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Background and Aim: Huntington's disease is a chronic hereditary disorder that causes cognitive and movement defects in affected individuals by progressive destruction of neurons in the cerebral cortex, striatum and the hippocampus. Studies have shown that increased activity of cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5) plays an important role in the pathogenesis and occurrence of memory impairment in Huntington's disease. Recently, alpha-pinene has been reported to improve learning and memory performance in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's models. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha-pinene on passive avoidance memory and CDK5 gene expression in Huntington's animal model induced by 3-nitro-propionic acid (3-NP). Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham, 3-NP (10 mg/kg),and 3 other groups receiving 3-NP (10 mg/kg) + alpha-pinene at doses of 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg (for 3 weeks,via intraperitoneal injection). Passive avoidance memory was assessed through the shuttle box device. Then, the expression level of CDK5 gene was measured by RT-qPCR method in brain cortex and hippocampus. Results: 3-NP injection caused memory impairment by decreasing step through latency (STL). Alpha-pinene at all three doses improved passive avoidance memory performance. Also, 3-NP injection caused a significant increase in CDK5 gene expression level in the brain cortex and hippocampus compared to that in the sham group. The groups which received alpha-pinene at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg in brain cortex and 1 mg/kg in hippocampus showed decreased expression level of this gene compared to the group that received 3-NP. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that alpha-pinene improves passive avoidance memory performance probably by reducing the CDK5 gene expression level in Huntington's animal model induced by 3-NP.

Background and Aim: Oxidative stress is an important factor in the development of memory and learning disorder which can cause neuronal damage in the hippocampus. Alpha-pinene is a polyphenolic compound from the terpene family that has shown important anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system and can affect memory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of alpha-pinene on the improvement of working and spatial memory in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 24 male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control and 2 alpha-pinene groups (5 and 10 mg/kg IP) for 3 weeks. Spatial and working memories were assessed by Morris water maze and Y maze, respectively. Then, malondialdehyde level and total antioxidant capacity in hippocampal tissue were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: The percentage of alternation in the Y maze increased in the group which had received 10 mg/kg alpha-pinene group compared to those in the control group and the group which had received 5 mg/kg alpha-pinene. The time spent in the target area at the dose of 10 mg/kg of alpha-pinene showed a significant increase compared to that in the control group, but there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of the time to reach the target platform. Alpha-pinene at the dose of 10 mg/kg decreased the level of malondialdehyde in hippocampal tissue compared to the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Alpha-pinene increased spatial and working memory performance in rats. One of the possible mechanisms of memory improvement in the present study could be due to the reduction of malondialdehyde in the hippocampal tissue, as one of the important indicators of oxidative stress in the central nervous system.

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in the liver, is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Vaspin is an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, and its gene expression increases when insulin sensitivity is reduced. In this study, we made a comparison between 3D and 2D cultures in regard to the effects of vaspin on fatty acid metabolism. Materials and Methods: The steatosis model was induced by oleic and palmitic acid in HepG2 cell line in two- and three-dimensional cultures (collagen gel). Then, the cells were treated with 100 ng/ml vaspin for 24 hours. We used Real time PCR for measurement of the expressions of FABP4, MCAD, FAS and ApoB100 genes. Results: In two- and three-dimensional cultures, we found significant decrease in the expression of FABP4 and FAS genes. There was no significant difference between the expression of these genes in the two- and three-dimensional cultures. We detected significant increase in the expression of MCAD and ApoB100 genes in 2D and 3D cultures. We did not find any significant difference in the expressions of MCAD and ApoB100 genes between two- and three-dimensional cultures. Conclusion: Alteration of the expressions of the genes involved in uptake, lipogenesis, oxidation and secretion of fatty acids occurred in the group treated with vaspin compared to the control group in the 2-D and 3-D cultures. But, we did not find any significant difference in the expressions of these genes between the 2-D and 3-D cultures.

Background and Aim: Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are among the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide. Existing drug therapies have various side effects on the central nervous system. Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a dietary additive and studies have shown that it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects. Also, in traditional medicine, the sedative properties of cinnamon against anxiety and obsession have been mentioned. Therefore in this study, the effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on mood in mice was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 144 mice weighing 32±4g were divided in two anxiety (Five groups including control, diazepam 2 mg/kg, and three groups of Cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract 100,200,400 mg/kg, in each test of the elevated plus-maze and Vogel's conflict tests) and depression (Four groups including control and three groups of cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract 100,200,400 mg/kg, in each test of the forced swimming test and tail suspension tests) protocols. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test. P

Background and Aim: There are reports for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypnotic, neuroprotective and anti-oxidative effects of safranal. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of safranal using acute pain method in rat and determine the role of GABAergic and Opioidergic pathways. Material and Methods: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6). Experimental groups including: Control, safranal (1, 2, 4, mg/kg, ip) and the most effective dose of safranal in combination with naloxone or flumazenil receiving groups. The analgesic effect was assessed by plantar apparatus in 30, 60 and 90 min after drugs or vehicle administration. Results: Our results showed that safranal injection (2 mg/kg, ip) significantly increased the time delay in response to thermal inducing pain effect at 30, 60 and 90 min after injection compared with the control group(P

Background and Aim: Cholestasis is characterized by blockade of bile flow from the liver to the intestine, which leads to accumulation of bile acids within liver and plasma; it is associated with metabolic disorders and cause hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis during cholestatic liver diseases. Mitochondria are critical cellular organelles that produce most of the cellular energy. Mitochondrial morphology varies from an interconnected filamentous network to isolated dots. These processes are called mitochondrial fission and fusion. Disrupted mitochondrial morphology has been observed in cholestatic liver disease. Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1) is one of the proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion and plays an anti-apoptotic role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of α-lipoic acid (LA) on OPA1 gene expression in pancreas of rat after bile duct ligation (BDL). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups each containing six rats including: control, sham-operated, cholestatic, cholestatic+LA, cirrhotic, and cirrhotic+LA. After 14 days in cholestasis groups and six weeks in cirrhosis groups, serum samples and liver and pancreas tissue samples prepared for total bilirubin assays, histopathological analysis and pancreatic OPA1 gene expression evaluation by Real-time PCR technique. Total bilirubin data and gene expression data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. Results: The results revealed that serum levels of total Bilirubin were significantly increased in BDL groups as compared with the control and sham operation groups (P

Backgroundand Aim: Cholestasis is characterized by blockade ofbile flowfrom the liver to the intestine, which leads to accumulation of bile acids within liver and plasma; it is associated withmetabolic disordersandcause hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis during cholestatic liver diseases.Mitochondria are critical cellular organelles that produce most of the cellular energy.Mitochondrial morphology varies from an interconnected filamentous network to isolated dots.Theseprocesses are called mitochondrial fission and fusion. Disrupted mitochondrial morphology has been observed in cholestatic liver disease. Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1) is one of the proteinsinvolved in mitochondrial fusionand plays ananti-apoptotic role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of α-lipoic acid (LA) on OPA1gene expression inpancreasof rat after bile duct ligation(BDL). Materials and Methods:Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sixgroups each containing six rats including: control, sham-operated, cholestatic, cholestatic+LA, cirrhotic, and cirrhotic+LA. After 14 days in cholestasis groups and six weeksin cirrhosis groups, serum samples and liver and pancreastissue samples prepared for total bilirubinassays,histopathological analysis andpancreaticOPA1 gene expression evaluation by Real-time PCR technique.Total bilirubin data and gene expression data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests.Results: The results revealed that serum levels of total Bilirubin were significantly increased in BDL groupsas compared with the control and sham operation groups (P

This research investigates the effect of agency costs on tax gap with structural equation modeling approach. To do this, the information has been collected from audited financial statements of firms listed in Tehran stock exchange for a seven-year period from 2006 to 2014. In order to measure agency costs (latent variable) as the independent variable, observable variables have been used like: asset utilization ratio, discretionary expenses, company size, tobins q ratio and free cash flow ratio. Tax gap as dependent variable is calculated using the different of determined tax and declared tax. Profitability and financial leverage ratio are the control variables. After ensuring that measurement patterns and structure of research are acceptable, the results show that agency costs have a negative effect on tax gap, although its intensity is not statistically significant. Also, there is no significant relationship between the control variables (profitability and financial leverage) and the tax gap

Background and Aim: There are several reports about analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, sedative, and anti-spasmodic effects of Jasminum sambac. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of Jasminum sambac hydroalcoholic extract and determine the role of GABAergic and opioidergic pathways in rat model by a plantar device. Material and Methods: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6) including control, the groups treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Jasminum Sambac (100, 200, 400, mg/kg, ip) and the groups which received the most effective dose of the extract in addition to naloxone or flumazenil. The analgesic effect was assessed by plantar device after 30, 60 and 90 min of the injections. Results: Our results showed that injection of hydroalcoholic extract of Jasminum sambac (200 mg/kg, ip) increased significantly the time delay in response to thermal pain inducing effect at 30, 60 and 90 (P

ABSTRACT Background and Aim: The exact mechanisms of morphine dependence and withdrawal syndrome remain unclear. Many studies have been performed to find agents with low dependency in order to decrease withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand studies have shown the anticonvulsant and sedative effects of Jasminum sambac. The traditional use of this plant has shown its analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, sedative, and anti-spasmodic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Jasminum sambac on morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats. Material and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats with weight range of 225 - 275 g were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups. Each group consisted of 6 rats. In order to induce dependency, additive doses of morphine were injected subcutaneously for 13 days. On the 13th day, after the last dose of morphine, intraperitoneal saline injection (1 ml/kg:) was given to the morphine-saline group. We gave intraperitoneal injections of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Jasminum sambac to the three treatment groups respectively. Thirty minutes later, intraperitoneal injections of naloxone (4 mg/kg) was given to the treatment groups and the withdrawal symptoms including: jumping, rearing, genital grooming, abdominal writhing, wet dog shake and weight loss were recorded for 60 minutes. Results: Results of this study showed that 100 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Jasminum sambac significantly reduced the number of jumping and at all doses reduced rearing and genital grooming in the treatment groups compared to those in the morphine-saline group (P

Background: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most common problems among men; in some societies, 50 percent of 50-years-old men are involved. In the past, opium versions of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of hair loss were used. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship of opium consumption and androgenic alopecia in men. Methods: In this case-control study, 604 men referred to the Isfahan Amin Hospital, Iran, were enrolled. The sampling method was a simple classification (convenient) and men were divided to 2 equal groups of control (non-consumer of opium) and addict (consumer of opium). The intensity of androgenic alopecia was compared on the basis of a Hamilton Norwood scale. Data were collected using physical examination and a researcher-made questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried using chi-square, Student's t, Spearman and One-way ANOVA tests. Findings: Percentage frequency of androgenic alopecia in addict men was significantly less than control group (P < 0.001). In addition, the intensity of androgenic alopecia had significant inverse relationship with the amount of opium consumption per year in the distinct range (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our finding indicates that the prevalence of androgenic alopecia in opium-addict men is lower than non-consumer men.

Background: A known problem of chronic administration of opioid is tolerance to its analgesic effect. Co-administration of a non-opioid analgesic may help reducing the opiate dose and consequently tolerance and dependency. It is reported that repeated use of methylphenidate, one of amphetamines, increased the expression of µ opioid receptor and had antinociception. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of methylphenidate on methadone-induced analgesia. Methods: Nine groups of 8 male rats weighting 270 ± 20 g were randomly selected; control group received 1 ml/kg oral normal saline, metylphenidate groups received 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg oral metylphenidate, methadone groups received 5, 10, 20 mg/kg oral methadone, and combined groups received 5 mg/kg methadone +5 or 15 mg/kg methylphenidate orally. Pain was measured using plantar test apparatus. Findings: Only, 15 mg/kg methylphenidate produced significant analgesic effect. In addition, co-administration of non-effective doses of methylphenidate and 5 mg/ kg methadone significantly increased the analgesic effects of methadone at 60 minutes after gavage. Conclusion: We found that methylphenidate potentiate the analgesic effects of methadone in rats.

Background: Seizure is defined as abnormal electrical discharges of neurons in central nervous system (CNS) that leads to a temporary dysfunction of brain. Cinnamomum is an herbal medicine used in Chinese and Indian alternative medicine as a sedative agent. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum on strychnine-induced seizure. Methods: Forty male mice weighting 25-35 g, were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups of 8. The animals received either extract vehicle [dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + saline], cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) or diazepam (10 mg/kg), as the positive control, intraperitoneally. In all groups, thirty minutes later, strychnine (1.5 mg/kg) was injected and the seizure latency and duration and the mortality rate were registered. Findings: The seizure latency significantly delayed in animals treated with 200 or 400 mg/kg of cinnamomum extract compared to the control. In addition, the seizure attacks reduced by 25% and 37.5% in animals received 200 or 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. The above treatment reduced strychnine-induced mortality compared to the control group. Conclusion: We found that hydroalcoholic cinnamomum extract could prevent the strychnine-induced seizure.

Background and purpose: The exact mechanisms of morphine dependence and withdrawal syndrome remain unclear. Many studies have been performed to find a drug for prevention of withdrawal symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mefloquine (a gap junction inhibitor) on morphine withdrawal symptoms in male rats. Materials and methods: In an experimental study, adult male Wistar rats weighting 225± 275 g were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8 per group). In order to induce dependency, additive doses of morphine were injected subcutaneously for 13 days. At day 13, after the last dose of morphine, saline (1 ml/kg: control) or mefloquine (5, 15, 30 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. After 30 min, all groups received naloxone (4 mg/kg, ip) and the withdrawal signs including jumping, rearing, genital grooming, abdominal writhing, body grooming and wet dog shake, were recorded for 60 minutes. Results: The results showed that mefloquine in all used doses decreased the withdrawal symptoms and the total withdrawal scores compared to control group. Conclusion: Mefloquine was found effective as a gap junction inhibitor in decreasing the symptoms of morphine withdrawal syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]