Cytotoxic properties of three isolated coumarin-hemiterpene ether derivatives from artemisia armeniaca lam.

Considering multiple reports on cytotoxic activity of the Artemisia genus and its phytochemicals, in the current study A. armeniaca Lam. and the three components isolated from the plant were subjected to cytotoxic studies. Analytical fractionation of A. armeniaca aerial parts for the first time was directed to the isolation of 7-hydroxy-8-[4-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy] comarin [armenin], 8-hydroxy-7-[4-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy] comarin [isoarmenin] and deoxylacarol. Cytotoxicity assessed with alamalBlue[registered] assay and apoptosis was detected by PI staining and western blot analysis of Bax and PARP proteins. Extracts and all compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity against apoptosis-proficient HL-60 and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells, with the lowest cytotoxic activity on J774 cell line as non-malignant cell. Armenin as the most potent component decreased the viability of cell with IC50 of 22.5 and 71.1 micro M for K562 and HL-60 cells respectively and selected for further mechanistic study. Armenin increased the sub-G1 peak in flow cytometry histogram of HL-60 and K562 treated cells and increase in the amount of Bax protein and the cleavage of PARP in comparison with the control after treatment for 48 h in K562 treated cells verified the apoptotic activity of the armenin. Taken together, according to the finding of this study armenin was introduced as a novel cytotoxic compound with apoptotic activity, which is encouraging for further mechanistic and clinical studies

Evaluation of various biological activities of the aerial parts of scrophularia frigida growing in Iran

The current study was assigned to evaluate the total phenol, total flavonoid content [TPC, TFC] and antioxidant properties of extracts from the aerial parts of Scrophularia frigida [S. frigida]. Extracts were also tested by preliminary phytochemical screening as well as cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina, MCF-7 [human breast carcinoma] and SW-480 [colon carcinoma] and L-929 [normal] cell lines along with antimicrobial characteristic. DPPH, MTT and Brine shrimp lethality tests and disc diffusion method were carried out to determine the biological activities of the different extracts of S. frigida. In addition, the extracts which had more potent antioxidant and antiproliferative activity were further analyzed by NMR and GC-MS. 40% methanol-water [from MeOH extract] fraction showed higher amounts of TPC, TFC and antioxidant property. Findings of the study for general toxicity effect showed that dichloromethane [DCM] and MeOH extracts had weak to moderate effects. Furthermore, DCM extract indicated the most potent anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines. No evidence of antibacterial activity was determined. On the other hand, analysis of the potent extract DCM in cytotoxic assay showed the presence of trans-phytol and cis-oleic acid in GC-MS. Furthermore, NMR analysis of potent methanolic fractions in antioxidant tests revealed the presence of iridoids and phenolics. Generally, the results of TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions were in agreement with each other

In-vitro bioactivity and phytochemical screening of extracts from rhizomes of eremostachys azerbaijanica rech. f. growing in Iran

The current study evaluated the general toxicity, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of extracts obtained from the rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica [Labiatae] as well as analyzed the potent extracts using GC-MS. Extracts of E. azerbaijanica in n-hexane, dichloromethane [DCM] and methanol [MeOH] were prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated for free radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay. The antimicrobial activity of samples was determined by disc diffusion and brine shrimp lethality assay [BSLA] was used to assess general toxicity. The cytotoxicity of each extract was determined by MTT assay against human colorectal adenocarcinoma [HT29], human lung carcinoma [A549] and a normal cell line [human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVEC]. The MeOH extract showed significant antioxidant activity and the n-hexane and DCM extracts showed promising activity against gram-positive species when compared with amikacin as a standard. Moreover, the n-hexane extract displayed the most potent activity in general toxicity assay. The results showed that all three extracts have cytotoxic effects against the A549 cell line. In the case of HT29 cell lines, only the DCM extract exhibited cytotoxicity. Interestingly, none of the extracts showed significant cytotoxic activity against the HUVEC cell line. The bioassay-guided identification of constituents showed the presence of fatty acids and steroids as the compounds responsible for bioactivity in the non-polar extracts

Chemical composition and biological activities of methanolic extract ofscrophularia oxysepala boiss

Isolated five known iridoids glycosides [Scrophuloside A, Harpagoside B, 5-hydroxyloganin, 8-O-acetylharpagide and 6-O-methyl,1-glucopyranosyl catalpol], one phenyl ethanoid glycoside [Verbascoside] and a phenyl ethanol amine [2-[4-Chlorobenzyl amino] ethanol] compound from the methanolic extract of aerial parts of Scrophularia oxysepala using by high performance liquid chromatographyare based on isocratic and liner gradients by C18 column. The structure elucidations of the isolated compounds were performed by spectroscopic methods including1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2 D NMR technique such as HMBC [in deuterated methanol as solvent], GC-MS and UV, also methanolic extract and fractions [fractionated on solid phase extraction on C18 cartridge [Spack-C18]] of this plant was tested for free radical scavenging properties toward the 1, 1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], general toxicity [Brine shrimp toxicity assay], insecticidal [Contact toxicity insecticidal assay] and antimalarial activities [hemebiocrystallization inhibition assay]

Biological activity and phytochemical study of Scutellaria platystegia

This study aimed to determine biological activity and phytochemical study of Scutellaria platystegia [family Labiatae]. Methanolic [MeOH] extract of aerial parts of S. platystegia and SPE fractions of methanolic extract [specially 20% and 40% methanolic fractions], growing in East-Azarbaijan province of Iran were found to have radical scavenging activity by DPPH [2, 2-diphenyl -1- pycryl hydrazyl] assay. Dichloromethane [DCM] extract of this plant exhibited animalarial activity by cell free method providing IC50 at 1.1876 mg/mL. Crude extracts did not exhibit any toxicity assessed by brine shrimp lethality assay. Phytochemical study of methanolic extract by using reverse phase HPLC method and NMR instrument for isolation and identification of pure compounds respectively, yielded 2-[4- hydroxy phenyl] ethyl-O- beta -D- glucopyranoside from 10% and apigenin 7-O-glucoside, verbascoside and martynoside from 40% SPE fraction. Occurance of verbascoside and martynoside as biochemical markers appeared to be widespread in this genus. Antioxidant and antimalarial activity of MeOH and DCM extracts, respectively, as well as no general toxicity of them could provide a basis for further in-vitro and in-vivo studies and clinical trials to develop new therapeutical alternatives

Study of the antioxidant effects of Eremostachys laciniata rhizome extracts in isolated rat hepatocytes

Eremostachys laciniata, having rich flavonoids content, is expected to have a considerable antioxidant effects. We used ACMS [Accelerated cytotoxic or protective mechanism screening technique] to evaluate possible antioxidant effect of E. laciniata rhizome against oxidative cell damages induced by different types of oxidative stress such as iron-8-hydroxyquinolin [IQ] complex and copper in freshly isolated liver cells. The extracts were prepared with n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol. Hepatocytes were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats by a two-step collagenase perfusion. Cell viability was measured by trypan blue exclusion method. DPPH [2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl] assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. ROS formation was measured by using DCFDA [2, 7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate] probe, mitochondrial membrane potential [MMP] was assessed by rhodamine 123 fluorescence and lipid peroxidation was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] assay. The MET extract was demonstrated to possess a significant radical scavenging activity [RC50%=0.212]. Unlike MET extract, the n-hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed toxic effects in cell suspensions. The MET extract significantly decreased cell death and ROS formation induced by IQ complex and copper and demonstrated protective effects against copper-induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and lipid peroxidation. The protection induced by MET extract can be attributed to antioxidant characteristics of phenylethanoids content

Comparison of effectiveness of the bioadhesive pastes containing licorice 5% and topical corticosteroid for the treatment of oral Lichen Planus: a pilot study

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease with immune system's origin. There is no definite cure for that and present treatment methods are symptomatic. According the effects of topical medications and anti-inflammatory properties of licorice, this study is designed for comparison the effectiveness of the adhesives containing licorice with topical steroid on treatment of oral lichen planus. In this double-blind clinical trial, 40 patients randomly divided into two groups: licorice and topical corticosteroid therapy and were followed up for 12 weeks, we asked patients used the drugs four times in a day and after applying drugs avoid of eating, drinking and smoking for an hour. Data were analyzed by SPSS-19, using the independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests. In this study the use of topical licorice as topical corticosteroids were effective in reducing pain, but the improvement of clinical signs was not effective as corticosteroids. The severities of lesion according Thongprasom classification were 1.2 +/- 1.03 in corticosteroid group and 2.6 +/- 0.9 in licorice group. There was a statistical significant difference between groups [p=0.006]. Based on the findings of this study topical licorice 5% is not a good alternative for topical corticosteroids in the treatment of lichen planus

[Effects of knotweet or polygonum aviculare herbal extract on proliferation of HeLa cell line]

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women living in developing countries. Recently, for treatment of diseases such as cancer, herbal medicine is used as a supplementary. The aim of this study was assessment of anticancerous effects of polygonum aviculare herbal extract on Hela cervical cancer cell line. HeLa cells were cultured in RPMI - 1640 with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum in 5% Co2 and at 37 [degree sign] C in different concentrations [0, 0.005, 0.05, 0.01, 0.025, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, 0.15, 0.175, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.5, 5 mg/ml] of polygonum aviculare. For assessment of viability of cells, trypan blue staining was performed. MTT assay was used for proliferation detection. Our results showed that in 0.15, 0.20 and 0.35 mg/ml proliferation of HeLa cells decreased according to MTT assay. It was proved that polygonum aviculare had antioxidant component and could be a scavenger of free radical. Because of high production of free radicals in diseases such as cancer, the use of the herbal medicine with high amount of antioxidant could be a supplementary treatment in cancer and other diseases

Antioxidant, antibacterial activities and general toxicity of Alnus glutinosa, fraxinus excelsior and papaver rhoeas

Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior and Papaver rhoeas have long been used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of various ailments. As part of our continuing screening of plant extracts for activities, the extracts of A. glutinosa, F. excelsior and P. rhoeas have been screened for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities, as well as their general toxicity towards brine shrimps. Among the extracts, the methanol [MeOH] extract of F. excelsior displayed the highest level of antioxidant activity [RC[50]=1.35x10[-2] mg/mL] and the dichloromethane [DCM] extract of P. rhoeas was the most toxic extract towards brine shrimps [LD[50]=2.4x10[-2] mg/mL]. The n-hexane and DCM extracts of F. excelsior and the MeOH extract of A. glutinosa were active [MIC values were within 1.25x10[-1] and 1.00 mg/mL] against all 8 bacterial species tested, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]

Onion, a potent inhibitor of xantine oxidase

Onion [Allium Cepa] contains high levels of flavonoids. Although there are many studies indicating the inhibitory effects of flavonoids on xanthine oxidase, there is no report on the effect of onion on this enzyme. Therefore, in the present study, the inhibitory effects of onion on xanthine oxidase are investigated. Fresh filtered juice of onion was prepared and its inhibitory effect on guinea pig liver and bovine milk xanthine oxidase activity was assayed spectrophotometrically using xanthine as substrate. In addition, the effects of hydromethanolic extract of the powdered onion and its major flavonoid, quercetin, were also studied. The juice caused more than 80% inhibition on both guinea pig and bovine milk xanthine oxidase. The extract also resulted in a marked inhibition on guinea pig liver [IC[50]=10 micro g/ml] and bovine milk [IC[50]=13 micro g/ml] xanthine oxidase activities. Quercetin exerted its inhibitory effect on bovine milk xanthine oxidase through a linear mixed-type [K[i]=0.06 +/- 0.04 and K[i]=0.22 +/- 0.16 micro M], whereas, the guinea pig enzyme was inhibited in a competitive manner [K=0.11 +/- 0.02 micro M]. In conclusion, consumption of onion as a staple vegetable with a potent inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase not only could be useful in some diseases such as gout, but also may result in some interactions with those drugs that are metabolized by xanthine oxidase

Two bioactive ferulic acid derivatives from eremostachys glabra

Two ferulic acid derivatives, hexacosyl-[E]-ferulate [1] and leucosceptoside A [2], have been isolated from the rhizomes of Eremostachys glabra. The chemical structures of these compounds have been elucidated by UV, ESIMS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses, and also by comparing experimental data with respective literature data. The free radical scavenging activity and general toxicity of these compounds have been assessed. While none of these compounds has shown any significant general toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay [LD50>1 mg/mL], compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay [RC50 = 0.0976 mg/mL and 0.0148 mg/mL, respectively]

Bioactive lignans from the seeds of centaurea macrocephala

The essential oil from flowering aerial parts of Nepeta depauperata Benth., an endemic Iranian plant, obtained by steam distillation was analyzed by GC/MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats' indices. Thirty-three compounds consisting 82.52% of the total components were identified from the oil obtained with a yield of 0.3%v/w. Among them, spathulenol [31.84%], beta caryophyllene [12.93%] and caryophyllene oxide [10.27%] were the major components of the oil

Inhibitory effect of tannic acid from nutgall on iron-dextran augmented 7, 12-dimethyl benz [A] anthracene-initiated and croton oil-promoted skin carcinogenesis

Tannic acid [TA] is naturally occurring polyphenols present in fruits and vegetables. In this study, inhibition of the carcinogenic potential of croton oil in normal and iron overloaded mice skin by TA is reported. Albino Swiss mice were given iron-dextran for two weeks and were pretreated with a single topical application of tannic acid. After one hour tumors were initiated by a single dose of 7,12- dimethylbenz[a]anthracene [DMBA] the promoting agent croton oil was applied twice a week for 30 weeks. The appearance, number and% tumor incidences were recorded. When compared to control groups, the pretreated groups showed a significant high inhibition of tumors incidences. Biochemical studies in mice skin tissues were based on the measurement of lipid peroxidation [LPO]. TA diminished cutaneous LPO level in mice skin as compared to the untreated groups. This study showed that TA inhibits the augmentation potentials of croton oil and iron dextran significantly. A depletion in LPO levels in TA pretreated groups indicates that excessive generated oxidants in the mice skin tissues may be quenched by TA because of chelation of redox active iron and its faster elimination from the body. It is supposed that inhibition of iron mediated oxidative stress by TA may be responsible for diminishment of cutaneous tumorigenesis