Background & objectives: In recent decades, nanotechnology has been developing in medical field, and most of the nanoparticles are highly valuable in hygienic care. Vulvovaginitis is an infectious disease giving rise to problem in genital tract and Candida albicans is the main cause of Vulvovaginitis.

  Methods: In this study, laboratory effect of gold nanoparticles has been investigated on Candida albicans isolates obtained from patients with Vulvovaginitis. Candida spp. isolates were obtained from 200 patients referring to medical diagnostic laboratory in Isfahan city during 2013, and identified using mycological methods including germ tube, clamydoconidia formation, and culturing on chrom agar media. Antifungal effect of gold nanoparticles was evaluated in concentration of 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 ppm on Candida isolates using well diffusion and microdilution methods. Fluconazole was used as a positive control and results were analyzed by SPSS15 software using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and average differences analysis tests.

  Results: The most averages of clear zone diameter for gold nanoparticle were 18, 15, 12 millimeter, respectively. Minimum inhibitory and fungicidal
concentration of gold nanoparticle was determined 6.25, 12.5 ppm and for fluconazole were 50.25±19.48 and 100.50±38.96, respectively. Based on obtained results antifungal activity of gold nanoparticle was dependent to concentration.

  Conclusion: In current study, inhibitory effect of gold nanoparticles was evaluated against microorganism. Although the laboratories findings are promising, more investigation should be conducted for therapeutic standardization.

Background & objectives: Propolis is a natural product with powerful antioxidant and therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propolis on passive avoidance memory in adult male mice.

Methods: In this study, 40 adult male mice were divided into 8 groups, including control, sham (solvent) and 3 treatment groups orally treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of propolis, respectively for two weeks before and one week after treatment. Then, passive avoidance learning and memory were recorded in timescales of 24 and 48 hours, 4 days and a week after shock by the shuttle box. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Dunnett’s post hoc tests, and p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Administration of propolis (50 mg/kg) significantly increased the dark chamber entering time at intervals of 24 and 48 hours (p<0.001) and at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg in all time periods after the shock (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Oral administrations of propolis can improve learning and memory dose-dependently in adult male mice.