Identification and quantitative determination of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in trigonella foenum-graecum L. from Iran

The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. [Fenugreek] are used in Iranian traditional medicine as blood sugar lowering agent. According to last investigations, hypoglycemic property is related to the amino acids of the plant specially 4-hydroxyisoleucine. In this research, identification and quantitative determination of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in Fenugreek seeds from Shahreza, central part of Iran, has been investigated. Methods: Powdered seeds of the plant were defatted and then extracted by using ethanol 50%. In order to isolation of 4-hydroxyisoleucine from the extract, ion exchange chromatography was used and the amino acid content was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography technique. The results showed the presence of 0.4% 4-hydroxyisoleucine in the plant seeds which is considerable amount of the amino acid in the plant collected from Iran. According to the effects of 4-hydroxyisoleucine such as antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties, fenugreek can be considered as an herbal remedy in supportive treatment of these disorders

Invitro antitrichomonas activity of Allium hirtifolium [Persian Shallot] in comparison with metronidazole

Trichomonas vaginalis infection is a sexually transmitted infection causing vaginitis and acute inflammatory disease of the genital mucosa. Although Metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis is well documented, The only drug approved for the treatment of trichomoniasis in some countries is metronidazole. Genus Allium plants including garlic; shallot and onion have had an important medicinal role for centuries. Some study have proven antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal and antihelmintic properties of genus Allium plants. at first PSHE and PSDE [persian shallot hydroalcoholic and dichlromethanic extract] was prepared in ethanol/water [50:50] and dichlromethane respectively at cool temperature [10°C]. genus Allium plants extracts were shown to decrease the oxygen uptake, reduce the growth of the organism, inhibit the synthesis of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and damage membranes. In this study the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations [MICs] of PSHE, PSDE and metronidazole respectively were 10, 5 and 2micro g/ml. Persian shallot inhibited growth of T. vaginalis at low concentrations and in short times, therefore this plant have some antitrichomonas components [including allicin, ajoene and other organosulfides] that antimicrobial properties of these was proven

Inhibit effect of allium hirtifolium boiss. [Persian shallot] hydroalcoholic extract on the growth of Leishmania infantum in vitro

Antiprotozoal effects of genus Allium plants including garlic and onion have been proven in Aryana L and s since hundreds years ago. In this study, inhibitory effect of persian shallot hydroalcoholic extract on growth of Leishmania infantum was evaluated in vitro. Different concentrations of the extract including 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/cc in schneider medium were prepared, the parasites were added and counted every day during 7 days after culture. Concentrations between 0.01 - 0.1 mg/cc inhibited the growth of parasites on the third day, but the highest concentration [0.2 mg/cc] inhibited the growth of parasites on the first day. This study proves inhibitory effect of persian shallot hydroalcoholic extract [containing allicin, ajoene and other agents] on Leishmania infantum. For exact evaluation of persian shallot antileishmanian properties, it is necessary to evaluate inhibitory effect of the plant hydroalcoholic extract in vivo