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Introduction: Ginseng is a medicinal herb. Cyclophosphamide is also an anti-cancer drug with side effects on the ovaries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of ginseng on detoxifying cyclophosphamide in the ovary tissue of adult female rats. Materials & Methods: The present experimental study was conducted on 56 adult female rats. The rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 8 each, including the negative control group, the sham control group and the experimental groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The negative control group received no drugs, while the sham control group was given solvent. Experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received a daily dose of 5 mg/kg/bw cyclophosphamide and an additional dose of 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg/bw ginseng extract. Experimental group 4 received a daily dose of 5 mg/kg/bw cyclophosphamide and experimental group 5 received a daily dose of 2 g/kg/bw ginseng extract. Their ovary tissue sections were then prepared and examined. Results: In experimental group 1, follicular atresia occurred to a great extent; however, in experimental group 2, the extent of follicular atresia and tissue destruction was observed to be lower than in experimental group 1. In experimental group 3, follicular atresia reduced compared to in experimental groups 1 and 2, but in experimental group 4, follicular atresia occurred to a much greater extent. In experimental group 5, the number of graafian, primary and secondary follicles increased compared to the negative control group. Conclusions: Cyclophosphamide increases the extent of follicular atresia, while the hydroalcoholic extract of ginseng prevents the side effects of cyclophosphamide from setting in and thereby reduces the extent of follicular atresiafollicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Humans have long noted the importance of memory in learning and have always sought the ways to improve memory and prevent its weaknesses. In the current study, the effect of Nigella sativa extract on learning and memory of adult male rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: In the current experimental study, 40 adult male rats weighing 180-220 g were divided into five groups of eight rates including experimental groups 1, 2 and 3, which were given daily doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg per body weight extracts of Nigella sativa for 17 days, control group (0.1 ml normal saline gavage) and negative control group (received no substance). The extract was administered 12 days before training and continued throughout the training. On the eighteenth day of the administration of the extract, the memory test was conducted by Barnes maze and latency to reach the target and the number of errors was measured. Results: The results showed that learning and spatial memory in groups that receive Nigella sativa extract significantly increased (P<0.05) compared to the control and negative control groups. Conclusions: The results suggest that the administration of Nigella sativa extract can enhance spatial memory and learning due to oleic acid, linoleic acid and antioxidant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pumpkin seed has been used in traditional medicine as a drug for improving sexual function and vigor. We did not find sufficient scientific evidence to support it. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds on hormone-pituitary-ovarian axis and oogenesis in immature rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we used 30 immature female Wistar rats (weight range 100 to 80 g and 35-30 days old) were randomly selected and divided into five groups of six, three experimental groups, control and sham groups. The experimental group was injected 200,100,50 mg/ kg dose of pumpkin seed extract intraperitoneally for 21 consecutive days. One day after the last injection, blood was taken from the rats to investigate the sex hormones, and then their ovaries were removed for histological studies. Results: The results showed a significant increase in the mean serum FSH, estrogen and progesterone in the experimental groups compared to the sham and control (P<0.05). Secondary follicles in the experimental group compared to the sham and control groups showed a significant increase (P<0.05). Body weight and weight of the right and left ovaries in the experimental group increased (P<0.05). Amongst the other parameters, no significant differences were observed in all groups. Conclusions: Injection of hydroalcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds could significantly be effective on oogenesis and concentration of FSH, estrogen and progesterone hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Artemisia absinthium, also know as wormwood, ontains numerous ingredients including cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, cis- chrysanthenyl, cis-epoxyocimen, sabinyl acetate, Bornyl acetate, and alpha-and beta-Thujones. Alpha-and beta-Thujones are toxic ingredients of this plant. This research tended to evaluate the effect of Artemisia absinthium on male rats' spermatogenesis and its concurrent hormonal changes. Materials and Methods:After being synchronized, 40 male mature Wistar rats weighing 250±50 grams were divided into five equal groups including control group, sham group, and three experimental groups. The control group received no medicine. The sham group received physiological serum with intraperitoneal injection. The experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 received respectively 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/bw of Artemisia absinthium hydroalcoholic extracts as intraperitoneal injections. The rats were anatomized after treatment period. The parameters involved in this study included: counting the number of spermatogenic cells, spermatoyte, spermatozoid, sperm, generative layer diameter, sperm-maker tube diameter, lumen diameter of sperm-maker tube, LH, FSH, testosterone, and body weight changes. Results:Findings showed that body weight, leydig cell, sperm- maker tube diameter, generative layer diameter, and LH hormone density reduced significantly in the three experimental groups. spermatogenic cell, sperm numbers, and lumen diameter of the spermmaker tube reduced significantly in experimental group 3. The number of spermatocyte and spermatozoid cell reduced significantly in experimental groups 2, and 3. Conclusion:Findings imply Artemisia absinthium extract probably reduces spermatozoon, male sexual cells, and also sexual hormones due to the toxic ingredients included in this extract. Therefore, it should be applied more cautiously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pumpkin seeds are used in traditional medicine as a drug for improving sexual function and vigor. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic of pumpkin seed extract on FSHserum levels inimmature rats. Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, 30 immature female Wistar rats (weighing 80-100 grams and aging 30-35 days old) were selected and randomly divided into five groups, each containing six rats; the groups were organized into three experimental groups, one control group and one sham group. Experimental groups were injected 200, 100, 50 mg/kg doses of pumpkin seed extract intraperitoneally for 21 consecutive days. For examining sex hormones, blood samples were taken from rats one day following the last injection, and their ovaries were removed for histological studies. Results: The findings showed significant increase in the mean FSH serum in experimental groups as compared to the sham and control groups (P<0.05). Secondary follicles showed significant increase (P<0.05) in experimental groups as compared to the sham and control groups. Conclusions: Injection of hydroalcoholic of pumpkin seed extract can significantly increase oogenesis, FSH concentration, estrogen, and progesterone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]