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.

Effect of <i>Citrus aurantium</i>L. Essential Oil and Its Interaction with Fluoxetine on Anxiety in Male Mice

Anxiety is a very common mental disorder among neurological diseases. Some herbs have soothing effects and play an important role in reducing anxiety. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil on anxiety and its interference with serotonergic pathway. Sixty male mice were assigned into control, sham (saline and olive oil), and experimental groups. Intraperitoneal injection of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil was applied at doses of 0.5, 2.5, and 5 percent for 5 days. In another set of experiments, after intraperitoneal injection of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil at doses of 0.5, 2.5, and 5 percent for 5 days, on the 5th day, 30 minutes before applying essential oil, fluoxetine (2 mg/kg) was injected. Then, the anxiety-related behavior was assessed using elevated plus maze test. The results revealed that injection of essential oil of Citrus aurantium L. alone or along with fluoxetine led to increasing the number of entries into the open arms and the time spent in open arms that was significantly different compared with control and sham groups (P?< 0.001). Besides, further effects revealed when fluoxetine added to essential oils, however no more effects obtained when compared to fluoxetine alone. It is concluded that Citrus aurantium L. essential oil can reduce the anxiety in male mice and due to fluoxetin potentiation and maximum response observed, the herb may express its anxiolytic effects in part, via serotonergic system.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effects of <i>Salvia officinalis</i>L. Hydroalcoholic Extract in Male Rats

The antioxidant effects of Salvia officinalis L. hydroalcoholic extract and also its hepatoprotective effects in male rats were evaluated. Salvia officinalis L. extract was administered intraperitoneally for 28 days. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase and alkaline phosphates in rats coadministered with both isoniazid (INH) 50 mg/kg and Salvia officinalis L. extract at 250 mg/kg showed significant reduction when compared to INH group, but administration of Salvia officinalis L. extract 250 mg/kg alone and with INH has alleviated gamma-glutamyl transferase comparing to INH receiving rats. After treatment of rats with INH 50mg/kg, severe tissue necrosis, and inflammation of central vein in liver and lymphocyte proliferation were observed;in the experimental group receiving Salvia officinalis L. extract (250 mg/kg) mild dilution in central vein and sinusoids in liver were seen. In rats coadministered with Salvia officinalis L. extract 250 mg/kg and INH low sinusoids dilution was indicated. It seems that Salvia officinalis L. extract exhibited anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects.

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.

A Study of the Effect of <i>Citrus aurantium</i>L. Essential Oil on Anxiety and Its Interaction with GABAergic Pathways in Male Mice

Anxiety is among the most common disorders affecting a great number of people. Different neurotransmitter systems, such as GABAergic system, play an important role in emergence of anxiety-related behaviors. In this study, we have investigated the effect of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil on anxiety and its interaction with GABAergic pathways. Male mice were assigned into control, sham, and experimental groups. Intraperitoneal injection of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil was applied at doses of 0.5, 2.5, and 5 percent for 5 days. Diazepam (0.1 mg/kg) was injected on the fifth day, thirty minutes before applying Citrus aurantium L. essential oil. The anxiety-related behavior of mice was then assessed using elevated plus-maze test. In groups receiving Citrus aurantium L. essential oil at doses of 2.5 and 5 percent, the percent time spent in the open arms increased significantly (P Citrus aurantium L. essential oil resulted in increasing in the number of entries to the open arms and the percent time spent in the open arms (P Citrus aurantium L. essential oil can reduce anxiety-related behaviors in male mice thah may act via GABAergic system.

Antinociceptive Effects of Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i>L.) Juice and Seed Extracts on Acute Corneal Pain in Mice

In the present study, the antinociceptive effects of acute (2, 4 and 6 ml/kg) and chronic (1, 2 and 3 ml/kg for 14 days)oral administration of?pomegranate (Punica granatum?L.) juice and seed?extract with or without morphine and naloxane were investigated?on?hypertonic saline-induced acute corneal pain perception in mice. The number of eye wipes with a forelimb was counted for a period of 30 seconds as the criterion for pain assessment. Acute oral administration of the extract?(at 6 ml/kg dose, once) and chronic oral administration?(at 2 and 3 ml/kg for 14 days each) significantly decreased the number of eye wipes after subcutaneous injection of morphine (2 mg/kg, sc), naloxone (2 mg/kg, sc) and normal saline (2 mg/kg, sc) compared with control (p < 0.05). The morphine-induced antinociception was significantly improved by both acute and chronic oral administrations of pomegranate extract (p < 0.05). Naloxone (2 mg/kg, sc) did not reverse the antinociceptive effects of acute (at 6 ml/kg dose, once, oral) and chronic (at 2 and 3 ml/kg for 14 days each) treatments. These findings demonstrate that acute high-dose and long-term lower-dose of pomegranate juice and seed extract can decrease acute corneal pain and improve morphine-induced antinociception in mice.

Effect of <i>Citrus aurantium</i>L. Essential Oil and Haloperidol on Anxiety in Male Mice

Relationship between sociability and the amount of brain’s dopamine is very well known. In this study, we have examined the effect of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil on anxiety and its interaction with dopaminergic pathways. 70 male mice were assigned into experimental, control, and sham groups. Essential oil of Citrus aurantium L. was injected intraperitonealy at doses of 0.5%, 2.5% and 5% for 5 days. Subcutaneous injection of haloperidol was administered on the fifth day, 30 minutes before the injection of the essential oil. The anxiety-related behavior of mice was then assessed by elevated plus-maze test. The result of this study showed that the injection of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil at doses of 2.5% and 5% increased significantly the time spent in the open arms (OAT) (p < 0.001), also there was a significant increase in the number of entries into the open arms (OAE). Injection of different doses of the essential oil along with haloperidol significantly increased OAT (p < 0.001(. The results demonstrate that the essential oil of Citrus aurantium L. along with haloperidol medication reduces anxiety-related behaviors.

Involvement of Serotonergic System and Magnesium on Anxiolytic Effects of Pomegranate in Male Mice

The anxiolytic activities of Punica granatum L. fruit juice (PGFJ) in various validated animal models of anxiety and amnesia have been recently reported in mice. Similarly, anxiolytic-like activity of magnesium chloride has been exhibited in the elevated plus-maze test in mice, in some studies. Buspirone is an anxiolytic psychoactive drug with known effects on 5-HT1A receptors that its action is not related to benzodiazepines. The purpose of the present study was to examine interactions between PGFJ, magnesium (Mg) and buspirone as a partial agonist of 5-HT1A receptors in producing anxiolytic-like activity in the elevated plus maze in mice. The anxiolytic-like effect of PGFJ (5, 10 and 20 ml/kg, orally), buspirone (5 mg/kg, i.p), Mg (50 mg/kg, orally) and their interactions were evaluated after ten days’ treatment. PGFJ given at all doses induced an anxiolyticlike effect significantly increasing the percentage of the time spent in the open arms, and the percentage of the open arm entries, in a dose-dependent manner. Buspirone showed anxiolytic effect after ten days;however, its effect was roughly comparable to the effect of PGFJ 5 ml/kg. Buspirone in combination with PGFJ (5 ml/kg), did produce more effect compared to buspirone alone and nearly in the range of PGFJ 5 ml/kg response. Also, Mg induced an anxiolytic-like effect that was more than effects observed by buspirone 5 mg/kg. However, binary application of buspirone and Mg showed anxiolytic effects more than buspirone, alone. In another group, Mg in combination with PGFJ (5 ml/kg), produced more anxyolitic effects compared to either Mg or PEF alone. It can be concluded that Pomegranate anxyolitic-like effect is dependent on interactions with both GABAergic (related to Mg) and serotonergic (5-HT1A) systems.

Interaction of Flomazenil with Anxiolytic Effects of <i>Citrus aurantium</i>L. Essential Oil on Male Mice

Due to our previous findings about the role of GABAegic neurotransmission in anxiolytic effects of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil, we are now presenting flomazenil interaction with this herb, as an antagonist of benzodiazepines at GABA receptor. The study was performed on 84 male albino mice assigned to 14 groups of six. The animals were injected intraperitoneally with the Citrus aurantium L. essential oil for 5 days. On the fifth day, either normal saline or flomazenil (0.1 mg/kg) was injected to the experimental groups. Thirty minutes after the injection, all the groups were assessed for anxiety-related behavior by elevated plus-maze test. In groups receiving Citrus aurantium L. essential oil at doses of 2.5 and 5 percent, the time spent in the open arms increased significantly (P aurantium L. essential oil regarding the increment in the number of entries to the open arms and the time spent in the open arms (P aurantium L. essential oil induces its anxiolytic effects like benzodiazepines, in the same site at GABA receptor.

Effects of Sertraline on Sperm Motility, Number and Viability and Its Relation to Blood Levels of Testosterone, FSH and LH in Adult Male Mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sertraline on gonad-pituitary cycle (Testosterone, FSH and LH) and reproductive cells in adult male Balb/C mice. Adult male Balb/C mice were divided into the following 5 groups: control group with no treatment, sham group which received solvent, and the experimental groups which received one dose of Sertraline (0.0178 mg/kg) in the first group, two doses of Sertraline (0.0356 mg/kg) in the second group, and three doses of Sertraline (0.0534 mg/kg) in the third group. Mice were anaesthetized after 7 weeks. Serum samples were collected and Testosterone, FSH and LH levels of serum were assayed. Vase deferans were analyzed for motility, number and viability of sperms. The results of this study showed that the viability, count and motility of sperms were decreased. Testosterone level of blood was also decreased while FSH was increased. There was no significant change in LH level. It is suggested that Sertraline at higher dose decreases sperm production and has the potential to affect adversely fertility in male mice.

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.

Effects of <i>Nigella sativa</i>L. Seed Extract on Fatigue, Blood Biochemical Parameters and Thyroid Function in Male Mice

Nigella sativa L. (Black seed), is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for many purposes. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of nigella sativa L. (NS) on performance of Forced Swimming Test (FST), blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue and thyroid functions. Therefore, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH), and Total Protein (TP), triiodothyronine T3, thyroxin T4 and TSH tests were investigated. Thirty five male adult mice were randomly divided into five groups: three NS-fed groups, one fluoxetine treated group and one control group. Three NS experimental groups received hydro-alcoholic extract of NS at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg orally for two weeks. Immobility time decreased in all NS groups compared with control group. Administration of NS significantly increased the concentration of T3 and T4 of the treatment groups. On the contrary, the amount of BUN, CK, LDH, TP and TSH decreased. In conclusion, black seed extract at the experimented doses showed anti-depressant, anti-fatigue and hyperthyroid effects.

The Antidepressant-Like Effects of <i>Punica granatum</i>(Pomegranate) Extract in Mice

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the putative antidepressant-like effects of pomegranate fruit extract including seeds (PFE) on the performance of male mice in the forced swimming test (FST), after acute administration, after short-term treatment (7 days) and, after repeated administration in a 24-h period (24, 12 and 1 h before swimming test). A single dose (20 ml/kg p.o.) of PFE, in male mice provoked a significant reduction of the immobility time. Such effect was also observed with short-term treatment (7 days) with doses of 1 and 10 ml/kg/day of PFE. Moreover, it was noted that there were important differences in the onset of the antidepressant-like effect in the FST, depending on the modality of treatment with PFE. Both efficacy and potency were higher when repeated administration of PFE was used, and surprisingly the dose of 10 ml/kg (24, 12 and 1 h before swimming test) was as effective as Fluoxetine. In the same way, the short term administration (7 days) improved significantly efficacy and potency of the PFE in comparison to a single dose treatment. These results indicate an antidepressant-like profile of action for PFE which deserves further research.