Biological Activities of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Green Synthesized Using the Aqueous Extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss.

BACKGROUND: Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. is known as a native medicinal plant of Iran. OBJECTIVE: In this study, aqueous extract of D. kotschyi was used to synthesize ZnO-NPs. To produce ZnO-NPs, aerial parts of D. kotschyi were powdered and then macerated for obtaining aqueous extract, after that, aqueous extract was used to reduse zinc nitrate to ZnO-NPs. METHODS: To confirm nanoparticles synthesis, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, FTIR, and XRD were used. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were studied for antimicrobial activities by microdilution method for calculating MIC and MBC. Analysis of ZnO-NPs confirmed successful synthesis by extract of D. kotschyi. RESULTS: The sizes of ZnO-NPs were estimated 50-200 nm in diameter. Antibacterial and antifungal experiments showed potent activities against Staphylococos aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The results of the studies showed that the nanoparticles synthesized with the aqueous extract of D. kotschyi have a much greater antimicrobial effect than the aqueous extract of D. kotschyi and zinc nanoparticles, each alone (MIC values 3.7 to 7.5 mg/ml). CONCLUSION: The noteworthy point is that the inhibitory rate of synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles is higher compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol (MIC values 15 mg/ml). Determining the therapeutic and toxic dose of this product for humans requires further investigation and clinical trials.

The Effect of Sumac Fruit on Serum Lipids and Body Mass Index in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Sumac fruit is an antioxidant and reduces serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHOL) levels. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of sumac fruit on serum lipids and body mass index (BMI) of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Materials and Methods: This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted for 12 weeks on HD patients. Participants were randomly divided into three groups of 2-gram sumac (N = 40), 3-gram sumac (N = 40), and placebo (N = 40) by nonprobability consecutive sampling and stratified block randomization method based on inclusion criteria. Serum lipids and BMI were measured at the beginning of the study and also at the end of the sixth and the twelfth weeks. The physical activity and 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires were used to collect data. Results: No significant difference was found between the level of nutrient and micronutrient intake (P > 0.05), physical activity (P=0.159), and BMI (P=0.718) of patients in the three groups before and after the intervention. However, the difference in serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in each studied group was significant over time (P < 0.001). The difference was not statistically significant between the groups before the intervention, 6 and 12 weeks after the intervention (group effect), and between the study groups over time (time-group interaction). No statistically significant difference was observed between the mean levels of TG (P=0.875), CHOL level (P=0.969), LDL level (P=0.998), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level (P=0.136), and BMI (P=0.608) in the groups over time. Conclusion: Consumption of sumac fruit significantly changed the LDL level over time. Although BMI and serum lipids changed in HD patients, these changes were not significant. Future studies are needed to determine the effective dose of sumac and any dose increase should take toxicity into account and consider a larger sample size and longer intervention and follow-up times.

Chemical composition, antileishmanial, and cytotoxic effects Ferula macrecolea essential oil against Leishmania tropica.

Background: The current study was aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, as well as antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects of the essential oil of Ferula macrecolea and its main compound, terpinolene, against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania tropica. Methods: The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by a gas chromatograph connected to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The MTT (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) - 2.5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to study the effects of the essential oil and terpinolene against promastigotes while the macrophage model was used for evaluating the effect of F. macrecolea essential oil against amastigotes of L. tropica as well as assessing cytotoxicity. The Griess reaction assay was employed to study the nitric oxide (NO) produced by treating macrophage cells with the essential oil and terpinolene. Furthermore, the effect of the essential oil and terpinolene on plasma membrane permeability and inhibition of infection in macrophages was evaluated. Results: The main compounds were terpinolene (77.72%), n-nonanal (4.47%), and linalool (4.35%), respectively. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the essential oil, terpinolene, and glucantime against promastigotes were 27.6, 11.6, and 32.8 µg/mL, respectively; however, their IC50 values against amastigotes were 42.3, 19.6, and 56.9 µg/mL, respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations of the essential oil, terpinolene, and glucantime were 471.3, 207.3, and 1165.3 µg/mL, respectively. The production of NO in macrophage cells after treatment with the essential oil and terpinolene was increased in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). The results revealed that by increasing the concentration of the essential oil and terpinolene, the permeability of the parasites' plasma membrane was significantly changed (p < 0.001). The pre-incubation of Leishmania parasites with F. macrecolea essential oil and terpinolene significantly declined the rate of cell infection by 74.8% and 79.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that F. macrecolea essential oil, especially its main compound, i.e., terpinolene, has a potent antiparasitic effect on the promastigote and amastigote stages of L. tropica. Considering the advantages of medicinal plant products over their chemical counterparts, it is suggested that in the continuation of this study, the effect of F. macrecolea essential oil, especially terpinolene, on laboratory animals, and in case of high efficiency, in humans be evaluated.

Chemical Composition, Apoptotic Activity, and Antiparasitic Effects of Ferula macrecolea Essential Oil against Echinococcus granulosus Protoscoleces.

BACKGROUND: Today, the present protoscolicidals used to minimize the serious risks during hydatid cyst surgery are not completely safe and have various adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and apoptotic activity of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) as well as its in vitro and ex vivo protoscolicidal effects against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. METHODS: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of FMEO. Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts were collected from liver fertile hydatid cysts of infected sheep and were then treated with various concentrations of the essential oil (75, 150, and 300 µL/mL) for 5-60 min in vitro and ex vivo. Then, by using the eosin exclusion test, the viability of the protoscoleces was studied. The caspase-3-like activity of the FMEO-treated protoscoleces was also evaluated through the colorimetric protease assay Sigma Kit based on the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: According to GC/MS, the main constituents of the essential oil were terpinolene (77.72%), n-nonanal (4.47%), and linalool (4.35%), respectively. In vitro, the maximum protoscolicidal activity of FMEO was observed at the concentrations of 150 and 300 µL/mL, such that 100% of the protoscoleces were killed after 30 and 20 min of exposure, respectively. Based on the obtained findings, the results demonstrate that FMEO required a longer time to kill protoscoleces ex vivo; after 12 min of exposure to FMEO, only 13.4% of the protoscoleces remained alive. After 48 h of the treatment of protoscoleces, FMEO, in a dose-dependent manner and at doses of 75, 150, and 300 µL/mL, induced the activation of the caspase enzyme by 24.3, 35.3, and 48.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the potent protoscolicidal effects of FMEO in vitro and ex vivo; however, further studies are required to assess the safety and the efficiency of FMEO as a promising scolicidal agent in a preclinical model and clinical setting.

Iranian Herbal Medicines Against Hydatid Cyst Protoscoleces: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, more attention has been focused in the practice of both crude extract of medicinal plants, and the screening plant-derived compounds as substitute scolicidal agents during hydatid cyst surgery. The present study was designed to review the protoscolicidal effects of some Iranian herbal medicines against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. METHODS: English databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched for publications worldwide related to protoscolicidal effects of Iranian herbal medicines without date limitation so that identify all published articles (in vitro, in vivo, clinical and case-control) have studied. Keywords included "Protoscolicidal", "Scolicidal", "Herbal medicines", "Extract", "Essential oil", "Plant", "In vitro", and "Iran". Moreover, the language of data collection was limited to English. RESULTS: In total, 40 papers up to 2020 were included in the present systematic review. The most studies were conducted on protoscolicidal activity of methanolic extracts (17 studies) followed by essential oils (15 studies), and aqueous extract (3 studies). The most commonly used part of herbs were leaves (21 herbs), seeds (8 herbs), and fruit (6 herbs), respectively. Moreover, the most prevalent herbal family was Lamiaceae (6 studies), followed by Apiaceae (5 studies) and Liliaceae (5 studies). CONCLUSION: Considering the high efficacy of Iranian herbal medicines against hydatid cyst protoscoleces, it can be concluded that Iranian herbal medicines have ability to consider as new alternative protoscolicidal agents during hydatid cyst surgery; however, more clinical studies are required to discover the precise protoscolicida activity of Iranian medicines in animal and human subjects.

Effect of chitosan on Toxoplasma gondii infection: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The preferred treatment for management of toxoplasmosis is the combined use of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. However, there are a wide number of adverse side effects with these medications. Recent research has focused on the use of chitosan for the treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infections. This review was performed to obtain a better understanding of the in vivo and in vitro effects of chitosan on T. gondii strains. METHODS: The current study was carried out according to the PRISMA guideline and registered in the CAMARADES-NC3Rs Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Facility (SyRF) database. The search was performed in five scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, with date limits of 1992 to December 2019. The search was restricted to articles published in the English language. The words and terms searched were "Toxoplasma gondii", "Chitosan", "nanoparticles" and "anti-toxoplasmosis" with AND or OR. RESULTS: Of 2500 manuscripts, 9 met the eligibility criteria for review. All studies used the RH strain of T. gondii, with Me49 and PRU each included in one study. Five studies (56%) were performed in vivo, one study in vitro and 3 studies included in vivo and in vitro tests. CONCLUSION: Considering the low toxicity and the high inhibitory potency of chitosan against T. gondii, chitosan nanoparticles show potential as an alternative treatment for T. gondii infections.

Application of aeration-assisted homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction procedure using Box-Behnken design for determination of curcumin by HPLC.

A simple, efficient, and rapid sample preparation method based on aeration-assisted homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction was developed for determination of curcumin in food samples by high-performance liquid chromatography. The centrifuge step has been eliminated in this procedure. The effects of some variables, such as pH, volume of extraction solvent, extraction time, and salt effect, were studied through a Box-Behnken design method. Under the optimum conditions, calibration curves of curcumin were linear in the range of 0.08-4000 µg/mL with R2  = 0.997. Limit of detection and relative standard deviation were 0.019 µg/mL and 3.01%, respectively. The preconcentration factor achieved was 166. The proposed method was successfully applied to determination of curcumin in various food samples.

Campylobacter: A Review of New Promising Remedies with Medicinal Plants and Natural Antioxidants.

Campylobacter (curved bacteria) is considered one of the most important and common zoonotic bacteria and the three leading bacterial causes of gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Antibacterial resistance is growing and expanding. The aim of this review article is to report anti-Campylobacter medicinal plants. For this purpose, the search terms consisting of Campylobacter, medicinal plants, essential oil, extract, and traditional medicine were used to retrieve the relevant articles published in the journals indexed in Information Sciences Institute, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Databases. Then, the findings of eligible articles were analyzed. According to the analysis, 71 medicinal plants were found to exert anti-Campylobacter effect. The active compounds of these plants are possibly nature-based antibiotic agents that are effective on Campylobacter. If these compounds are isolated, purified, and studied in pharmaceutical investigations, they can be used to produce nature-based, anti-Campylobacter antibiotics.

Biological applications of phytosynthesized gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi.

In this work, biosynthesis potentials of Dracocephalum kotschyi leaf extract for the production of gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) were studied, and the biological (catalytic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer) activities of studied AuNPs were evaluated. Different analytical techniques including UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for the characterization of AuNPs. Moreover, Different testing methods were used for evaluating biological activities of biosynthesized AuNPs. The formation of AuNPs was confirmed by color change and UV-visible spectroscopic analysis. Field emission (FE)-SEM and TEM images were used to characterize phytosynthesized AuNPs which were predominantly spherical in shape with size in the range of 5-21 nm. These spherical NPs were found to be 39.79 ± 5 nm in size as determined by dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer. XRD pattern confirms the crystalline nature of the biosynthesized nanoparticles. The phytoconstituents involved in the reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles have been identified using FTIR spectra. The phytosynthesized AuNPs showed effective antioxidant, antibacterial and catalytic reduction activities. Furthermore, they have inhibited H1229 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. These results have supported that D. kotschyi leaf extract was very efficient for the synthesis of AuNPs, and synthesized NPs showed enhanced biological activities which make them suitable for biomedical applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 621-630, 2019.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Salvia chloroleuca Aerial Extracts.

BACKGROUND: Salvia, known as Maryam Goli in the Persian language, is an important genus that includes approximately 900 species in the Lamiaceae family. There are 58 Salvia species growing naturally in Iran, including Salvia chloroleuca Rech. f. and Allen., which grows wild in the northeastern and central parts of the country. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant activity, and total phenol content of various extracts of S. chloroleuca. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried aerial parts of the plant were crushed, then sequentially extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The fractions of S. chloroleuca were subjected to silica gel column chromatography and Sephedex LH-20. The antioxidant activities of these extracts were measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and the total phenolic contents of the extracts were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. RESULTS: The separation and purification processes were carried out using different chromatographic methods. Structural elucidation was on the basis 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectral data, in comparison with that reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were salvigenin (1), luteolin (2), cirsiliol (3), ß-sitosterol (4), and daucosterol (5). Ethyl acetate extract displayed the highest level of total antioxidants and total polyphenols compared to the other analyzed extracts (n-hexane and methanol). In the FRAP assay, ethyl acetate extract had the highest (230.4±10.5) FRAP value, followed by methanol (211.4 ± 8.3) and n-hexane (143.4 ± 12.04). Total phenol contents were calculated to be 13.8 ± 0.3, 58.25 ± 0.05, and 43.48 ± 0.38 mg of gallic acid/100 g in the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The above-mentioned compounds were isolated for the first time from S. chloroleuca. The antioxidant activity of this plant could be in part related to isolated flavonoids and sterols. The results of this study indicated that S. chloroleuca could be an important dietary source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity.

A new rearranged tricyclic abietane diterpenoid from Salvia chloroleuca Rech. f. & Allen.

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Salvia chloroleuca led to the isolation and identification of a new rearranged abietane diterpenoid (1). Its structure was elucidated by interpretation of the 1D and 2D NMR spectra and completed by the analysis of the HR-ESI-MS data. Compound 1 is the secondly reported compound on a rearranged tricyclic abietane (4,5-seco-5,10-friedo-abietane) diterpenoid with a ketal functionality between C-2 and C-11. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.

In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of four Alkanna species growing in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants are recognized as sources of natural antioxidants that can protect biological system from oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the antioxidant activities of four species of the Alkanna genus (Alkanna bracteosa, Alkanna frigida, Alkanna orientalis and Alkanna tricophila) were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dried roots of plant samples (100 g) were extracted separately by percolation method with MeOH/H2O (80/20) and four fractions were provided respectively with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Antioxidant activities were investigated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid methods and compared with quercetin (as positive control). RESULTS: The results indicated that the butanol fractions of four species had the highest antioxidant activity and radical scavenging activity compared with the other fractions studied (P < 0.05). The 50% effective concentration (half - effective doses) values of butanol fractions are less than quercetin and other fractions, so, these fractions showed potent antioxidant activity. This indicated that the active compounds in the root parts of Alkanna species dissolved in the butanol. All the fractions of four species of Alkanna had antioxidant activity, while, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the total antioxidant activities of same fractions. The total antioxidant activity values of Alkanna fractions in a descending order are as follows: Butanol fraction > ethyl acetate fraction > total extract > hexane fraction > chloroform fraction > aqueous fraction. CONCLUSION: The antioxidant activities of butanol fractions of samples were higher than quercetin. This may be because most of the active compounds of Alkanna species dissolved in the butanol.