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

[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

Inhibit effect of allium hirtifolium boiss. [Persian shallot] hydroalcoholic extract on the growth of Leishmania infantum in vitro

Antiprotozoal effects of genus Allium plants including garlic and onion have been proven in Aryana L and s since hundreds years ago. In this study, inhibitory effect of persian shallot hydroalcoholic extract on growth of Leishmania infantum was evaluated in vitro. Different concentrations of the extract including 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/cc in schneider medium were prepared, the parasites were added and counted every day during 7 days after culture. Concentrations between 0.01 - 0.1 mg/cc inhibited the growth of parasites on the third day, but the highest concentration [0.2 mg/cc] inhibited the growth of parasites on the first day. This study proves inhibitory effect of persian shallot hydroalcoholic extract [containing allicin, ajoene and other agents] on Leishmania infantum. For exact evaluation of persian shallot antileishmanian properties, it is necessary to evaluate inhibitory effect of the plant hydroalcoholic extract in vivo

Pharmacognosical and plant tissue culture studies of Melissa officinalis L.

Melissa officinalis is a traditional herbal medicine used widely as a mid sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial agent. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil from the upper parts of plant and calli of Melissa officinalis. Growing the calli of Melissa officinalis L. and production its secondary metabolites studied and compared with those in the whole plant. Melissa seeds were first surface sterilized by shaking in 0.3% [W/V] aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing 1 drop tween 80, then by shaking in 5% Na hypochlorite and 70% aqueous Ethanol solution then, under aseptic condition, strile petrydishes containing autoclaved agar [0.8%] and kept in the dark at a temprature of 25-27°C. Seedlings were developed in one week. Then they were transferred to strile Murashing and skoog [MS] culture media which were containing 2, 4- D [1 mg/l], IAA [1 mg/l] and K [0.2 mg/l] as plant grow regulators. The amorph masses [calli] were produced and subcultvred every 20-25 days. The result obtained from GC/MS of essential oil if upper parts of plant indicated that the major compounds of the essential oil are Citronellal, Neral, Geranial and ?- Caryophyllene. In contrast, calli lacked essential oil, this was indicated upon GC of its dichlorometanic extract, however phytochemical tests indicated that some tannins were produced by calli