Journal of Translational Medical Research

---

Background and Aim: Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the most important factor of disability in the world. Recent studies have shown that olive oil has antioxidant effects during cerebral ischemia. The present study investigated the probable protective effects of olive oil on the brain infarction and neurological disability after a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male wistar rats whose weight ranged 270-320 g were divided into three equal groups .: sham, control ischemia, and ischemia treated .. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by means of 80 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Olive oil(1 ml/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into the cases at the beginning of ischemia . Neurologic outcome (NDS scale), infarct volume (TTC staining) and histological studies were done 24 hours after the end of MCAO. Results: Treatment with olive oil significantly reduced the cortical and striatal infarct volume by 65% and 52%, respectively. Olive oil also decreased the NDS of ischemic rats from 3.4±0.1 to 2.5±0.2 in the treated group. Besides, histological studies showed that olive oil reduced the number of eosinophilic and damage neurons in the ischemic area (P< 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicated that olive oil effectively reduced ischemia, helped to the reperfusion of injuries, and improved neurological outcome. Olive oil is also a potent neuroprotective factor that is able to prevent neurodegeneration of transient focal ischemia in the beginning of reperfusion at ischemic areas.

---

Background and Aim: There are several reports regarding anti-inflammatory and tissue repair properties of the plant Achillea, but neuroprotective role of ethanolic extract of Achillea millefolium has not been studied after peripheral nerve injury. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess neuroprotective effects .of Achillea millefolium ethanolic extract on the spinal cord alpha motor neuons after sciatic nerve compression in male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 30 male Wistar rats each weighing 200-250g were chosen and were randomly divided into 5 equal groups including control, compressed, and three compressed groups plus intraperitoneal injection of Achillea millefolium ethanolic extract with the concentration of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg; once a week for three weeks. . Sciatic nerve compression in these four groups . was done using hematostatic forceps for 60 seconds. After 28 days, L4, L5,S1, and S3 of the spinal cord were sampled using perfusion method. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was done by means of one-way Anova  and Tukey post- hoc test using SPSS( version 19 ) at the significant level of P<0.05.

Results: It was found that α-motor neurons density in the compression group (666.6±39.17) significantly decreased compared to the control group (1754±34.22) ;P <0.001. Neural density in the groups treated with ethanolic extract, i.e. 50 mg/kg .,75 mg/kg, .and.100 mg/kg was 1236±69.72.,.1444.3±39.17,.and 1546.3±57.39  respectively ;which showed a significant increase compared to the compression group (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Achillea millefolium had a neuroprotective effect after sciatic nerve compression. Presumably, this is due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in the plant.

---