L-carnitine (LC) is an antioxidant with the ability to promote the growth in vitro embryo. Objective: The goal was to evaluate the effect of LC on some indicators of embryo development and blastocyst quality including zona pellucid (ZP) thickness, the hatching of blastocysts and their cell numbers.Materials and Methods:Mouse embryos were randomly divided into five groups and incubated with different concentrations of LC (I; 0, II; 0.5, III; 1, IV; 2 and V; 4 mg/ml) from 2-cell to hatched blastocyst. The percentage of blastocysts and hatched blastocysts was calculated. Blastocysts ZP thickness was measured and the number of blastocyst cells was counted using Hoechst and propidium iodide (PI) staining.Results:The results showed concentration of 0.5 mg/ml of LC had an antioxidant effect as in this group, the percentage of blastocysts and hatched blactocysts (p=0.01), the ZP thickness (p=0.00) and the number of blastocyst inner cell mass were significantly more favorable than the control group (p=0.03); and concentration of 4 mg/ml of LC had a toxic effect on embryo development and blastocyst quality (p=0.00).Conclusion:The results suggest that LC may increase the number of blastocyst cells, which probably helps to expand the blastocyst and thinning of the ZP thickness and, therefore, creating a successful hatching for implantation.

Background:Recent studies have shown that BMSCs have a putative ability to promote neurogenesis and produce behavioral and functional improvement. Our previous study demonstrated that co-treatment of G-CSF and BMSCs have beneficial effects on Parkinson's models. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of these two factors on oxidative stress factors in the brain of Parkinson's rat. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (weighing 200-250 g) were used and randomly divided into five groups of seven each. To create the Parkinson's model, 6-OHDA was injected into the left SNpc. The BMSCs (2 × 10 6 ) and G-CSF (75 µg/kg) were used for treatment after creating the PD model. After four weeks, the brains of rats were removed and processed for immunohistochemical studies, such as TH-positive neurons as well as analysis of oxidative stress factors. Results:The results showed that the injected BMSCs could cross the BBB. The injected cells are also able to settle in different areas of the brain. Analyses of the brain oxidative stress factors showed that G-CSF and BMSCs reduced the expression of MDA and induced the activity of SOD, GSH-Px, and FRAP. Conclusion: Co-administration of G-CSF and BMSCs reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and induced the activity of antioxidant enzymes; however, neurogenesis increased in the brain.

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Background: Normal sexual function is an important part of women's sexual and mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inhalation of Elaeagnus angustifolia essential oil on sexual Function of women of reproductive age. Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized, three-group clinical trial that was performed on 99 women referred to health centers in Mashhad. The first group used the essential oil by inhalation for 20 minutes three times a day for 4 weeks and the second group used the essential oil by inhalation 20 minutes before intercourse and the third group did not receive any intervention. Sexual function were assessed by FSFI questionnaire at baseline and after 4 weeks in all three groups. Results:The mean and SD age of women were 33.7±7.6. The mean score of sexual function before the intervention in the first and second intervention group and control group were 23±1.3, 23.3±6.4 and 23.1±3.6 (P=0.630) respectively that was not statistically significant(p=0.630). The mean score of sexual function after 4 weeks in the first and second intervention group and control group were 25.2±7.9, 28.2±4.9 and 23.1±3.5 (P<0.001) respectively. Also after 4 weeks in the second intervention group improved sexual function in all areas, but in the first intervention Group improved all areas except pain and sexual Satisfaction (P<0.001). Trial registration: The research project was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) with a code (IRCT20191203045589N1) and the ethics committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with a code (IR.MUMS.NURSE.REC.1398.07) and first registration in 11/12/2019. Conclusion: Inhalation of Elaeagnus angustifolia oil, has had a beneficial effect on improving sexual function in women of reproductive age, so it can be used as an affordable herbal supplement to improve Sexual function in these women.