Effects of Fig tree [Ficus carica] leaf extracts on serum and liver cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemic rats

The effects of three Ficus carica leaf extracts on the total cholesterol levels [TC] of serum and liver were investigated in experimentally-induced nutritional hyperlipidemic rats. In nine treatment groups [n=5 each group], hyperlipidemic rats were treated daily with hydromethanolic [total] extract [2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [ip]] and its aqueous fractions, namely fraction A [10, 50,250 mg/kg, ip] and fraction B [10, 50,250 mg/kg, ip] for eight days. In negative and positive control groups, animals received normal and hyperlipidemic diets with ip injections of normal saline, respectively. The lipid-lowering effect of total extract on liver cholesterol was more pronounced than that of serum. Fraction A caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in cholesterol levels in both the serum and the liver [p<0.05]. Fraction A at dosages of 10, 50 and 250 mg/kg lowered the TC in serum from 1.40 +/- 0.26 mmol/L [mean +/- standard deviation; untreated hyperlipidemic group] to 1.06 +/- 0.14, 1.04 +/- 0.07 and 0.90 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, respectively. At 50 and 250 mg/kg, it lowered the TC in liver significantly from 59.86 +/- 10.35 mg/g [untreated] to 42.61 +/- 12.08 and 37.16 +/- 5.59 mg/g, respectively. Fraction B lowered the level of TC in the serum and liver, but the results of this treatment were conflicting. Phytochemical screening showed that total extract had moderate levels of flavonoids and a large amount of tannins, which may account for the observed effects on decreasing TC levels. In conclusion, Ficus carica leaf extracts have been shown to decrease liver and serum TC levels in hyperlipidemic rats

Study on microscopical characteristic and composition of the volatile oil of fruit of petroselinum hortense hoffm

Parsley [Petroselinum hortense Hoffm.] is one of the most famous medical and nutritional herb. Fruits of parsley traditionally used as diuretic, appetizer, vasodilator, with out any side effects. Also, it is used in cosmetic industry as a deodorant to cure halitosis and in nutritional industry. Study of microscopical characteristic, extraction and identification of the essential oil of the chemical composition of Parsley seed, is the main aims of this study. For this research, fruits have seen purchased from the market of Tehran and Identified. Microscopical characteristic will be done using light microscope and extraction of the essential oil will be done with hydro-distillation method using Clevenger apparatus and then identified after GC/MS findings. Endosperm containing crystals of calcium oxalate and oil spots, parts of compact cells of Endocarp, a group of fibro vascular, Epiderm tissue containing fragment of a vitta, were the most fragments of the powdered seed. The total amount of the Essential oil was 1% V/W and the most analyzed compounds were: 1,8 cineol [59.2%]-alpha- phellandren [18.6%]-alpha-pinene [7.6%]. There was no difference between the microscopical characters of the powdered seeds of Iranian cultivated Parsley with the cultivated specimen in other country. The absence of two compounds; Apiol [aborticide agent] and Miristicin [agent causing euphoria] in Iranian cultivated Parsley is a significant safe character for the using of the Iranian specimen in food and pharmaceutical industries

survey on the changes of oil compounds of medicinal and edible plants sterilized with gamma radiation

One of the essential problems of using medicinal plants which are mostly collected from the wild is their fungus and microbial infections. Nowadays, exposing the plants to Gamma radiation apparently removes the problem. But, as the plants contain outstanding amount of chemical substances, the exposition can lead to a change in the composition of the plants chemicals and therefore a change in their medicinal effects. Making poisonous, carcinogen or stimulant substances in the plants could be examples of this change. The aim of this research was evaluating effect of Gamma radiation on chemical composition of ten medicinal plants essential oils; Mentha, Coriandrum, Foeniculum, Zingiber, Cuminum, Bunium, Melissa, Thymus and Zataria. Essential oil of the species before and after Gamma radiation were obtained over Clevenger apparatus, analyzed using GC and GC/MS and identified based on RT, KI and authentic references. Results showed that within ten species, the Coriander oil was affected with the 10 and 25 KG of Gamma radiation and changed to the another components. These results of experiment can alert the world, to the threatening consequences of using Gamma radiation concerning human health

Essential oil constituents of Chimonanthus fragrans flowers population of Tehran

Chimonanthus fragrans Lindle [Calycanthaceae] is an aromatic plant which little information has been reported so far on the composition of its essential oil. In this study the essential oil of flower of this plant was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty nine components were identified corresponding to ca. 98.12% of the total components of the essential oil with 0.12% yield. The major components were elemol [20.06%], beta-caryophyllene [9.51%], beta-elemene [8.65%], bicyclogermacrene [8.15%], gamma-elemene [7.2%], germacrene-D [5.65%], trans-beta-ocimene [5.5%], sabinene [3.65%], linalool [2.6%], caryophyllene oxide [2.3%], and delta-cadinene [1.95%]. Comparison of the data of this study with other data including recent report by HS-SPME-GC-MS showed quantitative and qualitative differences due to geographical, agricultural, and technical factors

[Clinical evaluation of the effects of radiotherapy on oral mucosa and gingival health in radiotherapy center of Ghaem Hospital]

It is necessary to mention that 4% of malignancies include pharyngeal and oral cancers. One of the treatments is radiotherapy in addition with chemotherapy and surgery. Radiotherapy of head and neck can cause some complications with impression on mucos. Regarding this point, we decided to study different effects of radiotherapy on gingival and oral mucosa. This descriptive analytical study was performed on 30 patients with head and neck cancers referred to radiotherapy department of Ghaem Hospital. Data collection method included interview, clinical examination and patient's medical file investigation. The data was collected through relevant forms. The relationship between deferent dosages of radiation on gingival health and oral mucosa was investigated. Data analysis was done with use of GLM, Cochran, MANOVA tests Via SPSS V. 11.5 software. A significant relationship between irritation of oral mucosa ulcer development, mucositis and increase in radiation dosage was observed. But there wasn't any significant relationship between candidosis, ANUG, perleche and radiation dosage. Periodontal Index [PI], Gingival Index [GI] and Papilla Bleeding Index [PBI] showed on increase, but due to limited time of study, no changes on gingival recession was observed. Plaque Index [PlI] decreased during treatment process due to increase in oral hygiene. There was a direct relationship between oral radiotherapy complications and increase in radiation dosage. With attention to this point that some complications such as ANUG and perleche were not observed, doing a study with longer duration is recommended

[Effect of hypericum performatum L. for treatment of premenstrual syndrome]

The premenstrual syndrome is characterised by Physical and Psychological symptoms apearing regularly during the week prior to menstruation and disappearing within a few days of its onset, causing disruption to occuptional, family and personal functioning. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Hypericum is useful in releving the symtoms of premenstrual syndrome, but as yet there has been no clinical investingation of this. To compare the efficacy of Hypericum with placebo to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. A double blind, placebo controlled, randomised design was used in the clinical study. 70 Students of Tehran University with premenstrual syndrome who were in otherwise good Physical and mental health, completed Daily symptom Ratings for two cycles. Then participants devided were in two groups [active 35, Placebo 35] and took Hypericum or placebo for two complete menstrual cycles [2 x 30 drops for 7 days before menstruation]. Hypericum obtained a mean reduction of%46.45, in symptoms and placebo%18.1. There were significant reductions in all symptoms between two groups. [p=0.000] Treatment was well tolerated and there was not any discontinuation or complication with Hypericum. Hypericum treats premenstrual syndrome, and offers a therapy limited to the luteal phase for at least two cycles