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Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated that several factors including physical activities enhance proliferation of progenitor of gliosis in hippocampus gyrus. In the present study, we evaluate the effects of maternal voluntary running during second, third week of the gestation on the gliosis of the dentate gyrus in neonatal rats. Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, Wistar pregnant female rats (no=15) randomly were divided into two groups, voluntary running and control groups. Voluntary running group was divided into two subgroups (second and third week). Pregnant rats in the second week of voluntary running group and control groups during the 8th–15th days of pregnancy and pregnant rats in the third week of voluntary running group from the 15th day of pregnancy until delivery were subcutaneously injected with 100mg/kg of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) once a day at 6 pm. After birth, the rat pups' brains were removed and fixed. For histology and immunohistochemistry staining, coronal sections 40µm thick were made. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way followed by t-test. The data are presented as the mean±SEM. The differences were considered significant at p≤0.05. Results: The mean number of astrocytes of granular layer of the dentate gyrus for the rat pups of second week voluntary running, third week voluntary running and control groups were: 127.7; 115.2 and 94 per field, respectively. The mean number of astrocytes increases 29% in the voluntary running pups compared to control group. There was a significant difference between the groups in this regard. Conclusion: We concluded that maternal voluntary running during second, third week of the gestation may have enhanced gliosis of the dentate gyrus in neonatal rats. The proliferative and differentiation effect of voluntary running on dentate gyrus is more during second week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tissue engineering is a new field in regenerative medicine, which aims to use different sciences such as biology, engineering, chemistry, physics, etc. to regenerate or replace damaged or lost tissues. One of the important strategies in repairing or replacing damaged or lost tissues is the use of effective drugs. Because tissue engineering is based on 3 pillars of stem cells, effective factors and engineered scaffolds. By manipulating stem cells or engineered scaffolds and even directly using some pharmaceutical agents, in situ drug delivery can be performed. The use of these strategies accelerates the repair and reconstruction of the damage tissues and in addition it reduces the side effects of the systemic use of drugs and of course, it can be effective in reducing costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Parkinson's is the most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. It is caused by the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the dense part of the substantia nigra. The use of adult and fetal stem cells as well as various types of antioxidants have been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and have had different results. Methods and Materials: The research was conducted on adult male mice. Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from the bone marrow of rats. Antioxidants such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester, hypericum perforatum, propolis, nortriptyline, granulocyte stimulating factor and even magnetic fields with specific intensity were investigated simultaneously or separately in parkinsonian rats that were using 6OHDA or MPTP. Results: the results were very different in most of the studies. using antioxidants along with mesenchymal stem cells as pretreatment increases the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain stem, changes in factors such as BDNF, SOD, GPX, MDA, FRAP, had become serotonin. It has also had an effect on behavioral tests such as pole, Morris water maze, and memory. In some treatment groups, the results were completely opposite and caused more damage. Conclusion: From all the findings, it can be concluded that the use of antioxidants can be effective in the recovery of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alendronate is a bisphosphonate compound that is used in the treatment of osteoporosis by inhibiting bone resorption. The side effects of this drug oc Alendronate Bisphosphonates, In Situ Gel, Slow Release Injectable Formulation, Osteoporosis, Liquid Crystalcur due to concentration fluctuations resulting from the rapid release. Methods and Materials: First, amounts of phosphatidylcholine (PC), glycerol dioleate (GDO) and sorbitol Mono Oleate (SMO) were combined together with ethanol. This compound was added as a base to one side of the coupling syringe and alendronate powder was added to the other side of the syringe by combining these two, the obtained formulations were transferred into tubes containing PBS to check drug release within 30 days, and samples were taken from them at certain times. Results: The cumulative percentage of drug release in formulations F3 and F4 which contain ethanol, has a higher percentage of release than NMP. The amount of drug release in F1 formulation is the lowest and F3 has the highest release rate. The release of F3 formulation has reached almost 100% within a month. The liquid crystal gel degradation resulting from formulations F3 and F4 containing ethanol has a higher degradation percentage than NMP formulation F3 has absorbed more water, which has a direct relationship with drug release. Formulations containing ethanol have more water than formulations contain NMP. Liquid crystal formulations with ethanol solvent have a lower viscosity, and in addition, F4 formulation containing ethanol and SMO. It has a lower viscosity than other formulations. In the images obtained from the polarized light, the formulations containing NMP were hexagonal and the images obtained from the formulations containing ethanol were cubic, and these figures also formulations containing ethanol were cubic, and these figures also show that the drug release from the formulations containing ethanol is more than the formulations containing NMP. Conclusion: The use of continuous release pharmaceutical forms of alendronate can have significant benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) may enhance the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. This study investigated the effect of Prangos ferulaceae (L.) on VPA-induced ASD in rats. Methods and Materials: Pregnant rats received VPA (600 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline on gestational day 12.5 (E 12.5). Starting from the 30th postnatal day (PND 30), the pups were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered Prangos ferulaceae (PF, 100 and 200 mg/kg), or the vehicle, daily until PND 58 On PND 30 and 58, various behavioral tasks were used to evaluate pups, including the open field, elevated plus-maze, hot-plate, and rotarod test. On PND 65, the animals were euthanized, and their brains were removed for histopathological and biochemical assay. Results: Prenatal exposure to VPA caused significant behavioral changes in the offspring, reversed by administering an extract of Prangos ferulaceae (L.). Additionally, prenatal VPA administration resulted in increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and deficits in antioxidant enzyme activities in the hippocampus, including catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH), ameliorated by PF. Likewise, postnatal treatment with PF improved VPA-induced dysregulation of Bax and Blc2 in the hippocampus and reduced neuronal death in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that postnatal administration of PF can prevent VPA-induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behaviors by exhibiting anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant properties. Therefore, PF may have the potential as an adjunct in the management of ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gliadin in flour products is glutamine- and proline-rich and resistant to proteolytic breakdown by gastric and intestinal digestive proteases. Undigested gliadin polypeptides are transformed by tissue transglutaminase into toxic and immunogenic peptides, activating Th1 and Th2 inflammatory pathways. Enzyme therapy, which digests gliadin into non-immunogenic and non-toxic peptides, can be a promising therapeutic approach for celiac disease. Zingibain is a cysteine protease derived from ginger with strong anti-inflammatory properties that can cleave proteins from proline residues. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the zingibain on gliadin digestion. Methods and Materials: At first, the cleavage site of zingibain was simulated on the gliadin sequence. Then, the toxicity and immunogenicity of digested fragments were predicted using ToxinPred and IEDB servers. In the following, the zingibain enzyme was purified from fresh ginger. Gliadin was treated with zingibain at a ratio of 1 to 10 (enzyme: substrate) at 37°C for 16 hours, and the band's pattern of gliadin was investigated by SDS-PAGE 12%. Also, the toxicity of zingibain on the Caco-2 cell line was determined by the MTT method. Results: The results obtained from the simulation of enzymatic cleavage of the gliadin sequence by zingibain and investigating the toxicity and immunogenicity of the resulting fragments with ToxinPred and IEDB servers showed that the zingibain can digest gliadin into non-toxic and non-immunogenic peptides. Also, SDS-PAGE gel demonstrated that zingibain is well able to digest gliadin. Furthermore, the extracted zingibain showed no toxicity on Caco-2 cells up to a concentration of 1000 (μg/mL). Conclusion: Considering the digestion effect of zingibain on gliadin as well as its anti-inflammatory property, by conducting more studies, we can hope for the therapeutic potential of this natural enzyme in the treatment of celiac disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lifestyle and eating habits affect the health and function of body organs such as kidneys. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two types of diet programs, calorie restriction (CR) and time restriction (TR) on histopathological changes and apoptotic molecules during acute kidney injury (AKI) in postmenopausal rats. Methods and Materials: The female rats were divided into two groups, ovariectomized (OVX) and ovary-intact (sham), and were placed on CR and TR diets for 8 weeks; After that, AKI was induced by injection of glycerol. Functional and apoptotic indices and histopathological changes, were measured before and after AKI. Results: After AKI, urinary albumin excretion, serum urea, creatinine, kidney tissue Bax and Bax/Bcl2 ratio increased, while GFR and kidney tissue Bcl2 decreased compared to before AKI. Histopathological indices (inflammation, cellular necrosis, cell vacuolization, tubular dilatation, intratubular cast and congestion) also confirmed renal injury. CR and TR diets improved renal injury indices and prevented an increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. The histopathological results also showed the improvement of kidney condition in both groups, especially in the CR diet. Coclution: The results indicated that CR and TR programs have renoprotective effects against AKI and may increase the resistance of kidney cells to injury by reducing the Bax / Bcl2 ratio and improving apoptosis. But the effects of CR are more than TR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species, endothelial cell damage, increased vascular permeability, and the activation of neutrophils and cytokines. Myrtenol, a monoterpene alcohol, has been extensively studied and demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties, offering protective effects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal injection of myrtenol on lung ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods and Materials: Wistar rats were categorized into four distinct groups for the study. These groups consisted of a sham group, a lung ischemia-reperfusion group, a vehicle+LIR group, and a myrtenol+LIR group. In the lung ischemia-reperfusion group, the rats were subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. The vehicle+LIR group received DMSO at a concentration of 0.5%. The myrtenol+LIR group received daily intraperitoneal injections of myrtenol for one week prior to lung ischemia-reperfusion. Various oxidative stress markers, namely SOD, superoxide dismutase, GPx, glutathione peroxidase, MDA, malondialdehyde, TOS, total oxidant status, and TAC, total antioxidant capacity, were evaluated, along with inflammatory factors Tumor necrosis factor alpha and Interleukin-6 (TNF-α and IL-6). Results: In the ischemia-reperfusion group, our results revealed a notable elevation in MDA, TOS, IL-6, and TNFα levels compared to the sham group, indicating increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory activity. Moreover, the activity of SOD, GPx and IL-10 was reduced in the ischemia-reperfusion group. However, when myrtenol was administered as a pretreatment, there was a significant reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, myrtenol supplementation was found to enhance the production of antiinflammatory cytokines and antioxidant agents. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the remarkable protective effect of intraperitoneal injection of myrtenol against lung Ischemia reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor whose treatment is associated with many challenges. One of the new methods of tissue engineering to treat this disease is to use a local drug delivery system that is implanted in the defect site after surgery to prevent the growth, metastasis, and recurrence of osteosarcoma. This system can be a drug-loaded scaffold. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to construct a nano-hydroxyapatite/gelatin scaffold loaded with different doses of berberine drug and to investigate its effect on osteosarcoma cancer cells. Methods and Materials: In this study, in order to make a scaffold, synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite powder was combined with 10% gelatin solution and immersed in 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% berberine suspensions. FTIR tests, drug release and FE-SEM imaging were used to investigate the physical and chemical properties of powder and scaffolds. Furthermore, to examine the biocompatibility, MTT test was used. Moreover, viability, colony formation, and scratch tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of the scaffolds on cancer cells. Results: Based on the findings of the characterization tests, the synthesized powder had nano-dimensions with a Ca/P ratio close to hydroxyapatite found in the body and without impurity. The scaffolds had the ability to load and release drugs. The results of MTT test showed that the released berberine induced a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. All the scaffolds with berberine were able to significantly prevent the formation of colonies, and they were important in the rate of wound closure or cell migration. Conclusion: Nano hydroxyapatite/gelatin scaffolds loaded with berberine drug can be a suitable scaffold for repairing surgical lesions of cancerous bone tissue. Also, berberine has acted as an effective factor in preventing the recurrence of cancer cells. Therefore, the use of these scaffolds for clinical applications can be promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is directly related to forming reactive oxygen species, endothelial cell injury, increased vascular permeability, and the activation of neutrophils and cytokines. Niosomes are nanocarriers and an essential part of drug delivery systems. We aimed to investigate the effects of myrtenol's inhaled niosomal form, compared to its simple form, on lung Ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods and Material: Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Sham group, lung Ischemia Reperfusion (they were subjected to ischemia for 60 minutes and reperfusion for 120 minutes), Simple form of Myrtenol+LIR, Niosomal form of Myrtenol+LIR. Simple and niosomal forms of myrtenol were inhaled daily for one week prior to LIR. We evaluated oxidative stress (including Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Malondialdehyde, Total Oxidant Status, and Total Antioxidant Capacity), apoptosis (bcl-2-like protein 4 and B-cell lymphoma 2) and inflammation (Tumor necrosis factor alpha, Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-6) and histopathological indices (Wet/Dry weight Ratio, congestion of capillaries, neutrophil infiltration, and bleeding in the alveoli .) Results: Pretreatment with simple and niosomal forms of myrtenol significantly inhibited the histopathological indices, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Oxidative stress agents, apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, myrtenol increased Anti-inflammatory cytokines, Anti-Oxidants agents and antiapoptotic proteins. The niosomal form of myrtenol showed a more ameliorative effect than its simple form . Conclusion: The results showed the superior protective effect of the inhalation of its niosomal form against LIRI compared to its simple form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic allergic disease that affects a relatively significant portion of the world’s population. Niosomes are nanoparticles consisting of non-ionic surfactants that can be used for drug delivery. In this study, we assessed the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-remodeling impacts of a formulated myrtenolloaded niosome in rats with allergic asthma. Methods and Materials: Forty-nine rats were divided into seven groups of control, vacant noisome (VN), Asthma, Asthma+VN, Asthma+SM (simple myrtenol), Asthma+NM (niosomal myrtenol, 8 mg/kg), and Asthma+B (budesonide, 41 μg). Niosomes were produced by a heating protocol, loaded with myrtenol, and their physicochemical features were evaluated. Ovalbumin-induced asthmatic animals were exposed to daily inhalation of a drug/vehicle for one week. Histopathology, inflammatory and oxidative stress indices in the lungs, and broncho-alveolar fluid (BALF) were assessed. Result: Myrtenol-loaded niosomes showed appropriate physicochemical properties. Airway smooth muscle thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, NO, IL-17, and MDA levels decreased, and IL-10 and TAC levels increased in tissue and/or BALF of asthmatic treatment groups. Niosomal myrtenol showed high potency comparable to budesonide in alleviating disease parameters. Conclusion: In conclusion, inhalation of niosomal myrtenol ameliorated inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue remodeling in asthmatic animals comparable to budesonide and could be a target for the production of an antiasthmatic drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative movement-related disturbances characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons with uncertain underlying mechanisms, which can be modeled by the rotenone (ROT). Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (OS) are the most possible hypotheses to create this condition. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of celecoxib (CLX) on the ROT-induced rat model of PD. Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly classified into 4 groups (n = 8 rats/group) in the following order: control, sham, PD (2.5 mg/kg/48 hours ROT subcutaneously), CLX+PD (20 mg/kg/24 daily orally CLX+2.5 mg/kg/48 hours ROT). After 28 days of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and their brain was removed. Then histological (Nissl staining) and biochemical assessments (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were carried out and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. The data were analyzed by ANOVA test. Results: The biochemical assessments showed TAC was significantly increased in the CLX+PD group compared with the PD group, whereas MDA was decreased in the CLX+PD group compared with the PD group (p<0.01). We found a significant decrease in the number of dopaminergic cells in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) in the PD group (p<0.001), and treatment with CLX markedly increased dopaminergic neurons in CLX+PD compared to the PD group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that CLX treatment can effectively improve the antioxidant defense system. These findings suggest that CLX plays a neuroprotective role in the inhibition of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With an increase in human longevity, the incidence of degenerative diseases related to aging is also rapidly increasing, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and osteoporosis. Ischemic stroke continues to be one of the leading causes of death and disability in the adult population worldwide. The currently used pharmacological methods for the treatment of ischemic stroke are not effective enough and require the search for new tools and approaches to identify therapeutic targets and potential neuroprotectors. Today, in the development of neuroprotective drugs for the treatment of stroke, special attention is paid to peptides. Peptides are a unique class of pharmaceutical compounds with high potency, clear specificity, low immunogenicity, biocompatibility, mild action, and no side effects. Today, in the development of neuroprotective drugs for the treatment of stroke, special attention is paid to peptides that act in several key areas: (1) in blocking the cascade of pathological processes caused by the restriction of blood flow to the brain tissues, (2) in preventing repeated violations of the blood supply to the brain and complications that aggravate the course of the disease, and (3) in restoring nerve tissue and brain function after ischemia. Some of the peptide drugs can contribute to the restoration of brain functions after acute cerebrovascular accidents (stroke). Namely, peptide action is aimed at blocking the cascade of pathological processes caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain tissues. Different groups of peptides have therapeutic potential in ischemia. For example, small interfering peptides (IPs) that block protein–protein interactions (PPI) such as synthetic R1-Pep (SETQDTMKTGSSTNNNEEEKSR) and PP2A-Pep (FQFTQNQKKEDSKTSTSV) peptides, and cationic arginine-rich peptides (CARPs) with a combination of various neuroprotective properties such as polyarginine peptides R18D and R18, shuttle peptides that ensure the permeability of neuroprotectors through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) (H-Gly-Cys-Phe-OH tripeptide), and synthetic peptides that mimic natural regulatory peptides and hormones such as synthetic adropine, dynorphin A, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Semax. Here we mention some of the most important features of neuroprotective peptides and their mechanism of action in the prevention and treatment of strokes and give examples for each of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated that several factors including physical activities enhance proliferation of progenitor of granular cells or neurogenesis in hippocampus gyrus. In the present study, we evaluate the effects of maternal voluntary running during second, third week of the gestation on the neurogenesis of the dentate gyrus in neonatal rats. Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, Wistar pregnant female rats (no=15) randomly were divided into two groups, voluntary running and control groups. Voluntary running group was divided into two subgroups (second and third week). Pregnant rats in the second week of voluntary running group and control groups during the 8th 15th days of pregnancy and pregnant rats in the third week of voluntary running group from the 15th day of pregnancy until delivery were subcutaneously injected with 100mg/kg of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) once a day at 6 pm. After birth, the rat pups' brains were removed and fixed. For histology and immunohistochemistry staining, coronal sections 40μm thick were made. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way followed by t-test. The data are presented as the mean±SEM. The differences were considered significant at p≤0.05. Results: The mean number of neurons of granular layer of the dentate gyrus for the rat pups of second week of voluntary running, third week voluntary running and control groups were: 292.8, 257.3 and 192.4 per field, respectively. The mean number of neurons increases 43% in the voluntary running pups compared to control group. There was a significant difference between the groups in this regard. Conclusion: We concluded that maternal voluntary running during second, third week of the gestation may have enhanced neurogenesis of the dentate gyrus in neonatal rats. The proliferative and differentiation effect of voluntary running on dentate gyrus is more during second week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic stress is a condition of ongoing stress that is experienced for an extended period of time and can result in both physical and mental health issues. Chronic stress can have negative effects on a person's health and increase the likelihood of developing various diseases. Biologically active peptides, which are natural compounds made up of short chains of amino acids, are considered inactive precursors in protein sequences, but when freed by proteolytic enzymes, they may interact with specific receptors and regulate the body's physiological functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that biologically active peptides have the potential to act as modulators of the stress response. Search Method: We searched the Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases to identify articles related to the subject. We selected articles published between 1980 and 2023 that were completely relevant to the topic. Results: Our results demonstrated that biologically active peptides that have therapeutic effects on chronic stress are highly diverse, and their anti-stress effects are primarily achieved through the modulation of GABA receptors. This modulation helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the primary stress response system. For example, tryptic hydrolysate αs1-casein (αs1-CH) has stress-reducing and sleep-enhancing effects. This study has demonstrated that αs1-CH may effectively treat sleep disorders and reduce stress through GABA receptor modulation. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study suggests that biologically active peptides may hold promise as a potential avenue for developing therapies to combat stress. However, additional research is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms of their effects and establish their safety and efficacy in human subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]