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

Total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of different extracts and fractions from the aerial parts ofartemisia biennis willd

Total phenolic contents [TPC] of five different extracts [petroleum ether, dichloromethane. ethyl acetate, ethanol and ethanol-water] ofArtemisia biennis Willd were measured in this work. The antioxidant activity was investigated by three different methods: p-carotene bleaching [BCB] test, 2.2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging method and ferrous ion chelating [FIC] assay. Among all the extracts analyzed, the hydroethanolic extract exhibited a significantly higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than other samples. Vacuum liquid chromatography of this extract yielded seven fractions [A to G] which were subjected to all aforementioned experiments. The highest total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activites were present in the same sample [Fraction D] but the only statistically significant correlation between TPC and EC. values was observed for BCB

In-vitro evaluation of cytotoxic and apoptogenic properties of sophora pachycarpa

Sophora pachycarpa Schrenk ex C.A.Mey. belongs to the family Fabaceae. Some species of the genus Sophora have shown to possess anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities in cancer cells. However, there is no available information addressing this effect in S. pachycarpa. Here, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of methanol extract and different fractions obtained from S. pachycarpa root on different cancer cell lines including A549, HeLa, HL-60, MCF-7, and PC3 cell lines and leukocytes as non-malignant cells. Apoptotic cells were determined using PI staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry [sub-Gl peak]. S. pachycarpa inhibited the growth of malignant cells in a dose-dependent manner. CH[2]C1[2] and EtOAc fractions showed the lowest IC[50] values ranging from 6 to 50 microg/mL in various cancer cell lines. HeLa cells as the most sensitive cells were chosen for further mechanistic studies. The sub-Gl peak in flow cytometry histogram of S. pachycarpa treated HeLa cells indicates apoptotic cell death in S. pachycarpa-'mduced toxicity. In conclusion, S. pachycarpa exerts cytotoxic effects in different cancer cell lines in which apoptosis plays an important role. Thus, S. pachycarpa could be considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent in cancer treatment

Growth inhibition and apoptosis induction of salvia chloroleuca on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Fragrant species of the genus Salvia have been attributed many medicinal properties, which include anticancer activity. In the present study, cytotoxic properties of total methanol extract of Salvia chloroleuca Rech. f. and Aellen and its fractions were investigated on MCF-7, a breast carcinoma cell line. Malignant and non-malignant cells were cultured in RPMI medium and incubated with different concentrations of plant extracts. Cell viability was quantitated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -5[3-carboxymethoxyphenyl] -2-[4-sulphophenyl] -2H-tetrazolium [MTS] assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using propidium iodide [PI] staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry [sub-Gl peak]. S. chloroleuca inhibited the growth of malignant cells in a dose-dependent manner. Among solvent fractions of S. chloroleuca, the "-hexane and methylene chloride fractions were found to be more toxic compared to other fractions. S. chloroleuca-induced a sub-Gl peak in flow cytometry histogram of treated cells compared to control and DNA fragmentation suggested the induction of apoptosis. Administration of N-acetyl cysteine and vitamin C two ROS scavengers also resulted in significant inhibition of cytotoxicity induced by S. chloroleuca. These results support a mechanism whereby S. chloroleuca induces apoptosis of MCF-7 human breast cells through a ROS-mediated pathway

Evaluation of fenugreek [Trigonella foenum-graceum L.], effects seeds extract on insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

PCOS [Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome] is associated with insulin resistance, obesity and disorders of lipid metabolism as well as infertility. Fenugreek seeds extract is successfully used in lowering blood glucose. Metformin has also the same effect but in a different way. The aim of this study was the assessment of fenugreek effects on insulin resistance in women with PCOS. This was a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study was conducted at the Montaserieh Hospital in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. The patient population included 58 oligo-anovulatory PCOS women with typical ovaries. Women were randomly allocated to receive hydroalcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds in capsules with metformin [n = 30] or placebo capsules with metformin [n = 28] and were assessed before and every 4 weeks within a treatment period of 8 weeks. Menstrual disturbance and metabolic parameters [markers of insulin resistance and hormonal parameters] were measured. Insulin resistance based on HOMA-IR [homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance] model was not significantly different between two groups. Ultrasound scans were performed before and at the end of 8 weeks treatment with significant decrease in PAO [polycystic appearing ovaries] in group 1 [p = 0/01]. Adjuvant therapy to the fenugreek seeds extract [with metformin] in PCOS women improved the sonographic results and menstrual cyclicity

Antiviral activities of aerial subsets of Artemisia species against Herpes Simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) in vitro

Background: Drug resistance to current anti-herpetic drugs has been increasingly reported. Therefore, there is a need for finding new antiviral agents, in particular from natural sources.Objective: In the present study, antiviral activity of subset extracts obtained from aerial parts of Artemisia including A. incana, A. chamaemelifolia, A. campesteris, A. fragrans, A. annua, A. vulgaris, and A. persica were investigated against Herpes Simplex type I (HSV1).Methods: Different concentrations of extracts (400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.125 g/mL) were obtained from subset of each plant separately, and used against KOS strain of HSV1 in HeLa cells. After 24 hours incubation, tetrazolium dye (MTT), was added. The dye absorption by viable cells was measured and compared to the positive control (extract-untreated cells) and acyclovir (as anti-viral agent).Results: The extracts obtained from A. annua had the highest antiviral activity while those of A. chamaemelifolia showed the lowest activity.Conclusion: Subset extracts of A. annua may be an appropriate candidate for further development of anti HSV1 infection.Keywords: Antivirals, artemisia, asteraceae, herpes simplex   

[ effects of lavender oil inhalation on level of anxiety during first stage of labor in primigravida women]

Anxiety is the most prevalent emotional reaction of women during labor. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of lavender oil inhalation on level of anxiety during first stage of labor in primigravida women. This clinical trial which was done in 2008, 102 primigravida women was randomly accomplished on three groups. In lavender oil group, subjects inhaled oil by handkerchiefs smeared with oil for 15 minutes, in placebo group, subjects inhaled sweet almond oil for 15 minutes in the same way and in usual caring group, the routine care of maternity ward was done. The rate of anxiety was measured by Spiel-Berger anxiety questionnaire and compared before, immediately, and 60 minutes after intervention in groups. Data analyzed using chi square, one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. Result show significant decrease in the rate of state anxiety, before and immediately after intervention and before and 60 minutes after it in lavender group compared with placebo and usual care groups [P=0.001]. Also there was significant decrease in the rate of trait anxiety, before and immediately after intervention [P=0.021] and before and 60 minutes after it [P=0.049] in lavender group compared with placebo group. Lavender oil inhalation can reduce the rate of state anxiety during labor until 60 minutes after inhaling, so using the lavender oil for reducing the anxiety of women in each time of labor is suggested

Antiviral activity of obtained extracts from different parts of Cupressus sempervirens against herpes simplex virus type 1

The aim of this study was to search for new antiviral agents from herbal medicines. Ethanol extracts of C. semipervirens, C. semipervirens var. horizontalis and C. semipervirens cv. Cereiformis were used in experiments to test their influence on herpes viruses [HSV-1]. HeLa cells monolayers were infected with herpes viruses [HSV-1]. Antiviral activity of the plant extracts assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin method and observed under a light microscope. All tests were compared with a positive control, acyclovir. showed that all three plants have antiviral activity against HSV-1 virus. The most active extract was the obtained extract from C. semipervirens. Among the different parts of this medicinal plant tested, the fruit's extract appeared to possess the strongest anti- HSV activity. In, of the extracts tested in this survey all showed significant antiviral potency

In vitro cytotoxicity of two subspecies of juniperus excelsa on cancer cells

The cytotoxic effects of crude ethanol extracts of some previously tested Iranian conifers on tumor cell lines have motivated us to screen different parts of two subspecies in these genus. Terminal branchlets and berries of Juniperus excelsa subsp. excelsa and J. excelsa subsp. polycarpos were collected, dried and extracted with ethanol/H2O [80/20 v/v] via percolation procedure. Extracts were dried, reconstituted in ethanol and cytotoxic effects of different concentrations were determined on cancer cells by ELISA, using MTT assay. MDA-MB-468, Hela and KB cells were used in this study. The extracts of the branchlets of male and female of J. excelsa subsp. polycarpos as well as berries extract of J. excelsa subsp. excelsa showed inhibitory activities against KB cells. Extracts of female branchlets and berries of J. excelsa subsp. polycarpos were cytotoxic against all 3 cell lines. In conclusion, obtained extracts from J. excelsa subsp. polycarpos showed cytotoxic effects against most tested cell lines which was comparable to doxorubicin; whereas, berries extracts of J. excelsa subsp. Excels showed inhibitory effects only against KB cells