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Functional consequences of hypothyroidism include impaired learning and memory and inability to produce long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampus. Olibanum has been used for variety of therapeutic purposes. In traditional medicine, oilbanum is used to enhance learning and memory. In the present study the effect of olibanum on memory deficit in hypothyroid rats was investigated. Male wistar rats were divided into four groups and treated for 180 days. Group 1 received tap drinking water while in group 2, 0.03% methimazol was added to drinking water. Group 3 and 4 were treated with 0.03% methimazole as well as 100 and 500 mg/kg olibanum respectively. The animals were tested in Morris water maze. The swimming speed was significantly lower and the distance and time latency were higher in group 2 compared with group 1. In groups 3 and 4 the swimming speed was significantly higher while, the length of the swim path and time latency were significantly lower in comparison with group 2. It is concluded that methimazole-induced hypothyroidism impairs learning and memory in adult rats which could be prevented by using olibanum.

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The dopaminergic mesolimbic system is considered to be crucial in rewarding actions of opiates. Recent studies have suggested probable interaction between the renin-angiotensin and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Ang II and captopril injection into VTA on morphine self-administration. Male Wistar rats were initially trained to receive small pellets of food by pressing the active lever in self-administration apparatus. The animals were divided into 4 groups (saline, morphine, captopril and Ang II) and were placed in self-administration apparatus and allowed to self-administer morphine (0.5 mg per infusion all test groups) or saline (saline group) during consecutive days, for 2 h/sessions. Captopril (30 mug) and Ang II (0.25 nmol) were injected into the VTA in the corresponding groups before each session. The numbers of active and passive levers pressed in each group have been recorded. The number of active lever pressing of morphine group was significantly higher than saline group (p < 0.001). In Ang II group, the number of active lever pressing was significantly lower than morphine group (p < 0.01). This study suggests the probable interaction between Ang II and opioid system in the VTA.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in its pathophysiology. Complementary therapies along with medications may be effective in the control of RA. Propolis is a natural substance extracted from beehives, which have confirmed anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to review the possible effects of propolis on inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid profile in patients with RA. English articles in online databases such as PubMed‑Medline, AMED, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Pieces of evidence show that supplementation with propolis may have therapeutic effects on RA patients. Due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the affected joints of RA patients, propolis could inhibit the inflammatory cascades by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B pathway and reducing reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and interleukin‐17 by increasing some antioxidants. Therefore, inflammation and pain reduce, helping improve and control RA in patients. Further investigations are required with larger sample sizes and different doses of propolis to demonstrate the definite effects of propolis on various aspects of RA.

Background and objectives: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most leading causes of death among cancers. The therapeutic methods of RCC are surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and biologic response modulators. Medicinal plants such as Nigella sativa (N. sativa) also are used for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, in this study the effect of aqueous fraction of N. sativa was investigated on percentage of live cells in the human renal carcinoma cell line (ACHN) and normal human renal epithelial cells (GP-293). Materials and Methods: Aqueous fraction of N. sativa obtained from %70 hydro-alcoholic extract after discarded of n-Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, N-butanol fractions. In this study two cell lines including carcinoma cell line ACHN and normal cell line GP-293 were used. Cells were seeded in 96 well plates and were treated with various concentrations of aqueous fraction and cell viability was calculated with MTT after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results are presented as Mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS. One-way ANOVA test was applied for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: our results showed aqueous fractions of N.sativa didn't significant effect on percentage of live GP-293 cells in certain dose and time but its effect on percentage of live ACHN cells is significantly higher than control group and GP-293 cell line in dose and time-dependent manner. Conclusion: It was concluded that the aqueous fraction of N.sativa has cytotoxic effects on ACHN cell line but didn't has any significant effect on GP-293 cell line.

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