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Introduction: Nowadays, the attention of researchers has been focused on natural medicine in order to avoid the detrimental side effects of chemical drugs. In this study we assessed the effect of root extract of Tagetes minuta against HSV-1 and HSV-2. Materials and Methods: This research is an experimental study. Root extract of Tagetes minuta was obtained with 70% ethanol by maceration. Vero cells were grown in DMEM containing 5% fetal bovine serum. Serial dilutions of extracted suspension (1/10, 1/20, 1/40, 1/80, 1/160) were incubated by the exact titer of viruses and monitored for antiviral activity of extract. Data was analyzed using Doncan test. Results: Root extract obtained from Tagetes minuta significantly has antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2. This extract has more effect on HSV-2 than HSV-1. This study indicates that antiviral activity of the extract varies between different concentrations and the optimum antiviral activity on both viruses was obtained using 1/10 concentration. Conclusion:The results of this investigation showed that root extract of Tagetes minuta have good antiviral potenoial against HSV-1 and HSV-2, a good source of drug for treatment of diseases due to HSV-1 and HSV-2.

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Background: The importance of VP2 protein of canine parvovirus to bind to human cancer cells and to detect the virus in veterinary detection kits has motivated a lot of research on the production of this protein. In this project, a surface gene of canine parvovirus (VP2) was cloned and expressed in a prokaryotic vector system and its expression was optimized in a specific cell-free prokaryotic expression system. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, plasmid pET-21aVP2 was constructed by cloning the PCR product of VP2 gene of canine parvovirus into the plasmid expression pET-21a vector. The best sequence was analyzed through PCR and it was followed by confirmation with sequencing and restriction digestion. To produce VP2 protein, plasmid pET-21aVP2 was transferred into Escherichia coli, Rosetta (DE3) strain, and the expression of this protein was induced by IPTG. The production of VP2 protein in both systems was evaluated using SDS PAGE technique. The expressed protein was checked with monoclonal antibody against VP2 protein by Western blotting technique. Results: Successful cloning of VP2 protein was confirmed by enzymatic digestion and sequencing. The expression of VP2 protein in bacterial and cell-free prokaryotic systems was verified by SDS PAGE and the specific band in Western blotting also confirmed the VP2 protein. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that VP2 gene was amplified in the cloning phases and it was successfully cloned in the expression vector. Protein expression was confirmed in both bacterial and cell-free prokaryotic systems.

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Abstract

Background: The multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Since the level of sex hormone and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease affects one another, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the hydroalcoholic extract of truffle on the hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone administered in experimental model of MS-induced rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 Wistar female rats, weighing 180±10 grams selected into 6 groups each consisting of 7 rats. Normal control didn’t receive any treatment and experimental group was given Cuprizone toxin (as a MS model inducer) for 40 days. The experimental groups (2, 3, 4 and 5) in addition to Cuprizone received the normal saline, 110, 220 and 330 mg/kg/0.2ml (i.p.) of Hydroalcoholic extract of truffle for 12 days too. Blood samples were taken at the end of the twelfth day from all groups involved and levels of sex hormones were measured.

Results: Cuprizone decreases estrogen, progesterone levels and also causes weight loss, while injection of hydroalcoholic extract of truffle increased serum levels of estrogen (in experimental group 4) and progesterone (in experimental group 4 & 5) compared to MS-induced group.

            Conclusion: Results of the study revealed that the hydroalcoholic extract of truffle (at dosages of 220 and 330 mg/kg) could increase estrogen and progesterone levels in rats experienced experimental multiple sclerosis.

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Introduction: Nowadays, due to the increasing spread of electronic devices and digital transmitters, the general public is exposed to electromagnetic waves with different wavelengths. According to the function of the thyroid gland on the metabolic actions of the body, the purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone after receiving short-term and long-term electromagnetic waves emitted from home Wi-Fi.
Methods: 60 rats in the weight range of 250-300 grams were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. The first group did not receive any waves. The second group was placed near Irancell's portable Wi-Fi device for 10 days,1 hour a day, and the third group was near Wi-Fi waves for 3 hours a day for a month. After one month, blood was taken from the mice and the serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone was measured.
Results: The data analysis showed that the serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone in the group that was exposed to medium-term Wi-Fi waves was significantly different from the control group, but the level of this hormone in the group that was exposed to the waves for a short period of time, it was not significant in comparison with the control group.
Conclusions: According to the present results, it is possible that electromagnetic waves lead to hormonal disorders in the body, and one of these disorders can be a change in the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone.