Sterols and flavonoids of lomatopodium staurophyllum

The genus Lomatopodium Fisch. And amp; C.A.Mey., belongs to Apiaceae family and contains one herbaceous species growing wildly in Iran. There are only a few papers about the chemical constituents of these plants. Here, we focused on the isolation and identification of the main flavonoid glycosides and sterols from the aerial parts of L. staurophyllum, which has not been previously reported. Flowered aerial parts of the plant were dried and cut into small pieces, then extracted with ethyl acetate and methanol by percolation at room temperature. The separation process was carried out using several chromatographic methods. Structural elucidation was based on NMR and MS data, in comparison with those reported in the literature. The isolated compounds from ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of L. staurophyllum were identified as nonanal [1], stigmasterol acetate [2], beta-sitosterol [3], quercetin 3-O-glucoside [4] and quercetin 3 - O - rhamnoglucoside [5] by comparison of their NMR spectral data with those reported in the literature. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of L. staurophyllum contain various flavonol glycosides and sterols as the main components. Pelargonic aldehyde [nonanal], a growth promoting factor in plant cells, is found to be occurred in this species and might be a cause of anti -diarrhea activity

study of morphological characteristics of St. John's wort [hypericum perforatum l.] populations in Iran's natural habitats

St. John's wort [Hypericum perforatum L.] is an important medicinal plant that has been widely used for its antidepressant properties. In this study morphological characteristics variation of populations of H. perforatum were investigated. In this study, different morphological characteristics of 25 H. perforatum populations in Iran's natural habitats were evaluated in 2010. The results indicated that the highest coefficients of variations were found in flowers number, the fifth internodes' length and capsule length [respectively, 93.46, 85.28 and 84.7%]; however the lowest coefficients of variations were seen in flower width [11.72%] and sepal length [11.91%]. The largest dimensions of flowers, sepals and petals related to the population which was gathered from Zanjan/Tarum city. The highest leaves dimensions and dark glands density on the bottom leaves were observed in Alamut and Kalaleh populations. The highest positive significant correlations were seen between flower length with flower width; dark glands density on the middle leaves surface area with dark glands density on the bottom leaves surface area; petal length with flower length and width; capsule length with capsule width; non-flowering branches number with branches number; light glands density on the middle leaves surface area with light glands density on the bottom leaves surface area. The lowest significant correlations were observed between capsule length with flower length and width. The principal components analysis showed that four components explained 68.9% of total variance. The cluster analysis divided these populations into four clusters with no consistency in their geographical distributions. In conclusion, this study indicated that there were high variations among the Iranian St. John's wort populations which can be utilized in the breeding programs

Tryptophan and sterols from salvia limbata

Salvia limbata is an aromatic herbaceous plant and grows widely in Iran Turkey and Afghanistan. In the previous study, six flavones together with rosmarinic acid were isolated from the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of S. limbata. In this report, we focused on the isolation and identification of the glycosylated sterols and the main accumulated amino acid of the species S. limbata, which has not been previously reported. Aerial parts of the plant were dried, cut into small pieces and extracted with ethyl acetate and methanol by percolation at room temperature. The separation process was carried out using several chromatographic methods. Structural elucidation was based on NMR data, in comparison with those reported in the literature. The isolated compounds [Figure 1] from the ethyl acetate and MeOH extracts of S. limbata were identified as beta-sitosterol [1], stigmasterol [2], daucosterol [3], stigmasterol 3- O-glucoside [4] and tryptophan [5] by comparison of their NMR spectral data with those reported in the literature S. limbata can accumulate the tryptophan as a major free amino acid together with sterols and their glucosides. Therefore, consumption of S. limbata [as a herbal tea or other preparations], which contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, might be useful for dietary deficiency of tryptophan

Antioxidant activity of some medicinal species using FRAP assay

Medicinal plants [especially belong to Lamiaceae family] are potential sources of new drugs to improve the treatment of diseases whose treatment is associated to anti-oxidative agents. In this paper, the Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma [FRAP] activity of some Lamiaceae and Apiaceae species, has been evaluated. Aerial parts of the plants were dried, cut into small pieces and extracted with ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively, by percolation at room temperature. Different concentrations of the plant extracts were investigated for antioxidant power using FRAP assay. The extracts showed a considerable antioxidant effect from 16.36 mmol of FeSO[4]/100 g dry plant equivalents in Scutellaria tornefortii [AcOEt extract] to 404.12 mmol of FeSO[4]/100 g dried plant in Salvia macrosiphon [MeOH extract]. All the plant samples possessed antioxidant activity, while Salvia macrosiphon [MeOH extract], Pimpinella tragioides [MeOH extract] and Salvia limbata [AcOEt extract] showed significantly the highest results and Scutellaria tornefortii [AcOEt extract] showed the lowest power. Antioxidant activity of these species might be due to the presence of flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, coumarins even monoterpenes [like myrcene] in the plant extracts

Cytotoxic effects of essential oils and extracts of some mentha species on vero, Hela and Hep2 cell lines

Mentha species are widely used in traditional medicine mostly as anti-flatulence. Nowadays, their usage as flavor and preservative in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries has been developed. Moreover, cytotoxic effects of some Mentha species have been reported. In this study, cytotoxic properties of Mentha piperita, M. spicata, M. aquatica, M. crispa, M. pulegium and M. longifolia have been investigated. Different concentrations of essential oils and total extracts of six Mentha species were tested by MTT assay against Vero, Hep2 and Hela cell lines. The results showed that all samples were toxic against Vero, Hela and Hep2 cell lines [IC[50] 28.1-166.2 micro g/ml]. All examined Mentha species extracts and essential oils have cytotoxic effects but some of them could be considered as potent toxic agents

[Evaluation of botanical traits and oil content/chemical composition in Iranian Thymus carmanicus jalas ecotypes]

Thymus caramanicus is an aromatic and perennial plant of Lamiaceae family, which distributes in different areas of Iran. In this study, botanical traits and oil content/chemical composition of Thymus carmanicus Jalas ecotypes are evaluated in natural habitats of Iran. Ecotypes of Th. carmanicus were collected from Kerman [Sirch and Rayen], Yazd, Esfahan and Shahrud. In addition, the geographical origins and the botanical traits of ecotypes were recorded. Oils were extracted by hydrodistillation method for 3h and its constituents determined by GC and GC-MS. The essential oils content [w/w%] of the Kerman-Rayen, Kerman-Sirch, Yazd, Shahrud and Esfahan ecotypes were 2.5%, 1.9%, 2.0%, 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively. 34, 36, 37, 38 and 33 components were identified and quantified in oil samples of Kerman-Rayen, Kerman-Sirch, Yazd, Shahrud and Esfahan ecotypes, representing 98.7, 98.9, 96.9, 92.3 and 98.2% of these oils, respectively. The ranges of major constituents were as follow: carvacrol [42.0 - 80.7%], thymol [4.1 - 11.8%], p-cymene [2.5 - 12.8%], gamma- terpinene [3.7-7.3%]. and borneol [3.1-8.3%]. The carvacrol was the main compound in all ecotypes. Th. carmanicus contains the high content of essential oil and phenolic components including carvacrol and thymol, which can be used in pharmaceutical industries

[Chemical compounds of essential oil and antibacterial effects of thymus caucasicus]

Thymus, one of the important genus of Labiatae family, have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for some medical treatments. In this study, chemical compositions of essential oil of thymus caucasicus were analyzed and antibacterial effects of fractions were surveryed. Thymus caucasicus [lamiaceae] at the flowering stage were collected, from Ardabil province [No. 41 and 87 at Central Herbarium of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR]. The essential oil aerial parts of T. caucasicus was collected by Hydrodistillation and Steam distillation method. The essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and after filtaration, stored at +4[degree sign] C until tested and GC/MS analyzed. Antibacterial activities of essential oil and fractions of the plant were studied by agar dilution on eight bacterial strains. In hydro and steam distillation essence of T. caucasicus, 44 and 58 compounds were identified, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activities showed that was positive effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nerolidol was major compound in hydro and steam distillation essential oil of T. caucasicus. In this study, we showed the essential oil and n-butanol fraction of T. caucasicus have lower MIC against tested microorganisms

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

chemical constituents and antibacterial activity of essential oil of peucedanum ruthenicum [M. Bieb.] rochel [Umbelliferae] leaf

The essential oil of Peucedanum ruthenicum leaf obtained by hydro distillation and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Among the 17 identified constituents accounting for 100% of the total oil, the major component was Thymol [57.79%]. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of P. ruthenicum showed activity against Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria