Abstract Lavandula officinalis Chaix, Lamiaceae, extracts can inhibit inflammation and also pain induced by formalin in mice. This study evaluated the effects of L. officinalis hydro-alcoholic extract on pain induced by formalin and also cyclooxygenase (COX) type 1 and 2 activity in mice. To evaluate probable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract, flowers were prepared by maceration and extraction in alcohol and their analgesic effects were studied in male mice, using formalin and hot plate tests. The effect of intraperitoneal hydro-alcoholic extracts of L. officinalis (100, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 800 mg/kg), subcutaneous morphine (10 mg/kg), dexamethasone (10 mg/kg; i.p.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg; i.p.) on formalin induced pain were studied. Our results indicated that administration of the extract (100, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 800 mg/kg; i.p.) has inhibitory effects on inflammation induced by formalin injection into the animals hind paw. Moreover, this inhibitory effect was equal to the effects of morphine, dexamethasone and indomethacin. The extract in100, 200 and 300 mg/kg; significantly reduced heat-induced pain. The extract also reduced COX activity in dose dependent manner, where the inhibitory effect on COX1 activity was 33% and on COX2 activity was 45%. Here for the first time we show that L. officinialis extract can modulate pain and inflammation induced by formalin by inhibition of COX enzymes.

Urtica diocia is a multipurpose herb in traditional medicine. Its hydroalcoholic extract (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg) administered interaperitoneally to Wistar female rats for 21 consequent days resulted in significant increase in the number of alveoli of mammary glands in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg. Changes in serum prolactin and alveolar diameter were not significant in comparison with control group. Also, there was an increase in serum prolactin and alveolar diameter in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg. Utrica diocia extract has positive effects on mammary glands.

Urtica diocia es una hierba de usos múltiples en la medicina tradicional. Su extracto hidroalcohólico (20, 50 y 100 mg/kg) administrado por vía intraperitoneal en ratas hembras Wistar de 21 días resultaron en un aumento significativo en el número de alvéolos de las glándulas mamarias en dosis de 20 y 50 mg/kg. Los cambios en la prolactina sérica y el diámetro alveolar no fueron significativos en comparación con el grupo control. Además, hubo un aumento en la prolactina sérica y en el diámetro alveolar en dosis de 20 y 50 mg/kg. El extracto de Urtica diocia tiene efectos positivos sobre las glándulas mamarias.

Nicotine consumption can decrease fertility drive in males through inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. The color of turmeric is because of a substance called curcumin for which some anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties have been identified. In this study, various doses of curcumin (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) and curcumin plus nicotine (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male mice for 28 consequent days and reproductive parameters were determined. The results indicated that nicotine administration (0.5 mg/kg) significantly decreased testosterone level, count and motility of sperms, and testis weight compared to control group. However, increasing the dose of curcumin significantly increased reproductive indices in most of the groups. Thus, it seems that curcumin inhibits nicotine-induced adverse effects on reproductive parameters.

El consumo de nicotina puede disminuir la fertilidad en los hombres mediante la inducción de estrés oxidativo y daño del ADN. El color de la cúrcuma se debe a una sustancia llamada curcumina en la cual se han identificado algunas propiedades anti-oxidantes y anti-inflamatorias. En este estudio se administraron diferentes dosis de curcumina (10, 30 y 60 mg/kg) y de curcumina más nicotina (10, 30 y 60 mg/kg) por vía intraperitoneal a ratones machos durante 28 días consecutivos y se determinaron los parámetros reproductivos. La administración de nicotina (0,5 mg/kg) disminuyó significativamente el nivel de testosterona, el número y motilidad de los espermatozoides, y peso de los testículos en comparación con el grupo control. Sin embargo, el incremento de la dosis de curcumina aumentó significativamente los índices reproductivos en la mayoría de los grupos. Este estudio sugiere que la curcumina inhibe los efectos adversos inducidos por la nicotina sobre los parámetros reproductivos.

Nicotine is the most important alkaloid compound in tobacco. One of the major effects of nicotine is stimulation of mesocorticolimbic system. Prefrontal cortex plays a pivotal role in personality and mental state. It is considered the main cause of addiction as it is located in mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Twenty four male rats were divided into four groups based on nicotine administration dose (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg). After animals were anesthetized, their brains were fixed using transcardiac method. Tissue processing and Golgi staining were performed and the stained tissue sections were analyzed by optic microscope and Motic software. By increasing the dose, nicotine significantly decreased the number of neuronal processes. In the higher dose, nicotine caused a significant decrease and increase in the size of pericarions and dendritic spines, respectively (p<0.05). Nicotine administration can decrease the size of pericarion and number of dendritic spines in the prefrontal cortex.

La nicotina es el compuesto alcaloide más importante del tabaco. Uno de sus principales efectos es la estimulación del sistema mesocorticolímbico. La corteza prefrontal desempeña un papel fundamental en la personalidad y estado mental. Esta es considerada la principal causa de la adicción, ya que se encuentra en el sistema mesocorticolímbico dopaminérgico. Veinticuatro ratas macho fueron divididas en cuatro grupos basados en la dosis de administración de nicotina (0, 0,5, 1 y 1,5 g/kg). Luego fueron anestesiados y sus cerebros se fijaron mediante perfusión transcardíaca. Se realizó el procesamiento de tejidos y las secciones bajo tinción de Golgi fueron analizadas mediante microscopia óptica y el software Motic. Con el aumento de dosis, la nicotina redujo significativamente el número de procesos neuronales. En la dosis más alta, la nicotina causó una disminución y aumento significativo en el tamaño de pericarion y espinas dendríticas, respectivamente (p<0,05). La administración de nicotina puede disminuir el tamaño del pericarion y el número de espinas dendríticas en la corteza prefrontal.

Diabetes leads to reproductive dysfunctions by producing free radicals. It seems that using walnut can be effective in the damage induced by diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of walnut consumption on sex hormones in diabetic Wistar male rats induced by STZ (streptozotocin). Diabetes animals were induced by STZ (60 mg/kg). Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6), including normal diet and healthy (Sham), Diabetic by normal diet (control) and diabetic by 6, 9 and 12% walnut in their diet (experimental groups), and were examined for 6 weeks. Body weight, blood glucose (3 times), and sex hormones (testosterone, FSH and LH) were measured. Overall, in terms of the mean index, there was a significant difference in the percentage of weight changes between the groups (p<0.001). Blood glucose (3 times) significantly increased in experimental and control groups in comparison with sham group (p<0.001). FSH concentration significantly decreased in control group (p<0.05) and testosterone hormone decreased in experimental and control groups compared to sham group (p<0.05). Oral administration of walnut seems to prevent severe weight loss in the experimental models of diabetic rats and exerts appropriate and useful changes in blood glucose level as well as positive effects on the secretion of sex hormones.

La diabetes conduce a disfunciones reproductivas mediante la producción de radicales libres. Parece que el uso del nogal puede ser eficaz para contrarestar el daño inducido por la diabetes. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos del consumo de nueces sobre las hormonas sexuales en ratas Wistar macho diabéticas, inducidas por estreptozotocina (STZ). La diabetes en los animales fue inducida por STZ (60 mg/kg). Los animales fueron divididos aleatoriamente en 5 grupos (n= 6 ): saludable con dieta normal (Sham), diabéticos con dieta normal (control) y diabéticos con consumo de nogal en 6, 9 y 12% en su dieta (grupos experimentales), quienes se examinaron durante 6 semanas, donde se midieron el peso corporal, glucosa en la sangre (3 veces) y hormonas sexuales (testosterona , FSH y LH). En general, en términos del índice promedio, hubo una diferencia significativa en el porcentaje de cambios de peso entre los grupos (p<0,001). La glucosa en sangre aumentó significativamente en los grupos experimentales y de control en comparación con el grupo Sham (p<0,001). La concentración de FSH se redujo significativamente en el grupo control (p<0,05); la testosterona disminuyó en los grupos experimentales y control en comparación con el grupo sham (p<0,05). La administración oral de nogal parece prevenir la pérdida severa de peso en los modelos experimentales de ratas diabéticas y ejerce cambios apropiados y útiles en el nivel de glucosa en la sangre, así como efectos positivos sobre la secreción de hormonas sexuales.