فهرست مطالب panjehshahin

Caraway is one of the medicinal plants used for digestion problems, however, it has been reported that the long term use of this plant in large doses might cause hyperthyroidism symptoms such as leanness, hair loss, severe sweating and tremulousness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of caraway on the level of thyroid hormones and morphologic changes of thyroid gland in rats. For this purpose, 60 rats were divided into 5 experimental and control groups. Experimental groups were orally given 100, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of extract for 45 days by gavage. The same volume of saline was given to the control group. Blood samples were taken before and after the experiments for the measurement of hormones. The rats were dissected under deep anesthesia and their thyroid glands were removed, processed and stained with H&E. Results show that T3 and T4 were increased and TSH was decreased significantly at high doses compared to those in the control group, but no change was observed in the structure of the gland and the size of follicles. It seems that caraway can temporally increase thyroid hormones and cause hyperthyroidism, but further studies are required to clarify the issue.

Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) is a herb used to treat various human illnesses. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of chamomile extract on spermatozoon quality, serum levels of estradiol and testosterone, and sperm tail length in male adult rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received extract of chamomile (400 mg/kg once daily, orally) during an 8-week period, while the control animals received water. After this period, the animals were sacrificed and the blood samples were obtained. The serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, and the number, motility, and morphology of spermatozoon were assessed. The spermatozoon tail length was assessed by a rapid stereological method. The body weight, and weight, and volume of the testis in the control and experimental rats did not change significantly. Serum testosterone level was decreased (~76%, P<0.005) and the serum estradiol level was increased (~16%, P<0.04) in the experimental animals. The spermatozoon count and motility were decreased in the experimental group but spermatozoon morphology did not show significant changes. The mid-piece and total tail length were reduced in the experimental group (~22%, P<0.001). Matricaria chamomilla extract can decrease spermatozoa count and motility, spermatozoon tail length, serum testosterone level and increase serum estradiol level in male adult rat.

Citrullus colocynthis (CCT) is used in traditional medicine to inhibit the implantation of embryos. The objective of this study was to determine the number of embryos per pregnancy and the mortality rate in pregnant mice. 115 vaginal plug-positive mice were divided into 4 groups. The animals were given 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of CCT until 17th day of gestation. Control group was fed with solvent. At the day 17, the animals were sacrificed and the number of pregnant mice and embryos per pregnancy were counted. We found that while in 30 mg/kg group the mean number of embryos per pregnancy was around 10, no embryo was found in other groups. Furthermore, 3 out of 30 mice in 30 mg/kg group died, while in 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg groups the number of death was 7 and 14, respectively. In conclusion, CCT reduces the number of embryos and increases the mortality rate in pregnant mice in a dose-dependent manner.

For the first time, a spectrum of morphological abnormalities have been produced in developing mouse embryos (N=50), by injecting (IP) 75 and 100 mg/kg of maternal body weight of a new quinazolinone derivative, 4(3H)quinazolinone-2-propyl-2-phenylethyl(QPPE), on days 9, 10 and 11 of gestation. Measurements of the length of the crown-rump (CR), weight of body of the embryos and placenta on day 17 showed significant growth retardation (P<0.05) with day 9 being the critical day. The severity of the changes was dependent on the concentrations of quinazolinone, as higher doses created more abnormal embryos (syndactily, scaphocephaly, exocephaly, microcephaly, acrocephaly, abnormal polarity in lower and upper limbs, deviation of body axis, growth retardation) and placentas. Apparently QPPE acts on organogenesis on a specific phase of the developmental stage by expressing genes regulating mitosis and cell proliferation.

Background and Çisplatin is a drug which is used extensively for treatment of malignant tumors such as, ovarian, testicular and bladder cancers etc. Üsing of this drug due to it’s high side effects for different organs, particularly kidnies is limited. Since nephrotoxicity of this drug has been confirmed histopathologically and laboratory (increase in BÜM and serum creatinine level). Âim of this study is to introduce and apply stereologic technique in order to prove nephrotoxicity. Three groups of male rates were isolated randomly and were divided in three groups. To one group 7.5 mg/kg of dissolved cisplatin and to the control group same amount of the solution (normal saline) was injected intraperitonealy. The third group received 1.25 mg/kg of the drug chronic form for 5 days. To the animals of the first and second groups, 96 hours after injection and the third group, after the last injection were disected for kidney. The right kidnies were removed, weighed and kept in fixator. Âfter processing for microscopic preperation the size of kidney was estimated by cavaliei method (sterological technique). The results indicate that not only histopathologically cisplatin causes cellular damage mainly in proximal tubes of kidney on interstitial tissues but also microscopic observation and stereological technique show hypertrophy of all parts of the kidney which is clear indicator of damage to this organ. Though in chronic dose less damage is observed. Çonclusion: Therefore, application of stereological technique can be used as useful method for proving the mechanism of action of this drug, and when, even the other findings can not be that much helpful, this technique can be effective and efficient evidence in this particular case.

The bioavailability of metronidazole after oral ingestion, in ordinary conditions, is quite similar to intravenous administration of the drug. However, the degree of its absorption is not known in the early periods after laparotomy. To determine plasma levels of metronidazole in pediatric patients following elective abdominal surgery. The study group was comprised of 25 pediatric patients with mean age of 8.25 years. They took 10 mg/kg metronidazole (ingested or taken via nasogastric tube) a few hours after operation, followed by every eight hours for a total of three successive doses. We obtained blood samples 1-2 hours after each drug intake. The mean±SD of plasma drug concentrations after the first, second and third doses were 1.43±0.81, 6.26±3.86 and 10.21±4.28 mg/ml, respectively, showing a significant rise after each dose (p<0.001). The majority of patients (84%) obtained a level equal to, or above the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) after the third dose. Ninety-two and 96% of patients achieved the plasma minimal inhibitory concentration or higher following the second and third doses, respectively, as compared to 4% after the first dose (p<0.00001). Absorption of oral metronidazole after elective laparotomy is disturbed only temporarily, as in the majority of patients the drug attains an acceptable level before the second post-operative day. Therefore, parenteral metronidazole therapy, if necessary, is recommended only during the first 24 hours, and it may be replaced by oral preparation afterward.