over review to origanum vulgare l. and its pharmacological properties

Oregano [Origanum vulgare L.] is one of the most selled culinary and medicinal herb throughout the world. Flowering aerial parts and leaves of oregano have been used as a popular flavoring of food stuffs and as an antioxidant agent in cosmetics. Oregano contains a wide array of active components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and glucosides, phenols and triterpenes. Several biological activities namely antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, antimelanogenesis and antiproliferative have been demonstrated for oregano-based essential oils and extracts. Among the main bioactive constituents of these products, the phenols carvacrol and thymol, and the phenolic rosmarinic acid and origanoside proved to be strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective agents

[Essential oil composition, total phenol compounds and antioxidant activity of Hypericum perforatum L. extract collected from North of Iran]

St. John's Wort [Hypericum perforatum L.], as the most important species of the genus, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Recently, the plant compounds are used to treat mild and moderate depression around the world. This study identified the constituents of essential oil and total phenolic compounds and also antioxidant activity of methanol extract of H. perforatum collected from wildly growing area in the north of Iran [Tonecabon, Mazandaran province]. Essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation of air dried flowering shoots using Clevenger apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by both gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry [GC-MS]. Total phenolic compounds in the methanol [80%] extract were determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent using tannic acid as standard. Antioxidant activity of extract was also evaluated by DPPH free radical method. Monoterpens [25.63%] were found to be the major fraction of the oil and alpha- Pinene [21.88%] was found to be the most abundant compound, followed by nonane [9.77%], n- octane [9.13%] and dodecanol [6.80%]. In addition, the results indicated total phenol content [50 microg gallic acid equivalent/g] and antioxidant activity [34. 37 microg/ml] of methanolic extract. alpha- Pinene was the major constituent of essential oil of H. perforatum tested sample and its methanol extract contained the high amount of total phenolic compounds and consequently exhibited a considerable antioxidant activity

Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of five plant species of solanaceae family from Iran

The use of natural products as anticancer and antioxidant agents has a long history. Several drugs currently used in chemotherapy were isolated from plant species. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity as well as phenol and flavonoid contents of five plant species of Solanaceae family. Five plant species of Solanaceae family were collected from different regions of Iran. Methanol extracts and chloroform fractions of these species were tested by brine shrimp lethality assay in order to detect cytotoxicity. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH method. The total phenol content was measured using Folin - Ciocalteu method. The flavonoid content was measured by a colorimetric assay. The extracts of Datura innoxia and Datura stramonium showed the highest cytotoxicity activities with LC[50] values of 22.08 and 21.66 micro g/ml, respectively. The chloroform fractions of these two species were subjected to cytotoxicity assay with LC[50] values of 33.00 and 4.29 micro g/ml, respectively. In comparing, Solanum dulcamara showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC[50] values of 52.51 micro g/ml and the highest phenol and flavonoid content of the dry weight. It could be seen among five tested plant species that D. stramonium had the highest cytotoxic activity and S. dulcamara had the highest antioxidant activity, phenol and flavonoid content. Further studies are necessary for chemical composition of the extracts and more comprehensive biological assays

[Evaluation of essential oil composition in three species of hypericum from Iran]

Essential oils contain a large variety of volatile secondary metabolites such as terpenes, terpenoides, phenolic and aliphatic derivative. Nowadays, These compounds extensively used inPharmaceutical, sanitary and cosmetic industries. Antimicrobial activity of these oils and their components such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, the main essential oil constituent of some Hypericum spp., have been reported. This study was conducted to identify the constituents of essential oil in three Hypericum species in Iran to compare differences among their major volatile constituents. Essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation of fresh plant materials using Clevenger apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by both gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography ?mass spectrometry [GC-MS]. Monoterpens were found as the major constituent of essential oil in H. perforatum L. and H. patulum Thunb. However, n-alkans were the major constituent of the oil in H. tetrapterum Frise. In this study, alpha-Pinene [21.88%] was found to be the most abundant compound in the H. perforatum whilst beta- Pinene [30.20%] and n-undecane [30.84%] were the main constituents of H. patulum and H. tetrapterum essential oils respectively. In this study, we found that the different plant species made a remarkable difference in the essential oil constituents. In this study the most component of essential oils of H. perforatum and H. patulum were alpha-Pinene and beta-Pinene respectively and this component can be make them promising for treatment of infectious diseases such as infectious endocarditis

[ review on pharmacological effects of Ferula assa - foetida L.: a systematic review]

Ferula assa - foetida L., commonly known as Asafetida is an herbaceous, moncarpic, perennial medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family. The main origin of Ferula assa - foetida is the steppes of Iran and Afghanistan. Asafetida gum-resin has a long history for food additive and medicinal uses. In Asian traditional medical systems Asafetida gum-resin has been expected to be used as digestive system, cleansing and strengthening the gastro-intestinal tract, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, laxative, sedative and stomachic. Due to its current uses as well as its pharmacological effects further information needs for future clinical studies. The aim of this review was to provide an update overview of research studies focused on the pharmacological effects of Asafetida gum-resin. A computerized search of published articles was performed using the electronic database such as MEDLINE to 2010. The results indicate that, the large numbers of articles published on pharmacological effects of Asafetida over recent three decade. Asafetida gum-resin exert several pharmacological effects including, anti-histamine effect in gastero intestinal system, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anticholinerginc, and hypoglycemic as observed in experimental and clinical studies. In conclusion the present scientific-based evidence provides good information about pharmacological effects of asafetida gum-resin. This information may be useful to researcher for induction of clinical trial for this herbal medicine in treatment of traditionally recognized application such as gastrointestinal disease, cancer, hypertension and diabetes

Antifungal activity of dried extracts of anise [Pimpinella anisum L.] and star anise [Illicium verum Hook, f.] against dermatophyte and saprophyte fungi

Medicinal plants synthesize a vast array of secondary metabolites that are important for human life. For medicinal purpose, antimicrobial activity of substances derived from plant extracts has been recognized for many years. Pimpinella anisum L. [Apiaceae] and Illicium verum Hook. f. [Illiciaceae] plant species, have been used for treatment of infectious diseases in Iranian traditional medicine. In this study methanol extracts of Pimpinella anisum L. [Apiaceae] and Illicium verum Hook. f. [Illiciaceae], were tested for their potential antifungal activities. Methanolic extracts were dried by freeze drying method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] was determined according to agar dilution method and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration [MFC] was determined by incorporating various concentrations of extracts [2-256 mg/ml] in Sabouraud dextrose agar [SDA] in tubes against 4 dermatophyte and one saprophyte fungi. The extracts of anise seeds inhibited only dermatophyte species, while extracts of star anise fruits inhibited growth of all dermatophytes and saprophytes. MIC and MFC for each extracts were different and MFC was higher than MIC for all species. As a result of this experiment, these plants can be candidate for further studies due to their antifungal potencies

Cytotoxicity evaluation of two species from Caesalpinia genus

One of the important effects of medicinal plants is cytotoxic effect using to treat different tumors and neoplasms. A number of Caesalpinia species have previously been investigated for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antitumor, lowering blood pressure, immunosuppressant and antioxidant effects. Cytotoxicity evaluation of Caesalpinia gilliesii [Hook.] D.Dietr. and Caesalpinia bonduc [L.] Roxb. The plants were collected from Sistan and Baluchestan region and then were identified. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was carried out to investigate the Cytotoxicity of total extracts of plants. Extracts giving LC[50] values lower than 30 micro g/ml were considered to be cytotoxic. Chloroform fractions of methanol extract of cytotoxic plants were also subjected to brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The extracts of C. gilliesii showed moderate Cytotoxicity against brine shrimp [LC[50] between 30 and 50 mirco g/ml]. Different parts of C. bonduc showed different Cytotoxicity and the legume of this species had potent cytotoxic effect. Chloroform fraction of legume of C. bonduc showed lower Cytotoxicity than methanol extract of it. Legume of C bonduc showed potent cytotoxic effect and it could be potential sources for novel anticancer compounds. This study provides useful data for the elaborated cytotoxic bioassays with cancer cell lines

chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Satureja intermedia C. A. Mey

The genus Satureja belongs to Lamiaceae family. 12 species exist in Iran of which 8 are endemic. Some of this genus had shown antibacterial effects. In this study chemical compounds and antibacterial activity of essential oil of Satureja intermedia was identified. Satureja intermedia has been collected from the elevation of Ardabil province in August 2006. Then air-dried aerial parts of the plant were submitted to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to produce the essential oil and was analysed by GC/MASS. Investigation of antimicrobial activity was conducted by Disc-diffusion, MIC and MBC technique and different antibiotics compared with antimicrobial activity of this essential oil. In this study, 34 constituents were found representing 99.8% of the oil. The major components were thymol [25.6%], para-Cymene [21.44%], gamma-Terpinene [20%], Carvacrol [9.48%], alpha-Terpinene [7.94%] and Myrcene [3.58%]. The antibacterial test results showed that essential oil of this plant had a great potential antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results presented here may suggest that the essential oil of Satureja intermedia possess antibacterial properties and is therefore a potential source of antibacterial ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical industry

Study on seasonal variation of flavonoids in ginkgo biloba l. cultivated in Iran

Ginkgo is a native plant to China which is recently cultivated in Iran. The extract of the Ginkgo leaves contains flavonoids and ginkgolids and has been used pharmaceutically for a while. Flavonoids of Ginkgo have been shown to have several effects which could increase blood flow of brain and limit the damage associated with ischemia also they inhibit cyclo-oxygenases and lipoxygenases activities and show antioxidant effects. The researchers showed that Ginkgo leaves flavonol glycosides varies during different seasons. The aim of the present research is study on seasonal variation of flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leave's cultivated in Iran by HPLC method. In this study Ginkgo leaves from 5 years old trees collected in 2005 from North of Iran and evaluated. Plant leaves were dried, milled, and extracted with a suitable solvent. For analysis of flavonoid aglycones in the extract, flavonol glycosides were hydrolyzed in acid medium and identified by HPLC instrument and the peaks of standard material; Quercetin, Kaempferol and Isorhamnetin were obtained. According to our findings, flavonoids vary in amount during seasons and upper most amount was found in June Month [5.5%w/w]. Results of our study shows a mild variation of flavonoids content in Ginkgo tree leaves during different months, also we found a high concentration of flavonoids in young tree leaves that is very higher than pharmacopeia's standard [0.5% w/w] and these leaves are suitable for preparing of standardized extracts

Study on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of thymus Trautvetteri Klokov and Desj - Shost

The genus Thymus belongs to Lamiaceae family. This genus is comprised of about 350 species widespread in the world. 14 species exist in Iran of which four are endemic. In this study chemical compounds and antibactrial activity in essential oil of Thymus trautvetteri was identified. Thymus trautvetteri has been collected from the highlands of Ardabil province in June 2006. Then air-dried aerial parts of the plant were submitted to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to produce the essential oil and the extract was analysed by GC/MASS. Investigation of antimicrobial activity was conducted by Disc-diffusion, MIC and MBC technique and different antibiotics compared with antimicrobial activity of this essential oil. Results: In this study, 49 constituents were found representing 99.76% of the oil. The major components were thymol [24.43%], borneol [11.36%], para-cymene [10.09%] and gamma-terpinene [7.78%], alpha-pinene [5.29%] and carvacrol [5.07%]. The antibacterial activity of essential oil of this plant was assayed against seven bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus resulted to be the most sensitive microorganism with a MIC value of 125 micro g/ml. This study showed that essential oil of this plant have strong inhibitory and bactricidal effects against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Identification of chemical compounds of this species showed that thymol represented the most abundant compounds as the other Thymus species. The antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Thymus trautvetteri can be attributed of thymol and other terpenoides compounds

Chemical composition of the essential olis Stachys athorecalyx C. Koch. collected from Arasbaran prospected region

The genus Stachys [Lamiaceae] is distributed in mild regions of the Mediterranean and south-west Asia. About 270 Stachys species are reported; 34 of them are found in Iran of which 13 are endemic. Several Stachys species are used in Iranian folk medicine as medicinal plants. There is no report on Stachys athorecalyx essential oil analysis previously. Investigation on essential oil constituents of Stachys athorecalyx collected from Arasbaran protected area in this study, Stachys athorecalyx has been collected from the Arasbaran protected areas; shade dried and the essential oil extracted by means of steam distillation and analyzed with GC/MS. Thirty six compounds representing 98.1% of total oil were identified in the oil of Stachys athorecalyx. Spathulenol [22.1%] was the major compounds. Oxygenated compounds were predominant [71.2%]. Eighteen monoterpenes [47.9%], thirteen sesquiterpenes [42.9%] and two aromatic compounds [1.6%] were founded. according to our investigation's results and considering previously reports on other Stachys species' essential oil compounds, there is good similarity between essential oil compounds of this species and other reported species in this genus

[ review on different aspects of aloe vera L.]

Endemic of dry and warm climate, True Aloe with the scientific name Aloe vera [L.] Burm. f. is an invaluable medicinal plant. It is cultivated in Iran in two southern provinces of Hormozgan and Boushehr and also grown in greenhouse in some other regions. Many derivatives of Aloe plant are in use in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Despite the fact that Aloe is endemic of Southern Iran, several kinds of finished products such as soft drinks and cosmetics are being imported to the country now. Since Aloe can be cost effectively cultivated in poor soil and water resource conditions of the southern provinces of Iran, expansion of its cultivation and processing facilities can be a remarkable step for both job creation and efficient exploitation of the poor farmlands in this part of the country

clinical investigation of securigera securidaca [L.] [degen and doerfler] seeds in type II diabetic patients; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds are used by traditional herbalists for the treatment of diabetes in several parts of Iran. Clinical investigation of its efficacy and its toxicity in diabetic patients is of importance. A 2-month r and omized double blind clinical trial was conducted in 70 type II diabetic patients in two well - matched groups. One group [n=35] received 500 mg Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds capsule 3 times a day plus st and ard therapy, while the control group [n=35] received placebo plus st and ard therapy. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc], fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SCOT, SGPT, ALK, BUN, serum creatinine levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study after two months. There was no significant change in HbAlc and fasting blood glucose level in Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds treated patients after two months as compared to beginning of the treatment and also as compare to placebo group. Serum lipid level also did not change significantly. The liver enzyme level and creatinine level in blood did not change significantly in Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds treated patients. No side effect was observed in any of patients in both of the groups. The results show that the Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds treatment with known antidiabetic property in traditional herbal therapy has no beneficial effect on improving glycemic profile in type II diabetic patients. The use of this herbal medicine in the dose of I500 mg in 3 divided dose showed no gasterointestinal symptom as well as liver and kidney abnormality during two months therapy. The long term efficacy and toxicity of this herbal medicine in higher dosage may be investigated in large multi center clinical study

Taxezopidine-G from needles and young stems of taxus baccata L.growing in Iran

Taxus species are important due to their content of Taxol, baccatin III, 10- deacetyl baccatin and other taxoids suitable to change to active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are used as anti-neoplastic agents. Investigations on taxoids carried out during the past four decades, resulted in identification of more than 350 taxoids. This study aimed to isolate and identify taxoids of Taxus baccata endogenous to the north of Iran. Removing of fats, extraction of components with an organic solvent and then separation and purification of components with silica gel based column chromatography was done. Identification was carried out using NMR spectra of components. Taxezopidine-G was separated and identified. Taxezopidine-G in Taxus baccata was isolated which had not been repoted in this spcies, previously

[Review on yew tree [taxus spp.]]

Importance of yew tree [Taxus spp.] originates from the entering of Taxol [Paclitaxel] in the treatment of breast cancer since 1982. Taxus spp. is one of the Taxaceae family, distributed in North America, Europe, meditranean region, Asia and North forests of Iran. Efficacy of Taxol in the treament of some cancers and low concentration of this compound in tree, stimulated semi synthetic preparation of taxol from other more aboundant compounds such as baccation-III which is found with higher concentrations in all tree tissues. Despite entering some other routs for preparation of taxol e.g. cell culture, cultivation and studies on yew tree is in high importance, therefore review on this plant was made by authors

Milk thistle and cancer

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum [L] Gaertn] is endemic of several European, African and Asian country like Iran. Althuogh literature on its uses in Iranian traditional medicine is not published, but is used extensively in some European country. Several clinical and experimental study undertaken to investigate efficacy of milk thistle seed extract [Silymarin] in several chronic disease. Silymarin contain several compound like flavonoid with antioxidative property and scavengering free radical. Free radicals are by-product of abnormal body metabolism in several chronic diseases and are important factor for late complication and secondary disease. Here in this article the published data on silymarin its effect on oxidative stress and cancer are reviewed

Essential oils composition of leaves and flowers of Salvia syriaca L. and S. reuterana Boiss. from Borujerd-Iran

The genus Sal via, which belongs to the lamiaceae family, consist of about 700 to 900 spesies widespread throughout the word. In Iran, about 57 species are present, of which some are endemic. Plant belonging to this genus are pharmacologically active and have been used in folk medicine all around the word. The .aim of the present study was to detect and compare the essential oils composition in leaves and flowers of two species of salvia collected from Borujerd. Salvia syriaca and Salvia reuterana was collected in May 2004 from Borujerd, Lorestan province. The essential oil of the leaves and flowers from each plants obtained by hydrodistillation by Clevenger type apparatus was analyzed by GC/MS. The major components in the essential oil of the S. reuterana Leaves were Beta Caryophyllene [13.14%], Spathulenol [12.39%], and in S. syrica were Spathulenol [18.63%], Bornyl Acetate [10.49%], Alpha cadinene [10.25%] and Delta Elemen [7.91%]. The major components in the essential oil of the S. reuterana flowers were Beta Caryophyllene [15%], Isospathulenol [7.73%], Bornyl Acetate [5.85%], Beta Elemene [5.98%], and in S. syriaca were Spathulenol [21.39%], Bornyl Acetate [9.57%], Germacrene B [8.37%], Alpha Pinene [6.12%], Delta cadinene [5.75%] and Delta Elemen [5.34%]. This study indicated that the components of the essential oils from the leaves and flowers were different. Some components in flowers were present in higher amounts than in leaves. The major components were Beta Caryophyllene, Spathulenol Germacrene B, Bornyl Acetate and Delta Elemene

Quantitative determination of an effective component of fumaria parviflora Lam

7 species of the annual plants of genus Fumaria, grow in Iran. Fumaria officinalis is the medicinal species, which is used as a cholagogue. F. officinalis is not found in Iran but F. parviflora is used instead, in folk medicine. It is thought to be a expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, gastric tonic, blood purifier, bitter tonic, laxative, intoxicant, astringent, sedative and has favorable effects on skin complaints. The aim of this study was quantitative determination of the effective component [fumaric acid] of Fumaria parviflora Lam. Medicinal parts of F. parviflora are aerial parts. The aerial parts of F. parviflora in the flowering stage were collected in July 2003 from Halejerd. Powdered plant was extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol using a soxhlet extractor. Fumaric acid content was analyzed by HPLC. Fumaric acid content of the dried plant was determined to be about 0.93% w/w

[Volatile oil constituents of Lemon grass [Cymbopogon citratus Stapf] cultivated in north of IRAN]

The genus Cymbopogon, a one of Poaceae family, is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.þThe essential oils extracted from this genus used in food, soap, perfumary and other related industries. The C. citratus stapf species was cultivated for first time in the north of Iran. Therefor, recognition of essential oil composition is necessary. Essentiol oil extracted with hydrodistillation method from fresh leaves, and analysed by GC/MS. From 91.1% of identifed components, Citral [49.43%], Citronellal [20.25%] and Geranyl acetate [6.41%] were major components respectively