Alireza Salehi

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health concern, and experimental animal models continue to play a key role in understanding its development and in evaluating preventive and therapeutic strategies. Among these, the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rat model is widely used; however, substantial variability in dosing regimens and study design has limited consistency across studies. The present systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rats, with particular attention to how dose, duration, and route of administration influence pathological outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 2010 to December 2025. Eligible studies were screened and analyzed based on predefined inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on induction protocols, histopathological findings, and study characteristics. Across the 430 included studies, notable heterogeneity was observed in experimental protocols. Nevertheless, certain patterns emerged. Higher-dose, shorter-duration regimens were more frequently associated with early preneoplastic lesions such as aberrant crypt foci (ACF), whereas lower-dose, longer-duration protocols tended to be linked with more advanced tumor development. Subcutaneous administration appeared to provide more consistent results compared to other routes. These findings suggest that the choice of protocol should be guided by the intended stage of carcinogenesis under investigation. Importantly, the interpretation of these findings should be approached with caution. Many studies lacked detailed reporting of methodological parameters, and quantitative synthesis was limited by incomplete data. As such, the proposed framework should be viewed as a practical guide rather than a definitive standard. In conclusion, DMH-induced CRC models in rats remain valuable but highly sensitive to experimental design. Greater standardization and more rigorous reporting are needed to improve reproducibility and strengthen the translational relevance of future studies.

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in target tissues. Royal jelly (RJ) is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and peptides. This study evaluated whether RJ can mitigate DMBA-induced oxidative, apoptotic, and histopathological changes in the rat mammary gland and skin. Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups, including the Control (no treatment), RJ (300 mg/kg/week, orally), DMBA (single dose 80 mg/kg, IP), and DMBA + RJ (same doses). After 8 weeks, mammary gland and skin specimens were collected. Oxidative stress markers were quantified in tissue homogenates. Apoptotic gene and protein expression were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Ki67 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, histopathological evaluation (H&E stain) was conducted. DMBA significantly increased MDA, reduced GPx, SOD, and TAC. Pro-apoptotic markers were upregulated, while Bcl2 was downregulated. Histopathology revealed vacuolar degeneration, necrosis, mitotic figures, and corpora amylacea in the mammary gland, and epidermal hyperplasia, mitotic figures, follicular hyperplasia, and focal necrosis in skin. RJ co-treatment restored GPx and SOD levels to almost those of the control group, reduced MDA, decreased p53 and Bax to near-control levels, and increased Bcl2 to the approximate level of the control group. Moreover, RJ treatment normalized the mammary gland histologically, while skin showed attenuated necrosis and decreased epidermal hyperplasia and mitotic index. RJ effectively countered DMBA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the rat mammary gland while preserving tissue integrity. In skin, RJ mitigated oxidative damage and reduced proliferation. These outcomes suggest RJ’s potential as an adjuvant antioxidant in glandular disorders, while showing the anticarcinogenic potential.

Postbiotics, non‐viable microbial components or metabolites derived from probiotics, represent a promising new class of therapeutic agents in dermatological and wound‐healing science. This review highlights the bioactive potential of postbiotics in modulating inflammation, enhancing tissue regeneration, and restoring microbiota balance in skin wounds. Through analysis of recent experimental and clinical studies, postbiotics were found to accelerate wound closure, stimulate collagen synthesis, and improve barrier integrity while providing antimicrobial and immunomodulatory benefits. Their incorporation into topical formulations and wound dressings has shown to regulate moisture, prevent infection, and support optimal healing conditions. In contrast to live probiotics, postbiotics are stable, safe, and free from viability‐related limitations, making them ideal for cosmetic and medical use. Overall, postbiotics represent an innovative, next‐generation strategy for skin regeneration and wound management.

Endometrial thickness (ET) is an important parameter of determining endometrial receptivity for in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET). ET is influenced by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as hormonal fluctuations, age‐related changes, underlying medical conditions, and metabolic factors. However, there are few published studies examining the effect of tamoxifen on endometrial development during IVF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of tamoxifen on endometrial growth in patients undergoing IVF‐FET who experienced a thin endometrium during their previous transfer cycle while undergoing estrogen therapy. This pilot study was conducted at Hazrate Zeinab Hospital, affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran, between 2019 and 2021. The study involved three infertile females aged 31–40 years who were referred to our center for IVF‐FET. We recorded the patients' demographic and medical characteristics, the type of infertility, and the cause and duration of infertility. ET was measured using ultrasonography before the treatment began. Patients were then administered tamoxifen at a dosage of 20 mg per day, starting on the second day of their menstrual cycle for a duration of 5 days. On the seventh day of menstruation, a follow‐up transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to assess the ET and evaluate the trilinear pattern. In our study of three patients with a history of inadequate response to high‐dose estrogen, the endometrium improved in two patients and thickened by up to 7 mm, indicating a positive effect of tamoxifen on improving endometrial thickness.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ethanolic extract of propolis on the secondary lesions of the liver, renal, and pancreatic that were derived by primary colorectal cancer, and comparison of the ethanolic extract of propolis with the vitamin E. The groups included the control, ethanolic extract of propolis, vitamin E, dimethylhydrazine, dimethylhydrazine + ethanolic extract of propolis, and dimethylhydrazine + vitamin E. After 13 weeks of treatment, the blood and tissue samples were taken from all the rats, and alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, insulin, amylase, and lipase indices along with the tissue pathological examination of the kidney, liver, and pancreas were evaluated. Ethanolic extract of propolis effectively alleviated the colorectal cancer‐induced secondary lesions in the liver by significantly lowering the alanine transaminase significantly. Ethanolic extract of propolis significantly decreased uric acid in rats; and also significantly elevated the pancreatic insulin. In addition, inflammation and cell necrosis indices in all these tissues were significantly reduced when ethanolic extract of propolis was consumed compared to the dimethylhydrazine group. It seemed ethanolic extract of propolis showed high antioxidant, anticancer, and anti‐inflammatory potentials, and can be used practically to reduce the side lesions of colorectal cancer.

Background: Antibiotic residues have always been one of the major concerns of consumers, especially when it comes to animal products. On the one hand, chicken meat has the highest consumption proportion in Iran. On the other hand, sadly due to the specific physiological properties of this animal and its breeding system, the administration of drugs such as antibiotics is very common. Consequently, the health effects of these drugs must be investigated, because their effects on human health are unignorable. In this regard, this research examined the residues of antibiotics in industrial poultry meat in Mazandaran province by employing the Premi‐Test method.Results: Accordingly, by testing 200 carcasses from 40 poultry farms in Mazandaran province for a year, it was shown that a total of 108 carcasses (54%) contained antibiotic residues. Moreover, it was observed that the frequency of carcasses with antibiotic residues in different seasons was different, including Winter with 36 cases, Autumn with 28 cases, Summer with 24 cases, and Spring with 20 cases.Conclusion: Despite the difference between the mean percentages of antibiotic carcasses in different seasons, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, more strict laws and monitoring programs are needed for reducing the current amounts of antibiotic residues in broilers.

Aluminum (Al) is a popular metal in the industry, and its usage has greatly increased recently. The dose of this metal has been proven to be toxic to rats, but its effects on the offspring of the original receivers and prevention methods to reduce this damage are unknown. Rosa damascena is a well-known plant for its high antioxidant capabilities. In this study, the protective effect of Rosa damascena extract (RDA) on aluminum-induced lesions in the brain tissue of a rat offspring was investigated. In this regard, female rats were divided into seven groups, including the control group, the sham group, the aluminum group at the dose of 100 mg/kg, the extract groups at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg, and the treatment groups that received the extract and Al at the same doses. After the treatment ended, the offsprings were subjected to exploratory behavioral tests, and finally, the tissues of the brain including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus were pathologically examined. It was observed that RDA at the dose of 1000 mg/kg reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels significantly ( P < 0.0001 ), while raising the catalase and FRAP indices in Al-treated rats. Moreover, it increased neuronal counts significantly and reduced necrosis and vacuolar degeneration in both the cortex and hippocampus compared to the Al-receiving group. In addition, the administration of RDA 1000 improved the behavioral test scores of the offspring. In conclusion, RDA can effectively reduce Al-induced damage in the brain tissue of the offspring.

Natural antioxidants (NAs) are promising substances, which are established as potent therapeutic agents. However, the anticancer potential of many of them is not completely known. In this research, the anticancer effect of three natural antioxidants including geraniol (Ge), citronellol (Cit), and quercetin (Qu), and their combination by estimating their cytotoxicity on the Hela cells at doses from 15.625 to 1000µg/mL was investigated. Moreover, cisplatin (Cis) was employed as a strong competitive comparison. After estimating the IC50 value of each treatment in the MTT assay, western blot was performed with the obtained doses for further evaluation. In this regard, the expressions of caspase3, Bax, Bcl2, and p53 proteins were examined. Our results showed that the combination of these natural substances had significant cytotoxic potential by upregulating all mentioned proteins, which demonstrated the apoptosis pathway. Our findings had also the same results in both Cis-receiving and non-Cis-receiving cells regarding some indices. Consequently, it was suggested to further investigate these natural antioxidants as both main or adjuvant therapies for their anticancer potential and side-effect reduction in vivo. Overall, it can be concluded that these natural antioxidants are effective against cancer cells by upregulating the apoptosis pathway.

The rabies virus, which belongs to the genus Lyssavirus , the family Rhabdoviridae , is the causative agent of rabies, a contagious, deadly, and progressive neurological infection. This illness is commonly distributed worldwide and affects all warm‐blooded animals. Regarding the zoonotic aspects of rabies, the prevalence of rabies was investigated in this study. Over 2 years, 188 samples were examined via the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and mouse inoculation test (MIT) techniques by using brain tissue samples. Our findings showed that 73.94% of samples were rabies positive. The highest number of samples belonged to cows and dogs, respectively. The positivity rate in cows was 71.88%, followed by dogs with a 57.78% infection rate. These findings suggested that despite the heavy monitoring protocols in Iran, rabies is still a prevalent disease, and it is advised that vaccinations and screening programs should be carried out more frequently with heavier observation.