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Background and Objective: Neurons are injured under physical, chemical and pathological conditions. The effects of injuries in peripheral nervous system returns as retrograde to the cell body of neurons in central nervous system and causes brain and spinal degeneration. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aquatic extract of Cannabis sativa leaves on degeneration of alpha motoneurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in Rats.

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on thirty two male Wistar rats, weighing 300-350 grams. Animals were divided into four groups each consisting eight members A: control, B: compression, C: compression + treatment with 25 mg/kg aquatic extract, D: compression + treatment with 50 mg/kg aquatic extract. In order to induce compression in B, C and D, after cutting the right thigh muscle, Sciatic nerve of thigh was exposed to compression for 60 seconds using locker pincers. The first extract injection was done intraperitoneally immediately after compression and the second intera peritoneal injection was done 7 days later. 28 days after compression, the Lumbar spinal cord were dissected, fixed and stained with toluidine blue. The density of alpha motoneurons was measured using dissector and stereological methods. Data was analyzed with using Minitab-13 software, ANOVA and Tukey tests.

Results: Neuronal density was 611.5±34.2 and 1633.4±30.7 in compression and control groups respectively (P<0.001). There was a meaningful statistical increase in neuronal density of group C (1278.6±28.1) in comparing compression group (P<0.001). The neuronal density in group (D) (1549.8±87.7), significantly increased in comparison with group (B) (P<0.001).

Conclusion: This study showed that aquatic extract of Cannabis sativa leaves increases the density of alpha motoneurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in Rats. The increase in neuronal density is relevant to the amount of extract used.

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Background and Objective: Memory is an especial ability of brain in which saves the information and reuptake it. The memory is depended on hippocampus and amigdal. The neuronal density of hippocampus and amigdal have direct effect on their physiological functions. Cannabis sativa is belongs to Cannabinaceae family that Tetrahidrocanabinol is important component of this plant. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa on CA1, CA2 and CA3 subfeilds of hippocampus neuronal density in male Rats.

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 18 male Rats with (250-320gr) weight and 3 month old in faculty of science, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Iran (2010-2011). At first the alcoholic extraction was provided by the soxhlet method of the seed of this plant with coded 2548. Eighteen male wistar Rats were allocated into 2 experimental groups (25,75mg/kg of alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa) and one control group. Alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa was injected intraperitonealy (I.P.) in experimental groups for two weeks (every week one injection). After four weeks animal was decapitated and their brain dissected, fixed in 10% formalin, sectioned in 7μm thickness and stained by toluidin blue. By applying stereological techniques and systematic random sampling scheme the neuronal density of hippocampus were estimated.

Results: Neuronal density in control and treated with alcoholic extract (25,75mgkg) CA1 was 17982, 26750 and 22801 respectively. Neuronal density in CA2 was 19171, 26750 and 22801 respectively and also in CA3 was 19391, 24043, 28571 respectively. Neuronal density in CA1, CA2 and CA3 of hippocampus in treated groups with alcoholic extract (25,75mgkg) was significantly increased in comparision with controls (P<0.01).

Conclusion: This study determined that the alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa can induce hippocampus neurogenesis which is not dose depended.

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Background and Objective: After axotomy or the compersion the nerve, the death of spinal cord nerves cell body occur. Compersion is one of the factors causing the degeneration of the spinal cord cell body. This degeneration is due to the reversed factors of the damaged area that have reached to cell body. Prosopis farcta is a member of leguminosae family and mimosaceae subfamily. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of pod prosopis farcta plant, on neuronal density of anterior horn following sciatic nerve compression in rat. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on thirty male wistar rats with the age of about three months years and 300-350 gr weight. The animals were divided into five groups. A) control, B) compression, C) compression + treatment with 25 mg/kg ethanolic extract, D) compression + treatment with 50 mg/kg ethanolic extract and E: compression + treatment with 75 mg/kg ethanolic extract. After anesthetizing the rats, the muscle of thigh was splited and the sciatic nerve was kept under compersion, the muscle and skin were stitched subsequently. In the experimental groups the alchoholic extract of the prosopis farcta was injected to the rats with 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 75mg/kg dosage by the intrapritoneal way weekly. After 28 days of compresion, the rat, were put under the perfusion method and some samples were taken of their lumbar spinal cord and after tissue processes, 7 micron slide were provided of the samples serially. Slides were stained by toluidin blue, and some photos were taken and neuronal density of the alpha motoneurons alpha anterior horn of the spinal cord was calculated by the disector method. Data were analyzed using Minitab software, ANOVA and t- tests. Results: The neuronal density in the compression group (628±29.7) was decreased significantly in compare to the control group (1562±35.3) (P<0.05). The neuronal density in group C (1070±91), increased significantly in compare to the compression group (p<0.05). The neuronal density in group D (1117±62.8) and group E (1669±86.5) significantly increased in compare to the compression group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that alchoholic extract of the prosopis farcta has a neuroprotective effect following sciatic nerve compression in rats.

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Background and Objective: Compression or sciatic axotomy induces neuronal death in spinal cord alpha motor neuron. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Nigella sativa seed alcoholic extract on spinal motor neuron density in anterior horn after sciatic nerve compression in rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 24 wistar rats were divided into four groups A: control, B: compression, C: compression+treatment with 75 mg/kg alcoholic extract, D: compression+treatment with 50 mg/kg alcoholic extract. In control group muscle was exposed without any injury to sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment group, the right leg sciatic nerve compressed for 60 sec. After four weeks of post operation, L2-L4 and S1, S2 and S3 segments of spinal cord were sampled, processed, serially sectioned and stained with toluidine blue. The number of alpha motor neurons was counted using dissector method. Results: Neuronal density in compression group (650±32) significantly decreased in comparison with control group (1803±24). Neuronal density in C treated group (1581±47) and D treated group (1543±49) significantly increased compare to compression group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed increased the density of alpha motor neurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in rats.

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Background and Objective: The degeneration of motor neuron in anterior horn of spinal cord can be caused by compression. Hyssopus officinalis of Laminacea family demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects. This study was done to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Hyssopus officinalis leaves, on motor neuron in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in male rats.

Methods: In this experimental research, 60 male wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups including; control, compression, and compression + treatment (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg/bw). In order to induce compression, sciatic nerve of right leg was exposed to compression for 60 second using locker pincers. Extract injected intraperitoneally in the first and second week after compression. 28 days after compression under profusion method, the lumber spinal cord was sampled. The density of motor neurons (9-20 micron) was measured using dissector and stereological method.

Results: Density of neurons in compression group (611±34) significantly reduced compared to the control group (1658±30) (P<0.05). Moreover, neuronal density was significantly increased in
25 (1179±22), 50 (1260±20), 75 (1350±15) and 100 (1120±10) mg/kg/bw doses in treatment groups in compared to the compression group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Hyssopus officinalis leaves exhibite neuroprotective effect on neurons in anterior horn of the spinal cord after injury. This effect probably is related to the antioxidant and anti inflammation properties in alcoholic extract of Hyssopus officinalis, dose dependly.

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Background and Objective: Neurotrophic factors increase neuron survival and growth. In addition their expression is altered in response to nerve injury. This study was done to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of n-butanol, ethylacetate, aqueous and hydro-alcoholic fractions of Anthemis nobilis extracts through nerve growth factor (NGF) gene expression after sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups including control group, compression, compression + hydro-alcoholic extract, compression + n-butanol, compression + ethyl acetate fraction and compression + aqueous fraction with dose of 75 mg/kg/bw, respectively. Hydro-alcoholic, aqueous, n-butanol and ethyl acetate extract of Anthemis nobilis from aerial parts was prepared by soxhlet method. In control group, after anesthetizing the animals, the muscle was cut at the site of sciatic nerve without damaging and in compression and treatment group, the right sciatic nerve was compressed for 60 sec. The extract first time was injected intraperitoneally after nerve compression and the second was performed 7 days later. After 28 days, samples were prepared from the lumbar portion of spinal cord and cDNA was synthesized and total RNA was extracted. The changes in NGF gene expression evaluated using Δct and Real Time PCR methods.

Results: NGF gene expression significantly reduced in the compression group in compare to control (P<0.05). The expression of NGF significantly increased in treated groups including hydro-alcoholic extract, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions in compare to compression group (P<0.05). The expression of NGF was more in hydro-alcoholic extract treated group in comparision with other factions treated groups.

Conclusion: Neuroprotective effect of of the aerial parts of Anthemis nobilis may be due to increase of NGF gene expression.

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Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion and action, or even both of them. Proveskia abrotanoides has anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. This study was done to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Proveskia abrotanoides on blood glucose and liver enzymes level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 60 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into including healthy control, healthy received Glibenclamide, healthy -treated with 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg/bw of Proveskia abrotanoides extract, diabetic control, diabetic treated with 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg/bw of extract, positive control (diabetic treated with the Glibenclamide). After the treatments, the blood samples were taken from the animals and the level of blood glucose and liver enzymes including ALT, AST, and ALP were measured. Finally, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Proveskia abrotanoides was compared with Glibenclamide as a conventional drug.
Results: The results showed a significant increase in liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) in hyperglycemic rats compared to the healthy controls (P<0.05). The mean of AST, ALT and ALP enzymes in hyperglycmia group were 286.83±7.46, 172.16±5.74, 526.17±8017, respectively while in healthy control it was 239±12.16, 100±2.42 and 196.33±6.82, respectively. In hyperglycemic rats treatment with doses of 150, 300, and 600 significantly reduced liver enzymes levels in compare to hyperglycemic contol group (P<0.05). In group treated with 150 mg/kg/bw, the average of ALP, AST, and ALT enzymes was 160.67±6.29, 127.33±5.23 and 260.33±7.18, respectively. The mean of ALP, AST, and ALT enzymes in group treated with 300 mg/ kg/bw was 197.5±6.71, 144.33±8.82 and 201.67±9.60, respectively. In group treated with 600 mg/kg/bw, the mean of ALP, AST, and ALT enzymes was 192.23±8.23, 111.17±6.13 and 329±7.43, respectively. The hydro-alcoholic extract of Proveskia abrotanoides significantly reduced serum glucose and liver enzymes in comparison with Glibenclamide group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Proveskia abrotanoides reduces liver enzymes and blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

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Background and Objective: Brain is not able to produce new neurons by neurogenesis after maturity. Neurogenesis after the maturity was reported in Hippocampus and subventricular areas in the brain. Rosa canina L has various vitamins and other valuable compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoid, carbohydrates and fatty acids. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the alcoholic extract of the fruit of Rosa canina L plant on neuronal density of the hippocampus in animal model.
Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups including: control and three treatent groups. Animals in treatment groups 1, 2 and 3 were received the alcoholic extract with extract with a dose of 25, 50, 75 mg/kg/bw intraperitoneally (IP), for 21 day continuously with an invertal of 24 hours, respectively. Animals in control group were received normal saline injection. One month after the first injection, the animals were anesthetized and brain gently was out of the skull. After processing, seven-micron serial sections were stained with blue toluidine and erythrosine. Different regions of the hippocampus were photographed and neuronal density was evaluated by stereological methods and was compared with control group.
Results: The mean neuronal density of CA1 area of hippocampus in control and the treated group with a dose of 25, 50, 75 mg/kg/bw was 55±2, 70±3, 65±3 and 61±2, respectively. Neuronal density significantly increased in treatment group with dosage of 25 mg/kg/bw in compared to control group (P<0.05). The mean neuronal density of CA2 and CA3 area of hippocampus in treated group with a dose of 25, 50, 75 mg/kg/bw was not significant in compared to controls.
Conclusion: This study showed that the alcoholic extract of the fruit of Rosa canina L plant with dosage of 25 mg/kg/bw increase neurons of the mice hippocampus.

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Background and Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune-inflammatory disease with possible joint destruction and disability. Persica plant, seems contain anti-inflammatory capabilities. This study was done to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Ferula persica resin on induced rheumatoid arthritis by Freund's complete adjuvant in rat.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) and 8 weeks old were randomly allocated in 6 groups including normal group, positive control, negative control, and groups treated with the hydroalcoholic extract of persica resin with 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw doses. The resin of persica was extracted by Maceration method. On the first day, inflammation was induced with injection of 0.2 ml of Freund's complete adjuvant into the right knee joint of rats and from the fifteenth day hydroalcoholic extract was injected intraperitoneally and daily for 15 days. On the 30^th day, blood samples were taken from hearts for rheumatoid factor measurement. Histological slides were prepared from knee joint.
Results: The level of RF in the three treatment groups was significantly reduced compared to the negative control group (p<0.05). Destruction of cartilage were observed in treated group with dose of 25 mg/kg/bw in comparision with positive control group, treated group with 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw doses. Also in the negative control group, synovial hyperplasia, pannus and the destruction of cartilage were observed.
Conclusion: It seems that hydroalcoholic extract of Ferula persica resin can causes dose dependent reduction of inflammation and destruction of cartilage result from induced rheumatoid arthritis in the rats.

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Background and Objective: Learning is the acquisition of information that makes this possible, and memory is meant to store this information. Millet contains proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants needed to preserve the life and health of mammalian cells. This study was conducted to determine the effect of alcoholic extracts of seed of millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) on spatial memory in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Hydrochloric extract of Prossu millet was prepared by Soxhlet method and injected into three treatment groups with doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw by intraperitoneal injection for 21 days. Animals in control group were received normal saline. After one month from the first injection, learning behaviors and memory tests were performed. Mauritius water maze was used to evaluate the spatial memory. Also, shuttle box method was used to determine passive avoidance of spatial memory.
Results: The results showed that the mean time for finding the platform between the control group and alcoholic treatments in doses of (75 mg/kg/bw) was significantly different (P<0.05). Also, the mean time of training and test time in control and treatment groups receiving alcoholic extract showed a significant difference, indicating that this extract had a significant effect.
Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of millet seed with dosage of 75 mg/kg/bw improves the learning and spatial memory of male mice.

 

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Background and Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic necrotic and chronic illness that causes by demyelination in CNS. One of the common clinical symptoms in MS is cognitive disorders. The most common cognitive defects in patients with MS are reduction of memory and information processing rate hippocampus functions in brain are memory and learning. This study was done to determine the function mechanism of memory discover by study on hippocampus. Nowadays tendency of herbal therapy is increased because of drug's side effects. This study's purpose that is from experimental typ effect of compaind extract of Portulaca olerace, Urtica dioica and Boswellia serrata on memory and number of neurons in CA1 area of hippocampus in induced multiple sclerosis rats.
Methods: In this experimental study 30 male adult rats were randomly allocated into control group, sham group (salin injection), (MS + salin) group, (MS + mixture extract, dose of 200 mg/kg), (MS + mixture extract, dose of 400 mg/kg). MS model was induced by intra hippocampal injection a single dose of ethidium bromide (0.01% ethidium bromide sulotion in 0.9% salin) and in 3 microlitre volume with 1 microlitre in minute rate intraperitoneally. Compaind extract of Portulaca olerace, Urtica dioica and Boswellia serrata were injected as the treatment for 21 days. The shuttle box test was used for evaluation of memory. Dissector method was used for neural density in CA1 of hippocampus. Histopathology method was used for evaluation of the alteration of cells.
Results: Neural density in MS induced group was singnificantly reduced in comparison with control and sham groups (P<0.05). Neural density was singnificantly increased in treatment groups in comparison with MS induced group (P<0.05). Histological results showed that induction of MS caused the disrution of neuron cells in compare to controls, but intraperitonal injection of compaind extract cause neurogenesis in tertment groups. Memory in MS induced group was singnificantly reduced in comparison with control and sham groups (P<0.05), but memory was singnificantly increased in treatment groups in comparison with MS induced group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Compaind extract of Portulaca olerace, Urtica dioica and Boswellia serrata with dosages of 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw due to neurogenesis and amilioration can effective in memory recovery and neural necrosis in MS disease.

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Background and Objective: Sperm dysfunction and damage in spermatogenesis are the most common causes of male infertility. Diazepam is also a painkiller for benzodiazepines that can be addictive for a long time. This study was done to determine the effect of Diazepam on testicular tissue parameters and spermatogenesis in Rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 Wistar male rats with a 250-200 gram weight were randomly allocated into 5 groups. Experimental groups were received diazepam with doses of (2, 3, 4, 5 mg/kg/bw) for 14 days, intraperitonally. Serum physiology was injected in control group. The animals were anesthetized and the testes and epididymis ductus defran were removed for examination, sperm motility, and percentage of live sperm.
Results: Weight, large and small testicular diameter, percentage of live sperm and number of sperm moving forward were reduced with injection groups, at a dose of 3 mg / kg in all factors except the number of sperm moving forward in compared to the control group. In other groups, only testicular weight was significantly reduced at a dose of 2 mg/kg (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Diazepam can affect spermatogenesis process in rats.

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Background and Objective: Cancer can spread to distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Angiogenesis is a fundamental step in the transition of tumors from a dormant state to a malignant. Some changes in cancerous cells can be improved and treated using herbal extracts. Salvia species in Iranian traditional medicine were used against various infections, inflammatory diseases.This study was done to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Salvia atropatana leaf on subcutaneous tumor model of CT26 colon carcinoma in Mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, for the induction of colon carcinoma, 26CT cells were injected into 18 BALB/c male Mice. Subcutaneous injection was done in the right side of the animal. When the size of the tumor was 50±350 mm3, 18 Mice were randomly allocated into 3 groups, including controls, aqueous extracts a breakdown of each dose 50 and 100 mg/kg/bw. The group containing the aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf was injected for 14 days, daily. To monitor the therapeutic effects, the parameters of the stopping rate in the growth of the tumor, the relative volume changes and the doubling of tumor volume were evaluated. After sacrificed the animals at the end the fourteenth day of the study, tumors were dissected for histological study.
Results: The volume of tumors and the mean density of the number of vessels was significantly reduced in treated group 1 (50 mg/kg/bw of aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf) and treated group 2 (100 mg/kg/bw of aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf) in compared to control group (P<0.05). Reduction in density of cells and vascular sections was significantly reduced in treated group 1 (50 mg/kg/bw of aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf) and treated group 2 (100 mg/kg/bw of aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf) in compared to control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Aqueous extracts of Salvia atropatana leaf has anti-angiogenesis activity and significant inhibitory effects on tumor growth in animal model.