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Background: Peripheral nervous system damages reverse as retrograde to alpha neuron cell bodies and cause spinal degeneration. The fact that herbs, due to their antioxidant properties, have an important role in viability and reproduction of neurons has led to the application of their extracts. Hence, this study was done to determine the neuro-protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on alpha-motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats with average bodyweight of 250-300gr were divided into four groups of six: Control, compression, A (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 50 mg/kg), and B (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 75 mg/kg). In compression and treatment groups, the right leg sciatic nerve was subjected to compression (30 seconds). In treatment groups, the extract was injected intraperitoneally two times after compression. After 28 days, lumbar segments of spinal cord, L2-L4, were sampled through perfusion method. After going through tissue passage stages, they were cut in serial sections (7µ) and stained with toluidine blue. Then the density of alpha motoneurons of the spinal cord ventral horn was measured by dissector method.

Results: Neuronal density showed a significant difference between the compression and control groups (p<0.05). Also, in treatment groups A and B, it had a significant increase compared to the compression group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa has neuro-protective effects and the increase in neuronal density is relevant to the amount of extract used.

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Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) has estrogenic properties and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on sperm parameters against toxicity induced with BPA.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, adult male mice with mean body weight 32±3 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6) Control, BPA (200mg/kg/day), NSO (5ml/kg/day), and BPA+NSO. Oral treatment was performed till 34 days. After end of treatment, body and left testis weight were recorded and left caudal epididymis was also cut. Released spermatozoa were used to analyze sperm parameters such as motility, viability and abnormalities. Sperm chromatin quality was assessed. Data were analyzed with One-Way ANOVA.

Results: Body and testis weight showed no significant change in four groups (p<0.05). A significant decrease in the motility, viability and normal morphology of sperm (p<0.001) was found in BPA-treated mice compared to the control group. In BPA+ NSO group, NSO could significantly increas the mentioned parameters compared to the BPA group (p<0.05). BPA had no effect on the uncleus diameter of the spetmatogonia and sperm DNA integrity and histon-protamine replacement.

Conclusion: The results indicated that NSO could partially ameliorate Bisphenol A-induced toxicity on sperm parameters.

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Background and Aim: In addition to free radicals such as Nitric Oxide (NO), inflammation is one of the most important pathophysiological causes of peritonitis. Over thousands of years, Nigella Sativa (NS) and Silybum Marianum (SM) are two plants known for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of its compound is unclear. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of NS and SM extracts and their combination on inflammatory diseases like thioglycollate peritoneal.
Methods & Materials: Alcoholic extracts of SM and NS were obtained by the soxhlet method. Male Balb/C mice were divided into 5 groups and gavage orally for 14 days with SM, NS, the mixture of extracts of these two, DMSO 30% as the control group, and dexamethasone as the positive control group. The safety profile and acute toxicity in mice were assessed. On day 10, acute peritonitis was induced by thioglycollate 3%. Finally, the total anti-oxidant power and NO concentration were measured by FRAP and Griess method, respectively, in the serum of treated mice.
Ethical Considerations: All experimental process was performed following the guidelines according to the Animal Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.359).
Results: Acute toxicity test showed no significant changes in weight and physical appearance of the mice. However, the extract and their mixture decreased NO level significantly (P=0.000) in serum. Also, the mixture significantly increased total anti-oxidant power (P=0.015).
Conclusion: Results showed that the SM and NS extract mixture demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as NO and increasing anti-oxidant power, thus supporting its therapeutic potential in slowing down inflammatory processes in inflammation disorders.