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  Background & Objective: Herbal medicine has an old history with a broad application all over the world. Many researches have focused on the curative as well as antinociceptive effects of herbal extracts. In the previous study the analgesic effect of Chamomile extract containing 2 mg/kg essence in Rats which revealed a significant analgesic effect were studied. In this study it is planned to compare the analgesic effect of chamomile extract and Morphine (as a standard analgesic) in mice.

  Methods: This experimental study was carried out in Shahid Sadughi Medical School on 48 Syrian mice (25-30 grams) which were randomly divided into 8 groups. In this study the analgesic effect of intraperitoneal administration of Chamomile extract containing 2 mg/kg essence and different doses of Morphine (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) were assessed by using Formalin Test (for chronic pain during 1 hr. post Formalin injection) and Tail Flick Test (for acute pain during 2 hr. post drug administration in 15 min. time intervals).

  Results: The results of this study showed that 2^nd phase of Formalin Test had more analgesic effect than that of 0.5 mg/kg morphine. In the case of Tail Flick Test its analgesic effect was prominent 30-90 min. after drug administration which was identical to the analgesic effect of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/kg Morphine Sulfate (P > 0.05).

  Conclusion: Data from this study confirms the analgesic effect of chamomile essence which was indicated in our previous study and that this analgesic effect is comparable with 1 mg/kg of morphine sulfate in both the Formalin TEST & Tail Flick TEST. Chamomile as an analgesic should be studied more in different studies.

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 Background & objectives: Stroke remains one of main causes of death and disability in human. Animal models of the brain ischemia provide an important roles for studying of the pathophysiological mechanisms and evaluating of the efficacy of neuroprotective agents. The aim of this study is introducing a new model of the focal cerebral ischemia with increased success and low mortality rate.

 Methods: Fifteen six male mice were anesthetized with isofolorane and mixture of O2/N2O divided in four groups. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal filament method. A silicon coated nylon filament was used for middle cerebral artery occlusion. Regional cerebral blood flow was monitored by laser Doppler flowmetery for leading of filament in vascular pathway. In the 24 hours following ischemia (60minutes), animals were assessed for neurological outcome, infarct volume and brain edema induction. A new and reformed neurological test was used for evaluation of neurological deficits. 10 µm coronal sections were collected from 12 levels of the brain and stained, digitized and quantified by using an image analysis system. Ischemic brain edema was investigated by brain water content detection.

 Results: When sham operated mice had no motor deficit and infarction, induction of ischemia in ischemic group, seriously caused impairment of motor functions (neurological deficit score 3.36±0.25). Mean total infarct volume of left (ischemic) hemisphere was 85.2±4.9 mm³ and 47 percent of infarction occurred in subcortical regions of the brain. Induction of focal cerebral ischemia in the left (ischemic) hemisphere of the brain significantly increased water content (83.1±0.29 percent) compared to both hemispheres of sham group and right hemisphere of the same group. Success rate of ischemia induction was 97.6 percent and mortality rate was 4.21 percent.

 Conclusion: These findings indicate. This present model can be used for brain ischemia studies with high success rate, low mortality rate and narrow variety of the size and location of infarct volume. This model provides controlled and standard conditions to study ischemic brain injury and edema formation and introduce new therapeutic strategies.

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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.

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Background & objectives: The present study examined the gonadotoxic effects of ciprofloxacin antibiotics and protective effects of L-carnitine.
Methods: In this study, 20 NMRI mice were divided into four groups: control, ciprofloxacin, L-carnitine, L-carnitine-ciprofloxacin (each group included 5 animals). The control group received normal saline, the treatment group 1 received 12.5 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, the treatment group 2 received 100 mg/kg L- carnitine and the treatment group 3 received 100 mg/kg L- carnitine and 12.5 mg / kg ciprofloxacin simultaneously. All animals were treated by intraperitoneal administration for 15 days. Testis and epididymis were collected to evaluate sperm parameters (sperm count, motility, morphology and viability).
Results: In the ciprofloxacin group, a significant decrease in sperm count, sperm viability, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and normal sperm as well as a significant increase in rotating sperm motility, sperm without movement, head and tail abnormalities were observed (p≤0.05). A significant increase in sperm count, sperm survival, motility and progressive sperm motility, normal sperm and a significant decrease in rotating sperm motility, sperm without movement and head abnormalities in the L-carnitine-ciprofloxacin group were observed (p≤0.05); however, the reduction in tail abnormalities of sperm was not significant.
Conclusion: L-carnitine improves sperm parameters in the adult mice treated with ciprofloxacin.

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Background & objectives: Considering the prevalence of diabetes and importance of its prevention, control and treatment, using low-calorie natural sweetener is necessary. Hepatoprotective and antidiabetic properties of the aqueous extract of Stevia. rebaudiana were assessed in the present study.
Methods: In this study, 35 mature male mice were divided into 5 groups. Diabetes was induced by administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The negative control group received normal saline and treatment groups received glibenclamide with 0.5 mg/kg and 200 and 400 μg/kg of aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana through gavage for 15 days, respectively. Also, one group was considered as positive control (as non-treated diabetic). On the last day, the blood glucose levels of samples were measured. After periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining, 5μm of sections were used for stereological analysis. 
Results: The blood glucose level was decreased (p<0.05) significantly in aqueous extract-treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic mice. The weight and volume of kidneys, cortex, medulla, proximal and distal tubules, collecting ducts, loop of henle, interstitial tissues, vessels and length of renal tubules decreased significantly (p<0.05) after treatment with aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana (p<0.05). The number and volume of glomeruli restored toward normal levels with high doses of S. rebaudiana.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana (sweet fraction) can regulate the blood glucose levels and inhibit diabetes-induced renal damages. It seems that S. rebaudiana can be used as an antidiabetic and nephroprotective supplement.

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Background & objectives: Artemisia absinthium (known as wormwood) is used as an antihelminthical, antimalarial, antiseptic and  anti-inflammatory agent, and is used for treatment of gastric pain in the traditional medicine. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of A. absinthium on the ovary tissues and pituitary_gonadal axis of the adult female NMRI mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, intraperitoneally (IP) injections of hydroalcoholic extract of A. absinthium, were performed over 30 days on 50 mice with 50 (first group), 100 (second group), and 150 mg/kg.bw (third group) doses.  The sham group was received distilled water and control group received no injection. After 30 days of injections, the animals were dissected, and blood samples were collected by heart aspiration.  The levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone of serum were measured by ELISA method. Seven µm sections of ovary were prepared by a microtome and stained by H&E method. Data were analyzed by One-Way ANOVA and Tukey post- hoc test. The Significance level was set at p<0.05.       
Results: Our findings indicated a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the body weight in all experimental groups compared with sham and control groups. In parameters such as: large and small diameters of the ovary , number of primary, secondary, growing, graafian follicles, and corpus luteum, a significant decrease was observed in 100 and 150 mg/kg doses (p<0.05). In all experimental groups, no significant changes were observed in estradiol and progesterone levels. However, FSH and LH showed a significant decrease in 100 and 150 mg/kg doses (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that Artemisia absinthium hydroalcohlic extract in high doses has damaging effects on the process of oogenesis, which may be due to α and β Thujoun, Alkaloid and Saponin constituents in this plant. 
 

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Background & objectives: Allium cepa has anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to flavonoid compounds. Allium cepa can prevent the onset and progression of cancer by removing free radicals. In this study, the preventive effect of Allium cepa in preventing the proliferation of breast cancer cells in BALB/c mice was evaluated.
Methods: In the present study, Female BALB/c mice at 6–7 weeks of age were subjected to the abdominal mammary gland subcutaneous injection with 5×10⁶ viable 4T1 cells. Eight mice were placed in 3 groups: healthy group, the patient without treatment and the experimental group. The experimental group received Allium cepa root juice, three weeks before induction of disease. Daily, each mouse in the experimental group received 0.1 ml / 100 g BW / day fresh Allium cepa root juice. Seven weeks after induction, the mice were exposed to deep anesthesia. During the test, the mice were weighed every other day and after the appearance of the tumor, by the end of the seventh week, the volume of the tumor was measured using digital caliper and the tumor mass was removed and weighed. The spleen was removed from the body and cultured in 1640-RPMI medium containing 10%, FBS, and ELISA test was used to measure IFN-γ and IL-4 levels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 18. One-way variance analysis was used to assess the difference between the groups and, if it was significant, Tukey's post hoc test was employed to determine the differences between the groups. Also, p-value less than 0.05 were considered as the level of significance for examining the hypothesis test and deciding whether or not to reject the hypothesis.
Results: The weight of mice in all three groups increased and tumor weight and tumor volume decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the patient group (sham) (p<0.001, p<0.0001 respectively). In the experimental group, compared with the patient group, the levels of IFN-γ (p<0.001) and IL-4 levels decreased significantly (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the use of Allium cepa can prevent and reduce the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and disease progression in breast cancer mouse model.
 

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Background & objectives: In recent years, regarding the side effects of chemical drugs, the use of medicinal plants has increased due to their low side effects, low costs and effective compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-pyretic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina L. fruit in male mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 120 male BALB/c mice weighing 23-30 g were used. In each test, the mice were divided into 5 groups (in each group, n=6), including control group, positive control and three experimental groups treated intraperitoneally with hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina L. fruit at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities were measured using xylene-induced ear edema and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia tests, respectively. In addition, the antinociceptive activity was measured using the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid and formalin tests. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and One Way ANOVA test. The level of significance was set at   p<0.05.
Results: 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) doses of extract reduced significantly inflammation. Doses of 100 (p<0.05), 200 (p<0.01) and 400 (p<0.001 significantly reduced pain in the abdominal constriction test and dose of 400 mg/kg (p<0.05) decreased the chronic pain in formalin test. Extract treatment did not reduce fever in any of the existing doses.
Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that Rosa canina L. fruit has anti-inflammatory and visceral analgesic activity, which may be due to its antioxidant potential.
 

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Background & objectives: The present study investigated the effects of royal jelly on lead acetate induced toxicity on sperm parameters, reproductive hormone assay, and bak gene expression in NMRI male mice.
Methods: In this study, fifty four male mice were randomly divided into nine groups: control group (without royal jelly) (n=6); sham group(10 ml normal saline) (n=6); lead group (1000 ppm, oral) (n=6); Group 4: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) (n=6); Group 5: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 6: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 7: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6); Group 8: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6) and Group 9: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6). On day 35, blood samples were collected from anaesthetized mice by cardiac puncture to assess reproductive hormones and the testes were harvested for determination of sperm parameters and expression bak gene. Sperm parameters including motility, viability, DNA damage, morphology and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were determined.
Results: The results showed that administration of royal jelly significantly enhanced sperm parameters and all reproductive hormone levels compared to control mice, (p<0.05). Also, treatment with lead acetate caused a significant reduction in levels of all reproductive hormones and a significant diminution in sperm motility, morphology, viability; with an increase in percentage of dead spermatocytes (p<0.05). The co-administration of the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day royal jelly with lead acetate could ameliorate the deleterious effects of lead acetate resulting in a significant increase in sperm parameters and all reproductive hormones and increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p<0.05). Also, the expression of bak gene in all treated (sham, royal jelly groups) and control groups was significantly lower than the lead acetate group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that the royal jelly has a beneficial effect on male reproductive parameters following lead acetate induced toxicity in mice.

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Background & objectives: Vincristine (VIN) is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug has been used to treat various cancers. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural polyphenol found in many plant sources. Many studies have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of resveratrol. We have explored the protective effect of resveratrol on vincristine-induced oxidative stress in mouse ovarian tissue.
Methods: In this study, 32 female mice weighing 25-30 grams were randomly divided into four groups (each group n=8): 1- control group, 2- Vin- group, 3- Vin-Res group and 4- Res group. The mice received a single IP injection of vincristine (3 mg/kg) weekly for 4 weeks. Res treatment was done 28 days by gastric gavage (daily 30 mg/kg).At the end of the study, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes were measured in ovarian tissue and uterus of the studied animals. Also, ovarian follicles were counted.
Results: The results indicated that the MDA level was elevated and TAC, GPx as well as SOD activities were decreased in Vin- group significantly. Resveratrol reduced MDA level and increased GPx and SOD activities in Vin-Res group significantly. Also histological findings showed that Res increased primordial and primary follicles and reduced atretic  follicles in Vin-Res group significantly.
Conclusions: These results indicate the protective effect of resveratrol on ovarian and uterine tissue against oxidative damage of vincristine in mice

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Background & objectives: The pathophysiology of depression is very complex. Rosa canina L fruit contains various antioxidant compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects of the aqueous- alcoholic extract of the Rosa canina L fruit in the behavioral tests including forced swimming, tail suspension, maze, and sucrose preference tests, as well as biochemical tests such as antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels. Rosa canina L with high amounts of vitamin C, has anti-depressant and anxiety effects.
Methods: In this experimental study, 60 Syrian male mice were divided into 5 groups of 12, including the control group, the bisphenol A group, and three groups treated with oral bisphenol A at a dose of 125 mg/kg per day and the aqueous- alcoholic extract of the Rosa canina L fruit at doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day was administered from day 50 to 120 after birth. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and the One Way ANOVA test. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: The findings showed that bisphenol A significantly increased the duration of immobility in the forced swimming and tail suspension test. The extract at the level of 400 mg/kg decreased the duration of immobility in both tests. Bisphenol A significantly reduced the antioxidant capacity of serum and brain. The extract at the level of 400 mg/kg significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of both the brain and serum.
Conclusion: The findings of this research showed that the fruit of the Rosa canina L has antioxidant effects, and with a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity and immobility in Syrian mice treated with the extract, therefore it has anti-depressant and anxiety effects.