The essential oil from Ferulago angulata (Schltdl.) Boiss. fruits exerting potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Ferulago angulata is an aromatic herb that its fruits are utilized widely in Persian traditional medicine as a painkiller and reliving inflammation-based disorders. Considering the higher content of essential oil in the fruits, the oil's anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were investigated in an animal model in vivo. The analgesic effects of F. angulate fruits essential oil was evaluated via testing the writhing triggered by acetic acid examination and hot plate technique. Moreover, the acute anti-inflammatory effects were studied through the paw edema triggered in mice. Using all examined doses (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) of the oil revealed an analgesic impact considering the increment in the reaction time needed for the hot plate approach. Furthermore, 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of the oil caused a reduction in the frequency of writhes in the mice. It was observed that all examined doses of the oil (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) caused inflammatory reduction. The findings indicated that the oil may possess significant activities against acute inflammation. It had both peripheral and central pain-killing impacts. cis-ß-ocimene (58.0%) followed by α-pinene (10.0%) as the main constituents of the oil can be considered as the responsible compounds to manage the inflammation and pain.

Generation and characterization of chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against TNFR1.

TNF is from a big family of cytokines with different activities in different parts of the body. Among the various activities of TNFR1, induction of apoptosis by a receptor appears to be an attractive and promising one. This can be achieved through the death domain of the receptor in cells that are stimulated by ligand, to induce apoptosis. Activation of the receptor occurs through its occupation by ligands or its antagonists such as antibodies. Several kinds of antibodies, including antibodies of mammals and birds are used in the research and therapy field. Avian antibodies are highly regarded which is due to the many positive characteristics they have. Firstly, total protein of TNFR1 was cloned. Blood sampling was performed, white blood cell separation, extraction of RNA and at cDNA synthesis. After making sure from synthesis of cDNA, it was used as template for PCR reaction. The cloned fragment in the prokaryotic expression vector, pET28a, transferred to prokaryotic host, BL21(DE3) and the protein (TNFR1) expressed. After protein purification by affinity column were injected to immunize the chickens. Interestingly, antibodies purified from egg yolk of immunized chickens, in ELISA assay showed sufficient specificity. Such antibodies could able to ensure quick and immediate protection against several biotargets (Fig. 4, Ref. 37).

Role of the nitric oxide pathway and the endocannabinoid system in neurogenic relaxation of corpus cavernosum from biliary cirrhotic rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Relaxation of corpus cavernosum, which is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) released from non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmission, is critical for inducing penile erection and can be affected by many pathophysiological conditions. However, the peripheral effect of liver cirrhosis on erectile function is as yet unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of biliary cirrhosis on NANC-mediated relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum and the possible roles of endocannabinoid and nitric oxide systems in this model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation. Controls underwent sham operation. Four weeks later, strips of corpus cavernosum were mounted in a standard organ bath and NANC-mediated relaxations were obtained by applying electrical field stimulation. KEY RESULTS: The NANC-mediated relaxation was enhanced in corporal strips from cirrhotic animals. Anandamide potentiated the relaxations in both groups. Either AM251 (CB(1) antagonist) or capsazepine (vanilloid VR(1) antagonist), but not AM630 (CB(2) antagonist), prevented the enhanced relaxations of cirrhotic strips. Either the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME or the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor L-NPA inhibited relaxations in both groups, but cirrhotic groups were more resistant to the inhibitory effects of these agents. Relaxations to sodium nitroprusside (NO donor) were similar in tissues from the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Cirrhosis potentiates the neurogenic relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum probably via the NO pathway and involving cannabinoid CB(1) and vanilloid VR(1) receptors.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in lithium-treated psychiatric patients in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

We investigated thyroid function in 46 (20 female & 26 male) psychiatric outpatients on lithium treatment by assessing triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The presence of thyroid antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin) was also assessed. Out of the 46 patients, 8 (17%) displayed overt hypothyroidism. Of the remaining patients, subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 16 patients (35%) and euthyroidism in 22 (48%). Thyroid antibodies were present in 6 patients in the euthyroid group and 5 patients in the hypothyroid group. The Pearsor product-moment correlation results indicated positive association between TSH level and duration of lithium use and age of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Duration of lithium use and age could be a reasonable indicator for screening asymptomatic patients for subclinical hypothyroidism after starting lithium treatment.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in lithium-treated psychiatric patients in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

We investigated thyroid function in 46 [20 female and 26 male] psychiatric outpatients on lithium treatment by assessing triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels. The presence of thyroid antibodies [anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin] was also assessed. Out of the 46 patients, 8 [17%] displayed overt hypothyroidism. Of the remaining patients, subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 16 patients [35%] and euthyroidism in 22 [48%]. Thyroid antibodies were present in 6 patients in the euthyroid group and 5 patients in the hypothyroid group. The Pearsor product-moment correlation results indicated positive association between TSH level and duration of lithium use and age of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Duration of lithium use and age could be a reasonable indicator for screening asymptomatic patients for subclinical hypothyroidism after starting lithium treatment