The effect of aqueous extract of Lavandula officinalis to reduce cholesterol, triglyceride and other lipid metabolites on female BALB/c mice.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is a prevalent disorder and a main component of the metabolic syndrome resulting from various factors. The aerial parts and flowers of Lavandula officinalis possesses antioxidant activity, therefore, in this study; the effects of L. officinalis extract were investigated on serum lipid levels of mice. METHODS: Experimental mature female BALB/c mice were treated with 100, 300 or 500mg/kg/day of lavender aqueous extract or distilled water for 15 days via intraperitoneally injections. At the end of 15th day, the serum biochemical parameters include cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL levels as well as the liver cell function test were determined. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of lavender significantly decreased serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Serum cholesterol level was lower in the 300 and 500mg/kg/day experimental groups when compared with the control group. In liver histology evaluation, fat accumulation was not observed in the experimental group, which treated with high-fat foods and receiving high doses of extract. CONCLUSION: L. officinalis extract exerts a hypolipidemic effect in studied groups, however, further phytochemical and biological tests are suggested to determine the active chemical constituent responsible for these activities.

Effects of administration of co-trimoxazole and folic acid on sperm quality and histological changes of testes in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Male infertility has been reported following long-term sulfasalazine, however, the precise effects of co-trimoxazole on sperm quality is controversial. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the effects of co-trimoxazole and its co-administration with folic acid on sperm quality and histological changes of testes in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 136 male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups: I (control), II (vehicle) received saline, III: received folic acid (1 mg/kg /daily i.p., and IV- IX received co-trimoxazole (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/daily; i.p.)+folic acid (1 mg/kg/daily; i.p.) for 14 or 28 days. Sperm samples were obtained from each group at the end of 14th and 28th days. Sperm numbers, motility, and viability were evaluated on a hemocytometer. Hematoxylin and Eosin stained testes were done for evaluation ofthe number of Leydig cells, vascularity, spermatids, spermatocytes, and means of seminiferous tubules diameter under light microscopy. RESULTS: Co-trimoxazole treatment for either 14 or 28 days caused a significant decrease in the percentage of sperm number, motility, and viability (p<0.001) compared to the control group. Also, high doses of co-trimoxazole caused a significant decrease in testes structural abnormalities means of seminiferous tubules diameter, spermatids, and spermatogonia) compared to the vehicle group (p<0.001). Folic acid co-administration with co-trimoxazole partially reversed the decrease in sperm quality and structural abnormalities of high doses of co-trimoxazole (60 and 120 mg/kg/daily) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The data showed the adverse effects of co-trimoxazole on sperm quality and testes morphology which was protected partially by folic acid co-administration in rats. The underlying mechanism (s) needs further investigations.