Antioxidative activity of sixty plants from Iran

Antioxidants are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical-induced oxidative stress. A variety of free radical scavenging antioxidants exists within the body which many of them are derived from dietary sources like fruits, vegetables and teas. This article describes a test method for screening the antioxidant activity of 60 Iranian plants of Iran by linoleic acid peroxidation test using 1, 3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid as the reagent. Some plants including Achillea wilhelmsii, Berberis crataegina, Buxus hyrcana, Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Colutea persica, Hyoscyamus niger, Mentha pulegium, Nerium oleander, Pteropyrum aucheri, Rhus coriaria, Rosa canina, Scutellaria pinnatifida, Thymus pubescens, Verbascum alceoides and Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. rigida showed antioxidant activity [0.41

Comparative study of zataria multiflora and anthemis nobelis extracts with myrthus communis preparation in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis [RAS] is a prevalent and complicated disorder and its management is directed toward treatment of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of three herbal preparations in the management of RAS. One hundred and one out of 115 patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into four groups. Groups A, B and C received topical preparations of Zataria multiflora, Anthemis nobilis and a 50% [v/v] mixture of Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobilis respectively. Groups D [positive control] received Myrthus communis [Myrtle, mouth rinse], which reported to be efficient in the management of RAS. The time of pain elimination and the duration of the thorough healing were recorded. Mean time of pain elimination showed significant differences [p<0.01] between groups A [3.00 +/- 1.14 day], C [3.08 +/- 1.84 days] and D [4.30 +/- 2.12 days] with group B [5.20 +/- 3.11 days]. The mean duration of healing also showed significant differences [p<0.03] between groups A [6.00 +/- 2.80 days], C [6.70 +/- 2.70 days] and D [7.60 +/- 3.10 days] with B [8.70 +/- 3.90 days]. No significant differences were observed between groups A and C with group D [positive control]. The result obtained for treatment with Z. multiflora [group A] was similar to that of group C, but better than M. communis [group D]. Findings of this study revealed that Z. multiflora extract showed better effects than M. communis which is reported to be effective in the treatment of RAS. It is concluded that the Z. Multiflora extract is an effective product for the management of minor aphthae

Anatomical and phytochemical study of Lilium Ledebourii Boiss, A rare endemic pecies in Iran

Lilium ledebourii [Baker] Boiss.[Liliaceae], locally named "Susan -e Chelcheragh" is a native and rare species grown on the heights of Damash region [ca. 2100 m] in Gilan province, north part of Iran.The microscopic and anatomical features and the composition of oils of flower and corm of this unique plant were studied. The microscopic study has shown the main characteristic elements of leaf, stem, corm and flower of this plant. The composition of essential oils of flower and corm were determined by coupled GC-MS analysis. The yields of oils of flower and corm were 0.71% and 1.65% [v/w] respectively. The major components of flower's oil were isopulegol [55.15%], pentacosane [18.1%], 3-methyltricosane [9.97%], tricosane [5.35%], 2-methylpentacosane [4.35%], docosane [4.28%] and linalool oxide [2.20%]. The components of corm's oil were almost fatty acids. No aromatic volatile compound was found in the corm oil. Primary qualitative phytochemical tests of stem, leaf, corm and flower showed positive results for alkaloid and flavonoid [one plus] in stem and for saponin [4 plus] in corm and [2 plus] in the flower. Tests for tannin in all parts were negative. Further phytochemical and botanical studies on this unique plant is of importance

Determination of ginkgolides A and B in ginkgo biloba leaves by HPLC using activated charcoal

Ginkgo biloba [GB] preparations are now among the leading herbal medicines that exert a broad spectrum of possible clinical applications. Several methods have been reported for quantification of ginkgolides of GB and its pharmaceutical preparations and the HPLC techniques are now considered to be the method of choice. However, most reported HPLC methods are not simple and their work-up procedure are inadequate. The present paper describes a simple and non-expensive method for extraction and determination of ginkgolides A and B in GB leaves and their phytopharmaceuticals. The method is based upon extraction of ginkgolides from aqueous solution by activated charcoal, followed by extraction with Methanol and injection of the Methanolic solution into chromatographic system. Ginkgolides were separated on an ODS column with a mobile phase of water-methanol [67:33 v/v] at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and were detected at 220 nm. The mean recoveries of ginkgolide A and B were 97 and 98.4%, respectively. This method is simple and can be used for routine analysis of GB extracts and phytopharmaceuticals preparations