a. kaeidi

Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) has become a global disease that can affect various organs of the human body. Kidney disorders are the most common disorders in patients with Covid-19. Kidney involvement manifests as proteinuria and acute kidney injury (AKI). This virus can cause acute tubular necrosis, protein leakage in the Bowman's capsule, glomerulopathy, and mitochondrial dysfunction via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). It can also interfere with the regulation of immune responses (including cytokine storm), unbalanced activation of the renin-angiotensin system, and unbalanced activation of macrophages in the kidneys. To date, there is no specific treatment strategy to protect the kidneys against Covid-19. Therefore, considering the vital role of the kidneys in maintaining body homeostasis, it is suggested that special attention be paid to this organ during the treatment of patients with Covid-19.

Taking morphine can cause damage to the hippocampus. Oleuropein has a protective effect on brain neurons. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oleuropein on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression level in hippocampal tissue and memory defect induced by morphine in rats.

In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into five groups (n=8) including control/saline group (receiving saline intraperitoneally for four weeks), morphine group (receiving 40 mg/kg morphine daily subcutaneously for four weeks) and morphine + Oleuropein groups (receiving doses of 5, 15, and 30 mg/kg oleuropein + morphine by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks). At the end, the animals’ working memory was evaluated using the Y-maze behavior measurement test. The hippocampal BDNF protein expression level was measured using the ELISA method. One-way ANOVA test with Tukey’s post-test was used to analyze the data.

Intraperitoneal injection of oleuropein at a dose of 30 mg/kg in the rats receiving morphine significantly improved the memory function (p<0.01) and increased the BDNF protein expression level (p<0.05) compared to the morphine treated groups.

Oleuropein may increase the BDNF protein expression level in the hippocampal tissue and improves the memory defect induced by morphine in rats.

Chronic morphine use leads to structural changes in the brain. Some studies have shown the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a main polyphenol of green tea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EGCG on working memory in morphine-treated rats.

In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 experimental groups (8 rats in each group): 1- control; 2- Morphine group (the animals received 40 mg/kg morphine for 4 weeks, once a day, s.c.); 3 and 4- Morphine + EGCG, the animals received morphine (40 mg/kg, 4 weeks, once a day, s.c.) and EGCG (5 and 50 mg/kg, once a day, i.p.). To evaluate the working memory, Y-maze spontaneous alternation was used. To measure the level of TNF-α protein expression in brain hippocampus tissue, the western blot test was used. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test was used for data analysis.

Intraperitoneal morphine injection resulted in working memory deficits and increased TNF-α protein expression levels compared to the control group (p<0.001). Moreover, intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg EGCG in morphine treated rats significantly improved working memory (p<0.01) and decreased TNF-α protein expression level (p<0.05) compared to solely morphine treated group.

EGCG improved morphine induced working memory deficits in rats.

Thyme plant is a member of the mint family that is considered as an aromatic perennial evergreen medical herb. Carvacrol and thymol are known as two important phenolic compounds of thyme plant. Carvacrol and thymol have been identified as antioxidant, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory substances. Also, the neuroprotective, hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects of these polyphenolic compounds have been identified in various diseases. In addition, carvacrol inhibits platelet aggregation and is capable to modulate the signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cellular proliferation. The protective effects of carvacrol and thymol have also been reported in some body systems including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. In the present review study, the protective role of carvacrol and thymol as the main compounds of thymus plant has been studied on different biologic systems in disease models.

Caraway (Carum carvi) is one of the medicinal plants which is traditionally used for weight loss. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of 6 weeks aerobic training and aqueous extract of caraway seed (carum carvi) on expression of CTRP12 gene, body weight changes and subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese male rats.

In this experimental study, 24 fat male rats were provided a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity, following which they were divided randomly into four groups: 1. high-fat control diet, 2. high-fat diet+ exercise, 3. high-fat diet+caraway, 4. high-fat diet+exercise+caraway. The training groups performed aerobic exercise 5 days in week for 6 weeks (approximately 50-70% VO2max). Relative expression of CTRP12 mRNA was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), body weight changes and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test.

Relative expression of CTRP12 mRNA significantly increased after 6 weeks of aerobic training and consumption of carum carvi extract in group 4 compared to groups 1 and 3, in group 1 compared to group 2, and animal weight and subcutaneous fat weight in groups 4, 3 and 2 significantly decreased compared to group 1.

Considering the results of the present study, it is recommended to use moderate aerobic exercise and carum carvi to reduce the risk of obesity and weight.