Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF-MF) on Formalin Induced Chronic Pain in Mice

Background: Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field) ELF-MF (in the elevation of blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride and reduction of withdrawal syndrome of morphine have been reported so far. Since pain is one of the main concerns in medicine and usually analgesic drugs are not much beneficial or cause considerable side effects, the present project was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effects of (ELF-MF (in chronic pain using formalin test in mice. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, thirty two adult male mice were used and divided into 4 groups (n = 8). Three groups of animals exposed daily for thirty minutes to 25, 50, 75 HZ (intense 250 μT) of electromagnet field for one week, respectively and one group considered as control with no exposure. At the end of a week, formalin test was performed. Responses to formalin were observed for sixty minutes. The results were compared between tests and control group. Findings: In acute phase of formalin test, ELF-MF reduced significantly the pain scores following formalin injection at all 3 frequencies, especially at 25 and 50 HZ (p < 0.001) rather 75 HZ (p < 0.05). In chronic phase of formalin test, ELF-MF reduced pain scores at 25 and 50 HZ (p < 0.05). However, the most effective responses were obtained at 50 HZ frequency. Conclusion: The findings show that ELF-MF is effective to reduce formalin induced chronic pain in mice at both acute and chronic phases.

Effects of <i>Biebersteinia multifida</i>DC. Root Extract on Physical Stamina in Male Mice

Biebersteinia multifida DC. has been used for the purpose of development of physical strength in iranian folk medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract on performance of the Forced Swimming Test (FST), and on blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue: Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH), Glucose (Glc), and Total Protein (TP). Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract was orally administered to mice at the doses 4, 7 and 10 mg/kg continuously once per day for 1 and 7 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. After 7 days, on FST the immobility time was decreased in the treated-groups at the doses 4 and 7 mg/kg, but after 1 day, only the immobility time of the treated- group at the dose of 4 mg/kg was decreased significantly. In addition, the content of Glc and TP in the blood serum was significantly increased in the groups receiving 4 and 7 mg/kg of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract for 7 days and LDH was decreased significantly. However, the levels of BUN and CK did not show a significant change. The results predict a potential benefit of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract as an anti-fatigue treatment and for improving physical stamina.

Effects of <i>Nigella sativa</i>Seed Extract on Perphenzine-Induced Muscle Rigidity in Male Mice

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related, including: shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. Rigidity is stiffness and resistance to limb movement caused by increased muscle tone, an excessive and continuous contraction of muscles. Effects of different herbal preparations have been evaluated on muscle rigidity so far and some of them are approved in clinic. In the present research, the effects of Nigella sativa hydroalcoholic seed extract on muscle stiffness in perphenazine-induced muscle rigidity were evaluated in adult male mice. In this experimental study, L-dopa 10 mg/kg, Nigella sativa hydroalcoholic seed extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg were administered orally to male Balb/c mice for 12 days. Control group only received water. Muscle rigidity scores were then measured and compared. The muscle rigidity score in group receiving extract at 50 mg/kg had no significant difference with control group but at 100 mg/kg it had been significantly improved starting at the 40th minute. The extract at 200 mg/kg had significant difference in all times measured in comparison with control group that also showed lower scores compared to L-dopa treated group. According to the obtained results in this study, it can be concluded that Nigella sativa hydroalcoholic extract has good effects on muscle rigidity in dose-dependent pattern.

Effects of Buspirone on Anxiolytic Effects of Magnesium in Male Mice

Anxiolytic-like activity of magnesium chloride has been exhibited in the elevated plus-maze test in mice, in several studies. Buspirone is an anxiolytic psychoactive drug of the azapirone chemical class that is not related to benzodiazepines, unlike most drugs predominately used. The purpose of the present study was to examine interaction between magnesium (Mg) and buspirone as a partial agonist of 5-HT1A receptors in producing anxiolytic-like activity in the elevated plus maze. The anxiolytic-like effect of Mg (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, orally), buspirone (5 mg/kg, i.p) and its interaction with Mg (50 mg/kg) was evaluated after ten days treatment. Mg given at all doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and buspirone (5 mg/kg) induced an anxiolytic-like effect significantly increasing the percentage of the time spent in the open arms (%OAT), the percentage of the open arm entries (%OAE) and number of total entries. Percent time spend in open arms was reduced when buspirone coadministered with Mg (50 mg/kg) compared to Mg alone. However, the number of entries did not change significantly. No synergistic interaction (increased time in open arms and number of open arm entries) between Mg and buspirone was observed, in this test, on the contrary, %OAT preserved about buspirone effects and %OAE remained around Mg effect. The obtained data indicate that Mg may act partly via serotonergic receptors due to buspirone’s inhibitory action as a partial agonist of serotonin receptor.