[Study of antibacterial properties of adiantum capillus-veneris extract on eight species of gram positive and negative bacteria]

Adiantum capillus-veneris L. is a traditional medicinal plant which was used in the treatment of bronchitis and coughs, and also to prevent hair loss. Methanolic extract of this plant has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activities. In this study the antibacterial properties of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. extract on eight species of Gram positive and negative bacteria were evaluated. The herbal sample of Adiantum capillus-veneris was collected during the summer [June-July] from the north region of Iran called Condoluse and identified by herbarium laboratory in Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, where a voucher specimen is deposited. The sample was pretreated and extracted with methanol 96% by percolation method and then concentrated and stored in a safe bottle until the experiments started. By using dilution method different dilutions of the extract have been prepared [10%, 5%, 2.5% and 1.25%]. Antimicrobial activity of the methnolic extract of Adiantum capillus-veneris were evaluated against 8 strain of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria using agar disk diffusion and agar well plate methods. Our results demonstrated that prepared dilutions of the Adiantum capillus-veneris extract had significant effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori strains. Also the results indicated no significant inhibitory effects on Salmonella typhi, Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Streptococcus pyogenes strains. Consistent with the other studies, our investigation demonstrated some antimicrobial effects of Adiantum capillus-veneris extract. With respect to various and multiple chemical properties of this plant, it is suggested that Adiantum capillus-veneris can be used for more medical and therapeutic purposes

Lignans and neolignans from Stelleropsis antoninae

Stelleropsis antoninae Pobed. [Family: Thymelaeaceae] grows wildly as an herbaceous plant in Iran. Most of the Thymelaeaceous plants contain lignans and neolignans, which have important pharmacologically properties. In the present study, the isolation and identification of the main lignans and neolignans of S. antoninae, which has not been previously reported is described and compared to other species. Column [CC] and High Performance Liquid Chromatographic [HPLC] methods were used for the isolation and purification, and 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, HMQC, H-H COSY and MS were employed for the identification of the compounds isolated from the methanol extract. From the methanol extract of the aerial parts of S. antoninae four lignans, syringaresinol [1], syringaresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside [4], syringaresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-[1-6]-beta-D-glucopyranoside [5], liriodendrin [6], and two neolignans, 5-methoxylariciresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside [3] and dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside [2] were isolated and identified. The results of this study show that siringaresinol, a well-known bioavtive compound, and its glucosides are the main lignans, and lariciresinol and coniferyl alcohol derivatives are the main neolignans of S. antoninae

[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

[Evaluation of antibacterial properties and review of 10 medicinal herbs on preventing the growth of pathogenic nocardia species]

Historical documents belonging to medicine and pharmacy consist of valuable information about the herb and medicinal plants. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and phytochemical properties of 10 selected medicinal plants including of Echinophora platyloba D.C., Eucalyptus globules Labill, Euphorbia denticulate Lam., Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum hyssopifolium Chaix, Hypericm scabrum L., Juniperus excelsa M.B., Peganum harmala L., Plantago major L. and Scirpus lacustris L. in preventing the growth of pathogenic Nocardia in-vitro. All species of Nocardia are found in nature in the soil and aquatic environments. The bacteria are aerobic, gram-positive, partially acid fast bacilli. Nocardia asteroids a highly pathogenic microorganism infects humans through the respiratory tract. The bacterium is primarily an opportunistic pathogen that causes the infection in patients with immunodeficiency. Nocardia brasiliensis is most commonly responsible for cutaneous infections. The antibacterial ability and phytochemical properties of methanolic extract of the above herbs against species of pathogenic Nocardia were investigated by means of appropriate agar distribution methods. After incubating of the cultured media, the diameter of the clean zone formed in each concentration was measured and correlated to the ability of the extracts to inhibit the growth of Nocarida strains. According to the results, the various concentrations of the 5 medicinal plants out of the 10 herbs e.g. Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum, hyssopifolium Chaix, Hypericum scabrum L., Juniperus excelsa M.B., Scirpus lacustris L. have significant antibacterial activity against Nocardia asteroids and N. brasiliensis. Interestingly the results show inhibitory effects of the medicinal plants on different strains of the Nocarida in-vitro. It was found that the 5 medicinal plants out of the 10 herbs have potent antibacterial property. We came to this conclusion formed by 10% concentration of the above herbal extracts in appropriate distribution routs, were similar to that of the clear zones formed by specific antibiotic against Nocardia species, e.g. Amikacin, Amioxicillin, Ceftazidime, Ceftizoxime/Cefotaxime, Cephalothin, Cotrimoxazol. The antibacterial activity of the above herbs is probably associated to the potency of strong antibacterial properties of flavonoids, saponins and tanans presents in the methanolic extraction of the above medicinal plants

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

effects of autoclaving, salt and protein on antimicrobial activities of Iranian sumac

Although many compounds have already approved for use in food as antimicrobials, research for finding greater number of these compounds are still interesting because most currently approved food antimicrobials have limited applications due to food compound interactions. Finding new food antimicrobials requires expensive investigations. Traditional herbal antimicrobial agents like sumac can play an important role. If it is demanded to promote sumac to the rank of a food antimicrobial agent, its stability and interactions must be evaluated. The evaluation of sumac heat stability was done by measuring MICs and MBCs of the extract against some food- related bacteria in extreme condition of autoclaving. The main components of sumac extract are tannic compounds. Tannins have interactions with salt and proteins, and they become sediment in such conditions. Antimicrobial activities of the extract were measured by well diffusion method in the presence of salt and protein and compared with the activities of pure extract. The results show that sumac is heat stable but has interactions with salt and proteins that reduce its activity against Gram- negatives

survey on the changes of oil compounds of medicinal and edible plants sterilized with gamma radiation

One of the essential problems of using medicinal plants which are mostly collected from the wild is their fungus and microbial infections. Nowadays, exposing the plants to Gamma radiation apparently removes the problem. But, as the plants contain outstanding amount of chemical substances, the exposition can lead to a change in the composition of the plants chemicals and therefore a change in their medicinal effects. Making poisonous, carcinogen or stimulant substances in the plants could be examples of this change. The aim of this research was evaluating effect of Gamma radiation on chemical composition of ten medicinal plants essential oils; Mentha, Coriandrum, Foeniculum, Zingiber, Cuminum, Bunium, Melissa, Thymus and Zataria. Essential oil of the species before and after Gamma radiation were obtained over Clevenger apparatus, analyzed using GC and GC/MS and identified based on RT, KI and authentic references. Results showed that within ten species, the Coriander oil was affected with the 10 and 25 KG of Gamma radiation and changed to the another components. These results of experiment can alert the world, to the threatening consequences of using Gamma radiation concerning human health

Evaluation of Juglans regia pericarp on antifungal susceptibility with broth dilution method

Antifungal property of Juglans regia has not been proved yet, therefore, the present study we designed to examine the effect of Juglans regia pericarp on the growth of different fungi, particularly dermatophytes. The extract has been prepared by methanol solution using percolation method according to NCCLS protocol. Then, the fractions have been examined on fungi inoculums. For MBC estimation, it has been cultured on PDA medium. Juglans regia extract completely prevented growth of Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in fraction of 120 mg/ml, Microsporum canis in fraction of 450 mg/ml, and Candida albicans in fraction of 337 mg/ml, meanwhile, it reduced colony growth of Aspergillus niger compared with the control. We have demonstrated that the growth of three dermatophyes and Candida albicans was completely inhibited by Juglans regia pericarp extract

Repellency effect of myrtle essential oil and DEEt against phlebotomus papatasi, under laboratory conditions

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is an increasing and important public health problem in Iran. The use of repellents is recommended as one of the important means of personal protection against vectors of ZCL. This paper reports the repellency effect of the plant Myrtle, Myrtus communis [Myrtaceae], essential oil for protection against 3-7-day-old unfed females of the sandfly, Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli for the first time in Iran. The tests were carried out under laboratory conditions, using dose-response testing procedure on white rabbits and the results were compared with commonly used repellent, diethyl-3-methylbenzamid [DEET]. The modified Wirtz method using K and D apparatus was employed. Effective Dose [EDs] values were estimated from the probit regression line. ED50 was measured as 0.1140 and 0.0006 mg/cm2 for Myrtle essential oil and DEET, respectively. The laboratory tests showed that both Myrtle essential oil and DEET had repellency effects against P.papatasi. In addition, the insecticidal action of Myrtle oil was also observed. We concluded that the two repellents could be used as a mean of personal protection against sand flies

[ vitro evaluation of the susceptibility of dermatophytic and saprophytic fungi to Pistacia vera's pericarp extract]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pistacia vera's pericarp extract on some common dermatophytic and saprophytic fungi of Iran and identifying its probable role to be used instead of chemical drugs. After collecting pericarp of Pistacia vera, drying and making it powder, extracts were obtained by using Percolation method with methanol and n-Hexan. To evaluate the anti-fungal activity of the extract, different dilutions of the extract [30-600 mg/ml] were prepared and tested against each fungus and Minimum Inhibition Concentration [MIC] was measured via disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The tested fungi were three types of dermatophytes [Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Epidermophyton floccosum] and two types of saprophytes [Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans]. The results showed that n-Hexan extract in disc diffusion method has no significant effect on the fungi, but it could inhibit Epidermophyton floccosum growth in 337mg/ml dilution and Microsporum canis growth in 450mg/ml dilution. For methanolic extract in broth dilution method, 60mg/ml was inhibitor for Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 240mg/ml dilution for Microsporum canis growth. In disc diffusion method we had 17 millimeter inhibitory zone around the pure extract in Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This extract had no anti-fungal effect against Aspergillus niger, but inhibited the growth of Candida albicans in 120mg/ml dilution and also calculated MBC for Candida albicans was 600mg/ml. Our research showed Pistacia vera's pericarp extract has different anti-fungal effects on experimented fungi