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Osteoporosis is an important problem in women's health, one of the consequences of which is bone fracture. This clinical trial was performed in 2015 on 99 (33 patients per group) postmenopausal women referred to the bone mineral densitometry center. The first group received one Agnugol tablet (contains 3.2-4.8 mg dry extract of Vitex agnus castus, the second group received three Salvigol tablets (each contains 100 mg Salvia officinal is dry extract daily and the third group three placebo tablets per day for 3 months. Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D levels were compared before and after the intervention. Results of paired t-test showed that the mean of calcium and phosphorus level increased after intervention in the Vitex agnus and salvia officinalis extract groups, but there was no significant difference in the control group. LSD follow-up test was used, showing that the mean difference of calcium and phosphorus score between the Vitex agnus, S. officinalis extract and control groups was significant in pairwise comparisons. However, the difference between the score of phosphorus level in Vitex agnus and S. officinalis extract groups was not significant after the intervention. After intervention, the mean of vitamin D increased by 2.4 units in the Vitex agnus group compared to before the intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the Vitex agnus and control groups after the intervention compared to before it. The Vitex agnus was effective in increasing calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D level, while S. officinalis extract was effective in increasing the level of calcium and phosphorus.

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.

Purpose: Neuroinflammation was indicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous reports have also signified that spironolactone has anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the modulatory effects of spironolactone on neuroinflammation and memory loss in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: The β-amyloid protein fragment 25-35 (Aβ) was injected in the dorsal hippocampus (5μg/2.5μl each side) of male Sprague-Dawley rats for four consecutive days to induce memory impairment. Animals have intraperitoneally received spironolactone (10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, N=6/group) or vehicle for 14 days. The passive inhibitory avoidance and the novel recognition tests were used for memory evaluation. Neuroinflammation was assessed by measuring the level of Iba1 protein, a marker of microglial activation, using western immunoblotting. Results: Different doses of spironolactone showed no significant changes in latency times and discriminations ratios in passive inhibitory avoidance and novel recognition tests, respectively, as compared to vehicle. However, spironolactone-treated groups showed significantly lower Iba1 protein levels in comparison to the vehicle-treated group (p

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.

The aim was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy using Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil on premenstrual syndrome in university students.In this double-blind clinical trial controlled on 62 students from March 2016 to February 2017. The intervention with 0.5% of C. Aurantium blossom essential oil and control was inhalation of odorless sweet almond oil in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The screening questionnaire (PSST) for PMSwas filled out before and also one and two months after the intervention.Mean score of overall symptoms of PMS between the Bitter orange and control groups In the first (p 0.003) and second months (p 0.001) of the intervention was significant. Besides, decreased the mean score of psychological symptoms in the intervention group (p 0.001), but on physical symptoms and social function was not significant (p 0.05).The aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium blossom improved the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

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.

Objectives: As some species of the Salvia family have been shown to exert antidepressant-like activity, the aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon, two endemic species of salvia in Iran. Methods: In total, 148 eight-week-old male albino mice (25-35 g) were used to carry out the forced swimming test. The effects of different doses of the aqueous (100-1800 mg/kg) and hydroalcoholic extracts (75-900 mg/kg) of Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon on immobility, climbing, and swimming behaviors were examined. Fluoxetine and imipramine were used as control drugs. The effects of extracts on locomotor activity were also evaluated. Results: High doses of the aqueous extracts of both plants and hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia mirzayanii produced a significant reduction in immobility and increase in swimming compared to the control group. The hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia macrosiphon did not show any significant effect on immobility and swimming. Only some doses of hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia mirzayanii and aqueous extract of Salvia macrosiphon showed a significant increase in climbing behavior. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract of both plants caused a decrease in spontaneous activity. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Salvia mirzayanii and the aqueous extract of Salvia macrosiphon had antidepressant-like activity. In addition, the hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia mirzayanii and the aqueous extracts of Salvia macrosiphon were more effective fractions of these plants. These endemic Iranian Salvia species may have potential therapeutic effects for depression. © 2019, Author(s).

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.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of sigma receptor modulators, opipramol and BD-1063, on epileptogenesis in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindling model of epilepsy. Mice (n = 6/group) were received PTZ (30 mg/kg), PTZ plus opipramol (5 or 10 mg/kg), PTZ plus opipramol (5 mg/kg) plus BD-1063 (5 mg/kg, a selective sigma-1 receptor antagonist), and PTZ plus BD-1063 on alternate days for 15 days. Opipramol (5 and 10 mg/kg) + PTZ groups became fully kindled and had higher seizure scores compared to the PTZ group. In contrast, the PTZ plus BD-1063 and the PTZ plus opipramol (5 mg/kg) plus BD-1063 group did not show full kindling. These findings indicate that opipramol has a pro-convulsant effect, which is possibly mediated through activation of sigma-1 receptors.

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: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been indicated against experimental seizures, but with relatively inconclusive results. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether NAC exerts a dose-dependent anticonvulsant effect and to determine NAC safe therapeutic dose range and its muscle-relaxant activity in both acute and chronic uses. Methods: Following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of N-acetylcysteine acutely (50-300 mg/kg) or chronically for 8 days (25-300 mg/kg), mice were injected with PTZ (90 mg/kg, i.p.) and latency times to the onset of myoclonic and clonic seizures and protection against death were recorded. Changes in body weight and mortality rate were considered as parameters for drug safety. The muscle-relaxant activity of NAC was assessed by rotarod test. Results: Acute and chronic treatment with NAC delayed latency times to myoclonic and clonic seizures in a dose-dependent manner, but with no significant prevention against PTZ-induced death. Chronic administration of 300 mg/kg NAC was fully lethal while lower doses (100 and 150 mg/kg) resulted in a significant weight loss and decreased stay time on rotarod. Acute treatment with NAC had no significant effect on stay time on rotarod at all studied doses. Conclusion: NAC exerts a dose-dependent anticonvulsant effect in acute and chronic uses, with no muscle relaxant activity. NAC has higher efficacy in preventing seizure in chronic than acute treatment, but its chronic use at higher doses of 75 mg/kg may be associated with side effects and/or toxicity. These findings suggest that low doses of NAC may have a potential use as a prophylactic treatment for absence seizure in human.

Lithium and valproate modulate disturbances in intracellular calcium homeostasis implicated in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Two subtypes of transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family, i.e. TRPC3 and TRPM2, are potential candidates involved in calcium signaling and implicated in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. This study was designed to investigate whether mood stabilizers such as lithium and valproate affect the expression of TRPC3 and TRPM2. Rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of lithium (2 mEq/kg b.i.d.) or valproate (300 mg/kg b.i.d.) acutely (for 24 h) or chronically (for 4 weeks). The changes in mRNA and protein levels of TRPC3 and TRPM2 were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The chronic administration of lithium and valproate significantly reduced levels of TRPC3 by 19.7% and 19.3%, respectively. No change was detected in the mRNA level of this channel. Neither acute nor chronic treatment with lithium or valproate had any effect on TRPM2 levels. The results suggest that downregulation of the TRPC3 channel is an important shared mechanism by which lithium and valproate can modulate calcium disturbances, whereas the TRPM2 channel does not appear to be affected by mood stabilizers, at least under non stressed conditions.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the major public health problem in many countries and are responsible for more than half of the deaths in above 50-year-old women. The most common curable risk factor of these disorders is hypoestrogenemia resulting from menopause. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on plasma lipid levels in menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted in 2013–2014 on 240 menopausal women between 40 and 60 years old referring to the Gynecology and obstetrics clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences who were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group received 3 mg melatonin tablets and the control group received the placebo for 3 months. The data were gathered using the demographic information questionnaire and lipid profile test before and 3 months after the intervention. Then, the data were analyzed through the SPSS statistical software (version 16). The repeated measures analysis of variance, the least significant difference, the independent-sample t, the Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were done for data analysis. RESULTS: The two study groups were similar regarding the demographic and clinical variables at the beginning of the study. In the melatonin group, the amount of triglyceride increased from 140.34 ± 48.29 before the study to 151.24 ± 54.60 3 months after the intervention and no significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (confidence interval [CI] = 95%, P > 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was found between the two groups concerning low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (CI = 95%, P = 0.125). CONCLUSION: Melatonin was not effective in reduction of lipid levels. However, further controlled studies are needed to be conducted on the issue.

Background: There is no universally accepted behavioral scoring to define the early development of phenothiazine (PTZ) kindling. Therefore, studies investigating alterations of neurogenesis in the PTZ model were mainly focused on full kindled animals rather than early stages of kindling. This study aimed to determine an appropriate behavioral index for categorizing stages of PTZ kindling progress and to evaluate neurogenesis during PTZ kindling. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four mice were intraperitoneally injected with a sub convulsive dose of PTZ (40mg/kg) every other day until they became full kindled. The first occurrence of different seizure behaviors and their durations were recorded during kindling development, and the different stages of kindling were categorized. Neurogenesis was evaluated in the lateral subventricular zone (SVZ) at each stage of kindling by immunofluorescence staining. Results: First occurrence of restlessness, motionless staring, hind limb tonic extension, Straub’s tail, myoclonic jerk, and tonic-clonic were sequentially observed in more than 80% of animals with increasing PTZ injections. The duration of the myoclonic jerk was significantly longer than the other seizure behaviors. The significantly higher percentage of BrdU-positive cells was found in SVZ of mice showing tonic-clonic in comparison to other seizure behaviors. Conclusion: A hierarchy behavior was observed during the kindling process when considering the first occurrence of seizure behaviors. We defined the first occurrence of restlessness, motionless, hind limb tonic extension and Straub’s tail behaviors as an early phase, myoclonic jerk as a borderline phase and tonic-clonic as a late phase of PTZ-induced kindling. Our results indicated an enhanced SVZ neurogenesis at the late phase of kindling. [GMJ.2019;8:e1511]

Background: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (mNIHSS) are two valid and reliable questionnaires that assess stroke severity. This study aimed to examine and compare the validity and reliability of Persian versions of NIHSS and mNIHSS in hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: The English versions of NIHSS and mNIHSS were translated to Persian (forward and backward), and three neurologists examined the face and content validity of both questionnaires. The Persian versions of NIHSS and mNIHSS were used in75 hospitalized stroke patients (hemorrhagic and obstructive) admitted to Namazi teaching hospital, Shiraz, Iran.The reliability and validity of the Persian versions were examined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and convergent validity. Result: The values of Cronbach's alpha for Persian versions of NIHSS and mNIHSS were 0.81 and 0.86, respectively. The scaling success of convergent validity in NIHSS and mNIHSS were 80% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: The Persian versions of NIHSS and mNIHSS were reliable and valid. However, mNIHSS was more valid and reliable than NIHSS. Persian version of mNIHSS can be suggested to be used for assessing stroke severity in hospitalized stroke patients by neurologists and researchers. [GMJ. 2019;8:e1188]

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a growth factor and an anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in memory. In this study, we examined the effect of recombinant IGF-2 on memory impairment due to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Avoidance and recognition memory, locomotor activity, neurological deficit score (NDS), and the level of the IGF-2 gene expression were evaluated. Materials and Methods: To induce ICH, 100 μL of autologous blood was injected into the left hippocampus of male Sprague Dawley rats. Recombinant IGF-2 was injected into the damaged hippocampus 30 minutes after the induction of ICH. Then, over two weeks, NDS, locomotor activity, passive avoidance, and novel object recognition (NOR) test were evaluated. Finally, the level of IGF-2 gene expression was evaluated by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Result: Our results indicated that recombinant IGF-2 injection significantly increased step-through latency (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.

The clinical applications of benzodiazepines as anxiolytics are limited by their unwanted side effects. Therefore, the development of new pharmacological agents is well justified. Among medicinal plants, Coriandrum sativum L. has been recommended for relief of anxiety and insomnia in Iranian folk medicine. Nevertheless, no pharmacological studies have thus far evaluated its effects on central nervous system. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine if the aqueous extract of Coriandrum sativum seed has anxiolytic effect in mice. Additionally, its effect on spontaneous activity and neuromuscular coordination were evaluated. The anxiolytic effect of aqueous extract (10, 25, 50, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) was examined in male albino mice using elevated plus-maze as an animal model of anxiety. The effects of the extract on spontaneous activity and neuromuscular coordination were assessed using Animex Activity Meter and rotarod, respectively. In the elevated plus-maze, aqueous extract at 100 mg/kg showed an anxiolytic effect by increasing the time spent on open arms and the percentage of open arm entries, compared to control group. Aqueous extract at 50, 100 and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced spontaneous activity and neuromuscular coordination, compared to control group. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Coriandrum sativum seed has anxiolytic effect and may have potential sedative and muscle relaxant effects.

Background: According to traditional herbal medicine, chamomile has been considered as one of the herbal remedies for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study aimed to investigate the effect of chamomile on lipid and hormonal parameters in women of reproductive age with PCOS. Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial which was conducted on 80 women (40 patients in each group) of childbearing age with PCO. The intervention group received 370 mg oral capsules of chamomile three times a day for 3 months. The control group did receive starch capsule (three times a day). Hormonal and lipid parameters were examined before and 3 months after the intervention. Results: The mean age of the patients was 22.40 ± 5.10 and 24.38 ± 6.14 years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Decreased level of testosterone was observed in the intervention group (in women with PCOS) who received chamomile capsules (P = 0.017). A significant difference was not seen in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = 0.249), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.073), triglycerides (P = 0.603), the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P = 0.423), and the ratio of luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) in the experimental and control groups after the intervention (P = 0.420). Conclusion: According to the findings, oral administration of chamomile capsule caused a significant decrease in total testosterone levels in these patients. However, no significant change was reported with lipid parameters, the ratio of LH/FSH, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of olive leaf extract ointment on pain intensity and early maternal complications in primiparous women.Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 primiparous women. The participants were randomly divided into three groups each containing 30 women. Groups A, B, and C used olive leaf extract ointment, placebo ointment, and betadine solution at the episiotomy area three times a day for 10 d. Improvement of the episiotomy wound was evaluated using REEDA scale, and pain intensity were assessed through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The evaluations were performed 4 h and 3, 7, 10, and 14 d after delivery.Results: The results showed a significant difference between the olive leaf extract ointment group and the other groups regarding the improvement of episiotomy wound (p

Objective(s): The neuroprotective effect of lithium has been attributed to its therapeutic action. However, the role of glial cells particularly astrocytes, and the possible interactions between neurons and astrocytes in neuroprotective effects of lithium have been disregarded. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the direct effects of lithium on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rat primary neuronal, astrocytes, and mixed neuro-astroglial cultures to assess the possible effects of lithium on astrocytes and neuro-astroglia interactions. Materials and Methods: Rat primary astrocyte, neuronal and mixed neuro-astrocyte cultures were prepared from cortices of 18-day embryos. Cell cultures were exposed to lithium (1 mM) or vehicle for 1 day (acute) or 7 days (chronic). BDNF and GDNF mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Results: Chronic but not acute lithium treatment increased intracellular BDNF and GDNF protein levels in rat primary neuronal and astrocyte cultures, respectively (P

S100ß a neurotrophic factor mainly released by astrocytes, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder. Thus, lithium may exert its neuroprotective effects to some extent through S100ß. Furthermore, the possible effects of lithium on astrocytes as well as on interactions between neurons and astrocytes as a part of its mechanisms of actions are unknown. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of lithium on S100β in neurons, astrocytes and a mixture of neurons and astrocytes. Rat primary astrocyte, neuronal and mixed neuro-astroglia cultures were prepared from cortices of 18-day's embryos. Cell cultures were exposed to lithium (1mM) or vehicle for 1day (acute) or 7 days (chronic). RT-PCR and ELISA determined S100β mRNA and intra- and extracellular protein levels. Chronic lithium treatment significantly increased intracellular S100β in neuronal and neuro-astroglia cultures in comparison to control cultures (P

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: Sexuality constitutes an important part of women’s life. Healthy and proper sexual functioning is one of the signs of physical and mental health. The present study aimed to identify the effect of education on sexual health of women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 80 married women at reproductive age were randomly divided into a control and an education group. These women participated in this study based on self-reporting of having hypoactive sexual desire disorder. After six weekly educational sessions regarding sexual health, percentage of changes in sexual desire was assayed using Hurlbert index of sexual desire. Independent and paired t-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Results: After the intervention, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the sexual desire score (P

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.

Genetic polymorphism of CYP2A6 gene is a major causal factor in the large interindividual differences in nicotine metabolism. It may have an impact on smoking behavior and smoke-related cancer susceptibility. Until now, there are no reports of CYP2A6 allele frequencies in Iranian population.In the present study, we investigated the frequencies of CYP2A6 alleles in 250 male Iranians. CYP2A6*2, CYP2A6*4, CYP2A6*9, and CYP2A6*12 were determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.Frequencies of *2, *4, *9, and *12 alleles were 2.2%, 0.95%, 12.4%, and 1.34%, respectively.These results showed that the distribution of CYP2A6 alleles in Iranian population was different from those reported previously for other ethnic groups. This highlights the importance of conducting further studies to investigate the implications on smoking dependence and cancer in Iranians.