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Background: Complications of hormone therapy (as replacement) during menopause prompted us to research on alternative therapies including herbal therapy in this regard. Objectives: The effect of Salvia officinalis extract on symptoms of flushing, night sweat, sleep disorders, and score of forgetfulness in postmenopausal women on Namazi Hospital Bone Density Center in Shiraz 2015. Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 66 postmenopausal women complaining of menopausal symptoms were divided into two groups of intervention and control, respectively. The intervention group received S. officinalis tablets (containing 100 mg S. officinalis extract), with a dose of three tablets a day for 3 months, while the control group received placebo tablets with the same prescription order. MRS (Menopause Rating Scale) and PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) questionnaires were completed at the beginning and end of the study. The checklists of hot flushing and night sweating were completed a week before the intervention and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 during the intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed through SPSS18 software, using paired t-test, ANOVA. A significant level of 5% was considered. Results: According to the paired t-test, the mean score of flushing, palpitation, sleeping disorders, muscle and joint aches, depression, nervousness, anxiety, and sexual desire and satisfaction significantly decreased by 1.6, 0.4, 1.6, 2.1, 1.4, 1.2, 1.6, and 0.8 units, respectively, in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Therefore, the mean score of PSQI significantly decreased by 3.8 units in the intervention group after the intervention (9.4 ± 3.7 vs 5.6 ± 1.9 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Salvia extract improved menopausal symptoms such as flushing, night sweat, heart palpitations, muscle and joint pain, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and sexual desire.

Background: During menopause, women undergo biological, social, and psychological changes and are sensitive to stressors, especially anxiety and depression. Decreased estrogen in postmenopausal women causes mood swings, especially depression and anxiety. Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of the Vitex agnus-castus extract on depression in postmenopausal women referring to a bone density measurement center in Shiraz. Methods: In a randomized controlled tria1, 60 postmenopausal women were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. In the intervention group, the research units were assigned to two groups of Vitex agnus-castus tablets and placebo, using random permuted blocks with a block size from one to six for each eligible case. After three months, depression was evaluated by the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in both groups. Then, the results were analyzed using the independent t-test for quantitative variables. The obtained data were analyzed by a statistician using SPSS21. Results: Based on the results, the two groups were homogeneous in terms of the level of education, occupation, and housing, and a significant decrease was observed in the mean depression score in the Agnugolgroup (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Because depression increases during menopause, it is recommended that it should be used as a supplement during menopause.

Objective: This study was designed to compare the effect of aromatherapy with Rosa Damascena and Citrus Aurantium blossom on psychological and physical symptoms and social functions of females with premenstrual syndrome. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 95 students. They were randomly divided into three aromatherapy groups (aromatherapy with 4% concentration of Rosa Damascena and 0.5% concentration of Citrus Aurantium blossom essential oil) and aromatherapy with sweet almond oil (as control group). Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool questionnaire (PSST) was completed before and during the first and second month of the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Results: After intervention, the scores of mental symptoms decreased in all three groups and this decrease was significant in both Citrus Aurantium (P = 0.004) and Rosa Damascena groups (P = 0.007). The score of physical symptoms was decreased in all three groups but it was significant only in the Rosa Demecensa group (P = 0.042). The reduction of effect of symptoms on social function was observed in two intervention groups which were significant only in Rosa Damascena group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Essential oils of Rosa Damascena and Citrus Aurantium were both effective in improving the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome but the effect of Rosa Damascena, with regard to improvement of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome was more than that of Citrus Aurantium in all psychological, physical, and social aspects.

Objectives Vaginal Candidiasis with an approximate prevalence of 30% is the second cause of vaginal infections. Antifungal azole is the first treatment for Vaginal Candidiasis; however, some side effects have been reported for this chemical medicine. Based on the antifungal activity of Inner Stratum of Quercus Brantii (Q. Brantii), the aim of our study was to compare the effects of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract and clotrimazole on vaginal candidiasis symptoms before and after the treatments, in women. Methods 89 non-pregnant women with positive KOH test which is capable of identifying the presence of hyphae and mycelium by adding KOH (10%), and a positive vaginal candidiasis culture were randomly divided into two experimental groups, using permuted block randomization method. One group received clotrimazole vaginal cream (1%) and the other group received vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract. Groups were treated for 7 days and KOH tests and cultures were evaluated again. Data were analyzed via chi-square and independent t-test, using SPSS software. Results According to the results, there were no significant differences between experimental groups for demographic characteristics like age (p=0.403), BMI (p=0.911), educational levels (p=0.862) and contraceptive methods (p=0.702). Moreover, significant differences were seen in vaginal discharge between the groups after the treatments (P=0.043). Conclusion The results suggested that the therapeutic effect of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract was approximately similar to that of clotrimazole vaginal cream.

Substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) has been implicated in modulation, propagation and cessation of seizures. This study aimed to determine whether structural changes occur in SNpr during kindling. Male mice were randomly divided into four groups including early and late-phase kindled groups and their time-matched controls. Kindling was induced by every other day administration of a subconvulsive dose of PTZ (40 mg/kg, i.p.). The first occurrence of seizure behaviors was used to categorize the early and late phases of kindling. There was no significant difference in the volume of SNpr between the early- and late-phase kindled groups. The diameter of SNpr was significantly increased in the early phase group and decreased in the late phase group as compared to their matched controls (p 0.05). Reduced neural cells and increased dead cell numbers were observed in the SNpr of the late-phase group in comparison to its control group (p 0.05). These findings suggest that SNpr is a sensitive and vulnerable structure involving seizure propagation in the processes of epileptogenesis.

Background The insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a growth factor and anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in memory consolidation. However, the precise role of this factor in acute brain damage is still unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the variations in hippocampal IGF-2 distribution on different days and investigate the effect of recombinant IGF-2 on memory cell density, and IGF-2 distribution following acute hippocampal damage resulting from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods ICH was induced by injection of 100 μL of autologous blood into the left hippocampus of 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Recombinant IGF-2 was injected into the damaged hippocampus 30 min post-induction of ICH in the ICH-IGF-2 group. Then, on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 14, samples of brain tissue were collected to perform histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Results The stereological study indicated that the volume of the hippocampus and the number of neurons had a significant reduction, and the infarct volume had a significant increase following ICH. Following the injection of IGF-2, a significant improvement was observed in stereological studies. Immunohistochemical data showed that IGF-2 distribution increased in the hippocampus on different days after ICH, and IGF-2 injection led to a dramatic reduction in this distribution. Conclusions In summary, the gradual increase of endogenous IGF-2 as growth and anti-inflammatory factor following hemorrhagic stroke reveals a critical role of this factor in brain recovery after injury. Moreover, the injection of IGF-2 can prevent cell death and alleviate the damage caused by the hemorrhagic stroke.

Introduction: Global Cerebral Ischemia (GCI) causes neuronal damage with subsequent neurological and cognitive impairments. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, which makes it a potential candidate for improving GCI-induced impairments. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on the neurological and memory deficits, as well as spatial neuronal distribution in the Cornu Ammonis 1 region after GCI in rats. Methods: 56 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups of sham (n=14), control (n=14), curcumin 50 mg/kg (n=14), and curcumin 100 mg/kg (n=14). Each group was divided into the two subgroups of short-term (7 days) and long-term (28 days) treatment periods. The Neurological Severity Score (NSS), passive avoidance task, and the traction test were performed at postoperative days of 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The novel object recognition test and Voronoi tessellation were carried out on days 7 and 28 after GCI. Results: Curcumin 100 mg/kg significantly decreased neurological severity score on postoperative days of 7 and 28 compared with the control (P

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of aromatherapy with essential oils of Rosa damascena for the management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS The present triple-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted between March 5, 2016, and February 20, 2017, among female students attending Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, who experienced PMS, had a menstrual cycle of 24-35 days, were not using vitamin supplements or hormonal drugs, and did not have any underlying diseases. Block randomization was used to assign participants to an intervention group receiving aromatherapy with R. damascena at a 4% concentration or a control group who received aromatherapy with 100% sweet almond oil. Aromatherapy was performed for 5 minutes, twice daily, for a total of 5 days during the luteal phase. The premenstrual symptoms screening tool questionnaire was completed at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. Per-protocol analyses were performed with patients and investigators masked to group assignments. RESULTS There were 66 participants enrolled and 64 completed the study (33 in the intervention group and 31 in the control group). At 2 months, aromatherapy with R. damascena was associated with improved psychological (P

Background: Several studies are conducted on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). However, a few herbal surveys exist on the treatment of PMS in Iran. Due to the sedative effects of Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis ), this question comes to mind that “can it be used in the treatment of PMS symptoms?” Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the effect of M. officinalis capsule on the intensity of PMS in high-school girls. Materials and Methods: A double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 100 high school girls from 2013 to 2014. The intervention group (n = 50) received 1200 mg of M. officinalis essence daily from the first to the last day of their menstrual cycle for three consecutive cycles. The second group (n = 50) received the placebo. The premenstrual symptoms screening tool was used to assess the intensity of PMS symptoms in the two groups before and one, two, and three months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results of repeated measures test revealed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in PMS symptoms. Overall, the mean score of PMS intensity in the intervention group was 42.56 + 15.73 before the intervention and changed to 32.72 ± 13.24, 30.02 ± 12.08, and 13.90 ± 10.22 at the three consecutive months after the intervention, respectively (P = 0.001). Conclusions: M. officinalis capsules were effective in reduction of the PMS symptoms. Yet, application of this medication requires further investigations.

Background: Evidence of extensive cross-talk between calcium (Ca 2+ )- and cAMP-mediated signaling systems suggests that previously reported abnormalities in Ca 2+ homeostasis in bipolar I (BP-I) patients may be linked to disturbances in the function of G proteins that mediate cAMP signaling. Methods: To test this hypothesis, the β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, and the G protein activator, sodium fluoride (NaF), were used to stimulate cAMP production in B lymphoblasts from healthy and BP-I subjects phenotyped on basal intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] B ). cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay and [Ca 2+ ] B by ratiometric fluorometry with fura-2. Results: Isoproterenol- (10 μM) stimulated cAMP formation was lower in intact B lymphoblasts from BP-I patients with high [Ca 2+ ] B (≥ 2 SD above the mean concentration of healthy subjects) compared with patients having normal B lymphoblast [Ca 2+ ] B and with healthy subjects. Although basal and NaF-stimulated cAMP production was greater in B lymphoblast membranes from male BP-I patients with high versus normal [Ca 2+ ] B , there were no differences in the percent stimulation. This suggests the differences in NaF response resulted from higher basal adenylyl cyclase activity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that trait-dependent disturbances in processes regulating β-adrenergic receptor sensitivity and G protein–mediated cAMP signaling occur in conjunction with altered Ca 2+ homeostasis in those BP-I patients with high B lymphoblast [Ca 2+ ] B .

Background: Menopause is associated with alterations in women's behaviors and sexual function. Altered sexual function can in turn causes serious health problems for women and negatively affect their marital relationships. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on the sexual function of postmenopausal women. Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was made in 2012–2013 on 240 postmenopausal women who aged 40–60 and referred to public obstetrics and gynecology clinics affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Participants were randomly divided into a melatonin and placebo group. Women in the melatonin and the placebo groups, respectively, received melatonin (3-mg tablets) and placebo for 3 consecutive months. Before and every 1 month during the intervention, participants' sexual function was assessed using Female Sexual Function Index. The repeated measures analysis of variance, the least significant difference, the independent sample t test, the Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were done for data analysis. Results: Sexual function mean score in the melatonin and placebo groups significantly increased from 12.49 ± 7.07 to 20.72 ± 8.57 and from 12.11 ± 7.82 to 15.55 ± 9.06, respectively. Yet, the amount of increase in the melatonin group was significantly higher than the placebo group. Moreover, there were significant differences between the groups regarding the variations of sexual function mean score across the four assessment points (P < 0.001). In addition, except for the baseline assessment point, the mean score of sexual function in the melatonin group was significantly greater than the control group at all other assessment points (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Melatonin significantly improves sexual function among postmenopausal women.

dPK). a tetrameric protein composed of 2 regulatory and catalytic subunits, is the primary targetor intracellular cAMPsignalling, and the levels of some cAMP·dPK regulatory subunit isoforms may be moduluted by changes in cytosolic cAMP levels consequent 10 activation or receptors coupled to this second messenger, In the present study. we assessed whether[iH)cAMP binding. a measure of cAMP-dPK regulatory subunit levels. is altered in cortical regions of postmortem BDbrains in which higher GOl~ protein levels have been previously identified. eH)cAMPbinding measured in cytosolic and membrane fractions from postmortem temporal cortex by the procedure of (Takeda et nl,J Biochen: 105:327-329, 1989), was saturable and specific with Kd values of 0.89 ± 0.1 nM(sltc I) and 3.6 :!: 0.47 nM (:tile 2). and Brnax of 154 :!: 28,26 fmoVms r,rotein (site I) and 283 :t 36.49 fmoUmg prolein (sile 2). Specific [ HlcAMP (S nM)binding wasestimated both on cytosolic and membrane fractions from frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices.and cerebellum and thalamus of postmortem brain from 10 patients with BD compared with age and postmortem-delay matched controls, (JHleAMP binding was significantly reduced (-28%, p =: O.()4) in cytosollc fractions from BO temporal cortex compared "lith matched controls. A trendtoward decreased [;1H]cAMP binding was also observed in cytosolic fractions from frontal (-23%). parietal (-18%) and occipital (-26%) cortex, and cerebellum (-35%), but not in thalamus. In contrast, ['H!cAMP. binding was not slgniflcamly different between BD and control subjects in membrane fraeuons of theregions examined. Lithium levels measured in temporal cortex correlated slgnlficantly with 13HlcAMP binding in temporal cortex (r= 0.68,p=O.03) and cerebellum (r=0.86, p=0.02) of BO brain. These results suggest that decreased cytosolic cAMP-dPK levels found in postmortem BD brain may be a result of antemortem lithium andlor mood stabilizer treatment and may notreflect enhanced cAMP signnlJing per se, Supported by the MRC and Clarke Institute Research Foundation.

Objective: Higher basal concentrations of intracellular calcium (Ca 2+ ) in platelets and lymphocytes from subjects with bipolar affective disorder than in unipolar depressed and healthy subjects implicate abnormal intracellular Ca 2+ signaling in bipolar disorder. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether these intracellular Ca 2+ abnormalities are trait related. Method: Basal Ca 2+ concentration was measured by using ratiometric fluorescence assay with fura-2 for T lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr-virus-immortalized B lymphoblasts from physically healthy subjects with DSM-IV diagnoses of bipolar mood disorder (bipolar I, N=28; bipolar II, N=11) or major depressive disorder (N=14), mixed psychiatric patients with nonmood disorders (N=14), and healthy subjects (N=20). Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated (10 μg/ml) intracellular Ca 2+ levels were also determined in T lymphocytes. Results: The basal Ca 2+ concentration was significantly higher in the B lymphoblasts from patients with bipolar I disorder, but not bipolar II disorder or major depression, than in healthy subjects or psychiatric patients with nonmood disorders. There was a significant interaction between gender and diagnosis in the effect on basal Ca 2+ levels in T lymphocytes. Contrasts ofdiagnoses within gender revealed significantly higher basal Ca 2+ concentrations in T lymphocytes in male bipolar I patients, but not men with bipolar II disorder or major depression, than in healthy male comparison subjects. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated Ca 2+ concentrations did not differ among groups, but the percent differences from basal Ca 2+ levels were lower in bipolar I and depressed patients than in healthy subjects. Conclusions: These findings support the occurrence of abnormal calcium homeostasis in bipolar disorder and suggest that trait-dependent factors account, at least partly, for the higher basal lymphocyte Ca 2+ concentration in bipolar 1 subjects.