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Background and purpose: Okra plant has different properties and some studies reported that this plant can lower the complications of diabetes. Herein, we studied the effects of okra powder on histomorphometry and histochemitry of the thyroid gland, lipid profile, as well as T3 and T4 hormones in HDF/STZ diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study twenty-five adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into five groups of control group, healthy rats without any treatment (G1), control group receiving 200 mg/kg of okra daily for four weeks (G2), diabetic rats without any treatment (G3), diabetic rats receiving 200 mg/kg of metformin daily for four weeks (G4), and diabetic rats receiving 200 mg/kg of okra daily for four weeks (G5). For inducing diabetes, the rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for four weeks. Then, streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) was injected intravenously. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken for measurement of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), as well as T3, and T4 hormones levels. The animals were euthanized and the thyroid glands were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. 5-6 μ slices were made from paraffin section and stained by H&E and aldehyde fuchsin. Results: Compared to the control group, the number and size of large follicles of the thyroid gland decreased significantly in the diabetic group, while the number of small follicles increased significantly (P<0.05). There were significant reductions in concentrations of T3 and T4, whereas triglyceride and LDL-c levels elevated in the diabetic group (P<0.05). These changes were improved using metformin and okra compared to the diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Okra powder can be effective in preventing, managing, and attenuating the complications of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Hippocampus is a part of limbic system and has an important role in memory and learning. Menopause causes failure in the memory and learning in women. Different medicines have been used to improve memory in menopausal women. Nowadays، Herbal medicines due to their fewer side effects are used in treatment of various diseases. Cinnamon is one of these herbal medicines that claimed to improve sexual potential and memory. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract effect on hippocampal histology following ovariectomy (experimental menopause). Subjects and Methods: 17 adult female mice(30±5g) were divided into 3 groups as control، sham(ovariectomized) and treatment. Cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract(200mg/kg) was administrated every other day for 20 days IP. 24 hours after last administration، animals were euthanized، their brain were isolated immediately and were floated in fixative solution. Tissue sections of brain were prepared and stained by Hematoxylin-Eosin(H&E) and studied by light microscopy. Results: Ovariectomy increased degenerated cells in CA1 and DG regions of hippocampus significantly(P<0.05). Treatment with cinnamon prevented these changes and cellular degeneration decreased significantly in comparison with ovariectomized group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Cinnamon decreased histological changes following ovariectomy (experimental menopause) in mice hippocampus and it may be a suitable medicine to improve memory and learning in menopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]