Effect tf rubia tinctorum l. extractson carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats

Inflammation is a dynamic process that is elicited in response to various harmful stimulantsthat may threaten the well-being of the host. Herbs have been traditionally used as anti-inflammatory agents since very early times. Rubia tinctorum L. is one of these herbs that havebeen used for treating inflammatory diseases in Iranian traditional medicine. This study aims at considering anti-inflammatory effects of R. tinctorum and comparing its extracts in this property. The root of Rubia tinctorum [Rubiaceae] was collected from Yazd province, in the center of Iran. The root extracts of plant were studied for their anti-inflammatory activity by using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in Wistarmale rats. Indomethacin and normal saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Different concentrations of aqueous, ethanolic, and 50% aq. ethanolic extracts [600, 800, 1000 mg/kg] were given orally before carrageenan injection. The paw thickness was measured at 1, 3 and 5 hours after injection. Results: Both, aqueous and 50% eq. ethanolic extracts reduced paw edema at 600 and 800 mg/kg concentrations. Moreover, ethanolic extract showed significant effect only inl[st] hour after carrageenan injection. The results indicated that the aqueous extract were exhibited higher anti-inflammatory effect compared with other extracts. Accordingly, the potent anti-inflammatory effect of the root extracts is attributed to the polar compounds which are extracted in the water

Quality control of Nepeta menthoides Boiss and Buhse using micromorphological analysis and phytochemical screening

Nepeta menthoides Boiss and Buhse is a species from Lamiaceae family. It is used as a herbal medicine with common name "Ostokhodus" in Iranian traditional and folk medicine but there is not enough information about its quality and quantity control methods. In this study we use micromorphological and phytochemical evaluations for qualitative and quantitative control of N. menthoides powder. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, phytochemical screening and flavonol quantification were done on N. menthoides powder. Results showed that all of these assessments can use as quality control parameters for authentication of N. menthoides, particularly micromorphological specifications. Our study shows the importance of micromorphological evaluation in authentication of this herbal medicine but further investigations are needed to complete these data

Cytotoxicity of two species of Glaucium from Iran

Numerous molecules in Papaveraceae family display interesting cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines in vitro and hints of anticancer activities in vivo have been reported in a few cases. Numerous molecules in this family display interesting cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines in vitro and hints of anticancer activities in vivo have been reported in a few cases. In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of total and alkaloid extracts of Glaucium flavum Crantz and Glaucium grandiflurom Boiss. andamp; Huet, the two species of this genus, on cell proliferation of HT-29, Caco-2, T47D, and NIH/3T3 cell lines by MTT method and their IC[50]s were determined. The aerial parts of G. grandiflurom and G. flavum were collected from Jajrud in Tehran Province in June 2011. The effect of total extract and alkaloid extract of then on HT-29, Ta7D, NIH/3T3 and Caco-2 cells was determined by MTT assay. Alkaloid extracts showed a moderate cytotoxic effect on the cell lines. IC[50] values confirmed that the growth and proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells were less affected in comparison to other cell lines. The effects of alkaloid extracts of both plants on human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines [HT-29, Caco-2], showed that these extracts contain certain compounds that can inhibit the proliferation of colon cancerous cells

Composition of the essential oils of thymus deanensis celak var. deanensis from different regions of Iran

Thymus deanensis is a known aromatic plant which grows widely in Iran and many mediterranean regions. In previous studies composition of essential oils of many species of Thymus genus reported which they were rich of phenols like Thymol and Carvacrol. Water distilled essential oils from aerial parts of Thymus deanensis var. deanensis from three different localities in Iran were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. 20 compounds representing 87.8% of the region of Azerbaijan Mountains [A] oil were identified with thymol [70.8%], carvacrol [6.3%] as main constituents. 13 compounds representing 98.6% of Damavand, Mosha [B] oil were identified with thymol [53.6%], carvacrol [23.8%] and p-cymene [11.0%] and then thymol [72.1%] and p-cymene [5.3%] were the major constituents of the latter oil Chaharmahal Bakhtiari [C] among the 16 compounds characterized which represented 99.6% of the oil. The composition of three samples of Th. deanensis oils in our research was similar to the composition of other phenol-rich Iranian species. Although the content of thymol in Th. deanensis is higher than many reported cultivated Thymus vulgaris

Anti-inflammatory effect of thymus kotschyanus boiss. and hohen. extract on rat's hind paw edema induced by carrageenan

Advantages of herbal drugs have been known to human being for many years and they have been used for treatment of many diseases. Nowadays, inflammation is known to be one of the basic pathologic causes of the diseases. In this study the anti-inflammatory effects of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss and Hohen was investigated. Forty two Wistar rats were used into three divided groups. In the first group, extract of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss and Hohen in doses of 50,100,150,200 mg/kg was injected intra peritoneal and after one hour they were treated with hind paw edema test with carrageenan. In the second group, Indomethacin with the dose of 5 mg/kg was injected one hour before carrageenan and in the third one, saline was injected before carrageenan, every hours after carrageenan injection to rat's right hind paw; the inflammation was separately measured by the change in the volume of mercury [plethysmometer]. Indomethacin and Thymus kotschyanus Boiss and Hohen extract had significantly reduced edema in all five measurements [p<0.001]. There was no significant difference between Indometacin and the extract in reducing edema in the first to fourth hour, but in the fifth hour, the herbal drug showed a significant difference of anti-inflammatory effect with Indometacin in all doses [p<0.05]. The methanolic extract of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss and Hohen has anti-inflammatory effect in all doses which is dose dependant and can be used instead of or as a synergist for Indometacin. Higher doses of herbal extract may have more anti-inflammatory effects

Comparison of antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of some Persian Gulf marine algae

Marine algae, especially brown species, produce a wide range of metabolites with various biological activities. Since marine algae are rich source of dietary fibers, minerals, proteins, vitamins and phenolic components with antioxidant effect, in addition to the rule of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of chronic diseases, the aim of this study was to investigate possible antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of three brown algae species [Sargassum swartzii, Cystoseira myrica, Colpomenia sinuosa] collected from Asaloye-Niband marine protected area of the Persian Gulf. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of partitional fractions of Hexan, Chlorofrom [CHCL[3]], Ethylacetate [EtOAc] and Methanolic extract of the samples were studied. Total phenolic contents was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu method while ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] assay were used to study their antioxidant activity. MeOH -H[2]O and chloroform fractions of Sargassum swartzii 12.3, 55.32 +/- 4.8 +/- were found to have the highest antioxidant activity as 73.92 0.5, 11.05 +/- mmol Fe[II] per 100 g dried plant and total phenolic contents, 12.0 0.64 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g dried plant respectively. There was a significant Correlation [R[2]=0.999] between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of MeOH-H[2]O fractions obtained from total extracts of these algae. It is recommended that these algae could be potential sources of natural antioxidants

Larvicidal activity of essential oils of apiaceae plants against malaria vector, anopheles stephensi

Plant extracts and oils may act as alternatives to conventional pesticides for malaria vector control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of essential oils of three plants of Apiaceae family against Anopheles stephensi, the main malaria vector in Iran. Essential oils from Heracleum persicum, Foeniculum vulgare and Coriandrum sativum seeds were hydro distillated, then their larvicidal activity were evaluated against laboratory-reared larvae of An. stephensi according to standard method of WHO. After susceptibility test, results were analysis using Probit program. Essential oils were separated from H. persicum, F. vulgare and C. sativum plants and their larvicidal activities were tested. Result of this study showed that F. vulgare oil was the most effective against An. stephensi with LC[50] and LC[90] values of 20.10 and 44.51 ppm, respectively. All three plants essential oil can serve as a natural larvicide against An. stephensi. F. vulgare oil exhibited more larvicidal properties

[Study of Tehran physician's intensity for administration of herbal drug based on their prescription in the time period between 2007-2008 in 3 university related drugstores]

It may be necessary to accomplish an investigation based on the extensive and deep studies about the situation and status of herbal medicines in different societies. Investigation of prescribed herbal medicines by physicians -as one of the high educated portion of the society and also as the eligible population for prescription of herbal medicines - and also evaluation of drug prescriptions considering the administration of herbal medicines can determine the situation and status of herbal medicines in health policy of a country. In this article the interest of the physicians for administration of herbal medicines, the effect of different variables such as age, sex and type of specialty of physicians, the effect of type of season and finally the effect of type of municipal district as the marker for determination of quality of life on amount of prescribed herbal medicines have been studied. This study, was accomplished in the time period between 1[st] Farvadin till 30[th] Esfand of the year 1386 in 3 university related drugstores - i.e. Taleghani, Abedini and Isar- the drug stores have been selected in the manner that different districts of the city is included in the study. Totally, 5040 drug prescriptions for all over the year have been statistically investigated. The interest for prescription of herbal medicines by physicians is very low. Variables include municipal district of the city with different levels of quality of life, age of physicians, type of specialty, level of education and therapeutic category of drugs have influenced on the interest of physicians for prescription of herbal medicine but sex of physician has no significant effect on this interest. Totally, there is a low interest for prescription of herbal medicines by physicians

[Chemical compositions and antiviral effects of the essential oil of zataria multiflora boiss. and origanum majorana L.]

Zataria multiflora Boiss. is considered as an annual plant endemic in south of Iran. Origanum majorana L. is one of the most famous medicinal and nutritional herbs growing in the temperate zones of south Europe. These two have been used as carminative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bronchodilator and expectorant in traditional medicine of Iran and European countries. In the current study, chemical composition and antiviral effect of the essential oil of Z. multiflora and O. majorana are investigated. Composition of the essential oil samples obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Z. multiflora and O. majorana [Lamiaceae] were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Antiviral effect of the oils were investigated on Herpese simplex separately. Twenty-four components in the oil of Z. multiflora with thymol [38%], carvacrol [34.96%] and para-cymene [7.17%] as the major constituents were identified. Twenty-seven components in the oil of O. majorana were recognized, whereas terpinene-4-ol [36.2%], para-cymene [16.3%] and gamma-terpinene [7.31%] were the main components. The concentration of 1/10000 of each oil was added to Hela cells contained with HSV-I. The growth of the organism was not inhibited at this concentration of the oils. In this research 98.62% and 96.72% of the essential oil of Z. multiflora and O. majorana were determined. Both essential oils were characterized by a high amount of oxygenated compounds [85.33% and 60.3% respectively]. Where as the concentration more than 1/10000 of the oils were citotoxic for Hela cells, more study and different methods is needed to investigate antiviral effects of these two oils

[Quantification of 4-hydroxyisoleucine content in treated and untreated fenugreek seeds using GC]

There are some reports regarding antidiabetic activity of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, however its hypoglycemic property must be proven completely before presentating as a new drug. Preparing suitable amount of 4-hydroxyisoleucine is nesessary for supporting in vivo studies. The purpose of the present study was isolation of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, comparing 4-hydroxyisoleucine content in two samples of Fenugreek seeds collected form two distinct parts of Iran and finally the effect of germination and supplementation by isoleucine on 4-hydroxyisoleucine yield. 4-hydroxyisoleucine was successfully isolated passing seed amino acid extract through ion exchange and silica gel column and then crystallization on methanol. 4- hydroxyisoleucine content in various samples was assessed by GC. Seeds from Northwestern of Iran had higher amount of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in comparison to Central Iran. Furthermore yields from germinating seeds were 2 folds higher than the dried seeds, and could be increased 6 fold by inclusion of isoleucine supplement in the irrigation water. simple procedures can be engaged for improving yields of 4-hydroxyisoleucine isolated from fenugreek up to six-fold by using of germinated seeds supplemented with isoleucine

Comparison of antioxidant activity and total phenols of some date varieties

Date palms [Phoenix dactylifera L., Arecaceae] are one of the oldest cultivated plants which are used in folk medicine for treatment of various diseases. Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in this plant and the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of chronic diseases, the aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of date palm fruits extracts with water, methanol 50%, DMSO, and mixture of water-methanol-acetone-formic acid [20:40:40:0.1]. Antioxidant activity of extracts were measured by two tests: inhibition of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical and FRAP [Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power]. Among 10 different varieties which were examined, the DMSO extract of Khenizi showed the highest antioxidant activity with the FRAP value of 3279.48 micro mol/100 g of the dry plant and DPPH inhibitory percentage of 56.61%. DPPH scavenging radical and FRAP values of some varieties including Khenrizi, Sayer, Shahabi and Maktub showed a significant increase and were comparable to alpha -tocopherol [10 mg/L] when extracted by DMSO. Formic acid extract of Shahabi variety with 276.85 mg GAE/100 g of the dry plant showed the highest total phenolic content compared to other varieties. There was no correlation between accumulation of total phenol and antioxidant activity of extracts, explaining existence of other antioxiadant components in date

[Seasonal variation of Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oils]

Rosmarinus officinalis L. [Rosemary] is one of the essential oil containing plants from Lamiaceae family. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean region of Europe and the Near East. It has been used as a food spice and as a medicine since ancient times. Today rosemary is cultivated in nearly all countries as a medicinal and ornamental plant. There are some reports about the effect of environmental conditions and genetic on rosemary essential oil. The goal of this work was to investigate the seasonal variation on rosemary essential oil composition. Aerial parts of plants were dried after collection from Evin, Tehran. Essential oils were obtained by using Clevenger type apparatus for 90 min and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Rosemary essential oil showed 52 compounds, where 31 of those were similar in different seasons, alpha -Pinene, Limonene, Camphene, Camphor, 1, 8-Cineol and Bornyl acetate were major components of rosemary oil. The content of 1, 8-Cineol was the highest in September [14.15%]. The elevated levels of alpha-Pinene and Limonen were observed in February [28.8% and 17.29% respectively]. At least in various seasons from spring to winter constituent of alpha-Pinene [18.5%, 24.7%, 20% and 28.3%], Limonene [11%, 6.1%, 8.6% and 17.3%], Camphene [7.5%, 8.3%, 7.3% and 8.1%] and Camphor [7.4%, 13.4%, 8.3% and 4.7%] were compared respectively. Except alpha-Pinene, Limonene, 1, 8-Cineol and Bornyl acetate, most of these components did not affected by seasonal change. Some of these essential oils components converted to others, thus their concentrations decreased in summer but their amounts were at the highest levels in winter

[Investigation of the best method for extraction of phenolic compounds from echinaceae purpurea L. [moench]]

Echinacea spp. Have been used in traditional medicine for many years. Recently, many investigations have been done on this plant and they showed that the plant is an immunostimulant agent. The plant contains different components such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds and isobutylamides. Phenolics are one of the most important agents in immunostimulant effects of the plant; therefore, determination of a method for the best extraction of these compounds from the plant is important. In this research, the effects of solvent, extraction procedure, plant particle size and plant: solvent ratio on extraction of phenolic compounds of Echinacea purpurea [L.] Moench have been investigated. Different polar and non-polar solvents from hexane to acidic water were used in order to determine the best solvent for phenolics extraction. Moreover, the methods of maceration, sonification, perculation, digestion and continuous extraction [by use of soxhelet apparatus], different particle sizes of the plant powder and various plant: solvent ratios were examined as well. The results showed that the best method for extraction of phenolics is methanol: water 80:20 as solvent, method of digestion [2h, 50[degree sign] C], particle size of 300 micro m for the plant powder and plant :solvent ratio of 1:200. It can be concluded that in order to efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from Echinacea purpurea aerial parts, special condition should be considered

Fingerprint study of Thyrnus spp.aby TLC

Thymus is a widely used medicinal plant in food and pharmaceutical industries. Among different species of Thymus, T. vulgaris is used more than other species in therapeutic dosage forms. This study was conducted to differentiate various Thymus species by TLC fingerprint. In order to identify and differentiate various species of Thymus, TLC fingerprints of essential oil, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and n-butanol extracts of four available species named T. vulgaris, T. pubescens, T. citriodorus and T. daenensis were obtained and compared with each other. The results showed that the TLC chromatograms of essential oil and n-butanol extract cannot be used as differential identification for the above-mentioned species; while the ethylacetate and dichloromethane extracts are more reliable to be used for TLC fingerprints. TLC-chromatogram of ethylacetate extract is specific for identification of T. pubescens and T. vulgaris while T. citriodorus and T. daenensis can be best identified by their TLC fingerprints obtained from dichloromethane extract. For best differentiation of various Thymus species, different extracts of the plants should be used

[Evaluation of anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of methanol extracts of some species of Stachys and Melia]

The gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori], identified in 1982, is now recognized as the primary etiological factor associated with the development of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by the organism demands the search for novel compounds from plant based sources. The present study is aimed at evaluating the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 10 Iranian plant extracts on clinical isolates of H. pylori. Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from patients presenting with gastroduodenal complications. H. pylori was isolated from the specimens following standard microbiology procedures. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of 12 isolates to methanol plant extracts [Fruit and leaves of Melia azedarach, Melia indica and aerial parts of Stachys setifera, Stachys turcomanica, Stachys trinervis, Stachys subaphylla, Stachys byzanthina, Stachys persica, Stachys inflata, Stachys laxa]. The plants tested at 8 mg/disc concentration demonstrated anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with zone diameters of inhibition ranging from 12-38 mm. Of these, Stachys setifera [aerial parts], Melia indica [Fruit] and Melia azedarach [leaves] showed the most potent anti -H. pylori activity on the isolates. Due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, new sources of anti-H. pylori drugs are needed. The use of medicinal plants may have potential benefit in eradicating such problems. According to the results of this study, further studies will be necessary to investigate the effects of other plants of Iran against H. pylori infectio

[Taxuspinanane G from the aerial parts of Taxus baccata L. growing in Iran]

The discovery of paclitaxel [Taxol] as a potent anticancer drug from Taxus brevifolia has encouraged several groups all over the world to conduct research work on other Taxus species, in order to isolate potentially more effective paclitaxel derivatives for the treatment of various cancers or as starting materials for semi-synthesis As a consequence, more than 400 taxane-type diterpenes have been isolated from various Taxus plants, and some of them were found to possess interesting anticancer activity. This study was conducted for isolation, purification and identification of taxoids occurring in the aerial parts of Taxus baccata L. from Iran. The aerial parts of the plant were extracted with organic solvent and after defatting, partitioning, column chromatography and thin layer chromatography steps, the isolated compound was identified on the basis of NMR spectrum data. Taxuspinanane G was isolated and identified according to the NMR spectrum data. In this study, taxuspinanane G was isolated for the first time from the aerial parts of Taxus baccata L. This is the first report of the isolation of this compound from the given species

Chemical composition of the essential oil of tagetes minuta l. and its effects on anopheles stephensi larvae in Iran

There is moment more than 1 billion people who are suffer with malaria disease and each year it causes up to 2 million deaths therefore it is shown that malaria is the worlds worst health problem. The value of insecticides in malaria control is much reduced. Tagetes minuta L. is effective deterrents of numerous insect pests. Tagetes minuta L. is an annual plant, grows to the temperate grasslands and mountainous regions of southern South America, including of Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Tagetes minuta L. have a long history of human use as beverage, condiment and ornamentals as medicinal decoctions. Essential oil of T. minuta is used in perfume, food and cosmetic industries as [Tagetes Oil]. Chemical composition and antilarval effects of the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. cultivated in Iran was investigated. In this study component of the essential oil of dried and fresh Tagetes minuta L. were investigated by GC and GC/MS and larvicidal effect of these essential oil were evaluated against Anopheles stephensi larvae s. The yield of volatile oil of dried plant was 1% and for fresh plant was 1/1%. Major constituents of the essential oil of dried plant were contained: trans-Ocimenone [19.89%], Cis-Ocimene [17.67%], dihydrotagetone [5.56%], Cis-Tagetone [5.03%], and for fresh plant contains: Cis-Ocimene [33.7%], Cis-Ocimenone [9.6%], transOcimenone [8.12%], limonene [5.5%], allocimene [5.4] and Cis-tagetone [4.95%].The effectiveness of various concentrations of total essential oil on malaria vector larvae, Anopheles stephensi were investigated and probit mortality all the parameters including LC[50] and 95% of confidence interval, LC[90] and 95% confidence interval were determined. They were: LCso: 1.3015mg/l, LC9o: 5.0719 mg/1 respectively for dried plant, the figures for fresh were: LC[50]: 1.0532 mg/1, LC[90]: 3.8311 mg/1. In this research, we studied on essential oil of T. minuta to find some natural product with less side effect on ecosystem and maximum efficacy. Result of our study showed that the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. which was grown in Iran-Tehran [Zard - Band] had a great amount of biological effect on the larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Therefore, the essential oil of this plant offer a valuable candidate for potential development of a botanical larvicide for malaria vectors control

Evaluation of antifertility effect of the seed oil constituents of Iranian species of melia azadarach L. in male rats

Convenient and effective contraceptive methods have been the subject of extensive and versatile research project, during the past 50 years. In this respect, the use of active herbal constituents is one of the topics of research and investigation. In this study the antifertility activity of seed oil extract of Iranian species of Melia azadarach L. in northern district of country, on male rats, during 2 consecutive steps have been evaluated. The seed oil extract have been prepared according to conventional methods, and were administered orally in 50 and 100 mg/kg daily doses for 60 days. In the first step, the inhibition of fertility indices were assessed with the help of, sperm viability, sperm motility, ESR [Epididymal sperm reserves], DSP [Daily sperm production], GSI [Gonado stomatic index], fertility indices, and serum testosterone content. In the subsequent stage, 3 months after the 60[th] day of compounds administration, the reversibility of the a formentioned indices are determined again. In the first step, a significant reduction in fertility indices to control especially in higher dose were observed. During the next stage, the significant increase in fertility indices are the indication of reasonable recovery and reversibility of extract activity. In summery, the result of this study of this study showed that its activity is reversible