Epicatechin, a flavonoid, is a well-known antioxidant linked to a variety of protective effects in both humans and animals. In particular, its role in protection against cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated by epidemiologic studies. Low-dose epicatechin, which does not have significant antioxidant activity, is also protective; however, the mechanism by which low-dose epicatechin induces...

We studied the influence of arthritis on descending modulation of nociception from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the rat. Spinal nociception was assessed by the heat-evoked limb withdrawal in awake animals while neuronal responses were recorded in a potential brainstem relay, the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM), under pentobarbitone anesthesia. Following injection into the ...

alzheimer’s disease (ad) is a disorder with multiple pathophysiological causes, destructive outcomes, and no available definitive cure. pelargonidin (pel), an anthocyanin derivative, is an estrogen receptor agonist with little estrogen side effects. this study was designed to assess pel memory enhancing effects on the a rat amyloid beta 25-35 (aβ) intrahippocampal microinjections model of ad in...

Neuropathic pain can be considered as a form of chronic stress that may share common neuropathological mechanism between pain and stress-related depression and respond to similar treatment. Ferulic acid (FA) is a major active component of angelica sinensis and has been reported to exert antidepressant-like effects; however, it remains unknown whether FA ameliorate chronic constriction injury (C...

BACKGROUND Muntingia calabura (Elaecoparceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used, particularly, by the Peruvian people to alleviate headache and cold, pain associated with gastric ulcers or to reduce the prostate gland swelling. Following the recent establishment of antinociceptive activity of M. calabura leaf, the present study was performed to further elucidate on the possible mechanisms...

This review is an attempt to highlight evidence that may implicate the endogenous opioid system in the pathogenesis of hypertension in humans. The evidence raised includes biochemical, physiological, pharmacological, and behavioral studies conducted in in vitro and in vivo systems, experimental models of hypertension, and humans with essential hypertension. While the compelling biochemical and ...

This review is an attempt to highlight evidence that may implicate the endogenous opioid system in the pathogenesis of hypertension in humans. The evidence raised includes biochemical, physiological, pharmacological, and behavioral studies conducted in in vitro and in vivo systems, experimental models of hypertension, and humans with essential hypertension. While the compelling biochemical and ...

Acute challenges with psychostimulants such as amphetamine affect impulsive behavior in both animals and humans. With regard to amphetamine, it is important to unravel how this drug affects impulsivity since it is not only a widely abused recreational drug but also regularly prescribed to ameliorate maladaptive impulsivity. Therefore, we studied the effects of amphetamine in two rat models of i...

The effects of i.v. dynorphin A(1-17) and its main nonopioid biotransformation fragment, dynorphin A(2-17), were compared in rhesus monkeys with those of the selective kappa-opioid agonist, U69, 593, in assays of operant behavior, thermal antinociception, and neuroendocrine function (prolactin release). Dynorphin A(1-17) (0. 1-3.2 mg/kg i.v.) and U69,593 (0.001-0.032 mg/kg s.c.) decreased rates...

Augmentation of cardiac sympathetic tone during myocardial ischemia has been shown to increase myocardial O(2) demand and infarct size as well as induce arrhythmias. We have previously demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) inhibits the visceral sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflex. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of EA on left ventricular (LV) function, O(2) deman...