Phytochemical study of methanolic extract of ferula persica willd. inflorescence and its antinociceptive effect in male mice

Background: Nowadays treatment and control of pain is still one of problematic cases and syntetic analgesic drugs have several side effects

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the antinociceptive effects and phytochemical analysis of Ferula persica with respect to side effects of chemical drugs

Methods: The extract of plant inflorescence was prepared by percolation method. HPLC was used for phytochemical studies. In order to nociception test, male mice were used in acetic acid, immersion and formalin test. Mice were divided into experimental, control and positive control groups [receiving morphine] in each test

Results: In phytochemical analysis, four flavonoids consist of Quercetin, Luteolin, Apigenin and Rutin were identified. In all 3 pain tests, the experimental group had a significant difference with control group [P<0.05], but there was no significant difference with morphine group [P>0.05]

Conclusion: Methanolic extract of Ferula persica has antinociceptive effects, probably due to its sesquiterpenes and flavonoids

Antioxidant activity, total phenol and total anthocyanin contents of Cornus sanguinea L subsp australis. [C.A. Mey.] Jav

Cornus sanguinea L subsp australis [C.A. Mey.] Jav. [Cornaceae] is a native species in north and northwest of Iran. It is locally named Siah-al. The genus Cornus is rich source of anthocyanins. In this study the antioxidant activity, total phenol and total anthocyanin contents of different extracts of C. sanguinea L subsp australis. were investigated for the first time. The fruits were extracted with ethyl acetate, methanol [1% HCl] and water. DPPH and FRAP assay were performed for investigation of antioxidant activity of each extract. The total phenols were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method while total anthocyanins were detected by spectroscopic method modified by Peksel. The results showed that C. sanguinea L subsp australis methanol [1% HCl] extract [CME] had the highest amount of anthocyanins [12.56 +/- 0.01 micro mol/g extract] as well as the highest amount of total phenolics [88.56 +/- 0.04 mg GAE/ g dry extract]. The CME were found to have the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH assay [IC[50]=90.43 micro g/ml] and in FRAP method [1419.167 +/- 0.025mmol FeII / g dry extract]. Radical scavenger activity of CME at 100 micro g/ml was comparable with alpha -tocopherol [20 micro g/ml] and with BHA [200 micro g/ml], p>0.05. There was a significant correlation between the total phenolic content an antioxidant activity of CME as well as total anthocyanin and antioxidant activity in DPPH assay [R[2] = 0.99]. The results suggest that C. sanguinea L subsp australis is a natural sources of anthocyanin and have considerable antioxidant activity

Urinary oxalate, citrate, and gamma glutamyl transferase alterations after administration of Cynodon dactylon extract in cats

Urinary oxalate and citrate are the key factors in caox urolithiasis of cats and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is a good test for assessment of kidney damage. Favorable effects of Cynodon dactylon on calcium oxalate stone formation have recently been proved in rats. The present study was designed to investigate the alteration of urinary oxalate, citrate, and GGT after administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of Cynodon dactylon to experimental hyperoxaluric cats. No scientific study has been done so far to demonstrate the beneficial effect of this plant in cats. 13 mature male cats were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A received standard diet and drinking water while, group B and C also received ethylene glycol at sub-toxic dose [130 mg/kg] daily for 30 days. Group C received hydroalcoholic extract of C.dactylon [400 mg/kg] from day 0 to 30, as well. Urine samples were collected on days 0, 15, and 30 and were analyzed for oxalate, citrate, and GGT levels. Urine oxalate level in group B was significantly higher than group C on days 15 and 30. Urinary citrate excretion was significantly higher in group C compared to the other groups on day 15; however, it decreased during the entire experiment in groups B and C. Urinary Gamma Glutamyl Transferase level was increased in hyperoxaluric cats and decreased in the treated group during the experiment. Based on our results, C.dactylon extract could reduce the hyperoxaluria and has beneficial effects on preventing the renal damage in cats. Such findings provide a scientific explanation for applying C.dactylon in prevention and possible treatment of CaOx kidney stones in cats and humans