[Investigating acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects of some ferula species]

Nowadays, one of the methods for treatment of Alzheimer is using of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors [AChEIs]. Discovering the drugs with better effects and fewer side effects especially from natural sources is the aim of many researchers. In the present investigation, AChEI effects of six Ferula species have been studied. Total extracts of six species of Ferula including F. persica var. persica, F. hezarlalezarica, F. ovina, F. oopoda, F. hirtella and F. szowitsiana were obtained by using methanol 80% and different fractions of the species were prepared by using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, methanol 50% and water, respectively with maceration method. AChEI activity of each extract in concentration of 300 micro g/ml was determined by Ellman method in 96 - wells plates in 405 nm. The results revealed that among examined samples, only F. persica var. persica chloroform fraction showed reasonable AChEI activity [27.3%] while other extracts had trace activity or no effect. It seems that relatively non-polar components of F. persica var. persica had AChEI activity. Since, sesquiterpene coumarins are the major compounds in Ferula species, they may be considered as AChEI agents in Ferula persica var. persica, but more investigations are necessary to establish the idea

[Protective effects of Melissa officinalis extract against beta-amyloid-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells]

The accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide [Abeta] in the brain, is the main characteristic of Alzheimer's disease [AD] that cause oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Melissa officinalis can protect cells against oxidative damages. This plant is also used in traditional medicine as a memory enhancer and diseases that are associated with neurological disorders. This study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of Melissa officinalis on Abeta induced neurotoxicity and its antioxidant mechanism. Aerial parts of Melissa officinalis were extracted with ethanol 80% using maceration method. PC12 cells were incubated with the extract prior to incubation with Abeta and cell toxicity, production of reactive oxygen species [ROS], lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured 24 h later. Incubation of PC12 cells with Abeta significantly caused cell death in PC 12 cells, this was accompanied by increasing in ROS and lipid peroxidation but decreasing in glutathione peroxidase activity. Pretreatment with Melissa officinalis extract significantly protected PC 12 cells against Abeta induced toxicity and attenuated Abeta induced changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in PC 12 cells. Melissa officinalis extract, prevents Abeta induced neurotoxicity through attenuating oxidative stress. It may act as an ROS scavenger and can be a candidate for AD therapy

Cytotoxic effects of essential oils and extracts of some mentha species on vero, Hela and Hep2 cell lines

Mentha species are widely used in traditional medicine mostly as anti-flatulence. Nowadays, their usage as flavor and preservative in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries has been developed. Moreover, cytotoxic effects of some Mentha species have been reported. In this study, cytotoxic properties of Mentha piperita, M. spicata, M. aquatica, M. crispa, M. pulegium and M. longifolia have been investigated. Different concentrations of essential oils and total extracts of six Mentha species were tested by MTT assay against Vero, Hep2 and Hela cell lines. The results showed that all samples were toxic against Vero, Hela and Hep2 cell lines [IC[50] 28.1-166.2 micro g/ml]. All examined Mentha species extracts and essential oils have cytotoxic effects but some of them could be considered as potent toxic agents

mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of Lavandula angustifolia and Elettaria cardamomum essential oils in the bacterial reverse mutation assay

Essential oils from Elettaria cordamomum [cardamom oil] and Lavandula angustifolia [Lavender oil] are used a lot in food and Drug Industry. Cardamom oil traditionally used as spice in food now is increasingly used as diuretic, sedative and for gastrointestinal disease. Lavender oil, traditionally used as an antiseptic agent, is now widely used as a relaxant, carminative, and sedative in aromatherapy. They both are used as flavouring additives in food and medical industry. It's very important to know their mutagenic potential. Meanwhile, the growth of cancer disease and insufficient chemical treatments are among main reasons for the antimutagenic effect of essential oils to be assessed. In this study we investigated the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of cardamom oil and lavender oil by the bacterial reverse mutation assay in salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains with and without S9 [microsomal mutagenesis assay] for 7 dilutions of each essential oils. The mutagenicity effects were not seen in all dilutions of each essential oils, and antimutagenicity effect was seen in 0.40 and more concentration [mg/plate] of Elettaria cordamomum by the bacterial reverse mutation assay in salmonella typhimurium TA98 strains without S9. Assessment of genotoxic potential and identification of mutagenic components of essential oils has been considered widely after their increasing consumption rate, in order to investigate possible new activities of herbal essential oils like antimutagnic effect possibly leading to new and safer products. Although the antimutagenic activity of lavender oil is an interesting finding, further studies are required to identify the components responsible for its antimutagenic action

[Comparative study on anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of licorice roots collected from different regions of Iran]

Helicobacter pylori infection is common in gastrointestinal tract and lead to gastritis, peptic ulcer and finally stomach cancer. Many synthetic drugs are used to eradicate the bacteria but there are some problems in treatment due to drug resistance and frequent relapses of infection. Herbal drugs are very important in the case. Glycyrrhiza glabra is used for treatment of H. pylori infection. This plant grows in different regions of Iran, therefore, investigation of anti H. pylori effects of the plant collected from different growing area is important. The aim of this study is determination of MIC of licorice roots collected from different regions of Iran against H. pylori in order to introduce the best growing area of the plant. Roots of the plant were collected from Kerman, Kermanshah, Sirjan, Sarhadd [Fars province], Istahban [Fars province], Ghasredasht [Fars province], Najaf Abad [Isfahan province], Ganjnameh [Hamedan province], Ekbatan [Hamedan province], Mahabad, Khorram Abad and Ardabil and extracted by using ethanol 80%. MIC of each extract was determined against three clinical isolated strains of H. pylori which obtained during endoscopy procedure. The results showed that susceptibilities of three clinical isolated bacteria to the licorice extracts are different. Among the studied extracts, licorice roots collected from Ardabil showed the lowest MIC [at least: 125 ppm] and all strains were almost resistant to the extract from Mahabad. It is concluded that drug resistance is observed in herbals just like synthetic drugs. Moreover, in order to achieve best therapeutic results, before using an herbal preparation for treatment a disorder, growing area of a medicinal herb should be considered

Identification and quantitative determination of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in trigonella foenum-graecum L. from Iran

The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. [Fenugreek] are used in Iranian traditional medicine as blood sugar lowering agent. According to last investigations, hypoglycemic property is related to the amino acids of the plant specially 4-hydroxyisoleucine. In this research, identification and quantitative determination of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in Fenugreek seeds from Shahreza, central part of Iran, has been investigated. Methods: Powdered seeds of the plant were defatted and then extracted by using ethanol 50%. In order to isolation of 4-hydroxyisoleucine from the extract, ion exchange chromatography was used and the amino acid content was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography technique. The results showed the presence of 0.4% 4-hydroxyisoleucine in the plant seeds which is considerable amount of the amino acid in the plant collected from Iran. According to the effects of 4-hydroxyisoleucine such as antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties, fenugreek can be considered as an herbal remedy in supportive treatment of these disorders

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Oliveria decumbens volatile oil from west of Iran

Oliveria decumbens Vent. is an endemic plant of Flora Iranica that grows in high temperature areas of south and west of Iran. It is used for indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever in traditional medicine. In this investigation, chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of Oliveria decumbens has been studied. The essential oil of aerial parts of Oliveria decumbens was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated against three Gram positive bacteria, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi using disc diffusion method. 10 components were identified in the essential oil of Oliveria decumbens. The main components were gamma-terpinene, myristicin, thymol, p-cymene and carvacrol. The essential oil showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli, Aspergilus niger and Candida albicans but low antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa. High amount of thymol, carvacrol and p-cymene in Oliveria decumbens essential oil may be a reason of antimicrobial effects of the plant and the plant essential oil can be considered as a natural source of preservatives in food and cosmetic industries

[Investigation of the best method for extraction of phenolic compounds from echinaceae purpurea L. [moench]]

Echinacea spp. Have been used in traditional medicine for many years. Recently, many investigations have been done on this plant and they showed that the plant is an immunostimulant agent. The plant contains different components such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds and isobutylamides. Phenolics are one of the most important agents in immunostimulant effects of the plant; therefore, determination of a method for the best extraction of these compounds from the plant is important. In this research, the effects of solvent, extraction procedure, plant particle size and plant: solvent ratio on extraction of phenolic compounds of Echinacea purpurea [L.] Moench have been investigated. Different polar and non-polar solvents from hexane to acidic water were used in order to determine the best solvent for phenolics extraction. Moreover, the methods of maceration, sonification, perculation, digestion and continuous extraction [by use of soxhelet apparatus], different particle sizes of the plant powder and various plant: solvent ratios were examined as well. The results showed that the best method for extraction of phenolics is methanol: water 80:20 as solvent, method of digestion [2h, 50[degree sign] C], particle size of 300 micro m for the plant powder and plant :solvent ratio of 1:200. It can be concluded that in order to efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from Echinacea purpurea aerial parts, special condition should be considered

Fingerprint study of Thyrnus spp.aby TLC

Thymus is a widely used medicinal plant in food and pharmaceutical industries. Among different species of Thymus, T. vulgaris is used more than other species in therapeutic dosage forms. This study was conducted to differentiate various Thymus species by TLC fingerprint. In order to identify and differentiate various species of Thymus, TLC fingerprints of essential oil, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and n-butanol extracts of four available species named T. vulgaris, T. pubescens, T. citriodorus and T. daenensis were obtained and compared with each other. The results showed that the TLC chromatograms of essential oil and n-butanol extract cannot be used as differential identification for the above-mentioned species; while the ethylacetate and dichloromethane extracts are more reliable to be used for TLC fingerprints. TLC-chromatogram of ethylacetate extract is specific for identification of T. pubescens and T. vulgaris while T. citriodorus and T. daenensis can be best identified by their TLC fingerprints obtained from dichloromethane extract. For best differentiation of various Thymus species, different extracts of the plants should be used

Investigation of a and beta - thujone content in common wormwood from Iran

Artemisia absinthium L. [common wormwood] has been widely used in traditional medicine. The plant contains toxic components: a and beta-thujone, therefore, it should be used with caution. Since common wormwood is considered to be a toxic plant, we decided to evaluate toxic compounds quantities in those used in Iranian folk market. Five samples were purchased from Tehran markets. Essential oil of the flowers was obtained by water distillation. Essential oils were injected to gas chromatograph and their thujone content were determined according to the calibration curve. The results showed that alpha-thujone is absent in all samples and p-thujone content in the essential oils is much less than its amount reported from other countries. Since the quantity of toxic compounds are low in the plant growing in Iran, it is proposed that Artemisia absinthium L. can be studied for its some medical uses

[Investigating on the quality of wild licorice roots collected from different regions of Iran]

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. has been used in respiratory diseases, gastric and duodenal ulcers and liver insufficiencies for many years. The plant grows in different regions of Iran. Since our country is considered one of the greatest exporting countries of the plant roots, investigation of licorice quality from different parts of Iran and determination of the best area for its growing seems to be important. According to validated references, glycyrrhizic acid percentage and water-soluble extractives are determinative of quality; therefore, in this investigation, these two factors have been measured in the plants collected from different regions of Iran. Roots of the plant were collected from Kerman, Kermanshah, Sirjan, Sarhadd [Fars province], Istahban [Fars province], Ghasredasht [Fars province], Najaf Abad [Isfahan province], Ganjnameh [Hamedan province], Ekbatan [Hamedan province], Mahabad, Khorram Abad and Ardabil and water-soluble extractives using maceration method and glycyrrhizic acid percentage with HPLC technique were determined in each sample. The results showed that the amount of water-soluble extractives and glycyrrhizic acid are high in samples from Kermanshah, Sarhadd and Kerman while these two factors are the lowest in the plant roots collected from Ekbatan and Ganjnameh. The plant roots collected from Kermanshah, Sarhadd and Kerman have the highest quality and are the best for medicinal purposes, sweetening and flavoring agent and for exporting as well

Comparative and differential study of Passiflora incarnata L. and Passiflora caerulea L. in raw plants and pharmaceutical dosage forms

Passiflora has several species that two of them named P. incarnata and P. caerulea are cultivated in Iran. Many investigations have been carried out on therapeutic effects of the genus but only P. incarnata is approved for use in pharmaceutical dosage forms for anxiety and insomnia. The purpose of this study is differential determination of P. incarnata and P. caerulea in medicinal plants and related herbal drugs. In this investigation, microscopic properties, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and total flavonoids calculated as hyperoside of P. incarnata and P. caerulea were determined. In addition, TLC chromatogram regarding flavonoids and HPLC chromatograms of P. incarnata and P. caerulea ethanol extract, Passipay tablet and drop [Iran Darouk Co.], Passiflora drop and dry extract [Vogel Co.] and Passiflora drop [Curarina Co.] were also compared. No significant difference between total ash, acid-insoluble ash and total flavonoids in two species were found. But they were very different in microscopic properties. TLC and HPLC chromatograms are very different as well. The aerial parts of the two plant species can be well distinguished by microscopic method. The plant extract either itself or in pharmaceutical dosage forms, can be determined by HPLC or TLC methods. Since sample preparation is very simple and doesn't require complex procedures, the above-mentioned methods seem to be efficient