Optimization of garden radish [raphanus sativus l.] peroxidase enzyme for removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol from 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid wastewater

Environmental pollution by 2,4-dicholorphenol [2,4-DCP], commonly found in industrial wastewater has been a concern for humans over the past 50 years. Garden Radish Peroxidase [GRP] can eliminate this poisonous pollutant. The aim of this study was to apply an experimental Response Surface Methodology [RSM] and Central Composite Design [CCD] to optimize GRP-based treatment in order to maximize the removal of 2,4-DCP from wastewater. The effects of four factors; pH, enzyme activity [U/mL], hydrogen peroxide [H[2]O[2]] concentration [mM], and substrate concentration [mg/L] and their interactions were investigated for 2,4-DCP removal using a second-order polynomial model. The suitability of the polynomial model was described using coefficient of determination [R[2] =90.7%] and the results were created by analysis of variance [ANOVA]. A 3D response surface was made from the mathematical models and then applied to determine the optimal condition. These analyses exhibited that using a quadratic model was fitting for this treatment. Furthermore, desirability function was employed for the specific values of controlled factors for optimization and maximum desirability. Based on the desirability function results, the response predicted a 99.83% removal rate of 2,4-DCP from wastewater with 0.959 desirability. Under these conditions, the experimental removal percentage value would be 99.2%

effects of cynara scolymus L. leaf and cichorium intybus L. root extracts on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in rats

Cynara scolymus and Cichorium intybus are popular herbal remedy in folk medicine for liver disorders. Although many experimental studies carried out, scientifically reliable data needed to verify minimum effective dosage and efficacy of these medicinal plants. In present investigation, the effects of C. scolymus leaf and C. intybus root extracts at different doses were tested against CCl[4] induced rats liver toxicity. The C. scolymus leaf and C. intybus root extracts at the doses of 300, 600 and 900 and 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg/day were prepared respectively. Liver intoxication was induced in 7 groups of rats by intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg of 1:1 CCl[4] in olive oil for two successive days. One group kept as control and six different doses of plant extracts were administered to six groups simultaneously with CCl[4] administration. The serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP, liver tissue glutathione and catalase activity as well as liver tissue microvesicular steatosis [MVS] and pericentral coagulation necrosis [PCN] were determined after three days. The serum ALT, AST and ALP and liver tissue MVS were significantly reduced in both the C. scolymus and C. intybus groups at the doses of 900 and 450 mg/kg/day respectively while liver tissue PCN significantly reduced in C. scolymus 900 mg/kg/day group only as compared to control group. In present study administration of the C. scolymus leaf [900 mg/kg/day] and C. intybus root [450 mg/kg/day] extracts ameliorated CCl[4] induced rat serum liver enzyme changes and liver tissue histopathological damage

[Neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris L. in a model of parkinson's disease in rat]

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease of dopaminergic neurons in substancia nigra. Superoxides formation is one of the main etiologies of the disease, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] are able to suppress superoxide formation. Berberis vulgaris is an ACE inhibitor and considered for this purpose. Male rats [n=32] were divided in 4 groups: Sham, Neurotoxin [injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into left hemisphere SNC], Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract [10 mg/kg] and captopril. Berberis and captopril were injected i.p. 7 days before and 3 days after 6-hydroxydopamine injection. Muscle rigidity, apomorphine test, brain protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation as well as serum and brain ACE activity were assayed in all 4 groups. Rotation test with apomorphine in captopril and Berberis groups were significantly lower than neurotoxin group [p=0.002]. Lipid peroxidation in captopril was significantly lower than neurotoxin [p=0.013]. Captopril and Berberis both inhibited serum ACE activity respectively, but Berberis inhibited brain ACE too. Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract is an ACE inhibitor with anti-parkinsonism effect and should be studied more

effects of Taraxacum officinale L. and Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in rats

Taraxacum officinale and Berberis vulgaris have long been used as herbal remedies for treatment of a variety of complaints including liver dysfunction and gallbladder disease. However scientifically reliable data are needed to verify their minimum effective doses. In present study, the effects of Taraxacum officinale L. and Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts at the different doses 10, 20 and 30 times higher than average dose [THD] used in traditional systems of medicines were tested against carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] induced liver toxicity in rats. Methods: The root extracts of T. officinale at doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/day and B. vulgaris at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg/day, relative to 10, 20 and 30 THD average doses used in traditional systems of medicines were prepared by dissolving dry extracts in 5% dimethyl sulfoxide in distilled water. Eighty male Wistar rats, 5 months old, were divided in 8 groups of 10 rats each. Liver intoxication was induced in 7 groups by intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg of 1:1 CCl4 in olive oil for two successive days. One group was kept as control and six different doses of medicinal plants extracts were administered to six groups simultaneously with CCl4 administration. After three days the serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP, liver tissue glutathione level and catalase activities as well as liver tissue microvesicular steatosis and pericentral coagulation necrosis were determined. In control group the blood levels of ALT, AST, ALP and liver tissue injury were increased whereas the serum GSH level and catalase activity decreased significantly after 3 days of beginning of carbon tetrachloride liver toxicity as compared to normal group. In T. officinale treated group at the dose of 750 mg/kg/day, the serum ALT and ALP levels and in B. vulgaris at the dose of 900 mg/kg/day, the serum ALP levels reduced significantly as compared to control group. The liver micro vesicular steatosis was inhibited significantly in both groups at the doses of 30 THD as compared to control group. In the present study administration of T. officinale and B. vulgaris root extracts at with 30 THD ameliorated CCl4 induced liver damage

[Inhibitory effects of germinal angiotensin converting enzyme by medicinal plants used in Iranian traditional medicine as antihypertensive]

Medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of different diseases such as hypertension. Since inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] is one of the involved mechanisms in control of hypertension, in this study the inhibitory effect of 20 medicinal plants on ACE was investigated. The medicinal plants were collected, powdered, extracted, lyophilized and kept in -20degree C. ACE activity was assayed with hyporyl L histidine L leusine [HHL] as substrate in the micro scale. The extracts that inhibited 50% of ACE activity in comparison to control were considered as probable ACE inhibitors. From 20 medicinal plants in this study, the highest ACE inhibitory effect [100%] was related to Alcea digitata [Boiss] Alef., Rubia tinctorum L. and Cerasus avium [L.] Monech. Citrus aurantium L., Berberis integerrima Bge, Peganum harmala L. and Allium sativum L. also inhibited ACE activity equal or more than 70%. Since the highest ACE inhibitory effect was observed for Alcea digitata [Boiss.] Alef., Rubia tinctorum L. and Cerasus avium [L.] Monech, this plants can be used in further studies for separation of their active components against ACE activity

Antiviral effect assay of twenty five species of various medicinal plants families in Iran

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for different kinds of ailments including infectious diseases. There is an increasing need for substances with antiviral activity since the treatment of viral infections with the available antiviral drugs often leads to the problem of viral resistance. There is a need to search for new and more effective antiviral agents. therefore in the present study 20 plants with ethno-medical background from different families were screened for antiviral activity against HSV-1, Adenovirus type 5, Echo virus type 11, Measles virus and Rota virus. Different parts of the plants collected from Iran were extracted with aqueous solvents to obtain crude extracts. These extracts were screened for their cytotoxicity against Vero, BSC-1, Hep-II and RD cell lines by assays micro-culture neutral red dye absorption and microscopically follow up for CPE. Antiviral properties of the plant extracts were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition assay and plaque reduction assay. Three plants extract; Aristolochia maurorum, Terminalia chebula Retz. And Cichorium intybus L. exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV-1 and adenovirus type 5 at a concentration non toxic to the cell lines used. The extracts of Aristolochia maurorum and Cichorium intybus L. showed great anti viral activity against HSV-1 and partial activity against adenovirus at higher concentrations. Some of the medicinal plants have shown antiviral activity. Further research is needed to elucidate the active constituents of these plants which may be useful in the development of new and effective antiviral agents

Study of the ACE inhibitory effect of medicinal plants used in Iranian Folk-Medicine as antihypertensive remedy

Angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] is an exopeptidase which converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction and aldosteron secretion and inactivate bradykinin, so ACE has major role on blood pressure regulation. In this study 135 plants used in Persian traditional medicine have been investigated for their angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitory activity potential. They were selected on the basis of their usage as antihypertensive, cardiotonics and diuretics. The dried powdered plant material, 1 g was extracted with 10 ml water and ethanol [%96] in ultrasonic bath. The extracts were filtered and concentrated in vacuum except for the water extracts, which were freeze-dried. Test solutions were made by dissolving extract in assay buffer, corresponding to a final concentration of 0.33 mg of crude plant extract in 1 ml test volume. Enzyme assay was performed by HPLC method. Plants exhibiting inhibition levels more then 50% were further tested for the presence of tannins in order to eliminate possible false positives. In total, 52 species out of the 135 [39%] screened, gave more than 50% ACE inhibition. 40 species were found to possess a high ACE inhibiting ability and were low in their tannin content

St. John's wort [Hypericum perforatum L.]: a Review

Hypericum perforatum L., also known St. John's wort, is a herbaceous perennial belonging to Hypericaceae family that is a native of Western Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The importance of this plant as a phytopharmaceutical, especially for treatment of mild to-moderately severe depression, has significantly increased in the last few years. The major active constituents are considered to be Hypericin [a naphtodianthrone] and Hyperforin [a prenylated phloroglucinol], although other biologically active constituents eg. Flavoneids and tannins are also present. However, Hypericin is utilized as the key compound in measuring the quality of Stjohns wort and is typically used as the measure of extract potency, although recent studies indicated that hyperforin may be the antidepressive agent in St. John's wort. However, St. John's wort is one of the top- selling herbal products, which has an important place in world market

Review on Cynara scolymus L

Articholce [Cynara Scolymus L.] is one of non- native plants being cultivated in Iran. This plant is mostly used in foods, so that it is probably harmless. In this Article we are going to coucentrate on different stages of its cultivation and the clinical uses of it in relation with some clinical studies

Pre- planting evaluation of allicin content and botanical traits in Iranian garlic [Allium sativum L.] ecotypes

Garlic is one of the medicinal plants, which is efficate in treatment of mild hypertension and lipid profiles. Along this study allicin content and botanical traits are evaluated in pre-planting stage. Bulb mean weight; clove mean weight and clove number per bulb were the evaluated morphological characters. Allicin content evaluation was done by HPLC. The correlation existed between evaluated characters were analyzed. We found that all samples were rich in allicin with values higher than pharmaceutical grade [4.5 mg/g]. This study showed that ecological conditions had not detectable relation with allicin content. A cluster analysis of data was performed based on morphological characters and allicin content. In general we did not detect significant relationship between genetic diversity and geographical origins, which suggests that probably the genetic factors have more influence than ecology

Herbal medicine: Knowledge, attitude and practice in Tehran

Herbal medicine is one of complementary medicine [CAM] approaches that refer to a group of therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines that exists largely outside the institutions where conventional health care is taught and provided for treating patients. Herbal medicine is discipline based on systems practiced thousands of years ago. World health organization reported that more than 60% of world's population are using herbal components for their treatments. Herbal medicine is an increasing feature of healthcare practice, but considerable confusion remains what exactly it is and position the disciplines included under this term should hold in relation to conventional medicine. To study the Knowledge, attitude, and practice of complementary medicine [KAP Study]. Design of this study was cross-sectional. Setting was Tehran city and study conducted on Oct 2003 - Oct 2004. Studied samples were 4123 subjects [more than 15 years old age] who were selected with cluster sampling. Data gathered with questionnaire. This survey showed that 75/6% of the studied population knew herbal therapy and 38.4% of total population and 50.8% of population who knew about herbal therapy, had used it once at least. More than 60% of population of different areas of Tehran city knew this therapy and 19-70% of this population had been used it. Most subjects have heard about this type of therapy from others. Most of subjects who used herbal therapy expressed that it was very effective. Most of them referred to non-physicians and most of their diseases were gastro-intestinal, respiratory and nervous system diseases. Female, married subjects and elderly were the most users of herbal therapy. Public knowledge and demand for herbal medicine is considerable. Demand for herbal medicine had growth therefore we need more attention in planning for treatments and academic approach to herbal medicine. Health system provision might go some way to ensure certain minimum standards such as proper regulation, standardized note keeping, effective channels of communication [patients also want to be protected from unqualified practitioners and inappropriate treatments] and participation in research

Study of the different solvents on silymarin extraction from milk thistle

The seeds extract of Milk thistle [Silybum marianum [L]Gaertn]is named silymarin It is used widely in the treatment of cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia. There are different methods for production of this compound but the best method is patented. In this study, we study the power of different solvents on silymarin production. 10g of three samples [Marzanabad, Golshan and Hungarian samples cultivated in our research farm], powdered and defatted by petroleum ether, the degatted powders were extracted with one of the following solvents: Methanol, ethanol acetone, ethylacetate, and acetonitril. The silymarin content was assayed by HPLC The results showed that methanol is the best solvent in extracting silymarin and all of its components after methanol, acetone and acetonitril had good power, in extracting silymarin and silybin Methanol is the best solvent for silymarin extraction and then acetone and acetonitril could be replaced for it

Determination of flavonalignans of dried fruits of silybum marianum [L.] gaertn collected from different areas of Iran by spectrophotometry, TLC and HPLC

Silymarin complex consisted of five flavonolignans [silybum A and B Isosylibin A and B, silychristin, silydianin and taxifolin] isolated from dried fruits of Silybum marianum [L]Gaertn silybin is the main component of silymarin complex. Hepatoprotective activity of silymarin may be related to its antioxidant property. This study was conducted to understand the environmental condition on silymarin methabolism. Silymarin extraction and flavolignans assay by spectrophotometery, TLC and HPLC was performed on milk thistle seeds collected from different areas of Iran, Hungarian seeds cultivated in greenhouse and field in Karaj. Valasht and Borazjan had the highest levels of silymain content by spectrophotometery method. In TLC method all 5 component were identified. We analyzed the flavolignans contents by HPLC and results showed that borazjan had the highest level of silymarin. To produce commercially silymarin we need to search for the best genotype