[Identification of substances in the essential oil and antibacterial activities of heptaptera anisoptera [DC.] Turin]

Heptaptera anisoptera from Umbelliferae was growth in some spaces of Iran. Some researches have been carried out on the herb about isolation and structure elucidation of some phytochemicals. There isn't any report about identification of substances in the essential oil and antibacterial activities of this plant. Identification of substances in the essential oil and antibacterial activities of Heptaptera anisoptera [DC] Turin. Literature survey has shown that the herb has not previously been investigated for essential oil and antibacterial activities. The essential oil of aerial parts from Heptaptera anisoptera [DC] Turin. [Umbelliferae] was obtained by hydrodistillation. The oil was analyzed by GC/MS. The effects of methanol, chloroform and hexane extracts of this plant were tested on 10 G[+] and G[-] bacteria in different dilutions. 91.3% of the oil [10 components] was identified. Method of identification was based on comparison of the mass spectra and retention indices of the components with standards. Thymol [48.8%], 3-carene [17.6%], phytol [7.9%], methyl linolenate [5.6%], and methyl palmitate [4.7%] were the major components. None of the extracts are any effect on tested bacteria. While thymol is the major component of some herbs such as thymes and ajowan, other plants can have thymol as major component. In the oil of thymes, carvacrol is reported, too, but it didn't identify in the oil of H. anisoptera. Similar to other essential oils, monoterpenoides were major compounds. As a result of use of long time for oil extraction [3 hours], non-terpenoides components [diterpenoide, fatty acids and esters] came in the oil, too. Despite the fact of antibacterial activity of plants, none extract of H. anisoptera in 4 test models, have significant antibacterial effect

[Effect of barley [Hordeum vulgare l.] seed extract on fasting serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats]

diabetes mellitus and its related disorders are associated with significant burden on individuals and health care system. In Traditional Iranian Medicine [TIM] the consumption of barley products has been recommended for treatment of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of oral barley seed aqueous extract on fasting serum glucose level and body weight of normal [non-diabetic] and Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male wistar rats were randomly divided in to diabetic and non-diabetic group. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg Streptozotocin. After one week the diabetic group [fasting blood glucose more than 200 mg/dL] and non-diabetic group were randomly divided in to control group and barley seed extract group. Body weight and fasting serum glucose level were measured and compared among groups at 1[st], 3[rd] and 4[th] weeks of study. Significant reduction [p<0.05] of fasting serum glucose level was seen at 4[th] week of treatment with aqueous extract of barley seed in diabetic rats in comparison with diabetic control group. In non-diabetic group, significant reduction [p<0.05] of fasting serum glucose level was seen after one week treatment comparing to non-diabetic control group. No significant effect was detected on the body weight of diabetic and non-diabetic groups. The aqueous extract of barley seed significantly reduced serum glucose level after 4 weeks in diabetic and after 1 week in non-diabetic group. In non-diabetic rats this reduction was not continued after first week

[Water extract of juglans regia L. and diabetes mellitus in Iranian traditional medicine]

There are many reports about the glucose lowering effects of medicinal plants in animal models. There are a some reports in Iranian traditional medicine about glucose lowering effect of septum water extract of Juglans Regia L. In the present study, effect of aqueous extract of the septum of Juglans Regia L. on plasma glucose is assessed. After preparing the water extract of Juglans Regia L. and concentrating of it the lyophilized extract, was tested in diabetic [ip injection of streptozocin] and normal rats. Comparison between groups was made by analysis of variance [ANOVA] and the differences between the means assessed using student's t test. In an oral glucose tolerance test [OGGT], a single oral administration of the water extract at doses of 50, 250 and 750 mg/kg body weight didn't lowered the plasma glucose level in the normal rats. Although that insulin administration [5IU/kg] caused a reduction of serum glucose[P<0.001], none of the extract doses [1000, 750, 500, 250mg/Kg] could cause a significant reduction in such level [P>0.005]. These results demonstrated that the water extract of the septum of Juglans regia's fruit didn't have a significant hypoglycemic effect in rats

[Chemical components of essential oil and antimicrobial effects of rhizomes from cyperus rotundus L.]

Cyperus rotundus L. belongs to Cyperaceae family, which grows in around of Iran and its roots with other herbs uses as antiflatulant and nervous tonic. Identification of chemical components of essential oil and antimicrobial effects of rhizomes from Cyperus rotundus L. The roots and rhizomes of C. rotundus were purchased from Tehran herb shops in June 2007. After confirmation, the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and was subjected to GC/MS. The antimicrobial effects of the root extract were studied on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum. The major components of the essential oil were found alpha-cyperone [32.0%] and spathulenol [11/0%]. The study of antimicrobial activity showed that the methanolic extracts have effects on Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus, but any effects on Salomonella, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum were not showed. 25 Components [91.2% of the oil] were identified, totally. Sesquiterpenoides are major components [0.82%], and then monoterpenoids [8.8%]. Alpha-cyperone as major compound of our oil, was identified in the other research on oil of C. rotundus. Inhibitory concentrations for Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus were 31.25 and 125 mg/ml

Anti-inflammatory effects of total extract of Curcuma amada Roxb. in a rheumatoid arthritis rat model

Joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are among common and debilitating disease of the time. Current treatments are limited due to lack of efficacy and high incidence of side effects. Therefore, there is an increasing need for alternative drug treatment strategies specially in the area of medicinal plants. Curcuma amada Roxb. Which belongs to the family of zingiberaceae, has been traditionally used for inflammation and arthritic pain in China and India. Very little data is available about efficacy of this plant in controlled studies. In this study, effect of total extract of Curcuma amada [C.A.] were assessed on inflammation. Male rats were injected [s.c] with complete freund's adjuvant [50 mg/10 cc heat killed and dried mycobacterium tuberculosis, suspended in mineral oil [Arlacel A and light paraffin]. Injections were made in the right ankle foot of tibio tarsal joint region. On day 15 following adjuvant administration, animals were treated [i.p] with a 100 mg/kg dose of the extract daily for 15 days. Joint diameter, arthritic Index, body weight, WBC count and ESR were recorded. The data indicated that the extract could significantly [p<0.05] reduce ESR, WBC, joint diameter and arthritic Index of treated animals compared with control animals. Further studies are underway to determine antiarthritic potentials and safety of the extract