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Neuroinflamation occurring after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex phenomenon comprising distinct cellular and molecular events involving the injured cerebral tissue. Mechanical injury to adult rat brain elucidated the accumulation in the affected area of trophic activity. In the tissue adjacent to the injury, trophic titers began to rise after the lesion. This study aimed to determine the effect of injured brain extract on proliferation of neonatal rat neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). NS/PCs were isolated from olfactory bulb of neonatal rat then cultured as neurospheres. After second passage, cells were seeded in PuraMatrix scaffold by injection method and incubated with intact or injured brain extracts. The proliferation assay was carried out by MTS assay 10 days later. For preparation of the injured brain extract, we used a rat brain injury model and collected the extract 48 hrs after injury. The experimental results showed that NS/PCs derived olfactory bulb have a good potential to proliferate. MTS assay demonstrated that NP/SCs proliferation rate was increased in injured brain extract. Injured brain extract could be benefit for NP/SCs proliferation.

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Introduction: After primary brain injury, secondary mechanisms are activated and lead to releasing of various supportive and neurotrophic factors in injured tissues. The effect of the new environment on neurogenesis, proliferation, and survival of stem cells needs more investigations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of injured brain extract on proliferation of embryonic rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Materials and Methods: NSCs were isolated from ganglionic eminences of embryonic rat then cultured as neurospheres. Next, cells were seeded in PuraMatrix scaffold as 3-dimension culture. Based on the medium content, cells were divided into 4 groups: with growth factor, without growth factor, without growth factor + intact brain extract, and without growth factor + injured brain extract. Proliferation assay was done by evaluation of the DiI labeled cells and the survival assay was carried out by MTS test 10 days later. For preparation of the injured brain extract, a rat brain injury model was utilized and the extract was collected 48 hours after brain injury. Results: The results showed that NSCs derived ganglionic eminence of embryonic rat had high proliferation ability. DiI-positive cells and MTS test showed a higher tendency of the proliferation and survival of NSCs in the without growth factor + injured brain extract and growth factor groups compared to the without growth factor and without growth factor + intact brain extract groups. Conclusion: Our results indicated a possible positive impact of injured brain extract on survival and proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem cells. Further studies are needed to investigate our preliminary findings in details.

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Introduction: Efforts have been taken to find appropriate sources to replace liver transplantation. Wharton’s jelly is an unlimited source of stem cells that can be used in cell therapy and tissue engineering. In this study we investigated whether Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) could trans-differentiate into hepatocyte in the presence of mouse liver cell-free extract. Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from the umbilical cord. The cells were permeabilized by Sterptolysin O in the presence of mouse liver cell-free extract for 21 days. To evaluate differentiation and morphological changes, immunostaining for cytokeratin 18 and 19 were performed for differentiated and control cells. Functional assays were done by periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain. Results: The phenotype of treated MSCs in the presence of liver cell-free extract changed into polygonal cells. Immunostaining demonstrated the expression of cytokeratin 18 and 19 in differentiated cells. Glycogen storage in differentiated cells revealed by PAS staining indicated functional property of differentiated cells. Conclusion: It seems that factors existing in the extract able to trans-differentiate WJMSCs into functional hepatocyte.

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Introduction: Now days, several studies have indicated the central nervous system has capacity for endogenous repair. But, the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) is insufficient for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. So, it sound that stimulation of endogenous NSC proliferation is essential for neuroregeneration. The Acca sellowiana (Feijoa) extract as herbal extract is used as antioxidant agent in antient medicine. Its fruits are rich in vitamin C, polyphenols, terpenes, tannins, steroidal saponins, flavonoids hydrocarbons, minerals, iodine and both methyl and ethyl benzoate. The aim of this study was to examine the self-proliferation and antioxidant properties of Feijoa extract on neonatal rat hippocampus-derived neural stem cells (NSCs). Materials and Methods: The NSCs were isolated and cultured. The expression of neural-specific marker,  nestin was examined by immunocytochemistry. At first, the cells were in presence of hydrogen peroxide with 50µm concentration in order to oxidative stress induction in vitro and toxicity percentage of hydrogen peroxide was examined. Then, NSCs were exposed to various concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml) of Acca sellowiana extract for 24 hrs. Thereafter, cell proliferation rate was assessed using MTT colorimetry assay. Results: NSCs expressed neural marker (Nestin). Proliferation rate of NSCs was increased in treated groups in comparison with control group. In addition, the results demonstrated that 100µg/ml concentration was the best group for self-proliferation of NSCs. (P<0.05). Conclusion: These finding shows that the methanolic extract of Acca sellowiana is an antioxidant compound and can promote self-proliferation and survival of NCSs in vitro, suggesting its potential benefits on neuroregeneration.

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Introduction: Stroke causes high rate of mortality in different societies. The medicinal uses of saffron (Crocus sativus) have a long history. Some metabolites derived from saffron stigmas exert numerous therapeutic effects due to hypolipidemic, antitussive, antioxidant, antidiabetic activities and many others. Materials and Methods:  Experiment performed with 120 mice (25-35g) keeping in standard condition to accessing water, food and laboratory temperature.  Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of ten, each for 3 separate experiments. For control group administered 0/5cc normal saline. Second group administered phenytoin 100mg/kg as potent neuroprotective agent. Third group administered 80 mg/kg aqueous extract of saffron providing from Ghaenat area of southern Khorasan IP and fourth group administered phenobarbital 20mg/kg. In 3 designed experiments, mice situated in a tight glass container in hypoxic condition. In first experiment hypoxic condition done with closed container, second experiment added soda lime as CO2 absorbent and third experiment done with substitution of N2 for O2. Survival time calculated from closing the door until stopping of respiration. Data analyzed by prism 6 software. As the case of normal distribution, results reported as Mean±SE and for abnormal distribution as Median±IQR. Results: Results of experiment 1 (without soda lime) showed that phenytoin and saffron have significant antihypoxic effect. In experiment 2 (+ soda lime), although the saffron extract indicated significant effect in contrast to control group but its effect not as more as phenytoin. Experiment 3 (N2), saffron group indicated antihypoxic effects like experiment 1. Conclusion: According to mentioned experiments, saffron extract probably has neuroprotective effect but it is necessary to do supplement experiment.  We suggest to study neuroprotective effects of saffron with hypoxic and ischemia intervention for different compounds of this extract. 

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Introduction: There are several different molecular pathways in tissue damage by Ischemic Brain Injury. The use of antioxidants and free radical scavengers are a matter of attention by some researchers. Crocus sativus (saffron) is used previously for protective effects in ischemia state by some researchers. To assess pathologic aspects of neuroprotection of saffron in some susceptible brain area, we used ischemia- reperfusion rat model. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar Rats 250-350 g were kept in constant condition (12 hr. day, night and temperature) with Food and Water ad libitum. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 8 including: Group 1, was negative control in which ischemia was done and 1 mg normal saline injected IP. Group 2, was sham operated without induction of ischemia. Group 3, positive control in which ischemia induction and 100mg /kg phenytoin injected IP as a standard neuroprotective agent. Group 4, 80 mg/kg aqueous extract of saffron was injected intraperitoneal. Brain global ischemia was done using Four Vessel Occluding (4VO) method expatiated by Pulsinelli et al (1983) with some modification. Tissue preparation: After 72 hour’s brain removed and immediately fixed with formaldehyde 10%. Thin slice (2-4 Microns) of tissues stained for H&E. Results: Ischemic neuronal cell was seen especially in hippocampus, but some degree of necrosis seen in other area of brain such as cerebellum, basal ganglia and cortex. In normal saline injection, ischemia and necrosis of CA1, CA2 and CA3, 4 occurred. In group 2 No necrosis has seen. Phenytoin group were slightly ischemic changes only in CA1 area. In saffron injected group the necrosis in CA1 or CA3 was compatible with group 3. Conclusion: the result of this study showed significant anti ischemic effect that need to more investigation for other aspects of safe use of these compound and determining of effective doses.