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Introduction & Objective: Studies have shown that Silybum marianum have high levels of antioxidant polyphenolic substances and have neuro-protective effects on neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the possible effect of Silybum marianum on expression of and spatial memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2009. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were allocated in three groups: sham group, experimental group, and lesion group, each consisting of ten rats. The experimental and lesion groups received Ibotonic acid of the NBM nucleus in stereotaxic apparatus whereas the sham group underwent surgical procedure without any injection. The experimental group received 200mg/kg of Silybum mirianum extract orally, diluted in 1% Arabic gum. Also the sham group received 1% Arabic gum every day for four weeks. The lesion group did not receive anything. The behavioral assessment was measured, after treatment , by using of Y maze test on day 7 and 28 in all groups. The ELISA method was used to measure the GFAP level in Hippocamp at the end of behavioral assessment. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using ANOVA and Repeated Measures of Analysis Variance tests. Results:Improvement of behavioral performance of the experimental animals compared to the lesion and sham groups were increased significantly on day 7 and 28 (P <0.01 & P <0.001 respectively). The ELISA method showed that the level of the GFAP synthesis decreased in the experimental group compared to the lesion and sham groups (P <0.001). Conclusion: The Silybum marianum plant has a protective effect on the nerve tissue in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by decreasing of the GFAP synthesis and lead to the improvement of behavioral performance. :

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Introduction & Objective: Evidences have indicated that the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) is the major source of dopamine (DA) neurons projecting to cortical and limbic regions involved in cognitive and motivational aspects of addiction. Also, studies have indicated that the Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can reduce the dependency symptoms of opioids such as morphine via effect of activity on dopaminergic neuron in VTA. For this reason, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of ascorbic acid on the amplitude of Ventral Tegmental Area field action potential in morphine-exposed rats. Materials & Methods: Forty male Wistar’s rats were used in this experimental study conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Animals were randomly divided into four groups after electrode implantation and recovery period: 1. No- Vit C and No-Addicted group (nVitC.nA) 2. Vit C and No-Addicted group (VitC.nA) 3. No- Vit C and Addicted group (nVitCA) 4.Vit C and Addicted (VitC.A), The Vit C groups received 500 mg/kg of Vit C during 20 days. For addicted groups morphine was administrated once daily for 20 days. In the 20th day, the field potential recording was accomplished. Two-way ANOVA was used for data analysis followed by the Tukey test for post hoc analysis. Results were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: This study shows the exposure to morphine declined the power of Delta and Beta bands (p<0.05) and Vit C solely enhance power of Theta and Beta (p<0.05, p<0.001) in VTA nuclei. Furthermore, Vit C could alter power of some bands which were affected by morphine. Therefore it seems that Vit C has an increasing effects on them (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although the effect of Vit C on power of the VTA bands is not well known, but it is supposed that this phenomenon can be related to alteration in activity of dopaminergic neuron in the brain.

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Introduction & Objective: Nowadays, cellular and tissues transplant has become the focus of attention for spinal cord injury. It has been shown olfactory nerve cells or olfactory mucosa whi have more efficient on nervous tissue repair and they have been more studied in experimental study. Furthermore, they were used in a few clinical centers for spinal defect. But mucosa tissue and spinal tissue have different structure and there is doubt about the integration of mucosa tissue in nervous tissue. Thus, in this research the morphology and the effect of the fetal olfactory mucosa (FOM) on spinal tissue sparing were studied after transplanted into the spinal cord hemisection in rats. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was conducted at Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Of thirty eight female Sprague-Dawley (200-250g) rats twenty- eight were spinally hemisected at the L1 spinal level and were randomized into two groups of 14 animals. Treatment group received FOM graft and the control group received fetal respiratory mucosa graft (FRM). The other animals received surgical procedure without spinal cord injury as a sham group. The morphology of the transplant region and spinal tissue sparing was examined histological eight weeks after transplantation. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using ANOVA and the morphology of the transplant region were studied by light microscope. Results: Histological study showed that the both mucosa tissues could not integrate with the parenchyma of the spinal tissue. Although the FOM were fused more than the FRM with the host tissue but clear boundary was seen at the graft–host interface. The mean spinal tissue sparing of the treatment group increased a little compare to the control but a significant difference was not apparent whereas, the spinal tissue sparing in treatment and control groups compare to the sham group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Transplantation of the mucosa tissue directly, into the spinal cord injury was created different cytoarchitecture with spinal tissue and FOM partially preserving tissue sparing.

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Introduction & Objective: The function and transparency of the lens actually diminishes with aging as a result, external intervention is necessary to amend it. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitreous humor on the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to lens fiber like cells. Materials & Methods: The present experimental study was conducted at Tarbiat Moallem University in 2010. Bone marrow was collected from tibias in NMRI mice and then cultured. Immuno-cytochemistery was done to confirm the mesenchymal stem cells using Oct4 antibody. Subsequently, MSCs were treated with bovine vitreous body for 7 and 21 days. The morphology of the MSCs to the lens fibers were studied using Phase Contrast Microscope. Results: During the primary culture, the cell population was heterogeneous and in the subsequent passages, the number of the spindle-shaped cells increased. Immuno-cytochemistery study confirmed the MSCs. Morphological studies showed that most cells in the experimental group were locally longer and more aligned in parallel compared to control group cells. Moreover, lens fiber like with large nuclei and multiple nucleoli was observed. Furthermore, the concentration of 25% of vitreous body had more induction effect on MSCs in comparison with the 50% concentration. Conclusion: The MSCs derived from mouse bone marrow could differentiate into lens fiber like cells by treating them with vitreous humor.

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Background & Aim: Cryopreservation of oocytes is an essential part of reproductive biotechnology. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of exposure to combination of cryoprotectants and vitrification on immature mouse oocytes with or without cumulus cells. Methods: This was an experimental study conducted at Yasouj University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Immature oocytes with and without cumulus cells were isolated from ovaries of mice 4-6 weeks of age. They were vitrified in conventional straw using ethylene glycol (EG), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and sucrose as vitrification solution or exposed to vitrification solution without subjected to liquid nitrogen. After warming, oocytes were assessed for nuclear maturation and fertilization. The collected data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: Survival and fertilization rates in vitrified oocytes with cumulus cells were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). Maturation rates in exposure groups were significantly lower than the vitrified and control groups (p<0.05). The fertilization rate increased significantly in all experiment and control groups with cumulus cells in comparison with denuded oocytes (p<0.05). Conclusion: Germinal vesicle stage oocytes in the presence or absence of cumulus cells can be vitrified successfully. Exposure to cryoprotectants can decrease the developmental competence of GV oocytes. Presence of cumulus cells can increase the fertilization rate in IVF procedure.

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Background and aim: Mesenchymal stem cells were separated from bone marrow by Friedenstein et al. for the first time. In addition to their cohesion, mesenchymal properties of the cells were proven by surface markers. The aim of this study was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells from mouse bone marrow cultures and some surface markers in the obtained cells were expressed. Methods: In this study, bone marrow cells in the femur and tibia bones were isolated from NMRI mice. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated to the bottom of culture dish based on cohesion properties. In addition to their cohesion, mesenchymal properties of the cells were proven by CD73, CD44, CD90, CD31, CD45 and CD29 markers, after the fourth passage using flow cytometry. Results: In the primary culture, a heterogenous population of flattened, spindle and multi-faceted cells were observed. Spindle-shaped cells increased in later passages, so that almost all of third passage cells were spindle-shaped. Flow cytometry analysis of surface markers revealed high level mesenchymal stem cells from the fourth passage markers CD44, CD73 and CD29, and, low level of CD31, CD45 and CD90 markers. Conclusion: It can be concluded that MSCs derived from bone marrow mouse have some positive and negative surface markers with high and low expression, respectively. The expression rate of these markers proves the mesenchymal properties of cells. Keyword: Bone Marrow, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Surface Markers

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Abstract Background & aim: Peripheral nerve injuries which can lead to a physical disability. If the defect is very low, direct suture without tension on both ends of the cut nerve regeneration is considered as a standard procedure. Otherwise, to reconstruct the axons, the gap must be filled by graft material in order to the guidance. Due to the similarity of the matrix tubular skeletal muscle and nerve muscles graft was used to repair in this study. Methods: In the present experimental study, 42 female Wistar rats were divided into three groups and underwent surgery. In the first group a narrow strip of muscle was prepared by freezing – thawing, and later sutured between the distal and proximal sciatic nerve. In the second group, the gap caused by muscle graft was regenerated and the nerve growth factor and laminin was injected into the graft. In the control group, the two ends of the cut nerve were hidden beneath the adjacent muscles. Next, a group of rats with sciatic functional index was investigated for the behavioral. On the other group were examined for histological studies after two months. Results: Sciatic functional index and Mean counts of myelinated fibers in two graft groups compared with the control group was significant) p<0.05). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test. Conclusion: co-axially aligned muscle grafts were an appropriate alternative substitute for repairing. It seems that the nerve growth factor and laminin have a positive role in axonal regeneration and functional recovery acceleration. Key words: Sciatic Functional Index, muscle graft, NGF, Laminin

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Background & aim: The production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation are harmful to health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the ethanol extract of Quercus species on lipid peroxidation and the histology of the gyrus dentatus after rat cerebral ischemia. Methods: In the present experimental study, thirty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups. Experimental groups 1 and 2 received 500 and 1000 mg kg hydro alcoholic extract of Quercus and control group were given distilled water at the same time, respectively. In all groups, both sides of common carotid artery was blocked and then opened for 15 minutes. After fifteen days, the mice were killed and the right and left hemisphere were used to determine the level of malondialdehyde by histological studies. Data were analyzed by one-way AOVA. Results: The average number of granular cells in the dentate gyrus of experimental groups were 32.5±1.5, 31.2±2.8, respectively, which was not significantly different in comparison to the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Hydro alcoholic extract of Quercus species inhibit lipid peroxidation by preventing the process of reducing ischemia-reperfusion after injury of nerve cells

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Introduction: The Valeriana officinalis has therapeutic properties in neurological disorders, insomnia and hysteria. Thus, we evaluated the protective activity of Of ethanol extract of this plant on the proliferation and diameter of astrocytes in the hippocampus. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, forty Sprague Dawley rat (200–230 g) were randomly divided equally into 4 groups, in which the control group received distilled water. The treatments groups I, II and III received Valeriana officinalis extracts 300, 400 and 600 mg/kg respectively, daily for three weeks. Then, the rats were killed and brain were removed and fixed. The numbers and large diameter of the astrocytes cells were measured in the hippocampus of different groups. Results: The mean numbers of astrocytes of the CA1 and CA2 in the group that received 600 mg/kg of Valeriana officinalis extracts were 16.79±6.48 and 9.11±3.91 respectively, which significantly increased compare to the control group. The mean of large diameter of astrocytes in the CA1 region of the animals with 300, 400 and 600 mg/kg of Valeriana officinalis were 10.41±2.87, 7.85±2.36 and 5.5±2.06 respectively, that decreased significantly compare to the control group 13.1±4.01. Conclusion: The Valeriana officinalis extract with antioxidant property has potential to proliferate the astrocytes cells in the hippocampus.

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Background & aim: Arginine by regulating the biological activity of the brain plays an important role in reducing stress. Today's, stress is one of the century disease that created many problem.  This study conducted to determine the protective effect of arginine on nitric oxide levels in maternal fetal brain tissue under stress.

Methods: Twenty pregnant Wistar rats (200-250 gr) were randomly divided into four groups. With and without stress groups received arginine (200 mg/kg) intraperitoneal from 5 – 20 days of pregnancies. Control with and sham without stress received 2 ml of normal saline. The pregnant rats were anesthetized by ketamine (100 mg/kg) on the day 20 then the fetuses removed and weighed. Twenty five brain of fetal brain rat from each group were chosen for measuring of forebrain thickness and brain volume. Another 25 brain were chosen for measuring of nitric oxide. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA.

Results: Nitric oxide Levels reduced in stress rats treated with arginine compared to control group (P<0.05). The mean thickness of forebrain and hippicampal formation decreased in stress rats versus unstressed, but was not significant. The mean weight decreased significantly in stress group compared to the unstressed group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Arginine could protect the brain tissue and fetal weight by reducing the level of oxidative stress in the pregnant rats.

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Background & Aim: Long-term useofopioidcreates toleranceandphysical and psychologicaldependence. Discontinuation of the drug, creating ashortageofendogenousopioidsandwithdrawal syndromeemerges.Addictiontreatmentin traditional medicine isusing ofherbssuch asCarumcopticumthathas manytherapeutic effects. The purpose of thisstudy was to evaluatethe effects of hydro-alcoholic extractof Carumcopticum onwithdrawalsyndromein adult ratsaddictedto morphine.

Material & Method: In this study70male Wistarratsdividedinto seven groups of 10, six groups were addicted by morphinesulfateinjection (the first 5days10 mg/kg, the second 5days15 mg/kg andon the dayfrom11 to21, 20mg/kg) subcutaneouslyfor 21 days.Groups three, four and five were fed respectively 10%, 20% Carumcopticum extract and methadone (mg/kg 5) after addiction of animals until the end of period. Groups sixandseven were given respectively10%and 20% of Carumcopticumextractfrom the beginning to the end of treatment period orally.Group one(control) andGrouptwo (morphine) were fed daily 0.5 mL of saline orally to the end of the treatment period (day 21to 35).Datacollected from body weight, jumping, itchingand diarrhea ofanimals wereanalyzedby SPSS software, using Unpaired T test, ANOVA and LSD as post-hoc statistical tests.

Finding: Comparing the mean of weight loose ofthe animals in different treatmentgroupson day21with 35showed statistical significant reduction in the group that received extract of Carumcopticum 10%. On the day 21,itchingand jumping, in the group that received extract of Carumcopticum 10%,and the diarrhea, in the group that receivedthe extract ofCarumcopticum20%compared withthe control groupshoweda significant decrease(P<0.05).On day35,Jumping and diarrheain thegroupsreceived theextract ofCarumcopticum10 and 20percent comparedwith the control groupshoweda significant decrease(P<0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results, hydro-alcoholic extract of carumcopticum inconcentration of 10and 20percent are effectivein reducingwithdrawal syndromeofmorphine as like as methadone.Perhapsitcan be usedas an alternative tomethadoneinaddictiontoreducepainfulwithdrawalsyndromeand freed from the side effects ofmethadone.This suggestionneeds a widerinvestigation.

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Abstract:
Background and aim: Leaves and flowers of Nasturtium officinalis L. contain flavonoid compounds. This plant has several characteristics, such as anticancer properties, blood suger insucer and blood lipids. In the present study, the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of grasses in liver toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in Wistar rats was investigated.
 
Methods: In this research, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four equal groups of  control (received olive Oil), positive control (received olive Oil + CCl4), and four groups as treatment 1 and 2 received olive oil intraperitoneal administration and 250, 500mg/kg body weight hydroalcoholic extract Nastartium officinals respectively. Animals were treated orally by gavage daily for 32 days. At the end of experiment, serum levels of aspartate and alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total proteins were assessed. The Data was analyzed with using of one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's HSD tests using SPSS 21.
 
Results: The mean of ALT, AST, ALP reduced and total protein increased significantly in the in the fourth group compared to the second group (P<0.05). Histological investigation demonstrated that necrosis and inflammation of liver reduced following carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity.
 
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of Nasturtium officinal's can protect liver cells against toxic oxidative damage caused by carbon tetrachloride.
 
 

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Background & aim: Diabetic patients suffer from a variety of reproductive disorders, including loss of libido and disability in fertility. The therapeutic effects of medicinal herbs have been proven in the treatment of very diseases, including infertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale on serum levels of sex hormones in diabetic male rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, the animals used were 32 adult male rats which were divided randomly into four groups of eight each. The normal control and diabetic control received distilled water, the sham and diabetic treated groups received 50 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale respectively. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin in rats. At the end of the 21st day, the rats were anaesthetized with ether and blood sample was taken from the heart. Following luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were measured. The results were evaluated using one way ANOVA and Tukey test.

Results: The results of this study indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale in diabetic treated group increased serum concentrations of LH, FSH and testosterone compared to the diabetic control group. Also results showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale can increase the average body weight in the treatment group compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05).
 
Conclusion: It can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of the Nectaroscordum tripedale in diabetic treated group significantly increased the activity of pituitary-testicular axis and therefore this plant probably play a role in the treatment of infertility in diabetic patients.
 
 

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Abstract                
 
Background & aim: Tissue engineering identifies degraded tissue components and provides rational solutions to improve and perform them. One of these approaches is to fabricate a mixed scaffold with polysaccharide and synthetic antioxidants for stem cells to be cultured inside. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potency of poly caprolactan-chitosan-tannic acid scaffold for proliferation of fibroblast cells.
 
Methods: In the present experimental study, polycaprolactane, chitosan powder and tannic acid scaffold were prepared for growth of fibroblast cells. Subsequently, the following groups were designed: Group 1: Polycaprolactane scaffold Group 2: Polycaprolactane-chitosan scaffold Group 3: Polycaprolactane-tannic acid scaffold Group 4: Polycaprolactane-chitosan-tannic acid scaffold. The human foreskin was prepared and the dermal layer fibroblast cells were isolated after laboratory tests, then the cells were placed in cell culture flasks with DMEM medium and stored in a 5% CO² incubator. Ten thousand cell fibroblasts were transferred to 96-well wells containing DMEM solution and scaffolds and then fibroblast cell proliferation and viability were determined by MTT assay and by SEM microscopy to determine the infiltration of fibroblast cells into scaffolds and also in order to review of the chemical groups in the polymers was performed using a FTIR spectrometer. The results were analyzed by the SPSS software; ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test after the data were analyzed uniformly.
 
Results: The mean survival rate of fibroblast cells based on MTT assay at 24 h was significantly increased in the polycaprolactone-tannic acid scaffold group (p<0.05) compared to the polycaprolactone scaffold group (p<0.05). The results also indicated that the mean survival of cells based on MTT assay at 24 h was significantly increased in the polycaprolactone-chitosan-tannic acid scaffold group (p<0.05) compared to the polycaprolactone scaffold group (p<0.05). Moreover, the mean cell viability in the polyprolactone-chitosan scaffold was not statistically significant compared to the polyprolactone group.
 
Conclusion: Due to its hydrophilic properties and biocompatibility of chitosan and tannic acid, poly caprolactone-chitosan-tannic acid scaffold may be a suitable scaffold for the activity of fibroblast cells in the scaffold.  It can also be a good environment for the growth and proliferation of other cells.