Boswellic acids as promising agents for the management of brain diseases.

Boswellic acid (BA)s are pentacyclic triterpenic acids present in gum resin of Boswellia species (such as B. serrata and B. carterii). They possess a variety of pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-excitotoxic effects. These properties may have potential therapeutic implication in neurological disorders. Notably, the BAs-induced neuroprotection is proposed to be associated with the ability to reduce neurotoxic aggregates, decrease oxidative stress, and improve cognitive dysfunction. Recently, BAs have been suggested as potential agents for the treatment of brain tumors due to their potential to attenuate cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, angiogenesis, and promote apoptosis during both in vitro and in vivo studies. The present review aims to address these studies and highlights the possible underlying mechanisms of the observed effects. Besides, novel formulations and improving pharmacokinetic properties may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of BAs.

Effects of live and autolyzed yeast supplementation during transition period on ruminal fermentation, blood attributes, and immune response in dairy cows under heat stress condition.

This study was conducted to compare nutrient digestibility, performance and immune response of dairy cows received live and autolyzed yeast during the transition period in high ambient temperature. Cows (n = 25) were randomly divided and received a basal diet with or without live yeast or autolyzed yeast as on top three weeks pre-parturition until three weeks post-parturition. The Control group received a basal diet without yeast products; other groups received 0.5 g live yeast; 1.0 g live yeast; 10 g autolyzed yeast and 20 g/d/head autolyzed yeast. Live yeast resulted in higher nutrient digestibility compared with autolyzed yeast and the control. Methane production was the highest in autolyzed yeast and the lowest in live yeast. Average milk production was the highest in cows that received live yeast. The highest IgG level was for cows that received autolyzed yeast at a dose of 20 g/d/head. Live yeast had no significant effect, but autolyzed yeast increased the relative expression of γ-Interferon and interleukin-2 as compared with the control group. It was concluded that live yeast at a dose of 1.0 g/d/head could influence ruminal fermentation and milk production, but autolyzed yeast at a dose of 20 g/d/head could influence the immune response of dairy cows during the transition period and heat stress.

Serum Zinc Level in Children with Febrile Seizure.

OBJECTIVES: Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common type of seizure in children. FS is a genetic age-limited seizure, which only occurs with febrile illness. Today, it is known that genetic factors play a major role in the occurrence of FS. Nevertheless, some trace elements, such as zinc, may play an important role in the occurrence of FS. In this study, we investigated the serum level of zinc in patients with FS and febrile children without seizure (control group). MATERIALS &METHODS: This prospective case-control study was conducted on 41 patients with simple and complex FS as the case group and 41 febrile children without seizure as the age- and sex-matched control group. The participants were admitted to Best Hospital of Hamadan, Iran between January 2013 and January 2014 . The children's age ranged from six months to five years. Serum zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in these groups. RESULTS: The mean serum zinc levels were 70.41±20.46 and 92.73±17.62 mcg/dL in the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.001). The results showed that the serum zinc level in children with FS was significantly lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Based on the present results, serum zinc level was lower in children with febrile seizure. However, further basic research is needed to examine the efficacy of zinc supplements in the prevention of FS.

The alleviating effects of sesame oil on diazinon-induced toxicity in male wistar rats.

Pesticides are introduced into the environment in a variety of ways and constitute a wide group of environmental pollutants. To evaluate the attenuating effects of sesame oil on the toxicity of diazinon (DZN), male Wistar rats were exposed to DZN and/or sesame oil by gavage at different dosages for 8 weeks. DZN in a concentration of 30 mg/kg caused an increase in the number of white blood cell (WBCs), and the combination of DZN and sesame oil raised the number of platelets; the number of red blood cells, however, did not change. In addition, DZN caused a drastic decrease in the sperm count in a dose-dependent manner and in a concentration of 50 mg/kg, the sperm count decreased by more than 50%, but the combination of sesame oil in a dose of 4 ml/kg with DZN reversed the effect of this pesticide. The evidence presented here suggests that in addition to antioxidants, such as olive oil, intermittent exposure with sufficient intervals can decrease the toxicity of pesticides.

The protective effect of Borago Officinalis extract on amyloid ß (25-35)-induced long term potentiation disruption in the dentate gyrus of male rats.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with impairment in synaptic functions before developing into later neurodegeneration and neural loss. In the present study we have examined the protective effects of Borago Officinalis (borage) extract on amyloid ß (Aß)--Induced long term potentiation (LTP) disruption in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Wistar male rats received intrahippocampal (IHP) injection of the Aß (25-35) and borage extract throughout gestation (100 mg/kg). LTP in perforant path- DG synapses was assessed using electrophysiology method and field excitatory post- synaptic potential (fEPSP) slope and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured by 400 Hz tetanization. Finally, the total thiol content of hippocampus was measured using colorimetric reaction based on the Ellman's method. The results showed that Aß (25-35) significantly decreased fEPSP slope and SP amplitude comparing with the control and sham group, whereas borage extract administration increased these parameters compared to the Aß group. Aß induced a remarkable decrease in total thiol content of hippocampus and borage prevented the decrease of the hippocampal total sulfhydryl (SH) groups. This data suggest that Aß (25-35) can effectively inhibit LTP in the granular cells of the DG in hippocampus, and borage supplementation reverse the synaptic plasticity in DG following Aß treatment and that borage consumption may lead to an improvement of AD-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Protective effects of Borago officinalis extract on amyloid ß-peptide(25-35)-induced memory impairment in male rats: a behavioral study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and most common form of dementia that leads to memory impairment. In the present study we have examined the protective effects of Borago officinalis (borage) extract on Amyloid ß (A ß)-Induced memory impairment. Wistar male rats received intrahippocampal (IHP) injection of the A ß (25-35) and borage extract throughout gestation (100 mg/kg). Learning and memory functions in the rats were examined by the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze (MWM) tasks. Finally, the antioxidant capacity of hippocampus was measured using ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The results showed that A ß (25-35) impaired step-through latency and time in dark compartment in passive avoidance task. In the MWM, A ß (25-35) significantly increased escape latency and traveled distance. Borage administration attenuated the A ß-induced memory impairment in both the passive avoidance and the MWM tasks. A ß induced a remarkable decrease in antioxidant power (FRAP value) of hippocampus and borage prevented the decrease of the hippocampal antioxidant status. This data suggests that borage could improve the learning impairment and oxidative damage in the hippocampal tissue following A ß treatment and that borage consumption may lead to an improvement of AD-induced cognitive dysfunction.