ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Estrogens has traditionally been known as the female hormone, but this idea has been challenged in early 1990’s and an essential physiological role for estrogen in male fertility was identified. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal plant chemicals that can act like the female hormone estrogen. The herbs ( anise alfalfa and vervain ) chosen in this study contain phytoestrogens. OBJECTIVE: Previous studies demonstrated controversy of the effects of phytoestrogens on the rat testes .Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to investigate the influence of typical dose of herbs containing phytoestrogen on the rat testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four apparently normal mature male rats were divided into four groups of 6 animals each. The first "control" group received only 4ml of distilled water as a placebo. The second group received 40mg/kg of anise seed; the third group received 53.3 mg/kg of dried herb of vervain and the fourth group received 400 mg /kg of alfalfa seeds. All experimental groups received the doses through orogastric tube daily for fourteen days. Testicular histology was evaluated by light and enzyme histochemistry. Plasma FSH and testosterone concentrations were taken to support our results. RESULTS: Histological examination of anise, alfalfa and vervain – treated groups showed an increase in the height of germinal epithelia. There was marked lipoprotein lipase activity in the whole of the interstitial tissue which is more in amount in experimental groups than that in control group. Acid phosphatase granules were infiltered the seminiferous epithelia mildly in control group , moderately in anise and vervain groups and markedly in alfalfa group. The number of interstitial cells showing marked acid phosphatase activity was higher in all experimental groups than that in control group. Alkaline phosphatase exhibited intense activity in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules in testes of control and experimental groups but it appeared thicker in the latter. CONCLUSION: The low dose and short duration of treatment used in our study made these phytoestrogen – containing herbs to have a stimulatory effect on leydig cell steroidogenesis. This study also demonstrated that aniseed being the most potent of the three herbs followed by alfalfa in stimulating testosterone synthesis. This is possibly attributed to the coumarin constituent of aniseed and alfalfa. KEY WORDS: phytoestrogen-containing herbs, testis, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipoprotein lipase
A transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is characterized by the application of medications onto the skin's surface to deliver drugs at a controlled and predefined rate through the skin. Spanlastics, an elastic nanovesicle capable of transporting various pharmacological substances, shows promise as a drug delivery carrier. It offers numerous advantages over traditional vesicular systems applied topically, including enhanced stability, flexibility in penetration, and improved targeting capabilities. This study aims to develop meloxicam (MX)-loaded spanlastics gel as skin delivery carriers and to look into the effects of formulation factors like Tween80, Brij 35, and carbopol concentration on the properties of spanlastics gel, like pH, drug
... Show MoreMany new heterocyclic compounds including 4-thiazolidinones containing indole with triazole units were described. The new Schiff bases [VII] a, b and [VIII] a, b synthesized by condensation acid hydrazides [II],[VI] with different (aromatic) aldehydes in absolute ethanol. The refluxing equimolar amounts of the Schiff bases ([VII] a, b,[VIII] a, b) with thioglycolic acid in benzene led to get thiazolidin-4-ones derivatives ([IX] a, b and [X] ad). Finally, the new derivatives [XI] ac run out via the reacted compound [IX] a with different n-alkyl bromide (methyl bromide, ethyl bromide, and butyl bromide)
Many new heterocyclic compounds including 4-thiazolidinones containing indole with triazole units were described. The new Schiff bases [VII]a, b and [VIII]a,b synthesized by condensation acid hydrazides [II],[VI] with different (aromatic) aldehydes in absolute ethanol. The refluxing equimolar amounts of the Schiff bases ([VII]a,b, [VIII]a,b) with thioglycolic acid in benzene led to get thiazolidin-4-ones derivatives ([IX]a,b and [X]a-d). Finally, the new derivatives [XI]a-c run out via the reacted compound [IX]a with di
This work aimed to prepare and study the characteristic feature of lead nanoparticles (PbNPS) and follow its effects on some physiological aspects in rats.PbNPS was prepared by laser ablation of pure lead mass with a pulse of 500 and 100 mJ of energy. The results indicated that the wavelength was approximately 196 and the concentration was reported at 53,8967 mg / L. AFM, as the average diameter has been estimated at 69.93 nm. EFSEM shows the spherical shape of the particle.The experimental animals (rats) were divided into two groups, with seven rats for each one. The first group was a control and the second group was injected with 1 milliliter of PbNPS (53.8673 mg/l) per day for 45 days. Bioaccumulated lead ( in liver, spleen kidney and
... Show MoreBackground: This study was conducted to assess the effects of various beverages on the shear bond strength of light-cured orthodontic composite used to bond stainless steel orthodontic brackets on human teeth and to determine the site of bonding failure of this material. Materials and Methods: Fifty extracted human premolars were selected and randomly divided into five equal groups each with 10 teeth according to the beverage type (Control, One Tiger, Milk, Green tea and Coffee). After bonding, the teeth were immersed in specific beverages for 5 minutes twice daily with equal intervening intervals then washed and stored in distilled water at 37º C for the reminder of the day. The process was carried out for 30 days. The samples were then
... Show MoreABSTRACT : Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases linked with dementia, it is characterized by the deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Ab) in the brain. The present study aims to innovate a biochemical relationship between AD and interleukin 38 (IL-38) as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, expose novel mechanisms and concepts regarding other biochemical parameters studied previously or recently in AD patients and also examine the biochemical action of memantine (10 mg daily) on AD patients. Sixty (60) diagnosed AD patients participated in the present study and classified into four (4) groups: G3 were composed of (15) newly diagnosed males (52-78) years / without treatment, G4 composed of (15
... Show MoreCorrosion inhibiting admixtures are unique among other methods to protect reinforced concrete from corrosion damage. In this study, the effect of furfural on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete mixes of 35 and 45 MPa compressive strengths as well as the corrosion inhibition of furfural was evaluated. Furfural was added at different dosages (1, 2 and 3% by weight of cement) with and without superplasticizer (HRWR). Different electrochemical measurements were performed (Half-cell potential, Tafel plot and linear polarization resistance). Electrochemical measurements confirmed that furfural dramatically reduces the rate of corrosion; the inhibition efficiencies were 62.7 and 63.8 % due to 3% furfural addition to 35 and 45MPa-concr
... Show MoreIn this paper, the effects of subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) on crop coefficient (kc) and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of eggplant were investigated in sandy loam soil. For this purpose, two treatments plot (with SWRT and without using SWRT) were adopted during 93 days of cultivation. The study was conducted in open field within Al-Fahamah Township, Baghdad, Iraq during summer growing season 2017. The accumulated ETc of eggplant was 403.3 and 515.2 mm for SWRT treatment and control plot, respectively by reduction percentage 21.7 %. The average values of ETc during the growing season were 4.3 and 5.5 mm/day, respectively. The crop coefficients value during the gro
... Show MoreCompaction of triticale grain with three moisture contents (8%, 12%, and 16% wet basis) was measured at five applied pressures (0, 7, 14, 34, and 55 kPa). Bulk density increased with increasing pressure for all moisture contents and was significantly (p < 0.0001) dependent on both moisture content and applied pressure. A Verhulst logistic equation was found to model the changes in bulk density of triticale grain with R2 of 0.986. The model showed similar beha
This study investigates the characterization and growth dynamics of a Magnetically Stabilized Gliding Arc Discharge (MSGAD) system, generating non-thermal plasma with argon gas under atmospheric pressure and flow rates of 1-5 L/min. The electrical properties and growth patterns concerning gas flow rates and applied voltages were examined utilizing a magnetic field for stability. Using a digital oscilloscope, a correlation between voltage reduction and increased current was uncovered. An algorithm analyzes digital images to compute arc length, area, and volume. Results reveal how gas flow rate and applied voltage directly impact arc growth. Furthermore, the magnetic field's role in guiding and stabilizing the plasma discharge was explored. T
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