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To evaluate the effects of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers on yield and lodging characteristics of Gilaneh rice cultivar under two irrigation regimes (permanent flooding and irrigation with to 10 days interval) a field split split plot experiment based on complete randomized block design with 3 replications in Rasht. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizers used were at the 0, 60 and 120 kg.ha-1 and 0, 80 and 160 kg.ha-1 as sub and sub sub factor, respectively. The results showed that the highest seed yield obtained about 3713 kg.ha-1 from permanent flooding with the application of 120 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and 80 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer and the lowest yield 634 kg.ha-1 from 10 days irrigation interval, without using of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. The 10-day irrigation interval reduced the bending moment of the internode 4 by 40%. With increasing the rate of potassium fertilizer, the lodging index of intermediate 4 decreased, which was due to the increase of cellulose content by 60% in this intermediate. Increasing nitrogen and potassium fertilizers decreased the lodging index at internodes 3 and 4. Irrigation at 10 days intervals decreased plant height, internode bending moment, cellulose and hemicellulose and seed yield It increased lodging index of intermediate, butincreasing fertilizer levels in both irrigation regimes had adverse effect on the traits under study.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a group of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil in preventing epilepsy. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 mice were randomly assigned to five groups of 10 each. The control group received normal saline plus tween-80 and after 30 min pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Groups 2 and 3 were treated first with S. bachtiarica essential oil at 50 and 100 mg/kg , respectively and then after 30 min received PTZ. Group 4 received diazepam and 30 min later PTZ. Group 5 received flumazenil and 30 min later PTZ. After the last injection of PTZ, the time of seizure onset, seizure severity and score, the completion time of each seizure (attack episode), and mortality rate in different groups were recorded and compared. Results: The administration of S. bachtiarica essential oil at 50 and 100 mg/kg to PTZ-treated mice caused a significant increase in latency to the first seizure and survival of mice, as well as a significant decrease in the frequency of the head and upper limbs seizure, total body seizures, tonic seizures, and jumping. S. bachtiarica essential oil at 100 mg/kg caused a significant decrease in the head tic frequency. The administration of flumazenil significantly inhibited S. bachtiarica essential oil-induced effects and increased the head and upper limbs seizures, tonic seizures, and jumping. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that S. bachtiarica essential oil could prevent PTZ-induced seizure and these findings authenticate the traditional claims about the use of S. bachtiarica in treating epilepsy.

IntroductionEpilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that is often accompanied by recurrent seizures. World health organization (WHO) estimated that more than 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy. Although electroencephalogram (EEG) signals contain vital physiological and pathological information of brain and they are a prominent medical tool for detecting epileptic seizures, visual interpretation of such tools is time-consuming. Since early diagnosis of epilepsy is essential to control seizures, we present a new method using data mining and machine learning techniques to diagnose epileptic seizures automatically.MethodsThe proposed detection system consists of three main steps: In the first step, the input signals are pre-processed by discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and sub-bands containing useful information are extracted. In the second step, the features of each sub-band are extracted by approximate entropy (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn) and then these features are ranked by ANOVA test. Finally, feature selection is done by the FSFS technique. In the third step, three algorithms are used to classify seizures: Least squared support vector machine (LS-SVM), K nearest neighbors (KNN) and Naive Bayes model (NB).Results and discussionThe average accuracy for both LS-SVM and NB was 98% and it was 94.5% for KNN, while the results show that the proposed method can detect epileptic seizures with an average accuracy of 99.5%, 99.01% of sensitivity and 100% of specificity which show an improvement over most similar methods and can be used as an effective tool in diagnosing this complication.

To evaluate the effects of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers on yield and lodging characteristics of Gilaneh rice cultivar under two irrigation regimes (permanent flooding and irrigation with to 10 days interval) a field split split plot experiment based on complete randomized block design with 3 replications in Rasht. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizers used were at the 0, 60 and 120 kg.ha-1 and 0, 80 and 160 kg.ha-1 as sub and sub sub factor, respectively. The results showed that the highest seed yield obtained about 3713 kg.ha-1 from permanent flooding with the application of 120 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and 80 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer and the lowest yield 634 kg.ha-1 from 10 days irrigation interval, without using of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. The 10-day irrigation interval reduced the bending moment of the internode 4 by 40%. With increasing the rate of potassium fertilizer, the lodging index of intermediate 4 decreased, which was due to the increase of cellulose content by 60% in this intermediate. Increasing nitrogen and potassium fertilizers decreased the lodging index at internodes 3 and 4. Irrigation at 10 days intervals decreased plant height, internode bending moment, cellulose and hemicellulose and seed yield It increased lodging index of intermediate, butincreasing fertilizer levels in both irrigation regimes had adverse effect on the traits under study.

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that seizures can cause cognitive disorders. On the other hand, the Curcuma zedoaria (CZ) has beneficial effects on the nervous system. However, there is little information on the possible effects of the CZ extract on seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of CZ extract on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress induced by epilepsy in rats. Methods Rats were randomly divided into different groups. In all rats (except the sham group), kindling was performed by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) at a dose of 35 mg/kg every 48 h for 14 days. Positive group received 2 mg/kg diazepam + PTZ; treatment groups received 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg CZ extract + PTZ; and one group received 0.5 mg/kg flumazenil and CZ extract + PTZ. Shuttle box and Morris Water Maze tests were used to measure memory and learning. On the last day of treatments PTZ injection was at dose of 60 mg/kg, tonic seizure threshold and mortality rate were recorded in each group. After deep anesthesia, blood was drawn from the rats’ hearts and the hippocampus of all rats was removed. Results Statistical analysis of the data showed that the CZ extract significantly increased the tonic seizure threshold and reduced the pentylenetetrazol-induced mortality and the extract dose of 400 mg/kg was selected as the most effective dose compared to the other doses. It was also found that flumazenil (a GABAA receptor antagonist) reduced the tonic seizure threshold compared to the effective dose of the extract. The results of shuttle box and Morris water maze behavioral tests showed that memory and learning decreased in the negative control group and the CZ extract treatment improved memory and learning in rats. The CZ extract also increased antioxidant capacity, decreased MDA and NO in the brain and serum of pre-treated groups in compared to the negative control group. Conclusion: It is concluded that the CZ extract has beneficial effects on learning and memory impairment in PTZ-induced epilepsy model, which has been associated with antioxidant effects in the brain or possibly exerts its effects through the GABAergic system.

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: Alpinia officinarum is an aromatic plant that show some neuroprotective functions in animal models. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of A. officinarum rhizome using two behavioral models. Methods: Forty male BALB/c mice were randomized to four groups. All studygroups underwent three weeks of daily chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) sessions. Control group received daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of normal saline 30 min before daily CUS; groups 2, 3 and 4 received i.p. injection of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day of A. officinarum extract, respectively. Behavior tests were performed after 21 days of treatment. Serum and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TCA) were also measured. Results: Immobility duration in both forced swim test and tail suspension test decreased significantly in the groups treated with A. officinarum extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg compared to control group (P < 0.05). Extract treatment reduced MDA and increased TCA in both brain and serum (P < 0.05). Results demonstrate that the hydroalcoholic extract of A. officinarum possesses antidepressant activity in the animal model.

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.

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.

The aim of present study is to investigate pretreatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome on the severity of epilepsy and memory impairment in rat. In this experimental study, rats were randomly assigned to seven groups. Control group and negative control group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline and PTZ, respectively, for 10 days. The intervention groups received A. officinarum extract at different doses (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) 30 minutes before PTZ injection. A. officinarum extract treatment in rats with PTZ-induced kindling exerted significant increase in seizure latency and significant decrease in the frequency of total body seizure, frequent spinning, and jumping. Flumazenil significantly inhibited the antiepileptic effects of A. officinarum extract in the rat receiving the extract at 150 mg/kg. A. officinarum extract can inhibit PTZ-induced seizure and memory impairment, and therefore can be considered as a potent agent which warranted further research to clarify its effects.

Salinity is a major environmental stress that limits crop production worldwide. It is well-understood that environmental adaptations, physiological and biochemical traits adjust salinity tolerance in plants, but imparting the knowledge gained towards crop improvement remain arduous. Utilizing the potentially of beneficial microorganisms present in the rhizosphere is an alternative strategy to improve crop production under optimal or stress conditions. The current study aims at examining the ability of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in improving coriander growth under salt stress condition. Coriander seeds were inoculated via dual culture of Azospirillum brasiliense and Azotobacter chroococcum, and therefore subjected to four levels of salt stress (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl) with three replications in a research greenhouse. Seventy-five days after sowing, when leaves fully developed, leaf samples were collected and the traits were measured. The results indicated that the dual inoculation improved chlorophyll a and b content, in comparison to the un-inoculated plants. The dual inoculation increased grain yield, stem fresh and dry weights by 11.6, 11.3 and 17.2%, respectively; it also enhanced total plant fresh and dry weights by 6.1 and 10.2%, respectively, as compared to control. As a result, the dual inoculation significantly improved catalase (CAT), but decreased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) enzymes activities, as compared to control plants. Salt stress significantly increased (CAT) activity in the leaves, whereas it resulted in significant reduction in (APX) and (GPX) activity, especially in inoculated plants. Furthermore, dual inoculation decreased Na and subsequently increased K concentration in coriander leaves comparing with untreated plants. Overall, these results indicate that the PGPRs has improved coriander growth under control as well as salt stress conditions. Thus, PGPR can could significantly contribute to solve the coriander plant production problems caused by high salinity.

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.

Objective(s): Long-term exposure to stress leads to memory deficits and certain mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. We aimed to study the effect of gallic acid (GA) on chronic restraint stress (CRS) induced anxiety and memory deficits in male BALB/c mice.Materials and Methods: Ninety male BALB/c mice were assigned to nine groups including caged control (CC): food-water deprived (FWD), under chronic restraint stress (CRS), CRS+ gallic acid (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), and gallic acid (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg). Behavioral assays were performed after 21 days of daily treatment with CRS and GA. Serum and brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TCA) and serum corticosterone level were also measured. Results: Treatment of CRS mice with GA significantly improved passive avoidance memory in the shuttle box and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open filed test (OFT). GA treatment significantly reduced elevated levels of serum and brain MDA and increased brain TCA. CRS and GA did not affect serum corticosterone levels. Treatment of healthy mice with GA had some adverse effects and induced some anxiety and oxidative stress. Conclusion: GA exerted protective effects against stress-induced mood and memory deficit disorders.

Context: Scopolamine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, causes memory loss that resembles Alzheimer's disease (AD). Echium amoenum L. (Boraginaceae) is a famous medicinal plant of Iran that is traditionally used as a sedative and mood enhancer. Objective: This study evaluates the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of E. amoenum flowers on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats. Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Control group received normal saline, model group received scopolamine (0.7 mg/kg, IP, daily for 21 days), and test groups received E. amoenum extract (50, 75, and 100 mg/kg, IP, daily for 21 days) 30 min before each scopolamine injection. The elevated plus maze (EPM), shuttle box, novel object and rotarod tests were performed after treatment. Brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TCA) were also determined. Results: Scopolamine-treated rats spent more time exploring the novel object compared to the control, and E. amoenum extract at all three doses significantly decreased the time spent exploring the novel object (p

The purpose of this study is zoning and analyzing the precipitation cycles in central areas of Irna. For this purpose, 29 climatic variables for 72 synoptic and climatology stations during the statistical period of (1980-2011) have been uses. To this end, by using geostatic methods, a data base of dimension 29×3673 km was formed. Then for climatic zoning, cluster analysis method and discriminant analysis have been used. For detecting hidden or visible precipitation cycles at each area, spectrum analysis have been used. Data obtained from selected climatic variables have been reviewed and analyzed by Ward incorporation cluster analysis method that after drawing Dan Degram, four climatic areas(1- the area with high precipitation, 2-very low temperature and high humidity, 3- very low precipitation, very high temperature and very low humidity 4- low precipitation, high temperature and low humidity) have been recognized. To evaluate the results of the cluster analysis, discriminant analysis method was used to test the mean difference. The results of discriminant analysis showed that 98.87 of the stations are located correctly in their respective groups.The results obtained from using analysis of precipitation cycles of each of these areas showed that short cycles of 2-4years have been mostly dominant in the both four groups. However, the most variable cycles are located in area No.1 due to different factors including vicinity with Persian Gulf waters and locating in the shadow of Zagros mountains.

Epilepsy is a disorder in brain in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, occasionally signal abnormally and cause strange emotions, sensations, and behavior, or sometimes muscle spasms, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Neurotransmitters in central nervous system greatly affect and play a very important part in neuronal excitability. Traditional treatments are still a component of health care system in many communities despite the fact that well-established alternatives are available. In this review article, we addressed epilepsy and its treatments with emphasis on medical plants and introduction of antiepileptic plants and their action mechanisms. Relevant articles published since 2010 were retrieved using the search terms including epileptic seizure, anticonvulsant, medicinal plants, and oxidative stress. Most plants/herbal preparations that are ethnomedically used to treat epilepsy or those which have been tested for anticonvulsant activity were reported. Overall, the results of the published articles show that the symptoms of epilepsy seizure can be inhibited or treated by active ingredients derived from medicinal plants.

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.

The purpose of this research survey and descriptive study was to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of dry-bed rice seeding development in Khuzestan province, and provide strategies to develop dry-bed rice seeding cultivation. The statistical populations were all farmers of Ahwaz and Mahshahr township, which were engaged in dry-bed rice cultivation. From them 180 farmers were selected as sample using Cochran’s formula and stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and to provide strategies to develop dry-bed rice the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) matrix was used. Based on the results, reducing in time in dry-bed rice seeding cultivation, reducing in need for labor and low water consumption were important strengths; increasing in weeds growing was the important weakness; The development of culture in favorable soil was the important opportunity and roughness of the farming land and There are environmental threats were important threat of dry-bed rice seeding cultivation.By analyzing the strategic factors, based on common rules in the analysis of SWOT If the average of the weaknesses and threats is less than average strengths, opportunities (WT < SO), Strategy that can be proposed offensive and If the total average of the Weaknesses, opportunities is less than average Strengths and threats (WO

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.

Abstract 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.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of chamomile on balance and motor learning in rats receiving scopolamine and intact rats. Methods: Fourty-two rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 7). Control group received distilled water. Rats in Group 2 were given 1 mg/kg scopolamine. Groups 3 and 4 received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and scopolamine simultaneously for 20 days. Intact groups (Groups 5 and 6) only received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Motor coordination of rats was assessed with rotarod apparatus. Results: According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, scopolamine significantly decreased time spent on rotarod performance (P

Brain ischemia and reperfusion is the leading cause of serious and long-range disability in the world. Clinically significant changes in central nervous system function are observed following brain ischemia and reperfusion. Stroke patients exhibit behavioral, cognitive, emotional, affective and electrophysiological changes during recovery phase. Brain injury by transient complete global brain ischemia or by transient incomplete brain ischemia afflicts a very large number of patients in the world with death or permanent disability. In order to reduce this damage, we must sufficiently understand the mechanisms involved in brain ischemia and reperfusion and repair to design clinically effective therapy. Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion is known to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species that can lead to oxidative damage of proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids. A decrease in tissue antioxidant capacity, an increase in lipid peroxidation as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation inhibitors have been demonstrated in several models of brain ischemia. This paper reviews the number of commonly used types of herbal medicines effective for the treatment of stroke. The aim of this paper was to review evidences from controlled studies in order to discuss whether herbal medicine can be helpful in the treatment of brain ischemia and reperfusion.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) on learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Memory enhancing activity in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze and passive avoidance paradigm. Methods: A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follow: control group: received water, scopolamine treated group: received scopolamine 1 mg/kg for 15 days, two scopolamine + T. vulgaris treated groups: received scopolamine and T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, two intact groups: received T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days. Results: Administration of T. vulgaris extract significantly restored memory and learning impairments induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. Conclusions: T. vulgaris extract has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders produced by scopolamine and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) affects a large number of aged populations. The current therapeutic approach to treat cognitive loss associated with AD is cholinergic enhancement strategy using muscarinic or nicotinic receptor ligands and Aacetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The Beta Vulgaris Leaves (BVL) extract has AChE inhibitory and antioxidant activities and may have beneficial effects in AD patients. Aim: To investigate the effects of BVL extract on memory impairments induced by lesions on Nucleus Basalis of Meynert (NBM) using the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tasks in rat. Materials and Methods: Total of 49 male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups including: Group 1- control, without surgery, received saline, Group 2-NBM lesion, Group 3 and Group 4 -NBM+BVL extract 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. per day for 15 days, respectively. A Group 5- Sham group (with surgery, but no drug), Group 6 and Group 7- intact groups which received BVL extract, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. per day for 15 days, respectively. The step through latency was measured by shuttle box test. The preference probe test was done using water maze apparatus. Results: In shuttle box test, the step through latency increased significantly in NBM+100 BVL (Group 3), NBM+200 BVL (Group 4), Intact+100 BVL (Group 6), Intact+200 BVL (Group 7) groups in comparison to AD group (p

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of grape seed oil in male mice (n=60) using tail suspension and forced swim tests. Mice were divided to six groups of 10 in each group. Group I: Intraperitoneally receiving normal saline; Group II: Received normal saline & stress; Group III-V: Injected (i.p.) with different (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) doses of grape seed oil; and Group VI: Received fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Grape seed oil in 60 mg/kg significantly decreased immobility time in tail suspension and forced swim tests under chronic unpredictable stress compared to groups under chronic stress receiving normal saline and grape seed oil (120 and 240 mg/kg). Grape seed oil (60 mg/kg) significantly improved the motor balance in mice under chronic stress. It had no significant effect on serum corticosterone level. Grape seed oil can improve depression symptoms in mice. Video Clip of Methodology: 0 min 14 sec Full Screen Alternate

Depression is a life-threatening, debilitating, and common disease affecting different segments of community. Chemical and synthetic drugs available to treat this disease cause many adverse effects and may lead to complete recovery in only 50% of patients. At the same time, medicinal plants have been reported to exert optimal pharmacological effects in treating depression in different models. In this review, the relevant articles indexed in the reliable databases PubMed, PubMed central, Scopus and Web of Science were review-ed. The review indicated that most medicinal plants exerted antidepressant effects through synaptic regulation of serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine, regulating activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, reinfor-cing anti-oxidant defense system, and decreasing inflammatory mediators. The medicinal plants and their active compounds can relieve depression through different pathways and hence are considered a new source to produce antidepressants.

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.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Borago officinalis on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice. Morphine-dependent group received morphine for nine days and then received naloxone via intraperitoneal injection. Control group received saline for nine days. Post-treated group received B. officinalis extract intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg) on the day 10 before naloxone injection. Co-treated group received B. officinalis extract intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg) and morphine for nine days and then received naloxone. Extract-treated group received extract for nine days and then received naloxone. Naloxone injection significantly increased the frequency of jumping, blinking, ptosis, defecation, paw trembling, and two-legged standing in comparison to the control group. Co-treatment and post-treatment with B. officinalis extract significantly decreased the withdrawal symptoms. In conclusion, hydroalcoholic extract of B. officinalis significantly attenuated the symptoms of morphine withdrawal syndrome. Video Clip of Methodology: 8 min 11 sec Full Screen Alternative