taxonomical, morphological and pharmacological review of Marrubium vulgare L., an old medicinal plant in Iran

Marrubium vulgare L. [common name: Horehound, hoarhound] is one of the medicinal plants which has been used in the treatment of stomach, arrhythmia, asthma, jaundice, lung diseases and liver disorders in Iranian traditional medicine. Other properties are expectorant, antispasmodic, tonic, anti-infective agent and externally, it has been used in ulcers and wounds. Flowers in M. vulgare generally appear in early spring and regularly visited by readily nectar gathering bees. The plant is a good candidate for phytoremediation of Hg contaminated soils. Previous phytochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, lactones, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, phenylpropanoid esters, and diterpenoids in M. vulgare. In this review we focused on the several aspects of taxonomy, morphology, chemical composition and traditional medicine of horehound

[Cytotoxicity evaluation of taverniera spartea on human cancer cell lines]

For centuries, plants have been a major source for drug discovery. Some examples of anticancer agents developed from plants are the vinblastine, vincristine, taxol and camptothecin. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women and prostate cancer remains a considerable health problem for men around the world. The purpose of this study was cytotoxicity evaluation of Taverniera spartea on human cancer cell lines. Methods: In the present study, we determined the cytotoxic effects of total methanol extracts and their fractions of Taverniera spartea on MCF-7 and BT-474 human breast cancer cells and also PC-3 and Du-145 prostate cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The chloroform fraction of Taverniera spartea showed the highest toxicity MTT assay. The IC50 value of this fraction was 70.69 mg/ml for MCF-7 breast cancer cell line after 48 h of exposure. Chloroform fraction showed necrotic effects on MCF-7, BT-474 and PC-3 in contrast apopthotic induction on Du-145 in flow cytometry analysis Taverniera spartea has cytotoxic effects. Further investigation is needed to determine chemical characterization of the active principles and the molecular mechanisms mediated anticancer activities of Taverniera spartea

[Chemical composition of the essential oil and antioxidant activities, total phenol and flavonoid content of the extract of Nepeta pogonosperma]

Nepeta pogonosperma Jamzad and Assadi [Labiatae] is one of the endemic Nepeta species in Iran [Alamut region]. Flavonoids, iridoids, phenols and dierpenes have previously been reported in some Nepeta species. Genus of Nepeta have essential oil and antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and anxiolytic activities and also used in folk medicine because of their expectorant, antiseptic, antitussive, antiasthmatic and febrifuge effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate chemical composition of the essential oil and antioxidant activities, total phenol and flavonoid content of the extract of N. poganosperma in the flowering stage. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the species were measured using colorimetric methods. The total antioxidant capacity was determined by the following ABTS and DPPH free-radicals scavenging and ferric reducing/antioxidant power [FRAP]. Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The extract possessed a higher concentration of total phenol than total flavonoid content. Methanol extract showed moderate DPPH scavenging activity [IC50 < 200 microg/ml]. Fifty constituents were found representing 95.95% of the essential oil. The main constituents of the essential oil were 1, 8-cineole and 4aalpha, 7aalpha, 7aalpha-nepetalactone. The present results demonstrate that N. pogonospema extract exhibits antioxidant activity and may serve as potential source of natural antioxidants for treatment of some diseases. Further investigations are necessary for chemical characterization of the active compounds and more comprehensive biological assays

[Introduce some of the medicinal plants species with the most traditional usage in east Mazandaran region]

Some knowledge about medicinal plants is available in old references or books. But important point is, the information of traditional usage of medicinal plants from different parts of Iran be worthwhile and people is encouraged to use of them, another way it is a good background for future examination about medicinal plants. One of the most important sources of traditional medicine data collection is indigenous people. So the aims of the study are asking the knowledge from eldest and native people to accumulation the wealth and to guide interested people to use of medicinal plants. We started our investigation after prepared a map to distinction the area and different villages. Then we interviewed about medicinal plants in the region from eldest and native people. The specimens that were collected in the region were transferred to herbarium [ACECR] to recognition. In this investigation 14 medicinal species belong to 11 families were collected and identified. In comparison with another survey in some region in neighboring provinces, there are some differences between how to use of medicinal plants and traditional usage that it is due to mores of indigenous people in the each part. Considering that the region has a favorable weather and rich flora especially medicinal plants and also has a previous historical of traditional medicine, so it is needed to pay attention to protect them. Another way we found some new effects of the medicinal plants that can be subjected for investigations to more examination

Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of five plant species of solanaceae family from Iran

The use of natural products as anticancer and antioxidant agents has a long history. Several drugs currently used in chemotherapy were isolated from plant species. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity as well as phenol and flavonoid contents of five plant species of Solanaceae family. Five plant species of Solanaceae family were collected from different regions of Iran. Methanol extracts and chloroform fractions of these species were tested by brine shrimp lethality assay in order to detect cytotoxicity. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH method. The total phenol content was measured using Folin - Ciocalteu method. The flavonoid content was measured by a colorimetric assay. The extracts of Datura innoxia and Datura stramonium showed the highest cytotoxicity activities with LC[50] values of 22.08 and 21.66 micro g/ml, respectively. The chloroform fractions of these two species were subjected to cytotoxicity assay with LC[50] values of 33.00 and 4.29 micro g/ml, respectively. In comparing, Solanum dulcamara showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC[50] values of 52.51 micro g/ml and the highest phenol and flavonoid content of the dry weight. It could be seen among five tested plant species that D. stramonium had the highest cytotoxic activity and S. dulcamara had the highest antioxidant activity, phenol and flavonoid content. Further studies are necessary for chemical composition of the extracts and more comprehensive biological assays

Investigation of the hypoglycemic effect of tribulus terrestris extract on diabetic rats

Tribulus terrestris L. is a traditional herbal medicine used for treatment of hypertension, urinary tract inflammation, kidney and bladder stones. The present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Tribulus terrestris [T.T.] fruit extract on rat blood glucose at acute and chronic phases compered with glibenclamide as the standard hypoglycemic drug. 60 wistar male rats with 200-250 gr weight were selected and caged in same environmental condition. Diabetes was induced by 50mg/kg streptozocin intraperitoneal [ip] injection. After 15 days the rats with fasting blood sugar [FBS] above 200mg/dl were selected and divided into 10 groups of 6 rats each. The T.T. fruit extract in doses of 15, 30, 60, 150, 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg for acute phase and 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg for chronic phase were selected for ip injected. FBG and 2 hour post prandial blood sugar [2hrPPBS] were determined every 20 days during 2 month of the study and fasting blood insulin were determined at the end of the study. The results of this study indicate that in 750 and l000mg/kg doses of T.T. fruit extract groups FBS and 2hrPPBS reduced significantly [p=0.000] compere to glibenclamide group. T.T. fruit extract at the doses of 750 and l000mg/kg has antihyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats

Cytotoxicity evaluation of two species from Caesalpinia genus

One of the important effects of medicinal plants is cytotoxic effect using to treat different tumors and neoplasms. A number of Caesalpinia species have previously been investigated for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antitumor, lowering blood pressure, immunosuppressant and antioxidant effects. Cytotoxicity evaluation of Caesalpinia gilliesii [Hook.] D.Dietr. and Caesalpinia bonduc [L.] Roxb. The plants were collected from Sistan and Baluchestan region and then were identified. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was carried out to investigate the Cytotoxicity of total extracts of plants. Extracts giving LC[50] values lower than 30 micro g/ml were considered to be cytotoxic. Chloroform fractions of methanol extract of cytotoxic plants were also subjected to brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The extracts of C. gilliesii showed moderate Cytotoxicity against brine shrimp [LC[50] between 30 and 50 mirco g/ml]. Different parts of C. bonduc showed different Cytotoxicity and the legume of this species had potent cytotoxic effect. Chloroform fraction of legume of C. bonduc showed lower Cytotoxicity than methanol extract of it. Legume of C bonduc showed potent cytotoxic effect and it could be potential sources for novel anticancer compounds. This study provides useful data for the elaborated cytotoxic bioassays with cancer cell lines

chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Satureja intermedia C. A. Mey

The genus Satureja belongs to Lamiaceae family. 12 species exist in Iran of which 8 are endemic. Some of this genus had shown antibacterial effects. In this study chemical compounds and antibacterial activity of essential oil of Satureja intermedia was identified. Satureja intermedia has been collected from the elevation of Ardabil province in August 2006. Then air-dried aerial parts of the plant were submitted to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to produce the essential oil and was analysed by GC/MASS. Investigation of antimicrobial activity was conducted by Disc-diffusion, MIC and MBC technique and different antibiotics compared with antimicrobial activity of this essential oil. In this study, 34 constituents were found representing 99.8% of the oil. The major components were thymol [25.6%], para-Cymene [21.44%], gamma-Terpinene [20%], Carvacrol [9.48%], alpha-Terpinene [7.94%] and Myrcene [3.58%]. The antibacterial test results showed that essential oil of this plant had a great potential antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results presented here may suggest that the essential oil of Satureja intermedia possess antibacterial properties and is therefore a potential source of antibacterial ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical industry

[Medicinal application of native plants [lamiaceae and rosaceae family] in alamut region in gazvin province]

Considering the fact that traditional knowledge forms the basis for development of new natural products; in the other hands the elder people in some villages possess the traditional knowledge and with death of them, this knowledge is rapidly eroding. So it is an urgent necessity to record and conserving as quickly as possible all information about plants. Consideration and study of connections between usage and cultures believes about medicinal plants [Ethnobotany] is interesting and important basis for research. The aim of this research was studied of two family [Lamiaceae and Rosaceae] in some Alamut villages to know how the people use of these plants for their treatment. The investigated area was divided into different villages with the help of map. Questionnaires were used and devised to identify and document the traditional knowledge of local people. Information and data on various aspects of the plants such as traditional uses, and collection method and time of each species in the area were gathered from the local experienced persons through interviews and discussions. The plants were gathered from different altitude and sites. Then the fully dried specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets. A set of voucher specimens were deposited to IMPH. In this investigation 11 medicinal species of Lamiaceae and 10 medicinal species of Rosaceae family were found that used frequently by native people. In this region there are some rare plants that can be subjected for investigations by researcher for their effects that may be interesting for their therapeutic effects

Study on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of thymus Trautvetteri Klokov and Desj - Shost

The genus Thymus belongs to Lamiaceae family. This genus is comprised of about 350 species widespread in the world. 14 species exist in Iran of which four are endemic. In this study chemical compounds and antibactrial activity in essential oil of Thymus trautvetteri was identified. Thymus trautvetteri has been collected from the highlands of Ardabil province in June 2006. Then air-dried aerial parts of the plant were submitted to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to produce the essential oil and the extract was analysed by GC/MASS. Investigation of antimicrobial activity was conducted by Disc-diffusion, MIC and MBC technique and different antibiotics compared with antimicrobial activity of this essential oil. Results: In this study, 49 constituents were found representing 99.76% of the oil. The major components were thymol [24.43%], borneol [11.36%], para-cymene [10.09%] and gamma-terpinene [7.78%], alpha-pinene [5.29%] and carvacrol [5.07%]. The antibacterial activity of essential oil of this plant was assayed against seven bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus resulted to be the most sensitive microorganism with a MIC value of 125 micro g/ml. This study showed that essential oil of this plant have strong inhibitory and bactricidal effects against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Identification of chemical compounds of this species showed that thymol represented the most abundant compounds as the other Thymus species. The antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Thymus trautvetteri can be attributed of thymol and other terpenoides compounds

[Variation in quantitative yield and hypericin content of St. John's wort., Hypericum perforatum L.]

St John's wort, Hypericum Perforatum L. [Culsiaceae] is an important medicinal plant, which has different bioactive constituents and hypericin [a naphtodianthrone] is one of this compounds. Hypericin has many pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antiviral and antibacterial, which cause to high production and consumption. It has known that region and genetic [accession] have significant effects on yield and content of active constituents of this plant. Because of existing 5 accessions in gene bank of medicinal plants Institute -ACECR, this study has been conducted in order to determination the best accession and evaluation role of genetic and environment on quantitative yield and hypericin content. This study has been done in research farms of medicinal plants Institute - ACECR along 1999- 2002. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement. The parameters are measured in this study included: dry and wet herbage, content of hypericin, plant height and diameter in flowering stage. Combined analysis of variance indicated that genetic [accession] had significant effect on wet herbage [p<0.05], dry herbage, plant height and diameter [p<0.01] but had not significant effect on hypericin content. Environmental conditions [years] affected on hypericin content [p<0.01]. Therefore accession and environment have main roles in production of medicinal parts and hypericin content in this plants, respectively. They could be considered as two key factors for an economically successful cultivation

[Review of Centella asiatica [L.] Urban]

AB-Boshghabi [Centella asiatica] from Apiaceae family, has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asiatic countries for hundreds of years. This plant is indigenous to the warmer regions of both hemispheres, including southeast Africa, Asia, Srilanka, the Pacific Islands, Madagascar, Eastern South America, Venezuela, Columbia. It is especially abundant in the swampy areas of India, Iran [around the Anzali lagoon], and Pakistan, Upto an altitude of approximately 700m. This hygrophyte plant is considered as a "vulnerable species" in the Red data book of plant species of Iran. This valuable hygrophyte species has a definitely exclusive habitat around the Anzali lagoon. The major principles are the triterpenes asiatic acid and madecassic acid, and their derived triterpene ester glycosides, asiaticoside and madecassoside. The major clinical indications for the use of centella asiatica in human include the treatment of wounds, venous insufficiency of the limbs, Certain mycobacterial infections and cellulitus. In the present article, we review mainly medicinal aspect of Centella asiatica that hitherto has not received much attention