[Review on phytochemistry and Therapeutic properties of Fenugreek [Trigonella foenum-graceum]

Fenugreek is an annual plant from leguminosea endemic to east Mediterranean. It has been used in traditional medicine for a while. It has been used for its oxytocic, digestive, and metabolism enhancement properties. While is reach in alkaloids, steroids, and sapogenins and also has good medicinal properties, it became one af more important medicinal plants. Nicotinic acid, and Trigonelline which are effective in treatment of diabetes and hypercholestremia, are reach in this plant. Also diosgenin, another medicinally important compound, is produced by this plant in high concentration. Many studies have been done and revealing it's beneficial in treatment diabetes and other metabolic disorders. In this review, we summaries some of this studies

essential oils of Tanacetum pinnatum boiss. a composite herbs growing wild in Iran

The genus Tanacetum [Compositae] is represented by 26 species in the flora of Iran, 12 of them are endemic. One report on the analysis of essential oil of Tanacetum polycephalum Boiss. species has been published. Aim of this study is to determine the chemical composition of the hydrodistilled oil of Tanacetum pinnatum Boiss. of Iranian origin for the first time. The essential oil of T. pinnatum obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents appeared to be camphor [23.2%], alpha-pinene [8.5%] and camphene [7.7%]. In T. pinnatum we identified 25 components representing 98.7%. It was rich in regard to monoterpene hydrocarbons [78.9%]. The sesquiterpene fraction was relatively small, representing 19.8%

Effects of danae racernosa on spermatogenesis in rat

Danae racemosa is used medicinally and as a culinary spice. Its constituents are stated to have antithrombotic, antihepatotoxic, antinociceptive and antioxidant. Enhanced oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. Wistar male rat [n=30] were allocated into three groups, control [n=10] and two test groups [each of ten]. Animals in test groups were subdivided into groups of 2 that received fresh extract equivalent to 200 and 400 mg/Kg/Rat/day Danae racemosa extract. Fresh Danae racemosa extract was administered with gavages for 28 consecutive days. Animals were kept in standard condition. On twenty eighth day, the testes of rats in the all groups were removed and sperm was collected from epididymis and was prepared for analysis. The percentage of sperm viability and motility in both test groups significantly increased [p<0.05], but the sperm concentration significantly increased only in the group that received the high dose of Danae. racemosa extracted, [p<0.05]. It was evident that there was no difference on sperm morphology and testis weight in test groups comparing to control group. In our study Danae racemosa extract has significantly affected the sperm number and percentage of viability and motility; it seems that using 400 mg/Kg/Rat/day of Danae racemosa extract is effective in sperm health parameters

Effects of ginger on spermatogenesis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Ginger rhizome [Zingiber officinale R., family: Zingiberaceae] is used medicinally and as a culinary spice. The medicinal use of ginger dates back to ancient China and India. Ginger and its constituents are stated to have antiemetic, antithrombotic antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, stimulant, cholagogue and antioxidant. Enhanced oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. Wistar male rat [n=40] were allocated into three groups control group [n=10] and ginger [G] group that received l00mg/kg-perday [oral], [n=10], and Diabetic group that received 55 mg/kg [IP] streptozotocin [STZ] [n=20] which was subdivided to two groups of 10; STZ group and treatment group. Treatment group received 55mg/kg [IP] STZ plus ginger l00mg/kg-perday [G], daily for, 4 weeks, respectiveiy; however, the control group just received an equal volume of distilled water daily[IP]. Diabetes was induced by a single [IP] injection of streptozotocin C55 mg/kg]. Animals were kept in standard condition. In 28 day after inducing diabetic 5cc blood were collected for TAC, MDA and sperm parameters and testis tissues of Rat in whole groups were removed then prepared for analyzes. TAC, MDA and sperm parameters significantly decreased in diabetic group.treatment groub that has received Ginger 100 mg/kg [oral] show increasing in TAC and sperm parameters [p<0.05] in comparison to experimental groups [p<0.05]. Since in our study 100 mg/kg [oral] ginger have significantly Preventive effect on sperm parameters, so it seems that using it can be effective for treatment in Diabetic Rat

Study on chemical composition of essential oil and anti-oxidant and anti microbial properties of Artemisia haussknechtii

Artemisia species with common Persian name of Dermaneh are found all over Iran and are used for treatment in infectious diseases such as malaria, hepatitis and other diseases. Some Artemisia species are used in traditionally as tonic and anti-helmintic in north of Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate chemical composition of the essential oil of Artemisia haussknechtii. Also potential antioxidant and anti microbial activities of the essential oil and ethanolic extract were studied. The essential oil was prepared by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS instruments. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by methods; namely DPPH, free radical scavenging, FTC system and total phenolic compounds analyzing. The antimicrobial activities of the extract were individually tested against a panel of microorganisms using disc diffusion method and MIC [minimum inhibitory concentration] measurement. Forty-eight components were identified constituting 98.35 of total oil. Camphor [12.4%], alpha-Terpineol [9.93%], Davana ether [6/24%], and Bornyl acetate [3.77%] were the major components. Good antioxidant activity of extract; increasing with the increment of concentration of plant extract was revealed. Ethanolic extract of Artemisia haussknechtii inhibited both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. MIC of the extract against yeast was the lowest [2.5 micro sign g/ml]. A known anti-bacterial compound [camphor] was one of major components in the essential oil, ethanolic extract showed good anti-oxidant activity and also extract inhibited growth of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria and fungi. These findings supported some traditional use of this plant

Para clinical studies of ethanol extract of achillea millefolium L. on electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes and serum electrolytes in sheep

Achillea millefolium has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has many indications including treatment of heart weakness, hypertension cerebral and coronary thrombosis in traditional system of medicine. The purpose of this study is an investigation on effects of Achillea millefolium total extract on electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes and serum electrolytes in sheep. In this study, 12 clinically healthy sheep were divided into 2 groups of treatment and control. The treatment group were administered intravenously a total extract of Achillea millefolium in the dose of 20 mg/kg. The control group received normal saline. Base-apex electrocardiogram was recorded in 0, 5,15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after administration and blood samples were collected in 0, 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration. Serum cTnT, CK-MB, AST, Na, P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl were measured. Total extract of Achillea millefolium significantly [p<0.05] increased P amplitude after 5 and 90 minutes and S amplitude after 120 minutes; and decreased T duration after 15 minutes following administration. Achillea millefolium had no significant effect on serum enzymes and electrolytes. Regarding that Achillea millefolium extract increased cardiac contractility after 2 hours, detailed studies on the active constituents are needed which might provide new insight in cardiovascular drugs

effects of garlic and cardamom extracts on morphology and physiology properties methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Garlic has been known as an important medicinal plant for centuries and belonging to the Liliaceae family. Cardamom is the dried fruit of the tall perennial herbaceous plant, Elettaria cardamomum Maton, and belonging to the Zingiberaceae. family. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of garlic and methanolic extract of cardamom on MRSA and P. aeruginosa. Dry garlic bulbs [l00g] were peeled and homogenized distilled water [1:1 w/v], using a blender and 50% juice of garlic is obtained, centrifuged and then the supernatant of garlic juice is collected and passed through a 0.45 micro m filter and stored at 4 for further experiments. Also after collecting cardamom seeds, drying and making it powder, extracts were obtained by using percolation method with methanol. for evaluating the antibacterial activity of the extracts or garlic and cardamom, the microbial suspension was prepared by direct colony suspension method and different dilutions of extracts [1:2, 1:4, 1:8,. .., 1:64 v/v for garlic; 800, 650, 400,. .., 50 micro g/ml for cardamom] were prepared and tested against of MRSA ATCC 33591 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Minimum Inhibition Concentration [MIC] was obtained via Disc diffusion and Broth dilution and well diffusion method. We also analyzed morphological changes of MRSA and P.aeruginosa by light microscopy [LM] and biochemical properties was studied by inoculation of low concentrations of garlic and cardamom extracts to bacterial culture. The results showed that cardamom extract has no effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but garlic extract is effective on P. aeruginosa. Garlic extract [1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, containing 220, 110, 55, 27.50 micro g/ml allicin] inhibited the growth of MRSA and concentrations of 1:2 to 1:8 [v/v] inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further more MRSA is sensitive to cardamom extract in 800 to 200 micro g/ml. In general, the minimal inhibitory concentration for MRSA [garlic MIC 1:16; allicin mean MIC 7.50 micro g/ml] were lower than for P. aeruginosa [garlic MIC 1:8; allicin mean MIC 55 micro g/ml].The treatment group with garlic extract showed a changed form of morphology such as cellular swelling, partially distored shape and changes in the size of bacteria, but cardamom extract dose not reveal any changes compared to the control. It was also observed in low concentrations of garlic, production of catalase enzyme and pyocyanine pigment by P.aeruginosa were decreased but it increased strain hemolysis ability, and acid production from saccharose, manitol by MRSA changed to negative. This research showed that garlic and cardamom extracts have different antibacterial properties against 2 tested bacteria

Herbal medicines in the treatment of depression and anxiety

Herbal medicines include a range of pharmacologically active compounds: in some cases it is not well understood which ingredients are important for a therapeutic effect. The supporters of herbal medicine believe that isolated ingredients in the majority of cases have weaker clinical effects than whole plant extract, a claim that would obviously require proof in each case. Although a multitude of pharmaceutical agents are available for the treatment of mental disorders, physicians find that many patients cannot tolerate the side effects, do not respond adequately, or eventually lose their response. In comparison, many therapeutic herbs have far fewer side effects. They can provide an alternative treatment or be used to enhance the effect of prescription medications. This review will indicate the quality of the evidence supporting the clinical effects of a number of commonly used types of herbal medicines for depression and anxiety

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

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

Study of the ACE inhibitory effect of medicinal plants used in Iranian Folk-Medicine as antihypertensive remedy

Angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] is an exopeptidase which converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction and aldosteron secretion and inactivate bradykinin, so ACE has major role on blood pressure regulation. In this study 135 plants used in Persian traditional medicine have been investigated for their angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitory activity potential. They were selected on the basis of their usage as antihypertensive, cardiotonics and diuretics. The dried powdered plant material, 1 g was extracted with 10 ml water and ethanol [%96] in ultrasonic bath. The extracts were filtered and concentrated in vacuum except for the water extracts, which were freeze-dried. Test solutions were made by dissolving extract in assay buffer, corresponding to a final concentration of 0.33 mg of crude plant extract in 1 ml test volume. Enzyme assay was performed by HPLC method. Plants exhibiting inhibition levels more then 50% were further tested for the presence of tannins in order to eliminate possible false positives. In total, 52 species out of the 135 [39%] screened, gave more than 50% ACE inhibition. 40 species were found to possess a high ACE inhibiting ability and were low in their tannin content

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