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  Background: Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron is used for different purposes such as an antispasmodic and expectorant. Recent studies have demonstrated that saffron extracts have antitumor, radical scavenger, hypolipidemic, anticonvulsant effects and it improves activity on learning and memory. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of�aqueous saffron extract�on weight, length, macroscopic and microscopic skeletal malformation in fetuses of rats.

  Methods: Study was carried on 3 groups of female Wistar rats. Group1 was kept as control and received normal saline with equal volume of extract Group 2 received saffron extract with 80mg/kg-IP on 10^th and 11^th day of gestation Group 3 received saffron extract with 200mg/kg-IP on 10^th and 11^th day of gestation. Rats were dissected on day 20 of gestation, embryos harvested by cesarean section. The living status and weight and length of fetuses were detected. After examination for determination of gross malformations, fetuses were placed in alcohol and stained by Alizarin red-Alcian blue method then evaluation was carried by stereomicroscope.

  Results: Saffron extract at dose of 80 mg/kg significantly increased the weights and body-lengths of fetuses in compare with saline and extract at dose 200 mg/kg. Macroscopic and Microscopic studies did not show any skeletal abnormalities by two above doses of saffron.

  Conclusion: The results show short time administration of saffron aqueous extract does not cause malformation on skeletal system.

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  Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has become an especially challenging target in experimental neuroscience. Approach into the spinal cord is the interface among all different types of spinal cord injury modeling. The lower thoracic spinal cord has generated special interest due to the lower limbs’ spinal pattern generator position and presence of relative scales for behavioral assessment. However, a clear method with which to approach the thoracic spinal cord has yet to be determined.

  Methods : A total of 20 animals were subjected to this study. Following induction of anesthesia, the 10th thoracic vertebra were positioned, and muscles were retracted. Using the high speed rotary, the vertebral lamina were carefully thinned. As a final point, the reduced lamina was meticulously removed away to expose underlying spinal cord. Loco motor behavioral test (BBB) was implemented before and after surgery procedure.

  Results: This manuscript has presented the stepwise method to expose rat thoracic spinal cord. Whole procedure took less than an hour. Animals acquired complete BBB loco motor rating score before and after surgery indicating the safety of procedure.

  Conclusion: This article introduces simple and practical approach for the rat lower thoracic spine. The anatomical orientation, anesthesia , postoperative management , and common problems are discussed .

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  Background & objectives: The leishmaniases are considered among the major infectious diseases affecting public health in several regions. There are many chemical agents which are effective in treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. But, overall treatment of visceral leishmaniasis is often difficult. Thus, identification of new chemotherapeutic agents is important for treatment of disease. Since targeting of the ergosterol synthesis pathway of Leishmania may be useful therapeutically, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alone or in combination of amiodarone and ketoconazole on Leishmania infantum.

  Methods : To obtain logarithmic promastigotes of L. infantum, the parasites were cultured in BHI medium with FCS 10% together with antibiotics of penicillin and streptomycin and incubated at 24° C. Amastigote forms were obtained in BHI medium supplemented with 20% FCS at pH of 5.5 which incubated in 37° C. L.infantum susceptibility to amiodarone and ketoconazole was evaluated by proliferation of parasites in the absence or presence of these drugs with MTT assay. For evaluation of antiproliferative synergism against promastigotes and axenic amastigotes, fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC) were calculated. An isobologram curve was constructed too.

  Results: Amiodarone produced a marked reduction in the viability of L.infantum promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. On the other hand ketoconazole induced a dose dependent effect on the parasites proliferation for promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. When the drugs were used in combination, the results indicated clear synergistic as shown by a concave isobologram and FIC value.

  Conclusion: The present study represents the evidence that the combination of amiodarone plus ketoconazole acts synergistically in controlling L. infantume in vitro. It is possible that amiodarone could be used in combination with ketoconazole to combat infection at low doses, thus reducing its side effects such as cardiotoxicity, thyroid dysfunction and pulmonary fibrosis.

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  Background & objectives: Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are multipotent and various types of HFSCs were introduced. HFSCs separation using cell surface markers is one of the interesting strategies in the replacement of old methods. In this study, we used magnetic activating cell sorting (MACS) to separate HFSCs.

  Methods: In this study, HFSCs were isolated from Balb/c mice and dissected under an invert microscopy, and bulge area isolated and the bulge cells cultivated about 14 days. The CD34 positive cells isolated using CD34 monoclonal antibody and magnetic activated cell sorting system (MACS), then the cells incubated in DMEM/F12 and 10% FBS. The CD34 positive cells counted using a neubauer slide and evaluated under a fluorescent microscopy.

  Results: Here, we isolated CD34 positive cells using MACS and 12±1. 04% of HFSCs were CD34 positive and we found that, CD34 positive cells survived during 7 days cell culture in vitro.

  Conclusion: The results show that MACS is useful to increasing density gradient of cells in vitro.

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Background & objectives: Salvia officinalis is one of the memory-enhancing herbs that were used in the past. On the other hand, iron oxide nanoparticles which are widely used in medicine and industry may impair the brain process related to memory. In this investigation, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis on iron oxide nanoparticle induced memory impairment and the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in this effect were studied.

Methods: To assess the inhibitory avoidance memory, animals were trained in the step-down task and drugs (saline, hydro-alcoholic extract of sage leaves, nanoparticles of iron oxide and propranolol) were injected immediately after training by intraperitoneal (ip) injections. Long-term memory was tested 24 hours later and step-down latencies were recorded.

Results: Administration of iron oxide nanoparticles (5 mg/kg, ip) impaired memory retrieval. Salvia officinalis extract (40 mg/kg, ip) also prevented iron oxide nanoparticle induced long-term memory impairment. On the other hand, administration of propranolol (5, 10 mg/kg, ip) before Salvia officinalis extract (40 mg/kg, ip) and iron oxide nanoparticles (5 mg/kg, ip) attenuated the effect of Salvia officinalis extract.

Conclusion: It seems that extract of Salvia officinalis leaves decreases iron oxide nanoparticle induced memory impairment. Beta-adrenergic mechanisms are possibly involved in these effects of Salvia officinalis extract.

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Background & objectives: Polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are ubiquitous in all eukaryotic cells and play an essential role in cell division and differentiation. One way of polyamine biosynthesis is done by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) which catalyzes the transformation of ornithine to putrescine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in protoscolices, hydatid fluid and germinal layer and also to evaluate ODC activity.

Methods: In the present study putrescine, spermidine and spermine levels were investigated in germinal layers, hydatid fluids and protoscolices. To evaluate the activity of ODC, protoscolices were incubated with ornithine and changes in polyamines level were assayed. The samples were homogenized and liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for polyamines measurement.

Results: Based on the results, putrescine was the lowest polyamine and since its level was not increased in protoscolices incubated with ornithine, ODC activity was not detected. Spermidine was the highest polyamine and the results showed that germinal layer contained the highest level of polyamines.

Conclusion: Overall, the results showed that ODC activity was not detected in hydatid cyst and level of polyamines in germinal layers  which contained rapidly proliferating cells was higher than other parts.

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Background & objectives: Diet plays an important role in control of seizure in epileptic patients. Therefore in this research, the effect of acute and chronic sesame oil consumption on the seizure induced by strychnine in adult rats was investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, forty -two rats were divided into six groups: control (saline recipient, 1 ml/kg (, acute recipients of sodium valproate as positive control group (100 or 200 mg/kg, ip.), acute recipients of sesame oil (0.75 or 1.5 ml/kg, ip.) and chronic recipient of sesame oil (1.5 ml/kg/day, orally, 21 days). To induce seizure, strychnine was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes after receiving saline, valproate or oil. Then seizure onset time and death time were recorded within 30 minutes.
Results: Acute injection of sesame oil increased seizure onset time and death time compared to control group but it was no significantly different. The chronic consumption of sesame oil significantly increased seizure onset time (p=0.029) in compared to control group, but there was no effect on the death time. Also, there were no significant differences in seizure onset time and death time between acute and chronic groups.
Conclusion: It seems that chronic consumption of sesame oil delayed the onset of seizure and reduced the kindled seizure acquisition.