Mohammad Aziz Dollah

Assessing estrogenic activity of Nigella sativa in ovariectomized rats using vaginal cornification assay

The aim of this study was to determine the estrogenic activity of Nigella sativa (NS) by vaginal cornification assay using an ovariectomized rat model. Forty ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats, weighting 250 to 350 g were used in the study. N. sativa powders were administered to ovariectomized rats for 21 consecutive days at dosages of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg respectively, and were compared with each of daily treatment with 0.2 mg/kg conjugated Equine estrogen as positive control or distilled water as negative control. Vaginal smears were taken to observe the estrogenic effect on vaginal epithelium of rats. The vaginal smear showed an atrophic pattern at baseline. The occurrence of vaginal cornification after N. sativa supplementation indicated estrogenic activity of N. sativa, but this effect was not as much as CEE. The most influence of N. sativa in vaginal cornification was observed in low dose NS that this result was in agreement with serum Estradiol level of this group. The cornified cells percentage significantly differed from control group (P<0.05). These data suggest that N. sativa possesses estrogenic function in the ovariectomized rat model which can be helpful in managing menopausal symptoms as an alternative for Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Effect of Phaleria macrocarpa on Sperm Characteristics in Adult Rats

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) on male fertility by assessing its effect on the sperm characteristics which included the sperm count, motility, viability and morphology. METHODS Eighteen male rats were equally divided into three groups. Each group of rats was orally supplemented for 7 weeks either with PM aqueous extract (240 mg/kg), distilled water (0 mg/kg) or testosterone hormone, Andriol® Testocaps™ (4 mg/kg) respectively. On the last day of supplementation period, the rats were sacrificed and sperm was obtained from cauda epididymis via orchidectomy. The sperm count, motility, viability and morphology were determined. RESULTS PM aqueous extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the percentage of sperm viability. However, there was no significant effect of PM on the percentage of both sperm motility and morphology. The mean of body weight declined significantly in rats supplemented with PM aqueous extract compared to control groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The results showed that PM significantly increased sperm viability without changing the sperm motility and morphology. Hence, this study suggests that PM offers an alternative way to improve male fertility by improving the sperm quality.

EVALUATION OF THE ESTROGENIC EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA USING THE RAT MODELS OF UTEROTROPHIC ASSAY

reports of the histological changes in lichen sclerosus during pimecrolimus or tacrolimus treatment. There is a small lifetime risk (3-5%) in anogenital lichen sclerosus for the development of squamous cell carcinoma and recently, there has been concerns about the development of cancers and lymphomas in patients using these preparations. Methods: 29 outpatients with histologically confirmed, active LS were recruited to this study with two aims. First we evaluated the effectiveness of pimecrolimus treatment to LS. Secondly, we evaluated the histological changes during pimecrolimus treatment. Results: All 29 patients completed the follow-up period. 69% (20/29) were in complete remission including relief from itch, pain and inflammation. There were no systemic adverse reactions. In vulvar differentiated intraepithelial neoplasia (d-VIN), which is a postulated precursor lesion for LS-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the atypical keratinocyte p53 expression in a typical finding. Surprisingly, the expression of p53 was down-regulated during pimecrolimus treatment. Conclusions: In our opinion, patient-applied 1% pimecrolimus cream is safe and effective for the treatment of LS. The decrease of p53 staining during pimecromus treatment is best explained for the decrease of ischaemic stress response due to poor oxygenation, vasculitis and inflammation during healing process.