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Background & aim: Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from buds and leaves of trees and plants, possessing various biological properties. This study aimed to assess the anti-fungal activities of Ethanolic extract of Propolis (EEP) in an experimental infection of vaginal candidiasis. Methods: In this study, twenty-four female rabbits were used for experimental infections. Animals were randomly divided into six equal groups: positive control group, negative control group, and four treatment groups. The four test groups were given doses of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml of Propolis Ethanolic extract respectively while the positive control group received the standard Nystatin treatment and negative control group were given saline, locally, two times a day for 20 days. The data were analyzed, using descriptive statistics. Results: Among all groups, the results showed that dose of 1000 µg/ml of EEP were the most effective dose in treatment of experimental vaginal candidiasis. Clinical signs of vaginal candidiasis were healed in Nystatin group after 9 days. No effect was recorded after 20 days treatment of infection for others doses of EEP that were used in this study. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Ethanolic extract of Propolis in 1000 µg/ml concentration could treat experimental vaginal candidiasis in rabbits in a shorter time in comparison with standard nystatin treatment..

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Background and aim: Zymosan-induced peritonitis model can use to study the recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity and to study the effects of existing and novel anti-inflammatory drugs. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum Perforatum on acute peritonitis induced by Zymosan in NMRI mice.

Methods: Fifty male NMRI mice were randomly allocated in 10 equal gropes and treated with 0 ,100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of H. Perforatum and or 10mg/kg diclofenac 1 hours before the induction of peritonitis. To induce peritonitis, each mouse intraperitoneally received 10 µg of zymosan in 0.4 ml of saline. After 48 h, the peritoneal cavity was lavaged by 5 ml of cold PBS and the isolated cells were used  to evaluate cell differential count, nitric oxide production and severity of respiratory burst. Statistical dada tests were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney and Bonferroni adjustment.

Results: The data showed that the nitric oxide and respiratory burst which was produced from exudate cells by  peritoneal lavage in mice that received H. Perforatum at  doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg or diclofenac compared to mice received normal saline were reduced. Total cell number in peritoneal cavity significantly decreased in all treatment group. However, no significant difference was observed between treatment groups with Hypericum perforatum extract. Using diclofenac or hydroalcoholic extract of H. Perforatum caused a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6. Diclofenac caused more profound reduction in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1 compared to extract. Nevertheless, the level of IL-6 was indicated a significant decrease in mice with peritonitis received hydroalcoholic extract especially in dose 400 mg/kg compared to mice with peritonitis received diclofenac.

Conclusion: In total it seems that the hydroalcholic extract of H. Perforatum may be a suitable as natural source to control inflammation caused by acute peritonitis.