Evaluation of antibacterial activity and flavonoid content of two capparis species from Iran

Background: Due to multiple drug resistance against antimicrobial drugs for treatment of infectious disease, investigations to discovering new antibacterial compounds from natural sources have been designated

Objective: According to antimicrobial effects of some Capparis species, this study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extract and fractions of Capparis cartilaginea and Capparis mucronifolia against 6 bacterial strains

Methods: Aerial parts of the Capparis species were extracted by maceration method using methanol and fractionated separately by liquid-liquid fractionation method. The antibacterial activity of the extract and fractions were studied against 6 bacterial strains using MIC microplate method. Total flavonoid content [TFC] of the extracts and fractions was determined using AlCl[3] reagent

Results: The total extract and methanolic fractions of C. mucronifolia were the most effective fractions against the bacterial strains. Methanolic fraction of C. cartilaginea was the most effective fraction with MIC 10.42 microg/ml against Salmonella enterica. The highest antibacterial activity of C.mucronifolia was against Staphylococcus epidermidis with MIC 7.8 microg/ml. Methanolic fractions of Capparis species showed the highest TFC value in AlCl[3] colorimetric assay

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the extracts and fractions of Capparis cartilaginea and Capparis mucronifolia have antimicrobial effect against 6 gram positive and gram negative strains. According to the high amount of flavonoids in methanolic fraction of C. mucronifolia, the antibacterial activity may be related to the flavonoid compounds of this plant

[Antibacterial activity of total extract, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of aerial parts of heliotropium bacciferum]

Heliotropium bacciferum is one of the plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae, which is Restricted distribution in the south of Iran. It is used for Hypotension, fever, stomach ulcers in traditional medicine. In this study, the antibacterial effects of extracts and fractions of chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous, aerial parts of Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk was evaluated against five bacterial strains. The methanol extract were prepared using the percolation method. Fractions of chloroform, Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous respectively by Liquid - Liquid fractionation of the total extract were prepared. The antibacterial activity against two Gram positive bacteria, three Gram negative bacterial using Minimum inhibitory concentration in microplate and well plate method. Results showed that H. bacciferum extracts exhibited a significant activity against strains Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli and Salmonella enteritidis. MIC and well plate is between 7.6-125 micro g/ml. The results of this study indicate that extracts of the plant H.bacciferum has a antimicrobial effect against strains are listed And among the extracts, aqueous part is that most antibacterial effect of the other fraction and then methanolic extract has the greatest effect

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

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

Antidermatophyte activity of the essential oil of Hypericum perforatum of north of Iran

Dermatophytes are the main cause of human superficial mycosis that is still a public health problem especially in tropical countries such as Iran. The aim of this study was determining the antifungal effect of Hypercom perforatum essential oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum fungicidal concentration [MFC] for the essential oil of the plant Hypericum perforatum against various dermatophytes were determined. The essential oil of Hypericum perforatum was obtained by hydro distillation of the dried plant. Clinical isolates of dermatophytes [Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigital, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes., T. rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans] were used for determining antifungal activity of this essential oil by in vitro tube dilution technique. MIC90 and MFC90 values were remarkable. T. mentagrophytes var. interdigital showed a>1 log10 difference in viable count between treatment and control within the first hour, whereas E. floccosum did not. The essential oil of H. perforatum sufficiently inhibited and killed all tested dermatophytes in all different dilutions. The changes in growth curve of the treated dermatophytes were significant compared with the untreated dermatophytes. Terpinen-4-ol is the main component of the essential oil of H. perforatum, and perhaps could play the important role in antidermatophyte activity among the other components. It is suggested trying the in-vivo effects of Hypericum perforatum ointment or its other medicinal forms in the treatment and controlling of dermatophytes infections

[Effects of essential oil and extract of thymus vulgaris, zataria multiflora and eugenia caryophilata on Vero, Hela, HepII cell lines by MTT assay]

Natural flavors essential oils are almost present in various food stuffs, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Safety assessment of these food additives should be seriously considered as long as their due wide applications are favorable. Natural flavors essential oils are widely used in various foods, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. These kinds of additives are applied as colors, preservatives, aroma, antioxidant agents and tasting agents. In some cases, it may happen that the large use of some of these additives may accompany with some concerns and unwanted toxic disturbs. In this study, Concentrations of 24, 12, 6, 3, 1.5, 0.75, 0.375, 0.1875ppm [micro g/ml] of three essential oils, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris and Zataria multiflora, were tested in MTT assay with three cell line Vero, Hep2, Hela. All three Essential oils and extracts were shown cytopathological effects on three cell lines in MTT assay in at least 0.04 micro g/ml to maximum 3.0 micro g/ml concentrations. Based on obtained results, all studied essential oils and extracts may have cytopathologic effect in specific concentrations so suggested using of this compound should be performed with considering their proper concentration and more safety studies on them

Mutagenicity of four natural flavors: Clove, cinnamon, thyme and Zataria multiflora Boiss

Natural flavors are widely used in various foods, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. These kinds of additives are applied as colors, preservatives, aroma and tasting agents. The large-scale use of certain food flavors requires accumulation of toxicological data on these substances, particularly in cases where structural similarities with other known substances showing genotoxic or carcinogenic properties indicate that some restrictions on human consumption or exposure should be implemented the case of the flavors. In this study, Concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000 and 2000 micro g/ml of four essential oils, Eugenia caryophyllata [Clove], Cinnamum zeylanicum [Cinnamon], Thymus vulgaris [Thyme] and Zataria multiflora, were tested in Salmonella typhymurium strains TA100 with and without rat liver S9 using Ames Salmonella reversion assay. Without S9 fraction, increase in mutant colonies per plate was not observed in all used concentrations. Also with S9 fraction all of samples had no significant increase in mutant colonies per plate except Clove in 500 micro g/ml, and higher concentrations. Based on obtained results, Clove oil may have mutagenic effect in 500 micro g/ml and higher concentration

[Lectin histochemical method for the dectection of surface sugars in the adrenal medullary cells of embryos and newborn mice]

To distinguish the special effect of terminal sugar/sugars on development of adrenal gland medulla fetal or afterbirth. Determining the days that they are effective on development as inductive factors was another objective. In the study, we used of 12 females and 4 males BALB/c mice. Fetuses of all gestational days and newboms up to 15 days of age were fixed and processed by common histological techniques, and sections were obtained from adrenal region. The number of normal newborns and embryos were 78 heads. To distinguish the terminal sugars, we used lectins that are PNA [peanut agglutinin], VVA [vicia villosa agglutinin] and GSA1-B4 [griffonia simplia-B4]. Lectins were detected by DAB [diaminobenzidin] dye after binding to terminal sugars. Adrenal medulla cells reacted only to PNA at 13th gestational day to birth and up to 15[th] after birth. Several sections from all of specimens which we used for the lectin histochemistery study did not react to three other lectins. Findings of this study elucidated that Gal-GalNAc terminal sugar, which is specific to PNA lectin, is a key terminal sugar in studied days. So we suggest that Gal-GalNAc has a key role on adrenal medulla development at 13[th] fetal day to birth and 15 days afterbirth

[Helicobacter pylori attachment to 7 mamalian cell lines 1 [HepII, HeLa, SW742, AGS, HT291219, HT29, Caco-2]]

Helicobacter pylori is the etiologic agent of chronic -active gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers in humans, and a co-factor in the occurance of gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tumors. Adherence of H. pylori to the gastric mucosa is a critical, initial step in the pathogenesis of the disease. So bacterial adhesion inhibitory agents provide a novel pharmacologic approach to the management of infectious diseases. 22 H. pylori strains, obtained from the antral or duodenal biopsies of 49 patients with dyspepsia, gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, etc. were assayed by ELISA reader [UPR: Urea Phenol Red] to investigate the diversity of attachment to 7 mamalian cell lines. The concentration of H. pylori and cell suspension, the condition and temperature, can alter the attachment rate. H. pylori can attach to all 7 cell lines. There are no significant differences between 22 H. pylori strains in attachment to cells. The attachment pattern of H. pylori to the cells showed significant reduction respectively from HepII, HeLa, SW742, AGS, HT29/219, and HT29 to Caco-2. Best attachment were seen to HepII, HeLa and SW742 cells, and among these HepII was the best cells for this purpose. Our studies suggest that HepII, HeLa and SW742 cells could serve as a suitable in-vitro model for the study of H. pylori adhesions, attachment, and inhibition of attachment and detachment assays and among these HepII cell is preferably recommended