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Background and Objective: The growing development progress of electronic industries and the increasing use of electrical appliances have led to higher rate of exposure of people to electromagnetic field (EMF). Thus, in this study we investigated the effect of EMF on morphometric indices of epididymis and vas deferen in mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 BALB/c male mice were selected and divided into three control, sham and experimental groups. Experimental group were exposed to 50 Hz, 0.5 mT EMF for 4 hours per days, 6 days per week for 8 weeks while the animal in control and sham groups were not exposed to EMF. After the exposure period, the mice were dissected and left testis was removed and weighted. Samples of epididymis and vas deferen in all groups were taken and were processed for routine light microscopic studies. The diameters of epididymis and vas deferen and the height of epithelial cells in all groups were compared using ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The mean diameter of epididymis in EMF group significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mean diameter of vas deferen, the height of epithelial cells in epididymis and vas deferen in EMF groups significantly decreased compared to the control and sham groups (P<0.05). In addition, the weight of testes in EMF group significantly decreased compared to the control and sham groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the EMF exposure for long time could have hazard effect for the male reproductive system by decreasing the diameter of reproductive ducts, the length of epithelial cells and weight of testes.

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Background and Objective: The increase of nosocomial systematic fungal infections due to pathogenic yeast, led to researchers on finding novel antifungals with potent inhibitory activity toward a wide range of pathogenic fungi. In the present study, antifungal effect of aqueous garlic extract individually and in combination with Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Ketoconazole were studied against some pathogenic yeasts. Materials and Methods: Broth microdilution method was used for evaluating antifungal activities of aqueous garlic extract with 0.03-256 µg/ml individually and in combination with Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Ketoconazole against Candida albicans PTCC5057, Candida dubliniensis CD36, Cryptococcus neoformance CNE1 and Malassezia furfur MF1, in vitro. The microdilution method was used for assessing antifungal susceptibility of above-mentioned compounds in two culture media sabouraud dextrose broth (for all fungi except M.furfur) and modified Dixon broth (for only M.furfur). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of aqueous garlic extract and antifungal drugs tested were determined by on comparison of colony forming units (CFU) between test and control groups. Results: Aqueous garlic extract inhibited the growth of all fungi tested in a dose-dependent manner, in a concentration comparable with azole drugs.The MIC ranges of aqueous garlic extract, Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Cryptococcus neoformances and Malassezia furfur was determined to be 0.25-64 g/ml. The MIC ranges of aqueous garlic extract in combination with Fluconazole was determined 0.125-8, 0.25-16, 0.125-16 and 0.5-8 µg/ml, respectively. The MIC ranges of aqueous garlic extract in combination with Itraconazole was determined 0.25-8, 0.125-2, 0.125-16, 0.25-4 µg/ml, respectively.The MIC ranges of aqueous garlic extract in combination with Ketoconazole was determined 0.125-4, 0.125-1, 0.125-8 and 0.125-2 µg/ml, respectively.The results indicated that the antifungal activities of drugs were increased in combination with aqueous garlic extract (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that, the aqueous garlic extract increased the antifungal activity and decreased MIC of drugs in combination with them.

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Background and Objective: In recent years many studies have reported that aspirin could have beneficial effect on learning and memory in different diseases of central nervous system. The objective of present study was to explore the effect of aspirin on learning and memory of Rats in pentylenetetrazole kindling model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study Rats were divided randomly into six groups (n=8). Animals in three groups received aspirin (15 and 30 mg/kg, orally) and saline, one week before and during induction of kindling, respectivley. Kindling was induced in these groups by administration of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ: 40 mg/kg, ip). Two groups of animals received only aspirin 25 and 30 mg/kg orally. Other group received only saline throughout the study and served as health control group. After induction of kindling the learning and memory of Rats was tested in shuttle box. Study was divided to three stages of adaptation, acquisition and retention test. Initial Latency (IL) time before electrical shock and Step through latency (STL) time, 20 min or 24h after acquisition was evaluated as learning and memory index. Locomotor activity was also evaluated in open filed test. Results: PTZ kindling significantly decreased Initial Latency and Step through latency time, 20 min or also 24h after acquisition, and aspirin significantly increased these times in kindled animals (p<0.05). Aspirin also had no significant effect on locomotor activity of animals. Conclusion: This study showed that the administration of aspirin to kindled Rats improved learning and memory impairments induced by pentylenetetrazole kindling.

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Background and Objective: Paraquat is a common agricultural herbicide that is a strong stimulus in superoxide anions foundation. Due to the adverse effects of the free radicals, the anti oxidant compounds such as Saffron seem necessary as antioxidants and removing the free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regeneration effect of Saffron on the liver damaged with paraquat in male mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male mice were randomly allocated into 6 groups. Animals in group one were received normal food, water and corn oil. Secound and third groups of mice were treated at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw paraquat, respectively. Animals in the fourth group were received Saffron at a dose of 80 mg/kg/bw. Animals in fifth and sixth two groups were treated with paraquat treated at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw and Saffron (80 mg/kg/bw), orally, per day. At the end of 30 days the mice were anesthesia and blood samples were prepared for measurement of AST and ALT in sera and livers were removed for measurment of MDA, FRAP, katalaze concentration and half of liver was transfer to formaline for histopathological study.
Results: Cell necrosis and inflammation was found in the liver of mice treated with paraquat, also the level of AST, ALT and MDA was significantly increased in compared to controls (P<0.05). Also the level of AST, ALT and MDA and histopathological alterations of liver in animals treated with paraquat at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw and Saffron (80mg/kg/bw) were significantly reduced in compared to paraquat group.
Conclusion: Saffron (80 mg/kg/bw, orally) improves liver dysfunction in mice exposed with paraquat.

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Background and Objective: Diabetic mellitus nephropathy is one of the most important implication factors in kidney´s physiological function in diabetes mellitus. Having major role in filtration, in hyperglycemic condition kidney has shown more damages in comparison with other tissues. This study was done to determine the effect of combined Atorvastatin and Zinc oxide on the biochemical and histopathological alterations in kidney of diabetic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups including normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), diabetic rats treated with atorvastatin (20mg/kg/bw daily, orally) (D+A), Zinc oxide (30mg/kg/bw daily, orally) (D+Z) and combination of each drug in half dose (daily, orally) (D+A+Z). Diabetes induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg/bw streptozotocin-diabetic.Animals treated for one month. At the end of the study, kidney weight and body weight and biochemical factors including creatinine and urea were measured to assess renal function. For determing the histopathology of kidney tissue, sections with 4-5 micrometer were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: The level of serum creatinine and urea was significantly increased in diabetic rats in compare to controls (P<0.05). Treatment of diabetic rats with half doses of combination of atorvastatin and Zinc oxide reduced the level of creatinine, urea and renal tissue damage in comparision with diabetic rats without treatment (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the combination of atorvastatin and Zinc oxide has effect on controlling diabetic nephropathy.

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Background and Objective: Hyperlipidemia and high level of serum total cholesterol are risk factors contributing to prevalence and severity of cardiovascular complications like coronary heart diseases. Lamiaceae plants have terpenoids and flavonoids can reduce triglyceride and cholesterol, therefore. This study was done to evaluate the effect of feeding with essential oil of Thymus deanensis Celak. on lipid profile, blood urea and liver enzymes in hyperchlostrolemic male Wistar rats.

Methods: This experimental study was performed on 36 male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (there were 6 rats in each groups). The groups including control, sham, two groups receiving 200 and 500 ppm Thymus deanensis essential oil and hyperchlostrolemia groups treated with doses of 200 and 500 ppm of Thymus deanensis essential oil. Hyperchlostrolemia was induced by giving high cholesterol (2%) and sweet almond oil (97.5%) diet. The animals were treated for 32 days with essential oil of the thyme. At the end of the 32-day trial, blood sampling was performed. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) liver enzymes were measured.

Results: The level of ALT and AST in hypercholesterolemia rats were significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P˂0.05). Thymus daenensis essential oil significantly reduced level of triglycerides and cholesterol (P˂0.05). The high dose of Thymus daenensis (500 ppm) essential oil more than a low dose (200 ppm) significantly reduced the level of cholesterol and triglyceride (P˂0.05). Blood urea nitrogen significantly increased in hypercholesterolemia group in compare to control group (P˂0.05). After the administration of essential oil with a minimum and maximum dose in hypercholesterolemia rats, the level of urea in the blood significantly decreased (P˂0.05). The level of ALT and AST in hypercholesterolemia rats significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P˂0.05). AST level significantly reduced in the groups of rats which received minimal and maximal doses compared to the group hypercholesterolemia (P˂0.05).

Conclusion: By lowering blood lipids, urea and liver enzymes after the use of essential oils, it seems that the Thymus daenensis dose-dependent is effective in improving liver function, kidney and high level of  lipid.