Vanillic acid attenuates cerebral hyperemia, blood-brain barrier disruption and anxiety-like behaviors in rats following transient bilateral common carotid occlusion and reperfusion.

Transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (tBCCAO), followed by reperfusion, is a model of transient global hypoperfusion. In the present study we aimed to investigate the probable effects of Vanillic acid (VA) on some physiological parameters including cerebral hyperemia, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, anxiety behaviors and neurological deficits induced by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries and reperfusion (BCCAO/R) in rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups; Sham, BCCAO/R, VA and VA+ BCCAO/R. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was induced after 2 weeks of pretreatment by VA. Subsequently, sensorimotor scores, elevated plus maze tests, cerebral hyperemia, and BBB disruption were evaluated 72 h after 30 min of BCCAO. Pretreatment of rats by VA improved sensory motor signs, anxiolytic behavior in BCCAO/R rats compared with untreated rats (p < 0.05). Further, VA attenuated reactive hyperemia and BBB disruption in BCCAO/R rats compared with untreated rats (p < 0.01). To our knowledge, this study is the first to reveal VA could attenuate reactive hyperemia and improve BBB disruption following BCCAO/R, and could improve neurological scores and anxiety like behaviors in this model of cerebral hypoperfusion. These results suggest that VA could be a promising pretreatment agent in cerebral hypoperfusion.

Effects of Portulaca oleracea ethanolic extract on reproductive system of aging female mice.

BACKGROUND: Aging contains morphological and functional deterioration in biological systems. D-galactose (D-gal) generates free radicals and accelerates aging. Portulaca oleracea (Purslane) may have protective effect against oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: Purslane ethanolic extract effects were evaluated on antioxidant indices and sex hormone in D-gal aging female mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 female NMRI mice (25-35 gr) were randomly divided into, 6 groups: 1- control (normal saline for 45 days), 2- Purslane (200 mg/kg for last 3 weeks), 3-D-gal (500 mg/kg for 45 days), 4-D-gal+Purslane, 5- Aging, 6-Aging+Purslane. Sex hormones, antioxidants and malondialdehyde (MDA) level of ovary and uterus were measured. Histological assessment was also done. RESULTS: In D-gal treated and aging animals, LH and FSH levels were significantly increased (p<0.001) while estrogen and progesterone levels were significantly reduced (p<0.001) in comparison with control group. MDA contents were significantly increased in ovaries and uterus of D-gal and aging groups (p<0.01). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p<0.001) and catalase (p<0.01) activities were significantly decreased in both aging and D-gal treated animals. Ovarian follicles were degenerated and atrophy on uterine wall and endometrial glands was observed in D-gal and aging groups. Alteration in hormone levels, MDA contents and antioxidant activity were significantly reversed by Purslane (p<0.05). Purslane could also improve histological changes such as atrophy of endometrium. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Purslane can attenuate aging alternations induced by D-gal and aging in female reproductive system.

The effect of hydro-alcoholic celery (Apiumgraveolens) leaf extract on cardiovascular parameters and lipid profile in animal model of hypertension induced by fructose.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the modern era. This study evaluates the effect of hydro-alcoholic celery leaf extract onsystolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) and lipid profile in animals' model of hypertension induced by fructose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: 1) control group (free access to tap drinking water), 2) group receiving 200mg/kg celery leaf extract, 3) group receiving fructose 10%, and 4,5) receiving fructose and 100mg/kg or 200mg/kg of extract (n=8). In all groups, before and during the test period, SBP and HR were measured by Power lab system. Lipid profiles were determined by auto analysis. Repeated measurement and one way ANOVA were used for data analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The SBP in the fructose group significantly increased compared to control group (P<0.01). SBP, in groups receiving fructose+100mg/kg extract, fructose and receiving 200mg/kg extract, and receiving 200mg/kg of extract, compared to fructose group significantly decreased. Heart rate in any of these groups showed no significant difference. Cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL in the fructose group significantly increased; however, these effects significantly decreased in the recipient extract groups. HDL levels in the fructose group showed no difference while in the groups receiving the extract they significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Celery leaf extract reduces SBP, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL in animal model of fructose-induced hypertension. In conclusion, celery leaf extract with its blood pressure and lipid lowering effects, can be considered as an antihypertensive agent in chronic treatment of elevated SBP.

Effects of Venlafaxine & Methadone Alone and in Combination with Spontaneous Morphine withdrawal Syndrome & Pain Sensation in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Methadone has been used as a drug to detoxify opioid tolerance. Naloxane precipitated morphine withdrawal behaviours were attenuated by venlafaxine as an antidepressant. On the contrary, after detoxifying the opioids, spontaneous withdrawal syndrome may occur with pain sensitivity. Therefore the present study aimed to examine the effects of chronic methadone (70 mg/kg, in drinking water, 7 days), venlafaxine (80 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally, 7 days) and their combinations with the spontaneous morphine withdrawal syndrome and pain sensitivity. METHODS: Twenty eight young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, venlafaxine treated, methadone treated and venlafaxine + methadone treated. Morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously, 4 days) was injected to all animals. Then primary withdrawal behaviours and tail flick test were performed. The test was then followed by methadone or its vehicle administration. Second intervention was venlafaxine or its vehicle injection. Then final withdrawal behaviours and tail flick test were performed. RESULTS: Combination of chronic methadone substitution and venlafaxine administration, significantly reduced freezing behaviour of spontaneous morphine withdrawal syndrome (P<0.01, 379±144%). Chronic methadone administration (P<0.05, 35±8% difference with venlafaxine treated group) induced hyperalgesia. A positive correlation (P=0.001, +63%) was observed between the animals final freezing scores and their response latencies to the painful stimulus. DISCUSSION: Combination of chronic methadone and venlafaxine administrations reduces freezing withdrawal behaviour. Further investigations on analgesic interventions are needed to overcome this hyperalgesia.

Protective effects of gallic acid against chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced cognitive deficit and brain oxidative damage in rats.

Free radical-induced neural damage is implicated in cerebral hypoperfusion disorders and antioxidants have protective effects. In the present study, we examined the effect of gallic acid (GA; 100mg/kg, p.o. for 10 days) on cognitive deficit and cerebral oxidative stress induced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) as an animal model of vascular dementia (VD). The results showed that 2VO significantly reduced the spatial memory performance in Morris water maze as well as non-enzymatic (total thiol) and enzymatic [glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] antioxidant contents and increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of vehicle-treated group as compared to sham-operated rats. Furthermore, chronic administration of GA significantly restored the spatial memory, total thiol and GPx contents and also decreased MDA levels in these tissues. GA alone did not show any change neither in the status of various antioxidants nor behavioral tests over sham values. The results demonstrate that GA has beneficial activity against 2VO-induced cognitive deficits via enhancement of cerebral antioxidant defense. Taken together, the present study suggested that GA might be useful in the treatment of VD.

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound 11b improves haloperidol-induced catatonia by enhancing the striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission.

The aim of this research was to investigate the Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibition effect on haloperidol-induced catatonia. In this study, the effect of orally, acutely and Sub-chronically administrations of compound 11b [1-(phenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-ethylthioimidazole] (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg), a newly selective COX-2 inhibitor, was investigated against the haloperidol-induced catatonia phenomenon comparing to the standard drug scopolamine (1 mg/Kg) followed by microdialysis analysis of Striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission. The results showed a great potency for compound 11b in improvement of catalepsy followed by enhancing the dopaminergic neurotransmission p < 0.05. In addition, our statistical analysis showed that the protective effect of compound 11b against haloperidol-induced catatonia was both dose- and time-dependent. These findings are additional pharmacological data that suggest the effectiveness of compound 11b in treatment of schizophrenic drug overdoses and also Parkinson's disease (PD) affiliated rigidity.

The selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, the compound 11b improves haloperidol induced catatonia by enhancing the striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission.

A substantial amount of evidence has proposed an important role for Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in brain diseases and affiliate disorders. The purpose of this research was studying the effects of COX-2 selective inhibition on haloperidol-induced catatonia in an animal model of drug overdose and Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, the effect of acute and Sub-chronic oral administration of a new selective COX-2 inhibitor, i.e. the compound 11b or 1-(Phenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-ethylthioimidazole, in a dosage of 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg on haloperidol-induced catatonia was evaluated and compared to the standard drug scopolamine (1 mg/kg) by microanalysis of Striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission. The results showed a very high potency for 11b in improving the catalepsy by enhancing the dopaminergic neurotranmission (p < 0.05). In addition, statistical analysis showed the dose- and time-dependent behavior of the observed protective effect of 11b against the haloperidol-induced catatonia and enhancement of the dopaminergic neurotransmission. These findings are additional pharmacological data that suggest the effectiveness of COX-2 inhibition in treatment of schizophreny-associated rigidity.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis responses of the male rats to short and long time alternative magnetic fields (50 Hz) exposure.

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic fields are associated with production, transmission and use of electricity. In this study we have investigated the effects of short and long time alternative magnetic fields' (AMF, 50 Hz) exposure on the secretion of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male rats. METHODS: Forty eight Wistar male rats, same range of age and weight were divided into four groups and each group contained 12 rats. After one-week adaptation each group were exposed to AMF (0, 25, 50 and 100 µT respectively) for 17 days, 5 hours a day. In the second protocol the time of exposure extended to 34 days. After experiments rats' blood serums were removed from their blood samples and kept frozen for usage. The results were analyzed by one way-ANOVA statistical method (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Chronic exposures (5h/day for 34 days) to AMFs had no effect on serum's testosterone and LH. But, AMF at 100 µT induced an increase of serum's FSH level in comparison with 25 µT, 50 µT and control groups. In contrast, sub-chronic AMFs (5 h/day for 17 days) induced a decrease of serum's testosterone in control group in comparison with 25, 50 and 100 µT groups. But these AMFs had no effect on serum's LH and FSH levels. CONCLUSIONS: Increased level of FSH suggests damage to the seminiferous tubules. Our results suggest that AMFs probably causes dysfunction in gonadal axis at the hypothalamic-pituitary level in male rats in different protocols.