A comparison of the effects of Portulaca oleracea seeds hydro-alcoholic extract and Vitamin C on biochemical, hemodynamic and functional parameters in cardiac tissue of rats with subclinical hyperthyroidism

Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) seeds and Vitamin C on biochemical and hemodynamic parameters in cardiac tissue of rats with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Materials and Methods: Forty eight male rats were divided into six groups of 8 and treated for 4 weeks. T4 group received daily injection of levothyroxine sodium (20 μg/kg) and control group was given daily injection of saline. T4-Po groups were given T4 plus 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of P. oleracea seeds extract in drinking water daily. T4-Vit C group received T4 plus daily injection of Vitamin C (100 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, body weight, serum free T4 level, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiol levels were measured. Results: Free T4 levels were increased in all groups that were treated with T4. Weight gain was decreased in T4 and T4-Po100 groups compared to control group (p Conclusion: The results showed that P. oleracea extract has a protective effect on cardiac dysfunction due to subclinical hyperthyroidism induced by levothyroxine sodium in rats

A comparison between the effects of Portulaca oleracea seeds extract and valsartan on echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters in rats with levothyroxine-induced thyrotoxicosis

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Portulaca oleracea (Po) seeds extract and those of valsartan on cardiac function in levothyroxine (T4)-treated rats. Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=10): control, levothyroxine (T4), T4 plus valsartan (T4-Val) and T4 plus hydro-alcoholic extract of the P. oleracea seeds (T4-Po). Control group received normal saline. Levothyroxine (100µg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered to three other groups for 4 weeks. Valsartan (8 mg/kg/day, orally) and Po seeds extract (400 mg/kg/day, orally) were administered during the last two weeks of treatment period. At the end of the experiment, echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were measured and serum free T4, T3, and T4 were measured. Results: Administration of T4 for 4 weeks significantly increased serum free T4 levels in T4 group but elevations of free T4 levels in T4–Val group were not significant. Free T4 level decreased in T4–Po (

The effects of co-administration of opium and morphine with nicotine during pregnancy on spatial learning and memory of adult male offspring rats

Objective(s): Smoking opium/cigarette is a global health concern. The aim of this study was to examine learning and memory of rat male offsprings whose mothers had been exposed to either opium or morphine with nicotine during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were used for the experiments. In the female rats, opium, morphine and nicotine dependencies were induced by daily injections of drug solution for 10 days before mating. Spatial memory was tested by Morris water maze test in male pups at the postnatal day 60. The duration that took until the rats found the platform in the maze and also their swimming speed were recorded. Results: An increase in the platform finding duration was observed for the pups of dependent mothers in comparison with the control in the training trial (

The Effect of Opium Dependency of Parent (s) on Offspring’s Spatial Learning & Memory in Adult Male Rats

Objective(s):As far as we know,there has been no report regarding the effects of opium addiction or dependency of both parents on the learning and memory process in offspring. The aim of this study was to examine the learning and memory changes of adult male offspring whose mothers, fathers and/or both parents had dependency to opium before and during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: All experiments were carried out on Wistar rats. Opium dependency was induced by daily injections of opium (10 mg/kg/SC, bid/10 d) before mating. The presence of a vaginal plug was designated as gestation day. Treatment with opium continued through breeding and gestation until parturition. Spatial memory was tested in male offspring of control, saline and prenatal opium treated groups by a training trial and the probe test in the Morris water maze. Swimming escape latency in the maze and the ability to find the platform in the training trial were recorded. The time spent in the trigger zone and number of times the rats crossed the platform during the probe phase and swimming speed were measured. Results:Thedata revealed increased escape latency and a greater distance traveled to find the hidden platform in the offspring’s whose mother, father and /or both parents were exposed to opium. Crossings to target quadrant at probe trials was significantly reduced in all of the prenatal opium exposed offsprings. The swimming speed showed a significant increase in father and parent’s opium exposed offspring.  Conclusion:Prenatal opium exposure of either parent may cause deficits in spatial learning, but the precise mechanism(s) remain largely unknown

Preventive effect of Cynodon dactylon against ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in male rats

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the preventive effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Cynodon dactylon(C.dactylon) roots on calcium oxalate calculi in rat. Materials and Methods: 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A received tap drinking water while, Groups B, C, and D received 1% ethylene glycol daily for 28 days. Rats in groups C and D received ethanolic extract of C.dactylon at doses equivalent to 3.2 mg/kg and 12.6 mg/kg of root powder, respectively in drinking water from day 0 to day 28. Urine and blood were collected on days 0 and 28 and analyzed for biochemical elements. After 28 days, the kidneys were removed and prepared for histological evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits (CaOx). Results: The number of CaOx deposits in 10 microscopic fields of  kidney slices in group B was 24.5 ± 4.40 which was significantly higher than group A (