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This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of wild lowbush blueberry on CIRI in rats. Accordingly, CIRI and reperfusion were induced in rats for 60 min and 24 h, respectively. Then, the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effects of BBE were investigated in the injury through evaluating miR-146a, miR-21, and their targets in a CIRI rat model. After that, the BBE (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg b.wt) was intraperitoneally injected for 14 days, then CIRI was induced by BCCAO for 60 min for ischemic stroke and reperfusion for 24 h. Several parameters including the oxidative stress levels in the hippocampus and serum were measured 24 h after the CIRI. The findings showed that the BBE significantly decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) and increased ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) levels in the hippocampus and serum following the stroke. The BBE also maximized the miR-146a and miR-21 expressions and moderated iNOS and TNF-α expressions in the hippocampus. Likewise, the BBE enlarged the CA1 and CA3 domains of the post-stroke pyramidal cell layers of the hippocampus. Overall, the results revealed that BBE had potent neuroprotective efficacy against CIRI via the effective modulation of neuroinflammatory cascades and protected neurons against ischemic death.

Management of plant nutrition using fertilizers is an approach to deal with drought and to increase water productivity in paddies. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and drought stress on water use efficiency (WUE) and physiological traits of Gilaneh rice in split-plot experiments based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments were irrigation intervals (flood irrigation and irrigation at 10 days) as the main factor and different levels of nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg ha−1) and potassium (0, 80 and 160 kg ha−1) fertilizers as a subfactor. Results showed that WUE and proline content increased by changing the moisture regime from flood irrigation to 10 days in all levels of fertilizers. The highest WUE (0.764 kg m−3) was observed in the treatment of N fertilizer of 60 kg ha−1 with 160 kg ha−1 of K fertilizer in the 10-day irrigation. The highest plant proline content (16.3 mg g−1 FW) was observed in 160 kg ha−1 of K fertilizer during 10-day irrigation. On the other hand, relative water content, chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoids, maximum leaf area, and leaf area duration decreased with drought stress at all fertilizer levels. At the stress level, however, the application of fertilizers, in particular N fertilizer treatment, led to improvements in these traits. Given the scarcity of water resources in the country, therefore, WUE and other inputs can be improved in such strategic crops as rice with proper management of plant nutrition.

Introduction In stroke models, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression initiates cellular toxicity due to excessive Nitric Oxide (NO) generation. Anchusa italica is a medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity and NOS mRNA expression of the Hydroalcoholic Extract Of Anchusa Italica (HEAI) in an experimental stroke model in rats. Methods The stroke model was induced by bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries for 60 min. Twenty-four hours after surgery, HEAI (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was injected daily for 10 consecutive days. mRNA expression levels of NOS subtypes and hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) were studied using real-time PCR. Besides, hippocampal tissue plus serum concentrations of NO and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results HEAI decreased MDA in both serum and hippocampal tissue and also reduced serum NO levels. Additionally, in the HEAI-treated groups, a down-regulation of iNOS mRNA expression, and an up-regulation of BDNF mRNA expression were observed. Conclusion The results indicated that the administration of HEAI even after the onset of ischemia protects the brain from free radical injury and inflammation via a down-regulation of iNOS expression inhibiting NO production and an up-regulation of BDNF mRNA.

Background: Artemisia persica is used as an antiseptic, carminative, appetizer, antiparasitic, and antipyretic agent as well as to relieve fascial pains, and in the past, was used to relieve neuropathic pain and facilitate uterine contractions during childbirth. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant potential and effects of A. persica on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments and anxiety. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each, including control group, scopolamine (0.7 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) group, and three groups receiving scopolamine and ethanolic Artemisia persica extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). After three weeks of treatment, behavioral tests including passive avoidance memory, plus maze test, and rotarod test were conducted. The level of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant capacity of the serum and brain in the rats were measured. Results: Treatment with A. persica extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg in rats receiving scopolamine caused a significant increase in secondary latency in shuttle Box test (P < 0.01). Treatment of rats receiving scopolamine with A. persica extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased the time elapsed in closed arms and significantly increased the time elapsed in the open arms in plus maze test (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that A. persica can act as a potent neuropharmacologic agent against cognitive impairment by modulating cholinergic activity and neuritis in the rat hippocampus.

Background and aims: Euphorbia helioscopia has multiple pharmacological activities, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal,anticancer and/or antitumor, allelopathic, anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, antinociceptive effect. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activities of Euphorbia helioscopia extract in Balb/c mice, as well as the total flavonoids, phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities of the extract. Methods: In this study, 90 Balb/c mice were randomly designated into 9 groups. Group 1 received normal saline, groups 2 to 7 received different doses of the E. helioscopia hydroethanolic extract (i.e., 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 2, & 8 mg/kg, i.p.).In addition, groups 8 and 9 received naloxone (1 mg/kg) and extract (8 mg/kg) plus naloxone (1 mg/kg), respectively (Naloxone was injected 15 minutes after extract administration). Then, pain response was evaluated for 30 minutes after the injection of 20 µL formalin (1.5%) in the plantar surface of the mice foot. Further, the beta-carotene-linoleate method was used for measuring antioxidant capacity. Finally, total phenolic and flavonoid content were measured based on Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Results: Total phenol and flavonoid content were 49.43 ± 1.8 mg GAE/g dried extract and 30.19 ± 1.96 mg rutin/g dried extract, respectively. Our results showed that during the first 5 minutes (the acute pain step), a significant difference (PConclusion: In general, this study supports the use of the E. helioscopia extract in folk medicine as the analgesic agent and calls for further investigations regarding elucidating its mechanism of action. Eventually, our findings revealed that the extract of E. helioscopia possessed either antinociceptive or anti-oxidative activities.

The considerable damages caused by plant pathogenic bacteria have prompted the use of a wide variety of chemical pesticides which cause harmful effects on human health and environment. Application of safe and eco-friendly methods for controlling plant pathogens is very important in sustainable agricultural systems. In this present study, the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was conducted using sumac aqueous extract. Antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs (with the average size of 35 nm) and their combination with chitosan (Cs) was evaluated against Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss), the causal agent of bacterial canker disease of stone fruit trees in vitro and in vivo. The structure and physical properties of nanoparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and UV-visible spectrophotometer. Green synthesized AgNPs and Cs-Ag nanocomposite indicated minimum inhibitory concentration at 12 ppm and 9.2 ppm Cs/4 ppm AgNPs, respectively. Also, in vitro evaluations showed that chitosan could improve the antimicrobial property of silver nanoparticles. In greenhouse experiments, the results showed that different concentrations of AgNPs and Cs-Ag nanocomposite reduced disease severity of bacterial canker of stone fruits on two-year-old peach trees when compared to the control. The highest decreases were caused using 100 ppm concentration of AgNPs (89.40%) and then a combination of 100 ppm AgNPs/231.48 ppm chitosan (86.61%). This study suggests that the synthesized AgNPs act as eco-friendly antibacterial agents. But, further studies should be conducted to develop nanoparticles with the minimum toxicity and maximum antimicrobial effect to apply as proper alternatives for antibiotics and pesticides.

Much attention has been recently given to the effect of diet compounds on physical and mental health. Gallic acid is a phenolic compound with antioxidant activity. This compound is widely presented in black tea leaves, green tea, apples, grapes, strawberries, and pineapples. During the past years, it has been reported that gallic acid is effective against nervous system’s disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ischemia, and reperfusion, depression and anxiety. These indicate that gallic acid can be considered as a valuable agent for nutraceutical interventions. In this study, several clinical studies suggested that gallic acid can improve human health by preventing or delaying the onset of neurological diseases. The present study indicated the neuroprotective features of gallic acid including the pre-clinical evidence for its effects in AD and PD and other diseases related to the nervous system. Significant efforts are required to confirm the neuroprotective effects of gallic acid in treating the diseases related to the nervous system.

Context: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder due to gradual loss of dopaminergic nerves in the substantia nigra (SN) in the midbrain. PD leads to certain motor disorders including resting tremor, muscle stiffness and slow movement. Medicinal plants have shown positive pharmacological effects in treating different models of PD. Objective: Tendency to use natural products, especially plants, for the treatment of PD has been growing. This article reviews the basic aspects of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds that could be used to treat PD. Methods: Reliable articles indexed in databases ISI, SID, PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus and Web of Science were used. A total of 12 plant-derived active ingredients and 18 herbal extracts were included. Different compounds have so far been isolated from plants that affect PD especially by targeting pathways associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. Results: Although some herbal extracts such as Hibiscus asper Hook. f. (Malvaceae), Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae), Carthamus tinctorius L (Asteraceae) and certain active ingredients, such as berberine and curcumin, have shown positive effects in animal models of PD, potential active ingredients and mechanisms of action should be investigated in additional studies. Discussion and conclusions: Despite the wide variety of plants in the world, a limited number of them have been studied for anti-Parkinsonian activity, and therefore, there are numerous perspectives in this field for future studies on plants and their bioactive compounds.

Objectives: With increasing prevalence of depression in communities and public concern regarding the side effects of synthetic drugs, special attention has recently been paid to identifying natural compounds with antidepressant effects. Oleuropein is an antioxidant polyphenol that is present in the leaves and fruits of different variants of olive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of oleuropein in mice by forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Methods: In this experimental study, 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10. Group 1 received normal saline; group 2 intraperitoneally received reserpine at 5 mg/kg 18 hours before behavioral testing; group 3, in addition to reserpine, intraperitoneally received oleuropein at 10 mg/kg 15 minutes before behavioral testing; group 4, in addition to reserpine, received fluoxetine at 20 mg/kg; and group 5 received oleuropein at 10 mg/kg for 3 days and then reserpine 18 hours before behavioral testing. Behavioral tests were FST and TST. Finally, the antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the serum and brain of the mice were measured. Results: Reserpine significantly increased the duration of immobility in FST and TST and significantly decreased serum and brain antioxidant capacity, significantly increased MDA levels in the brain and serum, and significantly increased serum NO level (P < 0.05). Oleuropein treatment for 3 days caused a significant decrease of immobility in FST, a significant increase in brain and serum antioxidant capacity, and a significant decrease of brain and serum MDA and NO levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Oleuropein was found to exhibit significant antidepressant effects in mice, probably due to its antioxidant activity.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with a prevalence of 15%-25%. Monoamine aminotransferases, in particular, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, change in the brain of depressed people. Adiantum capillus-veneris is one of the species of the maidenhair fern genus that have traditionally been used to treat cough, cold symptoms, and local hair loss.In this experimental study, white male rats weighing 250-300 g were assigned to 5 groups of 10 each; group 1: Receiving normal saline; groups 2-4: Receiving A.capillus-veneris extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively; and group 5: Receiving fluoxetine at 10 mg/kg. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was induced by 3-week exposure to chronic stress. The forced swim test and plus maze were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant capacity in the serum and brain were measured. Treatment with A.capillus-veneris extract at 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of immobility. In the group given extract at 200 mg/kg, a significant increase in the number of open arm entries was observed when compared to the control group. A.capillus-veneris extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in the time spent in the open arm. A.capillus-veneris extract reduced MDA levels and increased antioxidant levels of serum and brain in rat. A.capillus-veneris has significant antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects in rat, probably due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Learning and memory play main roles in daily life of human, and memory represents the basis of all trainings and learning. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of gallic acid and physical exercise on the levels of passive avoidance memory in rat. In this experimental study, 46 rats weighing 200-300 g were randomLy divided to six groups of eight each: including control group, groups treated with 10 and 20 mg/kg gallic acid, group undergoing physical exercise alone, and groups both undergoing physical exercise and treated with 10 and 20 mg/kg gallic acid. The interventions continued for 10 days. After the intervention, passive avoidance memory was measured by shuttle box, blood samples were taken, and serum and brain antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Secondary latency in shuttle box significantly increased in groups undergoing treadmill exercise and undergoing treadmill exercise + treating 10 and 20 mg/kg gallic acid. In groups treated with 10 and 20 mg/kg gallic acid alone, secondary latency increased significantly. Results confirmed the effects of gallic acid and physical exercise, either alone or combined, in improving memory.

This study was conducted to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Citrus aurantium essential oil on hippocampal injury induced by transient global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rat. In total 50 rats were randomly assigned into five groups; control, sham, ischemia, and essential oil-treated (50 or 75 mg/kg) rats. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of the carotid artery for 30 min. Spatial memory, passive avoidance learning, anti-oxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation during ischemia/reperfusion were evaluated. The compounds of the essential oil were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decline in learning and passive avoidance memory in rats. C. aurantium exerted protective effects on the spatial memory, passive avoidance learning, anti-oxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation during ischemia/reperfusion in animals. The main compounds of the essential oil were camphor (45.9%), thymol (11.2%), linalool (6.6%), carvacrol (6.3%) and borneol (2.9%). The essential oil with anti-oxidant compounds significantly decreased the symptoms of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality and disability in industrial countries. Treatment with herbs with antioxidant properties has been reported to be an alternative to the conventional treatments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Anchusa italica extract on hippocampal injury induced by transient global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in the rat. To do so, 50 rats were randomly assigned to five groups; control, sham, ischemia, and 50 or 100 mg/kg of Anchusa italica treated animals. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of carotid artery for 30 minutes. Afterward, behavioral tests and biochemical analyses were conducted. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decline in learning and passive avoidance memory in rats. Moreover, Anchusa italica caused an increase in learning and improved the passive avoidance memory. Induction of ischemia/reperfusion caused a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the brain and serum as well as an increase in the malondialdehyde of the brain and serum. Anchusa italica led to an increase in the antioxidant capacity of the brain and serum and decrease in the malondialdehyde of the brain and serum. Overall, because of its protective effects on spatial memory, passive avoidance learning, antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation during ischemia/reperfusion, Anchusa italica might be beneficial in ischemic patients.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that mostly affects the elderly population. Learning and memory impairment as the most characteristic manifestation of dementia could be induced chemically by scopolamine, a cholinergic antagonist. Cholinergic neurotransmission mediated brain oxidative stress. Citrus aurantium (CA) has traditionally been used for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and epilepsy. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Citrus aurantium on scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficit in rats. Forty-two Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups. (1) Control (received saline), (2) SCOP (scopolamine at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 15 days), (3) and (4) SCOP + CA (scopolamine and CA extract at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg per day for 15 days), (5) and (6) intact groups (CA extract at 300 and 600 mg/kg per day for 15 days, respectively). Administration of CA flower extract significantly restored memory and learning impairments induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test and also reduced escape latency during trial sessions in the Morris water maze test. Citrus aurantium flower extract significantly decreased the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Citrus aurantium flower extract has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders produced by scopolamine and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of AD.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs the person's memory and ability to learn, reasoning, judgment, communication and daily activities. AD is characterized clinically by cognitive impairment and pathologically by the deposition of β amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and the degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain. During the progression of AD patients may produce changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations and also to experience delusions and fantasies. The first neurotransmitter defect discovered in AD involved acetylcholine as cholinergic function is required for short-term memory. Oxidative stress may underlie the progressive neurodegeneration characteristic of AD. Brain structures supporting memory are uniquely sensitive to oxidative stress due to their elevated demand for oxygen. The neurodegenerative process in AD may involve β amyloid toxicity. Neurotoxicity of β amyloid appears to involve oxidative stress. Currently, there is no cure for this disease but in new treatments, reveals a new horizon on the biology of this disease. This paper reviews the effects of a number of commonly used types of herbal medicines for the treatment of AD. The objective of this article was to review evidences from controlled studies in order to determine whether herbs can be useful in the treatment of cognitive disorders in the elderly.

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of Lavandula officinalis ( L. officinalis ) extract against blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke. Methods Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 h in rats. Lavender extract (100, 200 mg/kg i.p .) was injected for 20 consecutive days. BBB permeability and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated using standard methods. Results The results of this study showed that L. officinalis ethanolic extract significantly reduced the BBB permeability in experimental groups when compared with ischemia group. The lavender extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels of plasma and brain tissue in intact group when compared with control group. Conclusions L. officinalis extract reduced blood brain barrier permeability and alleviated neurological function in rats, and the mechanism may be related to augmentation in endogenous antioxidant defense and inhibition of oxidative stress in the rat brain.

Recent studies suggest that dietary virgin olive oil reduces hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in rat brain. This study investigated the effect of pretreatment with different doses of dietary virgin olive oil on brain lipidomics during stroke. In this experimental trial, 60 male Wistar rats were studied in 5 groups of 12 each. The control group received distilled water while three treatment groups received oral virgin olive oil for 30 days (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 ml/kg/day respectively). Also the sham group received distilled water. Two hours after the last dose, the animals divided two groups. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group subjected to 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and intact groups for brain lipids analysis. The brain phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol ester and cholesterol levels increased significantly in doses of 0.5 and 0.75 ml/kg/day compare with control group. VOO in all three doses increased the brain triglyceride levels. VOO with dose 0.75 ml/kg increased the brain cerebroside levels when compared with control group. VOO pretreatment for 30 days decreased the brain ceramide levels in doses of 0.5 and 0.75 ml/kg/day (p

Background Recent studies suggest that olive extracts suppress inflammation and reduce stress oxidative injury. We have attempted to determine the effect of dietary olive leaf extract (OLE) on brain lipidomics in rat stroke model. Methods Five groups, each consisting of 12 male Wistar rats, were studied. First and second groups (control, and sham) received distilled water, while three treatment groups received oral olive leaf extract (OLE) for 30 days (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively). Two hours after the last dose, each main group was subdivided to Middle cerebral artery occlusion-operated and intact subgroup for assessment of neuropathology (neurologic deficit scores and infarct volume), brain lipid analysis and brain glutathione levels, respectively. Results OLE increased the brain cholesterol ester, cholesterol, cerebroside and phosphatidylcholine levels in doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day. OLE increased the brain triglyceride levels in doses of 75 and 100 mg/kg/day and OLE reduced the brain ceramide levels in doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day in comparison to the control group ( p Conclusion Although further studies are needed, it seems that the mechanism of OLE-induced ischemic tolerance in rats is partly associated with changes in brain lipids level.

The aim of this study is to investigate the antidepressant effects of Mentha pulegium essential oil in BALB/c mice. Six experimental groups (7 mice each) were used. Forced swim test was performed 30 min after essential oil injection. In the groups receiving M. pulegium essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg), immobility duration significantly decreased compared to the control group. M. pulegium (50 and 75 mg/kg) resulted in significant decrease in nitrate/nitrite content in serum compared to the control group. M. pulegium essential oil antidepressant effect that may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress. The results showed that decrease in nitrate/nitrite content in serum and high anti-oxidant effects of M. pulegium essential oil.Video clip:Immobility in Forced Swim Test: 13 secMobility in Forced Swim Test: 19 sec