positive effects on serum lipid profile without significantly affecting antioxidant status

A comparative study on anti-inflammatory drug combinations in domestic pigeons with experimentally induced acute arthritis

The study compares the effect of one-time administration of nonsteroidal and/or steroidal anti-inflammatory combinations by topical or intramuscular (IM) routes to pigeons with monosodium urate (MSU)-induced arthritis. Forty-five adult domestic pigeons were assigned into nine equal groups: NC, negative control; PC, positive control with arthritis; sham, sham control; T1, meloxicam + hydrocortisone; T2, dexamethasone + piroxicam; T3, meloxicam + dexamethasone; T4, hydrocortisone + piroxicam; T5, dexamethasone + hydrocortisone; T6, meloxicam + piroxicam. Arthritis was also induced in T1 to T6 birds. Meloxicam and dexamethasone were administered by IM injection and the other drugs topically right after the induction of arthritis. Different drug combinations significantly decreased one-leg standing time. Induction of arthritis significantly increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in synovial fluid and serum corticosterone and epinephrine in the PC group. Administration of drugs to birds of Groups T1 and T5 did not significantly change corticosterone concentration, while all different drug combinations decreased epinephrine level. Drug combinations that demonstrated better analgesic effect more strongly reduced serum epinephrine concentration. Meloxicam + hydrocortisone was the most effective combination in reducing inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, one-time combination therapy with anti-inflammatory agents was effective in the acute management of inflammatory pain due to MSU-induced arthritis in pigeons, even by the topical route

Basic and Clinical Spring

Introduction: The present study investigated the interactive effect of GABAB receptors and extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on foot shock-induced aggression in rats. Methods: fifty adult male rats were randomly assigned into 10 groups. Groups 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were exposed to 50 Hz, 500 µT ELF-EMF for 30 days 8h per day while the remaining groups (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) were sham-exposed. At the end of this period, the animals in groups 1 and 2 received normal saline while groups 3 and 4 treated with 100 mg/kg (low dose) of CGP35348 and groups 5 and 6 injected with 200 mg/kg (high dose) of CGP35348. Groups 7 and 8 treated with 1.7 mg/kg (low dose) of Baclofen and groups 9 and 10 received 3 mg/kg (high dose) Baclofen by IP injections. Twenty min after the injection, the aggressive behavior was recorded in foot shock-induced aggression model. The number of lateral threat, lifted up threat, biting, attacking, chasing and approaching were considered as paradigms of aggressive behavior. Results: ELF-EMF, Baclofen or CGP35348 alone had no significant effect on aggressive behavior. Except that rats exposed and treated with low dose of CGP35348 demonstrated significantly higher numbers of only one of the paradigms of aggressive behavior (lifted up threats), CGP35348 and Baclofen in both doses in combination with ELF-EMF exposure had no significant effect on aggression. Discussion: GABAB receptors and ELF-EMFs had no effect (both enhancement and suppression) on aggressive behavior of rats in foot shock-induced model of aggression

Neuroprotective Effect of Zataria Multiflora Essential Oil on Rats With Alzheimer Disease: A Mechanistic Study

Introduction: Finding herbs with promising effects to prevent or postpone Alzheimer Disease (AD) is highly demanded. The present study aimed at clarifying plausible effects and related mechanism(s) of Zataria Multiflora Essential Oil (ZMEO) against memory impairment in a rat model of the AD. Methods: Forty male adult rats were categorized into four groups and treated as follows: 1. The Negative Control (NC): no treatment; 2. Sham control (sham): distilled water by Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection; 3. The AD control (AD): Aβ 1-42 by ICV injection; and 4. The ZMEO group: Aβ 1-42 by ICV injection and ZMEO at 100 μL/kg/d orally for 20 days.  Results: After Congo red staining of the hippocampus, a relative decrease in amyloid deposits was observed in the ZMEO group. Moreover, rats showed better outcomes in Morris Water Maze (MWM) test, reduced hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, and higher Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) content as compared with the AD group (P0.05). Conclusion: ZMEO has a protective effect against memory impairment in rats with AD at least partly via reducing hippocampal AchE activity and enhancement of BDNF levels without a change in antioxidant status. These findings can pave the way for future studies on the usefulness of this herb in AD prevention