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The study aimed to explore in vivo the influence of cannabidiol (CBD) on the development of alcohol tolerance in rats. Rats were treated with ethanol (3.0 g/kg, i.p.) and CBD (20 mg/kg, p.o.) for nine successive days, and rectal body temperature, sedation (sleeping time), and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were measured. In the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, the cannabinoid (CB1R and CB2R) and dopaminergic (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, DRD5) receptors’ mRNA level changes were analyzed using the quantitative RT-PCR method. CBD inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic and sedative action of alcohol, coupled with BAC elevation. On a molecular level, the most pronounced effects of the CBD + ethanol interaction in the striatum were observed, where CBD reversed the downregulation of CB2R gene transcription caused by ethanol. For CB1R, DRD1, and DRD2 mRNAs, the CBD + ethanol interaction produced opposite effects than for CB2R ones. In turn, for the transcription of genes encoding dopaminergic receptors, the most potent effect of alcohol as CBD occurred in the hippocampus. However, the combined CBD and alcohol administration showed the same effect for each substance administered separately. Since tolerance is considered a prelude to drug addiction, obtained results allow us to emphasize the thesis that CBD can inhibit the development of alcohol dependence in rats.

Summary Introduction: The molecular basis of in vivo metabolism of selected representatives of phenylethanoids in the presence of ethanol has not been fully elucidated. Objective: The aim was to estimate a salidroside (Sal) metabolism in the liver tissue in rats with induced alcohol tolerance by assessing changes in the transcription of genes encoding cytochromes: CYP1A2, 2D2, 3A1, 2C23. Methods: cDNA was synthesized from total RNA isolated from rat liver samples. mRNA level changes were evaluated using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technique. Results: Ethanol caused a significant induction of the CYP1A2 and CYP2C23 genes transcription, and a decrease in the CYP3A1 mRNA level, predominantly without statistical significance. A statistically significant increase of the CYP1A2 mRNA level was observed in the group receiving only Sal (4.5 mg/kg b.w.; p.o.) (p Conclusions: There was no unequivocal effect of salidroside on the transcription of investigated cytochrome genes in the liver of rats with induced alcohol tolerance.

Objectives. In geriatric patients, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes are considered the most common chronic health problems. Moreover, increasing the pre­valence of depression, which significantly reduces the quality of life and increases disability in this group, has also been observed. This paper aims to review the literature on the relationship between drugs from selected pharmacological groups used in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and depression, both with respect to their depressive and antidepressant effects. Literature review. The increased risk of the prevalence and the severity of depression is associated with strongly lipophilic beta-blockers and insulin therapy. In contrast, drugs that block the RAA system reduce the risk of developing and worsening symptoms of depression and improve cognitive function in elderly patients. Literature reports indicate the antidepressant effect of commonly used antidiabetic drugs such as metformin and incretin drugs (GLP-1 analogues and DPP-4 inhibitors). The potential anti-depressive effect of intranasal insulin administration requires further research. Conclusions. Based on the review, it should be stated that due to the frequent occurrence of mood disorders in elderly patients, the selection of drugs used in the therapy of somatic diseases should allow for the risk of causing or worsening symptoms of depression. However, the possibility of their beneficial effect on mood disorders should also be considered.

Background: Appropriate levels of cholesterol are necessary for the mother and developing fetus, but theirexcess may cause preeclampsia. The ABCA1 transporter mediates the secretion of cholesterol and is highly regulated at the transcriptional level via the nuclear liver X receptors (LXRs). Methods: Sixteen preeclamptic and 39 normotensives healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies were involved in the case-control study. The placental levels of ABCA1, LXRA and LXRB mRNA were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. The concentrations of ABCA1, LXRA and LXRB proteins from the placenta were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Results: We found in the logistic regression model significantly lower placental expression of LXRB mRNA (crude OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07–0.94, p = 0.040) and LXRA protein level (crude OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.69, p = 0.012) in late-onset preeclamptic women compared to healthy pregnant women. The values remained statistically significant after adjustment for possible confounders. Conclusions: Our results suggest that high placenta LXRA mRNA and LXRA protein expression levels decrease the risk of late-onset preeclampsia. These nuclear receptors could play a role in the development of preeclampsia through disturbances of lipid metabolism.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a severe and globally widespread neurological and psychiatric problem. The treatment with currently used drugs often does not bring the expected effect. New optimization methods or directions in pharmacotherapy are still being sought. The group of bioactive ligands, targeted at neuropeptides called orexins (OXs) and their receptors (OXRs), affects a number of functions including ingestion, sleep-wake regulation, as well as the brain reward system which is the basis of addiction. The purpose of this paper is to systematize the knowledge in the field of preclinical behavioral studies on rodents (rats and mice) in several models of alcohol consumption using the OXRs antagonists. The results of the experiments indicated a potential efficacy of particular OXRs antagonists in the AUD treatment, especially those selectively blocking the OX1R. Among them, SB-334867 in the lowest effective dose of 3 mg/kg i.p. was most studied, as shown in the model of two-bottle choice using C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, this compound did not affect the reduction of cognitive functions. GSK1059865 was also involved in the selective reduction of ethanol intake, and simultaneously did not alter the consumption of sugar solution. The other group of selective OX2R antagonists, such as TCS-OX2-29 and LSN2424100, was less efficient. In summary, the OX1R antagonists proved to have the potential in AUD therapy, not only through the reduction of ethanol consumption but also in the treatment of coexisting behavioral and physiological disorders, such as insomnia and anxiety.

The study was carried out on alcohol-preferring male Wistar rats. The following drugs were repeatedly (28×) administered: acamprosate (500 mg/kg, p.o.), naltrexone (0.1 mg/kg, i.p), and Pueraria lobata (kudzu) root extract (KU) (500 mg/kg, p.o.) and its isoflavones: daidzin (40 mg/kg, p.o.) and puerarin (150 mg/kg, p.o.). Their effects on a voluntary alcohol intake were assessed. KU and alcohol were also given for 9 days in an experiment on alcohol tolerance development. Finally, total and active ghrelin levels in peripheral blood serum were measured by ELISA method. Acamprosate, naltrexone, daidzin, and puerarin, reducing the alcohol intake, caused an increase in both forms of ghrelin levels. On the contrary, though KU inhibited the alcohol intake and alcohol tolerance development, it reduced ghrelin levels in alcohol-preferring rats. The changes of ghrelin concentration could play a role as an indicator of the currently used drugs. The other effect on the KU-induced shift in ghrelin levels in the presence of alcohol requires further detailed study.

The contemporary theory of the inflammatory-immunological pathomechanism of atherosclerosis includes the participation of interleukin-1β (Il), Il-6, Il-10, Il-12, RANTES, and homocysteine in this process. The knowledge on the direct effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on inflammatory-state-related atherosclerosis is rather scarce. Our study is the first to account for the effects of homocysteine on the secretion of Il-10 and RANTES in vitro conditions. For this purpose, human mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to homocysteine at high concentrations. Subsequently, the concentrations of cytokines were assayed in the cell culture supernatant using flow cytofluorimetry. It has been shown that, in the presence of homocysteine, the secretion of IL-1, IL-6 and RANTES by PBMNCs was increased, whereas IL-10 concentration was significantly lower than that of the supernatant derived from a mitogen-stimulated cell culture without homocysteine. The secretion of Il-12 by PBMNCs exposed exclusively to mitogen, did not differ from homologous cells also treated with homocysteine. Therefore, in our opinion, high-concentration homocysteine affects the progression of atherosclerosis by increasing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines secreted by PBMNCs, such as Il-1β, Il-6, RANTES, and by attenuating the secretion of Il-10.

Summary Introduction: Blood brain barrier and multidrug resistance phenomenon are subjects of many investigations. Mainly, because of their functions in protecting the central nervous system (CNS) by blocking the delivery of toxic substances to the brain. This special function has some disadvantages, like drug delivery to the brain in neurodegenerative diseases Objective: The aim of this study was to examine how natural and synthetic substances affect the expression levels of genes (Mdr1a, Mdr1b, Mrp1, Mrp2, Oatp1a4, Oatp1a5 and Oatp1c1) that encode transporters in the blood-brain barrier. Methods: cDNA was synthesized from total RNA isolated from rat hippocampus. The expression level of genes was determined using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method. Results: Our findings showed that verapamil, as a synthetic substance, caused the greatest reduction of mRNA level of genes studied. The standardized extract of Curcuma longa reduced the expression level for Mrp1 and Mrp2, whereas the increase of mRNA level was observed for Mdr1b, Oatp1a5 and Oatp1c1. Conclusions: These results suggests that herbal extracts may play an important role in overcoming the blood brain barrier during pharmacotherapy.

Summary Flavonoids and their conjugates are the most important group of natural chemical compounds in drug discovery and development. The search for pharmacological activity and new mechanisms of activity of these chemical compounds, which may inhibit mediators of inflammation and influence the structure and function of endothelial cells, can be an interesting pharmacological strategy for the prevention and adjunctive treatments of hypertension, especially induced by pregnancy. Because cardiovascular diseases have multi-factorial pathogenesis these natural chemical compounds with wide spectrum of biological activities are the most interesting source of new drugs. Extracts from one of the most popular plant used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi could be a very interesting source of flavonoids because of its exact content in quercetin, apigenin, chrysin and scutellarin as well as in baicalin. These flavonoids exert vasoprotective properties and many activities such as: anti-oxidative via several pathways, anti-in-flammatory, anti-ischaemic, cardioprotective and anti-hypertensive. However, there is lack of summaries of results of studies in context of potential and future application of flavonoids with determined composition and activity. Our review aims to provide a literature survey of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo pharmacological studies of selected flavonoids (apigenin, chrysin and scutellarin, baicalin) in various models of hypertension carried out in 2008–2018.

International audience; Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a rich source of ellagitannins (ETs), precursors of colonic metabolite urolithin A, which are believed to contribute to pomegranate’s neuroprotective effect. While many experimental studies involving PJ’s role in Alzheimer’s disease and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury have been conducted, our knowledge of pomegranate’s effects against Parkinson’s disease (PD) is very limited. Previously, we have reported that PJ treatment improved postural stability, which correlated well with enhancement of neuronal survival, protection against oxidative damage, and α-synuclein aggregation. Since olfactory and motor deficits are typical symptoms of PD, in this study, we aimed to investigate the capability of PJ to protect against olfactory, motoric, and neurochemical alterations. To evaluate its efficiency, Wistar rats were given a combined treatment with ROT (1.3 mg/kg b.w./day, s.c.) and PJ (500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 35 days. After this, we assessed the olfactory discrimination index (DI) and vertical and horizontal activities as well as levels of dopamine and its main metabolite 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the dissected midbrain of animals. Our findings provide the first evidence that PJ treatment protects against ROT-induced DA depletion in the midbrain, which correlates well with improved olfactory function and vertical activity as well as with the presence of urolithin A in the brain.

The aim of this study was to assess the activity of extracts from Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (PG) in a model of chronic bronchitis in rats. The research was carried out on three water extracts: E1 &ndash, from roots of field cultivated PG, E2 &ndash, from biotransformed roots of PG, E3 &ndash, from callus of PG. The extracts differed in saponins and inulin levels&mdash, the highest was measured in E3 and the lowest in E1. Identification of secondary metabolites was performed using two complementary LC-MS systems. Chronic bronchitis was induced by sodium metabisulfite (a source of SO2). Animals were treated with extracts for three weeks (100 mg/kg, intragastrically) and endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factors (TGF-&beta, 1, -&beta, 2, -&beta, 3), and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) levels were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, whereas C reactive protein (CRP) level was measured in serum. Moreover, mRNA expression were assessed in bronchi and lungs. In SO2-exposed rats, an elevation of the CRP, TGF-&beta, 1, TGF-&beta, 2, VEGF, and mucin was found, but the extracts&rsquo, administration mostly reversed this phenomenon, leading to control values. The results showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect of the extracts from PG.

Summary Introduction: Rhodiola rosea (RR) and Rhodiola kirilowii (RK) are well known for their influence on central nervous system, however their impact on the development of alcohol tolerance has not yet been proven. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of RR and RK roots extracts to inhibit the development of alcohol tolerance in vivo, both, peripheral (metabolic) and central ones. Methods: Male Wistar rats were treated with RR and RK extracts (p.o.) and ethanol (i.p.) for ten consecutive days. On the first, third, fifth and eighth days the hypothermic action of ethanol was measured, while on the ninth day the loss of righting reflex was examined. On the tenth day rats were treated with assigned extract and sacrificed 1 h after the ethanol injection. Results: Both extracts inhibited development of tolerance to the hypothermic action of ethanol. The observed effect seems to be specific since none of the extracts affected body temperature in water-treated animals. RK extract also prolonged the hypnotic action of ethanol. RR-treated rats had higher blood-ethanol concentrations, in contrast to RK ones. Conclusions: RR and RK extracts inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic action of ethanol. Prolongation of the hypnotic action of ethanol by RK extract may be associated with influence on the central nervous system, while the RR one also inhibited the development of metabolic tolerance.

Summary Introduction: In recent years, the search for potential neuroprotective properties of salidroside and its ability to influence the activity of nervous system become the subject of intense studies of many research groups. None of these studies, however, include an attempt to determine the effect of salidroside on the course of alcohol tolerance in vivo. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of salidroside to inhibit the development of alcohol tolerance in rats, determining whether the effect of its action may occur in a dose-dependent manner, reducing both metabolic and central tolerance without affecting body temperature in control rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were injected daily with ethanol at a dose of 3 g/kg for 9 consecutive days to produce ethanol tolerance. Salidroside in two doses (4.5 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg b.w.) or vehiculum was administered orally. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th day a hypothermic effect of ethanol was measured, while the loss of righting reflex procedure was performed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th day. On the 9th day rats were treated with salidroside, sacrificed 1 h after ethanol injections and blood was collected for blood-ethanol concentration measurement. Results: Salidroside at a dose of 45 mg/kg inhibited the development of tolerance to hypothermic and sedative effects of ethanol, whereas insignificant elevation of blood-ethanol concentration was observed. The dose of 4.5 mg/kg b.w. had minimal effect, only small inhibition of tolerance to hypothermic action was observed. Salidroside affected neither body mass growth nor body temperature in non-alcoholic (control) rats. Conclusions: Results of the study indicate that salidroside at a dose of 45 mg/kg inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic effect of ethanol. Observed inhibition of tolerance to the sedative effect of ethanol seems to be associated with salidroside influence on the central nervous system. A comprehensive explanation of the abovementioned observations requires further pharmacological and pharmacodynamic studies.

Pomegranate juice is a rich source of ellagitannins (ETs) believed to contribute to a wide range of pomegranate&rsquo, s health benefits. While a lot of experimental studies have been devoted to Alzheimer disease and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, our knowledge of pomegranate&rsquo, s effects against Parkinson&rsquo, s disease (PD) is very limited. It is suggested that its neuroprotective effects are mediated by ETs-derived metabolites&mdash, urolithins. In this study, we examined the capability of pomegranate juice for protection against PD in a rat model of parkinsonism induced by rotenone. To evaluate its efficiency, assessment of postural instability, visualization of neurodegeneration, determination of oxidative damage to lipids and &alpha, synuclein level, as well as markers of antioxidant defense status, inflammation, and apoptosis, were performed in the midbrain. We also check the presence of plausible active pomegranate ETs-derived metabolite, urolithin A, in the plasma and brain. Our results indicated that pomegranate juice treatment provided neuroprotection as evidenced by the postural stability improvement, enhancement of neuronal survival, its protection against oxidative damage and &alpha, synuclein aggregation, the increase in mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and maintenance of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein at the control level. In addition, we have provided evidence for the distribution of urolithin A to the brain.

Introduction. In recent years, researchers have shown increasing interest in species of the Passiflora genus due to their potential biological and pharmacological properties. These species are an agronomically important crops and are used commercially in the fruit industry of South America. During of collection of fruits from cultivated plants, the leaves are removed. This plant material may be used for medicinal purposes. Our previous studies showed that crude extracts from leaves of P. alata, P. caerulea and P. incarnata contained various secondary metabolites such as phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids. Moreover extract of P. alata showed the most effective activities against Acanthamoeba castellanii strain in vitro. Aim. The aim of our study was to evaluate and to compare the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the crude alcoholic extracts from leaf of P. alata, P. caerulea and P. incarnata. Material and methods. There was measurement of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), and the minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the extracts by serial dilution method. Results. The results showed that the most active extracts against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 8040) were as follows from: P. incarnata = P. alata (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC >10.0 mg/ml) > P. caerulea (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC > 20.0 mg/ml); against Escherichia coli (PZH 026B6): P. incarnata (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC > 10.0 mg/ml) > P. caerulea (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC = 20.0 mg/ml) > P. alata (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC > 20.0 mg/ml); against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P): P. incarnata (MIC = 2.5 mg/ml, MBC > 5.0) > P. caerulea (MIC = 5.0 mg/ml, MBC > 10.0) > P. alata (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC > 10.0); against Candida albicans (PCM 1409PZH): P. caerulea (MIC = 7.5 mg/ml, MBC = 15.0 mg/ml), P. incarnata (MIC = 10.0 mg/ml, MBC > 10.0 mg/ml), P. alata (MIC = 15.0 mg/ml, MBC > 20.0 mg/ml); against Microsporum gypseum K1: P. incarnata = P. caerulea = P. alata (MIC = 5.0 mg/ml, MBC = 5.0 mg/ml). Phytochemical study showed that the highest concentration of phenolic compounds was shown in extract of P. alata > P. caerulea > P. incarnata. Conclusions. Due to the fact that low antimicrobial activity has been demonstrated for raw extracts, there is a need for further studies of fractionated extracts and isolated compounds to assess their activity.

Rokietnicka 5a60-806 Poznan, Poland*corresponding author: phone +48 61 6659 550; e-mail: kujawskiradoslaw@gmail.comSummaryIn last centuries, human diet has been modified due to changes in the technological, economic, and cultural mode of the social life. The rapid development of the technol-ogy and advances in food production and processing of plants resulted in changes in the structure of consumption. The consequence is an growing interest among re-searchers, but also among consumers in searching for new alternatives to classical pharmacology, preventive solutions, and therapeutic strategies of age related, chronic diseases and cancer.In this paper, the authors have attempted to assess the benefits of usage in diet cold-pressed oils extracted from the seeds of Brassica napus (oilseed rape) with particular emphasis on the evidence of possible use of B. napus oil, and other bio-active substances contained therein, in the prevention and symptomatic treat-ment of prostate diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The authors postulate that the information presented in this paper may be important and helpful in the development of new, effective and safe forms of prevention and treatment of progressive age-related disorders (phytotherapeutics) and nutritional strategies (di-etary supplements) based on seeds oil of Brassicace family representatives, especially Brassica napus (pollen).Keywords: diet, cold+pressed oil, chemoprevention, Brassicaceae, Brassica napus

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of standardized Epilobium angustifoli-um L. extract [100 mg/kg/day, p.o.] on the expression level of 5α-reductase type 2 (Srd5ar2) mRNA and Mapk3 mRNA a representative of non-genomic xenobiotics signaling pathway. It was shown that plant extract from the E. angustifolium showed a slight tendency to reduce prostate weight in hormonally induced animals (p>0.05) and in testosterone induced ani-mals receiving both, extract and finasteride (p

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of standardized crude aqueous Epilobium angustifolium L. extract [100 mg/kg/day, p.o.] on the expression level of SRC ki-nase mRNA - a representatives of non-genomics xenobiotics signaling pathway in prostate ventral lobes of testosterone-induced, castrated rats. We have shown that in all analyzed groups induced by testosterone an elevation of SRC kinase mRNA transcription was ob-served, in comparison to control animals (not receiving the testosterone), (p

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is widely used as a popular beverage and dietary supplement that can significantly reduce the risk of many diseases. Despite the widespread use of green tea, the data regarding the safety as well as herb-drug interactions are limited. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the influence of standardized green tea extract (GTE) containing 61% catechins and 0.1% caffeine on the expression level of rat CYP genes and the corresponding transcription factors expression by realtime PCR. The findings showed that GTE resulted in a significant decrease of CYP2C6 expression level by 68% (p0.05) was noted. No statistically significant differences were observed for CYP1A2 and CYP2D1/2. In the same study we observed an increase in amount of ARNT gene transcript by 27% (p

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Current therapy for this pain includes the use of pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods but due to the fact that a lot of therapy does not produce the analgesic results, it is necessary to search for new and more effective pharmacological strategy in relief of this type of pain. One of the interesting natural sources of compounds against this type of pain is extract of Cannabis sativa without psychotropic cannabinoids. Medicinal properties of C. sativa have been explored for centuries. It is well established that active compounds of this herb act through two cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2) as endocannabinoid system in the central nervous system. The present review addresses the recent advances in the study of pharmacological mechanisms on cellular and receptor level underlying non-hallucinogenic cannabinoid analgesic effect. In recent years, results of studies allow to state that special plant extract of C. sativa (without psychotropic cannabinoids) may be a promising source of drug used to relieve neuropathic pain.

Objectives: Changes of kinase activity of non-genomic cellular signaling pathway may influence the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in case of hormone-dependent tumors. Our study investigated a possible interaction at the molecular level between an aqueous herbal extract of Epilobium angustifolium as well as a lipid-sterolic fruit extract of Serenoa repens and synthetic drugs used in the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers. Material and methods: E. angustifolium and Serenoa repens extracts were orally administered to testosteroneinduced rats for 21 days. Changes of RafA/Mapk3/Mapk1 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR using target specific primers. Results: The level of RafA mRNA slightly increased in rats receiving Epilobium angustifolium (p=0.076) and Serenoa repens (p=0.016) extracts. Administration of these extracts resulted in significantly elevated Mapk1 and Mapk3 transcripts in the investigated animals (p

Background Antidepressants are known to affect the immunological system through mechanisms which are not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the atypical antidepressant mianserin on the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the blood of rats in an experimental model of depression. Methods Male Wistar rats were subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS) according to Willner's method for 6 weeks. Following the development of anhedonia, the stressed and control rats (non-stressed animals) were treated with mianserin (10 mg/kg ip , twice daily) for three weeks. On the last day of the experiment, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 μg/kg ip ) was injected to mianserin- or vehicle-treated rats. TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the blood of the rats were assayed using ELISA methods. Results The results indicated a significantly increased TNFα level in stressed animals when compared with the non-stressed (control) group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were also elevated, especially after LPS administration. Treatment with mianserin resulted in a significant lowering of TNFα and IL-6 levels both in LPS-treated and LPS-untreated animals. There was also a decrease in IL-10 concentration in LPS-treated stressed animals. Conclusions The results confirm an increase in proinflammatory cytokines in the blood of rats with experimentally induced depression and show the protective role of the activity of mianserin on the cytokine levels, expressed in a lowering of TNFα and IL-6 levels in stressed animals, and of IL-10 levels after LPS administration.

Evaluation of the influence of the standardized extract from the herb of Epilobium angustifolium on ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue and free serum estradiol level.Rats were divided into 6 groups with 10 animals. ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue level was performed using real-time PCR method in Light Cycler system. Serum-free estradiol was evaluated using immunoenzymatic technique.In our experimental model there was an increase of ERa mRNA level by 9% and decrease by 36% of ERbeta mRNA level in ventral prostate tissue in rats administrated with testosterone and E. angustifolium extract, in comparison with testosterone alone administrated animals.E. angustifolium standardized extract influenced the expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta mRNAs in differential manner which may suggest its potentially therapeutic properties or causing of adverse effects in pharmacotherapy of estrogen-related disorders. More complex studies should be undertaken to evaluate safety and to improve the efficacy of using this herbal extract.