[ review of psyllium plant]

Genus Plantago belongs to Plantaginaceae family. It has two important medicinal species, P. ovata Forsk. and P. psyllium L., named in common psyllium. In traditional medicine, the husk of this plant used as laxative. Recent studies have shown that the hydrocholoidal fiber of the husk has antidiabetic and antihypercholestrolemia effects. Also it has been shown that it could reduce the prevalence of colon cancer. This plant is safe and has not any serious side effects. In this article we review the uses and benefits of this plant, which grows in many parts of Iran

[Study of angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitory effects of main Papaver spp. alkaloids]

Angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] converts the inactive angiotensin I to [a potent vasoconstrictor and aldosterone releaser] angiotensin II. Inhibitors of ACE are valuable drugs in the treatment of hypertension, and heart failure. These inhibitors have a natural origin and non-peptide drugs were synthesized from the natural lead compounds. However, because of some side effects such as dry cough, many investigators are searching in natural products to find better and more selective lead compounds. There are reports on the interaction between rennin-angiotensin system and endogenous opioid system. Morphine and endogenous opioids have reported to inhibit ACE. In this research we examined the possible inhibitory effects of purified papaver's main alkaloids on the activity of purified rabbit lung ACE. We found that only papaverin at 1 mM inhibited the enzyme by 40%. The Km value of ACE increased while Vmax decreased in papaverin treated samples. We conclude that part of hypotensive effects of papaverin may be related to ACE inhibition, and this compound will be a suitable lead compound for further investigation

[Variation in quantitative yield and hypericin content of St. John's wort., Hypericum perforatum L.]

St John's wort, Hypericum Perforatum L. [Culsiaceae] is an important medicinal plant, which has different bioactive constituents and hypericin [a naphtodianthrone] is one of this compounds. Hypericin has many pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antiviral and antibacterial, which cause to high production and consumption. It has known that region and genetic [accession] have significant effects on yield and content of active constituents of this plant. Because of existing 5 accessions in gene bank of medicinal plants Institute -ACECR, this study has been conducted in order to determination the best accession and evaluation role of genetic and environment on quantitative yield and hypericin content. This study has been done in research farms of medicinal plants Institute - ACECR along 1999- 2002. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement. The parameters are measured in this study included: dry and wet herbage, content of hypericin, plant height and diameter in flowering stage. Combined analysis of variance indicated that genetic [accession] had significant effect on wet herbage [p<0.05], dry herbage, plant height and diameter [p<0.01] but had not significant effect on hypericin content. Environmental conditions [years] affected on hypericin content [p<0.01]. Therefore accession and environment have main roles in production of medicinal parts and hypericin content in this plants, respectively. They could be considered as two key factors for an economically successful cultivation

[Study of Psyllium [Plantago ovata L.] effects on diabetes and lipidemia in the Iranian type II diabetic patients]

Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative and is high in both fiber and mucilage. The beneficial effect of dietary fiber in the management of type II diabetes has not been totally demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma- lowering effects of 5 g b.i.d. of psyllium husk fiber, as an adjunct to dietary therapy, on lipid and glucose levels, in Iranian patients with type II diabetes. Patients were randomly selected from an outpatient clinic of primary care to participate in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which Plantago Psyllium or placebo was given in combination with a low fat diet. Forty-nine subjects were included in the study that were given diet counseling before and then followed an 8-week treatment period. Fasting plasma glucose was measured every 2 weeks, and total plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels were measured every 4 weeks. Glycosylatd hemoglobin was also measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period. The test products [psyllium or placebo] were supplied to subjects in identically labeled foil packets containing a 5-g dose of product, to consume two doses per day [of 5 g each one], half an hour before breakfast and dinner. Both products were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to treatment reported in either. Some of the psyllium patients reported that their gastric tolerance to metformin became better. Fasting plasma glucose, and Glycosylated hemoglobin, showed a significant reduction [p < 0.05], whereas HDL cholesterol increased significantly [p < 0.05] following Psyllium treatment. Our results show that 5 g b.i.d. of Psyllium for persons with diabetes is safe, is well tolerated, and improves glycemic and lipid control in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia