Development and Evaluation of Vaginal Suppository Containing Althaea officinalis L. Polysaccharide Extract

Abstract Intrauterine adhesions cause several gynecological problems. Althaea officinalis L. roots known as marshmallows contain polysaccharides (M.P.) which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities also can form a bio-adhesive layer on damaged epithelial membranes prompting healing processes. Vaginal formulations of herbal origin are commonly applied to relieve cervico-uterine inflammation. Herein, we aim to develop and evaluate vaginal suppositories containing polysaccharides isolated from the A. officinalis root. Six formulations (four P.E.G.-based and two lipid-based suppositories containing 25% and 50% M.P.) met standard requirements, which were then subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation. All suppositories exhibited acceptable weights, hardness, content uniformity, melting point, and disintegration time, which fall within the acceptable recommended limits. Higher concentrations of M.P. in PEG-bases moderately increased the hardness (p<0.05). PEG-formulations showed content uniformity>90% of the average content while it was 75-83% for suppocire formulations. All formulations disintegrated in<30minutes. In-vitro release test revealed that M.P. release from 25%-MP formulations was higher than that of 50%-M.P. suppositories. Overall, results revealed the feasibility of preparing P.E.G.-or lipid-based suppositories containing M.P., which met the B.P. quality requirement

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Some Medicinal Plants on Obesity

Aims: Obesity is a significant cause of disability and death. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of some medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity and its complications. Study Design: Male Wistar rats were treated in different groups. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, Arak University of Medical Sciences (Iran), December 2015 to July 2017. Methodology: The groups were defined as the control, the high-fat diet and the high-fat diet with hydroalcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis, Rosa canina, Althaea officinalis, Plantago major and Orlistat in their food, for 48 days. In the serum, the profiles of the liver enzymes and the thyroid hormones were measured as parameters of their appetite. Results: The lowest increase in appetite happened in the Camellia sinensis group and the lowest levels of blood glucose and creatinine were in the Plantago primary group. The lowest cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were seen in the Camellia sinensis group (P<0.05). The amount of alanine aminotransferase (ALP) and the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the Plantago major group were significantly lower than the positive control group (P<0.05). In Althaea officinalis group were higher Orlistat and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) than the control group (P<0.05). The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in control group was significantly lower than the positive control, Camellia sinensis and Rosa canina groups (P<0.05). The level of thyroxin in Althaea officinalis, Rosa canina and Camellia sinensis groups were significantly lower than the positive control group, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis, Rosa canina, Althaea officinalis, and Plantago major are effective in reducing the damages caused by high-fat diet through decreasing lipid profiles, liver enzymes, without causing side effects on thyroid and renal functions.

Management of acute cough by Zataria multiflora Boiss as an alternative treatment / 中西医结合学报

Cough, as a defensive reflux mechanism, removes foreign objects and secretions from bronchi and bronchioles of airways. Zataria multiflora is a popular plant for treatment of cough in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this review was to evaluate the potency of Z. multiflora as an alternative treatment in management of acute cough and its possible mechanisms of action. Here the authors compiled information about Z. multiflora in the treatment of cough from all accessible resources and books. The results of this investigation showed that there were five clinical studies that evaluated the efficacy of Z. multiflora essential oil or extract alone (n = 1), in combination with Althaea officinalis (n = 2) or Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (n = 1), in the form of syrup (n = 3), oral drop (n = 1) and soft capsule (n = 1), for the treatment of acute cough in comparison with placebo or synthetic drugs (bromhexine, dextromethorphan and clobutinol). All clinical studies confirmed the efficacy of Z. multiflora in the amelioration of acute cough in pediatric (n = 1) and adult patients (n = 4) without any adverse effects. Different mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, relaxant and immune-enhancement, may be responsible for the efficacy of Z. multiflora in cough relief. Other clinical trials can be performed with Z. multiflora in combination with ivy leaf extract or primrose root extract on patients with cough.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Althaea officinalis Linn. seed extracts and essential oil against respiratory tract pathogens.

In present study, Althaea officinalis seed extracts and essential oil were screened for antimicrobial activity against five bacteria and one fungi responsible for dominant, lethal or opportunistic infection of respiratory regions. The maximum inhibition was noted by essential oil against Streptococcus pyogenes (21.3±0.28 mm) and Haemophilus influenzae (19.0±0.50 mm) at 200 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for methanol extract was 3.12-12.5 mg/ml. The antifungal activity noted highest with 41.28% by essential oil and 36.27% inhibition by aqueous extract represented by dosage-response curve.