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Background & objectives: Basic and clinical studies have shown that the production of free radicals was one of the main factors leading to the injury after stroke. In this study we investigated the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Origanum vulgare on infarct volume and neurological deficits in a rat stroke model.

Methods: In this experimental study 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, each containing 7 animals. First group (control) received distilled water, while other three treatment groups received oral Origanum vulgare extract by gavage for 30 days (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively). These groups were subjected to 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion 2 hours after the last dose of Origanum extracts and followed by 24 hrs reperfusion. After 24 hrs, the infarct volume and neurologic deficits were evaluated in the groups. Sham operated groups (n=7) did not receive Marjoram and brain ischemia.

Results: The hydroalcoholic extract of Origanum reduced the infarct volume and neurologic deficits in all treatment groups compared to control group.

Conclusion: It seems that Origanum vulgare extract can exert the neuroprotective effect against stroke damage by reducing infarct volume and neurological disorders.

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Background & objectives: Acne Vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of pilosebaceous glands. Some studies have indicated the significant decrease of linoleic acid in the sebum composition of the patients with acne. The aim of this study was to determine the probable therapeutic effects of linoleic acid on moderate acne.
Methods: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 women with moderate acne were divided into two groups, each group with 20 each with 20 samples. After recording the nutritional and demographic factors, the case group received, 100 mg oral doxycycline daily plus 3 gr conjugated linoleic acid and the control group received 100 mg doxycycline daily plus 4-3 oral paraffin capsules as placebo for one month. The number of acne lesions were counted before and after treatment and the mean of   Acne Severity Index (ASI) and Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) were determined for each group. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Results: The mean age was 22.8±5.5, in the case group and21.7±5.1 in placebo group indicating no statistically significant deference (p=0.51). At the end of treatment there was no statistically significant deference between the two groups in decreasing acne (p=0.31). During the treatment, ASI reduced from 129.5±13 to 77±11.6 in the case group and from 132±18.6 to 67.5±11.6 in the placebo group, –but there was no statistically significant deference between the two groups (p=0.37).
Conclusion: It seems using 3 gr oral conjugated linoleic acid daily for 1 month has no effect on remission of acne.

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Background & objectives: The deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide in the brain is one of the most important features of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to memory loss, Aβ can lead to depression behavior. Alpha-pinene is a type of monoterpene that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Here, by using an animal model for Alzheimer's disease, we investigated the effect of alpha-pinene on neuronal cell death in the hippocampus and depression induced by Aβ_1-42.
Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing 240-260 g were divided into four groups including control, alpha-pinene, Aβ, and Aβ-alpha-pinene. Rats were placed in stereotaxic surgery apparatus and Aβ_1-42 was injected into the hippocampus (4 µg per side) and alpha-pinene was treated intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. At the end of the course, the level of depression was assessed using the forced swimming test. The animals' hippocampus was also examined microscopically after Nissl staining.
Results: Intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ_1-42 increased the total immobility time in the forced swimming test (p<0.01), decreased the number of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 area (p<0.001), and reduced the thickness of the neuronal layer in this region of ​​the hippocampus. Treatment with alpha-pinene largely prevented these changes.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that alpha-pinene decreased the beta-amyloid-induced depressive behavior in rats and inhibited the neuronal loss, suggesting that this neuroprotective compound may have a critical role in depression. Alpha-pinene is probably a suitable therapeutic strategy for repressing Aβ-induced neurodegeneration