Phytochemical diversity of Eremostachys laciniata bunge populations in Iran

Background: Eremostachys laciniata is known as "Chelle-Daghi" in Iran and its rhizomes are used as an emollient to relieve rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: A phytochemical study was performed on 15 populations of Eremostachys laciniata to qualify the phytochemical variations

Methods: Plants collected from their natural habitats and dried rhizomes of E. laciniata were milled and then Soxhlet-extracted by MeOH, and then total phenols were determined calorimetrically by the Folin-ciocalteau reagent and iridoid glycosides were measured by TLC method

Results: The results of MeOH extracts showed that the highest amount with 14.85 gr/plant was obtained in the Areshtanab population. The populations had a significant effect on total phenolic concentrations [P < 0.001] and the Areshtanab with 0.281 mg GAE/g DW had higher phenolic levels than other populations. The results of TLC of iridoids showed that 15 populations had about 11 iridoids components. Cluster analysis by using Ward's method detected that the studied populations of E. laciniata were separated into three different groups

Conclusion: In summary, higher values of the total phenols and iridoids in the Areshtanab, Malek-Kian, and Til populations were considered to indicate higher levels of phytochemical heterogeneity and significant diversity between populations, which could be used to domesticate and develop the breeding programs

Effects of polygonum aviculare herbal extract on proliferation and apoptotic gene expression of MCF-7

One of the most common malignancies in women is breast cancer. Although several treatments for breast cancer are available, application of herbal medicine as a supplementary treatment is a new option to help curing the disease. In this study anticancer effects of Polygonum avicular herbal extract was investigated. Polygonum avicular extract was obtained by methanol. MCF-7 cell line was treated with different concentrations of Polygonum avicular [50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300,350 400 ng/ micro l] for different time lengths [6, 12, 24, and 48 hrs]. MTT assay and Flow Cytometry were used to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. RT-PCR was also carried out to evaluate the expression of apoptotic genes. Results showed that Polygonum avicular induced cytotoxicity in MCF- 7 cell line at concentrations higher than 300 ng/ micro l and this was confirmed by the highest rate of cell death as measured by Trypan Blue and MTT assays. RT-PCR results showed up-regulation of P53 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 proteins which implied the ability of Polygonum avicular to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and confirmed its anticancer property. Further studies are required to evaluate effects of the extract on other apoptotic genes

[Effects of total extract of urtica dioica on insulin and c-peptide secretion from rat [RIN5F] pancreatic beta cells and glucose utilization by human muscle cells]

The hypoglycemic effects of the Uritca Dioica [UD] extract, used for treatment of diabetes mellitus for many centuries, have been documented in several studies. The present study was designed to determine the possible mechanisms of hypoglycemic effects of UD on human muscle cells and RIN5F rat pancreatic beta cells. In the cell culture laboratory of the Drug Applied Research Center, pancreatic Beta cells and human muscle cells were prepared in multiple flasks containing culture media. Alcoholic extract of UD at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 micro g/mL were added to muscle cell flasks. The same concentrations of extract plus insulin were added to other muscle cell flasks.Glucose levels were measured in the flasks before and after 60, 120, and 180 minutes after adding of extract. Also the same concentration of UD were added to flask containing RIN5F rat pancreatic beta cells, and insulin and C-peptide level were measured at 0, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. Mean glucose level in the muscle cell media with UD alone and UD plus insulin, at the concentrations and time intervals mentioned, did not change significantly. Insulin levels in pancreatic cells media, before and after applying of UD at different concentrations, and at different times was

GC-MS analysis of Ornithogalum procerum

Ornithogalum procerum Stapf. [Family: Liliaceae] is an Iranian medicinal plant found mainly in the east Azarbaiijan province of Iran. As part of our on-going phytochemical and bioactivity studies on medicinal plants from Iranian flora, various extracts and essential oils of this plant were analysed by GC-MS. The hydrodistillation of the ground aerial parts of O. procerum, Soxhlet-extraction of the dried and ground bulbs, and the hydrolysis of the methanol extract of the bulbs yielded, the essential oils, n-hexane extrcat and the hydrolysed methanolic extract respectively, which were analysed by the GC-MS. A total of 23 compounds were identified from the essential oils of the the aerial parts. The identified compounds represented 70.27% of the total essential oils. The main components of the aerial parts were phenylacetaldehyde [7.57%], hexahydrofarnesyl acetone [8.13%], docosan [5.52%] and 5-methyl octadecane [4.63%]. From the n-hexan extract of the bulbs, seven hydrocarbons representing 99.39% of the total extract, were identified. Finally, from the hydrolyzed methanolic extract of the bulbs, four polysterol-type compounds accounting for 59.81% of the extract, were detected. The GC-MS analyses reavealed that the essential oils are mainly composed of oxygenated hydrocarbons, the n-hexane extract contains predominatly hydrocarbons, and the hydrolyzed methanolic extract comprises polysterol-type compounds

[ potentiating effects of citrullus colocynthis extract on immune system]

The stimulating effects of medicinal plants on immune system were taken into consideration. In this relation, saponins and flavonoids are well known compounds. The presence of these compounds in Citrullus colocynthis [CC], also a report based on leucocytosis activity of C.C, it caused that we were going to investigate the effect of this plant on immune system. In the present paper, the histologic effects of pulps and seeds extracts of CC on gastrointestinal mucosal from the point of view of immunity were investigated. Aerial parts of CC were extracted with MeOH 70% and the presence of different groups of natural compounds were assessed by phytochemical methods. Then 30 male rabbits are used, they divided into 5 groups. One group is kept as diabetic control and from the other 4 groups, 2 groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of pulp extract and two groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract of C.C by gavage. After 1 month of experimental period, rabbits were sacrificed by chloroform and specimens from intestine were fixed in 10% formalin and studied with light microscopy. The number of penetrating lymphocytes to intestinal epithelium observed in morphometery were criteria of immune system functional marker. All of animals that received 200mg/kg/day pulp extract of C.C, and 46% of animals that received 100 mg/kg /day of pulp extract died. The number of intestinal mucosal lymphocytes enhanced in group of received 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract. Mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract group in comparison to control group[p< 0.05]. Increasing of lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract and mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in comparison to control group [p<0.005]. Immunostimulant effect of the extract of CC seed is higher than the extract of CC pulp but the toxicity of the pulp extract is more than the toxicity of the seed extract

[Probable effects of fenugreek seed on hot flash in menopausal women]

The most popular problem in menopausal women is hot flash. Hot flash disturbs sleep and decreases woman's power for coping to daily problems. Currently, Hormone Replacement Therapy [HRT] is the most common method for treatment of menopausal complications. However, HRT can increase risk of tumor development in the estrogen-sensitive tissue. Phytoestrogens are one of the alternative therapies in HRT. Phytoestrogens are herbal compounds that have estrogenic activity. Fenugreek is one of the herbs that contain phytoestrogen compounds, but its effect on early menopausal symptoms hasn't been assessed yet. This study investigates the effect of fenugreek seed on vasomotor symptoms. In this quasi-experimental study, two groups of postmenopausal women were selected, each containing 25 patients. Women in control group received two 25-day treatments of 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen and 10 mg medroxy progesterone acetate. Women in fenugreek group received 6 g fenugreek seed powder in granule dosage form for 8 weeks. Vasomotor symptoms were assessed at baseline and after four and eight weeks of treatment. Mann-withny test was used for comparison between control and fenugreek groups and Freidman and Wilcoxone tests were used for comparison within the groups. Number of hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms between control and fenugreek group at baseline were not significantly different. Number of hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms showed significant decrease four and eight weeks after treatment on control group compared to fenugreek group. Number of hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms within control and fenugreek groups significantly decreased after four and eight weeks. Use of fenugreek seed for four and eight weeks caused to decrease number of hot flashes and vasomotors, but the effect was smaller than that of HRT. It seems that more studies are necessary before a final conclusion can be reached. Another investigation can be carried out using double blind method with placebo