---

Background and Objective: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease in which free radicals play an important role in its pathogenesis. It is supposed that diet enriched with Omega 3 fatty acid and antioxidant compounds can be effective in the treatment of this disease. Grape seed extract contains potent antioxidant compounds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible useful effects of fish oil and grape seed extract enriched diets on the reduction of colonic damage and inflammation in acetic acid induced colitis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 50 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10). Fish oil group (F group) received 1.6 ml fish oil, grape seed group (G group) received 50 mg/kg grape seed extract and fish oil + grape seed group (FG group) received 1.6 ml fish oil + 50 mg/kg grape seed extract orally for 1 month. Rats in control group (C group) and colitis group (Co group) received distilled water. After 1 month colitis induced in groups with intrarectal administration of 1ml acetic acid (4%) to induce ulcerative colitis. The control group received intrarectal saline. Two days after the induction of colitis the degree of tissue injuries and inflammation were assessed by macroscopical and histopathological scores of colonic mucosa. Results: Acetic acid administration induced ulcers, inflammation and severe crypts damages in mucosal tissue of the colon. The rats with colitis in the FG group showed significantly less macroscopic, microscopic damages and inflammation in colonic tissues compared with those in colitis group. However treatment with grape seed extract and fish oil did not result in any significant improvements in macroscopic and microscopic scores. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that fish oil and grape seed extract enriched diets before colitis induction play a protecting role against damages due to acetic acid induced colitis.

---

Background and Objective: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is released from pituitary gland in response to stimulation of plasma osmolalrity. ADH affects on the kidney and regulates the water and electrolytes. This study was done to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of red grape seed on antidiuretic hormone secretion in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wister rats were allocated into 5 groups. Animals in control group were received 1 mL of water, orally. Animals in positive control group were received 12mg/kg/bw of Furosemide, intraperitonally. In experimental groups, one hour after injection of 12mg/kg/bw of Furosemide, animals were received the red grape seed hydro-alcoholic extract, orally, in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw for 4 days, respectively. Serum level of ADH was measeared using ELISA method. Results: Serum level of ADH in groups of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw doses of grape seed extract were (21±2.5, 19±1.24 and 14±2 pmol/L, respectively) which was significantly less than control group (40.5±3 pmol/L) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The oral consumption of hydro-alcoholoc extract of red grape seed reduces the antidiuretic hormone secretion in male rats.

---

Background and Objective: Lead exposure induced toxic effects on reproductive system. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Grape seed oil (Vitis vinifera) on serum gonadotropins and testosterone level in toxicited adult male rats by lead acetate. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated equally into 7 groups. Animals in control group did not receive any matter. Animals in the sham, experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups were received orally distilled water, 8ml/kg Grape seed oil (GSO) and 0.1 mmol/lit lead acetate for 21 days, respectively. Animals in the experimental group 3, 4 and 5 were received 0.1 mmol/lit lead acetate for 21 days and then 2 ml/kg/bw, 4 ml/kg/bw and 8ml/kg/bw GSO from day 22 up to day 42, recpectively. Blood samples were taken from control, sham and experimental groups 1 and 2 at the end of day 21. At the end of day 42, blood samples were taken from experimental groups 3, 4 and 5. Serum level of LH, FSH and testosterone were measured by Radioimmunoassay. Results: Serum level of LH, FSH and testosterone were significantly reduced in the experimental group 2 in compared to control group. Serum level of LH, FSH and testosterone were significantly increased in experimental group 4 and 5 in comparision with the experimental group 2. Conclusion: Grape seed oil extract at doses of 4 and 8ml/kg/bw increased serum level of LH, FSH and testosterone in lead acetate exposed male rats.

---

Background and Objective: Alzheimer's disease is an age-related disease that is characterized by dementia and loss of neurons in the brain. It has been shown that brain oxidative stress plays an important role in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. This study was done to evaluate the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on memory impairment induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: In this experimental study, Eighty adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into control, sham, grape seed extract (100 mg/kg/bw, 30 days, orally) plus STZ and STZ plus grape seed extract. Animals memory were evaluated using Morris water maze, shuttle box and T maze tests.

Results: Intracerebroventricular injection of STZ caused memory corruption in all tests. Administration of GSE before and after of administration of intracerebroventricular STZ in the Morris water maze test, significantly reduced latency to get to the hidden platform compared to Alzheimer's group (P<0.05). The latency to enter the dark compartment in passive avoidance memory test significantly increased in compare to animal model of Alzheimer's disease (P<0.05). The selection of the right arm of the T-maze test in animals that received grape seed extract before and after of STZ injection significantly increased compared to animal model of Alzheimer's disease(P<0.05).

Conclusion: Grape seed extract has important effect in prevention and improving memory impairment induced by intracerebventricular injection of STZ.

---

Background and Objective: Diabetic mellitus is one of the main health problems of diabetic subjects skin wound. This study was done to evaluate the effect of topical ointment produced from aqueous extract of grape seed (Vitis Vinifera) plus Eucerin on wound healing in diabetic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into control, first, second and third experimental groups. Animals in control group were received only buffer citrate, interaperitonally. Diabetes was induced by 55 mg/kg/bw of Streptozotocin in three experimental groups. Skin wound (2´3 cm²) was created in left side of the lumbar region in three experimental groups. Animals in experimental gourp 1 did not received any treatment. The wounds of animals in experimental group 2 were treated with topical ointment of Eucerin twice a day. The wounds of animals in experimental group 3 were treated with topical ointment of aqueous extract of grape seed plus Eucerin with a ratio of 3:1 for 21 days twice a day. Wound healing process was evaluated using macroscopic and histological method.

Results: The mean area and percentage of wound after treatment was significantly reduced in experimental group 2 and 3 in compare to experimental group 1 (P<0.05). The percentage of improvement wound healing was significantly increased in experimental groups 2 and 3 in compare to experimental group 1 (P<0.05). Synthesis of collagen fibers was increased in experimental group 3 in compare to experimental group 2 and 1.

Conclusion: Topical application of aqueous extract of grape seed with ointment of Eucerin accelerates skin wound healing in diabetic rats.